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HE HISTOR 



WASHINGTON COUNTY 



IN THE VERMONT HISTORICAL GAZETTEER: 



INCLUDING 



A COUNTY CHAPTER, 



AND THE LOCAL HISTORIES OF THE TOWNS OF 



MONTPELIER — CAPITAL OF THE STATE, 

EAST MONTPELIER, 

Barrc, Berlin, Cabot, Calais, Fayston, Marshfield, 

Middlesex, Moretown, Northfield, Plainfield, 

Roxbury, Waitsfield, Warren, Waterbury, 

Woodbury and Worcester, 

BY NATIVE AND RESIDENT HISTORIANS. 



COLLATED AND PUBLISHED BY 

ABBY MARIA HEMENWAY. 



MONTPELIER, VT. : 

VERMONT WATCHMAN AND STATE JOURNAL PRESS. 
1882. 



VHKMONT HISTORICAL GAZETTEEK. --Vol. IV. 

[COPYRIGHT SKCURED TO MISS HEMENWAY FOR VOLS. IV AND V.] 



SUBSCRIPXION PRICEIS- 

Vol. I, II, III, IV. to (Mie Older, or to tlirou<;h suhscrihcrs. in paper, ?5 per vol. ; in 
black clotli, S6: in halt" Russia. $7. Volume iv, alone, in paper. $C^; in I)lack clotli, 
$7: in half Russia, 58. As tiie Publishers have back numbers tor all these volumes 
over tliose to throui^h sul)scril)ers. and to sell this volume alone, breaks a sett, it is 
not the advance that should be expected for a volume enriched i)y nearly a hundred 
more portraits and en^ravint^s than any previous volume, and cannot be promised at 
this price only till three hundred copies may be sold. Vols, i, 11, in, $5 in paper; 
clotii. S6: hal'f iurkey, $7, any vol. or vols. 

Washington County Volume, paj^es 932, $6 in cloth, $6.^0 in half Am. morocco; 
$6.7 j in half Russia, ?7 in all leather. Town Nos. 50 cents each. 

J'osta^e will be prepaid on all numbers and volumes, in jupcr. and particular care 
given to the mailing,' where the subscrijjtion is sent to the Tublisher, with the least 
l^ossible delay. .Mail orders must be paid in advance; express orders, not prei)aid, 
C. (). D . rublishcr's post-office, .Montpelier, Vt. 



Vols. I, II, III, IV, ready for delivery. 

\'ol. I. — The first si.\ \os. : Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, and a i)art of Chit- 
tenden County, including the County Chapter. Vermont History of Lake Champlain. 
IJolton and IJurlington, is ]jrinted in Numbers ; Addison, i ; llennington, 2 ; Caledonia, 
3 and 4; and 5 and 6, Chittenden County — 50 cents per \uml)er. The balance of 
Chittenden and Kssex Counties in a half volume, paper, jjrice i?'2.50 

Vol. II. — The towns of Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Orange Counties, 1200 
pp. is only printed in whole Volume. 

Vol. III. — The towns of Orleans and Rutland Counties, ])rinled only in Volume. 

Vol. IV. — State Volume, 1,200 pages, only 1,000 copies printed, one-half of which 
are now subscrif)ed for. 

Hack numl)ers can be supplied for yet a time, but Vol. I, Nos. 3. 4, 5 and 6 are 
not stereotyped, and no comi)lete vohmies can be made up after Nos. not stereotyi)ed 
are all exhausted, the work being too expensive to reset. Vols. 11 and ill are stereo- 
tyi)ed and owned by another jiarty, but it would not pay to .rei)rint short of several 
hundred orders in advance, which no one would be likely to give for tiie sake of a 
copy, and who would not order while it can be secured by subscription — so large a 
work at so low a price for .so small an edition, and there would be little encouragement 
to i.ssue Vols. II and iii when \'ols. i, iv and v arc not in market. Tliere would not 
now be a copv of the first half of \'oi. i printed in numbers left, had we not in those 
old days of cheap printing issued an edition six times as large as we are now print- 
ing. Vol. IV is not stereotyped ; the type was taken down as fast as the forms were 
printed for the small edition issued, which had to be small, the cost of printing i.ooo 
cojiies being two-thirds over any State aid yet provided, and there are no reserve 
sheets, except a small number for the County V^olume, none for the .State Volume. At 
first there were sheets laid by, but have been called for and taken for town Nos. and 
the County Volume. For the towns who wished more cojjies of their own history 
than of the whole work a part of the edition of Vol. iv was put into numbers of too 
pages, of which not over 20 copies of .Nos.-i and il only are now unsold ; but of towns 
since pamijhleted. alone or combined* \itli other towns, there jet remain for sale, 
(June 7, 1882) 95 copies and no morepfjL'sbot complete in one No. with Calais less I 
page of its grand list— the new Cat.ot and Calais .No. 

92, .NoKTiii-ii!;i.i), comi)lete in one pamphlet of 100 images, with new lithograi)h por- 
trait, the three State Houses and fifteen other portraits and engravings printed in the 
letter-page. Gov. I'aine. Rev. John (Gregory, C,en. Alonzo Jackman, Hon. State Sec. 
Nichols, Judge Carpenter, etc. 

90. J'l.AiNKir.i.i), Ro.xiuuv and Favsto.n, in one number. 

48, Waitskiici.I), Countv Cmai'TKK, 1)AKRK and r.KKi.iN, in one number. 

The balance of the edition left of Vol. i and \'oIs. iv and v are owned by .Miss Hcm- 
cnway : Vols. 11 and iii by Samuel L. Farman of White River Junction. All papers 
for publication should be sent to Miss Hemenway onlj- ; but both parties at present 
mutually sell the whole work. Miss Hemenway buying of Mr. Farman \'ols. i and 11 
for her sub.scribers, and Mr. Farman of Miss Hemenway, \'ols. i, iv and v, .such being 
the arrangement //•(? /<•///. Agents may apply to either party. 



i:^ 



fc^-- 



>L WMmM^AX'MM^^ k.. 



TO THE IIONORAIVLE I'AUJ. DlLLlNdJlAM, 

I'KK-KMINKNTLY TIIK GOVKKNOR OF WASIIINOTON COUNTY, 

Who g:ivf liis order for one luiiulred copies of the Hist()ry of Waterbury ; 

his portrait to the work ; and is also a contril>iitor 

to tliis volume : 

TO HIS SON— HON. WM. p. DH.LINCillAM, 

SENATOR OK WASHINGTON COUNTY, 187S, 1880, 
Who has variously assisted the work : 

To Sylvanus F. Nye, Ksq., the Town Historian of llerlin, for an order for one 
hundred copies of his Town History : 

To John M. Fisher, Esq., Historian of Cabot, for an order for two hundred and 
twenty-five Numbers of Cabot: 

To L. A. Kent, Postmaster at Calais, for an order for one hundred copies of Calais : 

To V. V. Vaughn, Esq., the Associate Historian of Middlesex, for an order for 
one hundred and twelve copies of his Town History. 

To JosEi'H K. Egerton, Hon. V. I). Bradford, M. I)., Rev. Frederick W. 
liartlett, Hon. Heman Carpenter, for an order for one hundred copies of the His- 
tory of North field : 

To Dudley B. Smith, M. D., Historian of Plainfield, for an order for one hun- 
dred copies of the History of Plainfield : 

To E. P. lU'RNHAM, merchant, A. N. Tilden, clerk and treas., Okkin 1'. ()K( I'TT, 
postmaster, Zed.S. Stanton, Esq., and Wilson J. Si.monds. merchant, of Roxbury. 
for an order for one hundred copies of the History of I<oxl)ury : 

To the Honorable Judge Hastings. W. A. Jones and Dea. K. A. Kiske, for ob- 
taining from the town of Waitsfield, at their March meeting in 1S81, an order for one 
hundred and fifty copies of their History : 

Whose ready co-operation has been very valualjle to us at the most needy time ot 
a work, refiuiring so much outlay and cost while it is i)assing through press ; to all 
these, and our other most worthy and indispensable helpeis, our most earnest and 
cvencrally faithful Town Historians and otherwise extensive Contributors: 

THIS VOLUME, THE COUNTY OF THE CAI'ITAL. IS Afl'Kia I A1 I \(.LY 




EHITOR AND PIIP.MSIHCR. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

To the Donors of portraits and engravings, who have amply enriched this vohimc : 

To Curtis Wells, Esq., at Watcrl)ury, for the portrait of Hon. Wm. Wells : 

To tiie Donors of Montpelier Portraits, p. 591, 592, 929: 

To the Donors of Northfickl portraits, ]). 930; especially to Hon. P. D. Bradford, 
M. 1)., who havins; contrilnitcd one to the John Gregory History, contributed another 
specially engraved for this work : 

To the citizens of Montixlier, for having taken already 300 copies of the Montpelier 
Book, from this work ; and for the following names taken in advance for this volume 
bv Chas. DeF. Bancroft: 



K. D. Putnam. Horace W. Smi 

James S. Peck, Mrs. C. W. Will 

Chas. H. Heath, Fred E. Smith, 

John n. Thurston, C. F. Fullerton, 

Charles I3ewey, Fred W. Bancni 

Edward Dewcv, Hiram Carleton, 

Geo. W. Wing, Fred R. Steven; 

L. Bart Cross, Charles E. Woe 

P. P: Pitkin, T. I. Deavitt. 



Horace W. Smith, Homer W. Hcaton, Marcus Boutwell, 



Mrs. C. W. Willard, D. W. Dudley, 
Fred E. Smith, Louis P. (lleas 



Chas. D. F. Bancroft, 



FredW. Bancroft, Wm. H. Clark, 
Hiram Carleton, Mrs. J. L. Lela 

Fred R. Stevens, Oliver Wheeloc 



Louis P. Glea.son, W. H. Wakefield, • 
Dr. W. D. Rcid, A. D. Marble, 



Lawrence Preston, 



Mrs. J. L. Leland, Henry Canning, 
Oliver Wheelock, John P. Soulcs, 



L. Bart Cross, Charles E. Wood, Charles O. Foster, J. A. Locklin, 

P. P: Pitkin, T. J. Deavitt, Arthur D. Farwell, D. A. (hiptil. 

Dr. H. C. Brigham. Charles W. Porter, John R. Seaver, Moses Taylor. 

To Tin-: Arovi: SuBscKiiiKKS.— This subscription was opened on the basis that 
this volume would run 600 to 700 images, with about 30 portraits. It was without the 
tull con.scnt ot the Publisher that any price was fi.xed until the number of pages and 
plates should be ascertained. The cost of the work has been increased by almost one- 
half more images than promised, by every day's delav in press, and the increase of 
plates, which has greatly increased the difficulty and cost of binding. But for con- 
sideration for our Agent, who has spent much 'time in the matter, we would not take 
less for any volume— we ought not to— than the price at which the work is put for 
^jeneral sale. See page 11. Our present bound edition is not so large — but 100 copies— 
>ut that it will soon sell, all the towns in the County having an interest in this volume. 
This County volume costs as much in proportion, without binding, as we sell the State 
volume for. Every binding added is so much loss to the Publisher on this edition. 
We will consent (though we ought not, we have so increased the interest and value of 
the work) to give the cloth binding as an e.xtra to the subscribers, and for other bind- 
ings must have the difference between them and a cloth binding, and the list may be 
filled viz. : in cloth, $5 ; in half roan, $5.50 ; in half Russia, $5.75 ; in full leather,' $6 ; 
and any .subscril)er not willing to accept these terms we will excu.se from taking the 
volume. To all others, the price on page 11. Mi.ss HEMENWAY, AV/. and Pub. 

A COUNTY VOLUME 

Will be published for Ajjoison Cointv, including what is in Vol. i of this work 
and the supi)lemcntary history of the County, in the State edition ; and a volume also for 
Bennington Co., Calei)o\i..\, CiiiTTKXDE.x and Essex— including the pa.st and the 
supplementary history in the State Gazetteer, in one volume, tor any of the above- 
named Counties, provided a subscription for 100 copies be filed with the Publish- 
er, not prepaid, only C. O. D. on delivery, for the same, bv the loth of March next. 
We find tlie people of Washington County manifesting a decided interest in their own 
County, and this offer is made to provide an easy way for the Counties, also, of our 
first volume, to have separate County volumes, with all that pertains to their own 
County hi.story, in one County volume, which, we believe, would be very pleasing to 
the Counties ; therefore, as our back numbers are not man\-, while vet in time to be 
able to do so, we have made the proposed edition, and guarantee for, but 100 copies, 
the price of which we cannot determine till we know how large a supplement will be 
added to each County, but it shall only be in proportion to the price of the rest of 
the work. 

The present Publisher of Vol. in, of this work, has brought it out shortly since in 
two vols., one for Orleans and one for Rutland County. It was a curious oversight of 
Mr. Farman in leaA'ing off the name of the Historiographer and Editor of the work 
from the title page, but he has assured us, he never thought of it, and will put it on 
to the ne.xt edition, and we presume he may consent, should the Counties in Vol. 11 
and 111 wish, when their supplements may b'e completed, they may be combined. 

Mis.s Hemenway. 



"^ \K^ 



^S^' 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY 



WASHINGTON COUNTY — INTRO- 
DUCTORY CHAPTER. 

BY G. N. BRIGHAM, M. D. 

Washington County was incorporated 
Nov. I, 1810, by act of the Legislature, and 
organized Dec. i, 181 1, with Montpelier 
as the shire town, taking from the county 
of Caledonia, Montpelier, Plainfield, Cal- 
ais, and Marshfield ; from Orange, Barre, 
Beflin, and Northfield ; from Chittenden, 
Stowe, Waterbury, Duxbury, Fayston, 
Waitsfield, Moretown, Middlesex, and 
Worcester, and was called Jefferson Coun- 
ty until 1814, when, the Federal party 
coming into power, it was changed to 
Washington. It is about 34 miles from 
north to south, and 31 from east to west, 
between lat. 44° i' and 44° 32', and long. 
4° 10', east from Washington; bounded 
N. by Lamoille and Caledonia Counties ; 
E. by Caledonia and Orange Counties ; 
S. by Orange and Addison Counties, and 
W. by Addison and Chittenden Counties. 
There has been added to it, Roxbury from 
Orange County, in 1820, Elmore from Or- 
leans, in 1 82 1, Warren from Addison, in 
1829, Woodbury from Caledonia, in 1835, 
and Cabot from Caledonia, in 1855. 

On the organization of Lamoille County, 
in 1836, Stowe and Elmore were set off to 
that County, leaving 17 towns ; by the di- 
vision of Montpelier into Montpelier and 
East Montpelier, and the addition of 
Cabot, the County again had its 19 towns. 
The County has also two gores, Goshen 
and Harris', east of Plainfield and Marsh- 
field. Some of the towns on the west 
side, upon the ridge of the Green Moun- 
tains, are hilly and almost inaccessible even 



for timber, though but a small tract can 
be called waste land. 

The surface of the County is somewhat 
broken, but still it may be classed one of 
the be^t agricultural counties in the State. 
The original inhabitants were Abenaqui 
Indians, a fai^ily of the Algonquin tribe. 
From their language comes the name of its 
principal river, which is said to mean the 
land of leeks, or onions, and was first 
written Winoosque, or, as some insist, 
[Mr. Trumbull,] Winoos-ki, two words 
signifying land and leek. There are occa- 
sional relics of this ancient people found 
within this County, and the valley of the 
Winooski was the great highway through 
which they made their incursions upon the 
inhabitants on the Connecticut rive: in its 
early settlements, and through which they 
went and returned in that nad in which 
Royalton was burned. 

In the State Cabinet is a stone hatchet 
found in Waitsfield. About 2 miles beiow 
Montpelier village, on what was once 
known as " the Collins Farm,"' now^ own- 
ed by a Mr. Nelson, 40 rods north of the 
railroad-track, and some 12 rods east of 
the road leading by Erastus Camp's saw- 
mill and house, is found what is evidently 
the remains of an Indian mound. It is 
rectangular in form, and some 40 to 50 
feet across. It has at present an elevation 
of some 6 feet. It has been lowered by 
the present owner of the land some 15 
inches, and a Mr. John Agila says he help- 
ed plow and scrape it down many years 
ago at least 5 feet. Capt. H. Nelson Tap- 
lin, who is 70 years of age, saw,it when a 
boy of ten, and thinks its sides had an an- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL M.A'V/.ZiNK 



gle of about 60 degrees. Mr. Nelson 
found an Indian tomahawk, a spear-head, 
and a relic, showing considerable mechan- 
ical skill, which we are unable to name, 
some few rods south of the mound, while 
plowing his meadow. The mound is situ- 
ated at the opening of a narrow, glen-like 
passage running back among the hills, and 
.is flanked by two opposing bluflfs, the one 
on the west being the most elevated. It 
seems to have been set in a natural niche, 
admirably chosen for its picturesqueness 
and beauty. In front is a level piece of 
land bordering the Winooski, nearly a half- 
mile wide, and li mile long. The soil is 
light and loamy, exceedingly well adapted 
to the growing of their maize. Traces of 
Indian pottery have also been found on the 
lands here described, and also on one of 
the lake-made plateaus ab^ve the village. 
An Indian arrow-head has been found on 
the high land in the rear of the mound ; 
and some 4 miles below, opposite to where 
Mad River empties into Winooski, on the 
Farrar meadow, was plowed up a stone- 
gouge, a spear-head, and a stone-axe, all 
evidently of aboriginal origin, which are 
deposited in the cabinet at the State House. 
The axe is of horn stone of the best qual- 
ity, with a fine edge. The spear-heads 
are made of chert, a species of flint, but 
not the gun-flint ; — one finely preserved. 
Fracturing stone for these Indian imple- 
ments is said to be an art, and usually 
done by old men who are disabled from 
hunting. 

See page 196, 2d Vol. of Champlain's 
History: Upon the Champlain. He says 
" I saw on the east side very high moun- 
tains," &c. [See also Addison for the 
same. Vol. I. this work.] There is no 
doubt the mountains here spoken of were 
Mansfield and CamePs Hump, and the 
Winooski the waters by which they were 
able to go close to the mountains in their 
canoes. 

East of Montpelier, i^ mile, there is a 
large block of limestone which was obvi- 
ously shaped by human hands, and so 
closely resembles the Indian monuments 
for graves, to be seen in the illustrations, 
Ijy Schoolcraft, as to leave little doubt that 



it was originally erected as a tombstone, 
or other memorial of some great aborig- 
inal event. The whole valley was proba- 
bly at one time here and there studded 
with wigwams, and by hunting, fishing, and 
growing of the maize, for many generations, 
the families of the red man subsisted here, 
making a part of that traditional glory be- 
longing to the once far-famed and powerful 
tribe known as the Algonquins. Some of 
the tribe of St. Francis Indians, a family of 
the Algonquins, have lived around the east- 
ern border, or within the limits of this 
County until their families were extinct. 
Among these were Capt. John and Joe. 
Capt. John was with a party of Indians at- 
tached to the American army when Bour- 
goyne was captured. [See Newbury, Vol. 
II.] Old Joe used to make frequent visits 
to Montpelier, stopping for a few days with 
a family living in an old log house, a little 
out of the village on the east side of Wor- 
cester Branch. There he used to run bul- 
lets from lead ore found by him on land a 
little west of what is now called Wright's 
Mills. A young man of this family once 
went in company with Capt. Joe and cut a 
block from the vein of very pure lead, 
which was afterwards purchased by Hon. 
Daniel Baldwin, and melted. Mr. Bald- 
win offered a considerable sum to be shown 
the spot. It was hunted for, but the lands 
in the mean time having been cleared, the 
place could not be identified. It was just 
out of Montpelier village, in this same vi- 
cinity, that a novel system of telegraphing 
was invented in the earliest settlement of 
the County. The mother of a family of 
five children, fearing they would get lost 
in going after the cows in the woods, used 
to send the oldest forward, enjoining him 
not to go beyond the call of the next, who 
would follow, and so of the rest, until all 
were in line, she herself sending forward 
word, and getting answers from the scour- 
ing party, until the cows were brought in. 
In 1760, Samuel Stevens was employed 
by a land-company to explore the middle 
and eastern portions of the New Hamp- 
shire grants, and, with a few others, began 
at the mouth of White River and proceed- 
ed up the Connecticut till they came to 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



Newbury. Then finding the head waters 
of the Winooski river, followed it down to 
its mouth at Lake Champlain. This was 
three years before the survey of any lands 
within the limits of the County. In 1763, 
a party interested in the Wentworth 
Grants came to Waterbury and began run- 
ning the boundaries of our western towns. 
In the time of the Revolutionary War 
what was called the Hazen road was cut 
through from Peacham towards Canada 
line, which ran across Cabot, now in Wash- 
ington Co. The line seems to have been 
run through in 1774, and several com- 
panies of Col. Bedel's regiment went on 
snow-shoes over the line to Canada, in 
1 776. Hazen made a road for 50 miles above 
Peacham, going through the towns of 
Cabot, Walden, Hardwick, Greensboro, 
and out to Lowell, which has been of great 
service to the inhabitants since in north- 
eastern and northern Vermont. 

Under the charter King Charles gave to 
the Duke of York, the State of New York 
claimed to the Conn. River and north to 
New France. The old Dutch county of 
Albany, (sometimes called the unlimited 
county of Albany) included by this claim, 
all of the present territory of Vermont. 
A county by the State of New York was 
constituted in 1766 nearly identical to the 
present counties of Windham and Wind- 
sor, called Cumberland, and in March 1770, 
another county by the name of Gloucester, 
comprising all the territory north of Cum- 
berland Co., east of the Green Mountains, 
and Kingsland, now Washington in Or- 
ange County was made the county seat, 
and the first proper session of the court 
held at Newbury. By old maps it would 
appear this county included most, if not 
all of the present territory of Washington 
County. A part of the townships in this 
county had been previously run out in the 
interest of those purchasing patents of 
Gov. Benning Wentworth. Waterbury 
and Duxbury were chartered in 1763 ; 
Stowe, Berlin, Worcester, Middlesex and 
Moretown about the same time. The 
more eastern towns do not seem to have 
been chartered till some years later, and 
upon the maps then representing Glouces- 



ter County is found a tract by the name of 
Kilby, which appears to have embraced the 
town of Montpelier and all, or portions of 
some of the eastern towns, which at one 
time was attempted to be run out in the 
interest of New York claimants. In the 
summer of 1773, we find that a Mr. S. Gale, 
with a number of men, was employed in 
surveying this County in the interests of 
the land jobbers of New York. Ira Allen 
with three men started from the block fort 
on Onion River in pursuit of them. He 
traversed the towns of Waterbury, Mid- 
dlesex, and on up to the fabulous shire- 
town of Kingsland in Gloucester County, 
and down on the east side of the moun- 
tains to Moretown (now Bradford.) Ob- 
taining information of the surveyors des- 
tination and buying spirits and provisions, 
they went again in pursuit; discovered 
his line and by that tracked them to the 
north-east corner of the old town of Mont- 
pelier. Probably from the description of 
the ground where they encamped when like 
to be overtaken, they were on the Town- 
meadow beyond Lightning Ridge. They 
seem to have made a precipitate retreat on 
the approach of Allen's party. Allen 
reached the block fort in 16 days from the 
time he set out. We do not learn of any 
later attempts on the part of the Yorkers 
to survey lands within our County limits. 
New York finding it inconvenient to es- 
tablish jurisdiction over so large a territory . 
as Albany, where for a long time all writs 
of ejectment, executions, &;c., issued from 
and were made returnable to, constituted, 
by act of assembly May 12, 1772, a new 
county on the west side of the mountain 
by the name of Charlotte, which included 
all the old territory of the County of Al- 
bany on the west side of the mountain 
north of the towns of Arlington and Sun- 
derland to Canada line. Thus did the 
State of New York look after us in the time 
of our earliest settlements. Whether any 
part of Washington County had it then 
been inhabited, for it was not till 9 years 
later, would have been returnable to Char- 
lotte County Court at Skeenesboro, now 
Whitehall, is a matter of dispute ; as it is 
not quite certain which range of the moun- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tains was followed. By the line made 
when they divided the State into two coun- 
ties, one east and one west of the moun- 
tains, the west towns of Washington 
County would have been so returnable. 
But the jurisdiction of New York, with 
right to annul conti'acts for land obtained 
by charter from the kiiig's governor, was 
not acceptable to the settlers, who soon 
began to cast about for some way to carry 
on municipal regulations more in harmony 
with their feelings. 

Gloucester Co. disajjpeared at the first 
session of the Vermont Legislature, 1778. 
The State was divided into two counties by 
the range of the Green Mountains ; that 
on the east side being called Cumberland ; 
on the West side Bennington ; and Wash- 
ington Co. was divided very nearly 
in the center, north and south. This 
date is nearly three years before Thom- 
as Meade, the first settler of the County 
of Washington, made his pitch in the 
town of Middlesex. We were only two 
years included in Bennington Co., when 
by the formation of the new County of 
Rutland we entered therein, and so re- 
mained during the existence of the old 
Rutland Co. — 4 years and 8 months, in 
which time Middlesex and Waterbury began 
to be settled. When Addison Co. was 
formed, we entered into a new County ex- 
istence with old Addison Co., and so 
•remained with Addison two years, until 
Chittenden Co. was formed, for which a 
part of our western towns were taken, and 
remained with this County many years. 
By the act at Westminster of the new 
Vermont, constituting Cumberland County 
to embrace all the territory east of the 
Green Mountains, the east part of the 
County was first included within its limits ; 
afterward, when Orange County was or- 
ganized it was therein included, and some 
towns were retained in its jurisdiction until 
the organization of Jefferson County in 
181 1. The settlers travelled by marked 
trees, carried their corn on their backs, 
or more frequently drove an ox, with a 
bag of grain balanced across his neck, 
(many miles distant,) to find a mill to get it 
ground. Women and children often went 



to their new homes on rackets, the husband 
and father coming in the year before and 
making his pitch, clearing two or three 
acres of land, and rolling up the old fash- 
ioned log house. Some came in, it is true, 
in stronger force and with more means, as 
Col. Jacob Davis, of Montpelier. 

Nearly 60 townships had been granted 
by Gov, Wentworth before the organiza- 
tion of Vermont in 1778, and several of our 
western towns were among the N. H. 
grants. After the organization of the State, 
the Legislature took the power of making 
grants into its own hands, and both for 
the revenue and encouraging the further 
settlement of the State, proceeded rapidly 
to dispose of its lands. The process of 
procuring these grants seems to have been 
very simple, and followed with quick dis- 
patch . 

A company of resident and non-resident 
men got up a petition to the Legislature 
for the charter or grant of a township, 
specifying the locality. The appointment 
of a standing committee to act upon such 
petition followed, and if the committee's 
report was favorable, which was usually 
the case, a simple resolution for making 
the grant was passed. Then the Gov- 
ernor, on the payment of the required fees, 
issued the charter. Our eastern townships, 
not having been laid out in the Benning- 
Wentworth grants, received their charters 
in this manner from the Legislature of 
Vermont, and were run out mainly by James 
Whitelaw, Surveyor-general of the State. 
After obtaining a charter, a proprietor''s 
meeting was called by a justice of the 
peace or other authorized person, in the 
following form : 

' ' Whereas application hath been made to 
me by more than one-sixteenth part of the 

proprietors of , in this State, to warn 

a meeting of said proprietors ; these are, 
therefore, to warn the proprietors of said 

Township to meet at the house of — , 

Esq., Innholder, in , on (here fol- 
lows the day, the time of day and month) 
.to act on the following articles, to wit : i. 
To choose a Moderator. 2. A Proprietors 
Clerk. 3. A Treasurer. 4. To see what 
the Proprietors will do respecting a Di- 
vision of said Township, and to transact 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



what other business as shall be thought 
necessary when met." (Signed) 

Justice Peace. 

In laying out Caledonia Co. there were 
run two gores in the S. W. corner, Goshen 
and Harris, which have been set to this 
County with the towns set off from that 
County to Washington Co. Goshen Gore, 
bounded N. by Marshfield and a part of Har- 
ris Gore, E. by Harris Gore, S. by Orange, 
and W. by Plainfield, contains 2,828 acres, 
mostly covered with excellent timber, great- 
ly enhanced in value by the Montpelier and 
Wells River railroad. Some 50 persons 
probably are residing within its limits. 
Harris Gore contains 6,020 acres ; runs to 
appoint on the N., bounded W. andN. W. 
by Goshen Gore and Marshfield, E. by 
Groton, and S. by Orange. It was granted 
Feb. 25, 1 78 1, and chartered to Edward 
Harris, Oct. 30, 1801. This tract of land 
is also well-timbered for the most part, 
though somewhat mountainous and diffi- 
cult of access. In 1840 it had 16 inhab- 
itants, and has received but very few 
additions since. Gunner's branch rises in 
this gore, passes through Goshen Gore, 
and unites with Stevens' branch in Barre. 
The area of the gores, added to the several 
townships gives us, nearly as can be as- 
certained, 396,233 acres, a large proportion 
of which is excellent for grazmg and most 
of the cereals, and the balance the finest of 
timber lands, except the little crowning 
of the summits of difierent spurs of the 
Green Mountain range. Money was scarce, 
and trade was carried on mostly in neat 
stock, grain and salts of lye. 

Wood ashes were a long time legal 
tender to the merchant, who sold his goods 
to the woodsman, and the merchant paid 
his bills at Montreal and Boston in black 
salts. The common price of wheat was 
67 cents per bushel, best yoke of oxen $40, 
best cows $25, best horses $50, and salts 
of lye $4 to $5 per cwt. 

For goods which the laborers paid for in 
these articles the merchant usually ob- 
tained fifty per cent, of profit ; among them 
— price current — rock-.salt, $3 per bushel, 
common $2.50 ; sugar, brown 17 to 20 cents 
per pound, loaf 42 cents; W. I. molasses 



$1.1 7 per gallon ; green tea $2.00 per pound ; 
broadcleth $S to $10 per yard. 

And still, with these prices for imported 
necessaries, and the low price of their 
products, the settlers, by their frugal habits 
and industry, got on very well on the road 
to competency. 

As our County began to be settled im- 
mediately succeeding the heroic epoch of 
the State, the military system was an im- 
portant feature ot its early history. Every 
township enrolled all of its able-bodied men 
between the ages of 18 and 45, and com- 
panies were formed with commissioned and 
non-commissioned officers, who were re- 
quired to give them one annual drill at 
least — in the month of June. The annual 
"June training" was a day of jollity forpld 
and young ; a regular carnival of fun and 
masquerade, as well as parade — a display 
of the cocked hat, gorgeous epaulette and 
bright cockade ; day of'salutes, waking up 
of officers ; which wake up was a rousing 
volley from the under officers and privates, 
.sometimes taking the door off" its hinges, 
to be followed with a treat, marching and 
countermarching, drinking, toasting and 
sham fights ; a day opened with the ob- 
streperous clamor of the Sergeant's call, 
and followed with the shriek of the fife and 
the noise of the drums. The roads lead- 
ing out of the village where this annual 
inspection and drill was to take place were 
filled with old and young, on foot and 
horseback, in carriages of all patterns, from 
the " one-horse-shay " to the poor apology 
of a kanuck two-wheeled turnout, and all 
crowding on in the grotesque and fun- 
seeking tide, to enjoy the great military 
frolic, called an inspection and drill, or, in 
common parlance, June training. Yankee 
Doodle, fizzle-pop-bang, and the mock cap- 
ture of the Red Coats, were all there. June 
training was an institution, and the militia, 
so stigmatizingly called the "Old Flood 
Wood," figured very conspicuously in the 
history of the county at not a very remote 
day. This, with "Election Day" of the 
old style, must now be considered as fairly 
laid on the shelf, and belong only to his- 
tory. 

In 1805 a turnpike was chartered from 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAzfNE. 



Burlington Court-House, to pass on or 
near the Winooski to the north end of Eli- 
jah Paine's turnpike in Montpelier. The 
Corporators were Daniel Hurlburt, Thad- 
deus Tuttle, Sahnon Miller, John Johnson, 
Martin Chittenden, Jacob Spafford, Charles 
Bulkley and David Wing, jr. ; corporate 
title, "The Winooski Turnpike Compa- 
ny."' The road was opened to the public 
in 1808, the spring before the first session 
of the Assembly in the new State House 
at Montpelier. Gov. Martin Chittenden 
rendered such aid in its construction and 
was so largely interested in it, it was at 
one time called the Chittenden Turnpike. 
Later the stock was mostly, or all, pur- 
chased by Thomas and Hezekiah Reed of 
Montpelier, who were its owners at the 
time it was bought up for the road-bed, 
where it could be thus used, of the Vt. 
Can. R. R. This old road, with fine 
coaches and swift -horses, was for a long 
time_ one of the most popular thorough- 
fares in New England. Particularly when 
the stage lines were in the hands of Mah- 
lon Cottrill, the road was patronized large- 
ly at home and from abroad. Its toll- 
gates and numerous taverns along the line 
are remembered by many : land-marks 
gradually lost in the progress of the cen- 
tury. 

This turnpike with that of Gov. Paine, 
running south from Montpelier, was the 
through line of the country from the Lake 
and Canada to Boston, over which passed 
an immense tonnage and very brisk lighter 
travel, and to which the County road in 
the northeast part of the County was quite 
a tributary. 

In 1824 John Ouincy Adams sent a top- 
ographical party into the State, to make 
surveys with reference to the construction 
of canals. Hon. Daniel Baldwin, a mer- 
chant of Montpelier, received the appoint- 
ment on the commission, and consequently 
interested himself in the public works of 
the State. While holding this appoint- 
ment, he received a communication from 
Elkanah Watson, that it was better to 
look for routes of railways than canals, as 
it was prophecied the railroad system 
would soon supersede the canal. Mr. 



Baldwin conceived the idea of a rail transit 
from this point to the foot of navigation 
through the State, over much of the route 
now traversed by the Ogdensburgh and 
Vermont Central roads, but down the 
Gulf through Williamstown, instead of 
over the summit at Roxbury and down to 
White River — proposing to connect with 
the Lowell anil Boston road then being 
projected toward the Conn. River valley. 
This he laid before the merchants of Bos- 
ton as early as 182;^, in his business visits, 
and in meetings later held for devising 
better communications with the North and 
West. In 1832, Boston merchants and 
others interested, held a meeting to con- 
sider the feasibility of this route, at whidi 
Mr. Parish of Ogdensburgh presided. In 
1833, a charter was granted by the Legis- 
lature for a road by rail through Central 
Vermont. Governor Paine was an able 
manager among the corporators and was 
instrumental in pushing the road forward 
and diverting its proposed route to its 
present line. 

The railroad changed much of the local 
and all the through travel from the turn- 
pike to the rail. 

CONTEST FOR THE STATE HOUSE. 

The first contest for the location of the 
State House was in 1805. In 1792, Cale- 
edonia County was incorporated, but it 
does not appear that the county was fully 
organized until 1796 or '97, when David 
Wing, Jr., was elected one of its Judges. 
Mr. Wing was a resident of Montpelier, 
and, so far as we know, the first Judge 
upon the bench elected within the present 
limits of Washington County. Mr. Wing 
was Secretary of State in 1803. The 
County of Washington was incorporated 
in 1810, and Dec. i, 181 1, the Legislature 
having elected in October the Court and 
County officers — it was fully organized. 
Ezra Butler was chief judge ; Salva Col- 
lins and Bradford Kinne, associate judges ; 
John Peck, sheriff ; Timothy Merrill, 
State's Attorney ; and David Harrington, 
judge of probate : George Rich, County 
clerk; J. Y. Vail, register of probate. 
The Court held its sessions in the Council 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



Chamber in the iirst State House, until the 
year 1818, when a new wooden Court 
House was built adjoining the State House 
grounds, that was used until 1843, when a 
brick building was erected, which was 
burned down during the November term 
of the Court, the same year. In the sum- 
mer of 1844, the present commodious and 
elegant brick edifice was erected. During 
the October session of the Legislature of 
1805, holden at Danville, an act was pass- 
ed establishing the permanent seat of the 
Legislature at Montpelier. The location 
of this place so near the geographical cen- 
ter of the State, no doubt, had more than 
anything else to do with the decision. It 
will be remembered the old line between 
Bennington and Cumberland Counties, 
made by the first legislative body of the 
people, was only about a mile below the 
village, while dividing the State from 
north to south. It is the nearest to the cen- 
ter of any proper convening point. Still, 
in this, as in other controversies, Mont- 
pelier and the County were not without 
their able managers and advocates. Da- 
vid Wing, a man of great affability of man- 
ners and highly respected in the State, was 
Secretary of State, and the Hon. Cyrus 
Ware, a profound debater and a great wit, 
was representative of the town. At the 
next sessions, one at Middlebury and the 
other at Woodstock, there was an attempt 
to effect a change in location, but neither 
proved successful. Thus in 1807, four 
years before its organization, Washington 
County finds the Capital of the State with- 
in its limits, which has had much to do with 
its history and prosperity as a County. 
The beginning of a period so important to 
the County deserves something more im- 
portant than a passing notice. We tran- 
scribe a copy of the legislative action : 

An act establishing the permanent seat of 
the Legislature in Montpelier. 

Sec. I. — It is hereby enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of Vermont, 
that Elijah Paine, Ezra Butler and James 
Whitelaw be, and they are hereby, ap- 
pointed a committee to fix upon a place in 
the town of Montpelier for the erection of 
buildings for the accommodation of the 



Legislature of the State, and to prepare a 
plan for such buildings. 

Sec. 2. — And it is hereby further en- 
acted : that if the town of Montpelier, or 
other individual persons, shall before the 
first day of September, which will be A. D. 
1808, erect such buildings on the place des- 
ignated by the aforesaid committee for 
their acceptance, and shall comi)ensate said 
committee for their services, and also con- 
vey to the State of Vermont the property 
of said" buildings and the land whereon 
they shall stand, and lodge the deed of 
conveyance, duly executed, in the Secretary 
of State's ofiice ; then and in that case said 
buildings shall become the permanent seat 
of the Legislature for holding all their ses- 
sions. 

Sec. 3. — Provided nevertheless, and it 
is hereby further enacted : that if any future 
Legislature shall cease to hold their ses- 
sions in said town of Montpelier, those 
persons that shall erect said building and 
convey the property of the same and of the 
land aforesaid, shall be entitled to receive 
from the treasury of this State the full 
value of the same, as it shall be then fairly 
appraised. 

Passed November 7, 1805. 
A true copy. 
Attest. DAVID WING, Jun., Secretary. 

The committee appointed by the Legis- 
lature located the buildings of the new 
Capitol on grounds a little S. E. of where 
the present State buildings now stand, and 
the Assembly in October, 1808, there met 
and held its session, since which time 
Montpelier has been the permanent seat of 
the Legislature. The old State House be- 
coming somewhat dilapidated and insuffi- 
cient for the growth of the State, in 1832, 
the Legislature passed a second act to es- 
tablish the Capitol at Montpelier, and 
pledging the erection of a new building, 
provided Montpelier would pay into the 
Trea.sury of the State $15,000, one-half 
within one year and the other half in two 
years from the passage of the act. The 
proposition was accepted, and Lebbeus 
Egerton, Supt., and Ammi B. Young, arch'- 
itect, commenced the work in the follow- 
ing spring. A spur of rock was blasted 
from the hill in rear of the old buildings 
to a level desired, and making room for a 
driveway — at cost of $10,000, but giving a 
foundation of solid rock. The elegant 
granite edifice, with its capacious dome, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



massive arch, and classical columns, so 
light, so unique, might almost be taken as 
a model of art. Good judges have doubted 
if" its equal as a work of art was to be 
found anywhere else in the country. It 
was built of the Barre granite — cost $132,- 
077,22. Unfortunately it was accidentally 
destroyed by fire Jan. 6, 1857, when came 
the memorable contest. A special session 
called by the Governor, met in the old Brick 
Church in Montpelier, Feb. 1 8th following, 
to adopt measures for rebuilding or remov- 
ing the State House. For parliamentary 
ability and adroitness in management, as 
well as the display of wit and eloquence, 
this session stands the rival of any House 
of Representatives of Vermont, or any 
other State. We can give by a few passa- 
ges from the records a faint, and but a faint 
idea of the warmth, tact, wit and logic in 
the statement of arguments which moved 
in this controversy, the vacillating tides of 
feeling and opinion. 

Mr. Bradley, in reply to the idea of en- 
tertaining the pecuniary condition, or put- 
ting up at auction the State House, said, 
"I, for one, do not feel like raising a rev- 
enue from a loan of our institutions, taking 
a town in our grasp, as I would take half a 
lemon, squeezing it dry, and then throw- 
ing away the rind and trying another." Re- 
plying to Mr. Stacy, of Burlington, he 
goes on to say, " the able representative 
of that town has told us, and tnily, no 
doubt, of their wealth, their break-water, 
their custom-house, their steamers smok- 
ing in from all directions, their railroads 
built and to be built, their monument of 
the glorious Allen, whose dust is mingled 
with the earth of their town ; and I could 
not help regretting that the Giver of all 
good had not offered them one more boon 
— the blessing of content." 

In Mr. Dorr's concluding remarks he 
added, " the capitol was located at Mont- 
pelier as a measure of peace. It was to 
build up from a divided, a united and 
homogeneous people. Fifty years of peace 
have been the product of this act of wis- 
dom. I am for going down to no Jerusa- 
lem on the East or the West." If Mr. 
Dorr was the Nestor of that debate, with 



every quality of a parliamentarian and ad- 
vocate, learning, wit, satire, humor and 
subtle logic, as his argument everywhere 
shows, still the satirist and wit of that 
very remarkable assemblage of men was 
Moses E. Cheney, of Barnard. Alluding to 
a remark made by the member from Georgia 
where a town library was offered as a rea- 
son for removal, Mr. Cheney ^ays "Mr. 
Chairman, why don't some of the friends 
of removal say that the Representatives 
and Senators might pursue a brief legisla- 
tive collegiate course of study at the Ver- 
mont University during their sessions ? 
Mr. Chairman, they say that Esq. Ed- 
munds, the counsel for Burlington, talked 
to us an hour, and very little to his credit 
as a man of talents. Sir, do people ex- 
pect a man to work miracles ? Those of us 
who were Representatives in 1855, saw too 
much of his ability to be made now to 
swallow these third house insinuations that 
Mr. Edmunds isn't much. We remember 
how he made us believe gas was cheaper 
than oil to light the State House with, 
when the contrary was the truth, and I am 
bold to say he would have made us believe 
that Burlington was the best place for the 
Capitol if we hadn't known all about it 
ourselves. But, Sir, the State of Vermont 
isn't so large but every man in it knows 
very nearly from his own observation 
where the middle is. Gas, Sir, many of 
us know little about. Mr. Chairman, the 
gentleman from Westford is much con- 
cerned about the morals of Montpelier. 
He says the fires of hell are here ! Sir, I 
had heard of a heaven below, and of a hell 
upon airth, and I must own that when the 
gentleman was depicting the flames which 
seemed to be curling around us, my eye 
at the same instant catching a glance at 
his fiendish look, his horrific glare, for a 
moment I quailed, and inwardly exclaimed, 
I am in hell, for there stands Beelzebub. 
Mr. Chairman, during last Fall's session, 
occupying my old seat No. 190, which has 
since dissolved in smoke, with little to do 
but to gaze at the costly gas chandelier, 
which has since melted with fervent heat, 
I sometimes amused myself with reflec- 
tions upon various members of the house ; 



WASHINGTON COUNfV. 



and, Sir, among them I discovered a Dan- 
iel Webster, a John C. Calhoun, a Henry 
Clay and a Patrick Henry. The gentle- 
man from Castleton, (Mr. Spencer,) be- 
ing out a few minutes since, I had almost 
hoped he would remain out until I had 
paid him a few compliments which might 
appear fulsome in his presence. But, Sir, 
it is not uncommon here in Committee of 
the whole, where wide debate is admissi- 
ble, for gentlemen to go very wide into 
praises of our most distinguished mem- 
bers. Sir, I would then beg leave to say 
that the gentleman from Castleton is my 
Daniel Webster, and I have seen new and 
striking resemblances between these two 
men during the present session, which have 
confirmed me in the belief of their simi- 
larity. For instance, it was said by Dr. 
Wheeler, in a eulogy pronounced upon 
Mr. Webster, that whenever Webster at- 
tempted to argue a bad cause he always 
broke dowti ; never otherwise. Well, Sir, 
the gentleman from Castleton /a//s in 
every effort he makes during this session. 
He is arguing a bad cause, and, like Web- 
ster, having no knack at it, he breaks 
down . I n this respect we see how exactly 
like Webster he is. Mr. Webster was ac- 
cused in his latter days of being bought 
up. But it was not true. Well, it is sur- 
mised by some that the gentleman from 
Castleton is bought up ; but it is not true. 
I do not believe a word of it. The great 
Moses Stuart — as a fearless, good man 
should have done — undertook to make out 
that Webster acted from the best of mo- 
tives ; but it was all of no use. There 
were enough who pretended they knew 
Webster had long been closeted with Cal- 
houn. Mr Webster had a great Moses to 
expound for him, but it didn't do any good. 
Mr. Spencer has a little Moses to apologize 
for him, but I fear it will be entirely use- 
less." This is but a brief synopsis of Mr. 
Cheney's method of satire, which convuls- 
ed the whole assembly for an hour. Com- 
paring the claims of Barnard, as contrast- 
ed with some other towns that had put in 
the plea of fine prospects and healthy lo- 
cations, Mr. Cheney goes on to say : " Is 
Barnard a whit behind any in these re- 



spects ? Why, as to health, the people of 
Barnard seldom think of dying, and the 
children say they will never die . Some old 
men have lived till they were tired all out 
with life, and ha%>e died on purpose; hav- 
ing told their old yarns over until the taste 
was all out of them, they said they had lived 
ever so far beyond all the promises, and 
they summed up by declaring they 'would 
not live alway,' and got up a contrivance for 
quitting the world and got off somehow." 
In a second speech, in reply to some 
strictures made by the gentleman from 
Westford on his previous speech, he gives 
this inimitable touch of satire: "Sir, 
those who say that my Webster and Hen- 
ry are unworthy the names, not only ad- 
mit that my Clay and Calhoun are good, 
but that my devil is perfect." The speech 
of Mr. Cheney, whose profession had been 
that of a singing-master, may well take 
rank with the wit and satire of Curran and 
Sheridan. He is a genuine native speci- 
men, with all the benefit of Barnard hills. 
Mr. Merrill, the member from Montpelier, 
a descendant of the Fassetts, of Benning- 
ton, distinguished himself as a pj^rliamen- 
tarian. The final result of the long, keen 
contest was an act making an appropria- 
tion of $40,000 for re-building the State 
House on its old site in Montpelier. 

SPIRIT OF 1812. 

A second war was opened with Eng- 
land. Party spirit in politics ran high 
through the country. Our State and the 
Capital had its share in the excitement at- 
tending these contests. The Democrats 
thought our nation to have been injured 
and grossly insulted by Great Britain, and 
were staunch advocates of the war, the 
Federals, believing the war wholly unnec- 
essary, as bitterly opposed and denounced 
it. The Democrats in ascendency in the 
State, had a pretty decided majority in the 
County. And as the administration was ap- 
pealing to the country to be sustained, the 
friends of Mr. Madison thought it impor- 
tant some demonstration should be made 
at the Capital of the State. They called 
a war-meeting at the State House, and in- 
dustriously circulated the notice. This 



VERMO^f^ HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was in February, and the inhabitants 
poured in from the surrounding towns, and 
the neighboring districts, filling the high- 
ways with footmen, horsemen, and loads 
in single and double sleighs, to the place 
appointed for the meeting, as it was also 
understood that the Federal party would 
be there to prevent the passage of any 
resolutions encouraging Congress to a 
declaration of war. When the house had 
become densely packed, one of the com- 
mittee was sent to call on Rev. Chester 
Wright, the settled minister at Montpelier, 
and invite him to open the meeting with 
prayer. He shortly returned, and inform- 
ed his friends that on account of conscien- 
tious scruples, Mr. Wright declined the 
invitation. A low burst of indignation 
followed. The next moment were heard 
calls for "Uncle Ziba ! Uncle Ziba ! ! " 
Instantly a committee man mounted the 
platform, and cried aloud, " Is the Rev. 
Ziba Woodworth present ? If so, he is re- 
spectfully invited to come forward and 
open this meeting with prayer." Mr. 
Woodworth, who had a stitfleg, occasion- 
ed from wounds received at Fort Griswold, 
came forward, stumping through the crowd 
to the platform. Hastily drawing a chair 
before him, he dropped down upon one 
knee, and, throwing out the whole of the 
other leg with a jerk, raised his sharp 
voice, peculiarly emotional, in the invited 
invocation. After a very brief address, in 
the manner of a prayer, he entered into the 
political spirit of the meeting, showering a 
torrent of blessings on our rulers for their 
wisdom, patriotism and fearless stand in 
resisting the aggressions of British tyranny ; 
then he began to ask God's pity on the 
blindness of the enemies of the war, and 
enemies of our blessed country, and His 
forgiveness of their treasonable dereliction 
of patriotic duty, and still more treason- 
able opposition to the wise measures of 
our God-appointed rulers, in such language 
as involved the rebuke of a scorching sat- 
ire. At this stage of the prayer. Judge 
Ware, a prominent war Democrat of the 
town, who was a noted wag as well as a 
hot politician, standing by the platform 
and within reach of the excited speaker. 



reached over, and sharply punching his ex- 
tended leg, in a low, eager, half-whispered 
tone, exclaimed, " That is right ! give it 
to 'em, give it to 'em, Uncle Ziba!" And 
it is said that he did give it to 'em in a 
manner which very likely never had a par- 
allel in the shape of a prayer. The Dem- 
ocrats opened the meeting with a very 
zealous speech for the administration, 
which was often interrupted by applause. 
Mr. Baylies, an astute lawyer and of com- 
manding talents as a speaker, proceeded 
in his reply, and, having to his own satis- 
faction proved the fallacy of the position 
of his rival, commenced a general attack 
upon Mr. Madison and his advisers at 
Washington. He had not proceeded far, 
however, when old Matthew Wallace, of 
Berlin, a tall, resolute man, leaped sud- 
denly to his feet, and, in a voice which 
seemed to be the tocsin of war, exclaimed, 
" Can't stand that ! can't stand that, Mr. 
Chairman ! anything in reason, but, by 
heavens, sir," his eye flashing and fist 
raised, '* I sha'nt sit here to listen to out- 
right treason !" Mr. Baylies, before he got 
through, was hissed and coughed down. 
Resolutions supporting the administration 
were read, and passed with a tremendous 
acclamation. 

The chairman of the meeting in the ear 
ly part of the day was Hon. Ezra Butler 
one of the oldest settlers of the County, 
who was a Democrat. Finding the meet- 
ing likely to be controlled by the Federal 
party, at this time so well organized into 
what was called the Washington Societies, 
he resigned, and the Federals elected Hon. 
Charles Bulkley, a most bitter opponent 
of the war. But when the convention was 
thoroughly represented from the surround- 
ing towns coming in, the war party was 
found to be in such majority they had ev- 
erything their own way, and Esquire Bulk- 
ley, as Chairman of the convention, saw 
his name signed to the war resolutions so 
triumphantly passed, and thus was made 
to give his sanction to what he had intend- 
ed, with his friends, to defeat. The war 
was heartily supported by a large majority 
of the County, and patriotic volunteers 
were not wanting to defend the country's 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



honor. When the news of Prevo-st's army 
invading the State reached our inhabit- 
ants, it was but a grand rallying-cry from 
the Border, which was responded to by 
almost every able-bodied man shouldering 
his musket and marching for the fi'ont. 
They flocked from the hills and the glens, 
swarming down the Winooski, the same 
patriotism firing them that characterized 
the Green Mountain Boys in the days of 
Allen and Warner. An example to illus- 
trate may be given in the person of Capt. 
Timothy Hubbard, who, when the news 
of the invasion of Plattsburg, N. Y., by 
the British, reached Montpelier, in Sep- 
tember, 1 8 14, sallied out cane in hand into 
the streets, summoning a drummer and a 
fifer to his side, one of them being a hired 
man, and marching the streets all day 
beating up volunteers to start forthwith to 
the scene of action. And such were his 
appeals, and such the heat of patriotism in 
the community, that before night nearly or 
quite two thirds of the male population 
were enlisted, and ready to march on the 
following morning, which they did, they 
reaching Plattsburg in season to take place 
in the line of battle. Capt. Campbell, of- 
ten known as " old Captain Blue," from 
Waitsfield and vicinity, summoned with 
the same alacrity the war spirits of Mad 
River. Other towns with equal right offer 
their muster-rolls to vindicate their claim 
to equal honors. 

There are a few individuals so prominent 
in the affairs of the State and nation, born 
or residing more or less in this County, it 
seems fitting their names and services 
should be noticed here. And first among 
these stands Gen. Benjamin Wait, a dis- 
tinguished revolutionary veteran and asso- 
ciate of Ethan Allen and the men who 
made the heroic epoch of Vermont. — 
[There will be in Waitsfield, this volume, 
a notice of Gen. Wait.] 

JOHN CLOUD, 

a long-time resident of this County, was 
in many engagements in the Revolution- 
ary War; in his last battle, while leading 
a retreat and firing back, he was shot 
through the thigh, which had to be ampu- 
tated. 



WILLIAM PHEN, 

also an old resident, was in the campaigns 
of the Duke of Wellington. 

[We reserve a sketch of Col. John Tap- 
lin for Berlin, and notice of other eminent 
men here introduced, for the towns to 
which they more specially belong. — Ed,] 

Conspicuously identified with the growth 
of the County or connected with its inter- 
nal improvements were 

JUDGE ELIJAH PAINE, 

living on the borders of tlie County in 
Williamstown. [See vol. II, page 1150. 
Ed.] and his .son, 

GOV. CHARLES PAINE, 

who passed most of his life in the County, 
a man of exceeding active, practical mind 
and indomitable will. In addition to run- 
ning a large manufacturing establishment 
he did more than all others toward secur- 
ing our present railroad facilities. 

HORACE HOLLISTER 

built most of the old County road, going 
north from Montpelier through Calais. 

MAHLON COTTRILL, 

the long-time popular landlord of the Pa- 
vilion, was proprietor of several lines of 
stage in the County, and at one time was 
more largely connected with the public 
travel in this vicinity than any other per- 
son before or since. One of his lines was 
over the great thoroughfare from Boston 
to Burlington and Montreal via Montpelier, 
with coaches drawn by from four to six 
superb horses, and the finest stage equip- 
ments ever known in New England. 
Thompson relates a wonderful feat of a 
driver by the name of Blaisdell, performed 
on this road, which was the difficult and 
dangerous task of leaping from his seat on 
the coach-box on to, and over the near 
wheel-horse to the ground, and seizing the 
pole which had just dropped with a cant 
to run off a precipice 60 feet deep, the 
wheel being within a yard of the edge, and, 
holding also to the neck-yoke, guidng a 
heavy load of passengers safely to the foot 
of the hill. The rock, which is a mile and 
a half south of Waterbury street, on the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Moretown side of Winooski river, has since 
been known as BlaisdelPs Rock. 

WILLIAM UPHAM 

was a most remarkable advocate before a 
jury, and his speeches in the United States 
Senate were very highly complimented by 
Daniel Webster. 

SAMUEL PRENTISS, 

as a jurist, said Chancellor Kent in speak- 
ing of him, "Judge Story, the only man to 
be thought of in comparison, is certainly a 
very learned and able man, but I cannot help 
regarding Judge Prentiss as the best jurist in 
New England." He was also held in high 
estimation in the Senate of the United 
States. 

PUBLIC MORALS AND EDUCATION, 

a very active interest in, sprang up in the 
County about the time of its organization, 
the leader of which was Rev. Chester 
Wright ; and which under the influence of 
James H. Langdon extended also to trade. 
In addition to a new impetus in the com- 
mon district-schools, sabbath-schools were 
organized, libraries purchased and lyceums 
formed ; the effect of which was felt in all 
parts of the County, and in 1858, the 
Union School at the Capital was put in 
operation, which has really revolutionized 
the old manner of teaching. Hon. Rod- 
erick Richardson superintended the erec- 
tion of the building, and was chairman of 
the committee-men. The example was fol- 
lowed by other towns. Academies and 
seminaries made their appearance ; one at 
Barre, under the auspices of the New Eng- 
land Universalist .societies, and one at 
Montpelier, under the auspices of the Ver- 
mont Methodist Conference, and one at 
Waterbury, under the management of the 
Baptist denomination. 

The County has also been very creditably 
represented in the number and character 
of its authors and publications, as well as 
many able articles from its pens entering 
into the journalism of different parts of the 
country. 

"The Indian Captive," by Horace 
Steele, was published in Montpelier in 
1812; "Baylies Index," in 3 vols., by 
Hon. Nicholas Baylies, in 1814; Judge 
Baylies published beside a book on Free- 



agency in 1 82 1. "The Battle of Platts- 
burgh," a poem in pamphlet, by Samuel 
Woodworth, in 1815 ; " The Gift," 16 mo., 
a small poetic book, by Miss Sophia Wat- 
rous, of Northfield, published at Montpel- 
ier in 1840. The Rev. F. W. Shelton, 
formerly Rector of the Episcopal Church 
in Montpelier, has published at different 
times " Salander and the Dragon," " The 
Rector of Bardolph, " Chrystaline," " Up 
the River," and " Peeps from a Belfry," 
which have given the author a wide and 
pleasant reputation. Here was also the 
long-time home — atMontpelier~of Charles 
G. Eastman, one of the few American 
poets complimented with notice by the 
Edinburgh critics. Here was published 
his book, some 200 pages, of very fine 
lyrical and descriptive verse. 

The native birdlike melody of some of 
Eastman^'s songs has rarely been equalled 
in our country. An excellent painter of 
nature, he reflects with much felicity the 
living features of the rural life of the Green 
Mountain land. [A full notice of East- 
man and his poems will be found in his 
native Barnard, Windsor Co.] 

Daniel P. Thompson held the most pro- 
lific pen of any man born or ever residing 
in the County, the novelist of Vermont, 
whose books have run through fifty edi- 
tions. [For full notice of, see Berlin.] 

There have also been published in Mont- 
pelier, The Astronomical Discourses of 
Thomas Chalmers in 18 19, Thomas Cook's 
Universal Letter-writer, in 1816; James 
Dean's Vermont Gazetteer, in 1808 ; Life of 
Benjamin Franklin, in 1809; Religious 
Courtship, 1814, The Accident, or Henry 
and Julia, by Wm. Perrin, 1815 ; Peter the 
Great, 1811 ; Infantry Exercise, 1820; 
Thompson's Vermont Gazetteer, 1824 and 
1840; "A Thanksgiving Discourse," by 
John Gridley, wherein was given a con- 
densed history of Montpelier, in 1843; "A 
Geographical Poem" of the County, by 
Ithamer Smith, some years ago; "A His- 
tory of the 13th Regiment," in journal 
form, by Edwin Palmer, Esq., of Water- 
bury, in 1866; in 1870, "The Harvest 
Moon and other Poems," by G. N. Brig- 
ham, M. D. [See Fayston.] 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



13 



Other several noted authors have had a 

temporary residence within the County. 
Samuel Hopkins, author of an Ecclesiasti- 
cal History in relation to the Seceders and 
the Puritans ; John S. C. Abbott, and the 
Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, a long-time res- 
ident at Montpelier, and for 25 years a 
member of the Supreme Court of Ver- 
mont, and nearly 10 years its Chief Jus- 
tice, whose more recently published work, 
called a " Practical Treatise on the Law of 
Railways," has become a standard work, 
and given Mr. Redfield, at home and 
abroad, rank with the first of American 
and English jurists. 

The County has sustained within the 
last fifty years two, and much of the time 
five, weekly journals, which have been 
ably conducted for wjiat is known as the 
country newspaper, the " Vermont Watch- 
man,^'' the "-Free /V^.y.r," which was chang- 
ed to the " Vermont Patriot,'''' and more 
recently to the '■'■Argus and Patriot,''^ the 
''Voice of Freedom,'''' now the '■'■Green 
Mountain Freeman,'''' the " Christian Mes- 
senger,''^ and the " Christian Repository. ^^ 

CENSORS : 

Ezra Butler, 1806 ; J. Y. Vail, 1820 ; Jos. 
Reed, 1834; H. C. Reed, 1841 ; H. F. 
Janes, i848;Wm.W. Wells, 1855; Jos, 
Prentiss, 1862; Chas. Reed, 1869; T. P. 
Redfield, 1869. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS : 

Ezra Bntler in 1804, '20, "28, '32 ; Dr. 
Edward Lamb, 1836; Jos. Reed, 1840. 

UNITED STATES SENATORS : 

Samuel Prentiss, 1831-42; William Up- 
ham, 1843-53; Matt. Carpenter, Senator 
from Wisconsin, born in this County. 

REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS : 

Ezra Butler, 1813-15; H. F. Janes, 
1835-37 ; Paul Dillingham, 1843-47 ; L. B. 
Peck, 1847-51; E. P. Walton, 1857-63; 
C. W. Willard, 1869-73. A son of Judge 
Rice, of Waitsfield, has al.so been a terri- 
torial Representative, and we have fur- 
nished District Judge, Samuel Prenti.ss ; 
and one District Clerk, Edw. H. Prentiss; 
and two District Attorneys, Lucius B. Peck 
and B. F. Fifield. 



S. B. Colby received the appointment of 
first register in the office of the secretary 
of the treasury under Abraham Lincoln. 

Ezra Butler was Governor from 1826 to 
'28; Chas. Paine from 1841 to '43 : Paul 
Dillingham, Lieut. Governor in 1862, '3, 
'4, and Governor in 1865 to '67. Gov. Dil- 
lingham was also Lieut. Governor for 3 
years preceding his election to the chief 
magistracy. 

D. M. Camp and Geo. N. Dale were 
long-time residents of the County ; the 
former being Lieut. Governor from 1836 to 
"41, and the other being the present in- 
cumbent of that office (1869). 

The office of State treasurer has chiefly 
been held by individuals of the County 
since the location of the State House here. 
H. F. Janes, John Spaulding, E. P. Jew- 
ett, Geo. Howes, H. M. Bates and John 
A. Page being the persons receiving at dif- 
ferent times the election to that office to 
1869. 

The office of Secretary of State has also 
been held by County residents : David 
Wing, Jr., Timothy Merrill, C. L. Knapp, 
F. F. Merrill, D. P. Thompson, C. W. 
Willard, Geo. W. Bailey, Jr., and Geo. 
Nichols. Mr. Nichols also was chosen 
president of the last Constitutional Con- 
vention. 

Major Charles H. Joyce, the present 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
was a long time resident of this County. 
Timothy Merrill, O. H. Smith, F. F. Mer- 
rill, G. R. Thompson, have been severally 
elected to' the position of clerk of the 
House. David Wing, Jr., of Montpelier, 
was assistant judge of Caledonia Co. in 
1800, and first judge from 1803 to 1805 ; 
Chas. Bulkley, [judge and Ezra Butler, 
see Berlin and Waterbury] ; Cyrus Ware 
of Montpelier was chief judge of Caledo- 
nia Co. Court in 1808. The judges of 
Washington County Court have been Ezra 
Butler in i8ii-'i2; Chas. Bulkley, 1813; 
Dennison Smith, 1814; Ezra Butler, 1815 
to '18, when Jno. Peck presided for one 
year; Ezra Butler from 1819 to '25. Of 
the judges of the State supreme and cir- 
cuit courts Samuel Prentiss, Nicholas Bay- 
lies, Lsaac F. Redfield, Asahel Peck, and 



14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Timothy P. Redfield, are or have been 
residents of this County. The first Rep- 
resentatives from this County were Sam'l 
Harris from Middlesex and Jacob Davis 
from Montpelier, who took seats in the 
assembly held at Bennington, Jan. lo, 
1791. Ezra Butler was Councillor from 
1809 to '13, and from 1815 to '26; Nich- 
olas Baylies in 1814; George Worthing- 
ton from 1826 to '30 ; Henry F. Janes from 
1830 to '35; Milton Brown, 1835. 

STATE SENATORS. 

In 1836, by a change in the constitu- 
tion a Senate was substituted for the Coun- 
cil, to which we sent first Arunah Water- 
man and Newell Kinsman two years, and 
after: Jos. A. Curtis and Israel Goodwin, 
1838, '39; O. W. Butler, 1840; Nathan- 
iel Eaton, 1840, '41 ; Paul Dillingham, 
1 84 1, '42, '61 ; Wooster Sprague, '42, '43 ; 
Jacob Scott, '43, 44 : Roderick Richard- 
son, '44, '45; O. H. Smith, '45, '46; Mo- 
ses Robinson. '46, '47 ; Nath'l Bancroft, 
'47, '48; Wm. Carpenter, '48, '49; Asaph 
Town, '49, '50; Leonard Keith, '50, '51; 
C. G. Eastman, '51, ''52; Royal Wheeler, 
'52, '53; Jos. Moody, 'S3, '54; Horace 
Ilollister and James Green, '54, '55 ; John 
Gregory and F. A. Wright, '56-'7 ; Jo- 
seph Poland and Enoch Putnam, ''58-'9 ; 
Calvin Fullerton, '60-1 ; C. W. Willard, 
'60, '61 ; Roderick Richardson, Addison 
Peck and P. D. Bradford, '62, '63; Chas. 
Reed, '64, '65, '66; Denslow Upham, '64, 
'65 ; M. P. Wallace, '64 ; Wm. W. Henry, 
'65, '66, '67; J. H. Orcutt, '66, "68; Chas. 
Dewey, '67, '68, '69; C. H. Heath, '68, 
'69, '70 ; J. H. Hastings, '70 ; Heman 
Carpenter, '70, '71, '72, '7;^] Clark King, 
'7-. ^3^ *74» '75 ; Eliakim P. Walton, '74, 
"75i '76, '77 ; Ira Richardson, '76, '77 ; W. 
P. Dillingham, '78, '79, "So, '81; Albert 
Dwinell, '78, '79, '80, '81. 

WASHINGTON COUNTV RECORD IN THE 
REBELLION OF 1861. 

If in men's minds were doubt whether 
there were those who could uphold the 
honor of their sires in the generation of 
to-day, the illusion dispelled with the an- 
swer to the call for men to defend the 
country's flag ; yeoman and clerk and pro- 



fessional man, with the sound of the fife 
and drum, all moving on, like a sudden 
blast from the north to the terrible storm- 
ing of the ramparts and charge of the 
battle-field, proved more than words can 
blazon the heroism still in the race — a soul- 
working principle profound in the Ver- 
monter, which needed but a spark to fan 
it into a blaze of patriotism. War meet- 
ings were held, union leagues formed, lib- 
eral bounties paid to men, and the fam- 
ilies of those in the field cared for. Our 
heroes and martyrs did well ; where shines 
the lustre of so glorious an epoch, we still 
feel all of our old State pride when we look 
on our war-soiled banners, and hear re- 
cited the later deeds of our sons. Our 
dead are on most of the battle-fields from 
Bull Run to Apomattox ; individual deeds 
they have achieved which will not sufter 
in comparison with the martial prowess of 
any time. Instance our old Vt. 2d de- 
tached as a reserve to the 26th New Jer- 
sey, ordered to carry the heights of Mary's 
Hill. Our Col. Joyce, who had won the 
cognomen of Murat in the regiment, had 
the command. The Jersey boys, meeting 
tornadoes of lead and iron rained from the 
battlements above, surging back, "For- 
ward, Vermont Brigade," cried the gallant 
Joyce, and our gallant 2d : 

'"Tlit'ii came oiirifiiHant Second up. 

And passed them on tlie run;" 
" Vermont nilxlit well be proud that clay 

For every martial son.'' 



"St. Mary's Heights were won." 

Sergeant Bennett, a soldier of intrepid 
daring, was the first to mount the par- 
apets ; as he sprang over the breast-work, 
a rebel officer met him, sabre in hand, and 
aimed a blow, he dexterously parried with 
his musket, and pressed to close quarters 
by several soldiers joining the officer, 
clubbed his musket in a twinkling, ex- 
claiming. "I'll clean you out of here!" 
levelled them all to the earth ; the next in- 
stant tell, pierced by a dozen bullets, and 
expired at once. 

During the battle of the Wilderness, 
after forcing the rebels from strong in- 
trenchments and capturing and holding 
them a half mile in front of the inain line. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



15 

18, 1864; North Anna, Tolopotomy, Be- 
thesda Church. I'ctersburgh June 17, and 
the mine July 30, 1864, Weldon Railroad, 
Poplar Grove Church, Hatcher's Run, 
Peter.sburgh April 2, 1865. 

In the First Regiment Cavalry, in the 
battles of Mount Jackson, F"ort Republic, 
Middletown, Winchester May 25, 1862, 
Surry Court House, Culpepper Court House 
July 10, '62, Orange Court Hou.se, Kel- 
ley's Ford, Waterloo Bridge, Bull Run, 
Ashby's Gap, Broad Run, Greenwich, 
Hanover, Huntersville, Gettysburgh, Mon- 
terey, Lightersville, Hagerstown July 6, 
1863, Boonsboro, Hagerstown July 13, 
1863, Falling Waters, Port Conway Aug. 
26, "63 and Sept. i, '63, Culpepper Court 
Hou.se Sept. 13, "63, Somerville Ford, Ra- 
coon Ford, Falmouth, James City, Brandy 
Station, Gainesville, liuckland Mills, Mor- 
ton\s Ford, Mechanicsville, Piping Tree, 
Craig's Church, Spottsylvania, Yellow Tav- 
ern, Meadow Bridge, HanoverCourt House, 
Ashland, Hawe's Shop, Bottom Bridge, 
White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Ream's 
Station, June 23, Notta#ay Court House, 
Keysville, Roanoke Station, Stony Creek, 
June 28 and 29, 1864, Ream's Station, June 
29, '64, Ridley's Shop, Winchester Aug. 
17, 1864. Summit Point, Charlestown, 
Kearneysville, Opequan, Front Royal, 
Mooney's Grade, Milford, Waynesboro 
Sept. 28, '64, Columbia Furnace, Tom's 
Brook, Cedar Creek Oct. 13, 1864, Cedar 
Creek Oct. 19, '64, Middle Road, Middle 
and Back Road, Lacy's Springs, Wayes- 
boro Mar. 2, 1865, Five Forks, Namozine 
Church, Appomattox Station Apr. 8, '65, 
and Appomattox Court House April 9, 
1865. 

Gen. Wm. Wells enlisted from Water- 
bury. 

In all of the given Regiments the County 
had commissioned officers as high as cap- 
tain. It also furnished men to the ist, 2d 
and 3d Batteries of Light Artillery. Of 
commissioned officers there have been 
killed in battle and died from wounds, 
twelve from the County: Lieuts. A. M. 
Nevins, of More town, David B. Daven- 
port, of Roxbury ; Major Richard B. Cran- 



the Vt. 2d were asked if they could hold 
their position until supports could be 
brought up. '■'■ Send Its amiiuinition and 
provisions and we caA hold it six months 
if you want." Besides the battle of Bull 
Run, the .second regiment, in which our 
County had two companies, was in the 
battles of Lee's Mills, Apr. 15, 1862; Wil- 
liamsburgh. May 5 ; Golding's Farm, June 
26; Savage Station, June 29; White Oak 
Swamp, June 30; Malvern Hill, July i ; 
South Mountain, Sept. 14 ; Antietam, Sept. 
17; Fredericksburgh, Dec. 13; Mayre's 
Heights, May 3, 1863; Sailor's Heights, 
May 4; P'redericksburgh, June 5 ; (iettys- 
burgh, July 3 ; Funckstown, July 10 ; Rap- 
pahannock, Nov. 7 ; Wilderness, May 5-6, 
1864; Spottsylvania, May 10, 12, 14 and 
18 ; Cold Harbor, June 1-12 ; Petersburgh, 
June 18 ; Charlestown, Aug. 21 ; Opecjuan, 
Sept. 19; Fisher's Hill, Sept. 21 ; Mount 
Jackson, Sept. 24; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19; 
Petersburgh, March 25, 1865 ; Peters- 
burgh, April 2 ; Sailor's Run, April 6, and 
after Bull Run. five additional regiments 
participated in these battles, to which al.so 
they would add a few other engagements, 
and in all our County found itself; repre- 
sented in the 6th Regiment by two com- 
panies. In the Seventh Regiment, at the 
siege of Vicksburgh, Baton Rouge, Gon- 
zales Station, Spanish Fort and Whistler. 
In the Eighth Regiment at Cotton, Bis- 
land. Siege of Port Hudson, Winchester, 
Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Newton. In 
the Ninth Regiment, at Harper's Ferry, 
Newport Barracks, Chapin's Farm, Fair 
Oaks. In the Tenth Regiment, at Orange 
Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Tolo- 
potomy, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad. 
Monocacy, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Ce- 
dar Creek, Petersburgh Mar. 25 and Apr. 
2, 1865, and Sailor's Creek. In the Eleventh 
Regiment, at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, 
Petersburgh June 8, '64, Weldon Rail- 
road, Washington, Charlestown, Opequan. 
Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, 
Petersburgh, Mar. 25, 27, and Apr. 2, 1865, 
and in the Thirteenth at Gettysburgh, 
July 2 and 3, 1863 ; Seventeenth Regiment, 
at the battles of the Wilderness, May 6 to 
9, 1864; Spottsylvania, 12 to 15 and May 



i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



dall, of Berlin ; of wounds received at 
Lee's Mills, Apr. i6, 1862, David B. 
Davenport, of Roxbiiry : of wounds at 
Lee's Mills, April 16, '62, Major Richard 
B. Crandall and Lieut. A. J. Davis, of 
Berlin; Captain Luther Ainsworth, of 
Waitsfield; Major Edwin Dillingham, 
Lieut.J.E.Henry,Capt.LucianD. Thomp- 
son, of Waterbury ; Capt. Edward Hall 
and Lieut. A. K. Cooper, of Worcester; 
Lieut. W. E. Martin, of Bane ; Lieut. 
Ezra Stetson, of Montpelier ; Lieut. Isaac 
G.Putnam, of East Montpelier; Lieut. 
Luther B. Scott and Adjutant Abel Mor- 
rill, of Cabot. [Of whom further account 
will be ^iven in their respective towns in 
this volume.] 

Chas. H. Anson, of Montpelier, was 
brevetted Captain for gallantry in the as- 
sault on Petersburgh, April 2, 1865. 

This County furnished for the war 44 
captains, 5 adjutants, 7 quarter-masters, 10 
majors, 7 lieut. colonels, 4 colonels and 2 
generals. 

Grand list of the towns in the County ; 
town-bounties p8id and number of men 
raised by each town : 



TOWNS. 



Men. 



Grand List. Bountj'. 



Barre 

Berlin 

Cabot 

Calais 

Duxbury 

E. Montpelier, 

Fayston , 

Marshtield 

Middlesex 

Montpelier . . . . 

Moretown 

Northfield 

Plainfield 

Roxbury 

Waitsfield 

Warren 

Waterbury 

Woodbury 

Worcester 



Total. 



161 


$7,375-17 


144 


4,674.26 


174 


4,177-52 


98 


4,500.85 


152 


2,145.68 


74 


5,292.36 


121 


1,221.32 


150 


2,636.56 


33^ 


3,229 20 


146 


11,972.79 


351 


2,954.80 


94 


8,002.20 


113 


2,250.34 


104 


2,227.10 


no 


3-267.84 


236 


2,560.20 


99 


7,729.22 


84 


1,965.59 


2965 


1,637.01 


79.519-95. 



36,500.64 
31,399-54 

6,376.22 

26,095.23 

9,940.00 

12,808.83 

16,840.25 

13,952.20 

20,882.42 

24,585.65 

19,830.00 
32,664.84 

15,598.52 

200.00 
10,671.17 

13.438.88 

23,766.26 
22.50 

5.245-95 



320,826.00 



Col. Randall's statement of the 

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG : 

"The I2th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 



1 6th 



Vermont Regiments constituted Stannard's 



Brigade, and were attached to the First or 
Reynolds' corps at the battle of Getty.s- 
burg. This brigade arrived on the field 
at about 4 o'clock iif the afternoon of the 
first day, and took position in the rear of 
Cemetery Hill, in the rear of the main 
line of battle, where they remained through 
the night, and through the fore part of the 
next day. At about noon of the second 
day the fighting in our front and to our left 
was quite animated. Generals Sickles and 
Hancock being at our left. At about 
2 o'clock in the afternoon I was ordered to 
advance my regiment to the front, and 
somewhat to the left, and took a position 
some thirty rods in advance of the rest ot 
our brigade, where I held my regiment in 
column by divisions at rest until about 4 
or 5 o'clock in the afternoon. At this 
time the battle was raging at our left, in 
front of Hancock's corps, with much vio- 
lence, and many stragglers were passing to 
the rear. The balance of Stannard's brig- 
ade were lying in their original position. 
At about this time an officer came riding 
from the front directly towards where my 
regiment lay, very fast. As he approach- 
ed the spot he halted, and asked me what 
regiment that was. I told him it was the 
13th Vermont, of Stannard's brigade. He 
asked where Stannard and the rest of the 
brigade were. I pointed out the brigade, 
some 30 rods in my rear, and also the 
spot where Stannard and his staff were, a 
little way in the rear of the brigade. He 
then said to me will your regiment fight .'' 
I told him they were comparatively new 
troops, but that I thought I could rely on 
them. He then said, " I am Gen. Double- 
day, and now command the first corps." 
He also told me he had just come from 
Gen. Hancock, that that officer was hard 
pressed, and he was afraid unless he had 
help very quick he would lose his artillery, 
or some of it. He ordered me to take 
my regiment, or what I had of it, pro- 
ceed in the direction from which he came, 
and report to Gen. Hancock, and act as he 
directed, but before I started he said, 
" Colonel, introduce me to your regiment." 
I turned with him to the regiment, and said. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



17 



' Boys, this is General Doubleday, our corps 
commander." He then said, substantially, 
as follows : "Men of Vermont ! the troops 
from your State have thus far in this war 
earned an enviable reputation. I under- 
stand that you are comparatively inexperi- 
enced in battle, but you are about to be 
led in by your Colonel. Much will be ex- 
pected of you, and I hope you will nobly 
uphold the honor of your State. To-day 
is the great day that determines whether 
Jeff. Davis or Abraham Lincoln controls 
this government. You will now follow 
your Colonel." I then led them in the di- 
rection indicated by him, at a double quick, 
and before reaching the crest or high land 
in our front, I left the regiment in charge 
of Major J. J, Boynton and Adjutant 
James S. Peck, and rode myself forward 
to find Gen. Hancock, and see in advance 
where my regiment could aid him most. 
As I came on top of the high ground or 
crest between the cemetery and Little 
Round Top, 1 met Gen. Hancock, who was 
vigorously rallying and encouraging his 
shattered ranks, many of whom were still 
fighting valiantly, to hold on and contest 
the ground inch by inch. I accosted him 
and told him my regiment was close at 
hand, and that Gen. Doubleday ordered me 
up to his assistance. He appeared much 
gratified, and said to me that the rebels 
had just taken a battery from him. He 
pointed out to me the direction in which 
they had gone with it, and asked me if I 
could retake it ? I replied to him that I 
thought I could. He said, "go in, then." 
By this time my regiment was coming up ; 
I took charge of them, and put them in 
position to deploy from column into line 
of battle parallel to his main line, and 
in front of his somewhat disorganized 
troops. Gen. Hancock sat near me on 
his horse, and watched the movement nar- 
rowly. I gave the order to deploy, and 
rode in front of my companies to watch 
the movement and see that each company 
came promptly on to the line. This was 
under a sharp fire from the enemy, and my 
men were falling on all sides by this time. 
As I saw my last company come on the line, 

3 



I inclined towards the center of the regi- 
ment and gave the order to forward. Just 
as I did this my horse was shot dead un- 
der me, and fell, catching me by my right 
foot under him. The regiment for a mo- 
ment supposed I was killed, but the horse 
was rolled off from me by the men as they 
came up, who soon saw that I was not 
hurt, and they followed me as I went on 
foot.' At this moment a body of rebel 
troops, probably a brigade, was deploying 
from the bushy ground to our left directly 
in front of us. This I did not see until my 
horse fell, when I got a view of them un- 
der the smoke and dust, as it was lifted. 
About that time we got a volley from them. 
I saw the situation was a critical one for 
us, and that promptness was our chance ; 
and I gave the order to charge upon them, 
thinking to surprise and overpower them 
before they reloaded. My men responded 
to the call most admirably. Before the 
rebels had time to reload or put themselves 
in an attitude of defence we were upon 
them. They threw down their arms and 
laid low, and we passed over them without 
much opposition. Here we witnessed one 
of many acts of treachery which the rebels 
exhibited at times. As we passed over 
them as they lay like yarded sheep, a rebel 
officer rose on his elbow and discharged 
his' pistol at Major Boynton, the charge 
just brushing the Major's ear-locks. This 
piece of perfidy was instantly avenged by 
half a dozen of our men pinning the rebel 
to the earth with their bayonets. We 
passed on, and in about 30 rods overtook 
the detachment of rebel troops in charge 
of the captured guns, four in number, of 
the U. S. Regular Artillery. Captain 
Lonergan, of Co. A. of my regiment, 
(Burlington) and myself about simulta- 
neously, I think, came up with the guns 
overtaken. The rebels appeared very 
much surprised to see us, but after a 
flourish or two of sabres and a little em- 
phatic language they surrendered all the 
guns to us, and we passed them to thg 
rear. All this time I think Gen. Hancock 
was watching our movements, and when 
my horse fell he was so near to me that 



i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



when I got up and left the horse I heard 
him direct one of his men to keep guard 
over my saddle and straps on my horse. 
When afterward I came back the guard, 
saddle, and straps, were gone, but I after- 
wards found my saddle. Our men from 
whom the guns had been taken followed 
them up, took their guns, and returned 
with them to our lines. My regiment was 
now within about 50 rods, as I should 
judge, of the Emmetsburgh road, and I 
determined to push forward and gain that 
road, unless I met with formidable resist- 
ance, as I did not. I reached the road, 
my right resting at a small farm house, 
which I suppose is called the Pe'er Rogers 
house. Here we halted, and I directed 
Adjutant Peck to go back and apprise Gen. 
Hancock of our position, and get his or- 
ders. About this time Capt. Lonergan 
came to where I was, much excited, and 
informed me that the house above men- 
tioned was full of rebels. I immediately 
went with him to the house, and sure 
enough it was. I ordered them to throw 
out their arms and surrender, which they 
all did ; there were eighty-three of them, 
including officers. While this was going 
on, the rebel sharp-shooters and skirmish- 
ers were keeping up a sharp lire at my 
men, which they were returning, and at 
about this time they ran out two twelve 
pound brass field pieces at our left on the 
line of the road, and commenced to fire 
upon us. At this I directed the attention 
of two of my companies to them. They 
soon cleared the pieces of horses and men, 
and then charged upon them, capturing 
both of the guns, which we brought oiT. 
Adjutant Peck having returned with word 
from Gen. Hancock to keep my fianks well 
protected, and return when I had done 
what I thought I could. Seeing no more 
gatne in the bush, we retired to the Union 
lines, amid much cheering from the troops 
who had witnessed to some extent our op- 
erations. I have seen some account of 
this affair in which it is said that in this 
movement the 14th regiment led the ad- 
vance, followed by the i6th, and that af- 
terwards the 13th regiment came up. Now 
the truth is the 13th were in a position to 



be first, having been in advance of the 
other regiments, and did lead. They were 
no doubt well in the fight before even Gen. 
Stannard knew of the movement, as I took 
my order for this advance from Gen. Dou- 
bleday, who had then not seen Gen. Stan- 
nard. 

I do not wish to detract one jot from 
what any other regiment may have done at 
this or any other battle, but must not al- 
low my regiment to be misrepresented, 
either through ignorance or design." 

F. V. Randall. 

The brilliant achievements of our nine 
months' men, the 13th regiment under 
Colonel Randall at the battle of Gettys- 
burgh, from the magnitude and impor- 
tance of the battle, and the circumstance 
that such bravery was displayed by men 
for the first time under fire, deserves some- 
thing of detailed account. Our statement 
of the part taken in the 2d day's fight is in 
Col. Randall's own language. The 3d 
day's part, we collect from published ac- 
counts given at the time, from both rebel 
and union officers and correspondents on 
the field. . 

In the third and last day's struggle for 
the victory in this greatest of modern bat- 
tles, our Regiment of thirteen months' 
men, never before under fire, did more 
than honor to the County and State — they 
proved to the world that the thinking bay- 
onet is immeasurably superior to that of 
any other ; that an educated citizen soldiery, 
fired by patriotism and a sense of duty, 
would stand fire of an enemy equal with vet- 
eran corps, provided they were well offi- 
cered, and for such disapproved the need 
of standing armies. 

After the previous day's service, illustri- 
ous in the annals of war, as a dash made 
by inexperienced troops, they joined the 
2d Vt. Brigade and slept upon their arms. 
Friday, the third day of this great battle, 
a simultaneous cannonade was opened 
upon our right and left at daybreak — Long- 
street commanding the batteries firing 
upon the left where was our Brigade, from 
an advantageous ridge he had gained in 
the alternoon of the previous day. Ewell 
commanded the right, which seems to 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



19 



have been really the point selected for the 
chief attack in the morning upon our lines. 
The cannonade lasted only for a short 
time, when on the right one of the most 
obstinate and terrible infantry duels took 
place known in the history of fire-arms. 
Says an eye-witness, "for six hours — from 
5 till II o'clock — the musketry rolled on 
those hill-sides in one incessant crash. 
For six hours, from other portions of our 
lines, we watched the white smoke-clouds 
curling up through the tree-tops and won- 
dered what the issue would be. At 11, 
Geary had driven the enemy back over the 
breastwork into the valley below." In the 
left centre, before Longstreet's batteries, 
was the 2d Vermont Brigade, General 
Stannard in command, in which was our 
13th Regiment engaged in their first bat- 
tle — for although thej had made such a 
brilliant dash the day before, it could hard- 
ly be considered of the nature of a pitched 
battle, and had not proved that they would 
stand a withering fire or a charge. They 
were in General Doubleday's Division. 
Col. Randall tells me that Gen. Double- 
day very skeptically inquired " Colonel, 
will your men stand fire?" " I think they 
will," Col. Randall replied. We will in- 
troduce the language of another who was 
present on the field, to speak for our 13th 
Regiment. " The troops of Gen. Double- 
day's Division were disposed in three par- 
allel lines of battle. There were two rea- 
sons for this show of strength : first, the 
comparatively level and open nature of he 
ground at that point invited assault ; sec- 
ond, our Division and Corps Generals dis- 
trusted the ability of the nine months 
troops to withstand a charge. It was 
owned they did well the night before, 
when their prompt presence apparently 
saved the day in that part of the field, but 
it was known — and it was about all that 
was known about them in the Army of the 
Potomac — that they were nine months men, 
their term of service just expiring, and 
that they had had no previous experience 
under fire. They were expected to break 
at the first earnest onset of the enemy, and 
a double line of battle was placed behind 
them, — quite a needless precaution it was 



found." Col. Randall's Regiment of nine 
months men was advanced a little forward 
and to the left of the main line of the 2d 
Corps, where they threw up a few rails for 
protection, and lay low, the brow of the 
hill also affording a slight protection from 
the shells. A few men were wounded 
here in the short morning cannonade, 
which was followed by a long lull in the 
storm of battle at this point, meanwhile 
the vortex of the storm clung to the right, 
where it raged till 1 1 o'clock, as we have 
seen. A little picket skirmishing was all 
there was in the vicinity of our 13th until 
the grand assault was heralded by the al- 
most simultaneous burst of 150 guns from 
the enemy in front. This gave a little op- 
portunity to strengthen the breastwork of 
rails, wnich was done some two or three 
feet with rails scattered upon the ground, 
which was considerable protection to the 
men when flat upon the ground, and 
proved much needed before night. 

The silence for two hours had been al- 
most oppressive along the whole left, al- 
though the din of arms roared terribly 
enough away to the right. At ten min- 
utes before 10 o'clock the signal gun was 
fired, the top of the low ridge in front al- 
most instantly opened with a storm of 
shell, round shot and spherical case — even 
grape thickening the angry tempest. All 
this against that breastwork of rails, the 
cannonade ceased on the rebel side soon 
after 3 o'clock, the last two hours being 
rapid firing from this battery of 150 guns, 
concentrated from every angle upon our 
left centre, when followed the grand charge. 
It was not thought possible by the rebel 
generals that there could be any Union 
line left to resist a charge after such a can- 
nonade. Now commenced to move in 
close compact lines, in the finest of order, 
17,000 of the picked troops of the Confed- 
eracy. On they came at common time, 
closing up as fast as our cannon opened a 
gap with that fearful hurtle of iron hail. 
The assaulting force had a front of about 
1,000 yards moving in double column, 
with supports in the rear extending beyond 
either flank in front. The advance was 
across a broad stretch of open meadow, 



20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



something over a mile in length, and vary- 
ing from a half mile to nearly a mile in 
width between the confronting ridges, where 
thus far the battle had raged. 

The long gray confederate lines, pre- 
ceded by their skirmishers, have reached 
the low ground, half the distance between 
the confronting armies, when the Vermont 
regiments which are in advance of the 
main line are ordered up into line to re- 
ceive the enemy. The enemy's right at 
first seemed aiming directly upon our 13th 
and 14th regiments, and they were prepar- 
ing to give them a volley, to be followed by a 
charge, when an unexpected movement of 
the enemy offered the opportunity of a bril- 
liant display of military tactics and prowess, 
which our Colonels and commanding offi- 
cers did not fail to take advantage of. As 
the 13th and 14th rose to deliver their fire, 
the rebel force in front changed direction 
by its flank, and marched to the north 
across their front some 60 rods, when again 
fronting it, came in upon the line of the 2d 
Corps to the right of these regiments. 
Upon the commencement of this move- 
ment, the two regiments opened fire upon 
them by battalion, and continued it by file 
at about 60 rods with great effect. 

At the time the rebel charging lines 
fronted and advanced, after this side move- 
ment, they swung partly to the rear and 
right, where they seemed to become 
massed, presenting from the position of 
the Vermont Brigade a column massed by 
regiments. Thus in position they, with a 
wild yell, heard above the din of our pla)'- 
ing batteries, came in on the charge. The 
shock of the charge was tmly terrible, and 
it was resisted with a terrible obstinacy. 
They reach our lines, and the rebel Gen. 
Armistead is shot down with a hand on 
one of our guns. They even pierce the 
line in the terrible struggle, but the op- 
portunity for a flanking movement is dis- 
covered by the commanding officers of the 
Vermont Brigade, a movement already 
participated in to a certain extent by Col. 
Randall, of the 13th, and the 13th and i6th 
were ordered out upon the enemies' fiank. 
Col. Randall already well under way. 



They marched some 60 rods parallel to the 
main line, then changing front, their line 
swung out at nearly right angles upon 
the right of the rebel column, still res- 
olutely struggling to force our lines. As 
we have said, the 13th led, which marched 
by the right flank, and approathed very 
close upon the enemies' flank, when they 
changed front forward on the first com- 
pany, under a scattering fire from the en- 
emies' flank. There was but an instant of 
time before a rapid fire ran down the line 
of the regiment, at scarcely more than half 
pistol range. The effect was instantaneous 
and destructive beyond calculation. The 
rebel lines withered away as stubble be- 
fore the flame. To help complete the 
havoc and scoop up the prisoners, the i6th 
were soon seen taking up a position upon 
the I3th's left. Some 15 rounds were 
fired by Col. Randall's regiment at this 
short range, raking the enemy through and 
through by this fire upon his flank. The 
1 6th also gave him about half as many 
rounds, everybullet probably taking effect, 
and many passing through two or three 
rebel bodies. The rebels broke and fled 
in all directions, the larger portion of their 
centre and right dropping their arms and 
rushing into our lines, surrendering them- 
selves as prisoners. Such was the result 
of that great charge made by the flower of 
Southern chivalry (and braver men never 
went to death), and such the brilliant rec- 
ord made by a regiment of men never 
under fire before — men who nine months 
before were in their shops, behind their 
counters, and in their farmers' suits, en- 
gaged in the pursuits of peace. And Wash- 
ington County has the honor of sending 
the commanding officer of this regiment as 
well as two companies in it, whose singu- 
lar rare fortune it was to have such an op- 
portunity to distinguish themselves, and 
whose singularly good fortune it was to so 
brilliantly fill a record so illustrious by im- 
proving its opportunity. The loss of the 
13th was 8 killed, 89 wounded, and 26 
mi.ssing. Men need not " doubt if the 
warp of gold " be yet in the stock descended 
from the compatriots of Ethan Allen. 
The Richmond Sentinel savs of the 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



flanking attack, " As Kemper's Brigade 
moved up it swung around to the left, and 
was exposed to the front and flanking fire 
of the Federals, which was very fatal." 
Another account in the same paper says : 
"A flanking party of the enemy, marching in 
column 'by regiments, was thrown out from 
the enemy's left on our extreme right, and 
by an enfilading fire forced the retirement 
of our troops."' The Richmond Enquirer 
gives a similar account, to which we may 
add the testimony of the correspondent of 
the London Times, who details tlie move- 
ments of the flanking column and speaks 
of Gen. Longstreet's order sent by Major 
Latrobe relating thereto, which was never 
received, as Latrobe'^s horse was shot un- 
der him, all making the issue of the battle 
turn on this point. It was one of the most 
memorable battles in history, equalling the 
carnage of Waterloo and surpassing all 
others of this generation until we come to 
the great battles in the campaign of the 
Franco-Prussian war. The aggregate cas- 
ualties of the armies fell not much short 
of 8,000 killed and 35,500 wounded. 5000 
rebel dead were buried on or near the 
field. 7,600 wounded were left in our 
hands, and 13,621 prisoners were taken. 
It is not a little singular that our own 
County seems by the good fortunes of the 
hour, and the bravery and talent shown by 
its men, none of them ever under fire be- 
fore, except their Colonel, to have supplied 
the pivotal points on two days of this great 
battle's issue. 

Paul Dillingham, of Waterbury, filled 
the office of Chief Magistracy of the State 
for more than half the period of the war. 
He served both the County and State with 
signal ability. Earnest in suppressing the 
rebellion, he was prompt to act in filling 
the several quotas called for by the Gov- 
ernment. Zealous in the Union cause, by 
word and act, he encouraged his fellow 
citizens to withhold no sacrifice, while he 
also gave two sons to the country's service, 
one of whom remains with its dead. 

NATURAL HISTOKY. 

The County abounds in water-privileges 
and numerous cold springs, which add 



greatly to the value of its lands for dairy- 
ing purposes, as well as its excellent quality 
of grass. The W^inooski, the largest riv- 
er in the State, rises in the towns of Wal- 
den and Peacham, in Caledonia Co., its two 
head branches uniting in Marshfield, from 
whence it flows through the whole width 
of this County and thence through Chit- 
tenden Co. into Lake Champlain. It drains 
an area of about 1,000 square miles. Af- 
ter the junction of the two head branches 
in Marshfield, we have for its tributaries : 
Kingsbury's Branch, coming in on the 
west side of Plainfield Village, Stevens' 
Branch, coming in 2 miles above Mont- 
pelier village, from Barre, the Worcester 
Branch, uniting at Montpelier village. Dog 
River i mile below. Mad River i mile be- 
low Middlesex village, and Waterbury 
River, 2 miles below Waterbury village. 
There are many brooks beside, in the 
County, of considerable size and several 
ponds of varying sizes. Of ponds, the 
town of Woodbury alone has no less than 
9, and the water-power of the County is 
greatly increased by its ponds which are 
natural reservoirs. 

The geological formation of the County 
is for the most part talcose slate ; mica, 
hornblend and limestone are found in con- 
siderable quantities ; argillaceous slate in 
the southern towns, felspar and quartz, 
with mica, in the eastern ; steatite and iron 
ore in the town of Warren. Stalactite 
and asbestos have also been found in smaller 
quantities in ditTerent localities, as well as 
gold. 

Camel's Hump, which lies upon the 
western border of the County, is only a few 
feet below the Chin, the highest peak in 
the Green Mountain range, a bold land- 
mark seen in nearly all parts of the County. 
Bald Mountain, rising from the spur to the 
east of Mad River, is also a noticeable 
peak nearly in the corner of the town lines 
of Waitsfield and Northfield. A spur or 
range broken off" from the Hog-Backs in 
Middlesex, at what is called the "Nar- 
rows." The Winooski seems to have 
channeled a gateway of a few feet in width 
down some 80 or 90 feet in the rock, leav- 
ing abrupt and precipitous sides crowned 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



with overhanging pines. Before this cut 
there must have been a lake of some miles 
in length, extending up the river and some 
of its tributaries above. The Marshfield 
Falls are also noticeable, where the main 
branch of the Winooski is said to fall 500 
feet in 30 rods. 

Benjamin's Falls, near the outlet of 
Berlin Pond, which are exceedingly pic- 
turesque and beautiful, have become a 
place of frequent resort. 

The talc, slate, mica and limestone, 
mixed and pulverized, are the best and 
among the most durable of soils. The in- 
tervale on Dog, Mad and Winooski Rivers 
is very line, though in much of the length 
of these streams the valleys are narrow. 
Scarcely inferior to the meadow lands 
along the rivers are many ot the hill farms. 
Pasturage is even better here, and the hay 
of better quality, if falling off a little in 
quantity. The soil is excellent also for 
corn and oats in the valleys, and besides 
well adapted to wheat-growing on the up- 
lands. As a dairy County it has few equals. 

In 1841, there was a severe tornado in 
the towns of Fayston and Waitsfield. It 
commenced on the heights of the land in 
the middle of the town of Fayston, and 
had a S. E. direction, spending its force 
against the sides of a mountain in the town 
of Waitsfield, where it leveled some 20 or 
30 acres of heavy woodland in a body. As 
it moved down from the highlands into 
the valley of Mill Brook, the scene of the 
storm was said by those who observed 
from the hill range above the cloud, to be 
sublime beyond description. One rolling 
sea of fire with perpetual thunders, crashed 
and roared as it swept through, as it 
seemed almost at their very feet. A more 
general tornado visited the County in 1866, 
which had a N. E. cour.se, doing much 
damage in nearly all the towns. The gust 
that did most of the damage did not last 
more than a minute or a minute and a half, 
yet barns were carried from their found- 
ations, with cattle, horses, and all to be 
mixed in one common ruin ; houses were 
unroofed, chimneys blown down, wood- 
lands leveled, and all movable things put 
in motion. Some of our towns had forty 



or fifty barns destroyed ; one or two val- 
uable horses were killed, and several liead 
of horned cattle. A few persons were se- 
riously injured, though we do not know of 
any one being killed. Some of the barns 
were among the very best in the County, 
valued at two or three thousand dollars. 
The County has been visited by a number 
of freshets since its organization, the most 
notable of whicli was in 1830, which oc- 
casioned the memorable slide upon the 
eastern slope of the Green Mountains, and 
by which the County lost most of its 
bridges and a large share of its mills ; sev- 
eral lives were lost. In that of 1869, nearly 
as destructive, the little village of Plainfield 
suffered to the amount of $20,000. Half 
of Montpelier village was under water, sev- 
eral streets in Northfield, and there was a 
general destruction of bridges and mills 
throughout the County; also railroad trains 
were delayed for days. 

Deer and the black bear were found very 
plenty in the first of the settlement, and 
occasionally the American monsal, or 
moose. The bear stil] contests the rights 
of civilization, rather too successfully for 
our sheep pastures at times. Fish, also, 
particularly that favorite, the speckled or 
brook trout, abounded in our streams. 
This county is no doubt among the best 
localities of the world for trout raising. 
The spruce partridge and wood-pigeon 
were considerably hunted for game in 
former times, and partridge is yet sought 
by the sportsman with some success. The 
American panther, or catamount, which 
figured in our first coat of arms, was oc- 
casionally seen, one of which had a bloody 
fray with a bear just out the precincts of 
Montpelier village, near the sand-bottom 
bridge, if we credit the story of Joel 
Frizzle, an old trapper, who claims to have 
been an eye witness, and wolves were quite 
numerous. The Hon. Daniel Baldwin 
when a lad was chased by a pack while 
traveling the road on Dog River between 
Northfield and Montpelier one night after 
dark, and only saved himself by the dex- 
terity with which he handled a fire-brand. 

The cold .season of 1816, I have been 
told by those living at the time, the snow 



BARRE. 



23 



fell a foot deep here the eighth of June. 
The trees full in leaf looked after the freeze 
as if a fire had over-ran the woods. Many 
were broken by the weight of the snow, 
and the apple crop was spoiled, and hardly 
enough corn raised for seed ; but the ce- 
reals and the wheat gave abundant har- 
vest, and there was no famine. 

Champlain, on the Lake that took his 
name, saw mountains to the east covered 
with snow the 4th of July, 1609. Our 
winters have considerably shortened since 
the settlement of the country, and our 
snow-fall and rain-fall no doubt dimin- 
ished. 

We are aware of our incompleteness in 
this chapter. We have invited the mem- 
bers of the Bar and cferks of the County 
Court to add whatever may be of interest 
in that direction, receiving some encour- 
agement it would be done. The social 
societies of the County are so much of the 
nature of those already given by others, 
we have not thought their interest with 
the repetition, desirable. 

Montpelier, i86g. 



BARRE. 

BY HON CARLOS CARPENTER. 

Barre is situated in the S. E. part of 
Washington Co., lat, 44° 1 1', long. 4° 31', 
bounded N. by East Montpt-lier and Plain- 
field, E. by Orange, S. by Williamstown 
and Washington, W. by Berlin, contains 
19,900 acres, and was chartered Nov. 6, 
1780, to William Williams and 66 others 
by the name of Wildersburgh, and organ- 
ized under that name Mar. 11, 1793: Jo- 
seph Uwight, first town clerk ; Joseph 
Sherman, Joseph Dwight, Nathan Har- 
rington, selectmen : Jonas Nichols, treas- 
urer; Job Adams, constable; Isaac S. 
Thompson, Apollos Hale, Elias Cheney 
listers. The name of the town was soon 
after changed. At a town meeting holden 
Sept. 3, 1793, 

Voted, that the man that will give the 
most towards building a meeting-house in 
said town, shall name the town, and the 
town will petition the Legislature for that 
name. The name of the town vendued 
and bid off by Ezekiel Dodge Wheeler, 



for 62 _^ lawful money, he being the high- 
est bidder, and .said Wheeler named the 
town Barre. 

At the same meeting. 

Voted, to recommend Lt. Benj. Walker 
to serve as justice of peace. 

At the March meeting in 1794, the town 

Voted, to vendue the collectorship to 
the person who will collect the taxes for 
the least premium, and the collectorship 
was vendued to Joel Shurtliff, and he is to 
give the town three pence, three farthings 
on the pound for the privilege of collecting 
all the town taxes. 

At a town meeting holden June 23, 1794, 
the town 

Voted, to choose a committee of three 
to procure a preacher of the Gospel, liy 
vote, chose Benj. Walker, Esq., Apollos 
Hale and Samuel D. Cooke, committee. 

The town at an early day evinced a de- 
sire to look after the moral, .social and 
religious interests of the people that should 
come among them to settle on the lands, 
and clear them up to make a thriving com-" 
munity. 

The settlement was commenced about 
1788, by Samuel Rogers and John Golds- 
bury, who came into town with their fam- 
ilies. Soon after, a number of families 
came in, and from 1790, the town became 
rapidly settled by emigrants from Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire. It was first 
represented in the General Assembly in 
1793, by Nathan Harrington. The town 
lies 6 miles easterly from Montpelier. 

The Vt. Cent. R. R. extended its line 
to Barre in 1875. The first passenger 
train carried students and those attending 
Goddard Seminary Commencement ex- 
ercises, July I, 1875, since which passen- 
ger and freight trains have run regularly. 
L. F. Aldrich, first station agent, appointed 
in August, 1875, served till June i, 1878; 
E. K. Williams, from June i to July 8, 
1878; and M. C. Kinson, appointed July 
20, 1878, is present station agent. 

Thos. W. Bailey has been passenger 
conductor since the road was opened, and 
Dexter Moody baggage-master ; engineers, 
James Bowers, Robert Gregg, David Dan- 
iels, and present engineer, Albert Cas- 
well. The cars have never but once been 



24 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ofif the irons, it is said, on this line, and 
no serious accident has yet occurred. The 
freight business at Barre depot is ranked 
about the fourth on the Vt. Central lines. 
Barre is the present terminus of this line 
(1881) but it is expected it will soon be 
e.xtended to Royal ton, Wind.sor Co. 

Barre has two flourishing schools — the 
Academy and Seminary. 

BARRE ACADEMY. 

BY CHAS. A. SMITH, OF THE BOARD OF TKUSTKKS. 

Barre Academy was chartered by the 
Legislature in 1849. Of the first board of 
trustees, chosen by the corporators, Hon. 
Newell Kinsman was president, and Hon. 
Leonard Keith, secretary. In 1853, the 
board was increased to 25 members, who 
have full oversight and administration of 
the affairs of the school. The present of- 
ficers of the board are : President, Hon. 
Hiram Carleton, of Montpelier ; Secretary, 
Chas. A. Smith ; Barre Prudential Com- 
mittee, E.W. Bisbee, Esq., H. O.Worthen, 
M. D., Hon. R. E. Patterson. The acad- 
emy building was erected in 1852. The 
school opened in that autumn, with J. S. 
Spaulding, A. M., principal, who came 
from Bakersfield, Vt., where, as Prof. Ben- 
edict, of Burlington, wrote for the " Free 
Press" at that time, he had "acquired a 
high reputation by his superior manage- 
ment of Bakersfield Academy." Mr. 
Spaulding continued at the head of Barre 
Academy until his death, which occurred 
suddenly of heart disease, Apr. 29, 1880, 
and during all this time he maintained his 
reputation as one of the ablest and most 
successful teachers of the State, and by his 
persistent and self-denying labors made 
the Academy one which, for excellent dis- 
cipline and thorough practical training, 
was unsurpassed by any school in the 
country. Mr. Spaulding's influence was 
also felt among all the teachers of the 
State. He was one of the founders, and 
for many years the president, of the Ver- 
mont State Teachers' Association. He 
was keenly alive to all the material inter- 
ests of the community in which he resided, 
by his instruction of the young men, by 
his conversations with the fathers, and by 



the enthusiastic labors and the practical 
experiments by which he converted the 
little farm on which he lived and died 
from a barren hillside pasture to a fertile 
field, and pleasant grounds, with quiet 
walks and cooling shades ; he did much to 
awaken among the farmers of town a higher 
idea of their calling, and to stimulate a 
taste for scientific farming in its truest 
sense. He was chosen a delegate to the 
constitutional convention in 1870 ; in 1876, 
elected a representative to the legislature. 
The degree of L.L. D. was conferred upon 
him by Middlebury College in 1868. 

Dr. Spaulding was born in Tewksbury, 
Mass., and while a child, removed with 
his parents to Temple, N. H,, where he 
lived until he entered Dartmouth College 
in 1837, graduating in 1841. He was soon 
after married to Miss Mary W. Taylor, 
who in his labors was a most interested 
and efficient co-worker, and who now sur- 
vives him. They had no children. 

The school has since the death of Dr. 
Spaulding been under the charge of A. N. 
Wheelock, A. M., a graduate of the insti- 
tution, class 'JT,, and of the U. V. M., 
class '78, and under his able management, 
promises to maintain its high reputation 
among the educational institutions of the 
State. There have been connected with 
the school as assistant principals since its 
establishment 24 gentlemen : Rev. Sim- 
eon Gilbert, editor of the Advance, Chi- 
cago, 111. ; Rev. A. W. Hazen, of Middle- 
town, Ct. ; I. W. Camp, A. M., Chicago, 
111. ; Hon. John M. Thatcher, ex-Com 
missioner of Patents, Chicago, 111. ; Hon. 
Senaca Hasleton, Judge of Municipal 
Court, Burlington, Vt., and others; and 
about 30 ladies, some of whom have been 
well known teachers in other schools of 
the land, have been employed as assist- 
ants. The number of scholars of both 
sexes who have completed the courses of 
studies prescribed has been nearly 300, 
and the honorable record made by some of 
these, and of the thousands more who 
have been for a longer or a shorter period 
connected with the school, afford the surest 
testimony of the faithful work done by its 
teachers in the past. Names of a few old 



BARRE. 



25 



students who have become prominent in 
the localities in which they have settled, 
and in the calling they have chosen. Wal- 
worth Z. Mitchell, Esq., Superintendent of 
Schools, Memphis, Tenn. ; Hon. John I. 
Gilbert, Malone, N. Y. ; Hon. John M. 
Thatcher, Chicago, 111. ; PercisA. Thomp- 
son, teacher, Goddard Seminary, Barre, 
Vt. ; Rev. Geo. P. Beard, Principal S. N. 
School, Shippenburgh, Pa. ; Miss Emily 
Cook, teacher, Chicago, 111. ; Hon. Geo. 
L. Godfrey, Des Moines, Iowa ; Hon. Al- 
bert Clark, St. Albans, Vt. ; Rev. J. J. 
Lewis, So. Boston, Ma.ss. ; Hon. M. B. 
Carpenter, Denver, Colorado ; Hon. Senaca 
Hasleton, Burlington, Vt. The Academy 
has always been under the control of those 
who are Congregationalists ; still there 
has never been any discrimination with 
respect to the advantages of the school, 
and there is nothing in the rules or the 
discipline of the school which distinguishes 
between scholars of this and any other re- 
ligious belief. The corriculum of studies 
covers a course of 4 years, and is admirably 
adapted to fit students for any New Eng- 
land college, or for the active pursuit of a 
business or professional life. The attend- 
ance for the school year, ending June 16, 
1 88 1, aggregated 175. The graduating class 
numbered 9 — 5 gentlemen and 4 ladies. 

THE NATIONAL BANK OF BARRE. 

CONTKIUUTED BY MR. SMITH. 

It was chartered and organized Jan. li, 
1873, by the removal of the old Chelsea 
Bank to this place, effected through the in- 
fluence of Hon. B. W. Bartholomew, of 
Washington, Vt., and Dr. Braley, of Barre. 
Dr. N. W. Braley was chosen President of 
the tirst board of directors, and William G. 
Austin, Cashier. Mr. Austin died of ty- 
phoid fever in the autumn of the same 
year, and was succeeded byChas. A. King 
till 1877. . 

On the night of the 5th of July, 1875, 
an attempt was made to burglarize the bank 
by compelling the Cashier to disclose the 
combination of the locks, which was foiled 
by a chronometer lock that had been placed 
upon the safe only a few days previous. 

By the prompt and courageous action of 



Mr. King, who was, on the departure of the 
robbers left with his family, bound in his 
house, nearly half a mile from the village, 
but who soon slipped his bonds, and alarm- 
ed the officers of the bank. A pursuit was 
instituted, which resulted in the capture of 
one of the burglars near Rumney, N. H., the 
next day, and subsequently two others of the 
gang were arrested iu'New York city. One 
was delivered up to serve out an unexpired 
term at Sing Sing ; one, Geo. Miles with 
numerous aliases, was brought to Mont- 
pelier, tried and sentenced to 15 years in 
the State Prison. The one first arrested, 
called Peter Curley, turned state's evi- 
dence, and was discharged. 

Mr. King resigned his position as cash- 
ier June II, 1877, and was .succeeded by 
E. D. Blackwell, who resigned Feb. 26, 
1 88 1, to become cashier of the National 
Bank of Montpelier, ¥. L. Eaton being 
chosen to succeed him. 

There have been chosen 1 1 directors of 
the bank since its organization, of whom 
only two have died in office : Hon. Luther 
M. Martin, of Williamstown, died in 1874, 
and Dr. Braley in 1880. The capital stock 
of the bank was at its organization $200,- 
000, but by a vote of the stockholders in 
1880, it was reduced to $100,000. The 
board of directors chosen at the annual 
meeting in .1881, were L. F. Aldrich, Jo- 
siah Wood, Willard S. Martin, B. W. 
Braley and J. M. Perry. These elected 
L. F. Aldrich, president, B. W. Braley, 
vice president, F. L. Eaton, cashier. 

NORMAN W. BRALEY, M. D., 

The first President of the National Bank 
of Barre, was born in Pomfret, Vt., Aug. 
14, 1823, and was graduated at the Vt. 
Medical College at Woodstock, in 1844. 
He soon after commenced practice in Wash- 
ington, Vt., where he remained a few years, 
and moved to Chelsea, where he lived until 
he came to Barre. By his skill and suc- 
cess as a physician, the Doctor in the 25 
years of his practice gained an extensive 
and a lucrative ride and a reputation which 
placed him in the first rank of physicians in 
the State. He removed to Barre in 1872, 
and identified himself at once with the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



business interests of the place, using his 
influence, and freely contributing of his 
means to further every enterprise which 
promised to promote the prosperity of the 
place. He died Sept. ii, 1880, of ap- 
oplexy. His wife, Mrs. Armina P. (Ca- 
liff) l^raley, to whom he was married Nov. 
16. 1852, and 3 sons, survive him. 

GODDARD SEMINARY. 

At the annual session of the Vt. State 
Convention of Universalists in Montpelier, 
1863, a committee was appointed to ob- 
tain a charter for a state denominational 
school of the highest grade below that of 
college, and the charter was obtained of 
the Legislature the same fall, under title 
of Green Mountain Central Institute ; name 
changed Nov. 1870, to Goddard Seminary. 
The charter has the right to hold per- 
sonal and real estate to the amount of 
$100,000. The charter obtained, Prof. 
Shipman, now of Tufts College, took the 
field to raise money till Sept. 1864; raised 
$15,000; increased afterwards by Rev. J. 
J. Lewis, Rev. 5. W. Squire and others, 
to about $50,000, and $10,000 was given 
■ by the late Thomas A. Goddard, of 
I>oston. Fall of 1864, location was re- 
ferred to committee : Rev. A. A. Miner, 
D. D., Boston, Hon. E. Trask, Spring- 
field, Mass., Rev. G. W. Bailey, Lebanon, 
N. H. Springfield, So. Woodstock, Bethel, 
Northfield and East Montpelier competed 
for the institution. It is said through in- 
fluence of Judge Tilden, largely, Barre lo- 
cation won, a gh acre lot of land on an 
elevated plain, a little to the north of 
Barre village, commanding a wide and 
beautiful prospect. The building com- 
mittee was Hon. Heman Carpenter, L. F. 
Aldrich, Charles Templeton ; T. W. Sil- 
loway, of Boston, architect. Judge Car- 
penter was a devoted friend to the enter- 
prise, and Messrs. Aldrich and Templeton 
gave the greater part of their time for 3 
yeans without remuneration. The building 
was completed in about 4 years. 160 ft. 
length ; central jDart, 52 ft. sq. ; wings, 53^ 
ft. length by 43 width ; 9 feet back from 
central front; foundation bed, coarse, hard 
gravel; walls, split granite, laid in mortar 



upward to basement windows ; height, 5 
stories; body of edifice, hard-burnt bricks, 
best quality ; material taken out of the hill 
on which the building stands ; manufac- 
tured on the spot at cost of about 7,000 ; 
at top of basement story, belt 9 inches 
w'dth, of hewn granite, with fine cut work 
4 inches deep extending completely around 
the building ; window-sills and edifice trim- 
mings, all of granite; over central part, 
two towers, extending 45 feet above the 
main building; but the charm of all, is the 
scenery amid which it is located. The 
sweep of view is remarkably fine the site 
commands. It was opened for instruction 
Feb. 1870, L. L. Burington, A. M., first 
principal, for 2^ years, now principal of 
Dean Academy, Mass. F. M. Harris was 
the second principal, li years, now prin- 
cipal of Somerville, Mass., High School. 
Henry Priest, the third and present prin- 
cipal, has now presided over the institution 
7 years. The whole number of students 
to 1881, 831 ; graduates, 132; average at- 
tendance, 275. Rev. C. H. Eaton, class 
of '70, first class of Goddard Seminary, is 
pastor of the Church of Divine Paternity, 
in place of the late E. H. Chapin, New 
York. 

Both the Academy and Seminary at 
Barre have always been open to the edu- 
cation of both sexes, and have always main- 
tained an honorable and high position in 
the State as educational institutions. 

The Seminary has about $80,000 in- 
vested in school property ; fund of $10,000 
just completed — June, 1881. Presentboard 
of teachers : Henry Priest, principal, a.s- 
sisted by Charles C. Bates, A. M., and J. 
N. Darling, B. Ph., in fall term; Miss 
Flora C. Eaton, preceptress ; Misses P. A. 
Thompson, A. J. Watson, S. C. Tilden, 
F. A. West, F. J. Hopkins, assistant teach- 
ers'; W. A. Wheaton, music-teacher ; J. M. 
Kent, penmanship. Number of trustees 
(1880) 30; President, Rev. W. R. Ship- 
man, A. M., College Hill, Ma.ss. ; Vice 
President, N. W. Braley, M. D. (deceased) 
Barre ; Secretary and Treasurer, George 
Tilden, Barre; Hon. Harvey Tilden, L. F. 
Aldrich, Henry Priest, Charles Templeton, 
David W. Mower, Esq., Miles Morrison, 



BARRE. 



Esq., Rev. W. M. Kimmell, trustees re- 
siding in Barre, other trustees residing in 
the County: Rev. J. E. Wright, Hon. 
Chas. H. Heath, Hon. Clark King, A. J. 
Hollister, Esq., Montpelier ; Hon. Heman 
Carpenter, John Gregory, Northtield ; I. S. 
Dwinell, Calais; S. D. Hollister, Marsh- 
lield. Miss Tilden, teacher, now Mrs. 
Averill. 

The soil of the town is generally very 
good, producing wheat, rye, oats, corn 
and potatoes in abundance ; along the 
streams the meadows produce good crops 
of hay. There is an abundante of sugar 
maple on the lands back from the streams, 
from which a large amount of sugar is 
yearly made. 

LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE 

YEARS OF REPRESENTATION. 
Nathan Harrington, 1793; Asaph Sher- 
man, 1794, "95, '96; Benjamin Walker, 
1797, '99; Nathaniel Killam, 1798; James 
Fisk, 1800, 'i, '2, '3, '4, '9, '10, '15; Lu- 
ther Holton, 1805 ; Nathan Carpenter, 1 806; 
John Dodge, 1807, 1808; Nathan Stone, 
181 1 ; Warren Ellis, i8i2,'i3, '14, '16, '17, 
'20, '22 ; Phineas Thompson, 1818, "19, '27 ; 
Jacob Scott, 1821 ; Peter Nichols, 1823, 
'26, '28; Denison Smith, 1824, '25,^29; 
Alvan Carter, 1830, '32, '33 ; Lucius B. 
Peck, 1831 ; John Twing, 1834, '35 ; Jacob 
Scott, Jr., 1836, '';^7, '38; Newell Kins- 
man, 1839, '4° i Leonard Keith, 1841, '42 ; 
David D. Wing, 1843, '44 ; Webber Tilden, 
1845 ; Obadiah Wood, 1846; George W. 
Collamer, 1847, '48 ; Harvey Tilden, 1849 i 
Warren H. Ellis, 1850; Jesse Scott, 1851, 
'52 ; Denison K. Smith, 1853, '57 ; Joseph 
Sargent, 1854, '55 ; Joseph C. Parker, 
1856; None, 1858, '61, '64; Leonard F. 
Aldrich, 1859, '60; Ira Holden, 1862, '63; 
Geo. W. Tilden, 1865, '66; Frank Staf- 
ford, 1867; Charles O. Reed, 1868; Wil- 
liam E. Whitcomb, 1869, '70, '71. 

LIST OF TOWN CLERKS. 

Joseph Dwight, 1793, '94, '95 ; Gardner 
Wheeler, 1796, '97; Nathan Carpenter, 
1798, '99, 1800, 'i, '2, '3, '4, 's, '6; Sher- 
man Minott, 1807, '8, '9, '10; Warren 
Ellis, 1811, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17; Jo- 
seph Ripley, 18 18 to 1840; Alvan Carter, 



1841 to 1862; Albert Johonnott, 1863; 
Clark Holden, 1864; Carlos Carpenter, 
1865, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71. 

LIST OF FIRST COSNTABLES. 

Job Adams, 1793. '97; Joel Shurtliff, 
1794 ; Samuel Scott, 1795 ; Isaac S. Thomp- 
son, 1796, 1812; Apollos Hale, 1798; 
James Paddock, 1799, 1800, 'i, 10, 11, '13; 
Reuben Carpenter, 1802, 1803; Phineas 
Thompson, 1804; Ezekiel D. Wheeler, 
1805; Chapin Keith, 1806, '7, '9; Andrew 
Dewey, 1808; Peter Nichols, 1814, '15, 
'16, '17, '18, '19, '23, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28 ; 
Moses Rood, Jr., 1820, '21, '22; Lewis 
Peck, 1829; Otis Peck, 1830, '31, '32, '33, 
'34' '35 ; Thomas Town, 1836, '37, '38, '39 ; 
Alvan Drury, 1840, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45, 
'47, '48, '49, '50, '51 ; Joseph C. Parker, 
1852; Silas Town, Jr., 1853; David D. 
Wing, 1854, '55, '56; Micah French, 1857, 
■58, '59; N. F. Averill, i860, '61, '62, '63, 
'68, '69, '70, '71 ; A. M. Jackman, 1846, 
1865; A. A. Nichols, 1864; Ira P. Har- 
rington, 1866; A. J. Smith, 1867. 

COL. BENJAMIN WALKER 

was one of the early settlers in Barre. He 
was boi-n in Rehoboth, Mass., 1751, was a 
Lieutenant in the Revolution, was at the 
capture of Burgoyne, and commanded a 
company of the Massachusetts line, (his 
captain being sick) . He removed to Barre, 
Mar. 1793 ; held the office of selectman a 
number of years ; was a Colonel of the 
militia ; was the first justice of the peace ; 
represented the town in the General As- 
sembly, and was called to discharge the 
duties of arbitrator and committee to settle 
matters of difference between his towns- 
men and the towns around him in num- 
berless instances. He was quite infirm 
for some years previous to his death, which 
occurred at Barre, May, 1823. 

MAJOR NATHAN HARRINGTON 

was the sixth settler in Barre. He came 
.from Holden, Ma.ss., about the year 1790, 
and settled on the East hill in the town ; 
cleared the farm on which his grand-son, 
Ira P. Harrington, now resides; was one 
of the first board of selectmen ; was the 
first town representative, and discharged 
the duties of many of the town offices, with 



28 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



great promptness. He was a Mark Antony 
man — He "spoke right on," was always 
kind and generous, frank and honest. He 
was nearly blind some years before his 
death, which occurred at Barre, July 30, 
1828, aged 71 years. 

HQN. JAMES FISK 

came into Barre about 1796, from Green- 
wich, Mass. ; was elected one of the se- 
lectmen in 1799, a member of the Legisla- 
ture in 1800, and represented the town 9 
years ; was a judge of the County Court in 
1802; was 10 years a Member of Congress ; 
received the appointment of Governor of 
the Territory of Indiana, which he de- 
clined ; was a Senator in Congress from 
18 1 7 to 18 19, when he accepted the ap- 
pointment of Collector for the District of 
Vermont, and subsequently removed to 
Swanton. He was a very able and efificient 
legislator ; could express his views upon 
almost any subject without previous prep- 
aration. He was a firm friend of Mr. 
Madison, and frequently counselled with 
him relative to the subject of carrying on 
the War of 18 12. Judge Fisk was a Re- 
publican of that time, and a live Whig in 
1840. He died some years since. 

HON. WARREN ELLIS 

came into Barre about 1803, from Clare- 
mont, N. H. ; was born May 24, 1777. He 
was a saddler by trade, and carried on the 
business very successfully. He gave con- 
siderable attention to music, was a good 
performer on the violin, taught singing, 
and was one of the best vocalists of his 
day. After he had done singing in public, 
he took great delight in conversing and in- 
structing others in the science of music. 
He held the office of town clerk of Barre 7 
years, was judge of the County Court 6 
years, and represented the town 7 years in 
the General Assembly. He has one son, 
Warren H. Ellis, Esq,, who resides at 
Waukegan, 111. ; is clerk of the County 
Court for that county, and one daughter, 
Mrs. D. H. Sherman, who resides in the 
West. He died at Barre, June 10, 1842, 
aged 65 years. 

DEACON JONAS NICHOLS 

was one of the first settlers in Barre ; took 



up the lot of land on which John N. Wilson 
now resides ; cleared it up, and resided on 
the same lot until his death, which took 
place Aug. 26, 1841, aged 96 years. 

CAPT. JOSEPH WATSON 

settled at an early day in the south-easterly 
part of the town ; carried on the tanning 
and shoemaker business a number of years. 
He became involved in building a part of 
the Chelsea turnpike in 1808 ; sold out and 
retired from business, but lived to the age 
of 99 years. His death occurred June 7, 
1862. 

HON. DENISON SMITH 

came into Barre about 1808, from Plain- 
field, N. H., and established himself as an 
attorney, and became eminent in his pro- 
fession. He was called to many offices of 
trust ; was 6 years State's attorney, 3 years 
a member of the Legislature, and one year 
judge of the County Court. In all his 
business relations, he was ever true to 
every trust; was genial, kind and affable ; 
never urging suitors into litigation. His 
health was poor for some years previous to 
his death, which occurred at Barre, Feb. 
8, 1836, aged 51 years. He left one son, 

DENISON K. SMITH, 

who was a graduate of Dartmouth College ; 
fitted himself for the practice of law, re- 
sided in Barre, and became a good book 
lawyer. He represented the town in the 
Legislature 2 years, and was State's at- 
torney 2 years. He was twice married, 
but was without wife or children at his 
death, which took place at Barre, Mar. 6, 
i860 ; age 38 years. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BARRE. 

BY KEY. L. TENNF.Y. 

The Congregational church was organ- 
ized Nov. 14, 1799, consisting of 12 mem- 
bers. The council called for the organiza- 
tion of the church was made up of Revs. 
Richard Ransom, of Woodstock, John 
Ransom, of Rochester, Jonathan Kinney, 
of Plainfield, and James Hobart, of Berlin, 
and Deacon William Wood, delegate from 
Woodstock. During the first 7 years the 
church had no settled pastor. February 
22, 1807, the Rev. Aaron Palmer was or- 



BARRE. 



29 



dained, and his ministry continued until 
his death, Feb. 7, 1821. 

Rev. Justus W. French was ordained 
over this church May 23, 1822, and dis- 
missed Dec. 22, 183 1. 

Rev. Joseph Thatcherwas installed Jan. 
6, 1835, '^'''fl dismissed Jan. 31, 1838. 

Rev. James W. Wheelock was installed 
Sept. 17, 1838, and dismissed Nov. 20, 
1839. 

Rev. Andrew Royce was installed Feb. 
24, 1841, and dismissed Sept. 18, 1856. 

Rev. E. Ervin Carpenter was installed 
Dec. 22, 1857. anddismi.s.sed Mar. 6, 1867. 

Rev. Leonard Tenney commenced 
preaching for this people in Oct., 1867, and 
still (1871) continues to be their minister. 

The first meeting-house was raised in 
the fall of 1804, but was not fully finished 
until 1808. The church and society con- 
tinued to worship there until 1 841, when 
the present brick church was erected, 
which has since been very tastefully fitted 
up inside, by frescoing and carpeting, etc. 
It has a fine toned bell and a large organ, 
and the attendance has always been quite 
large. A large and flourishing Sabbath- 
school has been kept up for many years 
past. 

The Society have a very commodious 
parsonage. Rev. Mr. Tenney' resigned 
his charge May i. 1881. Under his min- 
istry the church was prospered ; differences 
of opinion which had existed between 
members were adjusted, and 130 new 
members added to their number ; a debt 
that had been incurred was paid, and the 
society placed on a sound financial basis. 
By his resignation, which he was moved to 
tender on account of failing health, the 
church lost a faithful pastor and leader. 

The Rev. P. McMillan, a graduate of 
Union Theological Seminary, is at pres- 
ent supplying the pulpit. No. of member- 
ship in 1880, 171 ; Sabbath-school, 256. 

METHQDISM IN BARRE. 
BY KEV. P MKHKILL. 

The first Methodist sermon was preached 
in Barre in 1796, by Rev. Jesse Lee, the 
great apostle of Methodism in New Eng- 
land, in the house of Col. Benj. Walker. 



While listening to the sermon of Mr. Lee 
at this meeting, Mrs. Catherine Thomp- 
son, the wife of Isaac S. Thompson, re- 
ceived into her heart the precious seed of 
the Gospel sower, and the following day 
her hu.sband, listening to a sermon from 
Mr. Lee, gave his heart to the Saviour. 
Others soon joined them, and a class was 
formed consisting of 11 members. Mrs. 
Thompson died in this same Christian 
faith, Apr. 13, i860, aged 93 years, living 
all this while within one mile of where she 
heard the memorable discourse of Mr. 
Lee. In the year 1797, Rev. Ralph Wil-^ 
liston was sent to Barre as preacher. The 
church since that time has been blest with 
good and efficient preachers. It has wit- 
nessed three great revivals, in 1824, '26 
and '42, under the labors of Revs. A. D. 
Merrill, I. Templeton, Daniel Kilborn, 
H. W. Wheelock, N. H. Houghton and 
J. L. Slason. The labors of other min- 
isters have been crowned with abundant 
success. The church now numbers 165 
members and 32 probationers, and is on 
the whole in a prosperous condition. 

The first church was erected on the 
common, but in what year the writer is 
unable to learn. [For date of early his- 
tory of Methodism in Barre, the reader is 
referred to the history of Methodism in 
Williamstown in the supplement volume 
of this work — Ed.] It was subsequently 
removed across the road to where the 
Congregational parsonage now stands. In 
the year 1837, a new church was erected, 
and 3 years since it was refitted and re- 
paired at an expense of $8,000. A fine 
parsonage is located opposite the church, 
which is furnished with the heavy furni- 
ture. This is considered among the best 
appointments in the Vermont Conference. 
The congregations are large on the Sab- 
bath, the Sabbath-school is in a prosper- 
ous condition, and the social meetings are 
of an interesting character. During its 
history no minister who has served it has 
degenerated, and no serious church trials 
have been experienced by its members. 
The oldest member connected with this 
church now living, (1871) is Mrs. Content 



3° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Patterson, aged 94 years, with her mental 
powers all vigorous. She has always en- 
joyed good health — (deceased). 

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

BY KEV F. S. BLISS. 

The Universalist Church in Barre was 
organized Oct. 27, 1796. The Town 
Records, (vol. i), has the following cer- 
tificate : 

These may certify whom it may concern, 
that John Goldsbury, John Goldsbury, Jr., 
William Goldsbury, Thomas Dodge, Cal- 
vin Smith, Bartholomew French, Thomas 
Ralph, Amos Conant, Eliphalet Dens- 
more, George Little, Lemuel Farwell, Jon- 
athan Culver, Sylvanus Goldsbury, Henry 
Gale, Phineas Richardson, James Bodwell, 
liave formed themselves into a Religious 
Society, professing themselves to be of 
the Universalist Denomination, viz.: Be- 
lieving in universal redemption and salva- 
tion by the merits of Jesus Christ. 

William Farwell, Elder. 

This organization was formed 16 years 
after the township was chartered, and 3 
years after it received the name of Barre. 

Although Universalism in this place has 
pas.sed through various fortunes, it has 
never since been disorganized. The large 
and influential society and church now ex- 
isting here are the outgrowth of this ap- 
parently small beginning. 

There were Universalists among the first 
settlers of the town. John Goldsbury, 
whose name stands at the head of the six- 
teen which represent the original society, 
was one who began "the work of con- 
verting the wilderness into farms."" And 
most of these men are known to have been 
men ot intelligence, enterprise and good 
moral and religious character. Some of 
them were prominent citizens among the 
earlier settlers of the town, and a large 
part of them are still represented by lead- 
ing families in the community, and in the 
Universalist church. 

REV. WILLIAM FARWELL, 

whose name is affixed to the certificate of 
organization as the Elder of the society, 
was not a resident of Barre at the time 
the society was formed, but visited this 
and other places in the vicinity from time 
to time. He moved to Barre from North 



Charlestown, N. H., sometime in 1803 or 
"4. But there is little doubt he labored 
considerably with the society before he 
came to live with it. Mr. Farwell was the 
first resident Universahst minister in Barre. 
He did not preach here all the time, but 
did the work of an Evangelist in the region 
round about. We .have no means of 
knowing what portion of the time he 
preached in Barre ; but we know i\e often 
took quite extensive missionary tours in 
the State and into other States. Probably 
he did not regard himself at any time as 
strictly the. pastor of the society ; but he 
gave it much of his labor, and contributed 
largely to its establishment and growth. 
He was a mau of fervent piety, and greatly 
beloved, not only in his own church, but 
by all who knew him. He died at the 
residence of his son, and his body was laid 
to rest in the rural graveyard, near his old 
home in the south-east part of the town. 
Upon the stone which marks his grave we 
read this just tribute : 

Rev. William Farwell, died Dec. nth, 
1S23, in the 74th year of his age. He was 
a preacher of God's universal love, cheer- 
ful and friendly in life, faithful in his la- 
bors, and departed in hope of future life 
and immortality. 

In 1808, the Rev. Paul Dean moved to 
Barre, and became pastor of the society. 
He labored with it several years with great 
success. After his removal, it had no res- 
ident pastor until 1821 ; but was suppHed 
by various clergymen a portion of the time. 

In 1821, Rev. John E. Palmer was 
settled, and preached here statedly, a part 
of the time for 15 years. At that period 
in the history of our church, much mis- 
sionary labor was demanded. Our preach- 
ers were few, and not many of them were 
permitted to give their undivided labors to 
the care of one church. Mr. Palmer was 
often called to other fields of labor, and 
the church in Barre had to seek frequent 
supplies by other preachers. Rev. Thomas 
Browning was regularly employed a quar- 
ter of tiie time for several years, thus re- 
leasing Mr. Palmer, and enabling him to 
comply with the numerous demands for 
his services. Other preachers were also 



BARRE. 



31 



frequently employed, under the ministry 
of Mr. Palmer and Mr. Browning. Against 
all these disadvantages, the church stead- 
ily increased in numbers, strength and 
spiritual life. Fathers Palmer and Brown- 
ing still live, (1871) rejoicing for what has 
been done by their instrun'.entality, not 
only in Barre, but in many other tields 
which are now rich with harvests, grown 
from the seed which they sowed. 

In 1822, the society built a substantial 
brick church at South Barre, in which it 
worshipped until 1852. ^ 

Rev. R. S. Sanborn became pastor here 
in May, 1844, and was dismissed by his 
own request Oct. i, 1848. 

Rev. Joseph Sargent took charge in the 
autumn of 1849. His resignation was ac- 
cepted at the annual meeting, January 12, 
1857. His labors contributed largely to the 
growth of the church. By his untiring 
efforts a new and beautiful church was 
built in the Lower Village in 1852. The 
business and population of the town had 
largely moved to this village, and the life 
of the church seemed to be waning. 

The church built in 1852, is the one in 
which the congregation now worships. It 
needs, and will soon receive, extensive re- 
pairs. Since the society moved to its 
present place ot worship, its growth has 
been constant and rapid. There are now 
100 families connected with the society. 

The church was re-organized in October, 
1859, ^"<i since, 136 persons have united 
with it ; present membership, 118. There 
is connected with the society a flourishing 
Sabbath-.school, and it has a good parson- 
age. The society has a small fund from 
which it derives an annual income. 

The present pastor. Rev. F. S. Bliss, 
began his labors Mar. 8, 1857, and has 
pieached to it all the time for nearly 15 
years. 

GoDDARD Seminary, under the control 
of the Universalists of Vermont, was lo- 
cated in this town in 1864, and is in in- 
timate connection with this society. It 
has contributed $25,000 within 6 years for 
its benefit. In the meantime it has done 
its full share in sustaining the various en- 



terprises of the denomination. It has con- 
tributed liberally for the freedmen, for the 
circulation of the Bible, for missionary 
work and other benevolent enterprises. 
And it now develops more ability, zeal 
and liberality than ever before. In num- 
bers, wealth, intelligence, moral and Chris- 
tian character, it is thought to compare 
favorably with the other churches in town. 
Barre, 1871. 

Record continued to 188 1, by Rev. W. 

M. KiMMELL. 

Rev. F. S. Bliss resigned his pastorate 
of 15 years, 2 mos. from ill-health, preach- 
ing his last sermon, April 28, 1872. 

Rev E. J. Chaffee succeeded Mr. Bliss 
for one year ; after him Rev. Lester War- 
ren 2 years. Upon his departure the old 
church edifice was enlarged and remod- 
eled at a cost of several thousand dollars. 
The present building is modern in style, 
commodious, and nicely furnished. In the 
fall of 1875, the Rev. James Vincent be- 
came pastor of the society, remaining until 
February, 1880, and followed the first of 
the next month by myself. There are 120 
families belonging to the parish. The 
Sunday school has enrolled 180. The 
Library contains 501 volumes. 

W. M KiMMELL, 

Pastor of Utiiversalist Society. 

PAPERS CONTRIBUTED FOR BARRE. 

I',Y STll.LMAN WOOD, KX-POSTM ASTKIi. 

For a while after the first settlers came 
in there was no grist-mill in town, and 
they had to go 20 miles or more to Ran- 
dolph with their grists. There then was 
no road through the gulf as at present ; 
they had to go by way of the route since 
known as the old Paine Turnpike. The 
first roads built in town were over the hills 
instead of around them. The objectsoughl 
was to go as much on dry ground as pos- 
sible. At an early day there was a turn- 
pike road chartered and built, commencing 
at the checkered store in Barre and ending 
at Chelsea. The gate to this pike was in 
the town of Washington. This pike was 
the main thoroughfare south-east, leading 
from town towards Massachusetts, and an 
outlet for trafiic to and from Boston. At 



32 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a later date, Ira Day, then the principal 
merchant in town, obtained a charter for a 
turnpike through the celebrated gulf in 
Williamstown. This was found to be a 
feasible and easily built road — was owned 
and built principally by Mr. Day — and 
found to be a source of profit, taking away 
a large part of the travel from the Chelsea 
route. The gulf road subsequently be- 
came the stage route, traversed by six and 
eight horse coaches, taking the travel from 
Montpelier and towns north, from Canada, 
even, and at one time carrying the British 
mail, which came then by the way of 
Boston, a British soldier accompanying 
each mail having his musket always in 
readiness for depredators. 

STAGE COACHES AND OLD-TIME TEAMS, 

before the advent of railroads, were a 
prominent feature in the business of Barre, 
and were owned principally by Ira Day and 
Mahlon Cottrill, of Montpelier. When 
the stage horn was heard, there was al- 
ways a rush for news, and the few mo- 
ments the stage stopped, spectators were 
abundant. 

Barre was also celebrated for its six and 
eight horse teams which carried freight to 
and from Boston, for Montpelier mer- 
chants as well as for those in Barre. Six 
or eight such teams were always on the 
road, and the regular trips were made once 
in each thr«e weeks. Among the foremost 
of these teamsters was Capt. Wm. Brad- 
ford. He had one horse who went loo 
trips without missing a single trip, going, 
of course, each journey for 6 years without 
a rest. A large per cent, of the heavy 
freight drawn consisted of hogsheads of 
new rum, to supply Montpelier and Barre. 
Some say as much as one-half, but per- 
haps one third would be nearer correct. 

STOCK AND FARMING. 

Barre has always held a good rank in 
raising good horses, some spans selling as 
high as $i,ooo, and some stock horses 
selling for several thousand. As a farm- 
ing town, Barre ranks among the best in 
the State. 

Formerly sheep and wool-raising was 
the leading interest, but of late years 



dairying has taken the lead. Although 
there are no large dairies in town, those of 
from lo to 25 cows are numerous. We 
have one creamery where excellent butter 
is made, and the milk is used after skim- 
ming to make skim cheese. A large 
amount of Western grain is being used by 
dairymen ; whether to profit or not, is a 
question to be settled by longer experi- 
ence. 

Grain and potatoes, in the early days of 
the settlers, were much used in the man- 
ufacture offwhisky, but of late years it has 
entirely ceased. Potato starch was form- 
erly made in large quantities, potatoes 
selling at the first introduction of the busi- 
ness from 16 to 14 cents per bushel, de- 
livered at the factory. 

Wool-carding and cloth-dressing was 
formerly quite an extensive business. The 
first carding works were built by John 
Baker, and were situated on the site now 
occupied by the Fork Co. It was also 
early introduced by Ira Day, near South 
Barre. 

Once on a time Mr. Day and his fore- 
man were in his mill in time of a freshet. 
The mill was in much danger of going down 
stream. It. soon started, Mr. Day and his 
man in the meantime rushing for the door, 
too late to reach dry land, sprang upon 
some timbers floating within reach. The 
timbers were sometimes uppermost, and 
then the men, but after a cool and dan- 
gerous ride, both were happy to regain solid 
ground, wetter, if not better, men than 
before. 

EARLY POSTMASTERS. 

John Baker was at a very early day ap- 
pointed postmaster, and held the office 
many years. Afterwards it was located at 
South Barre, and Walter Chaffee appointed 
P. M. Mr. Chaffee was a large, fleshy 
man, a tailor with a wooden leg. Each 
Sunday he would come to church at the 
north part of the town, with the week's 
mail in the top of his hat, and deliver the 
same at noon upon the meeting-house 
steps, to the various claimants. Postage 
was then 25 cents for each letter that came 
over 400 miles ; 6 cents and one-fourth 



BARRE. 



33 



was for the shortest distance, each one 
paying when he got his letter. 

Alvan Carter was the successor of Mr. 
Chaffee, and held the office a long time. 
After his time was ended, there was a loud 
call for a P. O. at the lower village, and 
warm discussions were held which should 
be Barre, and which iV^r//^ or ^w^//^Barre. 
But the people in the north part of the 
town carried their point, and since have 
largely outstripped their southern rival. 
It is now the main business centre. 
Since the office has been at the north vil- 
lage, the respective postmasters have been, 
James Hale, Frances Hale, E. E. French, 
G. B. Putnam, Stillman Wood, and Wm. 
A. Perry, the present-occupant. 

THE FIRST MERCHANTS 

in town were Silas Willard, who built 
the checked store in the lower village. Ira 
Day was located at South Barre, and for 
many years the leading merchant in town. 
Each year he bought large droves of beef 
cattle in this and the surrounding towns, 
for the Boston market, which gave him an 
extensive and lucrative business, no one 
knew how to manage better than himself. 
At the time Gen. Lafayette made the tour 
of New England, he was the guest of Mr. 
Day, who furnished a splendid coach and 
six beautiful white horses for transportation 
of the General and his suite. 

Jack Pollard was also a merchant in 
those early days, of considerable notoriety. 
He was famous for collecting large droves 
of mules which were raised at that time, 
and sent south. Of late years the busi- 
ness has been entirely abandoned. 

Other merchants of a more recent date 
were Harry Tracy, Daniel Spring, Center 
Lamb, George W. Collamer, John & 
Charles French, I. A. Phillips, H. W. 
French, and several others since. The 
present merchants are Perry & Camp, H. 
Z. Mills, John Morrison, L. J. Bolster, 
dry goods ; men's furnishing goods, G. P. 
Boyce ; drugs and medicines, Wm. H. 
Gladding, Chas. A. Smith; flour and feed, 
H. Webster, R. L. Clark, L. M. Averill, 
L. J. Bolster; hardware and tin, J. M. 
Jackman, G. I. Reynolds. 



Until the advent of railroads, the town 
was well supplied with hotels, or taverns, 
as the older folks called them. The three 
principal in am early day were, one at 
South Barre, owned and run by James 
Paddock, one at the Lower village, owned 
by Apollos Hale, and afterwards by James, 
his son ; also one at Gospel village, so 
called, h mile east of Lower village. 
Judge Keith, the proprietor, was one of 
the noted men in town, and high sheriiT 
of the County for several years. He used 
to relate that from the profits of his office 
of high sheriff he built, and paid for build- 
ing, his tavern stand in one year. 

Judge Keith was a man of much influ- 
ence, and held many and important offices. 
His family of boys were intelligent and in- 
fluential, and also became leading men. 
The late Judge Keith, of Montpelier, was 
his oldest son. 

Subsequently there were at least 6 tav- 
erns in town at one time, all doing an ex- 
tensive business, owing to the large amount 
of travel which went through town, but 
since the advent of the railroad, hotels are 
at a great discount. 

When the first settlers commenced to 
clear their land and raise wheat, the wild 
pigeons came in great abundance, so much 
so as to be quite a drawback, and it re- 
quired great care and skill to protec^ the 
crops from their depredations. They might 
be seen at all hours of the day flying from 
point to point in different directions all 
about town. Thousands were caught by 
nets, but for the want of proper markets, 
were of little value, except what could be 
used by the inhabitants, and at some 
seasons of the year they were lean and 
scarce fit for the table. 

Uncle Brown Dodge, who was famous 
for his large stories, and told them so often 
he supposed them to be true, used to re- 
late that once when he had sown a piece of 
wheat, he saw it covered with pigeons, 
and went for his old fusee, and fired just as 
the pigeons were rising, and was aware of 
making an under-shot — " Never killed a 
pigeon, not a pigeon — but mind you," said 
he, " I went into the field afterwards and 
picked up two bushels of legs." 



S 



34 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mr. Dodge had three sons. Two of 
them setded on excellent farms, and be- 
came influential and wealthy, and the 
younger one went with his family as Mis- 
sionary to the Cherokee Indians. He had 
two sons, who when grown to man's es- 
tate were in need of some one for sooth- 
ing the rough passage of life. Mr. Dodge, 
the father, started East, came to Vermont, 
and when he returned was accompanied by 
two handsome, young ladies, and very soon 
after his arrival home, had the satisfaction 
of seeing his sons both married to Vermont 
girls. Leonard, the oldest son, became a 
teacher ; the younger son built and run a 
saw-mill. He was a brave young man, to 
whom the Indians took an offence, and one 
day, while standing in his mill, a bullet 
from an Indian's rifle came rushing through 
his heart. 

DOCT. ROBERT PADDOCK 

settled in town about 1806, and spent a 
long life in the practice of his profession. 
He was a well-educated and energetic man, 
successful in practice, and not easily turned 
from his own way. To illustrate : He was 
troubled with an in-growing nail on the 
great toe of his right foot. One morning 
he came into his oflSce, where his son and 
another student were studying, bringing in 
a chisel and mallet. Having suitably placed 
his *liisel, he told a student to take the 
mallet and strike. He at first refused, but 
he said he should be obeyed — I tell you to 
strike. The toe went flying across the 
room, and the remedy was successful. 

Doct. Lyman Paddock, son of Doct. 
Robert, who succeeded him in practice, 
spent a long number of years in the pro- 
fession. He is now with his sister in 
Illinois, is 97 or 98 years old, with a fair 
prospect of living to be a hundred. 

DOCT. VANSICKLIN 

was another of our early and noted phy- 
sicians. He was a man of decided tal- 
ents, and had a large number of students, 
some of whom became men of talents. 
The celebrated Doct. Socrates Sherman, 
of Ogdensburg, N. Y., was one of his 
students, and a Barre boy, the son of Capt. 
Asaph Sherman. Time does not permit 
us to mention particularly all who have 



practiced in town, but we will not neglect 
to speak of 

DOCT. WALTER BURNHAM, 

who removed to Lowell, Mass., and be- 
came celebrated as a successful surgeon. 

Later came Doct. A. B. Carpenter and 
Doct. A. E. Bigelow, now our oldest prac- 
ticing physician. Doct. H. O. Worthen, 
'Doct. J. H. Jackson, Doct. A. E. Field 
and Doct. B. W. Braley are our present* 
physicians in the allopathy practice. Doct. 
H. E. Packer succeeds the late Doct. 
C. H. Chamberlin as a honicjeopathist. 

LAWYERS 

in town : one of the first was Judge James 
Fisk; another, the yon. Dennison Smith, 
of both of whom, see notice by Mr. Car- 
penter. 

Hon. Lucius B. Peck, a partner of 
Judge Smith, was a man of note and a 
representative in Congress. 

Newell Kinsman was in practice for a 
long time, associated in business a part of 
the time with E. E. French, Esq. C. W. 
Upton, D. K. Smith, L. C. Wheelock, 
have all successfully practiced in town. 

Our present lawyers are : Wm. A. & 
O. B. Boyce, E. W. Bisbee and G. W. 
Bassett. 

SOIL AND game. 

There is no land in town so broken but 
what each lot is capable of becoming a 
passable farm if well cultivated. No 
broken land except the granite hills, which 
are still more valuable than the land in 
general. The streams were formerly well 
stocked with the speckled trout, but of 
late years they have become exceeding 
scarce. THe first settlers found wild game 
quite plenty, but bears and other large 
game found too many sharp hunters to 
make their haunts safe places to dwell in. 

Doct. Robert Paddock kept a small pack 
of hounds, and no music was sweeter to 
his ear than the baying of his dogs. Gen- 
eral Blanchard was not much behind the 
Doctor in his love of the same kind of 
music. Occasionally a bear was captured ; 
generally by a regular hunt, when every 
man had a chance to show skill, as well as 
the more practiced huntsman. There was 



BARRE. 



35 



one killed in 1844 or '5, and but one since 
to the writer's knowledge. 

Our most successful hunter was Lemuel 
Richardson, who is now living in our 
midst, and is 81 years old. His record is 
as follows : Between the years of 182 1 
and 1847, he killed with hound and gun 
714 foxes; since then he has taken in 
traps 675, making in all 1,389 foxes. He 
has during the same time killed of other 
game three deer, 12 fishers, five otter and 
sable, coons, muskrats and mink too 
numerous to mention. Mr. R. is a man 
to be relied on, and the above statement 
may be taken as correct. 

BARRE VILLAGE 

is situated nearly in the centre of the town. 
The principal stream running throuo;h the 
village is called Jail Branch, taking its 
name from a log jail once built on its bank. 
Coming from the south part of the town is 
a stream called Stevens' Branch, and unit- 
ing with Jail Branch before it enters the 
village. On this stream is situated a 
famous water-privilege called Day's mills, 
on which is now a grist and saw-mill, an 
extensive door, sash and blind manufac- 
tory ; on the same stream there is also 
Robinson's sash arid blind establishment 
and granite polishing works, and on the 
same stream before it enters Jail Branch is 
located Moorcroft Flannel Factory. The 
first water occupied on Jail Branch is by 
the Stafford & Holden Manufacturing Com- 
pany, for the purpose of manufacturing all 
kinds of hay and manure forks, potato 
diggers, etc., and in addition to the water 
power they have a 30 or 40 horse-power 
engine. Next on the stream are the mills 
and furnace of Smith, Whitcomb & Cook. 
These are the works formerly owned by 
Joshua Twing, once a celebrated mill 
builder. 

There is one principal street running 
through the village, called Main street, 
and near the upper end of the village 
called South Main street ; Bridge street 
crossing the Branch and connecting with 
Brooklyn street ; also with Hoboken. Elm 
street leaves Main near the National Bank, 
and nins north ; Merchant street is another 



fine street running north ; Seminary street 
also runs north, and passes the Goddard 
Seminary. Depot Square and its sur- 
roundings is also very pleasant. The street 
leading from the village by Barre Academy 
is a very gentle rise, leading to the Cem- 
etery. 

Barre Cemetery justly deserves, and 
has the reputation of being one of the best 
in the State. It is partly surrounded by a 
very beautiful cedar hedge, and has two 
fountains, furnished by water from the 
neighboring hills, which add very much to 
its beauty. Many fine monuments of 
goodly variety have been put up, the 
grounds tastefully laid out, and, taking it 
all in all, we are happy to compare it with 
any in the State. 

The streets of Barre are well lined with 
shade trees, which add very much to its 
attractions. There are 18 stores in town, 
and our post-office has been made a sala- 
ried office, and does a very fair business. 

The town has a well regulated library, 
of several hundred volumes, which are con- 
siderably read, but the newspapers prob- 
ably take nine-tenths of all the time 
devoted to reading. Geo. P. Boyce is our 
librarian. 

" Barre Agricultural Library. — 
First officers, J. S. Spaulding, pres. ; S. E. 
Bigelow, vice-pres. ; C. Carpenter, sec. ; 
Stillman Wood, treasurer and librarian." 
Among the things that were : sold out. 

Barre has a Job Printing Establishment 
run by Prentiss C. Dodge, and a news- 
paper. 

The first newspaper printed in town was 
" The Barre Times." It was a monthly 
sheet, issued during the year 1871, spicy, 
of a literary character, and published by 
Stillman Wood, Esq. 

" The Barre Herald," established in 
1879, by E. N. Hyzer, was published 
about 9 months. 

"The Barre Enterprize," 
was commenced in 1880. The first num- 
ber was i.ssued December nth of the past 
year. It was conducted till April, 1881, 
by Mr. Lewis P. Thayer, of Randolph, 



36 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



when W. F. Scott, its present editor and 
proprietor, came into possession of the 
publication and issued his first number of 
the paper, April i6, 1881. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Plows and castingfor mill-irons are man- 
ufactured at the old Twing stand, by 
Smith, Whitcomb & Cook. Their plows 
are becoming a great favoritp among the 
farmers. We have also Stafford & Hol- 
den's Fork Factory, Holden's Factory — 
Dr. McCroft, proprietor : Makers of Tin 
Ware: J. M. Jackman, Geo. J Reynolds. 
W. C. Durkee, Coffins & Caskets :. Shep- 
lee & Jones; Harnesses, C. La Paige, M. 
B. McCrillis. Boots & Shoes, J. Porter, 
O. D. Shurtleff. Sash, Blinds & Doors, 
South, J. S. Robinson, Abel Wood: 
Woolen Goods, William Moorcroft — are 
our minor manufactures : See W'altoii's 
Register, 1881 ; our chief business being 
the Granite Works, a notice of which will 
appear by the parties tliemselves, or some 
representative from their numbers. 

We. have a very efficient 

FIRE COMPANY 

of sixty stalwart young men, with a first- 
class hand engine, that took the first prize 
at a trial made in Burlington a few years 
since. 

Barre has a Lodge of Good Templars in 
successful operation, which promises to be 
of great benefit to the people. 

BARRE CORNET BAND, 

well organized, is under the present lead- 
ership of Dr. Clarence B. Putnam. This 
Band was organized several years before 
the late war, and was at that time one of 
the best in the State. Early in the war 
they volunteered to go as a Band, were ac- 
cepted, and served during the war. 

They did not all return. Some were 
left to occupy a grave in the Southern 
States. G. B. Putnam, who resigned the 
office of Postmaster to go and sei-ve his 
country, now rests in an unknown grave. 
He was the father of the present leader of 
the Band. 

Those who belonged to, and went as 
members, were H. Warner French, leader ; 



A. B. Fisher, P. Parker Page, Geo. Beck- 
ley, Albert Wood, James Averill, John W. 
Averill, Geo. Blanchard, Wm. Clark, G. 

B. Putnam, Wm. Olds. With some few 
exceptions, the Band has been in prac- 
tice ever since the war, and some of the 
veterans still occupy prominent places in 
the same. 

BARRE BOYS IN THE WEST. 

Barre has furnished its full share of 
young men who have gone West to earn a 
living, and build up the land of their adop- 
tion. Among the more successful we 
might mention Henry Wood, son of Still- 
man Wood, Esq., a merchant. He has 
traveled in Europe a year ; is the owner of 
real estate in Chicago which yields a good- 
ly income, and of a handsome cottage on 
Scituate Beach, in Massachusetts, a sum- 
mer residence. The firm of Keith Broth- 
ers, sons of Martin Keith, in Chicago, are 
also Barre boys, carry on a wholesale trade 
in the millinery line, are among w'ealthy 
and leading firms in Chicago. Clark Ll^p- 
ton, late Mayor of Waukegan, 111., was a 
Barre boy, and a lawyer of more than com- 
mon ability. Five sons of Micah French 
are in the West, working to lay up a for- 
tune. It is said to be much easier to get 
up a large party of intelligent Barre boys 
in Chicago than in Barre itself at the pres- 
ent time. 

lon(;kvitv. 

Names of some of the older people who 
have died in town : Abel Camp, aged 
92, and his wife, Abigail, 86; Benjamin 
Wood, 86, and his wife, 87 ; Chapin Keith, 
80, and his wife, 86; Mrs. Sally Willard, 
81; Miss Mary Gale, 80; Gould Camp, 
92 ; Robert Parker, 83 ; John (joldsbury, 
90, and his wife, 80; John Wheaton, 95; 
Mrs. Benjamin Wheaton, 80 ;^Luke Olds, 
86 ; Israel Wood, 80 ; Isaiah Little, 84 ; 
Capt. W^m. Bradford, 86, his wife, 83; 
Anna Bradford, 88 ; Silas Town, 88 ; Reu- 
ben Nichols, 83 ; Samuel Cook. 94 ; Dan- 
iel Kinney, 82 ; Mrs. Judith Wood, 83 ; 
Polly Cook, 81 ; Alvah Wood, 84, his wife, 
83 : Otis French, 89 ; Jerra Richardson, 
82 ; Jerry Batchelder, 83 ; Mrs. John 
Thompson, S3; Mrs. Nancy Barber, 84; 



BARRE. 



37 



James Knowland, 85 ; Mrs. Dudley Ster- 
ling, 92 ; Thomas Town, 84 ; Jonathan 
Claflin, 84 ; Joseph Sterling ; Plina Whea- 
ton, 83. 

The above list might be greatly ex- 
tended if time now permitted. 

June 27, 1 88 1. 

Names of people now living in town 
whose ages are 80 years and upwards — so 
far as we can learn : Lucy Davis, 97 years 
old ;^ Hetty Willey, 93 ; Eleanor Needham, 
94; Lucy Wood, 95; Delia French, 86; 
Hannah French, 85 ; Louis Dana, 85 ; 
Jonathan Bancroft, 87 ; Aaron Ashley, 81 ; 
Freedom Homes, 83; Fisher Homes, 81 ; 
Charlotte Goldsbury, 81 ; Sally Gale, 86 ; 
Samuel Burns, 87 ; Nathaniel Lawson, 82 ; 
Justus Ketchum, 81 ; Cynthia Hooker, 82 ; 
Joseph Norris, 81; Peter Nichols, 81; 
Mary Noyes, 87; Achsa Richardson, 81 ; 
Lemuel Richardson, 81 ; Betsey Water- 
man, 81 ; Rodney Bradford, 81 ; Sarah 
Cox, 84; Susan Chamberlin, 84; Mason 
Carpenter, 82 ; Josiah Beckett, 86 ; Lucy 
Lawson, 83; Otis Durkee, 80; Mrs. Car- 
roll Smith, 86. 

GRANITE LODGE F. & A. M. 

was chartered January 11, 1855, to John 
Twing, Otis Peck, James Hale, Maynard 
French, Adolphus Thurston, S. W. Davis, 
Martin Keith and their associates. The 
first three principal officers installed were 
Alva Eastman, W. M., Martin Keith, S. 
W., Webber Tilden, J. W. ; and Clark 
Holden was the first Secretary elected by 
the Lodge. The organization has been in 
good working order from the first, and its 
membership steadily increased with the 
growth of the place, being now 125. They 
have a pleasant and commodious lodge- 
room in the old Tilden Block. The lodge 
have ever given ready attention to the 
calls of charity, caring for a sick and needy 
brother, and distributing to the wants of a 
brother's widow and orphans. Measures 
have recently been taken to provide a bu- 
rial fund m the benefits of which the fam- 
ily of every member might share. Thir- 
teen masters have been elected by the 
lodge since its organization ; of the.se Geo. 
W. Tilden held the office 7 years, and to 



his labors the Craft owes much of its pros- 
perity. Past Masters : Alva Eastman, 
Martin Keith, Webber Tilden, Dr. N. W. 
Perry, A. A. Owen, Justin H. Blaisdell, 
Geo. W. Tilden, Henry D. Bean, Hial O. 
Hatch, Eli Holden, Henry H. Wetmore, 
Dr. J. Henry Jackson. 

BARRE LODGE, 

No. 929, Knights of Honor, was in- 
stituted in Barre, March 4, 1878, com- 
posed of 13 Charter members: George 
W. Tilden, J. H. Jackman, M. D., E. D. 
Blackwell, J. M. Perry, O. H. Reed, W. 
A. Perry, B. W. Braley, M. D., C. A. 
Gale, M. D., E. D. Sabin, Henry Priest, 
F. P. Thurber, J. G. Morrison, L. J. 
Mack, and the officers of the lodge were, 
Henry Priest, Dictator; E. D. Blackwell, 
V. D. ; J. G. Morrison, A. D. ; B. W. 
Braley, G. ; W. A. Perry, R. ; J. M. 
Perry, F. R. ; O. H. Reed, T. ; L.J. 
Mack, G. ; F. P. Thurber, S. ; J. H. 
Jackson, C. ; George W. Tilden, P. D. 

The lodge met in Masonic Hall until 
Feb. I, 1879, after which they rented and 
furnished a hall in Jackman's block, where 
they still remain. Meeting the 2d and 4th 
Monday evenings of each month. 

The lodge has been always in a flour- 
ishing condition since first organized, 
there being an average addition of 20 
members each year. The lodge is under 
the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the 
State, but makes reports direct to the Su- 
preme Lodge, and also sends all money for 
widows' and orphans' benefit fund direct 
to the Supreme treasurer, the Supreme 
lodge only having power to pay out money 
on death benefits. There has been twelve 
assessments for the year ending June 30, 
1881, making only six dollars paid for each 
thousand dollars insurance. When the 
Order was smaller and also in the time of 
the yellow fever south, there were assess- 
ments amounting to eight dollars per thou- 
sand. Three deaths have occurred in the 
Order in Barre Lodge since its organiza- 
tion : Frank P. Thurber Dec. 3, 1879, 
Thomas McGovern Nov. 4, 1880, and C. 
H. Chamberlin, M. D., Feb. 22, 1881. 
A death benefit of ($2,000) two thousand 



38 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



dollars each was paid to their families very 
soon after the death of these members, 
and was of great benefit to the families. 
The lodge now consists of 68 members 
and is constantly increasing. The present 
officers are W. C. Nye, D. ; L. W. Scott, 
V. D. ; Lewis Keith, A. D. ; George M. 
Goss, R. ; George P. Boyce, F. R. ; B. 
W. Braley, T. ; A. C. Reed, C. ; C. A. 
Wheaton, Guide ; William Clark, Guar- 
dian ; W. L. Huntington, S. ; O. H. 
Reed, P. D. 

Our lodge is free from debt ; the hall 
nicely and tastefully furnished. A new 
Prescott organ purchased this spring stands 
in the hall, and we have a surplus of 
$200 in the treasury ; our best citizens 
are its members, and we predict for the 
Knights of Honor in this place a green 
and flourishing old age. 

TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1870 tO 1880. 

BY C. HOLDEN, TOWN CLERK. 

Representatives : Wm. E. Whitcomb, 
1870; Wm. A. Boyce, 1872; Eli Holden, 
1874; Jacob S. Spaulding, 1876; J. Henry 
Jackson, 1878; Henry Priest, 1880. 

Town Clerks : Carlos Carpenter, 1871 ; 
Clark Holden, 1872-1881, present Town 
Clerk. 

First Selectmen: W. C. White, 1871, 
'73^ '74' 'iS'i Augustus Claflin, 1872, '79, 
'80, '81 ; Ira P. Harrington, 1876, '77, '78. 

Constables : N. F. Averill, 1871 , '72, 'jt, ; 
G. I. Jackson, 1874, '75, '76; Carlos Car- 
penter, 1877; L. W. Scott, 1878, '79, '80; 
Chas. L. Currier, 1881. 

FAPER OF E. L. SMITH, DEALER IN BARRE 
GRANITE. 

In regard to the statement of the "quar- 
ries " of Barre, I cannot give a very definite 
one in regard to any but of the one in 
which I am interested. This one, known 
as the Smith & Kimball Quarry, is located 
upon the farm formerly owned by the late 
Edward J. Parker, consists of nearly 3 
acres, and has not been fully developed as 
yet. It was opened in the summer of 
1879, by E. J. Parker, but not worked to 
any extent until the spring of 1880, since 
which there has been taken away from the 
c^uarry not far from 20,000 feet of working 



stock. We claim that this granite is equal 
to any for monumental and polished work, 
and so far has been quite easy to quarry, 
laying in large sheets of more than ordinary 
thickness, being covered with soil to the 
depth of 4 feet in many places, and the 
top sheets are found to be nearly as good 
and clean as those underneath, which is 
not often the case. 

We have made no public monuments, 
nor furnished stock for any public build- 
ings. We ship stock in the rough to quite 
an extent to Burlington, Vt., Albany, N. 
Y., Danville, Pa., and numerous other 
points ; am now furnishing granite for a 
bank building, to be erected in Danville, 
Pa., to the amount of 1500 cubic feet ; have 
a contract to furnish the stock for a large 
monument to be erected in Boston, Mass., 
which will take nearly 1000 cubic feet. 
One piece alone is to be 9^ ft. square and 
2 ft. thick ; will weigh nearly 20 tons. 
If we had facilities for handling and draw- 
ing, we could quarry a block of any de- 
sired size. We employ now upon an average 
about 15 quarrymen, and the number of 
cutters in the employ of Mr. S. Kimball, 
(works are located at Montpelier, Vt.), 
and Smith & Wells, Barre, Vt., must num- 
ber at least 30. We make any kind of 
work to be made in granite, from rough 
underpinning to a nice polished monument ; 
value of stock taken from quarry at least 
$10, coo; amount of finished work made 
during year ending June ist, 1881, by E. 
L. Smith & Smith & Wells (Mr. Wells be- 
came a partner in March, 1881), about 
$12,000. 

I consider this (granite) business es- 
tablished upon a sound basis, which I 
think will increase in time to be one of the 
largest industries of our State. Barre 
granite is second to none, and when once 
introduced will recommend itself. 

There are at present 8 quarries opened, 
which are worked to quite an extent in 
town, namely : " Cobble Hill," owned by 
E. L. Smith & P. C. Wheaton, now work- 
ed by P. C. Wheaton. This is of a rather 
light gray, and is probably the best place 
in Vermont to quarry stone for under- 
pinning, being quite rifty, so that it can 



BARRE. 



39 



readily be split in pieces 8 in. thick, 2 ft. 
wide and 20 ft. long. It is strong, and is 
of the very best material for building work, 
curbing, etc., which can be found. 

" Harrington Quarry," owned and work- 
ed by Ira P. Harrington, who has lopg 
been in the granite business, upon which 
he is now doing quite an amount of work 
in filling orders for rough stock. From 
these two quarries came the stock for the 
State House. They have been opened, I 
should judge, some 50 or 60 years. Mr. E. 
Hewett formerly worked the Cobble Hill 
Quarry, and upon the State House being 
rebuilt, he quarried quite an amount of 
blocks, to replace those injured by fire. It 
was near here that Charles Keith lost his 
life, while assisting in drawing one of those 
large blocks of granite up hill where they 
had to use ropes and blocks, a block giving 
away, and crushing him so that he died 
soon after. This is, so far as I know, the 
only fatal accident which has taken place 
in the town in connection^with granite 
working, but numerous have been the 
narrow escapes from a fatal one by pre- 
mature explosion of blasts, falling of der- 
ricks, etc. These two are the only old 
quarries of note in town, and while they 
have been worked long, yet consisting as 
they do of large extent, there is no ex- 
haustion of material, but on the contrary, 
plenty of it and easy of access. 

The Carnes Quarry, at East Barre, is 
worked by William Carnes, who has a 
shop, and finishes up his stock neatly. 

' ' The Eastman Quarry " has been opened 
some 4 or 5 years, and while it has not 
been worked to a large extent, it is good 
stock, and may prove to be one of the best 
in town. 

Levi Keith has a quarry opened which is 
called fair stock, not developed to any 
great extent, 

Bigelow Quarry, upon the farm of John 
Bigelow, was opened about 6 years ago, 
and is now worked by John Collins. There 
is a chance for quite an extensive quarry, 
and it may prove to be one of the princi- 
pal quarries in town, though the grain is 
not quite so fine and dark as some. 

" Mann Quarry," owned and worked by 



Geo. Mann, has been opened some 3 years, 
is of the best grain and color, but as yet 
the stock has been rather hard to quarry to 
advantage, the sheets not laying so free 
and even as in some of the other quarries. 

The quarry of Messrs, Wetmore & Morse 
is one of the best, if not the best in town 
and has been worked nearly 20 years ; was 
formerly worked by J. E. Parker, and has 
been owned and worked by Wetmore & 
Morse about 4 years. This is good stock, 
and lays in large sheets, and of late has 
been more extensively worked than any 
quarry in town. 1 estimate that they must 
have taken from this quarry during the 4 
years at least 45,000 ft. of working stock 
and to appearance there is none the less 
remaining. E. L. Smith. 

Barre, June 27, 1881. 

STATEMENT OF W. G. PARKER'S QUARRY 
AND WORKS, 

opened Oct. 29, 1880, began carrying on 
granite business Nov. 1,1873 ; workmen em- 
ployed from three to six ; has shipped gran- 
ite monuments to Wisconsin, Michigan, 
Ohio, New York and Massachusetts : also 
in Vermont ; amount of exports varying 
from $1,000 to $2,000. 

PAPERS FROM CHAS. A. SMITH. 

THE FIRST GRANITE SHOP IN BAUKE. 

J. S. Collins came to Barre in 1872, and 
opened a shop for the working of granite 
at the south end of the village, where he 
has since continued the business. This 
was the first shop of the kind opened in 
the village, and Mr. C. was the pioneer of 
the business of working granite for mon- 
umental purposes here. He at present 
employs five cutters at his shop and three 
men on the quarry, which he opened in 
1876, and which is known as the Bigelow 
Quarry. Though the business done by 
Mr. Collins is less than that of some of his 
competitors in town, yet the excellence of 
the work which he was the first to send 
out drew attention to the value of Barre 
granite for monumental uses, and led to 
the development of the business, and as a 
skillful master workman, he has taught the 
trade to a large number, who as propri- 
etors, or as workmen, ply the trade in 
other shops. 



40 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Wetmore & Morse are the largest deal- 
ers in granite in town ; their shops, situa- 
ted on the west of the R. R. near the 
depot, are arranged in a semi-circle on 
either side of the branch track of the R. R. 
with a derrick so located as to raise and 
move stones to and from the cars and to 
any part of their yards. They commenced 
business in 1877, in a small shed near 
their present location, and for a time em- 
ployed but one workman beside Mr. 
Morse. In 1880, they employed for a 
time 85 workmen. They have turned out 
handsome specimens of monumental work. 
The largest job upon which they have 
been employed was the cutting for the 
Bowman Mausoleum at Cuttingsville — the 
receipts for this job being between fifteen 
and sixteen thousand dollars. They own 
and work the quarry known as the J. E, 
Parker Quarry, and on this employ from 
ten to twenty men. 

CARLETON FAMJLY. 

Rev. Hiram Carleton, born in Barre, 
July 18, 181 1 ; graduated at Middlebury 
College in 1833; was a teacher in Shore- 
ham, 1833-34; studied at Andover Theo. 
Sem. 1834-37 ; pastor of the Cong'l Church 
in Stowe in 1818. He has published an 
Analysis of the 24th chapter of Matthew. 
— J'/erso/i's Catalogue of Middlebury Coll. 

Hiram Carleton was the seventh son of 
Jeremiah and Deborah Carleton, early set- 
tlers in this town ; his father, Jeremiah 
Carleton, died Sept. 3, 1844, and his 
mother Mar. 18, 1843. He has living in 
town at this time (1881), two brothers, — 
Jeremiah Carleton, 2d, born Aug. 16, 1799 ; 
David Carleton, born Sept. 2, 1809. The 
former, Jeremiah 2d, is father of Rev. 
Marcus M. Carleton, a missionary of the 
Presbyterian Board, in Umballah, India; 
the latter, David, is father of Hiram Carle- 
ton, Esq., now of Montpelier. 

There were 10 children, I think, in the 
old family. The Carletons are a family of 
more than average ability ; with some 
marked peculiarities, but men of charac- 
ter. Rev. Hiram Carleton, D. D., is now 
Rector of an Episcopal church in Wood's 
Hole, Mass. Rev. Marcus Carleton of Um- 



ballah married Calista Bradford, daughter 
of Rodney Bradford of this place. Some 
ten or twelve years since she came un- 
attended froln India via. San Francisco, 
arriving here in the spring of 1869, with 5 
children, the eldest hardly in his teens, 
the youngest a mere babe. Her two eld- 
est boys fitted for college in the Academy 
here ; entered Amherst College, (their 
father's alma mater, ~) and graduated there ; 
the eldest has since graduated in medicine 
from the College of Physicians & Surgeons 
in N. Y. ; is with his mother ; his sisters, 
now grown to accomplished young ladies, 
are soon to return to India ; the 2d son 
has a position in the Public Library in 
New York. 

WILLIAM CLARK, 

son of Dea. Francis Clark, Senior, gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth about 1840; and at 
Andover Theol. Sem. ; was engaged for 
several years as a teacher in Ceorgia ; for 
a time settled over the Cong, church at 
Orford, N. H. ; sub.sequently went under 
the auspices of the American Board of 
Foreign Missions to Turkey ; was after- 
wards located at Milan, Italy, both as U. 
S. Consul and as the head of an educa- 
tional institution; some time about 1872, 
returned to America and purchased a home 
in Newbury, Vt., which he fitted up in a 
handsome manner, then, for several years, 
a private boarding school for young ladies, 
known as " Montebello," was kept up by 
his wife, (who was a daughter of Nathan- 
iel Farrington, ofWalden, Vt.,) and their 
daughter (an only child) who was a young 
lady of fine accomplishments. Mr. Clark 
returned to Europe about 1875 or '76, as 
the representative of a New York business 
house, and has since been for the most of 
the time in Germany. He returned a year 
or two since for his family, who returned 
with him, the property at Newbury being 
disposed of. Mr. Clark is a man of fine 
presence, a fine scholar, and the master of 
several languages. 

DR. SOCRATES SHERMAN, 

Native of Barre ; a skillful physician ; 
Medical Director of the Department of 
Virginia during the war ; Member of Con- 



BARRE. 



41 



gress one term, and at the time of his 
death, postmaster of Ogdensburg ; died at 
the latter place in 1873. 

WILLIAM A. DODGE, 

son of Dea. Nathaniel Dodge, graduated 
at Burlington about the year 1844; studied 
law ; has removed from town. 

MILITARY RECORD OF BARRE. 

From the account of Charles A. Smith 
in The Barre Enterprise, the following, 
whose graves were covered with flowers 
Decoration day — last month — were 

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION : 

Major Wm. Bradford, Abel Camp, Gould 
Camp, Lemuel Clark, in Barre Cemetery ; 
Warren Ellis, Nathan Harrington, Capt. 
Asaph Sherman, Nath'l Sherman, Adol- 
phus Thurston, in Williston Cemetery ; and 
the following 

SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF l8l2 : 

David W. Aldrich, Sylvanus Aldrich, John 
Bancroft, Wm. Bassett, William Bradford, 
Jr., James Britain, Carver Bates, Simon 
Briggs, Simon Barber, Joel Bullock, Sam- 
uel Cook, Otis French, Bartholomew 
French, Bart. French, Jr., David French, 
John Gale, Israel Gale, John Hillery, Joel 
Holden, Reuben Lamb, Robert Parker, 
William Robinson, Danforth Reed, B. C. 
Smith, Silas Town, Thomas Town, John 
Wood, John Willson, Thomas Willson, 
Ellman Waterman, in Barre Cemetery; 
Joe Adams, Josiah Allen, Asa Boutwell, 
Eli Boutwell, Asa Blanchard, Joseph 
Dodge, Dan Rowland, Eli Holden, Davis 
Harrington, Humphrey Holt, Amos Jones, 
Robert Morse, James Nichols, Peter 
Nichols, David Richardson, Baxter Ster- 
ling, Joe Sterling, Asaph Sherman, Jona- 
than Sherman, Benj. Thompson, foseph 
Thompson, Marston Watters : In Mexi- 
can WAR Charles A. Bigelow, in Williston 
Cemetery. 

BARRE company FOR PLATTSBURGH. 
BY STILLMAK WOOD. 

The Military Company of Volunteers 
that left Barre for Burlington for the battle 
of Plattsburgh consisted of 117 men. 
This number took almost the entire set of 
young men whose ages were suitable for 

6 



military duty, with a few old revolutionary 
soldiers who felt they would like to have a 
hand in one more battle with the red coats. 
The farmer left his farm, the mechanic his 
shop, and the merchant his store to join 
in the common defence, and beat back an 
invading foe. When the news came that 
the British were about to cross the river 
and enter Plattsburgh, the excitement was 
intense ; to arms, was the universal re- 
sponse. Men gathered immediately from 
all parts of the town, and formed a com- 
pany : 

Military Roll of Barre Company of Vol- 
unteers in the War of 18 12. 
Officers : Warren Ellis, Capt. ; Na- 
than Stone, 1st lieut. ; Armin Rockwood, 
2d Lieut. ; Peter Nichols, Ensign ; A. 
Sherman, M. Sherman, B. French, C. 
Bancroft, Sergeants. Corporals : Moses 
Rood, 1st, Samuel Nichols, 3d,. P. 
Thompson, 4th, Wm. Ripley, 2d. Pri- 
vates: E. B. Gale, Sam'l Cook, Daniel 
Parker, John M. Willard, Chs. Robinson, 
Elijah Robinson, I. L. Robinson, Je'k. 
Richards, John Farwell, Silas Spear, Otis 
French, Jona. Markum, Andrew Davey, 
John Richards, Thomas Mower, Thomas 
Browning, John Howland, Jona. Sherman, 
Noah Holt, Oramel Beckley, Horace Beck- 
ley, Asa Dodge, Wm. Arbuckle, Saml. 
Mitchell, Josiah Allen, A. Bagley, James 
Hale, Enos Town, Jacob Scott, Comfort 
Smith, Sylvanus Goldsbury, William 
Goldsbury, Shubael Smith, Amos Jones, 
Isaiah Little, Asa Blanchard, Henry 
Smith, Ansel Patterson, B. Ingraham, 
Aaron Rood, William Bradford, By- 
ron Potter, Danforth Reed, Emery Ful- 
ler, Willard Keith, J. Penniman, Nathan- 
iel Batchelder, Isaac Gale, Jesse .Mor- 
ris, Silas Willard, R. R. Keith, Benjamin 
Burke, Thomas Town, Ira Day, Geo. S. 
Woodard, Stephen Freeman, Gideon 
Downing, Stephen Carpenter, Jonathan 
Smith, Nathan Stephens, A. West, John 
Bancroft, Amos Holt, M. Brown Dodge, 
R. W. Ketchum, John Thompson, James 
Britain, Orson Smith, Wm. Howard, Ben- 
jamin Richards, D. W. Averill, C. Bates, 
Doane Cook, Richard Smith, Josiah Bid- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



well, Andrew Conant, Nath'I Batchelder, 
Jr., Calvin Howes, Sherman Watson, 
Thomas Parker, Peter Johonnott, Calvin 
Smith, John S. Willard, Joseph Sterling, 
Ira Ellis, C. Watson, Samuel Lawson, 
Cyrus Barber, Joseph Glidden, Seth Beck- 
ett, John Twing, Parley Batchelder, Josiah 
Leonard, M. Bussell, Wm. Batchelder, 
Wm. Bassett, David Sherburn, Isaac Sal- 
ter, Asa Patridge, S. Rice, Jr., J. Nich- 
ols, J. S. Thompson, Nehemiah Boutwell, 
Lewis Peck, Joel Holden, Wm. Chubb, 
David Richardson, Guy C, Nichols, Jona. 
G. Chaplin, John Gale, and Pliny Whea- 
ton. 

The company went mostly on foot, and 
arrived at Burlington on Saturday. The 
battle of Plattsburg was fought on Sunday, 
but for lack of transportation, few, if any, 
of the company had a hand in it, and on 
the same day there being a naval battle on 
the lake, in which the British foe were 
beaten, and retreated to Canada, there 
being no further necessity for defence, no 
foe to fight, most of our men came back 
without crossing the lake. Some, how- 
ever, went over, and some enlisted in the 
regular army. 

This company of stalwart young men, 
after returning to their respective homes 
and occupations, in after life filled many 
places of honor and trust in town, and 
many of them acquired military titles by 
being elected to office in the respective 
companies to which they severally be- 
longed in the State militia. In those days 
to gain the title of captain was considered 
worthy of a laudable ambition, and gave a 
man notoriety not otherwise easily at- 
tained. But that company of strong young 
men, so far as we can learn, have now all, 
except one, passed over the silent river to 
the land of peace beyond. Our neighbor 
Jonathan Bancroft, who was then i6 years 
old, went as teamster and carried baggage 
for the company. He is now 84, and is 
probably the only man now living who 
went to Burlington at that time. About 
one-half of these men have descendants 
or relatives "now living in town, and of the 
rest, their families have become extinct, 
or removed to parts far distant from Barre. 



WAR REPORT, 
KUOM AUGUSTU.S CLAFLIN, 

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1S75, 
for that year. 
Whole number of three years men en- 
listed and credited to the town, 125; one 
year men, 21 ; nine months men, 38; 
drafted men held to service, 17; Total, 
201. Of the 17 drafted men, 8 furnished 
substitutes, 8 paid commutation money, 
and one only entered the service. The num- 
ber of men who were killed or died, was 
2,2,\ the number wounded and living, 15; 
Albert Gobar, a bounty jumper who after- 
wards returned under the Presidenfs pro- 
clamation of pardon, is the only deserter 
reported. Bounties were paid to : 23 men 
Co. B, loth Reg., raised by subscription, 
$575 ; to 29 nine months men, $25 each, 
by subscription, $700; to 10 nine months 
men, $50 each, $500 ; to 28 three years 
men, $300 each, $8,400 ; to 14 three months 
men, $200 each, $2,800 ; to Albert and 
Alson French, twin brothers, one of whom 
was drafted, and the other enlisted to be 
with him, $600; to C. H. Richard.son, 
who re-enlisted, $300 ; to 19 i year men, 
$1 1,060,00 ; to 2 men mustered at Wind- 
sor, $1,225; to I colored recruit, $400; 
to 9 navy men, $7,200; to Byron Carlton, 
James Powers, C. Woodward, $1,524.50; 
to those who went in 2d Reg. Vt. Vols., 
June, 1861, by subscrip. $55.00; total 
$35,340.85. 

The total expense to the town for select- 
men's and surgeons" services for subsist- 
ence of recruits and other expenses inci- 
dental to raising the quota of troops under 
different calls, is given at $35,995.24; 
total public expense $71,336-09. Money 
was paid by individuals as follows : amount 
paid by enrolled men who furnished sub- 
stitutes, $600 ; amount paid by drafted 
men who furnished substitutes, $2,600; 
amount paid by drafted men as commuta 
tion, $2,400; total $5,600. 



On the page of fame 

Does the soldier's valor bloom 
Brighter than the roses 

Cast upon his tomb. 



BARRE. 



43 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1861. 

BY CIIAS. A. SMITH. 

The following is a list of the men furnished by the town under the different calls 
for troops, including those who were drafted, paid commutation, or furnished sub- 
stitutes : 

Reg. Co. Afii.ttered in. Discharged. 



jVames. 
Lemuel A. Abbott, 



Armory Allen, 



Henry L. Averill, 
James W. Averill, 



John W. Averill, 
James T. Bacon, 
Dan Barker, 

Davis H. Bates, 
Albert G. Bates, 
Peter N. Bates, 

Chauncey W. Beals, 
Orrin Beckley, Jr., 

Joel Bill, 

John Blanchard, 



Jiemarks. 

10 B Sept. I, '62. June 22, '65. Pro. 2 Lt. Co. D. Jan. 26, '63 ; 

1st Lieut. Co. E. Jan. 17, '64 ; 
Capt. Co. G. Dec. 19, '64, enlist, 
reg. army in '65 ; now Capt. 

11 E Dec. II, '63. Aug. 25, '65. Trans, to Co. V. R. C. July 26, '64, 

Co. D. June 24, '64 ; after to 

Co. A. 
C L Dec. 3, '63. Aug. 9, '65. Trans. Co. D. Jan. 21, '65. 
8 E Dec. 15, '63. Wound, at Winch. Va. losing part 

of one foot ; in hospital till close 

of war. 

28, '65. Mustered out. 

29, '64. Pro. Corp. pro. sergt. 
Sick; disch'd Nov. 16, '64; died 

soon at home. 



Dec. 15, '63. Jan. 
June 20, '61. Jan. 
Sept. I, '62. 



Origin A. Blanchard, 2 D Sept. 20, '61. 



James M. Boyce, 10 B 

Charles H. Bassett, 11 E 

Albert G. Bates, 17 E 

George L Beckley, 8 A 

Charles A. Bigelow, 17 E 

George W. Blanchard, 13 I 



Albert P. Boutwell. 1 1 E 

Edwin M. Bowman, C L 

Clarence A. Brackett, 17 C 

Geo. Badore, 13 I 

Frederick J. Barnes, 13 I 

Calvin Bassett, 15 D 

Origin Bates, 13 I 

Ira B. Bradford, 13 " 

Clark Boutwell, " " 

Albert J. Burrill, " " 
J. K. Bancroft, 
Warren Barnes, 
Kimbal Blanchard, 

Iram H. Camp, 2 D 

David G. Carr, 6 F 

Byron Carlton, 8 I 

Almon Clark, 10 



Henry L. Clark, 10 B 

William Clark, " " 

William Cox, 6 F 
Humphrey Campbell, Bat. 3 

Allen E. Cutts, 9 E 

Frank E. Cutts, " E 

Nathan J. Camp, 15 D 



Feb. 18, '62. Discharged June 30, '62. 

Oct. 15, '61. Pro. Corp., sergt., Dec. 28, '63 ; k'd 

Wilderness May 5, '64. 
Sept. I, '62. Jan. 22, '64. Discharged on sickness. 
June, 20, '61. Pro. serg ; wounded ; missing in 

battle May 10, '64. 
Oct. 20, '61. Discharged April 22, '63. 

Sept, I, '62. Feb. 22, '65. Dishc'd on acct. of wounds rec'd in 

Aug. '64. 
Pro. Corp., serg., must, out Sept. 

20, '64. 
Died Oct. 6, '63. 
Aug. 25, '65. Trans, to Co. D., to E., to A. 
Mustered out May 20, '65. 
Trans, to V. R. C., must, out July 
24, '65. Served in Band. 
'64. Died May 30, '64. 

'62. July 2, '63. Sergt ; re-enlisted Dec. '63 in 8th 
Reg.; serving in the Band ; 
must, out Jan. 28, '65. 
'65. Trans, to Co. D. to E. to A. 
Trans, to Co. D. Jan. 21, '65. 
Chosen corp. Pro. s'gt., taken pris. 



Sept. I, '62. 
Dec. II, '63. 

12, '64. 

15. '63- 



Apr. 
Dec. 



Apr. 
Oct. 



Dec. 
Dec. 

Apr. 
Oct. 



'63. Aug. 

'63. ■ 
'64. 
62. 



Aug. 16, '65. 
July 21, '63. 



Oct. 4, '62 



June 20, '61. 
Oct. 15, '61. 
Feb. 18, '62. 



Sept. I, '62. 

Oct. 15, '61. 
Aug. 20, '64. 
Aug. 8, '64. 
Aug. 17, '64. 
Oct. 22, '62. 



Aug. 

July 



5. '63- 
II, '63. 



Served as drummer. 

Drafted, p'd commutation. 
Procured substitute. 



•64. 



June 22, '65. 

June 15, '65. 
June 13, '65. 



Pro. Corp. must, out Ju. 29, 
Discharged Jan. 21, '62. 
Must, out Jan. 22, '64, re-en. 
As't. Surg. Com. Aug. 11, '62, pro, 

sur. cav. Mar. 6, '65 ;must. out 

Aug. 9, '65. 
Died, Jan. 29, '63. 

Missing in action. May 5, '64. 



Aug. 5, '63. Pro. Corp. Nov. 12, '62. 



44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. Reg. Co. Mustered in. 

Mason B. Carpenter, 13 I Oct. 4, '62. 
Orvis Carpenter, " '• " 

David G. Carr, " " " 

Albert F. Dodge, 10 B Sept. i, '62. 



Leroy Dodge, 
Lewis H. Dodge, 
Luther C. Dodge, 
Nelson E. Dodge, 

Wesley Dodge, 

Jason Drury, 

Andrew J. Dudley, 
Willis P. Durkee, 
Chas. Davis, 
Alfred Deuquet, 
Henry M. Dudley, 

John M. Durant, 
Moses Duso, 
William H. Duval, 
Henry A. Dow, 
Alson Downing, 
Chas, F-Durrill, 
Edward P. Evans, 
Ira H. Evans, 

Perley Farrar, 
Joseph W. Fisher, 
Erastus D. French, 
Orlando French, 
Alfred B. Fisher, 
Albert French, 
Henry W. French, 
Charles G. French, 
Alson French, 
Henry P. Gale, 
Geo. W. Goodrich, 
John Gabbaree, 
Albert Gobar, 
Fred. M. Gale, 

Ira L. Gale, 
Israel Gilmot, 
John A. Goldsbury, 
Nathan Harrington, 
Chas. E. L. Hills, 
Eli Holden, 



2 D Sept. 15. '61. 

" " Apr. 12, '62. 

" 'i Apr. 12, '62. 

C C Nov. 19, '61. 

8 E Feb. 18, '62. 

2 D Sept. 15, '61. 

4 B Sept. 20, '61. 

8 I Dec. 15, '63. 

17 H May 10, '64. 

" " May 10, '64. 

1 1 E Dec. It, '63. 
II E 

13 I Oct. 4, '62. 

10 B Sept. I, '62. 



Discharged. Remarks. 

July 21, '63. Pro. Sergt. Jan. 15, '63. 



Mar. 21, '64. Re-en. Apr. 5, '64 ; serv. as Capt. in 

greg. U. S.; Col. Inft.; Must. 

out Dec. 5, '65. 
Died Oct. 28, '64. 
Died Sept. i, '62. 
Died June 12, '62. 
Pro. Corp. & to Sergt.; died in An- 

dersonville pris. 
Pro. Corp.; miss'd in a'ct. June 23, 

'64 ; died in Rebel prison. 
Died Sept. 25, '63, of w'nds rec'd in 

action. 
Discharged Jan. 2, '63. 
Discharged Apr. 23, '63. 



D 
E 
C 
A 
E 
F 
iSD 
15 E 

ID B 



Feb, 

Nov, 
Dec. 
May 
Dec. 
Sept. 
May 
Sept. 
2 D June 



17 H 
17 H 
13 I 



May 
May 
Dec. 



18, '62. 
10, '61. 

15. '63- 
26, '64. 

15. '63- 
15, '62. 
12, '64. 
I, '62. 
20, '61. 

14, '64. 
19, '64. 

15. '63- 



2 D Sept. 20, '61. 
8 E Feb. 18, '62. 
C C Nov. 19, '61. 



Jan. 28, '65. 
July 14, '65. 



June 23, '65. 
May 23, '65. 
July 21, '63. 



Oct. 31, '62. 
Jan. 29, '65. 
May 13, '65. 
Jan. 29, '65. 
Aug. 5, '63. 
May 13, '65. 

June 29, '64. 



Jan. 29, '65 



Sept. 20, '64. 



Chos. Corp.; died July 31, '64, of 
w'nds. rec'd. act'n. Jun. 24 '64. 
Died of wounds, July 31, '64. 



Calvin Holt, 10 B Sept. i, '62. June 22, '65. 

HezekiahD. Howland,i7 E May 3, '64. 

Orwell J. Hosford, 9 F Aug. 19, '64. June 13, '65. 

Bradley D. Hall, 15 D Oct. 22, '62, Aug. 5, '63. 

Geo. F. Harroun, 13 I Oct. 4, '62. July 21, '63. 

William Henderson, 15 D Oct. 22, '62. Aug. 5, '63. 

William W. Holden, 13 I Oct. 4, '62. July 21, '63. 

Chas. H. Howard, " " " " 

Robert Humphrey, " " " " 



Re-enlisted Dec. 21, '63. 
Drafted ; paid commutation. 

Trans, to V. R. C. Nov. 25, '64. 
Disch'd. Dec. 22, '63, by order of 

War Department. 
Killed in action May 19, '64. 

Died Nov. 10, '62. 

Served in Band. 

Served in Band. 
Served as Captain. 

Died, Barre. Mar. 23, '64. Disch'd. 

Died July 3, of w'ds reed, in action. 
Deserted May 27, 1864. 
Served in Band. Re-en. Dec. 15, 
'63. Disch'd Jan. 29, '66. 
Drafted. Paid commutation. 

Procured substitute. 

Died July 3, 1863. 

Only one from Barre ist Vt. Reg. 3 
mos. men, re-en. Co. C Vt. Cav. 
mus. 1st Serg. Nov. 19, '61, 
l^ro. 2d and ist Lt, tak. pris. 
in action, Sept. 25, '63, in Lib- 
bey, Danville, Macon, Colum- 
bia, escaped Col. prison, reta- 
ken after a week, mus. out, pa- 
roled pris. March 15, '65. 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

Must, out at Cold River. Re-en- 
listed in nth Reg. 

Re-en. Sept. 5, '64, ist Vt. Cav. 
Killed Nov. 12, '64, in Shen, 

Served as Corporal. 



BARRE. 



45 



Names, 
Nelson E. Heath, 
Henry C. Jones, 
Albert Jones, 
Ezra N. Jones, 
Alexander Jangraw, 
Nelson Johnson, 
Clinton Keith, 
Henry Ketchum, 
William Kirkland, 
Alonzo G. Lane, 
Samuel Leger, 
Napoleon Lafrenier, 
Stephen Leazer, 
Heman Lamphier, 
Marshal B. Lawrence, 
Geo. W. Lawson, 
John McLaughlin, 
Horace C. Meaker, 
Francis Miner, 
William E. Martin, 

Wm. W. McAlister, 
Daniel Moses, 
Erastus W. Nichols, 
Azro E. Nichols, 
George W. Nichols, 
William Olds, 
Charles H. Page, 
Alfred S. Parkhurst, 
\l. N. Parkhurst, 
Eugene C. Peck, 
George W. Perrin, 
George W. Phelps, 
J. Parker Page, 
George B. Putnam, 
Charles Parkhurst, 



Reg. Co. Musiered in. Discharged. 



2 D June 20, '61. 
17 E "Mar. 3, '64. 
17 H May 19, '64. 

3 Aug. 19, '64. 
13 I Oct. 4, '62. 
II E Dec. II, '63. 

13 H Oct. 10, '62. 

6 G Apr. 12, '62. 

2 D Jan. 20, '61. 
17 H May 10, '64. 

3 Aug. 18, '64. 
15 D Oct. 22, '62. 
13 I Oct. 4, '62. 

C C Nov. 19, '61. 

6 D Apr. 12, '62. 

3 K July 16, '61. 

17 E Apr. 9, '64. 



July 14, '65. 

June 15, '65. 
July 21, '73. 
Jan. 24, '65. 
Jan. 2, '65. 
July 21, "63. 
Nov. 24, '62. 

July 14, '65. 
June 15, '65 

July 21, '73. 

Nov. 18, '64. 
May 28, '64. 
Feb. I, '64. 



Remarks. 
Drafted ; paid commutation. 
Pro. Sergt.; must, out June 2, '64. 

In batterv. 



Aug. 9, '64. June 15, '65. 



C C 

13 H 
8 D 
3 F 
10 B 
10 B 
3 K 
8 E 
1 
G 



9 
8 

8 G 

9 G 



Nov. 19, '61. 
Aug. 24, '64. 

23, '62. 

15, '64. 

16, '61. 
I, '62. 
I, '62. 

16, '61. 

18, '62. 

9, '62. 
Dec. 15, '63. 
Dec. 15, '63. 
Aug. 15, '64. 



Oct. 
Jan. 

July 

Sept. 
Sept. 

July 

Feb. 
July 



Lyman D. Parkhurst, 9 F Aug. 23, '64. 
Leander Perry, 13 I Aug. 4, '62. 

Charles H. Perry, 13 I Oct, 21, '62. 



Heman G. Perry, 15 D Oct. 22, '62. 

Chas. A. Richardson, 2 D Sept. 20, '61. 



Lafayette G. Ripley, 10 B Sept. i, '62. 



John H. Rublee, 
Hiram Robinson, 
George S. Robinson, 
Joseph Rose, 

Albert Rogers, 
W. F. Richardson, 
William H. Riddall, 
Albert Rogers, 
Seth T. Sargent, 
George W. Savory, 
Prentiss S. Scribner, 
Albert Smith, 
William Smith, 
Calvin Stowe, 
Rufus Streeter, 
Lemuel D. Strong, 



10 B 

II 

17 E Apr. 12, '64. 

17 H May 19, '64. 

9 G Aug. 6, '64. 

15 D Oct. 22, '62. 

13 I Oct. 10, '62. 

15 D Oct. 22, '62. 

10 B Sept. I, 62. 

C C Nov. 19, '61. 

10 B Sept. I, '62. 

2 D June 20, '61. 

8 I Feb. 18, '62. 
C C 

10 B Sept. 22, '62. 

2 D June 20, '61. 



June 15, '65. 
•July 21, '64. 



Jan. 22, '64. 



Jan. 22, '64. 
June 13, '65. 
July 7, '65. 



Discharged Mar. 7, '62. 
Served as musician. 
In battery. 
Discharged Nov. 27, '62. 

Procured substitute. 



1st Lieut. ; killed near Petersburgh, 

July 30, '64. 
In battery. 

Drafted ; paid commutation. 
Died Mar. 31, 1S63. 
Battery. 



Discharged Feb. 28, '63. 

Mustered out May 13, '65. 
Discharged Jan. 23, '62. 



July 21, '63 
July 21, '63. 

Aug. 5, '63. 



May 13, '65. 
Aug. 5, '63. 
July 21, '63. 
Aug. 5, '63. 

Nov. 18, '64. 
June 22, '65. 



Jan. 28, 65. 



Served In Band. 

Died Nov. 27, '64. Served in Band. 

Trans, to Co. G., 4th Vt. Vol. Jan. 

20, '65. 
Trans, to Co. G., 5th Vt. January 

20, '65. 
Re-enlist, in Co. F. 9 Reg. must, in 

Jan. 6, 64 ; report, absent and 

s'k when must, out June 13, '63. 
Enlist, in Co. F. 9 Reg. Jan. 6. '64 ; 

made corp. June 29, '64 ; serg. 

March 17, '65 ; i serg. June 9, 

'65, trans, to Co. B. June 13, '65. 

Re-enlist. Jan. 3, '64 ; trans, to V. 

R. C, Apr. 26, '65 ; must, out 

July 20, '64. 
Trans, to V. R. C, Feb. 21, '65 ; 

must, out July 8, '65. 
Must, out June 22, '65. 

Elect, capt. ; must, out July 14, '64. 
Killed near Petersburgh, Va., July 
27, '64. 



Mustered out June 22, '65. 



Must, in corp ; disch'd Nov. i, '62. 
Disch'd for sickness ; re-enlisted. 



Must, in corp. pro. sergt. must, out 
June 29, '64. 



46 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 
Hiram Smith, Jr., 

Lewis Sterling, 
Lathan T. Seaver, 
Charles D. Slack. 
Chas. W. Stoddard, 
William D. Sanborn, 
Charles E. Smith, 
George D. Taft, 
Joseph B. Thompson, 
Ozias H. Thompson, 

Eldon A. Tilden, 

Oel M. Town, 
Ira H. Tompkins, 
John M. Thatcher, 
Jude Town, 
Samuel C. Vorse, 



Reg. Co. Mustered in. Discharged. 

II E Dec. II, '63. 

II E Dec. II, '63, Jan. 16, 65. 

C C Aug. 23, '64. Jan 21, '65. 

8 G Aug. 15, '64, 

3 Aug. 19, '64. 

15 D Oct. 22, '62. 



Aug. 5. '63 



3 K July 16, '61. 

9 I July 9, '62. June 13, '65. 

3 K July 16, '61. July 11, '65. 

2 D Sept. 20, '61. 

10 B Sept. I, '62. June 22, '65. 

11 E Dec. II, '65. 

13 I Oct. 10, '62. July 21, '63. 

C C Nov. 19, '61. 



Nelson W. Wheelock, 10 B Sept. i, '62. 



Preston B. Willey, 
Henrv Wires, 
Albert P. Wood, 
Warren F. Wood, 
Wm. W. Woodbury, 

Chas. H. Willey, 
Harvey Wille)', 
Chas. C. Varney, 
Geo. E. Varney, 
Stephen G. West, 
Horace Woodard, 
James Powers, 
Thomas Henthon, 
James Hooper, 
Chas. E. Woodward, 



2 D 
C F 

13 I 
II E 



June 20, '61. June 29, '64. 

Dec. 15, '63. Jan. 28, '65. 
Dec. II, '65. Jan. 29, '65. 



G Jan. 2, '64. 
G Aug. 15, '64. 
D Oct"4, 62. 



June 
July : 



13. '65- 
o. '63- 



8 G Feb. 20, '65. 

8 C Jan. 6, 65. 

9 H Jan. 5, '65. 
10 3 Feb. 7, 65. 



June 28, '65. 



Remarks. 
Lost an arm and leg ; disch'd Sept. 
14, '65. 



Died March 15, '65. 
Battery. Died Jan. 16, '65. 

Drafted ; paid commutation. 
Killed in action May 5, 64. 
Made corp. July 15, '64. 
1st Serg. re-enlist. Dec. i, '63 ; pro. 

2d and 1st Lieut. Aug. 4, '64. 
Pro. 2d Lieut. Nov. 20, '63 ; must. 

out Jan. 29, '64. 

Killed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, '64. 
Served as Captain. 
Drafted ; paid commutation. 
Re-enlisted Dec. 28, '63 ; Pro. Co. 

Q. M. Sergt. 
Died December 3, '63. 



Re-enlisted must, out Oct. 10, '62. 

Wounded ; trans, to Vet. Res. C. 

'65 ; must out Aug i, '65. 
Died Apr. i, '65. 

Served as Sergeant. 

Died May 17, '63. 
Drafted ; paid comt. 



Absent sick when reg. was mus- 
tered out. 



Ale.x. F. E. Ahlsstrom, U. S. Navy ; Lemuel Bean, George Dailey, Harry Johnson, John 
Peterson, Samuel Thurber, were hired of brokers, entered the navy, and no record of their ser- 
vice is attainable. Leonard Bancroft, Levi J. Bolster, Geo. I. Reynolds, drafted ; paid com- 
mutation. 

In addition to the names given above the following who served in the war were not reck- 
oned in the quota of the town: Leonard F. Aldrich, Quartermaster 13 Vt.; Orvis F. Jack- 
man, Co. A, 7 Ohio, lost his right arm at Chancellorsville, was discharged, and afterwards 
served in Quartermaster department under Gen. Pitkin. 

Buried in Barre Cemetery. — Stephen G. Albee, James T. Bacon, Albert Bates, Peter 
N. Bates, Dan. Barker, Rufus Carver, Henry L. Clark, Orrin B. Dickey, Orlan French, H. 
Warner French, Henry Gale, M. B. Lawrence, James J. Nolan, E. W. Nichols, William Olds, 
Rufus Streeter, Stephen G. West, Wm. Woodbury, George D. Taft, Wilber Tilden. 

Buried in Wilson Cemetery. — Horace Bigelow, Wesley Dodge, Zary Dodge, Heman 
Levy. 

Buried in Farwell Cemetery. — L. Richards, Newell Carlton, C. H. Howard, James 
L. Dow. 

William Howland enlisted for the town of East Montpelier into the 17th Reg., was killed in 
Battle of the Wilderness ; was a brother of Hezekiah D., who died in Salisbury Prison, and 
the son of Ezekial Howland of this place. Charles Carpenter enlisted ioT Montpelier, into 
Co. C. of the Cavalry. 



BARRE. 



47 



JUDGE CHAPIN KEITH AND FAMILY. 

BY S. WOOD. 

Judge Keith was a man noted for energy 
and perseverance, and whatever enterprise 
he undertook was generally a success. He 
came from his native town, Uxbridge, 
Mass., with his young family, the young- 
est being only three months old, Septem- 
ber, 1801, and settled in Barre. He was 
born May 17, 1771, and was married to 
Elisabeth Taft, June 24, 1790. She was 
born May 13, 1769. They had four chil- 
dren, all boys. 

Hon. Chapin Keith was Judge of the 
probate court for several years, and after- 
wards high sherift" for many more years. 
He also held many town offices, and was 
much interested in the Chelsea turnpike, 
on which his tavern was located. 

When he first arrived from Uxbridge 
with his young family, he was duly warn- 
ed out of town, lest he should become a 
charge on the good people of Barre. It 
was a custom of the time, if any came that 
it was doubtful about. But he never fail- 
ed to take care of himself and his. His 
wife was also truly a helpmeet, and did 
her full share in getting a living ; as land- 
lady she excelled. 

Judge Keith, although a good judge of 
property matters, and an active business 
man, could never speak in public except 
with great diffidence. While sheriff it be- 
came his duty to proclaim who was gov- 
ernor, and after the votes had been count- 
ed, he finished by saying, " God save the 
King,'''' when he meant to have said " the 
People." He used to relate that it cost 
him several gallons of wine to mend that 
mistake. He was very successful, as else- 
where said, in his tavern-keeping. 

HON. ROSWELL KEITH, 

oldest son of Judge Chapin, and the late 
Judge Keith of Montpelier, where he died 
Oct. 25, 1874; was born in Uxbridge, Ms., 
Nov. 28, 1790, and was at his death in 
his 84th year. [For a more full descrip- 
tion see History of Montpelier.] 

CALVIN JAY KEITH. 

FrojH T/iompsoti's History of Montpelier. 
A son of the Hon. Chapin Keith, late of 



Barre, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., Apr. 
9, 1800, and before he was a year old came 
with his father's family to Barre, Vermont. 
At the age of sixteen, having shown him- 
self a good and industrious scholar in the 
English branches taught in the common 
school of his home village, he commenced 
fitting for college at Randolph Academy, 
in the spring of 18 16. In 1818 he entered 
Un. College, at Schenectady, N. Y., andin 
1822, was graduated with a good reputation 
for scholarship and moral character. He 
then, for a year or two, taught in the State 
of Virginia as private tutor in the family 
of a wealthy planter ; when he returned 
to the North, and commenced the study 
of the law in the office of the Hon. Will- 
iam Upham in Montpelier. Having com- 
pleted the usual course of legal studies, he 
was admitted to the bar in 1826, and com- 
menced practice in this village, at first 
alone, and afterwards, for three or four 
years succeeding 1830, in company with 
Mr. Upham. In about 1837, a brother of 
C. W. Storrs of Montpelier died in St. 
Louis, Missouri, leaving considerable 
property, and Mr. Keith was employed by 
the relatives of the deceased to go to St. 
Louis and gather up and settle the estate. 
After executing this commission to the 
advantage of all concerned, he returned to 
Montpelier, not however to resume his 
profession, but to accept the office of 
Treasurer in the Vermont Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company, which was tendered 
him by the Directors. But after accepta- 
bly executing the duties of this office a 
year or two, he resigned the post to accept 
another commission to settle an estate of 
a deceased Vermonter in the South, one 
of the brothers Elkins, from Peacham, Vt., 
who had been in business as cotton brok- 
ers in the city of New Orleans. The es- 
tate was found to be large, and its affairs 
so complicated as. to require the labor and 
attention of years to bring to a close. For 
the next ten or twelve years, therefore, 
Mr. Keith took up his residence in New 
Orleans, and remained there through all 
but the hot and sickly months of the year, 
which he spent mostly in Montpelier, hav- 
ing generally brought with him, at each 



48 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



annual return, such sums of money as he 
had been able to collect out of the difter- 
ent investments of the estate, for division 
among the Elkins heirs. After pursuing 
this course some ten years, assiduously 
engaged in the difficult, and, in many re- 
spects, dangerous position, he succeeded 
in bringing the affairs of the estate mainly 
to a close, except in the case t)f the large 
quantity of Mexican scrip which was left 
on hand, and which was considered only 
of chance value. He agreed on a division 
of this uncertain property between the 
heirs and himself, the consideration of- 
fered to them being his promise to make 
no charge for any future services. In a 
year or two after this bargain the general 
government decided to redeem this Mex- 
ican scrip ; and Mr. Keith, being fortunate 
enough by means of arguments made po- 
tent by some of the existing cabinet, to 
get his claims rather promptly allowed, 
realized for his share of the venture the 
snug sum of $35,000, which, with his pre- 
vious accumulations, made him a man of 
fortune. 

The year 1852 was mostly occupied in 
making the tour of Europe, and, having 
returned to Montpelier the following year, 
he was seized with what was supposed to 
be a brain fever, which terminated fatally 
Sept. 23, 1853. He was in some respects 
rather a peculiar man — in nothing more 
so, perhaps, than in his likes and dislikes, 
and these again were generally as pecul- 
iarly manifested. The former might al- 
ways be known by his open commendation, 
and the latter by his entire silence when 
the names of the objects were respectively 
mentioned. This seemed to grow out of 
his constitutional sensitiveness, which was 
often affected by what would have affected 
few others, which he could not help, but 
which his natural conscientiousness en- 
abled him so to correct as never to make 
the matter worse by detraction. He was 
most constant and' faithful to those who 
had his esteem ; while to those who had 
not, he manifested only a negative con- 
duct. But with his few peculiarities, 
Mr. Keith had many virtues. He was, in 
all his deal, one of the most strictly honest 



men in the world. His views of life, so- 
ciety and its wants, were just and elevated, 
and he was patriotic and liberal in con- 
tributing to the advancement of all good 
public objects. His character, indeed, 
was well reflected by his singular will, to 
which we alluded in a description of our 
new cemetery. By this will he notices a 
whole score of such as have gained his es- 
teem, by bequests of valuable keepsakes or 
small sums of money, and then goes on to 
bequeath handsome sums for various pub- 
lic objects, among which was $1000 for a 
cemetery for Montpelier village, and $500 
for a library for its academy. .And thus 
he has identified his name with the public 
interests of the town where he longest re- 
sided, and should thus be remembered 
among its benefactors. 

Calvin Jay Keith was buried in the fam- 
ily lot of Judge Chapin Keith, in Barre, 
but a monument was set up at Montpelier 
by his administrator. 

Cheney Keith, the fourth son of Cha- 
pin Keith, was born Jan. 1798. He mar- 
ried Judith Wood, who is still living and 
active, July '8 1 , though but a few days of 80 
years old. Cheney was a well-to-do and 
industrious man, well educated, and also a 
leading and influential man in town bus- 
iness. He died Aug. 8, 1864, in his 67th 
year. 

Erasmus Keith, brother of Roswell, 
was born July 23, 1792; died Feb. 12, 
1813, being about 21 years of age. 

Leonard Keith, the third son of Judge 
Chapin, was born July 15, 1795. He be- 
came one of the leading men of the town. 
He married for his first wife Nancy Choate, 
by whom he had several children. She 
dying, he married for his second wife Su- 
san Cook, who is still living July '8 1 . Leon- 
ard Keith built the first starch factory 
in town, where many thousand bushels of 
potatoes were manufactvired into starch, 
yielding a large income to the manufac- 
terer, and a ready potato maiket to all the 
farmers around. He died Jan. 21, 1868, 
in his 64th year. 

JOSHUA TWING. 
From Obituary in Watchman 6^ Journal. 
Born in Wilbraham, Mass. ; for 40 years 



BARRE. 



49 



a citizen of Barre ; in mill-building long 
stood without a known rival. His ma- 
chine-shop and mill-wrighting establish- 
ment at Barre village had a reputation ex- 
tending far beyond the town and county 
even. It is the boast of scores of mechan- 
ics that they learned their trade of Joshua 
Twing. It was a custom with him to en- 
courage poor young men to learn a trade, 
and then, with a good character and dili- 
gent hand, work their way up to distinc- 
tion. He first learned his trade as an ap- 
prentice to a machinist, after which he 
was emphatically self-made ; and the mo- 
ment success began to crown his labors 
lor himself, he turned to his straitened 
parents and provided for them. In this 
respect his example was like that of Joseph 
to his father, Jacob ; and the same cup of 
kindness came back to cheer his declining 
years, from the hands of his children. 
Strictly honest in all his extensive dealings, 
and generous to a fault, the memory of 
him embalmed with the blessings of the 
poor, he still left an ample estate, the re- 
sult of a long life of industry and personal 
prudence. He died in Montpelier, at the 
residence of his son-in-law, H. S. Loomis, 
in his 82d year, and labored with his own 
hands up to the last week of his life. He 
was buried in Barre Cemetery, where a 
fine granite monument has been erected to 
his memory. 

SILAS KETCHUM. 

From the Eulogy delivered before the Ne"v 

Hampshire Antiquarian Society, 

Jidy 20, iSSo. 

BY L. W. COGSWELL, PKESIDENT. 

On the evening of the 19th of Nov. 1859, 
three young men met in a room over one 
of the stores in Hopkinton village, and 
formed themselves into an organization 
under the name of "The Philomathic 
Club." These young men were Silas 
Ketchum, Darwin C. Blanchard and Geo. 
E. Crowell. The number of this club was 
limited to seven. It was made a part of 
the compact "the Club should never cease 
except by unanimous consent, and so long 
as two of its members lived." The orig- 
inal design was social intercourse and lit- 
erary culture. 



A private collection of relics, minerals 
and natural curiosities, belonging to Mr. 
Ketchum, was in May, i860, placed in a 
room in Mr. CrowelPs house, fitted for the 
purpose, and dedicated by the Club Oct. 
13, following, in which room the Club 
met till Oct. 6, 1868. Jan. 10, '68, the 
first contribution was made to the old cab- 
inet. It was for a time located in Hen- 
niker ; May 8, '72, was removed to Con- 
toocook. From this beginning has come 
the immense number of articles now in 
the possession of this Society, numbering 
more than 35,000. 

Silas Ketchum was chosen Secretary of 
the Club, Aug. 20, 1867, which office he 
held until the adoption of the constitution 
of the New Hampshire Philomathic and 
Antiquarian Society, Nov, 19, 1873. 

Silas Ketchum, son of Silas and 
Cynthia (Doty) Ketchum, was born in 
Barre, Vt., Dec. 4, 1835, His grand- 
father was Roger West Ketchum, born in 
Athol, Mass., 1770; his grand-mother was 
Wealthy Newcomb, daughter of Bradford 
Newcomb, and grand-daughter of Silas 
Newcomb, whose mother was Jerusha 
Bradford, daughter of Thomas Bradford, 
and great-grand-daughter of Major Wm. 
Bradford, son of William Bradford, who 
came to Plymouth in the May Flower, and 
was Governor of the colony 36 years. Mr. 
Ketchum was also descended from Ed- 
ward Doty, one of the 41 men who in the 
cabin of the May Flower affixed their names 
to ^h^ first constitidioft of governnioit ever 
subscribed to by a whole people. 

He was a good boy, thoughtful beyond 
his years, but feeble in his childhood, un- 
able to ever complete a full term of school 
till after twelve ; fond of fishing in his 
youth, but as he grew old, turned his 
leisure moments to books. In 1854, his 
father removed from Barre, Vt., to Hop- 
kinton, N. H., and Silas learned and fol- 
lowed the trade of a shoemaker till 1855. 
But while steadily working at his trade, a 
more and more increasing desire for a 
knowledge that could take him upward out 
of his every-day duties pervaded him, and 
on his father's death, relying upon his own 
abilities, he resolved to obtain an educa- 



50 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tion. He attended Hopkinton Academy 
several terms, teaching after his second 
term in the Academy, in Nelson and in 
Amherst ; fitted for college ; did not enter 
on account of severe illness ; pursued his 
studies under private instructors, and 
drawn toward the ministry, entered Bangor 
Theo. Sem. in i860; Apr. 4, i860; mar- 
ried Georgia C, daughter of Elbridge 
Hardy, Esq., of Amherst, N. H., a lady 
of culture and devoted companion to him 
until his death. While at Bangor he sup- 
ported himself and wife by working at his 
trade ; pursued a full course of study, never 
missing but one lecture or recitation ; grad- 
uating in 1863. From Dec. ''63, he preach- 
ed to the Congregational church in Wards- 
boro, Vt., nearly 2 years ; moved to Brat- 
tleboro, to become associate editor with 
D. L. MilIiken,of " Tlie Vermont Record" 
and Vermont School Journal. Sept. 17, 
1867, ordained pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church at Bristol, N. H. ; resigned 
in 1855, on account of ill-health ; officiated 
in a small church in Maplewood, Mass., 
till Oct. 1876; occupied the pulpit of the 
Congregational church at Henniker sev- 
eral months, where he received a unani- 
mous and earnest call to become its pastor ; 
declined to accept one at Poquonock, Ct., 
July 16, 1877, which church he was pastor 
of at his death. 

During the whole time as student and 
preacher, he was a diligent collector of any 
and every thing of a rare and curious na- 
ture. He presented to the New Hamp- 
shire Historical Society 512 volumes; to 
the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society 
1200 volumes and 3000 pamphlets ; and to 
the American Congregational Association 
of Boston, 352 volumes. His private li- 
brary, at the time of his death, consisted 
of 2500 volumes, comprising many works 
of rare merit. Of all these societies he was 
a member, and also of several others : The 
New England Historic and Genealogical 
Society of Boston, the Historical Society 
of New York, the Prince Society of Boston, 
and the Society of Antiquity of Worcester, 
Mass., and others. He was Grand Chap- 
lain of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. 
Masons of New Hampshire from 187 1 to 



1875, and was many years an honorary 
member of the Orphans' Home A.ssociation. 
He was Corresponding Secretary of the 
New Hampshire Antiquarian Society from 
1873 to 1875; President in 1876, "t] , '78, 
and was for many years connected with 
the press as correspondent, essayist and 
reviewer, and had at one time a tempting 
offer to enter the employ of Harper Broth- 
ers, of New York, which he declined, pre- 
ferring to continue his work as a minister 
of the gospel. 

His first public address was delivered 
before the Lyceum at Warner, N. H., in 
the autumn of 1858 ; his subject was " Philip 
at Mount Hope." His published works 
are, A Farewell Discourse, Wardsboro, 
Vt., in 1865. History of the Philomathic 
Club, in 1875. Eulogy on Henry Wilson, 
at Maiden, Mass., in 1876. Diary of the 
Invasion of Canada by the American Army 
in 1775. Special Geography of New 
Hampshire in 1877. Paul on Mars Hill, 
in 1879. Historic Masonry. Original 
Sources of Historic Knowledge, in 1879. 
Address at the Annual Meeting of the New 
Hampshire Antiquarian Society, July 15, 
1879. At the time of his death, he had in 
course of preparation histories of the 
Ketchum and Doty families, and for some 
time had been at work upon an elaborate 
Dictionary of New Hampshire Biography, 
that he intended should be the crowning 
work of his life, and upon which he be- 
stowed most marvelous labor and. care. 
Over 1000 sketches were completed, and 
material for 1500 more was well in hand. 
Worn down with such incessant toil, and 
being desirous of once more reaching the 
town which had so long been his home, 
he left the scene of his labors, reached the 
home of an intimate friend at Dorchester 
Highlands, Mass., where he passed peace- 
fully away upon Saturday morning, April 
24, 1880. One of the most quiet, un- 
assuming, unselfish of beings, and one of 
the most industrious, rarest and best of 
men. In his youth, in his whole life, he 
was genial, gentlemanly ; had great vigor 
of mind, fertility of resource, and a most 
complete thoroughness of execution in all 
he did ; he excelled as a teacher, and as a 



BARRE. 



51 



preacher in the pulpit, meeting his congre- 
gation with something fresh and original. 
He was pleasing. His short, sharp, crisp 
sentences arrested his auditors ; they could 
but listen till the last word was spoken. 
Earnest in his utterances, dehberate in ar- 
gument, concise in his statements, with 
purity of diction and loftiness of thought, 
he commanded the interest of his congrega- 
tion, and where he preached for any length 
of time it was soon doubled and trebled. 
Of him as an antiquarian and historian, 
his collections in the rooms of this society, 
one of the very largest of its kind in this 
country, speaks better 'words of commend- 
ation for him than I can utter, and stands 
as a more enduring monument than words 
can erect in honor of him. 

Of his domestic relations suffice it to 
say, notwithstanding the immense amount 
of labor performed by him, his home, his 
family, was never forgotten, within that 
sacred, happy circle he was the central 
light. But he is gone from us, and is now 
transfigured and with the immortals. He 
was taken in the prime of life, with so 
much accomplished and so much left un- 
done. 

(From tlie resohitious passed at this meeting of 
the N. H Antiq. & Hist Society ) 

"We here formally declare, and cause to 
be recorded for posterity to learn, that 
to the Rev. Silas Ketchum's thought, per- 
sonal labors, generous munificence, and 
untiring zeal, this New Hampshire Anti- 
quarian Society is indebted more than to 
any others, not only for its existence, but 
for its present proportions and prosperity." 

" We recognize that New Hampshire as 
a state has lost one of her richest schol- 
ars, most logical thinkers, and most accu- 
rate historians, and society a most exem- 
plary Christian man, whose daily walk was 
an inspiration to holy living. " 

STAFFORD & HOLDEN MANUFACTURING CO. 

From a very interesting description in 
the Argus and Patriot, of Nov. 13, 1877, 
with present statement of the Company, 
June, 1881. 

" The foremost industry in Barre to-day 
( 1 877) is the manufacture of forks and ice 
tools. In 1861, two Brookfield men, Her- 
rick and Adams, established themselves at 
the mill-privilege in the upper part of Barre 



village ; run four fires and one trip-ham- 
mer, and turned out from 300 to 600 dozen 
per year of round-tined hay and manure- 
forks. Frank Safford and Loren D. Blanch- 
ard bought the business in 1864, and 
Blanchard sold out to Clark H olden. The 
first year's business of this new firm was 
1500 dozen forks. In '68 they added the 
manufacture of ice-plows and tools. From 
'68 to 'jy, sold some years 250 to 300 ice- 
plows with the ice-tools : Among other 
partners and stockholders to the present, 
have been Luke and Ira Trow, Hial O. 
Hatch (foreman,) L. T. Kinney ; in March 
'76, the reorganization as a stock com- 
pany ; Stafford and Holden half owners ; 
of the other half ten other citizens of 
Barre owners; loss of some $12,000 by 
Chicago fire ; totally destroyed by fire 
March, 'jj ; rebuilt same year ; foundation 
and flume split granite ; f5rge-room 40 by 
100 feet; 20 fires; 5 60-pound trip ham- 
mers and ice-tool machinery ; cost about 
$6,000. The company use cast-steel in all 
their manufactures, made especially for 
them. There are 6 polishing machines for 
forks, one for ferrule and one for wooden 
handles; amount of work about 15,000 
dozen per year of not less than 60 different 
patterns ; employ about 50 workmen. Ire- 
land and Scotland take most of the forks. 
They go to Germany and South America. 
Ice-tools to Germany and Japan." 

Statement of the Company, ]\xvi^, 1881 : 
" 17,000 dozen forks made in 1880; this 
year about the same ; about $3,000 worth 
of new machinery put in ; is now one of 
the most perfectly equipped shops in the 
country; directors : Josiah Wood, B. W. 
Braley, Dexter Trow, E. B. Wood, Hor- 
ace Fifield ; Clark Holden, superintendent 
and treasurer ; Nat. Whittier, assistant. 

LIST OF PREACHERS 

, OF THE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF UARRE. 

1796, Nicholas Snethen ; 1797, Ralph 
Williston ; 1798 and '99, Joseph Crawford; 
1799, Elijah Chichester; 1800, Timothy 
Dewey ; 1801 , Truman Bishop and Thomas 
Branch ; 1802, Solomon Langdon and Paul 
Dustin ; 1803, Samuel Draper and Oliver 
Beale; 1804, Oliver Beale ; 1805, Elijah 
Hedding and Daniel Young; 1806, Philip 
Munger and Jonathan Cheney ; 1807, Sam- 
uel Thompson and Eleazer Wells ; 180S, 
Solomon Sias ; 1809, Warren Banister and 
George Gary; 1810, Eleazer Wells and 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Squire Streeter; 1811, Nathaniel W. 
Stearns and John Jewett; 1812, Ebenezer 
F. Newell and Joseph Dennett; 1813, 
David Kilburn ; 1814, David Kilburn and 
Jason Walker; 181 5, Joel Steele; 1816, 
Joel Steele and Thomas C. Pierce ; 1817 
and '18, Leonard Frost; 1819, Thomas C. 
Pierce; 1820, Squire B. Haskell and E. 
Dunham ; 1821, John F. Adams and Abra- 
ham Holway ; 1822, John F. Adams^ D. 
Leslie and Z. Adams ; 1823, Samuel Norris 
and Hascall Wheelock; 1824, D. Kilburn, 
H. Wheelock and A. H. Houghton; 1825, 
J. Lord, D. Leslie and Elihu Scott; 1826, 

A. D. Merrill and J. Templeton ; 1827, J. 

B. White, E. Jordan and R. L. Harvey ; 
1828, Amasa Buck and D. Stickney ; 1829, 
J. Templeton and J. Nayson ; 1830, J. A. 
Scarritt and R. H. Deraing; 1831, N. W. 
Scott and R. H. Deming; 1832, N. W. 
Scott and George F. Crosby; 1833, S. H. 
Cutler and J. Nayson ; 1834, N. Howe and 
Otis F. Curtis; 1835, Geo. Putnam and I. 
Wooster; 1836, Elihu Scott and D. Wil- 
cox; 1837, E. J. Scott and Moses Lewis; 
1838, N. W. Aspinwall; 1839, N. Culver; 
1840 and '41, J. Currier; 1842 and '43, J. 
L. Slauson; 1844 and '45, A. Webster; 
1846, J. W. Perkins: 1847 and '48, B. Bed- 
ford ; 1849 and '50, C. Fales ; 185 1 and '52, 
J. S. Dow; 1853, E. Copeland; 1854, E. 
Robinson; 1855, E. Copeland; 1S56 and 
'57, Isaac McAnn ; 1858, A. T. Bullard ; 
1859 and '60, J. L.Roberts; 1861 and '62, 
David Packer ; 1863 and '64, H. K. Cobb ; 
1865, J. W. Bemis; 1866 and '67, Lewis 
Hill; 1868, Joshua Gill; 1869, Joseph A. 
Sherburn ; 1870, '71 and '72, Peter Mer- 
rill; 1873, J. M. PulTer, (deceased while 
pastor) ; 1874, Walter Underwood; 1875, 
■76 and ""JT, W. H. Wight; 1878, '79 and 
'80, Harvey Webster ; 1881, J. R. Bartlett. 

The above list of preachers received 
since in press from Rev. Mr. Bartlett now 
at Barre, Editor of the Christian Messen- 
gcr, author of the interesting pamphlet 
" Methodism in Williamstown." Rev. 
Mr. Bartlett has taken in hand a complete 
history of the Methodists in Barre which 
will be in pamphlet, and is promised to the 
supplement volume of this work. Ed. 



TELEGRAPH OFFICE. 

The completion of the railroad to Barre 
being accomplished and thoroughly cele- 
brated, the ne.xt thing in connection with 
the railroad looked for, was the telegraph 
at the village depot, which was duly opened, 
sending its first telegram, Oct. i, 1875. 

The Barre Fire Company, page 36, took 
the second prize, $200 at the trial in Bur- 
lington. 

Samuel Goodell, who resides at Mas- 
sena, N. Y., and who frequently writes for 
the newspapers — we have seen his verses 
in iht Ba?'re Ejiierprise of late — was "a 
Barre boy," and there are others natives 
of the town, both among the living and 
the dead, who should be all counted back 
to Barre before the record is finally closed 
for the first hundred years of her history. 

Addenda: Page 16. The number of 
soldiers credited to Barre in the county 
table is incorrect. See selectmen's report 
for 1865 ; page 42. 

Page 24, 2d col., not I. W. but I. N. 
Camp; page 25, 2d col., comma and not 
period after bank, and next after, small, not 
large a, one connected sentence. Barre 
Academy, same page, the name of Miss 
Emily Frett should have been added 
to the list of teachers, a neice of Mrs. 
Spaulding, who taught several years in this 
institution, now teacher in a normal school 
in Platteville, Wis. 

Goddard Seminary, page 26, the dates 
for, was taken from the record of 1880, 
since which. Dr. Braley has died — see no- 
tice page 25 ; and J. M. Haynes, Esq., of 
St. Albans, is present vice president. The 
name, also, of the second principal, page 
25, is Hawes and not Harris — F. M. 
Hawes. Page 48, for Susan Cook, read 
Mrs. Susan Town Cook. 

We must also ask leniency for a few 
typographical errors in the County chapter. 
The proof sent to the author at a distance 
returned too late for corrections in place ; 
we noted them for insertion here, and have 
made the mistake to lose the paper, and to 
send the proofs with them to another 
writer ; they may be added to the addenda 
at close of the County. 



BERLIN. 



53 



BERLIN. 



15Y SYLVANUS F. NYE. 



Berlin in Washington Co.. lat. 40° 
13/ long. 4° 25/ near the centre of the 
State, bounded N. by Middlesex, Mont- 
pelier and part of East Montpelier, E. by 
Barre and part of Williamstown, S. by 
Northfield and part of Williamstown, and 
W. by Moretown, was chartered June 8, 
1763, wherein it was declared "and is 
hereby incorporated into a township by 
the name of Berlin.''' — Book of Charters, 
page 473-474 : 70 equal shares. 

The first settlement was commenced in 
the summer of 1785, by Ebenezer San- 
born from Corinth, on what was afterwards 
known as the " Bradford farm," about half 
a mile from the mouth of Dog river, and 
Joseph Thurber from N. H., on a place 
near the mouth of the same river, since 
known as the " Shepard farm." Sanborn 
and Thurber removed the next year to the 
State of New York. In 17S6, Moses 
Smith moved into the S. E. corner of the 
town, and in 1787, Daniel Morse from the 
town of Washington, with his family on 
to the place left by Thurber, and Jacob 
Fowler from Corinth, to that of Sanborn, 
and John Lathrop from Bethel, into the 
S. E. part of the town. In 1788, Daniel 
Morse left, and his place was occupied by 
Hezekiah Silloway from Corinth. In 
1789, eight families were added, making 
in all thirteen, and in 1790, eight more. 
The first town meeting was warned by 
John Taplin, a Justice of the Peace, and 
held March 31, 1 791, at the dwelling-house 
of Aaron Strong ; James Sawyer, modera- 
tor, David Nye, clerk, Zacharilh Perrin, 
Eleazer Hubbard and James Sawyer, se- 
lectmen ; Micajah Ingham, constable. 
The first roads through the town were 
" the old Brookfield road," entering the 
town from the south and passing west of 
the Pond to Montpelier and the " Coos 
road " from Connecticut river to Burling- 
ton, which passed through the town from 
Barre village to the first named road at 
the " Bugbee place." The first school in 
town was kept in a log school-house, 
standing on east street near the brick 



house built by the late Dea. David Nye, 
by Mrs. Titcomb in the summer of 1794, 
and by the wife of Dr. Collins in 1795. 

The first school on Dog river was kept 
by Dr. Gershom Heaton in the winter of 
1794-5, in a log-house near the residence 
of the late Justus Brown. 

The first saw-mill was built by Eleazer 
Hubbard in 1 791, on the upper falls of 
Pond brook, now known as " Benjamin's 
Falls," and a grist-mill a little below the 
saw-mill one year later. The nearest mill 
for some time after the first settlement was 
at Corinth, more than 28 miles distant, and 
not patronized by our settlers to a great 
extent, who preferred to live on pound 
cake ; the recipe for making : a hole burned 
in the top of a large stump ; the grain 
put in, pounded to such fineness as the 
pounder could afford, and then made into 
bread. 

The first store and tavern was kept by 
Jonas Parker in the house afterwards the 
residence of " Israel Dewey, about 1800." 
The next was opened in the building for- 
merly standing south of the above, by 
Charles Huntoon, about 1806. A year or 
two after, he built at the corner opposite 
the large square house used for many years 
as a tavern. His successors in the mer- 
cantile business were Bemsley Huntoon, 
Orrin Carpenter (in 18 16), Bigelow & 
Wheatley, Andrew Wheatley, Farmer's 
and Mechanics' Interest Co., Heaton and 
Denney who. closed out the business soon 
after 1850, since which time there has been 
no store kept in the town. The town is 
diversified by hills and valleys. Stevens' 
branch crosses the N. E. corner. A little 
east of the centre lies the valley of the 
Pond and Pond brook, and in the western 
part the valley of Dog river. The eastern 
part of the town was originally covered 
with a dense growth of hard wood, maple, 
beach, birch, elm, etc., with a mixture of 
spruce, hemlock and basswood, and in the 
swamps cedar and ash. On the mountain 
in the centre upon the south side of the 
town there is a quantity of butternut, while 
west of Dog river there is a larger propor- 
tion of spruce and hemlock. The soil is 



54 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



well adapted to the growth of English 
grains and grasses, and in favorable loca- 
tions Indian corn is cultivated in per- 
fection. 

The first marriage of parties living in 
town was Joshua Swan to Miss Collins, in 

. Tradition says, there being snow 

on the ground, the bride-elect took her 
seat on a hand-sled, and the gallant bride- 
groom, with one or two to assist, drew her 
to Middlesex, where lived the nearest jus- 
tice of the peace (probably Esq. Putnam) 
where the twain were duly made one flesh, 
when the bride resumed her seat upon the 
sled, and returned home b) the way she 
came, on the same day, having made a 
bridal tour of about 15 miles. 

The first births in town were Abigail K., 
daughter of Jacob and Abigail Black, in 

1789, who became the wife of Ira Andrews, 
and died in 1864, and Porter Perrin, Feb. 

1790, who died May 17, 1871. 

The first deaths were in 1789, an infant 
child of John Lathrop, and a little later, 
the Widow Collins, aged 88 years. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Ebenezer Collins, who remained 
in town but a short time. 

Dr. Gershom Heatox, born in Swan- 
zey, N. H., 1773 ; removedatan early age 
to Hanover, N. H. ; graduated at the med- 
ical department in Dartmouth College 
about 1795, and came about the same time 
to Berlin ; but after a short practice, quit 
his profession, went to farming, and event- 
ually accumulated a handsome property : 
died Jan. 1850, aged "]"] years. 

Dr. Jacob Miller, a native of Middle- 
boro, Mass. ; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1804; pursued his medical 
studies with Nathan Smith, M. D., and 
attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical 
College. His name is not found, how- 
ever, in the list of graduates. He married 
Parthenia Dewey, of Hanover, N. H., Mar. 
10, 1808, (born in Hanover, N. H., Feb, 
13, 1781, M. 2d, Thomas Beach, of Strat- 
ford, N. H., where she died 21, Feb. 1846), 
and probably settled in Berlin about this 
time. He was regarded as a physician of 
uncommon promise, but fell a victim to 



the spotted fever then prevailing as an 
epidemic through the State, and died Jan. 
19, 18 13. He left one son, Jedediah, born 
in Berlin, Sept. 15, 1811 ; graduated M. D. 
at Dartmouth College in 1839, '^^'^^ <^'it;d in 
New York city a few years since. 

DR. JOHN WINSLOW 

was born in Pomfret, Vt., Mar. 10, 1788; 
read with his uncle. Dr. Joseph Winslow, 
of Windsor, attending lectures at Dart- 
mouth Medical College, and practicing 
with his uncle in Windsor 2 years. He 
settled in Berlin after the death of Dr. 
Miller in 1813. Dr. W. held a good rank 
with the practitioners of his time, being 
frequently called as counsel, and having 
an extensive practice in Berlin and other 
towns adjoining, until he relinquished prac- 
tice, soon after the death of his first wife. 
He was respected as a citizen for his lib- 
erality in whatever contributed to the pub- 
lic weal, and as a Christian for his con- 
sistent lite and support to the church and 
its institutions. He died July i, 1871, 
aged 83 years. 

Dr. Winslow was married ist to Sarah 
Bishop, (born in Windsor, Dec. 17, 1791 ; 
died Apr. 7, 1835) ; 2d, toKeziahHeaton, 
(born in Hanover, N. H., 1800) : children, 
a daughter, who died before the death of 
his first wife, and a son, JohnF. Winslow, 
who now resides in Berlin. ' 

" DR. ORIX SMITH, 

son of Christopher Smith, born in Marlow, 
N. H., July 27, 1807, at an early age re- 
moved with his parents to Williamstown, 
Vt. ; when nineteen, studied medicine with 
Dr. Z. O. Burnham, of Williamstown, and 
in 1830, received the degree of M. D. in 
the University of Vermont. He com- 
menced practice in Berlin, and heartily de- 
voted himself to his profession. Nov. 1830, 
he was married to Julia, daughter of Abel 
Knapp, Esq. Of 7 children by this mar- 
riage, one son and daughter only are now, 
(1873), living, in Illinois. 

Dr. Smith repeatedly held town offices ; 
in 1834, '35, ''2,'] , '49 was town represent- 
ative, and after a successful practice of 
nearly 20 years in Berlin, removed to 
Montpelier, and in 1853, became profes.sor 



BERLIN. 



55 



of obstetrics, etc., in the University of 
Vermont, but removed to Chicago finally, 
where he held a high position as a phy- 
sician. He died in Chicago, Aug. 1867, 
aged 60 years. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

Jacob Fowler was the first settler who 
resided here permanently, or left descend- 
ants in town. He was a hunter, and had 
often been through the town on Winooski 
river and its branches during, and perhaps 
previous to, the Revolutionary War. At 
tlie time of the burning of Royalton in 
1780, when the Indians went down the 
Winooski, he was up Waterbury river. 
On returning to the mouth of the river, he 
came on the trail, and followed it back to 
Berlin Pond. Finding indications of en- 
campments at the mouth of Dog river, and 
on the west side of Berlin Pond, near the 
neck, he supposed they had been to New- 
bury or Corinth until he arrived at this 
place, when the trail bearing to the south, 
he concluded they had come from another 
direction. He has sometimes been ac- 
cused, but probably unjustly, of having 
been a Tory. It is said that he was en- 
listed in the garrison stationed at Corinth 
during the latter part of the Revolutionary 
War, and was employed by Gen. Wait, 
the commander, as an Indian scout. It is 
related of him, by the late Hon. D. P. 
Thompson : 

" I used to think," said the hunter, "I 
had as much wit as any wild varmint that 
was ever scared up in our woods. But a 
sly old moose once completely baifled me 
in trying to get a shot at him. This an- 
imal's usual range was on Irish hill, in the 
vicinity of Berlin Pond. This I discovered 
by finding one day, as I was coming along 
the margin of the pond, a path leading 
down to the water, which I knew, by the 
tracks of great size, and of different de- 
grees of freshness, was made by a large 
moose that must have come down daily to 
drink. On making this discovery I re- 
solved to have him. But after trying on 
three different days to get a shot at him, I 
utterly failed ; for either by the keenness 
of his sight, or smell, or hearing, he al- 
ways took the alarm, and made off without 
allowing me more than a mere glimpse of 
him. As I was turning away from the 
last attempt, it occurred to me there might 



be other ways to choke a dog than by giv- 
ing him bread and butter, so I laid a plan 
my moose would not be looking for. The 
next day I shouldered a bear trap I pos- 
sessed, weighing nearly forty pounds, with 
the iron teeth more than an inch long, 
went up to the pond, and set it at the 
water's edge in the path where he came 
down to drink, chained it securely to a 
sapling, and went home. The next day I 
went there again, and as I drew near my 
trap, I saw a monstrous moose stand over 
the spot where I had set it. He had got one 
fore-foot into it, and those murderous in- 
terlocking teeth had clenched his fetlock 
and held him like a vice. The next mo- 
ment I put a bullet through his heart, and 
brought him to the ground, when cutting 
out his tongue, lips, and the best part of a 
round, I went home not a little proud of 
the exploit of outwitting him at last. 

It is said that Fowler spent the last years 
of his life in Canada, and died there at an 
advanced age. 

HEZEKIAH SILLOWAY 

came to Berlin from Corinth in 1788, and 
settled on the " Shepard farm" at the 
mouth of Dog river, where he resided 
about twenty years, when he sold the farm 
to Mr. Shepard, and removed to Mont- 
pelier, where he lived till his death, at the 
age of 90 years. He had been a Revolu- 
tionary soldier. 

HON. SALVIN COLLINS, 

-, Mar. 6, 1768, 



born in Southboro, — 
when about twenty-three, came to Berlin, 
and purchased a farm adjoining Zachariah 
Perrin and Jabez Ellis, to this day known 
as the old Collins farm. He married Re- 
becca Wilder, of Lancaster, Mass., and 
had 5 children. His eldest daughter mar- 
ried Hon. John Spaulding, of Montpelier. 
After 14 or 15 years, Mr. Collins sold his 
farm to Zachariah Perrin, and moved to 
the "Corners," then containing a store, 
tavern and several mechanics shops. In 
1805 and '6 he was representative of the 
town; in 18 11, assistant Judge of the new 
Co. of Jefferson, and took up his residence 
at Montpelier village. In 18 12 he re- 
ceived a second election as County Judge, 
and in 181 5, was elected Judge of Probate 
of Washington Co., to which office he re- 
ceived five successive elections, a greater 
number then ever was received in this dis- 
trict by any man except Judge Loomis. 
For the last twenty years of his life, at 
least, he was constantly in the commission 
of the office of justice of the peace, and for 



56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a greater portion of the time did a large 
share of the justice business of the village. 
He was one of the earliest and most ex- 
emplary members of the Congregational 
church' of Berlin, and on removing to 
Montpelier, united himself with the Con- 
gregational church of this place, of which 
in a few years he was chosen a deacon, and 
as such officiated for the remainder of his 
life. His tii;st wife dying in 1816, he mar- 
ried Mrs. Lucy Clark, who survived him 
about 8 years. Unobtrusive, unassuming, 
quiet, social and intelligent, few men were 
better calculated to make friends than 
Judge Collins, and few men ever had more 
of them. His abiding integrity was never 
doubted ; while the offices to which he was 
time and again elected show in what esti- 
mation his intellectual powers, though un- 
aided by any but the commonest of educa- 
tion, were held by the public. He died 
Nov. 9, 1831, age 63; an extensive circle 
of relatives and the public as mourners.- — 
[From D. P. Thompson. 

JOHN TAPLIN, ESQ. 

John Taplin, who though by common 
usage entitled to the military appellation 
of Major and the civil one of Honorable, 
was yet generally known by the unpretend- 
ing designation of Esquire Taplin, was 
born in Marlboro, Mass., 1748. In about 
1764, he removed with his father, Colonel 
John Taplin, to Newbury, Vt., and soon 
after to Corinth, of which town his father 
was one of the original proprietors. 

His father, one of the most noted men 
or his times, had been a colonel in the 
British army under (ien. Amherst, and 
actively engaged with Rogers, Putnam, 
Stark and other distinguished American 
officers in reducing the fortresses on Lake 
Champlain and fighting their red allies, 
then prowling through the entire wilder- 
ness territory of Vermont. And young 
Taplin, after receiving a fair common- 
school education for his years, was, from 
the age of 12 to 15 out with his father, in 
this French and Indian war, being gener- 
ally stationed at Crown Point and Ticon- 
deroga. Soon after his removal to Ver- 
mont, Colonel Taplin was appointed under 
the jurisdiction of New York, chief judge 
of the court of what was then called Glou- 
cester County, but afterwards Orange 
County : And young Taplin then desig- 
nated as John Taplin, Junior, was, though 
then but barely 21, appointed high sheriff 
of the same court and county. Kings- 
land, now Washington, was at first fixed 
upon as the shire town of this new county, 
and the new court was once actually 
opened there, though the town was then 
wholly an unbroken wilderness. We have 



already, while treating of the New York 
grants in this section, alluded to the sin- 
gular opening of a court in the woods in 
this place ; but as the record of this curi- 
ous transaction, which has but recently 
come to light, cannot fail to be regarded 
as an interesting antiquarian document, 
we will copy it entire. 

" KiXGSLAND, Gloucester County, ? 

Province of New York, May 29, 1770. ^ 
"Court met for the first time, and the 
ordinance and comitions Being Read. 

John Taplin, '^ Judges being appointed 

Samuel Sleeper, > by the Government of 

Thomas Sumner, j New York, 

were present, and the Courts opened as is 
usual in other Courts — Also present 

James Pennock, ^ 

Abner Fowler, > Justices of the Quorum. 

John Peters, j 

John Taplin, Jr., Sheriff. 

"N. B. these Courts were the Courts of 
Quarterly sessions and the Court of com- 
mon Plea for Said County. 

" Court adjourned to the last Tuesday in 
August next to be held in said Kingsland. 
"Opened accordingly, and appointed 
four Constables, Simeon Stevens for New- 
bury, Jesse McFarland for Moretown, 
Abner Howard for Thetford, and Samuel 
Pennock for Strafford, and adjourned to 
the last Tuesday of Nov. "Nov. 27, 
Court opened at Kingsland. Called over 
the docket of 8 cases only, put over and 
dismissed them, and appointed Ebenezer 
Green constable for Thetford, and Samuel 
Pennock, Ebenezer Martin and Ebenezer 
Green and Samuel Allen Surveyors for the 
County, and adjourned to February next 
last Tuesday. 

Feb. 25, } Sett out from Moretown for 
1 77 1. ^ Kings Land, travelled untill 
Knight there Being no Road, and the 
Snow very depe, we travelled on Snow 
Shoes or Racats, on the 26th we travelled 
Some ways, and Held a Council when 
it was concluded it was Best to open 
the Court as we Saw No Line it was not 
whether in Kingsland or not. But we 
concluded we were farr in the woods we 
did not expect to See any House unless 
we marched three miles within Kingsland 
and no one lived there when the Court was 
ordered to be opened on the spot, present 
John Taplin, Judge 
Jolin Peters of the Quorum 
John Taplin Jr., Sheriff, 
all Causes Continued or adjourned over 
to Next term the Court, if one, adjourned 
over until the last Tuesday in May Next 
at which time it was opened and after dis- 
posing of one case of bastardy, adjourned 
to August next. 

" John Peters Clerk." 



BERLIN. 



57 



Thus ends this curious specimen of ju- 
dicial records. It will be seen at the first 
court nothing is hinted about the court 
being held in the woods and snows. It 
was probably held at the nearest house in 
Corinth, and, by a judicial fiction, treated 
as a court at Kingsland. But it does 
not appear that the court was ever called 
at Kingsland after the so-called August 
Term, 1771, having the next term met 
at Newbury, where it continued to hold 
sessions till the breaking out of the Rev- 
olution. The court did not, however, 
give up the idea of making Kingsland the 
seat of justice, for they ordered their young 
Sheriff, John Taplin, Jr., to build a log 
jail there, which he promptly executed, 
and made return to the court accordingly, 
though it is believed that the jail, as such, 
was never occupied. This singularly orig- 
inated log-jail was situated a mile or two 
S. E. of the present village of Washington, 
near the sources of the brook which, run- 
ning northerly into Stevens' Branch, thence 
forward, took the name of Jail Branch. 
On the opening of the Revolution, Colonel 
Taplin declining to take sides against the 
King who had distinguished him, retired 
during the war into Canada, leaving our 
John TajDlin, Jr., on the paternal property 
in Corinth, where he resided until many 
years after Vermont had become a State, 
and was so much esteemed by his fellow- 
townsmen as to have received from them 
at least two elections as their represent- 
ative in the legislature. In the summer of 
1787 he removed to Berlin, having pur- 
chased that excellent farm on the lower 
part of Dog River, since known as the old 
John Hayden place, and became the first 
representative of Berlin, and for several 
years the first officiating justice of the 
peace in all this vicinity. 

At the age of twenty he married Miss 
Catharine Lovell, daughter of Colonel Ne- 
hemiah Lovell, of Newbury, who was 
grand-son of the celebrated hero of the 
Lovell Pond Indian battle. His first wife 
dying in 1794, he married the following 
year Miss Lydia Gove, of Portsmouth. 
By his first wife he had 12 children, by 
his last, 9 — twenty-one in all, and what 



is still more remarkable, they all except 
one, which was accidentally scalded, caus- 
ing death in infancy, lived to marry and 
settle down in life as the heads of families, 
furnishing an instance of family fruitful- 
ness and health that perhaps never had a 
parallel in the State. Mr. Taplin's prac- 
tical knowledge of men and the ordinary 
affairs of life was, from his varied opportu- 
nities for observation, quite extensive, and 
his natural intellectual capacities were at 
least of a highly respectable order. But 
probably what are called the sentiments or 
moral affections should be considered as 
constituting the predominant traits of his 
character. At all events, kindness to all, an 
active benevolence and charity to the poor 
and distressed, were very conspicuous el- 
ements of his nature, and his house and 
hands were ever alike open to relieve the 
wants of those who might solicit his hos- 
pitalities or more substantial assistance. 
As is too often the case, the sharp, selfish 
world failed not to take advantage. The 
free horse was at length almost ridden to 
death. At the age of fifty he found himself 
badly involved in pecuniary embarrass- 
ments, growing out of his general system of 
benevolence in a good degree, though main- 
ly out of his acts of accommodation in be- 
coming bondsman for others. These so 
sadly reduced his property as to compel 
him to part with his valuable old home- 
stead for one less costly, and which last he 
was also induced after a time, from grow- 
ing infirmities, to resign, and reside with 
one of his sons in the village. The last 
years of his life were thus clouded, but he 
was held in the estimation of all as one of 
the most amiable and best of men and 
Christians, and as one of the most useful 
citizens. He died in Montpelier, Nov. 
1835, aged 87, his memory being warmly 
cherished by all who remember his tall, 
comely person, the mild dignity of his de- 
portment, and never-varying amenity of 
manners toward all classes of people. 

CAPT. JAMES HOBART. 

James Hobart came to Berlin in 1787, 
from Newbury, Vt., settling at the mouth 
of Jones' Brook. He had formerly lived in 
Plymouth, N. H., where his son (Rev.) 



58 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



James was born, said to have been the 
first male child born in that town. Al- 
though religiously inclined, careful and 
particular as the head of a family, he never 
made a public profession of religion until 
at about the age of 91 years he joined the 
1st Cong, church of Berlin. About 100 
years before his birth one of his ancestors. 
Rev. Peter Hobart, a Congregational min- 
ister, came to this country from England, 
and was a minister in Hingham, Mass., a 
great many years. Capt. Hobart spent 
about ID years of the last of his life with 
his son Rev. J., working at the cooper's 
trade and cutting his own fire-wood. He 
died in 1834, aged 95 years. 

ZACHARIAH PERRIN 

came with his family from Hebron, Ct., in 
1789, and settled in the east part of the 
town, on the farm now occupied by his 
grand-son, J. Newton Perrin. In March, 
with two pairs of oxen and sled, bringing 
wife and two children and a stock of pro- 
visions, he came by the Connecticut and 
White rivers to Brookfield, which was then 
the end of the road. The remainder of 
the way was by marked trees, and snow 
3 to 4 feet deep. He took an active part 
in the organization and settlement of the 
town ; was a friend of education, and a 
consistent member of the Congregational 
church, for the support of which he gave 
liberally. He lived to raise up a large 
family, and accumulate a large property as 
a farmer, and died May, 1838, aged 88. 

ELEAZER HUBBARD, 

a native of Connecticut, age about sixty, 
came from Glastenbury, Ct., with an ox- 
team, bringing mill-stones and irons, and 
purchased the lot of land in which is Ben- 
jamin's Falls, on Pond brook, at the head 
of which in 1790 or '91 he erected the first 
saw and grist-mills in town. The mills 
were occupied a number of years after his 
death in 18 19, at the age of 89 years, but 
nothing now remains of them but the 
foundation walls and one granite mill- 
stone. 

DAVID NYE, 

son of Melatiah Nye, and "grand-father of 
the writer of this article, came to Berlin 



from Glastenbury, Conn., with his wife, 
(Honor Tryon), and two children, a son 
and a daughter, in 1790, having served his 
country several years in the Continental 
arniy as a musician ; was in the battle on 
Long Island in 1776. When the town 
was organized in 1791, he was elected the 
first town clerk, and in several succeeding 
years was re-elected to the same office, as 
well as other important offices. A few 
years after he came to town, Mr. Nye 
united with the Congregational church, of 
which while he lived he was an active and 
consistent member, and for a number of 
years and until his death, he was an acting 
deacon. For several years he divided his 
time between cultivating his farm, and 
buying and driving beef cattle to the Boston 
market. When the temperance leforma- 
tion spread over the land previous to 1830, 
he was one of the first in this town to 
adopt and stand upon the platform of total 
abstinence. He died in Sept. 1832, at 72 
years of age. 

ELIJAH NYE, 

brother of David Nye, removed to Berlin 
at the same time, and settled in the south- 
east part of the town. He removed to 
Montpelier.in 1825, where he died in 1852, 
at the age of 84 years. 

SOLOMON NYE, 

a native of Glastenbury, Ct., brother of 
David and Elijah, at the age of 18 enlisted 
in the Continental army, and served as a 
teamster. He came to Berlin about 1808 ; 
was a farmer ; died in 1857, aged 93 years. 

JOSHUA BAILEY, 

a native of Newbury, Mass., came from 
Newbury, Vt., in 1790, and settled on the 
farm afterwards the home of his son. Cyrus 
Bailey. He died in 1804, aged 53. 

CAPT. JAMES SAWYER, 

born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1738, was 
Captain of a company of minute men, 
1776. At the breaking out of the Revolu- 
tion he owned a good farm, which he sold, 
was paid in continental currency, and 
was consequently left almost penniless. 
After living in various places, he came to 



BERLIN. 



59 



Berlin with his son in 1790, and died in 
1 80 1, aged 63 years. 

James, son of Captain James, came to 
Berlin with his father in 1790, and settled 
on Dog River, where he was successful as 
a farmer and lived until his death, in 1859, 
at the age of 93 . 

JABEZ ELLIS 

came from Gilead, Ct., in the spring of 
1789, and located in the east part of the 
town. He returned for a wife the Decem- 
ber following ; married Hannah Mack, of 
Hebron, Ct., whom he brought on with a 
stock of provisions upon an ox-sled, com- 
ing up the west side of the mountains to 
Essex, and up the Winooski to Montpel- 
ier. He also brought on some tea for sale 
to the settlers. By industry and perse- 
verance he accumulated a handsome prop- 
erty, and gave liberally for the support of 
the institutions of religion. He represented 
the town in the Legislature of Vermont in 
1815 and '17, and died in 1852, aged 88. 

WILLIAM FLAGG 

came from Holden, Mass., in 1789, and 
settled on a farm on the west side of the 
pond. He died in 1838, at 84 years of 
age. Mr. Flagg enlisted as a soldier at 
the breaking out of the war of the Revolu- 
tion, was in the Battle of Bunker Hill 
and of Monmouth. 

JACOB BLACK, 

a native of Holden, Mass., came about the 
same time as Flagg, and settled on a lot 
adjoining him. Mr. Black and Mr. Flagg 
appear to have been born the same year 
and lived to about the same age. Th^y 
probably enlisted at about the .same time 
in the service of the country, and were in 
nearly the s^me battles, beginning with 
that of Bunker Hill. They were both in 
the battle at Monmouth Court House under 
Washington, 3 years later. Mr. Black, 
in addition to clearing and cultivating his 
farm, worked for his neighbors as occasion 
required as a carpenter and joiner. About 
1 8 18, Mr. Black removed to Marshfield, 
where he died in 1838, age 84. 

Silas Black, son of Jacob, born in 
Holden, was 12 years old when his father 



came to Berlin. When of age he settled 
on a farm adjoining his father. Tending 
saw-mill when a young man, seated on a 
log to keep it in place, while the saw was 
cutting through it, the wind blowing his 
frock before the saw, the saw descending 
took in both frock and leg, inflicting a deep 
gash below the knee, and a second stroke 
above the ankle-joint, jerked out nearly all 
the sinews in this part of the leg, severed 
by the first cut of the saw. Again Mr. 
Black was assisting in taking down a barn- 
frame, a heavy timber fell upon one of his 
legs near his body, crushing it to a mass 
of jelly, and breaking the bone badly, 
after which he always limped in his walk. 
He died in 1867, aged 90. 

CAPT. DANIEL TAYLOR 

came to Berlin in March, 1793; married 
Miss Ruhamah Ellis, sister of Jabez Ellis. 
He was a soldier of the Revolution, and 
for a time a prisoner in the hands of the 
British. For some time after he com- 
menced on his farm, at the center of the 
town, he kept a tavern, and small stock of 
goods and groceries for sale. He was a 
man of energy and decision. When the 
call came for men to go to Plattsburg to 
beat back the British army, then advanc- 
ing up the Lake, Mr. Taylor mounted his 
horse at dusk, and taking his trusty fire- 
lock in his hand, rode to Burlington dur- 
ing the night, and in the morning crossed 
over the Lake to Plattsburg, and was with 
the detachment sent up the river to pre- 
vent the enemy from crossing. He died in 
1 83 1, aged 74. 

CAPT. JAMES PERLEY, 

born in Methuen, Mass., in 1760, at the 
age of 16 years enlisted as a soldier in the 
war of the Revolution under Gen. Knox, 
and served 3 years. The next 8 years of 
his life he spent upon the ocean as cap- 
tain's mate, visiting different places in both 
hemispheres. He came here in 1791, and 
settled on a farm near the center of the 
town, which he occupied the remainder of 
his life. Capt. Perley and his son, Sam- 
uel Perley, were both at the Battle of 
Plattsburg, N. Y., Sept. 11, 18 14. He 
died in Berlin, in 1850, aged 90 years. 



6o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



STEPHEN PEARSON, 

born in Rowley, Mass., in 1756, when sev- 
enteen, enlisted for the war. At the Battle 
of Bunker Hill, the inspecting officer or- 
dered him to give up his gun to a larger 
man, he being of smaller stature, but Pear- 
son, stepping back, presented the muzzle, 
saying, " You must take it this way if at 
all, I am going into the fight."" He did go, 
and came out without a scratch. He came 
to Berlin in 1793 ; was a respectable farmer ; 
died in 1842, aged 82. 

JOEL WARREN, 

born in Northboro, Mass., Nov. 1772, 
came in 1796, and purchased a lot of land 
a little west of the center of the town ; 
worked one year, and put up a log-house, 
into which he moved the next year with 
his wife ; was a prosperous farmer, raised 
a moderately large family of children, and 
accumulated a handsome fortune ; repre- 
sented the town in the Legislature in 18 19 ; 
died in April, 1849, aged •]•] years. 

ABEL KNAPP, ESQ., 

and wife were among the early settlers ; 
resided nearly two generations upon the 
farm at the cross-roads at the centre. He 
was town clerk except one year of Dr. 
Gershom Heaton's service, from 1795 to 
1845 — 49 years, and was justice of the 
peace 50 years ; judge of probate of his 
county 1813, '14 ; member of the constitu- 
tional convention of 1836; town treasurer 
several years ; town representative 14 
years, 1809 — 1823. He was also a sur- 
veyor ; kept his survey notes, and helped 
settle many a dispute about surveys. He 
was a native of Rehoboth, Mass. ; mar- 
ried Miriam Hawks of Charlemont, Mass. ; 
children 5 sons, 4 daughters. His monu- 
ment bears this memorial of a good man : 
" His record is on high." — From C. L. 
Knapp, Lowell, Mass. 

MAJOR SAMUEL JONES 

settled at the mouth ot Jones brook, which 
took his name, upon a farm James Hobart 
had lived on 10 years. He was an ener- 
getic man, accumulated a good property 
and raised a large family. He died in 
1859, age 86. 



MAJOR JOSIAH BENJAMIN, 

son of William Benjamin, was born in 
Ashburnham, Mass., June, 1769; married 
Lucy Banning of Conn., Oct. 10, 1791 ; 
came to Berlin in 1793. After occupying 
and clearing up several farms in 1800, he 
finally settled on the farm on Stevens 
Branch, now occupied by his son Josiah 
Benjamin, where he died June, 1836, aged 
67. His title was earned in the State 
militia at a time when it meant something. 

ELISHA ANDREWS, 

Second son of Elisha, Jr., of Eastbury, 
Conn., moved to Sandgate, Vt., about 
1783, or '85. He built a hut of poles with 
but a hand-sled to get the materials togeth- 
er with ; roofed his little residence with 
boughs ; when it rained he and his wife 
covered the children with blankets ; but 
after a short time he removed to Manches- 
ter into better quarters, and from there to 
Berlin, about 1796. He was among the 
first settlers here, and located in the woods 
near the west end of the pond. He put 
up a log-house into which he used to draw 
with a horse logs for the back-log of 
his fire, 8 feet in length. He cleared the 
land, cultivated the soil, reared a large 
family, and died June 19. 1826, aged 67. 

SAFFORD CUMMINGS 

came here when 7 years of age, from 
Ward, (now Auburn,) Mass. ; remained 
till he was 12; walked back to his native 
town ; stayed a number of years and re- 
turned to Berlin on foot. About this time, 
he married Mary Stickney. He died in 
1867, age 87 years. 

COL. JAMES JOHNSON, 

a native of Mass., came here in 1794, and 
settled on Dog river. He lived on his 
farm till his death ; accumulated a hand- 
some property and never had a lawsuit. 
He served one year as captain in the war 
of 1812; the time being mostly spent 
upon our northern frontier. The title of 
Colonel was honorably earned in the ser- 
vice of the State. Died in 1861, age, 88. 
Abraham Townsend, a native of VVest- 
boro, Mass. A soldier in the revolutionary 
army ; was in the battle of Bunker Hill ; 



BERLIN. 



6i 



came here about 1800, was a farmer; died 
in 1825, aged 84. 

Abel Sawyer came here from Hartland 
in 1788. Entered the service of his coun- 
try at the age of 16, as a blacksmith ; died 
in 1836, aged 76. 

THE DEWEYS. 

Simeon, William, Israel and Henry, 
brothers (all of them having the prefix of 
uncle, by the early settlers and their de- 
scendants generally, the two first however, 
being sometimes called Capt. Sim and 
Capt. Bill, and the third Leftenatit Dewey 
in consequence of honors in the Vermont 
militia) were among the early settlers. 
They were descendants from Thomas 
Dewey who was an early settler from Mas- 
sachusetts Colony and " came to Windsor, 
Ct., from Mass. in 1639 with Mr. Huit." 

Simeon Dewey was born in Colchester, 
Ct., Aug. 20, 1770, married Prudence 
Yemans, Feb. 27, 1794, (born in Tolland, 
Ct., Mar. 29, 1772, died in Berlin, Apr. i, 
1844,) and settled the same year on Dog 
river. He removed to Montpelier in 1825, 
where he was deputy jailer 8 years, return- 
ing to his farm in Berlin in 1833, where he 
remained until the death of his wife. He 
died in Montpelier, January 11, 1863, 
aged 92. 

William Dewey, born in Hanover, N. 
H., Jan. 26, 1772. He settled in Berlin 
in 179s, on the farm below his brother 
Simeon's ; married Abigail Flagg, 22 Apr. 

1804, (born July 19, 1783, died July 28, 
1826). He died Sept. 7, 1840; he was a 
successful farmer and useful citizen. 

Israel Dewey, born in Hanover, N. H., 
Jan. 26, 1777, settled in 1801, on the up- 
per farm on Dog river, and removed from 
thence to the east part of the town about 

1805, and from thence to Lunenburgh, Vt., 
in 1851, where he died July 21, 1862, aged 
85 years. He was a member of the Legis- 
lature of Vt. 1820, '21 and '26; postmas- 
ter in Berlin from 1825 to 1850, and em- 
ployed perhaps more than any other man, 
with one exception (Hon. Abel Knapp) in 
town offices, as a magistrate, and in the 
settlement of estates. He was always 
ready to give his time and pecuniary aid, 



beyond his real abilities, for the improve- 
ment of our common schools ; the welfare 
of the Congregational church with which 
he united in 18 19, and other measures for 
the good of the community. After his 
removal to the east part of the town, he 
kept a tavern several years, and from that 
business and the custom of the times, ac- 
quired the practice of the daily use of 
ardent spirits, which was growing to be 
an excessive one, when in 1830, he relin- 
quished it Entirely and was ever after a 
consistent and ardent supporter of the 
temperance reform. He was married first 
to Betsey Baldwin, Mar. 1801, born Dec. 
2, 1776, died Oct. 27, 1807 ; second to 
Nancy Hovey, i Mar. 1809; born in Han- 
over, N. H., Dec. 24, 1786 ; died in Lunen- 
burgh, Aug. 7, 1859. 

DEA. FENNO COMINGS, 

(son of Col. Benjamin and Mary Cooper 
Comings,) was born in Cornish, N. H., 
Mar. 21, 1787; married Rebecca Smart, 
Nov. 22, 1810, (daughter of Caleb and 
Catharine Black Smart ; born in Croydon, 
N. H., July 26, 1788). He settled here 
in 18 1 5, as a tanner and currier, which 
business he carried on until his death. He 
was a man doing what he found to do with 
his might ; a member and officer of the 
Congregational church — a lover of order 
and peace. He died, Jan. 24, 1830, his 
death leaving a void not often felt, and 
being regarded as an irreparable loss to the 
church and community. His widow mar- 
ried Rev. Jonathan Kinney, in Jan. 1833, 
who died, May 7, 1838. She died in Ber- 
lin, Oct. 10, 1865. 

RUSSELL STRONG, 

born in Bolton, Ct., Aug. 29, 1785 ; mar- 
ried Miss Susanna Webster, a native of 
the same place, (born Oct. 10, 1787, died 
Apr. 5, 1872, aged 85 years) ; came here 
Feb., 1814, and purchased 40 acres on the 
upper part of Dog river for $200 dollars, 
and a few years afterwards 20 acres more 
on which he resided until his death, 25, 
Feb. 1864, in his 79th year. 

NATHANIEL BOSWORTH, 

born in Rhode Island in 1753, when about 
21, enlisted and served in the Revolution- 



62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ary war 4 or 5 years. At one time he was 
a prisoner in the hands of the British, and 
confined in a prison ship on the Delaware 
river, and escaj^ed as follows : One night 
he contrived to get down into the water by 
the side of the ship unobserved, and at- 
taching one end of a string to his knap- 
sack, took the other in his mouth and swam 
off; the knapsack floating behind served to 
keep back the waves which would other- 
wise have broken over his head, and as he 
became exhausted might ha\^ overcome 
him. By swimming, near as he could 
judge, about 3 miles, he landed and es- 
caped. In 1780, when Royalton was 
burned, Mr. Bosworth was stationed at 
Corinth, Vt. After a short residence in 
Lebanon, N. H.. and Chelsea, Vt., he 
came to Berlin in 1806, and settled at Berlin 
Corner. He was a blacksmith, which bus- 
iness he followed here. He died in 1844, 
age, 91 years. 

Dea. Jonathan Bosworth, son of Na- 
thaniel Bosworth, born in Lebanon, N. H., 
in 1787, followed the business of his father, 
and came with him to Berlin. After work- 
ing a few years at custom work, he com- 
menced the manufacture of edged-tools, 
particularly scythes and axes, having a 
good water-power, with trip hammers and 
other machinery. But this branch of the 
business not proving successful, in about 
1830 he added .such other machinery as 
was deemed necessary, and commenced the 
manufacture of cast steel and steel-plated 
hoes. Each of his four sons worked in the 
shop, and in turn became partners in the 
business, and carried it on to success. 
Since 1870, the business has been discon- 
tinued. Mr. Bosworth was many years a 
member of the Congregational church and 
one of its deacons until within a few years 
of his death and its attending feebleness, 
active duties were left to younger hands. 
Died April, 1878, aged 91 years. 

ASA ANDREWS, 

third son of Elijah Andrews, and who oc- 
cupied the same farm as his father, died 
Sept. 14, 1876, aged 91. Eor about 20 
years he kept 40 cows or more, and mark- 
eted his butter and cheese in Newbury- 



port, Mass., where he went with his own 
team five or six times a year, until a few of 
the last years of his labor, he sent his 
produce by rail. He represented the town 
in the Legislature in 1847, '48. 

JOSEPH ARBUCKLE 

was born near Glasgow, Scotland, and 
came to America with Gen. Burgoyne's 
army as a soldier, and was with the army 
when it surrendered to Gen. Gates in 1777 ; 
after which he came to Berlin, and settled 
on a farm on the banks of the Winooski 
river, below the mouth of Dog river. He 
died about 1841, aged 84 years. 

PORTER PERRIN, 

second son of Zachariah Perrin, was the 
first male child born in town, Feb. i, 1790. 
He married Miss Lucy Kinney, daughter 
of Rev. Jonathan Kinney, of Plainfield, 
Vt., (born in Plainfield, Oct. 7, 1796). 
Mr. Perrin probably accumulated more 
property in farming than any other man 
before his time, in that business exclusively, 
in town, a greater part of which he gave 
to charitable and religious purposes, and to 
his large family of children during his life- 
time, and the balance, which was ample 
for the purpose intended, to his widow 
during her lifetime. All his dealings with 
his fellow-men were characterized by a 
strict regard for justice. He was a worthy 
member of the Congregational church for 
many years before his death. May, 1871, 
aged 81 years. 

REV. WM. PERRIN, 

third son of Zachariah Perrin, born in 
Berlin, in 1793; graduated at Middlebury 
College in 1813 ; married Fanny, daughter 
of Capt. Daniel Thompson, in 1815; 
preached in New York State i year, and 
near Charleston, S. C, 2 or three years; 
health failing, came North; died in 1824, 
at the age of 31, a victim to the immod- 
erate use of ardent spirits. His attend- 
ing physician prescribed brandy for a med- 
icine, the use of which created an ap- 
petite which was soon beyond his control. 
Mr. Perrin was an eloquent speaker and 
poet". [The following is the best specimen 
of his verse we have been able to find from 
his pen — Ed.] : 



BERLIN. 



^3 



FAREWELL. 



Say, dparest friend, relute me why 
The tear-drop startles from thine eyeV 
Does tlie farewell whlcli l)ids us part 
Tims lill with sobs tlilne aeliiiiK heart? 
'^tlult .1 siKiial to thy woe? 
Does that constrain tliy tears to flow? 
I'hen cease, my friend, forbear to weep; 
Hush every wakinjf woe to sleep;— 
Hush every sish, and quick I'll tell 
The better meaninjc of " farewell. " 
iTis not a wisli that you should be 
Consigned to want and misery; 
Or that forloridy you sh»ulii moan 
Like cooing dove in desert lone; 
'Tis wisli that plenty may afford 
Her dainties for your daily board; 
That calm content and peace retined 
May be companions of your mind; 
In line, that well may be your fare 
Till I again your pleasures sliare. 

Wm. Perkin. 

REV. TRUMAN PERRIN, 

fourth son of Zachariah Perrin, born in 
Berlin, Apr. 28, 1796; graduated at Dart- 
mouth College in 1817; preached in va- 
riou.s places inVt.,N. H., andN. Y. ; went 
to Vincennes, Ind., where he taught in an 
academy and preached one year or more ; 
then taught and preached a number of 
years in Alabama and Georgia; in 183 1, 
married Miss Pronecey B. Tyndall, of 
Tuscaloosa, Ala. ; had one son and two 
daughters. After having been engaged in 
business as a merchant a few years, and 
accumulated considerable property, he was 
suddenly deprived of most of it by the 
failure of several Southern banks. Mr. 
Perrin then, in 1850, came North, and 
spent the remainder of his days in preach- 
ing in various places, and in the employ 
of the American Tract Society. He died 
in Wa.shington, Mass., Nov. 19, 1869, 
aged 73 years. 

GEO. K. PERRIN, 

third son of Porter Perrin, born in Berlin, 
May 23, 1827, graduated at Brown Uni- 
versity, R. I., and at the Albany Law 
School, N. Y., and is now (1881) a prom- 
inent lawyer in Indianapolis, Ind., prac- 
ticing in the state and United States 
courts. 

HENRY M. PEHRIN, 

fourth son of Porter Perrin, born in Bei-lin, 
June 23, 1829, was educated at Dart- 
mouth and at the Albany Law School, and 
is a lawyer in St. Johns, Mich., and has 



been in his adopted state, judge of pro- 
bate and state senator. 

PORTER K. PERRIN, 

fifth son of Pointer Perrin, born in Berlin. 
Sept. 13, 1833, graduated at the Law 
School in Albany, N. Y., and is a partner 
with his brother H. M. in St. Johns, Mich. 
He is judge of probate ; served 2 years or 
more in the war of the secession, and was 
proinoted to the office of major. 

WM. B. PERRIN, 

seventh son of Porter Pen-in, born in 
Berlin, Jan. 19, 1839. After he entered 
Dartmouth College he served 3 months 
in Gov. Sprague's Cavalry ; went out from 
Harper's Ferry with his company in the 
night before that place was surrendered to 
the rebels ; afterwards served about two 
years in the 3d Vt. Light Battery, until 
the close of the war ; when mustered out 
was 1st lieutenant; graduated at Dart- 
mouth College and the Law School at 
Albany, N. Y. ; after a short residence in 
Burlington, Iowa, settled in Nashua, Chick- 
asaw Co. la., and is now (1881) doing a 
successful law business. 

CHAUNCEV L. KNAPP, 

son of Abel Knapp, Esq., was born in 
Berlin, Feb. 26, 1809; at the age of 14 
years commenced an apprenticeship of 7 
years in E. P. Walton's printing office in 
Montpelier ; was reporter for the Legisla- 
ture in 1833 : for some years a co-proprie- 
tor and editor of the Voice of Freedo?n and 
the State Journal at Montpelier ; elected 
Secretary of State in 1836-7-8 and 9 ; re- 
moving to Massachusetts was elected Sec- 
retary of the Massachusetts Senate in 185 1, 
and representative to the 34th, re-elected 
to the 35th Congress of the United States ; 
was a member of the committee on terri- 
tories, and is now one of the proprietors 
of the American Citiseti, Lowell, Mass. 

HON JOSEPH C. KNAPP, 

son of Ebenezer Knapp, was born in Ber- 
lin, Vt., 27, June, 1813; now residing in 
Keosaugua, Iowa, was one of the early 
settlers of that section of country, havino- 
left his native town and State when a 
young man. Has been United States Dis- 



64 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



trict attorney, Judge of the Supreme Court 
and democratic candidate for governor in 
1 87 1, and it is said by one who lias oppor- 
tunities of knowing that, " He stands at 
the head of the bar in this (Van Buren) 
county, and is regarded by many as being 
the leading lawyer of Southern Iowa." 

CHAUNCEY NVE, 

son of David Nye, Jr., and grandson of 
David Nye, one of the first settlers of the 
town, was born in Berlin, Apr. 4, 1828; 
graduated at Dartmouth college in 1856; 
after teaching several years in Ohio and 
f'eoria, III., settled in Peoria, and is a 
prominent lawyer (1881). 

REV. GEO. C. MOORE, JR., 

son of Dea. George C. Moore, born in 
Berlin, in 1825 ; graduated at Dartmouth 
college. Mr. Moore lived a number of 
years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; went to 
Texas previous to the war of the rebel- 
lion ; became a Presbyterian minister and 
preached in Goliad and Victoria, Texas, 
where he died in Sept., 1867, aged 32 years. 

MRS. PHEBE HAZZARD, 

died in Berlin, Oct. 14, 1S78, aged 102 
years, 6 months. Born in Mendon, Mass., 
April, 1777; married Kidder Gallup, 1798, 
who died 3 years after. In 1802 she came 
to Craftsbury ; in 181 6 married Thomas 
Hazzard in Hardwick ; came to Berlin in 
1830, where she lived the remainder of her 
life. She had two children by each hus- 
band. She and her husbands were col- 
ored people. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BERLIN. 

FROM NOTES BY JAMES HOBART, JR. 

The 1st Congregational church was or- 
ganized here Oct. 13, 1798, consisting of 
Aaron Goff, Simpson Stewart and Wm. 
Flagg, men about 50 years of age. Prob- 
ably this was the 2d organization of any 
denomination in the County ; the Cong, 
church in Waitsfield was organized 2 years 
before. At this time there were in town 
85 families, and for 8 years previous, sev- 
eral missionaries had preached on the Sab- 
bath and lectured, and some money had 
been raised by subscription and paid for 
preaching. Before the organization of the 
church a few professors of religion met at 



the house of Mr. Flagg, Oct. 11, and 
agreed to ask Rev. E. Lyman, of Brook- 
field, to embody the three named as mem- 
bers. Oct. 13, having met at Mr Stew- 
art's, Mr. Lyman preached on the occa- 
sion, and Mr. Goff, Mr. Stewart and Mr. 
Flagg presented themselves, to whom Mr. 
Lyman read for their public assent the 
confession of faith and church covenant 
drawn up by Mr. Hobart, which they pub- 
licly acknowledged, and were pronounced 
by Mr. Lyman a church of Christ regularly 
embodied in the Congregational order, 
and the church then proceeded to appoint 
Mr. Lyman their moderator for this meet- 
ing, and voted to unite with the people of 
this town in giving Mr. James Hobart a 
call to settle over them in the work of the 
gospel ministry, and that his ordination be 
on the 7th of Nov. next ; and voted sev- 
eral particulars for the ordination ; and the 
3 members of the church to be a committee 
to wait on the council. In the course of 
12 years 44 members were added to Tlie 
church. About the year 1800, the town 
selected a pleasant and sightly spot near 
the center of the town for a meeting-house, 
and in 1803 had the building, which was 
58 by 48 feet, completed. Elegant and 
noble in appearance, it stood open for 
worship, with galleries on three sides, and 
having a finely made steeple above its 
belfry, and roof painted. The edifice was 
dedicated Dec. 29, 1803; the sermon by 
Mr. Hobart: Ps. Ixxxiv, i. 

In 1 8 ID and 'ii there was a very inter- 
esting revival of religion, 37 being added 
to the church, and in 1811 the church pur- 
chased a communion set, (they having be- 
fore this at a communion service used a 
pitcher and mugs.) The meeting-house 
was the property of the town, and was 
used for town-meetings, theatrical per- 
formances, and a militia drill, when con- 
venient, which must seem contrary to the 
sacredness of a house of divine worship. 
In 1817, 19 were added to the church, and 
in 1819, 44, in 1827, 13, in 1832, 30, in 
1835, 49. In 1868, the membership was 
25 males, 54 females ; 24 of the 79 being 
absent members. In 1838, the meeting- 
house was burned, before which a new 



BERLIN. 



65 



Congregational meeting-house at Berlin 
"Corner" had been commenced, which 
was completed and dedicated the next 
year. In 1829, Rev. Mr. Lamb, from 
Westfield,Vt., preached here a few months. 
In 1830, Rev. Mr. Whiting, from Mass., 
preached one year. In 1832, Rev. B. 
Baxter supplied one year. In 1833, Rev. 
A. Stuart, of Pittsfield, preached one year. 
1834, Rev. S. Hurlburt was employed 
about one year. In 1836. Rev. Jonathan 
Kinney, of Plainfield, supplied one year. 
In 1837, Rev. Austin Hazen was installed, 
and continued pastor until his death, in 
1855. From 1855 to 1861, Rufus Child 
was acting pastor. Aug. 1863, Rev. W. 
R. Joyslin commenced preaching here, 
and Feb. 2, 1864, was ordained pastor; 
dismissed in 1866. In 1867, Rev. E. I 
Carpenter, formerly of Barre, began, and 
supjalied until Jan. 1870. In July, 1870, 
Rev. E. Seabury, from Falmouth, com- 
menced as a supply. 

REV. JAMES HOBART. 

BY JAMES IIOBAUT, Jll., OF WOEgESTER. 

James Hobart was born in Plymouth, 
N. H., Aug. 2, 1766, and came with his 
father to Berlin when about 21 ; was con- 
verted about 2 years after, and commenced 
preparing for college. He graduated at 
Dartmouth as A. B. in 1794; studied with 
Rev. Asa Burton, of Thetford ; in the 
spring of 1795, was approbated to preach, 
and commenced in Chelsea, Vt., as a can- 
didate. The next year he was in Ply- 
mouth, N. H., and in 1797 and ''98 at 
Nottingham, N. H., where he had a call 
to settle. During this time he preached 
at Berlin about 2 months, and in June, 
1798, came again to Berlin, and preached 
as a candidate for settlement, the people 
of the town having invited him, and in 
August the town gave him a call to settle 
as their minister. He drew up a confes- 
sion of faith, church covenant, and arti- 
cles of discipline, and had several confer- 
ences with a few professors of religion, 
who proposed to be embodied into a church 
which was organized this year. [See his- 
tory of Congregational church] . The Rev. 
Mr. Burton, of Thetford, preached his or- 



dination sermon Nov. 7, Rev. Messrs. 
Edw. Bourroughs, Martin Fuller, Stephen 
Fuller, E. Lyman and D. H. Williston, 
with their delegates, taking part in the 
exercises. He continued pastor of the 
church till May, 1829, when he was dis- 
'missed by a mutual council. The next 12 
years he labored as a preacher in New 
Hampshire, in Plymouth, Wentworth, En- 
field, Alexandria, Bridgewater and near 
Portsmouth. The last 20 years of his life 
he was never home, preaching most of the 
time somewhere, in Worcester, Berlin and 
West Berlin, and sometimes assisting in 
the Sabbath exercises, and in the very last 
year of his life, his 96th, he was able to 
preach a pretty well connected discourse, 
and could walk 6 or 8 miles in a day. 

He was self-denying, laborious and per- 
severing, having quite a missionary spirit. 
While at Berlin his usual practice was to 
preach a third discourse on the Sabbath in 
a distant part of the town, or in the border 
of a .neighboring town. He was below 
the ordinary height, standing erect, had a 
great memory, clearness of mind, good 
eyesight and a strong, distinct voice, speak- 
ing easy. 

He was strongly attached to the people 
of Berlin, and after his dismissal, as he 
was occasionally at home, preached quite 
a number of funeral sermons. In the ser- 
vices on the Sabbath he used written dis- 
courses ; by the request of his people, the 
third discourse was extempore, and so was 
his preaching after his dismissal. It was 
his choice to preach without notes. In 
1804, he was married to Betsey, daughter 
of Zechariah Perrin, Esq. They had a 
family of 7 sons and 5 daughters, 7 of 
whom are still living (1881). Two of the 
daughters were wives of Congregational 
ministers. Pamelia P. married Rev. Rufus 
Child, minister at Gilmantown, N. 'H., 
and afterwards a few years at Berlin. Julia 
married Rev. P. F. Barnard, minister a 
few years in Richmond, Me., and after- 
wards settled minister in Williamstown, 
Vt. Hannah, youngest daughter, married 
Rev. Geo. Craven, a Methodist minister 
of Danville, Vt. Emeline married Doct. 
Evans, of Piermont, N. H., and Mary, 



66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Hon. Amary Kinney, of Terre Haute, la., 
son of Rev. J. Kinney, of Plainfield. One 
of the two youngest sons, Timothy Dwight, 
graduated at Dartmouth College, and was 
about going to Andover, Mass., prepar- 
atory for preaching, when he died. The 
youngest of the family, Isaac Watts, at 13 
years of age joined the church in Berlin, 
and at 20 had nearly fitted for college, 
when he died. 

REV. AUSTIN HAZEN. 

BY REV. WILLIAM S. HAZEN, OF NORTIIFIELD. 

Austin Hazen, son of Asa Hazen, was 
born in Hartford, June, 1786, about 2 
miles from Hanover, N. H. His moth- 
er's name before marriage was Susanna 
Tracy. The Hazen family, which was 
large, was noted for its piety and general 
intelligence, and as being among the first 
settlers of the town. Mr. Hazen was grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College in 1807, and 
spent the next-year in Binghampton, Pa., 
teaching ; in 1808, went to Washington, Ct. 
commenced the study of theology with Dr. 
E. Peters — date of his license to preach 
not known ; was preaching in the neigh- 
borhood of .Washington in Dec. 1809; 
preached in St. Albans several months. 
He was first settled over the church in the 
center of his native town, being ordained 
and installed in May, 181 2; dismissed in 
1828; Jan. 1829, installed pastor in the 
north part of the town; dismissed in 1837, 
and soon after removed to Berlin. He 
was installed here Oct. 1837, and pastor 
till his death, Dec. 25, 1854. He was a 
diligent student of the Bible, his preach- 
ing eminently biblical. He presented the 
great central truths, the deep things of 
God, with great simplicity and godly sin- 
cerity. Though his speech and preach- 
ing was not with enticing words of man's 
wisdom , he always knew his people as it is 
not common for a pastor to know them, 
and tried to lead them in the "green pas- 
tures and beside the still waters " of godly 
living and doing, while they were hardly 
conscious how much they were indebted to 
him. During the 7 years of his labors in 
N. Hartford the admissions to the church 
were 95, and when he left, the parish was 



believed to be without a parallel in the 
State for the large number of professing 
Christians it contained in proportion to its 
population. 

The more public religious enterprises 
also received from him a most hearty sup- 
port. He was a delegate to the general 
convention of Vermont in 1813, and it is 
said that not more than one minister in 
the State attended so many meetings of 
that body during the next 41 years. No 
one was more thoroughly acquainted with 
the religious history of the State during 
that period. 

For many years previous to his death he 
was one of the directors of the Domestic 
Missionary, Bible and Colonization Soci- 
eties, and in all places to which duty called 
him, he was always promptly in his place, 
and ready at all times to perform his own 
part with intelligence and propriety. But 
the beauty of his Christian character shone 
most in his own family and within the 
circle of his more intimate friends. He 
rarely spoke to his children on the subject 
of religion, yet his life taught them un- 
mistakably their duty, and the excellency 
of the religion which he was anxious they 
should experience in their own hearts. 
His exercises at family worship command- 
ed attention, and produced impressions, 
breathing forth the earnest, desire of the 
heart that his might be a household of 
faith. Mr. Hazen was twice married. His 
first wife, Frances Mary, daughter of Hon. 
Israel P. Dana, of Danville, left two chil- 
dren. Sophia Dana, who was educated at 
Ipswich and the Mt. Holyoke Female Sem- 
inary, where she was many years a teacher, 
in 185 1, became connected with the Nes- 
torian Mission of the A. B. C. F. M. as 
the wife of the lamentied Missionary Stod- 
dard ; is now the wife of Dea. Wm. H. 
Stoddard, of Northampton, Mass. 

Allen, who was graduated at Dart- 
mouth College in 1842, at Andover The- 
ological Seminary in. 1845, and has been 
connected with the Marathi Mission of the 
A. B. C. F. M. in Western India since 
1846. 

His second marriage was with Lucia, 
daughter of Rev. Azel Washburn, of Roy- 



BERLIN. 



67 



alton. She had 7 children. Austin, who 
was graduated at theVt. Uv. in 1855, and 
at Andover Theological Seminary in 1859, 
is now (1881) pastor of the Congregational 
church at [ericho Center. 

Wm. Skinner, who was graduated at 
theVt. Uv.in 1858; And. Theo. Sem. in 
1863; now pastor of the Congregational 
church in Northfield. 

Lucia Washburn, who died in 1854, in 
the 1 6th year of her age. 

AzEL Washburn, who was graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1863, at And. Theo. 
Sem. 1868 ; now pastor of the first Congre- 
gational church in Middletown, Ct. 

Frances Mary, who was graduated at 
the Mt. Holyoke Fern. Sem. in 1863, and 
is one of the teachers in that institution. 

Lucius Randolph, who was graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1870, now in 
business in Middletown, Ct. 

Susan, who died in infancy, 1873. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 
BY MltS. C. F. DKWET. 

Methodism was first introduced into 
Berlin about the year 1830. At this time 
Berlin was included in the Brookfield cir- 
cuit, then in the N. H. Conference. Elisha 
Scott being in 1831, preacher in charge of 
Brookfield, Northfield and Berlin. The 
early history of the church previous to 
1843, is not as full as may be desired, ow- 
ing to the first records being lost or de- 
stroyed. The first account we find is in 
1843; J. C. Dow being then Presiding 
- Elder of Montpelier District and John 
Perrin preacher, and so far as is shown by 
records, the first minister stationed at Ber- 
lin : we find also that James Currier, Al- 
mon Poor, Eleazer Loomis and Jacob 
Flanders were stewards, and Elisha Covell, 
Moses Strong, and D. A. P. Nye were 
class-leaders. The preacher gave an ac- 
count of the united feeling among the 
members then numbering 85, and the Sun- 
day school was well attended and prosper- 
ous. It was at this time connected with 
Barre charge and so continued till 1856, 
having considerable spiritual prosperity. 



In 1837, the society built a chapel a lit- 
tle south of the cemetery, and in 1844 it 
was moved to its present location near the 
Congregational church, when it was re- 
paired and enlarged. The society built a 
parsonage at Berlin Corner in 1847 ; cost 
$583.51. In West Berlin a class was 
formed in 1832, Isaac Preston and David 
Dudley being among the members. This 
class held their church relation at North- 
field till the year 1855, when through the 
labors of H. K. Cobb, (then preaching at 
Berlin) there were numerous conversions 
in West Beilin. In Dec. 1856, a church 
was organized by the election of Amos 
Chase, W. D Stone, Asbury Sanders and 
Isaac Preston as stewards. 

Preaching was supported one-half the 
time in connection — both places being 
supplied by J. House for 2 years, A. Hay- 
ward and J. W. Hale each one year — until 
1 861, when It was voted that Berlin and 
West Berlin be separate stations. From 
that time until 1868, the church at Berlin 
Corner was supplied by Elisha Brown, lo- 
cal preacher, but from various causes, 
deaths and removals being the principal, 
its prosperity declined. In 1868, it sup- 
ported preaching one-half the time ; A. B. 
Hopkins supplying both churches for that 
year ; since that time services have been 
held only occasionally at that place. 

In 1857, the Methodists of West Berlin 
united with the Congregationalists and 
Baptists in building a union church which 
they occupied a part of each year until 
1870, when the Methodists concluded to 
build a church for their own use. The 
subject was first agitated in April, 1870, 
and about $700 raised ; first work, grading 
and laying corner-stone, done May 5th ; 
May 7th, first stick of timber cut; house 
completed July 14th ; dedicated July 15th, 
free from debt, without help of Confer- 
ence ; dedication sermon by Rev. S. Hol- 
man from Montpelier. From this time 
one Sabbath service, Sunday school, class 
and prayer-meetings have been regularly 
sustained and steady spiritual interest man- 
ifested. Sabbath school numbered 74 in 
1878; average attendance 37; books in 
library 250. 



68 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



BERLIN ROLL OF HONOR FOR 1814. 

Natnes of men thai wait to Plattsburgh. 
Jacob Flanders, Zelotus Scott, Samuel 
Hubbard, Stephen Wright. Mr. Tiliston, 
Ensign, Jeremiah Culver, Jeremiah Good- 
hue, Josiah Benjamin, Ebenezer Bailey. 
Samuel Currier, Abraham Townsend Cyrus 
Johnson, Captain, Roger Buckley, Ord. 
Sergt., James Perley. Capt. Taylor, Eliada 
Brown, James Smith, Richard Smith. 
Alanson Wright. John Stewart, ist Lieut., 
E. M. Dole, Samuel Perley, Moses H. 
Sawyer, Asa Dodge. 

BERLIN VOLUNTEERS IN THK WAR OF 1861 . 

Samuel P. Atwood, Charles Bailey, Joel 
O. Bailey, William R. Bean, Peter Bres- 
sette, Chester Brown, Eliphalet E. Bryant. 
Charles N. Cilley, James M. D. Cilley, 
Benjamin F. Clark. Smith Clark. John B. 
Crandall, Richard B. Crandall, Jessie D. 
Cummings, John P. Davenport, Lorenzo 
Dow, William H. Dow, Wm. S. George, 
Charles B. Green, Lucius D. Hadlock, 
Charles Hanan, Ira'L. Hanan, Charles C. 
Hartwell, Stillman A. Hatch, George S. 
Hayden, Obadiah W. Hill, John F. Huse, 
Henry F. Johnson, Nathan C. Kibbey, 
Josiah Lathrop. George Lawrence, Leon- 
ard Lawrence, William LeRock, Cornelius 
Nye, John F. Phelps. James F. Randall. 
Alfred M. Reed, Andrew J. Reed, Carlos 
H. Rich. Harlon P. Sargent, Carlisle Saun- 
ders, Joseph Slattery, Charles Smith, 
Franklin I. Southwick, Stephen G. Stew- 
art, Daniel H. Stickney, Horace M. Stick- 
ney, W^m. O. Stickney, Edward P. Stone, 
Joshua Wade. John Burke. Jesse Cayhue, 
Albert Darling, Andrew J. Davis, Francis 
Emerson. Bartholomew Fenton, Frederick 
Gale, Calvin W. Greenleaf, John C. Hack- 
ett, Paschal Hatch, Simeon Hatch, Wil- 
bur E. Henry, William O. Horton, Edso 
W. Howden, Charles Jandreau. Jeremiah 
Kelley, Franklin Labarron. John McCarty, 
Chas. McGlatlin, Francis Minor, Chas. D. 
Naylor, Chas. W. Nichols, Wm. B. Perrin, 
George Shattuck, David K. Stone. John 
W. Taylor, Henry C. Varnum, Alfred 
Whitney, Lucius J. Goodwin. Aaron Row- 
ell, William Yatta, Samuel W. Andnis, 
Alson H. Braley, Don B. Cilley, Peter 



Gravelin, Elijah N. Hadlock, Hubbard E. 
Hadlock. Timothy Hanbrooks, Wm. H. 
Hunt. Edwin Jone^, A. M. Reed, Frank 
Wheelock, George S. Lawrence, Barney 
McCarron. John W. Parmenter, Henry E. 
Preston, Hiram W. Scribner. George L. 
Wade, Lewis Bumblebee. Lorenzo Dow, 
Guy M. Reed, Charles B. Graen. Wm. A. 
Phillips. Carlos H. Rich, Eli M. Robbins, 
Charles Smith, Jabez Alexander. John H. 
Bartlett, Jedediah Carpenter, Stephen R. 
Colby, Elbridge G. Fisk, David Rollins. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS. 

Henry R. Austin, George C. Bailey, 
Merrill J. Bailey, Jerome E. Ballou. Hora- 
tio G. Beebe, S. Webster Benjamin, 
Wm. Blair, Winslow L. Blanchard, Don 

B. Cilley, Clark D. Cressey, John K. Cross, 
Samuel Crozier, Abraham Lezer, Oliver 
Luciere, David A. Marble, Henry A. Miles, 
George S. Robinson, Gardner P. Rowell, 
Reuben Rowley, George Shattuck, David 

C. Silloway. Joseph B. Silloway, Rollin D. 
Stewart, Willis P. Stewart, Arthur W. 
Taylor, Alfred B. Thompson, William W. 
Willey. Drafted and served his time. 
Nelson W. Chase. 

The remains of the 5 soldiers mentioned 
below repose in the Cemetery at Berlin 
Corner : 

Major Richard B. Crandall, of 
Berlin, was killed in action at Cold Har- 
bor, Va., June 7, 1864. Richard Bailey 
Crandall, born in Berlin, a student in 
Dartmouth College one year, when he en- 
listed in the 6th Regiment, and went out 
under Col. Lord as Adjutant, was Captain 
of Co. K. some time. Re-enlisted and was 
promoted to iMajor. His age was 26 years 
7 months. 

Daniel K. Sticknev, a private in Co. 

D. 2d Reg'mt, was a prisoner in Libby 
prison over 6 months ; from effect of treat- 
ment received while there, died April 7, 
1863, age 18 y'rs, 6 mos. 

George Martin, son of Ira Andrews, 
a vcJlunteer, private in Co. E. 17th Reg'mt 
was wounded in the arm which was ampu- 
tated, but did not heal and caused death 
in Sloan Hospital, July, 1S64, age ig years 
5 months. 



BERLIN. 



69 



Jesse D. Cummings and Cornelius 
Nye, killed in action, were buried on the 
field. 

John P. Davenport enlisted early in 
the war of the Rebellion, and becoming 
enfeebled from hardship and exposure, was 
discharged, came home, and died April, 
1863, age 23. 

Tell my IVieiids tlie story 
Wlien I sleep beneath the sod. 

That I died to save my country. 
All from love for It and God. 

HON. D. P. THOMPSON. 

BY D. F. WIIEATON, OF BAHUK. 

Daniel Pierce Thompson, son of Daniel 
and Rebeckah Thompson, was born in 
Charlestown, Mass., Oct. i, 1795, and em- 
igrated with his father to Berlin in 1800; 
and here he passed his boyhood days, on 
his father's farm, following the routine of a 
farmer boy's life. But his desire was for 
books, the fishing-rod and his gun, and he 
left the farm in early manhood, without 
means, but determined to possess an ed- 
ucation, and by his own efforts succeeded. 
He pursued his studies in Randolph and 
Danville, this State, and entered Middle- 
bury College in 18 16; graduated in 1820; 
went to Virginia, and engaged in teaching 
several years ; studied law while there ; 
was admitted to the bar of that State, and 
returning to Vermont, commenced to 
practice at Montpelier, where he resided 
till his death. He married Miss Eunice 
Robinson of Troy, Vt., had 5 children, 
three of whom and his widow are still liv- 
ing. He engaged in his profession but a 
short time, being soon chosen the Register 
of Probate for Washington County, which 
office, together with that of Clerk of the 
House of Representatives, he held for sev- 
eral years, and then was appointed Clerk 
of the County and Supreme Courts, and 
soon after was chosen Judge of Probate. 
He was elected Secretary of State, and 
held the office until 1855. He was editor 
of "The Green Mountain Freeman" from 
1849 to 1856, and eminently successful 
in making an interesting and entertaining 
newspaper. 

In politics, originally a Democrat, he 
early ]:)ecame identified with the old Lib- 



erty party, and after that party was dis- 
banded, became a supporter of the Re- 
publican party. It was not as a public 
officer, however, but as a writer, that his 
name will be most widely known and cher- 
ished. He was the only popular novelist 
Vermont has ever produced. During his 
whole life he devoted much time to the in- 
cidents of the early history of the State. 
He loved to embody in his writings such 
reminiscences as he was able to gather 
from the records and the recollections of 
old men. A lover of stories and tradi- 
tions, it was his habit to convene with the 
old people, and listen to the quaint narra- 
tives they loved to tell. 

A devotee of the piscatorial art, he 
would take jaunts about the county with 
his fishing-rod, and was familiar with every 
trout brook and pond for miles around, 
and almost rivalled Izaak Walton of old in 
his passion for fishing, and in the success 
that attended his hook, in the long string 
of trout he bore home in triumph. 

Often stopping at some wayside farm- 
house, he would spend hours- with some of 
the old settlers, garulous of the early 
scenes and times in the history of our 
State. The fame of many of the founders 
of the State is greatly indebted to his pen 
and the industry and enthusiasm with 
which he collected and placed before the 
people incidents that otherwise would have 
been forgotten long ago. Besides news- 
paper and magazine articles, his first work 
was "May Martin, or The Money Dig- 
gers"; published in book form in 1835. 
It was written in successful competition 
for a prize offered by one of the Boston 
journals. In 1840, "The Green Moun- 
tain Boys" appeared — a historical tale, 
containing some of the chief incidents of 
the history of the State, and introducing 
the leading characters of that period. 
Then followed "Locke Amsden, or the 
School-master," written with a view to the 
reformation of the school system of that 
time ; " The Rangers, or the Tory's Daugh- 
ter," published in 185 1, illustrative of the 
early history of the State, and gives an 
interesting account of the Battle of Ben- 
nington, and incidents connected with the 



70 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



northern campaign of 1777. In 1852, he 
issued " Tales of the Green IV^ountains " ; 
in 1857, " Gaut Gurley, or the Trappers 
of the Umbago " ; in i860, "The Doomed 
Chief, or Two Hundred Years Ago " ; 
which contains an interesting account of 
the brave, but unfortunate. King Philip, of 
Mount Hope ; " Centeola " and a History 
of Montpelier close the list of his books. 

Most of his works have passed through 
numerous editions ; May Martin and the 
Green Mountain Boys as many as fifty, 
and have been re-published in England, 
and some of his scenes have been dram- 
atized. His prolific pen also joroduced 
many other less pretentious stories and ar- 
ticles deservedly popular. His novels, 
rich in historical facts, are \yritten in a 
graphic, natural language and entertain- 
ing style, and he has done much to fa- 
miliarize our State history. 

The last few years of his life he suffered 
ill health from partial strokes of paralysis, 
which were but precursors of the final at- 
tack, which proved fatal June 6, 1868. By 
his death a pen rich in historic incidents 
and scenes was laid aside forever ; but his 
name will long be associated with the his- 
tory of our State through his works. 

He was frank and pleasant in his deal- 
ings with his fellow-men ; lenient almost 
to a fault, unpretending in dress, and genial 
as a friend and companion. 

THE GREAT WOLF HUNT ON IRISH HILL. 

BEULIN IN EAHLY TIMES. 

The way the settlers met and overcame 
the wild animals is well described in the 
following story by the late Hon. D. P. 
Thompson, and printed in the Montpelier 
ylrgus and Pat7-iot in 1867, of " The Great 
Wolf Hunt on Irish Hill in Early Time." 

One Saturday night, about dark, in the 
month of February, 1803, a smart resolute 
boy, who was then eleven years old, w'ho 
is still alive and one of the most honored 
citizens of Montpelier, Hon. Daniel Bald- 
win, and who had been boarding out to 
attend the district school on the lower part 
of Dog river, started on foot and alone to 
go to the house of Israel Dewey, his broth- 
er-in-law, three or four miles up the river, 
over a road leading mainly tlirougb a dense 
forest, to his destination near the borders 



of Northfield. Not anticipating the' least 
difficulty in accomplishing his undertaking, 
he pushed confidently forward till he 
reached the log-cabin of old Mr. Seth 
Johnson, which was the last house on his 
way before entering the long woods sepa- 
rating the lower settlements from those in 
the vicinity of Northfield Falls whither he 
was bound. As he came up Mr. Johnson, 
who was in the yard, on learning his des- 
tination, ominously shook his head, and 
said, "Daniel, you must not try to go 
through the long woods to your sister's to- 
night, for the varmints will catch you." But 
the boy not frightened by the warning, 
was for going on, when Mrs. Johnson came 
out and interposed by " Now, Seth John- 
son, if that boy will go, you must go with 
him, or the varmints will certainly have 
him ; have been prowling in the woods 
every night for a week." Well, I would go 
if I could not do better by him, but I can 
contrive to furnish him with a better safe- 
guard than my company will afford," re- 
turned the husband. " Daniel, you hold 
on a minute and I will show you." So, 
saying, he ran into the house and brought 
the firebrand of a stout sapling club, with 
one end well on fire, and putting it into 
the boy's hand, said to him, " There, take 
that and begin now to swing it enough to 
keep it alive, and if the savage brutes be- 
set you on your way swing it round you 
like fury and run the gauntlet, and I'll 
warrant they won't dare to touch you." 

The boy who had been a little staggered 
by what he had heard, now, however, as 
he was armed with the efficacious fire- 
brand, as he was told it would prove, again 
went fearlessly forward. But the events 
of the next half hour were destined to 
change his feelings of confidence into those 
of lively apprehension, for he had not gone 
more than half-a-mile after entering the 
woods, before his ears were greeted by a 
long shrill howl rising from the forest a 
short distance to his left, bringing the un- 
welcome conviction to his 'startled mind of 
the near vicinity of one at least of the wild 
beasts against which he had been warned, 
the terrible wolf. And to add to his dis- 
may, the howl he had heard was almost 
instantly answered by a dozen responsive 
howls from various points more or less 
distant, on the wooded sides of Irish Hill, 
which rose immediately from Dog river on 
the east ; while these ominous sounds, 
growing louder and more distinct every 
moment, very plainly indicated a very 
large troop of these savage brutes were 
rapidly closing in on his path with a pur- 
pose of which he trembled to think. Be- 
lieving it would be as dangerous for him 
to retreat as advance, he cjuickened his 



BERLIN. 



71 



walk into a run, and commenced swinging 
his firebrand as he went, hoping thus to 
get through the woods before the gang 
would beset his path. But he soon found 
that neither his speed nor his firebrand 
were sufficient to ensure him against the 
threatened danger. He had not gone an- 
other half-mile before a fierce and hungry 
yinvl, issuing from a dark flitting figure in 
the road a few steps in advance brought 
him to a stand. He recoiled from the 
frightful cry and began to retreat, but his 
steps were quickly arrested by another 
fierce jK^;7i//, apprising him that the enemy 
were in possession of the road behind as 
well as before him, while out there on his 
left, out here on his right and everywhere 
around, rose in full chorus the same shrill, 
eager, hungry yowl; yowl; yowl for his 
blood. Having become perfectly desperate 
under these apiJRlling surroundings, which 
plainly told him that a struggle for his life 
was now at hand, he made a wild rush 
forward, swinging his firebrand around him 
with all his might, and uttering a fierce 
yell at every bound both to keep up his 
own courage and frighten away the wolves 
which were keeping pace with him, gallop- 
ing along on each side of his path, or leap- 
ing into the road behind and before him, 
besetting him so closely and with such 
boldness and determination, that it often 
required an actual contact of the firebrand 
with their noses to make them yield the 
way for his advance. And thus for the 
next half mile he ran the fearful gauntlet 
through this terrible troop of infuriated 
brutes till almost dead with fright and 
exhaustion, he at length reached the home 
of Israel Dewey his brother-in-law, with 
joy and gratitude for his preservation from 
a terrible death which no words could 
describe. 

This event, whifh of itself was suf- 
ficiently romantic and thrilling to deserve 
a place among the striking incidents of the 
early settlements, was the more note- 
worthy on account of the memorable affair 
to which it directly and almost immediately 
led, the great wolf hunt on Irish Hill ia 
the winter of 1803. 

Up to that time it was not known with 
any certainty that there were wolves in 
this section of the country. Several set- 
tlers in the vicinity of the extensive moun- 
tain forest called Irish Hill, had lost sheep ; 
whether they were killed by bears, cata- 
mounts, or wolves was a matter of conjec- 
ture ; but the boy's perilous adventure 
which spread rapidly among the nearest 
settlements and was implicitly believed at 
once, established the fact in the minds 
of all that there was really a gang of 
wolves in the vicinity, and Irish Hill was 



probably their chief rendezvous. The 
settlers one and all eagerly expressed their 
wish to join in a hunt for the extermina- 
tion of the destructive animals. 

A rally was made on the following Tues- 
day, but not extensive enough to form a 
ring around any large portion of the for- 
est where the wolves were supposed to be 
lurking. Having assembled at Berlin 
meeting house, they, however, marched 
into the woods and shot two wolves, when 
they postponed further operations till the 
following Saturday, when a grand hunt 
was proposed in which all the settlers from 
the adjoining towns within 20 miles were to 
be invited to partictpate, what they had done 
being considered merely a reconnoisance. 
Early Saturday morning, the well-armed 
settlers, having ambitiously responded to 
the call, gathered at the house of Abel 
Kpapp, Esq., the town clerk, living very 
near what was then termed Berlin Center 
meeting-house. 

The assembled forces numbering 400 or 
500 then formed themselves into two equal 
divisions, and chose leaders or captains 
for each, with a general officer to remain 
at the starting point and give out the order 
or signal cries to be passed round the 
ring proposed to be formed. The two 
captains then led off" their respective divis- 
ins, one to the south, along the borders of 
the woods, and the other to the west for a 
short distance and then south, each leav- 
ing a man every 50 or 60 rods, to keep his 
station till ordered to march inward, when 
the ring was completed. After waiting 
two hours or more to give time for the 
divisions to station their men so as to form 
an extended ring round the forest proposed 
to be enclosed, the word was given out by 
the general officer, " Prepare to march.'''' 
This was uttered in a loud cry at the start- 
ing point, and repeated by the next man 
left stationed to the south, and soon, if the 
ring had been perfected by every man, 
round the ring. As had been expected, 
the sound of this watchword gradually 
grew fainter and fainter in the distance, 
and then ceased to be heard at all. Then 
followed a moment of anxious waiting 
with those at the starting point, for if the 
watchword was not soon approaching from 
the west it would show the ring not per- 
fected, and all success in enclosing the 
reputed wolves a hopeless affair. But they 
had not long to wait. In a short time a 
faint sound was heard on the west side of 
the ring which grew louder and louder 
till it reached the starting point in full tone. 
All was now animation and expectancy on 
this part of the ring, and almost instantly 
the next watchword '' tnarch " rang through 
the forest, and eaeh man, as he repeated 



n 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it, advanced rapidly into the interior of 
the ring a quarter of a mile as near as he 
could judge, and then commanded the 
"halt" as agreed at the outset. This 
word was promptly sent onward and re- 
turned like the others, when another com- 
mand to march was uttered, and all again 
advanced towards the supposed center ot 
the ring. And thus rapidly succeeded 
the watchwords march and halt, till the 
ring was so nearly closed that it was seen 
and announced that there were enclosed 
several wolves, in the same, which ran gal- 
loping round the centre, as if looking for 
a chance to escape through the ring, now 
become a continuous line of men. But 
the frightened animals could find no out- 
lets, and were shot down with every at- 
tempt to escape. Two wolves and a fox 
or two were killed in this way, but by this 
time bullets flew so thickly across the ring 
that it was seen that some change of plan 
must be made, else as many men as wolves 
might be killed. By common consent at 
this crisis the late Thomas Davis, a well- 
known marksman and a man of steady 
nerve was requested to go inside thering 
and shoot the wolves. This he did, and ac- 
complished all that was expected of him. 
He shot Ave wolves and endangered no 
man. The whole number of the victims 
of the hunt were then found to be seven 
wolves and ten foxes. The company then 
took otf the scalps of the wolves and took 
up their line of march for the house of the 
town clerk, where bounties for the slain 
wolves were to be allowed and of the avails 
some disposition made. It was announced 
that money to the value adequate had been 
advanced sufficient to pay for a supper for 
the whole company. These arrangements 
were soon effected and while the supper 
was being cooked a keg of rum was opened 
and distributed, which being taken in their 
exhausted condition, on empty stomachs, 
thus upset a large number who were never 
so upset before that it was said that Esquire 
Knapp's haymow that night lodged a larger 
number of disabled men than were ever 
before or since collected in Washington 
County. 

Thus was ended the great Wolf Hunt 
on Irish Hill in 1803, which was the means 
of routing every wolf from this region ot 
Vermont, and from that time to the pres- 
ent day at least none have been known-" 

D. p. T. 

MONTPFXIER, July 12, 188 1. 
The above is certified to, 78 years after 
by the actor in the scene, as substantially 
true. Daniel Baldwin. 



BERLIN POND AND BENJAMIN'S FALLS. 

Upon the highlands of the town of Ber- 
lin, at a distance of four or five miles from 
the capital of the State, and at an eleva- 
tion of little less than 400 feet above the 
same, lies a beautiful body of water — 
Berlin Pond ; about 2 miles in length, nar- 
rowing into a width of 50 feet at two- 
thirds of the distance from the head, giv- 
ing the wider parts the designation of the 
ui^per and lower pond. The water is clear 
and soft, and when unmoved, reflects the 
entire margin of hill-sides, farm and forest, 
while the sky and clouds above seem to 
have lazily lain down upon its bosom till 
well might these be called Mirror lakes. 
Berlin pond, or ponds h^ve long been a 
resort of fishing parties, and of late, a 
growing taste for rural scenes and camp- 
life, induces longer stay, and during the 
warmer summer months it is not uncom- 
mon now for families from neighboring 
towns to pitch here their tents and set up a 
system of co-operative housekeeping that 
succeeds, during which sojourn religious 
services are held on Sundays in the open 
air. or, if rainy, in some one of the larger 
tents. 

If always " a thing of beauty," the pond 
has not always been " a thing of joy." At 
times it has shown a greed of human life, 
and helped to fill the cup of sorrow — en- 
gulfing once a bright and promising boy, 
the only son of parents dwelling on its bor- 
der, and from the shadowy forest of the 
eastern shore there ortce came whisperings 
of foul treachery and homicide. But these 
events were of the past — never to be re- 
peated, let us hope. 

The village of the town is situated at 
the lower and northern extremity of the 
pond, and here is a fall with a good water- 
power which has long been utilized. From 
this outlet the stream runs in a circuitous 
route some over a mile, falling 19 feet, and 
furnishing two other water-powers on its 
way, thence rushing on more rapidly, as 
if tired of slow work, and eager for frolic, 
seeks the woods and at once away from 
observation and restraint, its wild race be- 
gins, and in less than 300 feet it falls in 
one leap after another, 274 feet. The first 



BERLIN. 



73 



of these leaps 50 feet in an angle of 65 de- 
grees. The second about 6 rods below, 
falling 30 feet perpendicularly; and 18 
I'ods farther on is the third falls of 130 feet 
at an angle of 30 degrees. Thus far so 
completely hidden are Benjamin's Falls, 
known by the name of the owner of the 
land through which the stream runs — that 
perhaps most people in their vicinity have 
never seen this beautiful freak of nature's. 
But though long unknown and unvisited 
through the warm season, of late, parties 
one or more, may often be found spending 
the day here. Cool, sheltered, and for a 
wonder is not damp, nothing can be more 
delightful than to sit under the trees and 
watch the caprices of the rushing, roaring 
torrent. The maples and birches crowd 
close to its edge, laving their roots in its 
waters and throwing their arms out over 
it, the tall evergreens stand like sentinels 
around, and soft mosses and delicate ferns 
cushion and fringe its banks save where 
the sharp rocks jut out as a stronger bul- 
wark of protection. A party at one time 
visiting the falls after a long and heavy 
rain beheld in a nook at one side of the 
perpendicular fall, which the excess of 
water had completely filled, float a mass 
of foam in the form of the lower half of a 
perfect cone, 4 or 5 feet in diameter, of the 
purest white at the base, and gradually 
gaining color until crowned by the amber 
of the daintiest merschaum, while in a 
broader, but shallower pool a few rods be- 
low was the image of a huge ram, tossing 
and struggling to extricate himself from 
the watery element. 

Long ago this wild frolicsome power was 
seized for the service of the early settlers. 
At the foot of the first fall was the first saw- 
mill, and at the foot of the second the first 
grist-mill erected in the county. Whether 
the ascent to the mills on the one side was 
too steep, or the descent on the other too 
difficult, or whether it came to be thought 
of mills as it did of churches — better to 
put them in the valleys than on the hill- 
top, we may not now know, but standing 
on the ground and seeing left only the 
foundation walls and the millstone lying 
in the stream below, one questions whether 



the stream itself had not something to do 
in their abandonment, this turbulent, wil- 
ful thing, so fascinating in its beauty, so 
destructive in its power ; now abating 
somewhat of its violence, turning aside 
here and there into little nooks, coquetting 
with the fallen trunks of trees, then back 
again over the smaller rocks in its bed, 
giving, as it emerges from the shelter of 
the woods, a tithe of its i^ower to turn the 
wheel of a little mill — thus " working out 
its highway tax," and then after one short, 
sharp and final plunge, gracefully yielding 
to the inevitable, making its way through 
the fertile meadows, passes quietly into the 
waters of the Winooski. 

HENRY LUTHER STUART, ESQ., 

died Sept. 17, 1879, ^t Athens, Ga., the 
day being his 64th birthday. He was born 
at Berlin, in this State, and after studying 
medicine, law and engineering, he went 
to New York in 1843, where he became 
known in connection with the first efforts 
to lay an Atlantic cable, and also as the 
designer of the model on which the public 
schools are still built. He was also the 
first to introduce the piano into these insti- 
tutions. He aided in founding the Five 
Points Mission in 1851, and was later in- 
strumental in causing the establishment of 
the Normal College. He was an old friend 
of Horace Greeley. He devoted his whole 
life to the public service, and the Woman's 
Hospital of New York State and the Eclec- 
tic Medical College are, in a measure, in- 
debted to him for their foundation. He 
was also much interested in the progress 
of experiments with torpedoes as a means 
of coast defence. His visit to Georgia was 
undertaken in connection with the honors 
lately paid there to Dr. Long, whose name 
is well known in connection with the his- 
tory of am^sthetics. His death was caused 
by paralysis. — Burlington Free Press. 

HON. CHARLES BULKLEY, 

a native of Colchester, Ct., came to Berlin 
previous to 1800, and settled near the red 
arch bridge. He was a prominent lawyer, 
his office being in Montpelier. He was 
Judge of Probate for Orange County Court 
in 1800 and 1801, and chief judge of Wash- 



74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ington County on its organization in 1813, 
and representative for Berlin in the State 
Legislature in 1818. He was an able man, 
a good citizen and an earnest and efficient 
member of the Congregational church here 
in its early days, and at his death was the 
oldest member of the bar in this County. 
He died April, 1836, age 72 years. We 
were late in finding the data for this no- 
tice, or it would have appeared among the 
early settlers previously noticed. 

George Fowler, an old, early settler of 
this town, used to hunt with Capt. Joe, 
Indian. 

PUBLIC MONEY JUDICIOUSLY EXPENDED. 

Previous to the great flood in Oct. 18 — , 
Berlin street, leading east from the red 
arch bridge, was anything but a pleasant 
place to live in, being low, and in spring 
a complete slough, and the houses old 
tumble-down affairs. The water having 
washed out part of the street, the town in- 
vested $1800 in filling and grading about 
h. mile, and 2 years later, nearly as much 
more. The improvement seemed catch- 
ing. The inhabitants took the idea, and 
almost every house is newly covered ; new 
ones have been built, a new street laid out 
with additional buildings, and now, 188 1, 
it is not only a pleasant place in which to 
live, but one of the pleasant drives near 
Montpelier. 

STEVENS BRANCH. 

When the first settlers in this vicinity 
visited the lower part of this stream they 
found upon its banks near the mouth a 
hunters cabin, and in the cabin the body 
of a man far gone in the process of decay. 
He had evidently died alone and unat- 
tended. They carefully buried the body 
as well as circumstances would admit. It 
was afterwards ascertained that he came 
from Corinth, and his name was Stevens. 
Hence, the name "Stevens Branch." It 
is said that on account of disappointment 
in a love affair he left society and took to 
the forest. 

DOG RIVER 

received its name in consequence of a 
hunter by the name of Martin, losing his 



favorite dog in the following manner : He 
set his gun at night near his camp for the 
purpose of shooting a bear. During the 
night he heard the report of the gun, and 
called his dog to ascertain the results, 
but failing to find him he waited till morn- 
ing, when he found the dog was the victim. 
He threw the dog into the stream, saying 
' ' this stream shall be called Dog River." 



CABOT. 

BY JOHN M. FISHER. 

Cabot is situated in the N. E. part of 
Washington Co. ; lat. 40°, 23'; long. 4°, 
42' ; 6 miles square ; bounded N. by Wal- 
den and Danville, E. by Danville and 
Peacham, S. by Marshfield, and W. by 
Woodbury, and lies 21 miles easterly from 
Montpelier. It was granted Nov. 6, 1780; 
chartered by Vermont to Jesse Leven- 
worth and 65 others, Aug. 17, 1781 ; but 
not surveyed and lotted till 1786. The 
survey was made by Cabot, of Con- 
necticut, and James Whitelaw. Thomas 
Lyford, whose father was one of the first 
settlers, being at that time a young man, 
18 years of age, worked with them through 
the survey. In the extreme west part of 
the town Mr. Cabot broke the glass in his 
compass, and was obliged to go through 
the wilderness to the nearest house about 
6 miles away, and take a square of glass 
out of the window to replace it. 

The names of the grantees were not en- 
tered upon the town records, and it can- 
not be determined with certainty who of 
those ever settled in town. By what we 
can gather from the original plan of the 
town, it appears very few of them ever 
made this town their home. 

The township was lotted by James 
Whitelaw, and a field-book written out by 
him September, 1786, contains the num- 
ber of each lot and full description of the 
same, measurement, etc., closing each 
with a statement of what in his judgment 
the land is adapted to, whether pasture or 
general farming. There were 12 lots in 
each division, and 6 divisions, making 72 
lots in town. The fir.st meetino; of the 



CABOT. 



75 



proprietors was warned by Alexander Har- 
vey, justice of the peace, 

To meet at the house of Jonathan Elkins, 
in Peacham, County of Orange, on the 2d 
Monday in June, 1786, to transact the fol- 
lowing business, viz. : ist, to choose a 
moderator to govern said meeting ; 2d, to 
choose a clerk ; 3d, to agree what they will 
do respecting the settlers in said town, 
and to see what encouragement they will 
give to settlers ; 4th, to lay a tax to de- 
fray the expense of surveying and lotting 
said town. 

o 

At this meeting, Jonathan Elkins was 
chosen moderator, and Jesse Levenworth, 
clerk. 

Meetings were adjourned from time to 
time. November 3, 1786, they met at the 
house of Thomas Chittenden, in Arling- 
ton, and the survey being completed and 
presented to the meeting, it was 

Voted that Giles Chittenden and Tru- 
man Chittenden, being indifferent per- 
sons, be a committee to draw the lots, 

which being done by them in the presence 
of the meeting as the law directs, was as 
follows : 

k Jesse Levenworth, lot No. 5 ; Jesse Lev- 
enworth, 55; Mark Levenworth, 10; Wil- 
liam Levenworth, i ; Evans Munson, 57 ; 
Isaac Doolittle, 64; Robert Fairchild, 19; 
Ebenezer Crafts, 14; Timothy Newel, 72; 
James Lane, 66; Elias Townsend, 28; 
William Holmes, 18; Richard Mansfield, 
70 ; Nathan Levenworth, 15 ; Moses Baker, 
20 ; Jas. Whitelaw, 7 ; Philander Harvey, 
65; David Bryant, 51; Frederick Leven- 
worth, 53; Jonathan Heath, 33; Eames 
Johnson, 45 ; Thomas Lyford, 21 ; Edmund 
Chapman, 50 ; Benjamin Webster, 40 ; 
David Blanchard, 56 ; Jonathan Elkins, 
26; Jonathan Elkins, Jr., 42; William 
Chamberlin, 60 ; Ephraim Foster, 44 ; 
Abel Blanchard, 58 ; Benjamin Ambrose, 
34 ; Minister, 62 ; Minister, 63 ; Grammar 
School, 69 ; College, 3 ; William Douglas, 
49 ; Asa Douglas, 1 1 ; John Douglas, 22 ; 
Alson Douglas, 68; Beriah Palmer, 17; 
Martha Douglas, 13 ; Ebenezer Jones, 67 ; 
Jesse Gardner, 41 ; Mary Andrus, 47 ; 
William Douglas, 52 ; Content Douglas, 
46; Asa Douglas, Jr., 12 ; Zebulon Doug- 
las, 48; Lyman Hitchcock, 54; Nathaniel 



Wales, 36 ; Saphiah Hitchcock, 2 ; John 
Batchelder, 32; Eliphalet Richards, 29; 
Jonathan Pettet, 30 ; Matthew Watson, 
38; Ezekiel Tiffany, 43; Abel Blanchard, 
39 ; Peter Blanchard, 27 ; Reuben Blanch- 
ard, 35; Jason Cross, 16; Solomon John- 
son, 9 ; Robert Hains, 61 ; Samuel Russell, 
23 ; David Waters, 6 ; Thomas Chittenden, 
Esq., 4; Paul Spooner, 25; Joseph Fay, 
Esq., 8; Abigail Gunn, 59; Barnabas 
Morse, 24. 

Voted that there be a tax of ten shillings 
to pay the expenses of lotting. There be- 
ing but 71 proprietors and 72 lots, it was 

Voted that lot No. 24 be disposed of, as 
the settlers now in town should see fit. 

Lots No. 62 and 63 were set as minister 
lots, the rent to go for the support of 
preaching in town; No. 69, grammar 
school, the rent of which goes to Peacham 
Academy; lots 71 and 72, town school; 
lot No. 3, college. 

The town was named by Lyman Hitch- 
cock, one of the grantees, in honor of his 
bride-elect. Miss Cabot, of Connecticut, a 
descendant of Sebastian Cabot. Mr. Lev- 
enworth never settled or lived in town, but 
settled and built the mills at what is now 
known as West Danville. 

In 1779, Gen. Hazen cut through the 
wilderness, and made a passable road for 
50 miles above Peacham, running through 
the north-eastern part of Cabot, over what 
is known as Cabot Plain, through Walden 
and Hardwick. He camped for a few 
weeks on the plain about J of a mile to 
the south of the residence now of Springer. 
Here they expected an attack from the 
British from Canada, who were sending a 
portion of their forces down on the east side 
of the State, instead of sending them all 
down the Lake, upon the west side. A 
fortification was thrown up by Hazen's 
soldiers. The ground bears the name of 
Fortification Hill, and a small portion of 
the fortification is still seen, and a large 
rock pointed out where the army built their 
camp-fires. 

Connected with Hazen's army was a 
squad called Whitcbmb's Range: s, among 
whom was Thomas Lyford, grandfather of 
Thomas Lyford now living in the village 



76 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Cabot. Gen. Hazen expecting an at- 
tack from the enemy, Whitcomb and Ly- 
ford were sent to the north as spies. Dur- 
ing the long scout Whitcomb's shoes gave 
out, and he threatened to shoot the first 
man he met for his. After several days, 
cautiously proceeding, they heard a dis- 
tant crackling of the brush, then a faint 
tramp of feet, and at once secreted them- 
selves in an advantageous position, and 
waited. In a short time a scouting party 
of the enemy discovered themselves, Brit- 
ish and Indians, making for Gen. Hazen''s 
quarters, commanded by Gen. Gordon. 
Our scouts felt upon their action for a few 
moments hung great results ; not only their 
own lives, but those of their comrades 
and Gen. Hazen's army. The enemy 
advanced. Gen. Gordon in front, little 
thinking what is concealed in the thicket. 
Whitcomb thinks of his shoes ; tells Lyford 
to be cool ; takes good aim ; Gen. Gordon 
falls forward ; throws his arms around the 
neck of his horse ; the horse, frightened, 
turned back and ran into camjD ; the Brit- 
ish general lived to get into camp, but died 
very soon after. Whitcomb was secreted 
under a bank where the waters in a little 
ravine had -washed out a hole, which was 
covered with a log. Over this log, he said, 
a number of Indians ran whooping, brand- 
ishing their tomahawks ; that he could 
have pulled any one of them off from the 
log as they passed over into the hole, but 
he thought it not best. Lyford was con- 
cealed near him. After a long search, the 
Indians gave up they could not find the 
one who sent the bullet. 

As soon as Whitcomb and Lyford con- 
sidered it safe they came from their hiding 
places, and returned to the camp of Gen. 
Hazen with the news. Whitcomb did not 
get his shoes, but they had accomplished 
all and more than they set out for. The 
enemy, dismayed, retreated back to Can- 
ada, and thus ended what was expected to 
be a battle or skirmish on Cabot's Plain. 
[See account of Major Whitcomb and this 
adventure in vol. I of this work, page 
1067 — Ed.] 

Gen. Hazen finished his road through to 
the town of Lowell, and then returned to 



the south. This road from near Joe's pond, 
led to the south of the present traveled 
road, until it came to the three corners of 
a road near the present grave-yard on the 
plain ; here it struck what is now the pres- 
ent traveled road and continued to the 
north line of the town. It was of great 
benefit to the first settlers. It is still called 
the Hazen road. 

The settlements began upon the high- 
est land, in, town which has been known 
as Cabot Plain for the last 40 years ; pre- 
vious to that as Johnson's Plain. Colonel 
Thomas Johnson of Newbury, when taken 
prisoner with Col. Jonathan Elkins of 
Peacham, by the British in 1781, and car- 
ried to Canada, the first night of their 
march camped on this tract of land, and 
when he returned on parole, soon after, 
and from that time until late in the present 
century this locality was called Johnson's 
Plain. It lies between the Connecticut 
and Winooski river, and commands an 
extensive and beautiful prospect, the out- 
lines of which are formed by the western 
range of the Green mountains and by the 
White mountains in N. H. 

BENJAMIN WEBSTER, 

of Salisbury, now of Franklin, N. H., 
uncle of renowned Daniel Webster, en- 
couraged by the liberal offers of the pro- 
prietors, came to this town in 1783, and 
made the first opening in the forest for a 
permanent settlement. The first clearing 
was made a little north of where George 
Smith now lives, on the line of the Hazen 
road. In the opening, Mr. Webster built 
the first log cabin. Its dimensions, we are 
not told, but assured it was sufficiently 
capacious to answer for a house, barn, 
shed, and all necessary out-buildings ; and 
that this tenement completed, he returned 
for his family and moved them into town 
March, 1783, himself driving the cow, Mrs. 
Webster traveling on snow-shoes, and the 
hired man with Mrs. Webster's assistance, 
drawing the few goods they brought with 
them on a hand-sled, among which was a 
wash-tub, and in this tub their little daugh- 
ter two years of age, who afterwards be- 
came the wife of Hanson Rogers, E.sq., 



CABOT. 



n 



and after raising a large family of children, 
died in the village of Cabot, Sept. 28, 
1S68, aged 88 yrs. 3 mos., 14 days, highly 
respected by all who knew her. On their 
journey from Peacham to their cabin, the 
snow was 4 feet deep upon a level ; and 
upon their arrival they found it drifted into 
their cabin, to the depth of a foot and a 
half. It had to be shoveled out before 
they could enter, and then tliey had only 
the bare ground for a floor. After getting 
settled a little, Mr. Webster went to New- 
bury for provisions. While he was away, 
the sun coming out warm, Mrs. Webster 
tapped some trees and made 40 pounds of 
sugar. It is said she could chop as well 
as a man, and greatly helped her husband 
in clearing up his farm. 

LIEUT. JONATHAN HEATH 

was the second settler. His family ar- 
rived the first of any settler's family. The 
Lieutenant came with his family two days 
before Benjamin Webster came with his. 
He built his cabin on the line of the Ha- 
zen road opposite the present burying- 
ground on the Plain. 

NATHANIEL WEBSTER 

and family were the third to arrive. He 
rolled up the logs for his cabin on the op- 
posite side of the Hazen road from Benja- 
min Webster's. 

LIEUT. THO*MAS LYFORD 

who was with Whitcomb in the daring 
adventure of shooting General Gordon, 
was the fourth settler. He located on the 
south of the road, near the three corners, 
near the burying-ground, in what is now 
Eli B. Stone's field. 

The nearest trading point at first was 
Newbury, 24 miles distant, where they had 
to go for milling, taking their grain on a 
hand-sled in winter, or at other times on 
their backs through the mud. After about 
three years, there was a mill built at 
Peacham, and they went there. So great 
was the hardship to procure milling, they 
often resorted to battling their grain. 
They had no neighbors north of them, and 
none on the south nearer than Peacham. 
It was some two or three years before any 
permanent addition was made to their 



number. About 1787, six families were 
added to them, namely, Lyman Hitchcock, 
David Blanchard, Jeremiah McDaniels, 
John Lyford, James Bruce, Thomas Batch- 
elder, and families,- emigrants from New 
Hampshire, who settled on the line of the 
Hazen road on the Plain. 

Up to this time, 1788, the inhabitants 
had lived in primitive independence, reg- 
ulating themselves by the principles of 
common law. The following appears upon 
the town book as the first step towards a 
town organization : 

Proceedings of the town of Cabot. At 
the request of four of the inhabitants of the 
town of Cabot, I hereby notify the freemen 
and inhabitants of tlie town to meet at the 
house of Mr. Thomas Lyford, in said 
Cabot, on the last Saturday instant March, 
ten o'clock before noon, then and there 
being met to choose ist, a moderator, 
clerk, and necessary town officers; 2d, to 
see if they will raise money to defray the 
incidental charges, and do any other bu.s- 
iness that may be necessary. 

Walter Brock, 
y It slice of the Peace. 

February 4th, 1788. 

The number of voters at the organiza- 
tion could not have been more than- 10 or 
12. The records of their meetings show 
that the first settlers seemed to regard 
military title as conferring almost perma- 
nent virtue or qualification for office, as 
seen by the following choice of officers : 

Capt. Jesse Levenworth, moderator; 
Lieut.. Jonathan Heath, Lieut. Thomas 
Lyford, Lieut. David Blanchard, select- 
men; Maj. Lyman Hitchcock, town treas- 
urer ; Ensign Jeremiah McDaniels, con- 
stable ; Edmund Chapman, surveyor of 
highways. Ensign Jeremiah McDaniels 
was chosen collector of taxes. One pri- 
vate only was found qualified to six com- 
missioned ofilicers for promotion in civil 
ofiice. The foregoing officers were all 
sworn into office by the said justice of the 
peace, Walter Brock. 

For 18 years of the settlement this was 
tire metropolis of the town. The lot upon 
Walden line was owned by Nathaniel 
Webster. His house stood a little south 
of where the road leading from the village 
to Walden depot intersects with the Hazen 



78 



VERlMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



road. Next south was Benjamin Web- 
ster's, the first settler ; then came Dr. 
Scott's, Hanson Rogers', Mr. Shephard's, 
and other houses and farms for about a 
mile on the line of the Hazen road. 

The famous "yellow house " was built 
by Horace and Gershom Beardsley, two 
stirring settlers from Massachusetts. It 
was the first framed house in town, and 
was first raised in the pasture now owned 
by Samuel S. Batchelder. At that time a 
new County was formed from towns set 
off from the County of Orange, and there 
was a strong.prospect that this town would 
be the shire town of the new county. With 
this expectation, the Beardsleys cleared 
two acres of land in this pasture, taking 
out the stumps root and branch, for the 
site of the county buildings. Their hopes 
not being realized, the house was not fin- 
ished on this spot, and after standing here 
about 2 years, was taken down and re- 
moved to the Plain. The foundation is 
seen at the present time where it was first 
raised. The timber all hard wood, and the 
house two stories, it took a large amount 
of help to raise it, of men and whisky. All 
the men and women in this town, Peacham 
and Danville were invited to the raising. 
Those invited giving out word that they 
would drink the Beardsleys dry that day, 
the Beardsleys prepared themselves. They 
furnished a barrel of first proof rum, and a 
second barrel, slightly reduced. It was 
said never was such rum seen in Cabot be- 
fore or after. All were invited to take 
hold and help themselves. In after years 
the old settlers enjoyed rehearsing the 
scenes at that raising. They said with a 
great many of them it lasted two days 

After the removal of the house to the 
Plain it was very nicely finished, and be- 
came the " Hub " of the town. It was 40 
feet square upon the ground, with a large 
hall in the ell, used for all kinds of gather- 
ings, and had a long shed attached run- 
ning to the barn. As all the travel from 
the north going to the Connecticut river 
had to pass over Cabot Plain, it was a 
favorite stopping-place for travelers, and 
during the war of 1812, those engaged in 
smuggling made it their quarters. 



DOINGS AND VOTES FROM Vj 



TO 1806. 



At the first March meeting, held the last 
Saturday in March, 1788, but two votes 
were taken, one for schools and one to 
raise a tax on each poll equal to two days' 
work for building and repairing roads. 

From the first town meeting to 1840, 
each town officer, from town clerk to high- 
way surveyor, was sworn into office. In 
1789, there being no justice of the peace 
in town, the town clerk was obliged to go 
to Barnet, where he received the oath of 
office, administered by Alexander Harvey, 
Esq. 

When the town was fairly organized, at- 
tention was next given to the protection 
of property. 

Voted to build a pound on Shepard Hill, 
that swine should not run at large from 
the loth of May to the loth of October, 
unless with a good poke on his neck and 
a ring in his nose. 

The first vote to defray town expenses 
was Mar. 25, 1779; "To raise 12 bushels 
of wheat to defray necessary town ex- 
pense, and purchase a town book for rec- 
ords," and the first auditors appointed, 
Lieut. Thomas Lyford, Mr. Thomas Batch- 
elder, Lieut. Jonas Watts, to examine into 
accounts of town officers, and report at 
next meeting. The town book cost $2 ; 
wheat was 75 cents a bushel. There were 
$7 left on the 12 bush, voted after paying 
for the book, for the " necessary town ex- 
penses." 

March meeting, 1790, the selectmen 
were instructed to procure a piece of land 
for a burying-ground. Six years after, the 
first burying-ground was laid out. 

Mar. 21, 1 79 1, 20 bushels of wheat 
voted to pay town expenses this year. 

Voted that width of sleds for the year 
ensuing in the town of Cabot shall be four 
feet and six inches from outside to out- 
side, and any one found with one of less 
dimensions on any public road in said town 
shall be subject to a fine of five dollars for 
every such offence. 

1793, population 122; new school dis- 
trict, No. 2, formed; first full list of town 
officers elected : Capt. James Moss, mod- 
erator ; Lyman Hitchcock, town clerk ; 
Samuel Danforth, James Moss, David 



CABOT. 



79 



Blanchard, selectmen; Thomas Lyford, 
town treasurer ; Thomas Batchelder, con- 
stable and collector; Ephraim Marsh, 
grand juryman ; James Chapman, Martin 
Durgin, Thomas Osgood, surveyors of 
highway ; Ezekiel Gilman, hog-ward ; Ed- 
ward Chapman, fence-viewer ; Jonathan 
Heath, pound-keeper ; Fifield Lyford, 
sealer of weights and measures ; Thomas 
Lyford, leather sealer ; listers, selectmen, 
(see list of town officers) . 

To this time no steps had been taken to 
punish violators of the law in cas^ there 
should be any that should require more 
than the civil law would give them, and it 
was voted to build stocks, (whipping post) 
and sign-post on the Shepard hill near the 
pound, — 15 bushels of wheat was voted 
for town expenses or, 4s. in cash in lieu of 
I bushel of wheat, and 5 bushels of wheat, 
to purchase standard weights and measures 
for the town. 

Voted that Reuben Kelzer be discharged 
from his fine of eleven shillings for profane 
swearing, and breaking the peace. 

After arrangements had been made for 
the punishment of civil and criminal of- 
fenders " : 

March, 1794, — Voted that the sum of 
twenty-one dollars be expended in the pur- 
chase of 28 pounds of powder, | of cwt. of 
lead and six dozen flints for tlie town stock 
of ammunition. 

Vdted that the fines that have been or 
shall be laid be appropriated to the use of 
schools the present year. 

A good use to devote them to. 
Previous to 1795, the duty of listers was 
performed by the selectmen ; at March 
meeting, 1795, the first board were elected : 
Capt. David Blanchard, Fifield Lyford, 
Samuel Warner. 

1796. In 13 years, the settlement had 
extended to the south, east and west. The 
question began to be agitated in regard to 
removing the seat of government to the 
geographical center of the town. A meet- 
ing of the inhabitants was called at the 
school-house on the Hazen road to take 
the matter into consideration. As a mat- 
ter of course, it was stoutly opposed by 
the pioneers of the town, those that had 
borne the burden and heat of the day, saw 
by this move their glory departing. So 



long had the business of the town been 
done here, that they had come (and per- 
haps all natural enough) to consider them- 
selves the Mecca of the town. The day 
of the meeting came, the forces well mar- 
shalled on both sides, but those in favor 
of a change were too strong for the other 
side, and it was voted that. 

Hereafter all meetings for doing pub- 
lic business shall be held at the school- 
house at the centre of the town, and the 
public property all except the pound 
(which consisted ot the stocks and whip- 
ping-post) should be removed to that 
place. 

It is said this was a hard blow to those 
living on the Plain ; but we cannot learn 
as they threatened to secede. In 1799, 
$22 was voted to defray town expenses. 

The patriotism and high esteem in which 
the Father of his Country was held may 
be seen by the following record : 

On the receipt of the news of the 
death of Gen. Washington a town meet- 
ing was called to meet on the 22d day of 
February, 1800, to see what the town will 
do on account ol Keeping in Remem- 
brance the Life and Death of Gen. Wash- 
ington. 

Voted that a committee of three be 
appointed to take charge of the assembly 
and conduct them in a becoming manner 
to the school-house there to listen to an 
Oration to be delivered by Lyman Hitch- 
cock, Esq. The committee appointed were 
Joseph Fisher, Thomas Osgood, Joseph 
Huntoon. 

A large assembly gathered, and after the 
oration Esq. Horace Beardsley was directed 
to return the thanks of said town to the 
speaker for delivering so good an oration 
to the people. 

1802, the town began to look towards 
retrenchment of expenses. Before elect- 
ing selectmen it was voted whoever should 
be elected should serve free of charge for 
their services ; and it does not appear that 
they had any trouble in finding men to 
serve ; doubtless they thought the honor 
paid. At the same meeting the first tith- 
ing men were elected : John Edgerton and 
Gershom Beardsley, whose duty it was to 
see that the Sabbath was not desecrated 
by persons hunting, fishing, or lounging 
about, and if any persons there found so 



8o 



VERMONT rilSTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



doing, to arrest and bring them before a 
magistrate to be fined. Frequent votes 
appear after upon the records to remit the 
fines of those that had been fined for the 
violation of {he Sabbath. It was also 
their duty to see that no one disturbed 
religious meetings ; if the}' did to take 
them in charge. 

There were some who were not pros- 
pered in their worldly possessions, and 
from year to year there were quite lively 
times in warning such persons out of town 
to prevent their becoming a town charge. 
The first order was given by the selectmen 
Oct. 3, 1803, for James Shepard and his 
wife Sarah, with their children, to depart 
said town, and in 1807, 12 families were 
warned to depart. 

[If a family came to want that had been 
duly "warned out," the town was not 
obliged to assist them ; but if not, the 
town was liable. A very uncharitable 
record to put down for all our early towns ; 
if we could not add, it was usually about 
as serious a matter as appointing a hog 
ward, to which office every man in town 
married during the year, even the minis- 
ter, was a candidate for at next March 
meeting. The old settlers were fond of 
practical jokes, and received them very 
complacently. I have seen the record 
where the warning out went so far every 
family in town was warned out. — Ed.] 

On all public days whisky went around 
freely, and officers all had to treat. March 
meeting, 1806, tradition says the whisky 
was kept in the closet of the school-house 
where the meeting was held, which was 
imbibed so frecjuently by candidates and 
their supporters, some of them got so they 
hardly knew which way to vote. About 
middle way of the proceedings of the 
meeting it was "voted that the door lead- 
ing into the closet be shut and kept so for 
the space of one-half hour." 

The first surveyor of wood and lumber, 
Oliver Walbridge, was elected in 1S06, 
and the first jurors, petit and grand, for 
County Court, were drawn, and $20 voted 
this year for town expenses. This closes 
the first book of records — the notes and 
doings that appear most interesting. The 



succeeding records are about like those of 
the present day, with the exception of 
many more alterations in school districts, 
laying out of roads and such business as 
was incident to a new county. 

In 1802, John W. Dana came to the 
Plain, and opened a store in a building a 
little south of the yellow house. He being 
a man of ability, brought a good deal of 
business to the place. In a few years he 
was joined by John Damon, and they soon 
became the sole owners, or nearly so, of 
all that region, comprising nearly 1000 
acres. They frequently wintered 100 head 
of cattle, beside a large amount of other 
stock, at the yellow house barns. 

About 1 8 10, business began to draw to 
the lower grounds, localities less exposed 
to the cold winds of winter, and in 1820, 
but little was left on the Plain save the old 
yellow house. 

During the war of 1812, those engaged 
in smuggling made this old house their 
quarters. One mile north of here there is 
a small body of water called .Smugglers' 
pond, from an encounter that took place 
between a custom house officer and some 
smugglers, in which the smugglers threw 
the officer into the pond. Another time 
several parties from this town, while start- 
ing some cattle for Canada, were jnter- 
cepted by a custom house officer by the 
name of Young. They said they gave him 
a good smart threshing, but they were in- 
volved for it in a long and expensive law- 
suit. 

As time moved on, one building after 
another pertaining to the old yellow house 
was torn down, till at last, in 1855, the old 
landmark had to succumb, and share the 
fate which sooner or later aU old and hon- 
ored structures must. And now upon 
those broad acres, so beautifully spread 
out on the upland of the township, where 
the pioneers endured so many privations, 
and reduced the heavy-timbered forest to 
the fertile farms which for so many years 
teemed with business and thrift — along the 
whole street nought is now seen but the 
herds quietly feeding and an occasional 
husbandman tilling" the lonely soil. 



CABOT. 



gi 



CABOT VILLAGE. 

In 1788, Lieut. Thomas Lyford, the 
third settler in town, and the first settler 
at the village, bought a lot of land of Jesse 
Levenworth and Lyman Hitchcock. On 
this land the village of Cabot now stands. 
The Winooski river runs through the 
grounds. Mr. Lyford was a mill-wright; 
there was no saw-mill within ten miles ; he 
decided to build a saw-mill upon his lot 
upon tlie Winooski river. He selected the 
spot where John Brown's shop now stands. 
Here the first blow of the axe fell to sub- 
due the thick wood to the fair vale, in 
which a beautiful and pleasant village was 
to grow. At that time this spot was quite 
a high elevation of land, and until within 
a few years was always spoken of as Saw- 
mill Hill. The timber was cut and framed 
upon the spot ; the irons were made at 
Newbury, and drawn on a hand-sled to 
the spot the winter before. The mill and 
dam were not completed and got to run- 
ning till the spring of 1789. At that time 
this was regarded an extra water-power 
and a very smart mill. The pond covered 
then all of what is now the meadow to the 
upper end of the street. The mill had 
what is called an up-and-down saw ; a 
good, smart man would run out 2000 ft. of 
lumber in a day. 

Lyford and his son, Thomas Jr., next 
built a grist-mill, where the grist-mill now 
stands. This mill had but one run of 
stone, split out of a granite stone where 
Allen Perry's house now stands, and used 
for the steps of the present mill. Thomas 
Lyford, Jr., took charge of the mill. He 
built a camp on the rise of ground before 
it, and stayed there from Monday morning 
till Saturday night, when he returned to 
his father's on the Plain. The mill did 
the grinding for this town and the towns 
for 10 or 12 miles around. About 1794, 
Lieut. Lyford built the first house in the 
village, where Mrs. Jos. La»ce now lives. 
His son, Thomas Jr., attended to the 
mills and commenced clearing up the land. 
For the next 12 years but little addition 
was made to the new neighborhood. 

The second house was built by Samuel 



Lee, where Enoch Hoy't and his son, 
George Hoyt, now live ; the third by Elias 
Hitchcock, where the garden of Caleb 
Fisher now is. John W. Dana, on the 
Plain, bought a small house that stood 
where Mrs. Haines' house now does, and 
fitted it up for a store — the first mercantile 
business here. After a few years, George 
W. Dana built quite a large store. It was 
becoming evident that this was to be the 
business centre of the town. John W. 
Dana, a keen-sighted man, came from the 
Plain and bought nearly all the land now 
included in the village. By selling build- 
ing-lots to the farmers, he contributed 
largely to building up the village. In 
18 17, a distillery was put up where Union 
Block now stands. Marcus O. Fisher 
bought the site and put in a tannery, en- 
larged the building, using part for a cur- 
rying and shoe-shop. "The old red 
house " was one of the landmarks of the 
town for years. In 1825, he built a larger 
tannery where the bark was first ground 
between two stones by horse-power. A 
man and a horse could grind from one-half 
to a cord in a day. This stone is now in 
the yard of J. M. Fisher as an old town 
relic. About 1840, water-power was sub- 
stituted for the horse. Mr. Fisher carried 
on the business successfully about 35 
years, and his son, Edwin till 1868, which 
ended the tanning business in Cabot. It 
was sold to a stock-company who erected 
the handsome union block for stores, 
offices, etc., on the site. 

The next business started was wool- 
carding and cloth-dressing, by George 
Fielding, who built a shop on the site of 
the present carriage-shop in the spring 
of 1833. In August, the highest waters 
ever known on this river, carried away 
the shop before finished. He rebuilt in 
1834; carried on cloth-dressing for a 
year and sold to Jason Britt, who carried 
on the business of wool-carding and cloth- 
dressing here 44 years ; building on the 
same site in 1855, a larger and better 
shop, a part of which was used for a 
carriage-shop by diiTerent parties till 
1874, when it was enlarged and an exten- 
sive business undertaken by A. P. Marshall 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and W. W. Buchanan, known as the 
"Cabot Carriage Co.," which run 3 or 4 
years and closed up. The property came 
into the hands of J. A. Farrington, by 
whom the business is now conducted on a 
smaller and more sure basis. On the op- 
posite side of the river, William Scales 
built, in 1826, a blacksmith-shop and small 
foundry, where caldrons, five-pail kettles, 
cog-wheels and other iron castings were 
made. 

Mr. Scales will be remembered by all 
who ever got him to do any blacksmithing, 
as a very nice man, but not one of the 
smoothest of workmen. 

In 1840, a starch factory was built be- 
low the shops on the river, by Israel 
•Cutting, which like everything else in his 
hands proved lucrative. In connection 
with his factory, he built a grist and a saw- 
mill which he run a few years. 

The first tavern was built where Mrs. 
Joseph Lance's house stands, small, and 
one story. It was taken down in 1833, 
and moved over the river. The present 
hotel stands on the same site. Fisher 
was landlord 4 years, and sold to Horace 
Bliss, who kept it 10 years, when it was 
known as a first-class house. There was 
much heavy teaming on the road from the 
north of the state to Burlington, and this 
was a favorite stopping place for all team- 
sters, and also for the light travel. There 
are those now living who speak of Mrs. 
Bliss, the genial landlady, who always did 
so much to make the hotel a pleasant rest- 
ing place for her guests. The house was 
kept by different parties with little change 
till 1875, when it was largely repaired by 
William P. Whittier, who kept it until the 
death of his wife, April, 1881, after which 
he sold to the present proprietor, W. W. 
Buchanan. 

April, 1822, John W. Dana deeded to 
the town for one dollar i J acre for a com- 
mon, conditioned to be kept clear from 
all incumbrance and free on all occasions 
to the public, especially for military pa- 
rading. 

There are people now living in the vil- 
lage that well recollect when this common 
was a frog-pond, and filled with fir and 



alder bushes, and was so muddy through 
the street, ox-teams were stuck in the mud 
before where Union block now stands. 

Population of village, June i, 1881, 258; 
64 dwelling-houses ; 2 stores ; i millinery 
shop ; I hotel ; 2 blacksmith shops ; i 
carriage manufactory ; i tin shop ; i har- 
ness shop ; I cooper-shop ; i grist-mill ; i 
saw-mill ; i graded school ; 2 churches. 

By an act of the Legislature, Nov. 19, 
1866, the village was incorporated. The 
first village clerk, W. H. Fletcher; first 
board of trustees : John M. Fisher, John 
Brown, Theron H. Lance, William P. 
Whittier, J. P. Lamson. 

The village has a good fire department 
well equipped with engine, etc., etc. But 
few fires have ever occurred in the village. 
The most destructive was Jan. 5, 1 881, at 
which time the fire department did excel- 
lent service. 

THE CENTER. 

This place is the geographical centre of 
the town, and has always been known by 
the name of the Centre. James Morse, 
Esq., from Barre, Mass., made the first 
settlement in 1789, where Henry Hill's 
house stands. Esq. Morse built his first 
log-house. He was moderator of the first 
town meeting, first justice of the peace ; to 
him nearly all the business of this office 
fell for quite a number of years. 

When first appointed, knowing he would 
be called to perform the marriage cer- 
emony, he wished to have some practice 
before he appeared in public. He took his 
son David out, and told him to stand up 
by the side of a stump, and he would 
marry him to it. David did as directed, 
and the Squire commenced and went 
through, David assenting that he would 
love, cherish and protect her. The Esquire 
closed up in the usual form, saying that he 
pronounced them husband and wife. It 
is said David would not marry until the 
stump rotted" down, which was quite late 
in life. The Esquire being of rather nerv- 
ous temperament, at the next ceremony 
got a little bewildered, and made the 
groom promise to foj'sake her and cleave 
to all other ivovien. At another time, it is 



CABOT. 



83 



said, he forgot the ceremony, and was 
obliged to consult his notes. 

At a later day he opened the first hotel in 
town, in a small log-house. The bar was 
in the square room, and a bed in the same 
room. This was in the early days of hotel 
keeping. The Escjuire was said to be a 
man in whom all his townsmen had the 
utmost confidence ; a man of sound judg- 
ment, and his advice was often sought. 
He held all the offices from highway sur- 
veyor to representative. 

The next house was built by Oliver Wal- 
bridge, where G. Noyes now lives. In 1790 
Major Hitchcock, Capt. Jesse Levenworth 
and Asa Douglas, Esq., presented the 
town 8 acres of land for public use. 3 
years after, 4. acres were cleared for a 
common, and a school-house built on it, 
and two years later the seat of government 
removed from the Plain to this place. The 
principal property to move appears to have 
been the stocks and whipping-post, which 
were set up at the Corner, where the road 
by Henry HilFs intersects with the Centre 
road. They were never used. The only 
person ever whipped for crime in town 
was Ben. Parker, for breaking into a store 
that stood where True A. Town's house 
stands. The crime, trial and punishment 
were not far separated. He broke into 
the store Tuesday night, was tried Wednes- 
day, and whipped Thursday, opposite the 
store he broke into. The whip was of 
cord, and the officer said he did not whip 
very hard, only wanted to show him what 
he might expect if he persisted in his 
thieving course. 

After 1796, town-meetings and all pub- 
lic gatherings were at the Centre. The 
Fourth of July, 1820, was a memorable 
day. Two companies of infantry, one of 
artillery and one of cavalry assisted in the 
celebration. Capt. Crossman, of Peacham, 
was the president of the day. There was 
an oration, and bountiful repast furnished. 

There was a store opened by Luther 
Wheatley, who after a short time was suc- 
ceeded by Hector McLean, and the second 
pound was built at this place, which was 
liberally patronized in the olden time. It 
was once broken open and the cattle taken 



out, which disturbed the peace and dignity 
of the town. It was expected this would 
be a village of considerable size, and pros- 
perous farmers, as once before at the Plain, 
invested in village lots, and here, as at 
the Plain before them, their hopes were 
disappointed, and already this place where 
public business was so long done is now 
desolate. The winds sing their dirge 
around where the store, the school -house 
and the sacred edifice once stood, and not 
far from this spot those who were once 
active in the business of the town are 
quietly resting in the bosom of their 
mother earth. 

EAST HILL, 

often called Whittier Hill, from its first 
settler, Lieut. John Whittier, who came 
here in 1780, and commenced clearing up 
the farm now owned and occlipied by 
Frederick Corliss. He built his first cabin 
a little north of the present house, near the 
brook, and brought his wife and one child 
to the Plain, March, 1790, with an ox 
team, and from there drew his effects on a 
hand-sled, his wife walking on the crust 
beside him, carrying her spinning-wheel. 
After they got to keeping some cows and 
sheep, one evening a large bear came into 
the yard where they were milking, and took 
a .sheep. They gave chase, and the bear 
dropped the sheep, but he made his es- 
cape, and the sheep was killed. 

Lieut. Whittier raised a large family. 
Several of the boys settled on farms made 
from the old farm. Mrs. Whittier was a 
descendant from Mrs. Dustin who scalped 
the Indians. 

WILLIAM OSGOOD, 

from Claremont, N. H., the second set- 
tler here, bought one square mile west of 
the Centre road, opposite Lieut. Whittier, 
on which he settled his six sons. Four of 
them came in March, 1791. First, they 
dug out sap-troughs and sugared, and then 
.slashed 15 acres by the ist of June, and 
returned to Claremont. They boarded at 
Lieut. Whittier's. In the fall Mr. Osgood 
came with his six sons. They cleared the 
slash, and built a log house, 40 ft. in 
length, where Solomon W. Osgood now 



84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lives. It is said this family were all strong, 
broad-shouldered men, able for the task 
before them. 

DAVID HAINES 

commenced on the farm south of George 
Gould's, so long occupied by his son Wm. 
Haines, in 1797. When he came to town 
he was not possessed of a great amount of 
cash, it may be inferred by the fact he was 
the owner of two pair of pants and two 
shirts, and he swajiped one shirt and one 
pair of pants for a hoe and axe to begin 
work with. 

These places are now all excellent farms 
and in good hands. 

LOWER CABOT. 

Settlement was commenced in 1799, by 
Reuben Atkins, on the farm now of W. 
S. Atkins, his grand-son. He cleared a 
spot, and built his log-house on the site of 
the present house. The first spring he 
made sugar in the door-yard. In 1800, he 
built a framed barn, now standing, in good 
condition. The farm has always been in 
the family, owned by one of the sons. 
MOSES stone, 

from New Hampshire, in 1797, about half 
a mile west from Wm. Atkins, cleared the 
ground and built a saw-mill where the 
Haines Factory now stands, his family 
meantime living in a shed of Lieut. Whit- 
tier's, on Whittier hill. After he got his 
mill running, he built his house. It had a 
large stone chimney. His wife said all 
the way she could see any sky was to look 
up through that. 

Fish in the river, wild game in the thick 
surrounding woods, were abundant. Stone 
was a strong man, not easily frightened. 
One evening in the fall he had been up to 
neighbor Atkins'. Returning, he, as he 
thought, met a man who had on a white 
hat and blue frock, to whom he said "good 
evening." The man made no answer. He 
repeated it, but no reply. Stonesaid, "I'll 
know who you are,'' and grabbed around 
him, when to his surprise he found he was 
out of the path, and it was a large stump 
he was hugging. 

In 1 801, Clement Coburn built a grist- 
mill where True A. Town's works stand. 



In 1803, he sold a privilege to Joseph Co- 
burn, on the opposite side of the river, to 
put in a fulling-mill. Cloth being then 
spun and wove at home, this was needed. 
He carried on the business some years. 
Thomas Coldwill became next owner, who 
soon sold to Wm. Ensign, John R. Put- 
nam and Horace Haines, who moved the 
shop to where the factory stands, and 
added carding works. In 1835, Alden 
Webster bought the works, adding ma- 
chinery, a spinning-jenny, hand-looms, re- 
garded a wonderful improvement. He 
commenced the manufacture of full cloth. 
In 1849, he sold to Horace Haines, who 
continued the business with his son, E. G. 
Haines, building a new factory in 1849, 
with water-power looms and modern ma- 
chinery. Horace Haines and two sons in 
the business have died. It is now owned 
by Ira F. Haines. Quite an extensive 
business has been done sometimes here. 

Carriage-making has been at different 
times carried on to some extent. 

On the river opposite the factory, in 
1827, Wm. Fisher put in a tannery, which 
he run till 1838, when he removed to Al- 
bion, N. Y., where he died in 1851. Tan- 
ning was afterwards carried on here by Q. 
Cook, G. W. Cree and others. 

At present the most extensive business 
done in this village is by True A. Town, in 
the lumber business, in his saw-mill, and 
the manufacturing of the lumber into chair- 
stuff, boot-crimps, coffins, caskets, etc. 

The first store in the place was started 
by a Mr. Oaks, on the spot where Town's 
house stands. The mercantile business 
has been carried on here for 60 years, by 
John Edgerton, Ketchum and others. 

HECTOR MCLEAN 

opened a store here in 1825. There were 
in the village at this time but 9 houses be- 
tween the Perkins bridge and Marshfield vil- 
lage. Mr. McLean helped very much toward 
building up the place. He put in another 
dwelling-house (for hi sfamily), started a 
potash, blacksmith shop, and other indus- 
tries, and in 1836, opened a hotel, where 
Nathaniel Perry lives, kept by different 
persons for some years. 



CABOT. 



85 



In 1870, a post-office was establisned 
here, Cornelius Smith postmaster. There 
are at present, (July, 1881) in the village 30 
dwelling-houses, i meeting-house, i store, 
I blacksmith shop, a woolen factory, a 
wheelwright shop. 

Situated in the valley of the Winooski, 
although at an early day it is said that one 
of the early settlers said he would not take 
the Coburn Meadow as a gift, it has some 
of the finest farms in the county. 

SOUTH CABOT. 

The first beginning here was made by 
Parker Hooker, in 18 10. He built a saw- 
mill on the site of the present mill. He 
lived in Peacham, a distance of 4 miles 
through the woods, with no road or guide 
but marked trees. The first business at 
his mill was to saw the boards to cover a 
barn for himself at his home in Peacham. 
He snaked his boards with oxen through 
the woods, a stock at a time. He soon 
cleared two acres, near the present resi- 
dence of Mrs. Alvisa E. Hooker, and built 
a log-house. This mill was rebuilt by 
Liberty Hooker, in 1839. 

In a few years the house now occupied 
by Lewis Paquin, was built by Enoch Blake. 
This place now contains 13 dwelling- 
houses, one store, a post-office, saw-mill, 
grist-mill, blacksmith shop and school- 
house ; also a large shop for the manufac- 
tory of wagons, etc. There was formerly 
a large shop in which wood and iron work 
was done, which was burnedin 1876. This 
place was formerly known as Hookerville. 

EAST CABOT. 

John Heath, son of Lieut. Jonathan 
Heath, the second settler of the town, in 
1817 commenced in this locality, on the 
place now owned by Charles Howe. He 
cleared a few acres. His team to draw his 
logs together, to go to mill and to meeting 
was one stag. He made salts, of lye and 
took them to Danville and Peacham for 
necessaries for his family. Very soon 
after William Morse, Leonard Orcutt, Ster- 
ling Heath, and several others commenced 
clearing and making farms. John Clark 
opened a tavern opposite the Molly pond, 
which in after years was known as the Pond 



House, and George Rogers, Esq., made a 
fine farm near the school-house, now occu- 
pied by S. R. Moulton. 

The road from Danville four-corners 
to Cabot was built in 1829. Esquire 
Orcutt was the moving spirit in the enter- 
prise. It was first used as a winter road, 
and Lyman Clark drove the first stage 
through from Danville to Cabot. Previous 
to this, the stage and all the travel went 
over the Plain. For 45 years this was the 
leading thoroughfare from Danville to 
Montpelier, over which a great amount of 
heavy teaming was done. 

While Esq. Orcutt was getting this road 
through, a petition was presented to the 
selectmen to lay out the Molly Brook road. 
Esq. Orcutt^s head was too long for the 
petitioners ; he accomplished his favorite 
scheme. 

The Molly Brook road occupies quite a 
prominent place in the road history of the 
town. Leading from East Cabot to Marsh- 
field, on the extreme east part of the town, 
it was opposed by the Centre and west 
part. The first petition for it in 1830, was 
refused, the reason set up for the laying of 
the road was to avoid the hill i^ mile long 
on leaving Cabot village ; the road pro- 
posed being in two counties. The next step 
was to petition the Supreme Court for a 
committee. John W. Dana was elected 
an agent to attend court, and defend on 
the laart of the town. In 1845, '^ petition 
was presented to the Legislature for a 
charter for a turnpike, and it went on in 
this way, petitions first to the selectmen, 
then to the court, each one being opposed 
by the town, for 45 years. When one set 
of men died out another took their places ; 
in 1865, the road was finally completed, 
and is now one of the leading thorough- 
fares through town. 

south-west hill, 
with commanding view of the Winooski 
valley, and excellent soil, is one of the 
most desirable farming sections in town. 
The settlement .was commenced here by 
James Butler, 1799, on the farm where 
John M. Stone now lives. Mr. Butler 
while doing his chopping boarded at Reu- 
ben Atkins\ Among the first settlers on 



86 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



this hill were Nathaniel Gibbs, Asa Co- 
burn, Ezra Bliss. One right, 320 acres of 
this hill, is lease land. 

WEST HILL. 

A beautiful table-land in the west part of 
the town, surrounded by valleys on the 
east, south and west, has a charming view 
of the country beneath. Enoch Hoyt, 
known as Deacon Enoch in later years, 
being a member of the Baptist church, 
bought of Edmund Gilman 320 acres, the 
farm now owned by Orson Kimball. He 
commenced clearing in the field back of 
the school-house in 1797, and built his 
cabin a little north of where Eastman Hop- 
kins lives. He came from Epsom, N. H., 
to the Junction (Cabot Plain), with his 
effects, and from there got them over on 
his back, probably. Four of his brothers, 
Ezra, Asaph, Benjamin and Samuel came 
very soon and settled near him. They 
were all steady men, and made this one of 
the best farming sections in town, and 
some of them after their pioneer life here, 
went to Wisconsin and started anew. 

PETERSVILLE. 

The first clearing was begun here by 
Reuben Atkins, in 1825, on the farm 
where his son Henry Atkins now lives. 
There being a school-district formed here 
in 1858, Peter Lyford, one of the select- 
men, went over to organize the district, 
since which the locality has been called 
Petersville. It has 4 dwelling-houses, i 
school-house and a saw-mill. It lies on 
tlie Molly brook road, 2 miles from Marsh- 
field village. 

MARKET ROAD, 

a half mile east of Hazen road, was built 
to avoid the hard hills. Many of the towns 
in Northern Vermont took their produce 
to market on this road, from which its 
name. The first clearing on this road was 
begun on the farm now owned by Charles 
Oderkirk, by Samuel Levett, in 182 1. 

To the north Jesse Mason soon after 
began and cleared up the farm now occu- 
pied by his son, N.J. Mason. Mr. Mason 
says he has often seen as many as 60 
loaded teams pass his house in a day, but 



now in place of the rattle of the heavy 
wagons is heard the puffing of the iron 
horse. 

FREIGHTING. 

Robert Lance, from Chester, N. H., who 
came here about 18 10, and lived where 
Hial Morse now does, did the first team- 
ing to Boston. His team was two yoke of 
oxen ; freight, salts, whisky, pork, and it 
took from 4 to 6 weeks to make the round 
trip. He usually made two trips a year. 
A little later, Joseph Burbank began to go 
with a span of horses, and two loads a year 
would usually supply the merchants with 
goods. Benjamin Sperry used to team. 
It is said he was known from here to 
Boston by the name of Uncle Ben by 
everybody. Hugh Wilson did quite a 
business at teaming. In the winter quite 
a number of men would go to Portland, 
Me., with their red, double sleighs and two 
horses, loaded with pork. In 1838, Allen 
Perry began to run a 6-horse team to 
Boston, regular trips, the round trip taking 
3 weeks. The freight tariff was $20 per 
ton; his expenses, about $50 a trip. When 
he came in with his big, covered wagon it 
was quite an event for the place. He run 
his team till 1846, when the railroad got so 
near he sold his team and went to farm- 
ing. The P. & O. railroad is 5 miles to 
the north of us, and the Montpelier & 
Wells River the same distance to the south. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first marriage in town was David 
Lyford to Judith Heath, July 23, 1795, by 
James Morse, Esq ; the 2d was Solomon 
W. Osgood to Ruth Marsh, Jan. 3, 1800, 
by Joseph Fisher, Esq. The first child 
born in town was a daughter, to Thomas 
Blanchard, Oct. 3, 1787. The 2d was a 
daughter to James Blanchard, born Apr. 
I, 1788; died Apr. 14, aged 14 days; the 
second death in town. The first death was 
that of Nathaniel West, killed while chop- 
ping in the woods for Benjamin Webster, 
in the winter of 1786. He was crushed 
by the falling of a large birch tree. He 
was carried to the house, but lived but a 
few minutes. He was buried in what is 
now the pasture of G. W. Webster. The 



CABOT. 



87 



place is pointed out by a large maple tree. 
I am told there were .six or seven buried 
here, but the graves are not discernible. 
The town continued to bury in different 
places. There were several graves in the 
pasture of Lenie J. Walbridge. 

GRAVE-YARDS. 

In 1800, the town purchased an acre of 
land at the Centre for a burying-ground 
and inclosed it. This was the first grave- 
yard in town. William Osgood, who died 
Feb. 5, 1801, was thefirst person buriedin 
it. There are 92 graves discernible here. 
A large number of them have headstones 
that were dug out of the ledge near by and 
lettered, but they are hardly legible now. 
No burials have been made for 35 years. 
The last was that of Lieut. Fifield Lyford 
in 1846. 'I'o the credit of the town it has 
been kept inclosed by them, and tolerably 
clean, as also all of the other numerous 
small interment inclosures in town, where 
it is not done by individuals. 

The next grave-yard was at the Lower 
Ville. In 1 81 3, ElihuCoburnandCol. John 
Stone donated the original ground, i acre, ^ 
each. Joseph Coburn was the first one 
buried in it. From time to time it has 
])een enlarged. It has now about 329 in- 
habitants. It is a beautiful location, about 
40 rods from the Winooski, whose musical 
waters as they pass seemingly a little more 
quiet by here, you may imagine chanting 
the requiem of the dead. 

In 1814, a burying lot was opened on the 
farm now owned by Orson Kimball, just 
above the residence of E. T. Hopkins. 19 
graves are discernible. 

The West Hill burying-ground, a gift 
from David Lyford and John Edgerton, was 
laid out in 1817. Whentheywere staking 
it out it was in the time of what is called 
by the old people the great sickness. Mr. 
Edgerton repeated the lines : 

" YeUiviiig men come view the ground 
Where you must shortly lie." 

He was the first person buried there. 
The graves here number 84. ' 

East Cabot grave-yard is a very pretty 
plot for the purpose, donated by George 
Rogers, Esq., for that part of the town. 
38 persons occupy this place. 



Cabot Plain grave-yard, the ground for 
which was donated by Alpheus Bartlett, in 
1825. The first one buried in it was Al- 
vira Covell. The interments in this yard 
are 39. 

At South Cabot the grave-yard was do- 
nated by Moses Clark, in 1834, with the 
express understanding it was to be kept 
well fenced. Thirty-five have been in- 
terred here ; the first a child of Moses 
Clark. It is now entirely abandoned. 

Cabot Village grave-yard, h acre of land, 
donated by John W. Dana, was laid out in 
1820. The first one buried in it, Eliza 
Dutton, died May 20, 1820, age 22. It 
has been enlarged to one acre, and con- 
tainsabout2i7graves. T.H. Lanceopeneda 

NEW CEMETERY 

adjoining this in 1865, which is private 
property, those interring herein buying fam- 
ily lots. The first grave here is that of 
Joseph Lance, Oct. 12, 1865. There are 
86 persons at this date buried here, July 
5, 1 88 1, and there are some very hand- 
some monuments of marble and granite. 
The town have built a tomb in the yai'd 
for public use. In 1854, the town pur- 
chased for $100 its first hearse. 

SCHOOLS 

were established as soon as there was a 
sufficient number of scholars in any local- 
ity. The first log school-house stood at 
the foot of Shephard Hill, just north of 
where the road near Harvey Smith's inter- 
sects with the Hazen road. Wooden pins 
were driven into the logs, and boards laid 
on them, for writing-desks ; benches were 
used for seats. The scholars had to turn 
their face to the wall to wiite. The first 
school was taught by John Gunn, in the 
summer of 1792. 

At the first town meeting, 1798, a vote 
was passed raising 20 bushels of wheat for 
the support of a town school, under the 
direction of the selectmen. At a town 
meeting, Mar. 9, 1789, this vote was re- 
scinded, as no school had been kept on ac- 
count of the great scarcity of wheat, but at 
the same meeting, 30 bushels of wheat 
was voted for a summer and winter school 
of 3 months each. The object had never 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



been lost sight of. Every town meeting 
voted for schools, and the matter was de- 
ferred simply from the hardshijj of the 
times. A town meeting was called ex- 
pressly in Oct. 1789, to consider the sub- 
ject of building a school-house, and a tax 
of $40 for the same voted, $35 to be paid 
in wheat and $5 in cash, nails or glass. 3s. 
was to be paid per day for a man's labor 
and 3 for his cattle, he finding himself and 
cattle in building said house. 

After a few years, a school-house was 
commenced by district No. i, nearly op- 
posite the burying-ground ; but being a 
bleak spot, was removed before finished, 
down into the corner of the field near the 
Junction. It was used both for a school 
and a town-house for a number of years. 
The school now numbered as high as 50 
scholars. Unruly ones were regulated by 
the big ferule, and if this was not suffi- 
cient, by the birch toughened in the hot 
embers, applied freely. Sweetmeats and 
delicacies for the children's dinners were 
scarce. They carried barley cakes, and 
roasted their potatoes in the ashes of the 
huge stone fireplace. 

District No. 2 was a large territory. The 
first school-house was built of logs, near 
where the old pound now stands. It is 
said the winter schools numbered as high as 
90 scholars. After a few years this house 
was burned, after which a better one was 
built. This district has built the most 
school-houses of any in town. It now has 
a large and nice one, but few scholars. 

In 1800, by request of Moses Stone, it 
was voted to form No. 3. The Lower 
Cabot district and other new districts were 
formed as needed . I n 1 80 1 , they were num- 
bered according to their formation. June 
10, 1801, the scholars in town from 4years 
to 18 were 89, and in 1803, 149. There 
are now 14 districts. All support school 
20 weeks each year, and most of them 31 
weeks. We have no academy, but our 
people have always manifested an interest 
in education, not only in the district schools, 
the safeguards of our civilization, but by 
liberal patronage of the academies in the 
adjoining towns. 



THE FACE OF THE TOWNSHIP 

is generally broken and uneven, the soil 
adapted to all the grains, roots and grasses 
of this latitude. The leading interest for 
the first 50 years was raising grain and 
cattle ; at present it is dairy and sheep hus- 
bandry. 

Joe's Pond is the largest body of water. 
It is about one-half in this town. It re- 
ceived its name from Capt. Joe, a Nova 
Scotia Indian. He was in the revolution- 
ary war, and used to traverse this section 
at an early day, and once had a camp on 
this shore. A smaller body of water in 
the east part of the town, about a mile in 
length and one-third in width, was named 
Molly's Pond for the Indian's wife, who 
travelled with him. [For the further inter- 
esting history of Capt. Joe and family, see 
Newbury, vol. II, of this work.] 

Coit's Pond, in the N. W. part of the 
town, was named when the town was sur- 
veyed, for one of the surveyors. It is a 
small sheet of water. The least disturb- 
ance in its waters roils it. It often goes by 
the name of Mud Pond. It is a consider- 
able tributary of the Winooski. 

West Hill Pond. — Previous to 182O' 
the bed of this pond was "the great 
meadow," of good service to the early set- 
tlers in furnishing grass and hay. They 
would cut their hay here in the summer 
and stack it, and draw it in on their hand- 
sleds in the winter to their log barns, a 
distance of 3 or 4 miles. Avery Atkins in 
1820, built a dam across the lower end of 
the meadow and flowed it. From that 
time it has been the West Hill Pond. The 
water comes from two streams in Wood- 
bury. It covers 60 acres, and makes a 
very fine water-power. It was used for 
years for a saw and grist-mill. West Hill 
brook, which empties into the Winooski, 
takes its rise in the N. E. part of the town. 
It is fed by several small brooks ; taking a 
southerly course, enters Marshfield. Upon 
this are several water privileges, some of 
whi*ch are very good, and are turned to 
good account. 

Molly's Brook, its source Molly's pond, 
takes a southerly course, and enters the 
Winooski at Marshfield. On this stream 



CABOT. 



are also good water privileges, that are 
used. 

Our Mineral Springs we do not pro- 
pose to discuss largely on, as we have but 
little (and we might as well say, none at 
all) knowledge of their analysis or the won- 
derful healing properties they contain. 
There is one spring a half mile west of the 
village, that is said to contain some excel- 
lent medicinal properties, and years ago 
was quite celebrated, and we have no doubt 
if plenty of money had been put into the 
Winooski, it might have been a success. 
At Lower Cabot there are two mineral 
springs, of which we have heard of their 
effecting some celebrated cures. They are 
strongly impregnated with sulphur, and we 
should judge would be first rate for the 
itch — that kind which no district school 
was fairly equipped without in the olden 
time. 

The years of 1780 and '81 were of great 
severity, on account of deep snows. 18 16 
is spoken of by those now living as being 
the year of famine, snow falling in June 4 
or 5 inches deep, blowing and drifting like 
winter ; scarcely any corn or other grain 
raised in town. One of the oldest inhab- 
itants has told me that "a barley cake was 
a barley cake that year." The next year 
they were obliged to go to Barre and New- 
bury to procure seeds for planting. 

We copy from an article in regard to 
first settlers' hardships in the " Cabot Ad- 
vertiser, July I, 1868: 

There was no grist-mill, and all the grain 
had to be carried to West Danville to mill. 
There was no road but sjiotted trees, and 
but one horse in town to do the milling 
with, and she was blind. She was owned 
by James Morse, Esq. When any one 
hired her to go to mill with, they had to 
carry a grist for Mr. Morse to pay for the 
use of the horse. They would put the 
grain on the back of the horse, leading her. 
All would go well until they came to a log 
in the road, when the horse would stumble 
over it, and throw the grist to the ground. 
With patience the grist would be reloaded 
and started on the trip, only to have the 
accident repeated from time to time during 
the journey. The grist ground, they would 
start for home, and meet with the sanie 
luck as when going, and arrive at their 
happy homes late at night. 



The first wagon in town was owned by 
James Morse, and was a dowry to his wife 
from some of her friends who died down 
country. The body is said to have been 
about 6 feet long, bolted tight to the axle, 
and was thought to be a gay vehicle. 

The first stove in town was owned by 
Dea. Jas. Marsh. It was a long, high 
stove, and took wood 3 feet long ; cost, $80. 
This caused a great deal of talk and dis- 
cussion in the community in regard to the 
utility of its use, health of the family, etc. 

The first clock in town was owned by 
John W. Dana. It was a tall-cased brass 
clock. 

The first carpet in town was had by Mrs. 
John W\ Dana, and came to her in the di- 
vision of her mother's things. A great 
many of the people had never seen a carpet 
when this came to town. But all these 
hardships were borne bravely, with the 
hope of better days. 

OLD TIME DISTILLERIES. 

Hanson Rogers, Esq., a stirring, ener- 
getic citizen, 1809, erected the first dis- 
tillery in town,. on Cabot Plain. As this 
was on nearly the highest land in town, 
where no running water could be obtained, 
he built quite a distance from the road, by 
a brook in the pasture now owned by Mr. 
W. S. Atkins, paying partly in blacksmith- 
ing — his trade, and the remainder in 
whisky. The distillery was ready for the 
crop of 1 8 10. So many potatoes were now 
planted, one distillery was insufficient for 
the increasing business. A desire to make 
money appeared to pervade the people of 
those days even as it does the people of 
these days. Judge Dana, the merchant, 
built another distillery nearly opposite the 
buildings owned by Wm. Adams. There 
now were two distilleries within a half mile 
of each other, that could use up all the po- 
tatoes raised in the immediate vicinity. 
But other portions of the town, seeing the 
ready sale and good price for potatoes, 
began to raise them more largely, which 
rendered the building of other distilleries 
necessary. In 18 16, one was built on the 
farm now owned by W. S. Atkins. Up to 
this time the product of these distilleries, 
that had not been consumed at home, had 
mainly been conveyed by teams to Boston 
and Portland. Now a new avenue was 
opened. The cloud of war began to settle 



90 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



down over our country, and soon we were 
involved in a conflict with Great Britain, 
and Cabot distillers, only about 40 miles 
from the Canada line, lost no time in find- 
ing a market in that country for the product 
of their stills. The good, orthodox cit- 
izens of this place seemed cjuite intent on 
obeying the divine injunction, " If thine 
enemy hunger, feed him ; if he t/iirst, give 
him drink.'''' This command, so explicit 
in its terms, the towns situated near the 
border seemed bound to carry out ; a large 
number of cattle were driven over, and no 
small quantity of whisky found ready sale 
among the British soldiery. It proved 
a lucrative business to those engaged in 
it. It was smuggling, and was rather 
risky business, but the "commandment" 
was plain and imperative, and must be 
followed. And about this time distilleries 
went into operation rapidly. One was put 
up by Deacon Stone, where I. F. Haines' 
woolen factory is now ; one by Capt. Sum- 
ner, on the farm now occupied by R. B. 
Bruce ; one on the farm of Chauncey Paine ; 
one on the old Cutting farm ; one on Dea. 
J. L. Adams' farm, where Union Block 
stands, and one where Hial Morse now 
lives; so that 12 distilleries were in 
full blast at one time in Cabot. These 
made whisky very plenty, and it was used 
in all the different callings of life. Some 
even thought it was cheaper than corn for 
common living. It is said one poor man 
in Plainfield used to say that he would buy 
a half bushel of corn-meal, and carry it 
home, and his wife would make it all up 
into hasty pudding, and the children would 
eat it all up and go to bed crying with 
hunger. But let him buy a gallon of 
whisky, and they would all go to sleep like 
kittens by the fire ; he thought whisky the 
cheapest diet. 

No occasion was ever perfect without it. 
If a neighbor came for a friendly visit ; if 
the pastor came to make a call, or to join a 
couple in the holy bonds of matrimony, or 
perform the last sad rites of burying the 
dead, and especially when a child was born 
into the world, the whisky and flip went 
around merrily ; and when the ladies had a 
quilting, every time they rolled the quilt 



all must take a little toddy, and when they 
had rolled it about four times, they were 
ready to drop work, tell stories and have a 
jolly time. A story is told of one of these 
good old ladies who at the conclusion of a 
quilting put on her bonnet, one of those 
large, old-fashioned poke bonnets, then in 
vogue, and got it on wrong side before, 
covering her face entirely, and was in 
great trouble to find the strings. The 
good old lady got out of the dilemma by 
the assistance of her friends, but never 
could tell exactly what the trouble was. 

All the public gatherings were held at 
the Plain, and the occasion which usually 
attracted the largest crowd was that of 
June training. At this time the military 
officers were elected for the following year. 
At one of these elections John Dow, who 
subsequently became a prominent minister 
of the Methodist denomination, was elect- 
ed captain. After the election, Capt. Dow, 
as in duty bound, ordered the treat, and 
all drank to repletion, after which the com- 
pany was formed for drill and inspection, 
and the various evolutions gone through 
with. During the practice, one of the 
brothers of the newly-elected captain, who 
had imbibed somewhat freely, was unable 
to keep time with the music, and finally 
fell flat on the ground. His comrades 
helped him to his feet, and began to up- 
braid him for his unseemly conduct ; with 
maudlin wit he answered, " It is all right ; 
the Dows to-day are rising and falling." 

About 18 1 5, the newly-set orchards com- 
menced bearing; great cjuantities of apples 
were brought into market, and cider-mills 
were built in different parts of the town, 
and some of the inhabitants began to have 
cider in addition to whisky for a beverage. 
The first cider-mill was built by Robert 
Lance, nearly opposite the residence of 
Albert Osgood, in 1819. 

Cider and whisky were the staple com- 
modities of the time, the former selling for 
$3 per barrel, and the latter from 67 to 75 
cents per gallon. So common was their 
use, they were regarded very much as 
"United States" currency in these days. 

No farmer thought of beginning a winter 
with less than 1 2 or 15 barrels of cider and 



CABOT. 



91 



one or two barrels of whisky in the cellar.. 
It was no uncommon thing for a young 
man to hire out for the season for 300 gal- 
lons of whisky, and this he would dispose 
of for stock, store-pay, or anything he 
could get. 

About 1823, the farmers began to think 
raising so many potatoes was running out 
their farms, and, after all, not so profitable 
as some other crops, and less were planted, 
and the number of distilleries decreased, 
until in 1832, there were none running in 
town, and New England rum was used by 
those who thought they must have some- 
thing stimulating, and sold freely at all the 
stores and hotels in town. 

About 1825, the temperance question 
began to be agitated ; people commenced 
to think they could get along without quite 
so much stimulant, and from that time to 
the present, there has been a marked dim- 
inution in the quantity absorbed in town. 

The writer has in this matter endeavored 
to state facts simply and fully, but does 
not mean to be understood as saying that 
in the manufacture and sale of liquors, 
Cabot was a sinner above the other towns 
in that vicinity, for it is probably a fact 
that for its number of inhabitants, it had 
fewer distilleries than any other town in 
this section. 

POST-OFFICE. 

There was no public mail service in 
Cabot till 1808. The only newspaper 
taken by the pioneer settlers was the North 
Star, then as now published at Danville, 
and this was procured by each subscriber 
taking his turn in sending his boy, or going 
himself on horseback to the printing office, 
and bringing the papers for his neighbor- 
hood in saddle-bags. What he could not 
distribute on his way home were left at the 
grist-mill, then owned and run by Thomas 
Lyford, on the same site where the mill 
now stands, and by him were distributed 
as the subscribers came, or sent to the mill 
for them. None of the subscribers of that 
day are now living, but their children tell 
me that the receipt of the paper was 
deemed a matter of so much imjjortance 
that all the family gave attention while 
some one of their number, by the light of 



the tallow candle or the fainter flicker of 
the fireplace, read aloud not only the news 
but the entire contents of the paper. 

Letters were brought by travelers passing 
through the town. In this way the early 
settlers received their mails for the first 23 
years . 

The first regular mail service through 
Cabot was begun in 1808, and Henry 
Denny was the first carrier, his horseback 
route extending from Montpelier to the 
Canada line, passing through Cabot, Dan- 
ville, Lyndon, Barton, etc., and his re- 
turn was made by way of Craftsbury and 
Hardwick. The round trip occupied about 
10 days. About the year 1810, he com- 
menced to bring the Vermont Watc/unan, 
published then as now in Montpelier, and 
when he came to the house of a subscriber 
he would blow his tin horn lustily, and im- 
patiently await the coming of some mem- 
ber of the family to receive the same. 

Mr. Nickerson Warner vi^as the first 
postmaster at Cabot. He then lived on 
the farm now owned by H. W. Powers, on 
the road now leading to Walden. The 
post road, however, left the present road 
near the old school-house, at the lower 
village, running by the present residence 
of W. S. Atkins, thence by the centre of 
the town near the old pound, and by the 
farm now owned by A. F. Sulham, and so 
on by Dexter Reed's, coming out at A. G. 
Dickenson's, at the Plain, and then to 
Danville FourCorners. Mr. Warner living 
so far from the post road, engaged Lene 
Orcutt, who lived on the farm now owned 
by A. F. Sulham, to keep the office. 

At this time meetings were held at the 
Center on the Sabbath, and what mail was 
not distributed during the week he brought 
to church, feeling sure to see there all in- 
habitants of the town. The office re- 
mained at this place for 6 years, until 18 14, 
when Jeremiah Babcock was appointed 
postmaster. He then lived on the farm 
now occupied by Harvey Dow, and this 
being but a short distance from the post 
road, he removed the office to his house. 

Mr. Cate of Marshfield, now became 
mail carrier, still taking it on horseback 
the same as his predecessor, Mr. Denny. 



92 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In 1820, Mr. Babcock resigned, and his 
son Harvey was appointed in his place. 
By this time a store had been started at 
what is now known as Lower Cabot, and 
Mr. Babcock put the office in there. Cap- 
tain Covel, Senior, was the next to carry 
the mail, which service he performed some 
8 or 10 years, during which time Mr. Bab- 
cock resigned and left town. In 1827, 
Hector McLean was appointed postmaster, 
prior to which time, however. Captain 
Covel had died, and Deacon Adams be- 
came mail-carrier. 

At this time the country had become 
more thickly settled, and the road so passa- 
ble that Deacon A. concluded to try the 
experiment of a stage, and he was the first 
to put on a team for the accommodation of 
passengers. His rig consisted of two 
horses and a wagon with body firmly bolted 
to the axle, so that passengers in riding 
over the rough roads and poor bridges got 
the full spring of the axle. 

Deacon Adams dying, Deacon Kellogg 
became his successor. Of him it was re- 
lated that he was a great smoker, and 
having straw in the bottom of his wagon, 
it took fire from his pipe and came near 
burning up his whole establishment. So 
say the old inhabitants. 

By this time quite a settlement had 
grown up at what is now known as the 
village of Cabot. About the year 1834, 
George Dana was appointed postmaster, 
and he removed the office to that village, 
where it has since been kept, with the ex- 
ception of one year. This -year was when 
Jacob Collamer of this state was post- 
master-general, and Salma Tressell of the 
Lower village was postmaster. This re- 
moval to the Lower village, as a matter of 
course, created no little feeling, which re- 
sulted in a long and bitter struggle between 
the two villages which resulted at last in 
the appointment of Dr. Doe as postmaster, 
when the office was again returned to its 
former quarters in the store of Elijah Perry 
at the village of Cabot. It has since re- 
mained in that village, changing hands 
from time to time as the postmasters have 
died or moved away, or the administration 
changed. 



After Deacon Kellogg, different carriers 
transported the mails for short terms until 
about 1830, when Cottrill and Clark be- 
came owners of the route, and put on good 
horses and good coaches from Montpelier 
to Danville, there connecting with stages 
from Canada to Boston, also to Littleton 
and the White Mountains, going from 
Montpelier to Danville one day and return- 
ing the next. This was continued until 
i860, when a daily mail was obtained from 
Montpelier to Cabot, the route from Cabot 
to Danville still being tri-weekly until 1862, 
when the daily service was continued 
through to Danville. After this the con- 
tractors were so numerous and changed so 
often that it is impossible to enumerate 
them . 

The mails were run in this way until the 
spring of 1872, when on the starting of 
the Portland & Ogdensburgh railroad the 
route over the hill to Danville was discon- 
tinued, and a route to Walden depot was 
established. Then we began to receive 
the Boston mail at 7 o'clock, p. m.. and 
this made it seem as if we were brought 
into the heart of the business world. 

On the I2th of March, 1874, the service 
of teams from Montpelier to Marshfield was 
discontinued and the mails were transferred 
to the cars of the Montpelier & Wells 
River railroad, so that we now receive our 
daily mails both by the Portland & Ogdens- 
burgh and the Montpelier & Wells River 
railroad at 7 o'clock in the evening. 

In thus briefly reviewing the mail ser- 
vice of the past we cannot but be impressed 
with the progress made in these matters 
duriftg the past 56 years. No more wait- 
ing until late at night for the arrival and 
opening of the mail, which, perhaps, con- 
tains tidings of great moment. No more 
shoveling through deep drifts of snow to 
render passable the road over Danville hill. 
In place of these we hear the shrill whistle 
from the engines of two railroads, and our 
mail is brought with celerity, certainty and 
security almost to our very door. 

In 1866, Alonzo F. Sprague was ap- 
pointed postmaster, since which he has 
discharged the duties of the office to the 
satisfaction of all. We think, if the admin- 



CABOT. 



93 



istration should change, they could hardly 
make up their mind to remove him. 

TELEGRAPH SERVICE. 

In 1871, the Vermont International Tel- 
egraph Company made a proposition to 
the town if they would give them $200 and 
set the poles, they would run their wires 
from the P. & O. R. R. line to the village 
of Cabot. In a few weeks the click of the 
telegraph was heard in Sprague & Wells' 
store. Charles B. Putnam was appointed 
manager of the office, he employing an 
operator. He held the position but one 
year, when he left town, and Hiram Wells 
was appointed, who has been the operator 
for 8 years. 

THE CHURCHES IN CABOT. 

Dea. Edward Chapman, the third set- 
tler, was a Baptist, and held meetings 
nearly every Sabbath in town, and was oc- 
casionally called to Danville and Peacham 
to preach. Cabot, also, was visited occa- 
sionally, by Dr. Crossman, Baptist mis- 
sionary from Unity, N. H., and by Rev. 
Mr. Ainsworth. 

In March, 1797, an article was in the 
warning for March meeting " to see if 
the town would provide means to secure 
preaching some part of the ensuing year." 
It was passed over at that meeting, but at 
a town meeting June 17, 1799, there was 
an article in the warning to see if it was 
the wish of the town to settle Rev. Dr. 
Crossman as their minister. It was " voted 
that he be settled, piovided he will accept 
such terms as a majority of the town shall." 
" Voted a committee of 7 be appointed to 
wait on the Rev. Doctor and examine his 
credentials ;" committee : Joseph Blanch- 
ard, John Whittier, Esq., Henry Beards- 
ley, Capt. David Blanchard, Lyman Hitch- 
cock, Thomas Osgood, Joseph Huntoon, 
the committee to report the same afternoon. 
This committee reported they found his 
credentials satisfactory ; and that as a 
majority of the town were of different per- 
suasion from the Rev. Dr. Crossman, Bap- 
tist, that this should make no difference in 
regard to their church privileges, but every 
person holding a certificate from a regular 
organized church, whether they believed 



in sprinkling or plunging, should be ad- 
mitted to all the rights of church member- 
ship, and that every person of sober life 
and good deportment, who wished should 
be admitted a member of the church. 
They also reported that " six of the com- 
mittee were for giving one half of the pub- 
lic right and for buildings on the same." 
In every town there was one right set 
apart to be given to the first settled minis- 
ter ; after a prolonged discussion it was 
voted not to accept the report of the com- 
mittee. 

It appears a report had got into circula- 
tion that Dr. Crossman was under censure 
in the church in Croydon, N. H., of which 
he was a member ; and for this reason it 
was voted not to accept the report of the 
committee ; but another town meeting was 
called for Feb. 18, 1800, to give Rev. Mr. 
Crossman an opportunity to vindicate him- 
self; which by papers and letters he did to 
the full satisfaction of all present, and by 
his request the town voted to give him 
declaration on account of his not being 
under censure as was reported in this town, 
that his character should not suffer any 
more in this place. With this ended all 
efforts to settle Dr. Crossman. 

Several town meetings were called to 
take into consideration the subject of 
hiring a minister, but no minister was ever 
hired by the town. 

Aug. 15, 1801 , a town meeting was called 
to complete the organization of a religious 
society. The organization was completed 
and a vote passed that this society be 
known by the name and firm of 

CONGREGATIONALISTS in the TOWN OF 
CABOT. 

Officers elected : Thomas Osgood, clerk ; 
Oliver Walbridge, treasurer ; Joseph Fish- 
er, Horace Beardsley, Thomas Osgood, 
as.sessors ; Clement Coburn, John Edger- 
ton, Reuben Atkins, committee ; Moses 
Stone, collector. 

The first vote of the society was to in- 
struct Dr. Beardsley to engage the services 
of Rev. Mr. Joslin a certain period of time, 
not exceeding 4 months. 



94 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



A BAPTIST NOTIFICATION 

was read for the inhabitants of the town of 
Cabot of the Baptist persuasion, to meet 
at the Centre school house, May 12, 1803. 
At this meeting the following officers were 
elected : Perley Scott, clerk ; Fifield Ly- 
ford, treasurer; John N. Gunn, John 
Whittier, John Spiller, assessors ; Enoch 
Hoyt, collector ; Samuel Kingston, John 
Blanchard, Thomas Lyford, committee. 

From this date there were two religious 
societies in town, and men began to take 
sides, and there are a large number of cer- 
tificates upon the records, showing that the 
signers do not agree with the other society. 
One man evidently meant to make a sure 
thing of it, and recorded his certificate as 
not agreeing with either society. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

was organized at the old Center school- 
house, Oct. 25, 1801, the Rev. Mr. Ran- 
som, of Rochester, and the Rev. Mr. Hal- 
lock, missionary from Connecticut, being 
present. 

Original Members :— Clement Coburn, 
Gershom Beardsley, Stephen Clark, Oliver 
Walbridge, Elias Hitchcock, Lene Or- 
cutt, Hepzebah Osgood, Ruth Beardsley, 
Miriam Clark, Elizabeth Walbridge, Peggy 
Hitchcock, Anna Church, Lucy Osgood. 

Clement Coburn, who had been deacon 
of the Congregational church in Charles- 
ton, Mass. , was first deacon and moderator ; 
Evans Beardsley the first clerk elected. 
For the first 22 years they had no settled 
minister. They furnished themselves when 
they could by hiring, which was seldom, 
and missionaries were sometimes sent to 
them from Massachusetts and Connecticut. 
But when they had no minister, one of the 
deacons, or some one of the society, read 
to them a sermon on the Sabbath. They 
always maintained worship on the Sab- 
bath, every brother considering himself 
pledged to assist as called upon. For the 
first 6 years meetings were held in the 
Centre school-house, or at a dwelling- 
house near the Centre ; often in Esquire 
Mercer's barn and the barn of Oliver Wal- 
bridge. In 1804-5, the Cjuestion of build- 
ing a meeting-house was agitated. It was 



raised Sept. 25, 1806, but the frame stood 
in an unfinished state until about 1810. 
The pew-ground was sold Dec. 12, 1809, 
payment to be made in three yearly pay- 
ments, i cash ; the remainder in neat stock 
or materials for the house. Committee for 
building the house, Moses Stone, Joseph 
Smith, Henry Walbridge, Eliphalet Adams 
and Luther Wheatley. 

The old meeting-house was large on the 
ground ; two rows of windows all around, 
high belfry ; within, gallery on three sides ; 
16 pews in the gallery ; 42 pews below; 
would seat about 300. The struggle to 
finish it was hard. All parts of the town 
assembled to worship in it 18 summers 
before it was plastered. In the winter 
meetings were held in dwelling-houses 
and school-houses. In 1817, there was an 
especial revival and in-gathering of 41 
members, although without any settled 
minister. 

REV. MOSES INGALLS, 

the first pastor and first settled minister, 
was ordained and installed over the church, 
Oct. 27, 1823. He was engaged to jDreach 
one-half of the time at salary of $200, 5 of 
it payable in cash, | in produce or neat 
stock, to be delivered in the month of > 
October. He was dismissed Apr. 20, 
1825. The next two years the church was 
served by supplies. Reverends Wright, 
of Montpelier, Worcester, of Peacham, 
French, of Barre, and Hobart, of Berlin. 
During this time, 1826, one of the most 
powerful revivals took place that the town 
ever witnessed, of which Rev. Levi H. 
Stone, then a young man then and after- 
wards pastor of the church, writes : 

The church was without a pastor, but 
were aided now and then a Sabbath by 
neighboring ministers. Late in autumn 
they obtained the services of the Rev. Asa 
Lowe, small in stature, weak in voice, an 
old bachelor, with many whims, which 
might be expected to lessen the moral 
force of his labors, and the church and so- 
ciety were in serious trouble ; most posi- 
tively divided over the question of finish- 
ing their church edifice where it then stood, 
on the geographicfal center of the town, or 
to remove it to the " Upper Branch." 
This question was seemingly disposed of, 
by a vote to finish where it then stood, 



CABOT. 



95 



and Ebenezer Smith, Esq., was appointed 
to raise funds and complete the work. 
Living some 3 miles east from the Center, 
on the Peacham road, it was natural he 
should oppose the removal of the house. 
He entered upon his duties with zeal, and 
rode and walked night and day, and had 
nearly raised the required amount, and 
partially, if not quite, completed the con- 
tract with Asa Edgerton, a meeting-house 
builder, to do the work, when an opposi- 
tion movement was started, and prevailed, 
and the house was removed to the village. 
This transaction was by a large number of 
the church and society pronounced un- 
manly and unchristian, and resulted in 
very positive alienation. Some went to 
the Methodist, some to the Freewill Bap- 
tist, then worshipping on the West Hill, 
and others remained at home. 

But there was salt in that church which 
preserved it from putrefaction. Deacons 
Moses Stone and Eliphalet' Adams cov- 
enanted (and with them covenant meant 
something) to sustain a weekly meeting 
for prayer and conference, so long as they 
could say wc. Others seeing their good 
works and spirit, began to do likewise, and 
beyond expectation, tender and brotherly 
feeling was supplantingjealousy and anger, 
so that in September and October meet- 
ings were full. But it is unquestionably 
true that a thoughtful, inquiring state of 
mind was first manifest in the Methodist 
meetings. Their social meetings, both on 
the Sabbath and week-day evenings, were 
held in the house of Judge Dana, the 
abode of the late Joseph Lance, Esq. The 
young minister, Ireson, was nearly always 
present, and he possessed a most happy 
faculty of conducting social as well as 
Sabbath meetings. 

As early as Oct. it was apparent an in- 
visible agency was moving the people. 
There began to be instances of " the new 
birth," and where least expected, but it 
was not till December that a general re- 
ligious feeling prevailed, and persons alien- 
ated and bitter began to seek reconciliation 
in tender, prayerful earnestness. 

The first " watch-meeting" ever held in 
Cabot was in the Methodist church, on the 
evening of the 31st of Dec, 1825. Mr. 
Norton, living on the " Plain," an aged, 
gentlemanly, scholarly man, lately from 
Massachusetts. His views were in oppo- 
sition to the meeting and its measures, 
which he expressed, but his position and 
remarks were so met as only to increase 
the interest. A sermon from Rev. Mr. 
Ireson, prayers, confessions, exhortations, 
and singing by the congregation, filled the 
time to a late hour, when it was proposed 
as many as desired an especial interest in 



the prayers of saints should come to the 
altar, when, as a cloud, nearly one hun- 
dred went forward, filling the aisles nearly 
to the doors, among whom were Henry G. 
Perkins, the merchant, and his wife, Wm. 
Fisher and wife, Wm. Ensign, Horace 
Haynes, Clarissa and Ruth Osgood, Ruth 
and Louisa Coburn, all of whom are now 
in possession of the then promised rest. 
That year gave to the Congregational 
church about 100 members, and the Meth- 
odist received probably about as many, 
and several went to the Baptist, on the 
West Hill. Toward 300 hopeful conver- 
sions occurred that year in the town of 
Cabot, and the laborers were mainly the 
good fathers and mothers in those Israels. 
Home talent, with God's favor, wrought 
wonders, as it always will. 

One event which deepened the impres- 
sions of the people generally, I may not 
omit — the death of Dea. E. Adams, early 
in the year. Cold nights found him upon 
his knees, pleading for the lost. He lived 
to rejoice at the opening of the work and 
ingathering of some of the sheaves, when 
he was called to ascend and be ready upon 
the celestial plains to welcome the re- 
deemed from his own town, as one after 
another should slide down from the wings 
of angels, and enter into that "purchased 
rest." 

Among the young, no one probably 
equaled, in labors and influence, the Rev. 
John F. Stone, now of Montpelier. He 
will be remembered by many now living, 
as their attention shall be called to those 
days, but by a vastly larger number who 
have gone over the River. 

But a wonderful readiness to do and 
bear, characterized both old and young. 
The evening meetings here and there, in 
school-houses, and dwelling-houses in re- 
mote neighborhoods, as well as in the 
more central, were sure to be fully attend- 
ed. The weather made but little differ- 
ence. " Enduring hardness, as good 
soldiers of Jesus Christ," seemed a priv- 
ilege then as well as duty. 

Now, while these reminiscences cannot 
be as dear to strangers as to those among 
whom they transpired, yet they may afford 
some thoughts deserving consideration. 

In 1824 the meeting-house was taken 
down and moved to the village, where the 
school-house now stands, and finished, 
and for those days was a very fine struc- 
ture. 

By a subscription of the citizens in 1839, 
a bell of 1 100 pounds, cost, $300, was 
hung in the belfry, the first bell in town, 



96 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and said to have been one of the finest 
toned bells in the country. After a few- 
years it was cracked; was recast in 1848, 
and again hung in the belfry. 

This meeting-house was used until 1849, 
when it was torn down, and the house now 
occupied by this church was built. Jan. 3, 
1827, Rev. Henry Jones was ordained and 
installed pastor of the church, to preach 
for them I of the time, at a salary of $225, 
one-half payable in grain, and one-half in 
money. After 4 years^ labor with them he 
was dismissed May 28, 1832. To 1839 
they had no settled minister. In the fall 
of 1839, 

REV. LEVI H. STONE 

was ordained and settled. Mr. Stone was 
raised in this town, and this was his first 
pastorate. Without flattery we can say, 
in person rather tall and commanding, 
with pleasant voice and manner, his ser- 
mons were well planned, delivery good, 
and whenever he spoke he commanded 
attention. He was pastor 6 years, and the 
church enjoyed a good degree of prosper- 
ity. 

From 1846 to '49, again there was no 
settled minister, but Rev. S. N. Robinson, 
a very scholarly man from New York, was 
the acting pastor for a large share of the 
time. 

Nov. I, 1849, Rev. Edward Cleveland 
was installed as pastor, a very wide-awake, 
go-ahead man, who believed in people 
wearing out instead of rusting out. 

During the winter of 1850 and '51 a 
great revival occurred. Mr. C. was as- 
sisted by Rev. Mr. Galliher, an evangelist 
from Missouri ; 48 persons, many of them 
heads of families, and in some instances 
whole families, were added to the church. 

Mr. Cleveland was dismissed Oct. 9, 
1853. To 1859, quite a portion of the 
time Rev. T. G. Hubbard was acting 
pastor. In the autumn of 1859, Rev. S. F. 
Drew was installed, and remained 12 years. 
During this time, although there was no 
especial revival, there was a goodly num- 
ber of additions each year, and the church 
was in a jDrosperous condition. Mr. Drew 



removed from town in May, 1 871, though 
not dismissed till Nov. 1872. 

Rev. B. S. Adams was the supply from 
Mr. Drew's removal from town till Nov. 
1872, when he was settled as pastor, which 
office he now fills, July, 1881. During his 
ID years of labor the church has continued 
in a good working condition. They have 
thoroughly repaired their house, and made 
it a very pleasant place of worship, and 
bought a fine organ, at a cost of $800. 

Since 1801 to June i, 1881, whole num- 
ber of members, 537; children baptized, 
307. The records show during its first 15 
years the sacrament and ordinance of bap- 
tism was administered nearly every time 
by Rev. James Hobart, who must have 
been a father to this church. The present 
number of members is 126. During the 
80 years of the existence of this church, it 
has passed through many trials, and at 
times it has almost looked as though it 
would go to destruction ; but it was an- 
chored to a sure foundation, and all must 
acknowledge it has been the means of 
doing great good in the community. 

DEACONS OF THE CHURCH. 

Moses Stone and Eliphalet Adams were 
elected about 1808 ; each served the church 
faithfully, by holding meetings in different 
parts of the town, and officiating on the 
Sabbath when the church was without a 
minister. Deacon Adams died in the 
winter of 1826, aged 45 years. Deacon 
Stone went to the grave like the shock of 
corn fully ripe, at 77 years, July 13, 1842. 

At a meeting of the church, June 11, 
1827, James Marsh, Samson Osgood and 
Marcus O. Fisher were elected to the office 
of deacons, and Oct. 31, 1827, at a meet- 
ing of the circular conference with this 
church, they were solemnly consecrated 
to the office of deacon by prayer, in which 
the Rev. James Hobart led, and by the 
laying on of hands of Revs. James Hobart, 
Justin W. French and Henry Jones. The 
sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. French, 
and charge to the deacons was by Rev. Mr. 
Hobart. 

Joseph Hoyt was elected July 16, 1851, 
and served until he removed to Cameron, 



CABOT. 



57 



Mo., where he died in 1870. He was a 
valuable member, always aiding by his 
presence at all the meetings, and assisting 
pecuniarily to the fullest extent of his 
ability. When he removed West it was 
not only a great loss to the church butalso 
to the town. 

May 6, 1865, it was voted to elect three 
additional deacons. N. K. Abbott, Ed- 
ward G. Haines and Edwin Fisher were 
elected and consecrated Feb. 1866, by 
prayer and laying on of hands by the 
pastor, Rev. S. F. Drew and Rev. Nathan 
Wheeler. 

Deacon Haines died Jan. 28, 1867; 
taken in the midst of his usefulness, bright 
prospects appearing to be opening before 
him. All had the utmost confidence in his 
integrity. To him the church looked for a 
strong support for years to come, but at 
the early age of 38 years, the brittle silver 
thread was loosed, and the golden bowl 
broken. 

The deacons of the church at the present 
time are N. K. Abbott, J. L. Adams, I. 
F. Haines and M. L. Haines. 

SABBATH SCHOOL. 

The first Sabbath instruction for their 
children among the early settlers upon the 
Plain, was in 1804, when the settlement 
was still sparse. During the week, the 
children learned portions of the Assembly'' s 
catechism which the Puritan settlers 
brought from their early homes, and on 
the Sabbath day when they had no preach- 
ing, the good mothers would gather them 
together at some one of their houses, and 
have them recite their lessons learned dur- 
ing the week. They also had prayer and 
religious conversation, all of which served 
to give the young minds a start in the 
right direction. I had these facts from 
Mrs. Nathaniel Webster more than 20 
years since. 

In 18 18, the Sabbath school connected 
with the Congregational chuixh was organ- 
ized at the Lower village school-house by 
Col. Washburn and Esq. Hale from 
Greensboro. They met at half-past four 
p. M., and were continued only through the 
summer months. 



The school Jiumbered from 30 to 40 pu- 
pils. It is said young ladies walked from 
Marshfield, a distance of 4 or 5 miles, to 
attend this school. The next year John 
Damon started a Sabbath school on the 
Plain, holding it in the hall of the yellow 
house, where he then lived. 

The 4th of July these schools had a cel- 
ebration at the centre of the town. Some 
of the old people living who were children 
then, speak of it now as one of the most 
enjoyable 4th of July's of their lives. 

Deacon Moses Stone was the first supt. 
This school has never lost its organization, 
and has always been well sustained. As 
years moved along, Bible-classes were con- 
nected with it, and now old and young 
gather together for the study of the Bible. 
Among the early and active ones in the 
Sabbath school were William Fisher, Rev. 
John Stone, John R. Putnam ; and of 
more recent dates, the supts., Mr. Milton 
Fisher, Joseph Hoyt, A. P. Perry and 
many more we might mentioij did not lim- 
ited space forbid. The school now num- 
bers 120; average attendance 85 ; library, 
very good ; 125 books. 

The Sabbath school is truly said to be 
the nursery of the church. 

THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized in 1803. at the house of 
Lieut. Thomas Lyford, the ministers of- 
ciating, elders Benjamin Page and Aaron 
Buel of Strafford, Vt. ; first members : 
Anthony Perry and wife ; David Haines 

and wife ; Spiller ; Enoch Hoyt 

and wife ; Joseph Hoyt and wife ; Ezra 
Hoyt and wife ; Mr. Bruce, Benjamin 
Hoyt, David Lyford, Samuel Kingston, 
Abraham Hinks and David Blanchard ; 
deacons: Enoch Hoyt, David Blanchard 
and Benjamin Hoyt. 

The town records show that Rev. Ben- 
jamin Page was settled as pastor the same 
year of the organization, which gave him 
a clear title to the minister-lot, he being 
the first settled minister in town. This he 
received, it now being the farm of George 
M. Webster, Esq. It was then in a state 
of nature, but his parishioners at once 
turned out and cut and cleared 10 acres for 
him, and built a barn on the same. But 



13 



98 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it is said he did not remain their minister 
long after he got it in shape to sell. 

Meetings were held at the houses and 
in the barns for quite a number of years ; 
and they used often the Congregational 
meeting-house at the Centre, after it was 
in shape to use. 

In 1829, they built a meeting-house on 
the west hill where quite a large number 
of these members lived. The house was 
of more modern style than either of the 
other meeting-houses, being but one story, 
gallery across one end, and the pulpit only 
about 6 feet from the floor. It had no 
tower. It was occupied regularly by the 
church for about 20 years, and during the 
time, they had some very able ministers, 
and some very stirring meetings. 

The quarterly meetings are spoken of 
as being very interesting occasions and 
largely attended ; some coming 15 or 20 
miles to attend them. 

In about 12 or 15 years, the church be- 
gan to suffer heavily by deaths and remov- 
als, and about 1850, it lost its organization. 
One board after another began to disap- 
pear from the old house, and in 1875, it 
went over to the majority. 

I have not been able to find any record 
of this church. This account has been 
obtained from the "oldest inhabitants of 
this and adjoining towns. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN CABOT. 

BY HEV. EOBEUT SANDEK!<0N. 

The first family that moved into town 
became afterward identified with Method- 
ism. The wife of Benj. Webster was one 
of the members of the first class. It is 
stated by one of the oldest members of the 
church that her mother attended a quar- 
terly meeting on Cabot Plain about 1808. 
This seems to be the first commencement 
of the society, although the first class was 
not formed until about 181 1. The mem- 
bers of the first class were : Mrs. Judge 
Dana, Mrs. Dr. Scott, Mrs. B. Webster, 
Mrs. Hills, Mrs. N. Webster, Mrs. Durgin 
and Mrs. Rogers. The first men to join 
the class, some short time afterwards, 
were Judge J. W. Dana, Daniel Smith and 
Dr. Scott. There may have been others 



connected with the class at that time ; we 
have only been able to find the above, 
and have no doubt they were the original 
members. The first Methodist sermon 
preached in town was probably by Thomas 
Branch, in 1807 or '8. One of the oldest 
inhabitants says he remembers going to 
meeting when quite a boy, and hearing 
the first Methodist sermon preached in 
town. Thomas Branch was presiding 
elder of Vermont district about this time. 
The first circuit preacher was Bro. Stearns. 
The first presiding elder who seemed to 
have had anything to do with Cabot as a 
circuit, was Eleazer Wells. In 1814, Lo- 
renzo Dow preached his first sermon in 
Cabot, in the old Congregational meeting- 
house at the Center before it was finished, 
using the work-bench for his pulpit. After 
announcing his text, he said Jesus Christ 
sat down and taught the people ; so shall 
I, and sat during the delivery of his dis- 
course. There seems to have been quite 
a reformation in the winter of the year 
1816. The summer following, the Meth- 
odists held their meetings in the tannery, 
which is now used as a dwelling-house by 
Widow E. Perry, next to Sprague & Wells' 
block. Up to this date they had held their 
meetings in the houses and barns, chiefly 
at Cabot Plain, the quarterly meetings 
being held in the Congregational church at 
the Center. The first camp-meeting held 
in town was in 1820, in the grove owned 
by Daniel Smith, now owned by A. M. 
Foster, where over 80 tents were pitched. 
The presiding elder was John Lin.sey, who 
is said to have been a man of thunder. 
The first church was built about 1822 or 
1823, the land and timber being furnished 
by Judge Dana, who had connected him- 
self with the poor and despised Methodists, 
to the wonderment of the community, a 
man of his standing to be so short-sighted 
as to connect himself with such fanatics. 
It was owing to his influence and liberality 
the church was built. In 1825 and '26 the 
great reformation took place, commencing 
with the watch-night service in the Meth- 
odist church. Bro. E. Ireson was the 
preacher. The revival spread throughout 
the town, both churches taking part in the 



CABOT. 



99 



work. The facts up to this date we have 
had to gather as we could, not being able to 
find any previous record. Thos. Ljford has 
supplied us with most of the information, 
he being a small boy then. His people 
afterwards became connected with the 
Methodists. In 1828, Cabot circuit con- 
tained Cabot, Calais, Woodbury, Peacham, 
Walden, Goshen Gore and Marshfield, 
with a membership of 312. We find a 
record of the first quarterly conference : 

At a quarterly meeting conference, held 
at Cabot, July 5, 1828, William Peck was 
chosen secretary. Luke Richardson was 
appointed recording steward. Licensed 
Pro. Horace A. Warner to preach in a 
local capacity. Licensed Bro. G. B. Hous- 
ton as anexhorter. Licensed Bro. Samuel 
Stocker as a local preacher. Licensed Bro. 
William Simons as an exhorter. Elected 
the following brethren as a committee of 
arrangement for the year ensuing. Luke B. 
Richardson, Timothy Haynes, John W. 
Dana, voted that the next quarterly con- 
ference be held at Walden. A true copy 
of the record. Attest, 

L. B. Richardson, 

Reed. Steward. 

The preachers in charge at this time 
were N. W. Aspenwall and E. J. Scott. 
Below is the estimate of their salary : 

Quarterage, Bro. Aspenwall and wife, 
and one child under seven years. 

Quarterage. Table House Fuel. Traveliu;? Total, 
expenses, rent. expenses. 

$216.00 $75 $20 $20 $13 $344.00 

E. J. Scott and wife, 

200.00 53-54 10 5 8 276.50 

Total receipts, 

N. W. Aspenwall, $123.34 
E. J. Scott, 71.84 

In the quarterly report for January 3, 
1830, we find the following resolution: 

Resolved, that Oliver J. Warner, J. W. 
Dana and William Lance be a committee 
to purchase a suitable piece of ground, and 
build thereon a parsonage house and barns, 
provided a sufficient amount is subscribed 
to warrant the purchase of said land, and 
the commencement of said building. 

In 1830, John Courier received his first 
license to preach, and was recommended 
to the traveling connection. In 1832, or 
2 years after their appointment, the com- 
mittee bought of Joseph Preston one acre 
of land, house and barns thereon ; cost, 
$20Q, where the widows Heath and Lyford 



now have houses. The society put itself 
on record on the side of liberty and tem- 
perance : 

Resolutions. (2uarterly meeting held at 
Cabot, May 11, 1839. 

1st. That slavery as it exists in the 
United States of America is under all cir- 
cumstances a sin against God, contrary to 
the rights of our fellow-men enslaved. 

2d. That it is the duty of every Chris- 
tian philanthropist and republican to use 
all lawful means for the peaceful emanci- 
pation of all the enslaved of our land. 

3d. That we claim the right to examine 
and discuss this subject, and also to peti- 
tion Congress for the immediate abolish- 
ment of slavery in the District of Columbia. 

ON TEMPERANCE. 

1st. that the manufactory and vending 
of intoxicating drinks, for a beverage, is an 
immorality. 

2d. That it is inconsistent with Christian 
principles and a growth in grace to use in- 
toxicating drinks as a beverage. 

3d. That by precept and example, we 
discourage the use of all intoxicating drinks 
as a beverage. . 

In 1848, the parsonage lot was sold to 
W. B. Cutting. Henry Russell, Joseph 
Lance and John Clark, committee. In 

185 1, S. Aldrich was the preacher. Quite 
a reformation took place ; several conver- 
sions ; some have gone to receive their re- 
ward ; others are among our leading mem- 
bers to-day. Removing and rebuilding 
the church was commenced ; completed in 

1852, by Bro. A. L. Cooper, appointed to 
the charge that year. 

NOTICE OF THE DEDICATION. 

Providence permitting, the newly-repair- 
ed Methodist meeting-house at Cabot will 
be dedicated to the service of God "on 
Tuesday, December 14, services com- 
mencing at II o'clock A. M. Sermon by 
Rev. J. Currier. Brethren in the ministry 
and others in the vicinity are invited to 
attend. A. L. Cooper. 

December 2, 1852. 

Joseph Lance was the leading man in 
rebuilding the church. To his public 
spirit the society are indebted for the very 
nice and commodious church they now 
own. Building committee of the church : 
Jos. Lance, Paul Dean, John Clark. The 
parsonage, commenced, 1853, Allen Perry, 
Jerry Atkins, Rob. Lance, committee. Jo- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



seph Lance gave the lot for the parsonage, 
besides his share in the building, and Mr. 
Perry bore the whole committee burden. 
From '53 to '73 nothing very marked oc- 
curred ; the church just holding its own 
and sometimes going down to low-water 
mark, with the exception of the time. 
Bro. King labored here. During the 
charge of Bro'. W. H. Wight, 1872, new 
interest was manifested. In his third quar- 
terly report we find ' ' we have repaired and 
beautified our church ; painted, frescoed, 
carpeted throughout ; carpet cost $200, 
paid by subscription ; cliandelier $50, paid 
by another subscription, raised by Harry 
Whittier, a lad of 14 or 15 ; finishing and 
frescoing to be paid by tax^on the pews. 
The brethren have been equally ready to 
share in the responsibilities. Among 
those foremost in the work are Bros. Allen 
Perry, Theron H. Lance, William S. At- 
kins. In report, Oct. 24, 1874: 

" Our people have been surprised with 
the gift of a fine bell, cost between $400 
and $500, from Bro. Paul Dean, and Sister 
Jeremiah Atkins. The church desire to 
record here their appreciation of this timely 
gift, and will ever pray that the blessing 
of God may rest on the donors." 

In the same report : 

" We have nearly finished a neat vestry, 
cost about $500 ; subscriptions nearly 
pledged ; we shall have it free from debt. 
We wish to make favorable mention of the 
labors of Sister Julia Hopkins, whose un- 
tiring efforts in soliciting subscription for 
this work has been so abundantly blessed." 

John Clark died, Feb. 17, 1874, and left 
to the society $500, the interest to be used 
for Methodist preaching in Cabot. 1875, 
Sister Phebe Rogers, left the society $200, 
for the same purpose. Bro. Paul Dean 
also left the society $500. At the quar- 
terly conference, Jan. 16, 1881, the follow- 
ing resolutions were passed : 

1st. Whereas God in his all-wise Prov- 
idence, has removed one of our number, 
Bro. Paul Dean, and although he has fallen 
in a good old age, yet, we feel the loss to 
us none the less, as regards the church he 
loved. He was ever hopeful, firm in pur- 
pose, wise in council and liberal in .support. 
He fully adopted these beautiful lines : 

For lier my tears shall fall. 
For lier my prayers ascend. 



To her my toil and care be given 
Till toil and care shall end. 

2d. We deeply feel our loss in the 
vacant seat in our church, his absence in 
our consultations, and his kind, cheerful 
and helpful words. 

3d. That we highly appreciate his lib- 
eral bequest for the benefit of the ministry 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
shall ever cherish in grateful remembrance 
and highly appreciate his liberal bequest 
for the benefit of the ministry of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in this place. Or- 
dered that a copy of these resolutions be 
forwarded to Sister Dean. 

By order of the Board of Stewards, 
Church Tabor, Presiding Elder. 
C. M. Seabury, Secretary. 

The church has a membership of 102 
members and 25 probationers. Most the 
probationers have joined during the past 
year. The congregations are larger than 
at any other time in the history of the 
church. The first organization of the 
Sabbath school was about 1820 or '21. 
The first school had one teacher for the 
whole school — Benjamin Derrel. Some 
years previous to this they had made it a 
practice of teaching the children from 
house to house. Mrs. Dr. Scott was, no 
doubt, the first one in town to be engaged 
in Sabbath school work, though it was not 
known by that name. The school has 
^ever been so flourishing as to day. The 
largest average number in attendance has 
been reached during the past year. The 
present pastor is Robert Sanderson ; Sab- 
bath school superintendent, William S. 
Atkins, who has held the ofiice for oyer 
15 years. Stewards of the church, Allen 
Perry, Alvah Elmer, William S. Atkins, 
D. Reed, M. Seabury, M. J. Stone, S. B. 
Blodgett, Palmer B. Ehner; organist, 
Harry P. Whittier ; chorister, Herman 
Osgood. 

The following pastors have been sta- 
tioned here since 1824: 

1825, E. Ireson ; 1826, Sargent and 
Barker; 1827, Aspenwall and E. J. Scott; 
1828, Foster and Peck; 1829, Demming 
and Page; 1830, Cass and Manning ; 1831, 
Cutler and Rust; 1832, Cutler and Noyes; 
1833, Sweatland and Scott; 1834, Kellogg 
and Worcester ; 1835, Brown and Smith; 
1836, Wells and Hill; 1837, Wells and 



CABOT. 



Farnham; 1838, L. Austin; 1839, C- Lis- 
combe ; 1840, James Smith; 1841 and '42, 
A.Gibson; 1843, H. Kendall ; 1844 and 
'45, Z. S. Haines ; 1846 and '47, P. Frost ; 
1848, Swichel; 1849, W. W. Scott; 1850, 
S. Aldrich; 185 1, H. T. Jones; 1852 and 
'53, A. L. Cooper; 1854 and '55, D. Packer; 
1856 and '57, D. S. Dexter; 1858 and '59, 
P. P. Ray; i860, E. Copeland ; 1861. C. 
Fales : 1862 and '63, F. E. King ; 1864 and 
'65, A. Hitchcock; 1866 and '67, D. Willis; 
1868 and '69, L. Hill; 1870 and >i,J.W. 
Bemis; 1872, ""T}^ and '"j\, W. H. Wight; 
1875, '76 and ^T], F. H. Roberts ; 1878 and 
79, H. F. Forrest; 1880 and '81, R. San- 
derson. 

THE ADVENT CHURCH 

in this town dates from 1843, when a long 
series of meetings were held by Elder Ship- 
man. Till 1858, there was no organiza- 
tion, but meetings were held in different 
parts of the town, mainly at the West Hill 
and at Lower Cabot, where the church was 
organized Feb. 16, 1858; 40 members; 
Nathan Wheeler and Erasmus L. Burnap, 
deacons, and M. P. Wallace, scribe. 

Samuel W. Thurber was the first pastor, 
widely known in this vicinity as a wide- 
awake preacher, and one who to edify his 
hearers, did not spare his lungs. He was 
pastor for 6 years, since which the church 
has been supplied by ministers hired from 
year to year, among whom were Rev. H. 
Canfield, Rev. George Child, Rev. Alonzo 
Hoyt and Rev. Nathan Wheeler. Their 
meeting-house was built in 1857, mainly 
through the efforts and means of Dr. M. 
P. Wallace, and dedicated January, 1858 ; 
sermon by- Rev. J. V. Himes, of Boston, 
who continued to hold meetings for the 
next 4 weeks. He was a pleasant speaker, 
thoroughly engaged in his labor. The 
house was crowded at nearly every meet- 
ing. The other churches all joined in the 
work, and a deep religious interest moved 
the whole town, and after the close of his 
labors, meetings were held at different lo- 
calities. It was called the most general 
awakening that had pervaded the town 
since 1826, and about 150 converts were 
added to the different churches, many of 



whom have proved strong helps to the 
churches to which they belong. For the 
past few years thisAphurch has suffered 
greatly from deaths and removals, and at 
present they have preaching but one-half 
the time. 

The Sabbath-school was organized be- 
fore the church, and has always been kept 
up ; the largest number enrolled, about 50. 
They have the largest library of any Sab- 
bath-school in town — 400 volumes, and 
when the church has had regular preach- 
ing each Sabbath, there has been a good 
degree of interest manifested in the school. 

PHYSICIANS 

have been, and are now, well represented 
in this town ; men who have stood well in 
their profession. 

Dr. Gershom Beardsley came among 
the very early settlers, as early as 1790. 
The physicians have been in the order of 
their nalnes : Gershom Beardsley, Perley 
Scott, Dyer Bill, Dr. Haines, Leonard 
Morgan, Dr. Pratt, Z. G. Pangborn, M. P. 
Wallace, D. G. Hubbard, John Doe, Dan. 
Newcomb, D. M. Goodwin, S. L. Wiswall, 
J. A. Thompson, Fred Gale, Dr. Warren. 
Our present physicians areDrs. Wallace 
and Wiswall, Gale and Warren. 

Dr. M. P. Wallace graduated at Han- 
over Medical College, 1842, and com- 
menced practice in this town in 1843 — he 
has retired from general practice, but is 
often called in council. 

Dr. S. L. Wiswall graduated at Wood- 
stock Medical School, and after practicing 
in the towns of Wolcott and Hydepark, 
came to this town in 1862, as successor to 
Dr. Newcomb. He is a well-read physi- 
cian, and held in much esteem by the pro- 
fession. 

When "Dr. Bill" was the only prac- 
titioner in town, located on the Plain, a 
man broke his thumb. The doctor and all 
the neighbors decided that amputation was 
necessary. The Doctor had no instru- 
ments, but they found a chisel they thought 
if ground up to an edge might answer. 
The chisel was ground, the man laid his 
hand on a block, the Doctor took the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



chisel and hammer, and in a minute the 
amputation was done. 

EPID^ICS. 

Probably the worst years of sickness 
this town ever saw were 1813 and '14, 
when the spotted fever raged to an alarm- 
ing extent, nearly every family in town 
having more or less sick ones, and in some 
portions of the town there were not well 
ones enough to care for the sick. Not un- 
frequently, a person would die with none 
but the members of their own family pres- 
ent. The old tomb-stones show a great 
number of deaths that year. 

Deacon Clement Coburn died of the 
spotted fever. He was one of the pillars 
of the Congregational church in his town. 
He lived but a very short time after he was 
taken. No one taken with this epidemic 
expected to live, it was so fatal and violent 
in the first seizure of its victims. Says the 
venerable Rev. Mr. Stone, of Montpelier : 
Deacon Stone called to see him as soon as 
he learned he was sick, to minister to any 
want and to pray with him. When he 
must leave that afternoon. Deacon Stone 
was much affected at parting with Dea. 
Coburn ; he l:kad been a good and fellow- 
laborer by his side in the house of worship, 
and he never expected to see him alive 
again, but Dea. Coburn, in the midst of 
his sufferings, bade him good-bye very 
calmly, triumphantly adding : 

" iMy soul shall pray Tor Zioii still. 
While life aiiU breath remains! " 

These were his last words to Deacon 
Stone, to which Dea. Stone often after al- 
luded when speaking of Dea. Coburn or of 
that calamitous period. 

No other epidemic prevailed till 1841, 
when the canker-rash, in its most malig- 
nant form, carried ofif a great many chil- 
dren. 1843 and '44 are remembered as 
the terrible years of erysipelas. The toll- 
ing of the bell saluted the ear, and the 
mournful procession greeted the eye, al- 
most daily. 1862 and '63 were sad years 
to many families, from the ravages of 
diphtheria. 

Native Clergymen. — Congregational, 
John F. Stone, Levi H. Stone, James P. 



Stone, Harvey M. Stone, alL brothers; 
William Scales, Ebenezer Smith ; Chris- 
tians, Leonard Wheeler, Nathan Wheeler, 
brothers ; Methodists, Zerah Colburn, 
Augustin Hopkins. 

Lawyers. — Theron Howard, J. S. Mar- 
ston, Harlow P. Smith, George W. Stone, 
John McLean, T. P. Fuller and J. P. Lam- 
son, the present lawyer of the town ; took 
his academical course at Johnson, Vt. ; 
read law with the late Hon. Thomas Gleed, 
of Morris ville ; came to this town, and 
commenced practice August, i860, during 
which time he has built up a large prac- 
tice, and is one of the leading attorneys in 
this section. 

College Graduates. — Oscar F. Dana, 
William Edgerton, William Scales, Eleazer 
J. Marsh, Charles C. Webster, Charles F, 
Stone. 

local literature. 

We have not wasted much printer's ink. 
I find but two Cabot publications, a pamph- 
let by Rev. Henry Jones, in 1826, that is 
entitled "An Exposure of Free-Masonry," 
and another pamphlet, written by Israel 
Cutting, giving an account of a law-suit 
between himself and Orlando Carter. 

A large number of newspapers are taken 
here, and local items are well contributed. 
Several libraries have been purchased for 
the town, but after a few years were scat- 
tered, and at present there is no public or 
circulating library in town. 

MASONIC. 

gkep;n mountain lodge, ciiaktehed 186). 

Charter Members — A. F. Sprague, B. J. 
Lance, G. M. Webster, W. W. Lyford, 
Rufus Adams, John M. Fisher, N. B. 
Rogers, William H. Fletcher, G. W. Clark, 
Edwin Fisher, A. M. Ruggles, E. C. 
Smith. 

First Officers of the Lodge — Rufus Ad- 
ams, W. M. ; J. M. Fisher, S. W. ; A. F. 
Sprague, J. W. ; B. J. Lance, Treasurer; 
Edwin Fisher, Secretary ; W. H. Fletcher, 
S. D. ; Joseph Dow, J. D. ; G. M. Web- 
ster, Nathaniel Perry, Stewards; N. B. 
Rogers, Tyler. 

Present Officers— G. E. Forbes, W. M. ; 
A. E. Dutton, S. W. ; N. B. Rogers, J. 



CABOT. 



103 



W. ; A. T. Durant, Treasurer; Hiram 
Wells, Secretary ; J. G. Pike, S. D. ; C. 
C. Eastman, J. D. ; W. W. Buchanan, 
George Gould, Stewards ; Charles French, 
Chaplain; T. O. Parker, Marshall; T. H. 
Lance, Tyler. 

Highest membership reached, 104. 

TOWN CLERKS 1 788 — 1 88 1. 

Maj. Lyman Hitchcock, first town clerk, 
held the office from 1788 to 1795, when he 
removed from town ; Dr. Horace Beards- 
ley, 1795 ; Thomas Osgood, 1796 to 1821, 
then in 1823 to 1832, with the exception 
of 1822, when Joseph Fisher held the 
office, an unbroken term of 36 years, when 
on account of the infirmities of age, his 
son Thomas Osgood, Jr., was elected in 
his place and served till 1858, a term of 
26 years, when from consumption, he had 
to resign and soon after died, and Allen 
Perry was clerk to 1874 ; Lucas Herrick to 
1875 ; Allen Perry re-elected in 1875 ! has 
held the office since, making 6 town clerks 
in 93 years. The records were kept in a 
clear, plain hand and are all remarkably 
well preserved, even the first unbound rec- 
ord, which is well stitched together on the 
back, and is an interesting town relic. 

SELECTMEN. 

Lieut. Jonathan Heath, 1788; Lieut. 
Thomas Lyford, 1788, '91, '92, 1843, '44; 
David Blanchard, 1788, '89, '90, '94; Ed- 
ward Chapman, 1789, '90; Benjamin Web- 
ster, 1790; Samuel Danforth, 1791, '92 
'93; Lyman Hitchcock, 1791, '92, '93; 
Capt. James Morse, 1793, '94; Jacob Gil- 
man, 1794; Fifield Lyford, 1795, '96, '98, 
1801 ; Samuel Warner, 1795, '96; Joseph 
Fisher, 1797, '98 '99, 1800, '3, '4, '5, '6, '7, 
'8, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17, '18, 
'19, '21, '22, '25, '26, '32^ '34; JohnWhich- 
er, 1797; Reuben Atkins, 1799, 1800; 
Oliver Walbridge, 1799, 1800, 'i ; Clement 
Coburn, 1801 ; Perley Scott, 1801, '2, '22, 
'23; John Edgerton, 1801 ; Moses Stone, 
1802, '7; Matthias Stone, 1803, '4, '5, '6, 
'9' '32, '33; Enoch Hoyt, 1803, '4, '5, '50, 
'52, 'S3, '54, '68; John Damon, 1806, '10, 
'II, '12, '13, '15, '18, '19, '20, '39, '40, '49, 
'50, '51 ; John W. Dana, 1807, '8, '9, '13, 
'16 to '22, '25 to '32, in all 16 years ; Jo- 



seph Blanchard, 1808,^9; Joseph Coburn, 
1810; Leonard Orcutt, 1812, '21 to '31, ''33 
to ''27, '43 to '46, 18 years in all ; John 
Stone, 1814, '16, '17; David Haines, 1815, 
'27, '28, '38 ; Anthony Perry, 1820; Eben- 
ezer Smith, 1823, '39, '41 ; Nathan Wheel- 
er, 1824; Tristam C. Hoyt, 1829, '31, 
'32; Hugh Wilson, 1830, '31, '42 ; Caleb 
Fisher, 1832, '41, '42, '43 to '48, '54, 62, 
'63, II years; Jeremiah Atkins, 1835, '36, 
'40,^52, '53; William Lance, 1835, '45; 
JohnA. Adams, 1836,^37, '38 ; Alpha Web- 
ster, 1837, '38, '49; Milton Fisher, 1837, 
'59, '60; Stephen Hoyt, 1840,^58, '59 ; Oli- 
ver C. Warner, 1841 ; Timothy P. Fuller, 
1842 ; Daniel Gould, 1846, '47, '53 ; Jacob 
Way, 1846, '47 '48 ; M. O. Fisher, 1848, '49, 
'52 ; Jewett Walbridge, 1848, '56, '57 ; Jos. 
Lance, 1849; Paul Dean, 1850, '51 ; Geo. 
W. Stone, 1851 ; George H. Paige, 1854, 
'55; M. P. Wallace, 1855, '64, ^66, '67, 
'68, '78, '79, '80; Rufus Adams, 1855; 
Allen Perry, 1856, '57; John Clark, 1858; 
Peter Lyford, 1858; Joseph Hoyt, i860, 
'61 ; Robert Lance, i860; S. W. Osgood, 
1861, '63, '65 ; B. F. Scott, 1861, '62, '64; 
James Atkins, 1862, '63; B. W. Marsh, 
1864; John H. Damon, 1865 ; N. K. Ab- 
bott, 1865; C. M. Seabury, 1866; Orson 
Kimball, 1866, '69, '70; E. D.Putnam, 
1867; William P. Whittier, 1867, '68, '71, 
'74; George W. Payne, 1869, '70, '72; 
Lucius Herrick, 1870, '71, '72, '75, '76, ^77, 
'78; Roland B. Bruce, 1871 ; N. K. Ab- 
bott, 1872, '7;i; E. T. Hopkins, 1873, '74, 
76, ^77 ; C. C. Perry, 1873 ; Roswell Laird, 
1874, '75, '76, '77; S. L. Wiswall, 1878, 
'80 ; George L. Paige, 1879 ; George Gould, 
1879, '81; Bemis Pike, 1880; Hiram 
Wells, 1881; Charles M. Fisher, i88r. 
In 1831, five selectmen were elected and 
served. 

TOWN TREASURERS. 

At the first town meeting in 1788, no 
treasurer was elected. Major Lyman Hitch- 
cock, the first elected. Mar. 9, 1789, held 
the office to Mar. 1792; then Lt. Thomas 
Lyford from 1782 to '94 ; Thomas Osgood, 
1794 to '95, '97 to 1 82 1, '22 to '39 — 42 
years ; Jacob Garland, 1795 to '97 ; Joseph 
Fisher, 1821 to '22; Marcus O. Fisher 



104 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



from 1839 to '41 ; Thomas Osgood, Jr., 
from 1841 to '48, and 1850 to '58; Henry 
Russell, from 1848 to '50; Allen Perry, 
from 1858 to '72, from ""jt, to '74; John A. 
Farrington, from 1872 to '73 ; Milton Fisher 
from 1874 to the present, 1S81. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

In this department of town officers the 
record does not commence until 1795. 
From tradition we learn Lieut. Thomas 
Lyford was town representative in 1791, 
but for some reason did not attend the 
Legislature. Sept. 1792, James Morse, 
Esq., was elected, and after his election, 
his wife spun the flax and made the cloth 
from which he had a pair of new " trousers" 
to wear to the Legislature, which met at 
Rutland, Oct. 11. The day before he was 
to start, he killed a Iamb, and his wife 
cooked " lunching" to last him through 
his journey. With his new trousers on, 
and his pack on his shoulders, he made 
his way by marked trees a large portion of 
the way to Rutland and back on foot. The 
session lasted 26 days. It is said he was 
an inveterate smoker, and that some wag 
drew his picture on the fence with his pipe 
in his mouth and pack on his back, and 
over it in large letters, " Going to Rut- 
land ! " It being put on with red chalk, 
remained on the fence for a number of 
years. 

Sept. 1795, the inhabitants were notified 
to bring in their votes at the school-house 
on the Hazen road, for representative, and 
also for governor, lieut. governor, treasurer 
and councillors. 

Samuel Warner was elected representa- 
tive, and Thomas Chittenden had 18 votes 
for governor ; Isaac Tichenor had 5 ; Paul 
Brigham had 16 votes for lieut. governor; 
Samuel Mattocks had 12 votes for treas- 
urer. Political feeling had begun to spring 
up in town ; 5 persons had allied them- 
selves with the Federal party. The Leg- 
islature this year met at Windsor, with a 
session of 20 days. Samuel Warner was 
representative in 1796, '97 ; Horace Beards- 
ley, 1798-1800; Joseph Fisher, 1799-1801 
-'S-'9-'ii-''i2- 14; John W. Dana, 1804- 
'7-'i8-'i9-'2o-'36; Perley Scott, 1806; 



John Uamon, 1808, '13; David Haines, 
i8is-''i6-'i7; Enoch Hoyt, 1821 ; Jere- 
miah Babcock, i822-''23- 24- 25-''26-'27- 
-'28-'29; Anthony Perry, i829-'3o- 31 ; 
Nathan Wheeler, i832-''33-''34; Oliver A. 
Warner, i835-'36; Jeremiah Atkins, 1837 
-'38 ; Robert Lance, 1839-40 ; Alpha Web- 
ster, 1841-42; Salem Goodenough, 1844; 
Allen Perry, 1846-^47 ; Thomas Lyford, 
1848-49; Daniel Gould, 1850-51; John 
McLean, 1.853-54; Matthew P. Wallace, 
1855-56; Benjamin F. Scott, 1857-58; 
Roswell Farr, 1859-60; Ouinton Cook, 
1861-62 ; Edwin Fisher, i863-''64 ; Valorus 
W. Hale, i866-'68; George W. Pame, 
i869;Theron H. Lance, i87o-'72; Na- 
thaniel K. Abbott, 1874; George M. Web- 
ster, 1876; True A. Town, 1878; George 
Gould, 1880. 

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 

The first overseer of the poor elected 
was Daniel Smith, in 1822; in '1824, 
"Voted not to elect an overseer of the 
poor." There is no record of any other 
election till 1831, when John Damon was 
elected to s'd office. It appears from the 
records that from that time the selectmen 
of the town had the charge of the poor 
until 1838, when Oliver A. Warner was 
elected, and held i year. Then Ebenezer 
Smith was overseer from 1839 to '40; Jer- 
emiah Atkins, 1840 to '41 ; Caleb Fisher, 
'41 to '42; Marcus O. Fisher, '42 to '43; 
Erasmus L. Burnap, '43 to '44; Jacob 
Way, '44 to '45 ; Benjamin F. Scott, '45 to 
'49 ; selectmen, '49 to '50 ; Milton Fisher, 
'50 to '56, '60 to '61 , '64 to '65 ; Jewett Wal- 
bridge, '56 to '58 ; George Rogers, '58 to 
'60 ; Nathaniel Coburn, '61 to '64; Cor- 
nelius Smith, '65 to '66; Anson Coburn, 
'66 to 'Gj ; Israel Smith, '67 to '69; Ros- 
well Laird, '69 to '70; George H. Paige. 
'70 to '72 ; Thomas Lyford, '72 to '73 ; 
Charles M. Fisher, '73 to '82. Twenty-one 
persons have served the town as over- 
seers of the poor, and no duty devolves on 
a civilized and Christian community so 
sacred and imperative as the proper care 
and support of those who cannot take care 
of themselves. 



CABOT. 



105 



The common course of this town until 
1849 was to dispose of the town's poor to 
those who would agree to keep them for 
the least money, and by this means tiiey 
too often fell into the hands of unfit per- 
sons, as those who took them intended to 
make a profit out of it. Awakened to a 
sense of the impropriety, not to say the in- 
humanity, of such a course, the town in 
1848 voted to elect a committee to pur- 
chase a poor-farm and stock for it, and to 
use so much of the surplus fund as was 
necessary for such a purchase ; Joseph 
Lance, Jacob Way, Joseph Hoyt, were the 
committee. At the next March meeting 
the committee reported they had pur- 
chased the present town farm for $1310, 
stock, tools, etc., for $637.89. In 1855 
a commodious house was built. The town 
has since been generally fortunate in its 
agents to take charge of the farm. It is 
now managed by John Thomas and wife, 
who spare no pains for the comfort of the 
inmates. As a general thing the town has 
been very fortunate, too, as to its iiumber 
of paupers ; perhaps as much so as any 
town in the State. We have at present 6 
boarders at town farm ; 3 at the Insane 
Asylum at Brattleboro, and 2 paupers away 
from the farm. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

James Morse, the first justice in the 
town, received his appointment in 1792; 
Lyman Hitchcock was the next; in 1795, 
Thomas Osgood ; in 1796, Samuel Warner ; 
and from this time the number increased, 
each representative thinking he must ap- 
point a good share of his constituents until 
1823, when a resolution was passed by the 
town setting forth that so large a number 
tended to lessen the dignity attachecf to 
the office, and as a consequence, none of 
them would fit themselves for the position 
as they should. Therefore, they requested 
the Legislature not to appoint more than 
4 justices for the town, and that 6 was 
enough for any town. For a few years 
this request was complied with, but grad- 
ually we began to return to the old custom, 
and in 1840, 13 justices were appointed by 
the representative, viz. : Leonard Orcutt, 
Marcus O. Fisher, Anthony Perry, John 



Damon, Thomas Osgood, Jr., Alpha Web- 
ster, Wm. Hoit, John R. Putnam, Roswell 
Farr, Jas. M. Harris, Jerry Atkins, O. A. 
Warner, Joseph Preston, and the number 
some, years would go much higher than 
this, even as high as 25. It run in this 
way until 1850, when the number was 
fixed by law at 7 for this town, when 
Thomas Osgood, Alpha Webster, M. P. 
Wallace, J. R. Putnam, M. O. Fisher, 
Wm. E. Waldo, John A. Adams, were 
elected. This same board were continued 
in office while they lived, as a general 
thing. When there was a vacancy, a 
younger man was elected to fill the place. 
M. P. Wallace is the only one living of 
the first board elected by the people. The 
present board, 1881, are M. P. Wallace, 
T. H. Lance, J. M. Fisher, N. K. Abbott, 
R. B. Bruce, G. W. Paine, Bemis Pike. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. » 

Assistant Judges of Caledonia Cowity 
Court. — Hon. John W. Dana; Hon. Mar- 
cus O. Fisher, 1836 to '39, 

High Sheriff.— ]o&. Preston, 1844, '45. 

State Senators. — Hon. John McLean, 
1849, '5°; Hon. George H. Page, 1852 to 
'55 ; Hon. E. D. Putnam, 1858, '59; Hon. 
M. P. Wallace, 1864. 

State's Attorney. — J. P. Lamson, Esq., 
1866 to '68. 

County Commissioner. — J. M. Fisher, 
1875 to ''T]. 

Population by Census. — 1791, 122; 
1800, 349; 1810, 886; 1820, 1032; 1830, 
1304; 1840, 1440; 1850, 1356; i860, 1315; 
1870, 1279. 

3 suicides in town ; 4 persons drowned ; 
no murder. 

A man by the name of Doloff broke 
into Dana's store, stole a gun, a bar of 
iron and all the rum he could drink ; got 
so di-unk he could not get away ; he was 
sent to prison and died there. 

CABOT'S bear STORY. 

[From a sketch of the olden time so 
choicely written we would be better pleased 
had we room to give the whole. — Ed.] 

Two humble log-cabins in the heart of 
the great wilderness was the beginning of 
the town of Cabot; for miles in every 



14 



io6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



direction there were no signs of civiliza- 
tion ; but there on West Hill, where David 
Lyford and his neighbor Blanchard had 
builttheir rude dwellings. Mr. Blanchard"s 
family was himself, his wife and 2 children, 
David Lyford's, himself and his wife Ju- 
dith. The Lyford and Blanchard cabins 
stood not more than 30 rods apart, facing 
each other, on opposite sides of a swamp, 
through which a narrow foot-path led from 
one to the other. At the end of each 
cabin, partly in the rear, was also a barn, 
built of logs. 

It was the third birth-day of this settle- 
ment ; each had cleared away several acres 
from around his buildings, and earned suf- 
ficient for the subsistence of his family. 
Both had been fortunate and had suffered 
no losses but some slight damage to their 
crops of corn by the bears. The men 
oft^n saw them in the woods, and it was 
no uncommon experience for the two to 
go out hunting in company, and return in 
an hour with a dead bear slung between 
them, and fresh bear-tracks would be seen 
every morning at some seasons of the year 
about the house and barn. But our men 
were inured to peril and toil by early train- 
ing ; and their wives were not a whit infe- 
rior to them. 

One drizzly day in August, just after 
David Lyford and his wife had finished 
their dinner of hasty-pudding and milk, 
Mrs. Lyford laid her wooden spoon back 
into the squash-shell bowl, and said : 

"What are you going to do this after- 
noon, David ?" 

" I was thinking of going to work in the 
burnt piece." 

"It's too wet for that; why not break 
the flax? I will hatchel it, and then I can 
go on with my spinning. 

" Well, perhaps that is best. These old 
clothes are almost gone, and I must have 
some new ones ;" and David rose from the 
table and went out. 

His wife cleared away the dishes, and 
was soon ready. It was last year's flax ; 
had been ' ' rotted " during the winter and 
spring, gathered up, tied in bundles and 
laid away in the barn till David could find 
time to break it. 



David went to the barn to " unlumber" 
his flax-break. The sun came out ; so he ' 
carried the " break " to the corner of the 
house, and brought a bundle of flax from 
the barn. 

The " break" was a sort of wooden mal- 
let, on a long wooden frame, or " horse." 
The long, thin, parallel handles of the 
mallet were pivoted into the end of the 
frame, and when the machine was at rest, 
these blade-like " handles" lay lapped be- 
tween other blades, which were set edge 
upward firmly along the top of the frame. 
When the machine was at work, the two 
sets of wooden blades played upon each 
other with every lift and fall of the mallet, 
very much like the opposite edges of a 
pair of very large and very dull shears. 
Every stalk of flax that was caught be- 
tween, had its back effectually broken, and 
was rendered very limp and soft. 

Taking a wisp of flax in his left hand, 
the farmer thrust it into the break, and 
with his right, brought down the mallet 
with heavy thumps. By the time his wife 
had brought the hatchel from neighbor 
Blanchard's, David had cjuite a pile of 
broken flax. David fastened the hatchel 
on a stump, within a few feet of where he 
was at work, and Judith, seizing a quantity 
of broken flax, laid it over the end of an 
upright board, and with a long wooden 
knife ot swingle, beat the fibers, to clear 
away the greater part of the bark and 
" sliver," and the swingling finished, she 
began to hatchel the flax. Holding a hand- 
ful firmly by one end, raising and striking 
the other end down on the long, glittering 
teeth of the hatchel, drawing the flax 
towards her, to comb out the rest of the 
woody particles, leaving only the soft, 
yellow-tinted flax ready for tlie spinning- 
wheel. 

I can fancy just how the worthy couple 
looked, in their old-time habiliments, as 
they stood there bare-headed, in front of 
their cottage of logs — he plying the break 
with steady stroke ; she striking the flax 
down, and drawing it througli the long 
teeth of the hatchel, preparing the raw 
linen for the wheel and loom. Hour after 
hour they continued their work, as cheer- 



CABOT. 



107 



fully as if theirs was the happiest lot in 
the world. Suddenly David spoke out, 
" Harlv ! what is that ? " 

" I did not hear anything ; what did you 
think you heard ? " 

" I thought I heard a bear right here in 
the swamp," said he, pointing down the 
path that lead to Blanchard''s. 

"I guess not," replied his wife, after 
they had listened a minute or two and 
heard nothing. "I don't think a bear 
would come so near in the daytime." 
"Well, perhaps I was mistaken," replied 
David ; and the two went on with their 
work. 

More than half the afternoon was gone 
when they finished the flax. Mrs. Lyford 
carried it into the house and laid it away 
until she could spin it, and leaving the 
plank-door of the house wide open went 
out where David was. " While you are 
putting the breaks away," she said, " I will 
carry the hatchel home ;" and started 
across the swamp, singing as she went. 

Mrs. Lyrord was a strjong, and very ac- 
tive woman, and always in good spirits. 
As soon as she returned the hatchel she 
turned back through the swamp home. 
The swamp was really a bit of forest ; 
large trees and the bushes on either side 
of the narrow foot-path were very thick. 
About half way home, passing a short 
bend in the path, she found herself within 
arm's length of a cub-bear, weighing per- 
haps 15 or 20 pounds. At the same mo- 
ment, through the bushes, she caught a 
glimpse of the old bear and another cub 
not 3 rods distant. 

Most women would have run, but the 
sight of a bear, or even two bears, more 
or less, had no such effect upon Jndith 
Lyford. Not in the least intimidated, and 
obeying a kind of defiant impulse, she 
snatched up the cub by the hmd legs and 
run. The cub squealed, and began to 
scratch and bite so vigorously, she swung 
him into her stout tow apron ; but without 
stopping, gathered both arms around him, 
and kept on at her utmost speed. She 
heard the old bear crashing through the 
bushes behind her, and knew unless she 
dropped the cub, she would have to run 



a desperate race, but had no intention 
of giving up her game. The same impulse 
that had impelled her to seize the cub, im- 
pelled her to keep it ; and keep it she did. 
With almost superhuman speed she dashed 
along the path, conscious the furious beast 
behind was gaining on her every leap. 
She reached the house, darting through 
the open doorway, flung the cub from her 
arms, swung the plank door to, and drop- 
ped the leverwood bar into its socket, 
none too soon. Scarcely was the bar in 
place, when the enraged mother-bear threw 
her great weight against the door outside. 
But the door had been made for such an 
emergency,- and stood as a rock against all 
the brute's efforts. 

The cub, as soon as his captor dropped 
him, darted into a corner of the room, 
where he kept up his cries, rendering the 
old bear more frantic every moment. 

David had just put away his flax-break, 
and was coming out of the barn, when his 
wife approached the house, running her 
singular race. I imagine his astonishment 
as he caught a glimpse of her darting in at 
the door, with a fully-grown bear not a 
rod behind her. 

Dropping the pitch-fork in his hand, he 
ran to the window behind the house. 
Quick though he was, Judith was there be- 
fore him, ready to pass the gun, always 
loaded for instant use. A moment later 
David was at the front corner of the house. 
The bear was so frantic to break through 
the door and reach her cub, she did not 
see David ; one well-directed shot laid her 
dead. The whole affair was over in scarcely 
five minutes between Judith's capture of 
the cub and David's shot that killed its 
dam at the door. 

The cub in the house soon shared the 
same fate, and David went to the swamp 
to find the other, but that had taken alarm 
and escaped. 

Mrs. Lyford lived many years afterward 
in the same neighborhood, long enough 
not only to see the wilderness disappear, 
but to raise a large family of children, to 
whom she often related her droll but dan- 
gerous adventure. The above particulars 



io8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



were furnished me by one of her sons, who 
still lives in St. Johnsbury. 

David Lyford lived where Daniel Kim- 
ball now lives, and Blanchard where Caleb 
Noyes lives ; the swamp spoken of is the 
low land between the two places. Mrs. 
Lyford was the mother of the late Mrs. 
Stephen Hoyt. 

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 

The first temperance societv was organ- 
ized in 1826, through the efforts of Rev. 
Henry Jones. It was rather conservative 
in its regulations and requirements of its 
members. Perhaps whisky having been 
used so long as a common beverage, it was 
thought best not to break off too short on 
the start; not to stop too sudden, as the 
reaction might be hurtful. 

It was not a total abstinence society, but 
simply required of its members to keep an 
account of the number of times they drank 
during the month, and report at the next 
monthly meeting. This society kept up 
its organization 5 years. 

In 1 83 1 a total abstinence society was 
organized. No records of this society are 
to be found. 

In 1842, Feb. 16, a society was formed 
at Lower Cabot, of which a record was 
kept: Benj. F. Scott, president ; James 
M. Harris, vice president ; John McLean, 
secretary; M. P. Wallace, Eben Smith, 
Jr., A. T. Gibson, committee. The pledge 
was iron clad, guarded at every point, and 
it took a wide scope, and persons signed 
the pledge from every part of the town. 
Meetings were held in nearly every school- 
house in town, and the records show they 
were very interesting; membership, 196; 
and yet, after a few months it appears to 
have lost somewhat of its salt ; towards 
the last record the secretary closes up with 
the doleful exclamation, " Meeting thinly 
attended. Alas, poor Yorick! alas! Are 
the people all drunk ? " 

Since this there have been different tem- 
perance organizations in town, but at 
present the work is prin'cipally looked 
after by the Good Templars, of which we 
have a full history, written by one of the 
members. 



THE GOOD templars' LODGE 

was organized in Cabot, Aug. 1864, with 
Rev. S. F. Drew, pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church, as its presiding officer, and 
19 charter members ; first officers : S. F. 
Drew, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Edwin Fisher, 
W. V. T. ; Wm. Atkins, W. S. ; Miss 
Lucy Ray, W. A. S. ; Wm. Gould ; W. F. 
S. ; Mrs. O. L. Hoyt, W. A. M. ; Moses. 
Haines, W. C. ; Miss Olive Stone, W. I. 
G. ; R. A. G^nn, W. O. G. ; Miss Abbie 
Hoyt, W. R. H. S. ; Miss Levina Gould, 
W. L. H. S.; O. L. Hoyt, P. W. C. 
T. ; William Atkins, L. D. The other 
first members were F. G. Hoyt, Allen 
Walbridge, N. J. Mason and George Dow. 
The first 3 meetings were held at the vil- 
lage hall ; the next 6 with Mrs. Roxana 
Hoyt, at the Lower village ; then the Ma- 
sonic hall was rented 2 years, and after, 
the hall of Mr. John Brown for 5 years, 
which is still used. 

In 1866, the Lodge chamber was hand- 
somely fitted up, and furnished with a 
good organ, and everything spoke a deep 
interest in the temperance work. Among 
those who early interested themselves in 
this work were the families of Rev. S. F. 
Drew, Wm. Atkins, Dea. Hoyt, Cornelius 
Smith, Rev. Alson Scott, Edwin Fisher, 
B. W. Mansh, O. L. Hoyt, Geo. Gould, 
Chester Walker, Wm. Abbott, J. W. Far- 
rington and wife. Dr. L. S, Wiswall, Henry 
and Isaac Hills, Dea. Edward Haines, 
Luke and Ira Fisher, Wm. Fletcher, Rev. 
P. N. Granger, Mrs. Allen Perry, Mrs. 
Enoch Putnam, Mrs. Swan, many of 
the members of the families of Horace 
Haines, Dea. N. K. Abbott, Daniel Gould, 
Frederick McDuffee, etc., besides many 
other families and individuals in town and 
in the surrounding towns, and special 
mention should be made of the untiring 
zeal of Wm. Gould, who went out from 
us; entered the "legal profession"; now 
resides in California ; for his name not only 
stands high among the members of the 
" bar," but he has done, and is yet doing, 
a good work in the temperance reform in 
that State. His wife is also Right Worthy 
Grand Vice Templar of the world. 



CABOT. 



109 



Only 27 deaths have occurred during 
these 17 years, strengthening the old 
adage, "cold water brings health as well 
as wealth." 

At the decease of Ira Fisher, he left the 
Lodge $400, the interest of which was to 
be used by them as long as they held their 
charter ; but should they at any time sur- 
render this, the fund should go to the 
Congregational church of this place, of 
which he was a constant attendant. 

The old members went, and new ones 
came in to take their places. None of the 
charter members are left now, '81, but the 
Lodge exists, and has never failed to hold 
its meetings regularly every week. The 
present olificers are : Rev. R. Sanderson, 
W. C. T. ; Mrs. Hiram Wells, W. V. T. ; 
Miss Sadie Willie, W. S. ; Miss Mattie 
Haines, W. A. S. ; Murtin Wells, W. F. 
S. ; Miss Minnie Haines, W. T. ; Hermon 
Rogers, W. M. ; Miss Belle Paquin, W. 
D. M.; Henry Hills, W. C. ; Miss Etta 
Gerry, W. I. G. ; Wavie Town, W. O. G. 
Mrs. Henry Hills, W. R. H. S. ; Mrs. Wm. 
Buchanan, W. L. H. S. ; Mrs. P. Gurney, 
P. W. C. T. ; Henry Hills, L. D. We 
know much good is being done by this or- 
ganization throughout the world, and we 
believe otir Lodge has done its part in the 
great work. 

NATHANIEL WEBSTER. 

Quite a lengthy and very interesting 
genealogical local record of this venerable 
pioneer and family has been received from 
Hon. Charles C. Webster of Redwing, 
Minn., his grandson, and a former resi- 
dent of this town, which we regret we 
have not space to publish ; but will make 
some extract from it. Mention has been 
made of Mr. W. in the former part of 
these papers. 

He was born 1753, in ©Id Chester, N. 
H. Served several years in the Revolu- 
tionary army and was a pensioner at the 
time of his death. He was married to 
Mehitable Smith of Holderne.ss, N. H. 
At the close of the war, they removed to 
Newbury, Vt., where they resided a few 
years, and in 1784, came to the Plain, 
where his father had purchased quite a 



tract of land, and began as before stated. 
In March, he made preparation for his 50- 
mile journey into the wilderness. It took 
but a short time — his effects were few ; his 
vehicle for travel a hand-sled ; they had 5 
children, upon the back-end of this sled ; 
he extemporized a cover and beneath it he 
placed two of his children too young to 
travel on foot. Abel, a lad 9 years of age, 
had to assist his father in propelling the 
sled, which he did with a pointed stick, 
pushing behind, while Lydia, a little girl, 
traveled along with her mother on foot, 
who carried her youngest child, an infant, 
in her arms. In this way did the young 
father and his wife pursue their way to the 
distant forest settlement. They arrived 
safely and found shelter under the roof of 
Benjamin Webster, at first, who had set- 
tled here a year previous. Nathaniel com- 
menced clearing and got his cabin ready 
in the fall. In due course of time, 7 chil- 
dren were added to their household, mak- 
ing 12 in all. Alpha, (the father of Charles 
C.,) was the youngest, who was a long 
time a resident of this town, and removed 
to Minneapolis, Minn., in 1868, to reside 
near his children who had settled there. 
He died September, 1874, aged 75 years. 
Mrs. Vance, who formerly lived in this 
town, but now in Boston, aged 90 
years, is the only surviving child of this 
large family. Nathaniel Webster always 
lived on the same farm where he com- 
menced in town. He died in 1836, aged 
83. His wife survived him many years, 
retaining her faculties to a wonderful de- 
gree. She died about 1858, aged 99 years, 
and from her the year before her death, 
the writer of this history got many items 
which have been of great benefit in com- 
piling the history of the town. 

LIEUT. FIFIELD LYFORD 

was born in Exeter, N. H., 1763. At the 
age of 13 he entered the army of the Rev- 
olution as a servant to his father, Lieut. 
Thomas Lyford, and served with him one 
year at Ticonderoga. He left his father 
and went to West Point, and served as one 
of the life-guard of Gen. Arnold till he 
proved a traitor to his country, and after 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



that he remained in the army till the close 
of the Revolution. While with Arnold, 
he saw him beat a sick soldier over the 
head and shoulders with his cane with such 
severity as to break it. Arnold then threw 
the pieces into the ditch. Lyford secured 
the head of the eane, and used it on his own 
staff as long as he lived. The cane is now 
in the possession of his daughter, Celinda 
Lyford, at Lower Cabot. He served as a 
lieutenant in the war of 1812 ; was honor- 
ably discharged, and received a pension 
during his life. He married and came to 
this town in 1788, and settled on the farm 
where Wm. Barr now lives, and built 
there the first framed barn in town ; he 
died in this town, at the residence of his 
son-in-law, T. E. Wilson, April 18, 1846, 
aged 79 years. 

DR. PARLEY SCOTT, 

born in Worcester County, Mass., July, 
1765; pursued an academical course at 
Leicester Academy, read medicine in the 
same town ; married Lydia Day about 
1790, and moved to Craftsbury Common, 
where he commenced the practice of med- 
icine. He came to Cabot Plain in 1794, 
and in 1804, to the village, and continued 
the practice of his profession. 8 children 
were born to them ; but one of this large 
family is now living, George W. Scott, 
Esq., of Montpelier. Dr. Scott practiced 
his profession more than 50 years in this 
and adjoining towns successfully, answer- 
ing all calls alike to rich and poor. During 
all his long practice his rides were on 
horse-back ; but he was never too much 
exhausted to answer a call. He died in 
1850, aged 84 years; his wife died before 
him, aged 83. 

JOSEPH FISHER, ESQ., 

was born at Dedham, Mass., 1767. He 
was a lad when the British occupied 
Boston, and remembered distinctly the 
battle of Bunker Hill. When he arrived 
at his majority he came to Claremont, 
N. IL, and married Sarah O.sgood, and 
came to this town and commenced on the 
farm now owned and occupied by his 
grand-son, Luke C. Fisher. He built his 
. first cabin on the site of the present house. 



The first night they stayed in their new 
residence the snow blew 'down the large 
stone chimney so that in the morning it 
was 6 inches deep between their bunk and 
the fireplace. To them were born 4 sons 
and 3 daughters, all of whom, but one, 
lived to advanced age, and two of whom 
now survive — Caleb, 81 years old ; Milton, 
74 years old ; and they have always lived 
in town, enjoying the confidence of their 
townsmen, as the numerous , offices to 
which they have been called to fill testify. 
Joseph Fisher was a public-spirited man, 
and held many offices, as will be seen by 
the tables of town officers in this pajjer. 
He died in 1853, aged 87 years. His wife 
preceded him in 1839, aged 70 years. 

ELIHU COBURN, 

BY HON. JOSEPH POLAND, 

was born at Charlton, Mass., 1773; .son 
of Clement Coburn and Dorothy Ed- 
wards, of Oxford, Mass. His early educa- 
tion was confined to a few months' attend- 
ance at the common school, but his nat- 
ural ability enabled him in a great measure 
to surmount the defect, and become a 
man whose judgment and practical knowl- 
edge were thoroughly relied upon by his 
townsmen. 

In the summer of 1799, he came on 
horseback to Vermont. Passing through 
the forest, he reached a pretty valley 
among the hills, through which a little 
stream noiselessly found' its way. This 
spot he at once decided upon as his future 
home, and clearing here a small space, he 
erected a frame house, one of the first in 
the town. He remained until winter, 
when he returned to Massachusetts for his 
bride. He married Abigail Putnam, daugh- 
ter of Gideon Putnam, of Sutton, Mass., 
and in the middle of January the newly- 
wedded pair found their way through the 
forest by marked trees to the spot which 
v.'as to become their home and the home 
of their descendants. Six miles south lived 
their nearest neighbor in that direction, 
while Deacon Stone had erected a saw- 
mill and log cabin at what is now known 
as Lower Cabot. Mr. C. rapidly cleared 



CABOT. 



Ill 



his land, and converted the wilderness 
tract around him into verdant meadows. 
Four years after his arrival his parents fol- 
lowed him to Vermont, and a few years 
later her aged father and mother also came 
to them, notwithstanding their former ob- 
jections to their daughter's leaving them 
to go into the wilderness, to be massacred 
by Indians, or devoured by wild beasts. 
Here they lived until one by one the aged 
parents laid down the burden of life, their 
pathway down " the Valley" smoothed by 
the loving care of the children whom they 
had sought in their wilderness home. 
About 30 years they kept a'public house, 
known far and wide as " Farmer's Tavern," 
and most of the town business was trans- 
acted here. 

As a man there were few more respected, 
or indeed beloved, among his townsmen. 
He was noted for hospitality and great- 
hearted generosity, and whatever project 
he undertook, was pursued until accom- 
plished. He was an excellent friend, hus- 
band and father, and died at three-score 
and ten, regretted. His wife survived 
him about 6 years ; an amiable woman, of 
great energy and endurance, It was a 
strange coincidence, both died, apparently 
in perfect health, instantly, and without a 
struggle. Eight children were born to them : 
Harriet, in 1801 ; married James Atkins in 
1823; died in 1827. Ruth, in 1803; mar- 
ried Dr. Dyer Bill, of Albany, Vt. ; died 
in 1880; left 5 sons. Hiram, in 1805; 
married Ruth Osgood, who died a few 
years after. He still lives upon the old 
homestead. Louisa, 1807 ; married Hon. 
Robert Harvey, of Barnet ; died in 1867; 
4 children. Lewis, i8og; died in 1818. 
Frances Caroline, 1812; married ist, 
James K. Harvey, merchant, of Barnet. 
After his death, she married Dr. C. B. 
Chandler, then of Tunbridge, but after- 
wards of Montpelier. She died in 1874; 
a daughter survives her. Elihu F., born 
in 1815, resides on the old homestead; 
married, 1855, Amelia Walker, of Sher- 
brooke, P. O. ; 3 children by this mar- 
riage ; by a later, 2 sons. Abigail, 18 17, 
ma:ried Maj. Quinton Cook, of Cabot. 
They have one daughter living. 



COL. JOHN STONE, 

born at Claremont, N. H., Jan. 15, 1775, 
came to Cabot in 1797, and began clear- 
ing up a farm on the groimd now occupied 
by the Lower Village Cemetery ; then an 
unbroken wood from Cabot to Marshfield. 
He married in 1803, Betsey Huntoon, of 
Kingston, N. H. To them were born 7 
sons and 3 daughters ; four of the sons are 
Congregational ministers. [See list of na- 
tive ministers.] In the military, Col. S. 
rose from a private to Colonel of the ist 
regiment, 3d brigade 4th division of the 
Vt. militia of the State, and was said to 
be one of the f3est commanders of the bri- 
gade. He died Feb. 20, 1856; his wife, 
Feb. 22. Both were buried in the same 
grave, on the spot where he first com- 
menced clearing their farm. 

HON. JOHN W. DANA. 

BY IIO.V. (). F. DANA. 

John W. Dana was born at Pomfret, 
Vt., 1777, and son of John W. Dana and 
Hannah, daughter of Maj. Gen. Israel 
Putnam of Revolutionary fame. His early 
education was a few weeks' attendance at 
the common school ; but his social stand- 
ing and natural parts were such as to ena- 
ble him to obtain in marriage the accom- 
plished daughter of the Rev. Mr. Damon 
of Woodstock. The newly wedded pair 
traveled northward in the spring of 1802, 
on horseback, following the Hazen road, 
hewn through the forests for military pur- 
poses, until they reached a wooded sum- 
mit which took the name of the Plain. 
Here a small settlement was gathered, in- 
cluding the doctor, the blacksmith and the 
trader. Here our young travelers paused, 
charmed with the location. It was a lovely 
spot then, just a few acres shorn of the 
heavy trees that swept like the waves of 
a broad sea, elsewhere, for miles around, 
above and below. Upon the shorn spot 
the sun came down, the heavy mantle of 
forest sheltered it from the wind. They 
had not found a place on their journey 
they liked so much, and here they deter- 
mined to make their home — probably for 
the remainder of life. Hopefully and 
heartily tliey commenced in this mountain 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



home. For a time all went satisfactorily. 
It wa.s all well at first, but as the forests 
were cut away, it soon became manifest 
that this cool, wind-swept summit must be 
abandoned as a winter residence, and so 
reluctantly, but one by one, the little com- 
munity dropped down into the security of 
what became known as Cabot Village. 

At the present day the view from the 
abandoned and silent Plain is very im- 
pressive, and one of exceeding loveliness, 
commanding as it does both the White 
and the Green Mountain ranges. It is safe 
to say, that nowhere in all New England 
is there a more beautiful panorama spread 
before the enraptured eye. 

The spot selected by Mr. Dana for his 
next residence was in a valley sheltered 
from winds by hills and forests and cooled 
by a rapid mountain torrent, whose waters, 
briefly arrested, spread out for a moment 
peacefully before his door, aud then 
plunged over a fall, whose ceaseless mur- 
mur swayed with every breeze. 

Here he passed the principal years of 
his life. He had a cheerful and active 
temperament, and was generous of himself 
in endeavors to promote the public welfare. 
Eighty years ago Cabot was well nigh one 
continuous wilderness. The first adven- 
turous settlers brought little more than 
stout hearts and a sharp axe. Little clear- 
ings were to be made, rude houses con- 
structed, roads and bridges built, and, 
withal, the church and the school must be 
kept going. There was plenty to do to 
keep one active, enough attainable to keep 
one hopeful. The inhabitants of the pres- 
ent day can scarcely realize what an intense 
community of interest bound together 
these early settlers, and how they worked 
together and gave the friendly grasp in 
mutual encouragement. It fell to Mr. 
Dana's part to become in some measure 
the medium of exchange in supplying the 
wants of life. He made long and tedious 
journeys to Boston, to bring back mer- 
chandise, and, as few had money, he re- 
ceived in exchange for his goods whatever 
the settlers could best spare. This led, 
in time, and as matters grew more pros- 
perous, to the collection by him of large 1 



herds of cattle which were driven to mar- 
ket : in those days a great event. He con- 
tented himself with moderate gains, and 
though his opportunities were favorable he 
he did not seek unduly to amass wealth. 
These frequent journeyings, and his keen 
interest in the public welfare, kept him 
abreast of the times and, without his seek- 
ing it, he fell naturally into the position 
of a foremost man. His advice and as- 
sistance were frequently sought and his 
counsels were respected. He loved his 
townsmen and took delight in their grow- 
ing prosperity and advancement. He 
donated lands to beautify the village. He 
loved and observed nature and took pleas- 
ure in his surroundings. He reflected 
much upon the deep mysteries of existence 
and was fond of rational discourse ; but, 
if this was in a degree characteristic of 
Mr. Dana, it was far more so of his wife : 
a lady deeply imbued with spiritual aspi- 
rations and an abidiug sense of the beauty 
of holiness. While her husband some- 
times allowed himself to question and 
speculate upon religious dogmas, she had 
no doubts herself and was impatient of 
them in others. She held herself solemnly 
charged with the mission of caring for the 
moral interests of the community, and no 
devotee ever addressed herself to more 
constant watchfulness and prayer. Such 
as they were, the daily life and influence of 
this couple went forth into the little com- 
munity ; and that it was beneficent, is evi- 
denced by a tender regard for their memo- 
ries that lingered long after their departure ; 
a notable instance was that manifested by 
the late Joseph Lance, Esq., who, though 
he had purchased and paid for their home- 
stead, used to say that he could never 
divest himself of the feeling that it must 
still forever belong to them — so intensely 
had the subtle influence of their lives pen- 
etrated it. 

In 1830, the stage in which Mr. Dana 
was journeying to Boston was overturned 
and rolled 60 feet down an embankment. 
Two of his ribs were broken, and he was 
supposed to be mortally injured. From 
this shock, he never fully recovered, and 
for want of necessary attention his affairs 



CABOT. 



113 



fell into some confusion. Some of his 
daughters had married and gone to Wis- 
consin. He visited them in 1838: and in 
1839, ^^^ removed thither with his whole 
family. The morning in which he finally 
left his old home, never to return, was 
made memorable by a pleasant incident. 
At daybreak, and while he was still asleep, 
a score or more of his old comrades, 
dressed in long, tow frocks, silently assem- 
bled in the village hall, and sent to request 
his presence. This touching manifestation 
of regard sensibly affected him, and ended 
in an abundance of tears as, one by one, 
the old men bade each other an eternal 
farewell . 

It only remains to be said, that in his 
new home, freed from care, his business 
affairs adjusted, he lived in the quiet en- 
joyment of the companionship of his wife 
and children, until, in 1850, he bade fare- 
well to all. His wife survived until 1872. 

LEONARD ORCUTT, ESQ., 

born at Stafford, Ct., 1779, came with his 
mother to Cabot when 18 years old. He 
married Sally Spear for his first wife ; for 
his 2d, Polly Bullock ; by his first wife 4 
children, and 4 by his second ; 3 of the last 
died in early life of consumption. Esquire 
Orcutt held many offices of trust in the 
town, among which was the office of justice 
of the peace for over 40 years. For along 
time he was town agent, and assisted in all 
town law-suits, and when a witness, the 
lawyers never made but one effort to corner 
him. In the trial of a town case at Dan- 
ville (County Court) he was a witness. 
Hon. Wm. Mattocks was counsel against 
the town, and wished to prove that Esquire 
C. was deeply interested in the case on ac- 
count of holding town office. "Well, 
Esquire," said Mattocks, "you have held 
considerable town office in Cabot, haven't 
you?" "Yes-yes-I have some." "Well, 
sir, what office did you hold the year this 
affair took place?" The Esquire said, 
shutting his eyes and running his hands 
into his breeches pockets to his elbows, 
"Well, if I recollect right, I was highway 
surveyor that year." In after years Mat- 
tocks frequently related this case with a 
laugh, and said he was perfectly satisfied 



with this witness. He died in 1855, aged 
75, highly respected by all the community. 

DEACON JAMES MARSH 
came here from Plymouth, N. H., in 1793, 
and settled on a farm ^ mile north of the 
Center. In 18 — he married Miriam Wal- 
bridge ; to them were born 5 sons and 4 
daughters. He was for many years a 
deacon of the Congregational church, and 
accounted by all who knew him, what is 
said to be the noblest work of God — an 
honest man. He died 1865, aged 90 years. 

DEACON MARCUS O. FISHER 

was born at Cabot, Nov. 24, 1796. [For 
his first business, see village of Cabot.] 
He was married to Fanny Hall, June 13, 
1820, at Chester, N. H., and came directly 
to Cabot and began pioneer life in what 
was known as the old Red House. There 
were but 4 houses in the village at that 
time. Deacon Marcus Fisher and his wife 
were actively identified with the entire 
growth of the village. They had 4 chil- 
dren, 2 of which died in early life, and 2 
survive their parents. The Deacon and 
his wife were earnest, consistent Chris- 
tians. Their house was ever the hospita- 
ble mansion, to which were welcomed the 
missionary and minister, and all who were 
working in the vineyard of their Lord. The 
Deacon died suddenly, of heart disease, 
Sabbath morning, Apr. 9, 1865, aged 68. 
His wife died Sept. 14, 1870. 

JOSEPH LANCE, ESQ., 

born in Chester, N. H., 1799, came to this 
town when a lad with his father, who set- 
tled on the place where Hial Morse lives. 
In 1830, he engaged in the mercantile 
business in Calais. After about 4 years he 
sold out, and engaged in farming on quite 
a large scale. In 1833, he was married to 
Cynthia M. Tucker. They had 4 chil- 
dren, 3 of whom are now living. In 1838, 
he bought the entire estate of Judge Dana, 
and about 1845 ''^ moved to this town. In 
his early life he dealt extensively in cattle 
and sheep ; was successful in all his under- 
takings financially, and became a man of 
wealth. He held many town offices, and 
was an excellent manager for the town. 
He died Oct. 12, 1865, aged 66 years. 



15 



114 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JOHN DAMON, ESQ., 

was born in Martha's Vineyard, near Bos- 
ton. When 6 years of age, his father, 
a Congregational minister, removed to 
Woodstock, Vermont. At the age of 20, 
John went to what was then thought to 
be the far West, the state of Ohio. He 
purchased the very ground to settle on 
upon which the city of Cincinnati now 
stands, but his health failing, he sold his 
land there and returned to Vermont, and 
settled in this town, as before related. He 
married Nancy Strong, of Pawlet ; chil- 
dren, 4. He was a far-seeing man, and 
very successful in his financial affairs. He 
was also one of the pioneers in the Sab- 
bath-school work in the Congregational 
church. He died Apr. 19, 1864. 

ZEKAH COLDUHN 

was born in Cabot, Sept. i, 1804. His 
father, Abia Colburn, with his family, came 
from Hartford, and settled on the farm 
now owned by S. S. Batchelder, about 3 
months before his birth. The sixth child, 
his parents in straitened circumstances, 
subject to such hardships as fell to the lot 
of all new settlers at that period, there 
seemed little prospect his name should be 
distinguished, or ever known beyond the 
circle of his neighbors and kinsmen. There 
was nothing remarkable, too, in the en- 
dowments of his father or mother ; they 
were plain persons, not superior to others, 
and in regard to their son, it is said they 
considered him to be the most backward 
of any of their children ; residing at a con- 
siderable distance from school, it would be 
unreasonable, also, to infer that education 
did much for preparing him for that dis- 
play of early strength, correctness, and 
rapidity of mind in figures, which was so 
remarkable to all who saw him, and was 
unaccountable to himself. 

Some time in the beginning of August, 
1 8 10, when about one month under 6 
years of age, at home while his father was 
employed at a joiner's work-bench, Zerah 
was on the floor playing with chips. Sud- 
denly he began to say to himself, " 5 times 
7 are 35 "-"6 times 8 are 48," etc. ' His 
father's attention being arrested by hear- 



ing this so unexpected in a child so young, 
and who had hitherto possessed no ad- 
vantages, except, perhaps, 6 weeks' attend- 
ance at the district-school that summer, 
left his work, and began to examine his 
boy through the multiplication table ; he 
thought it possible Zerah had learned this 
from other boys ; but finding him perfect 
in the table, his attention was more deeply 
fixed, and he asked the product of 13 by 
97, to which 1 26 1 was instantly given as 
the answer. It was not long before one of 
the neighbors calling in, was informed of 
the singular occurrence, and soon it be- 
came generally known through the town. 
Thus the story originated, which within 
the short space of a year found its way not 
only through the United States, but reached 
Europe and foreign journals of literature 
both in England and France, who ex- 
pressed their surprise. In 1804, the earth 
was not belted by a telegraph ; the news 
had to take the slow way-posts, and it 
must have been regarded a wonderful 
matter to liave had so wide a range in 12 
months. 

In a short time the annual freeman's 
meeting occurred in town, to which Mr. 
Colburn took his son, and exhibited his 
wonderful ability in figures to his towns- 
men. 

Gentlemen at that time possessing in- 
fluence and standing in the County were 
desirous that some course might be adopt- 
ed with the boy that might lead to a full 
development of his wonderful calculating 
powers, and Mr. Colburn, encouraged, 
took his son to Danville, which was then 
the shire town of Caledonia County, to be 
present at the session of court. His son 
was very generally seen and questioned by 
judges, members of the bar and others. 
The Legislature being about to convene at 
Montpelier, he was advised to visit that 
place with his son, which he did in Octo- 
ber. Here, also, many witnessed his won- 
derful mathematical powers. Questions 
out of the common limits of arithmetic 
were proposed with a view to puzzle him, 
but they all were answered correctly. For 
instance, he was asked, "Which is the 
most, twice five and twenty or twice twenty- 



CABOT. 



IIS 



five?" "Which is the most, six dozen or 
a half a dozen dozen? " The question was 
also asked, " How many black beans would 
it take to make five white ones?" He at 
once answered, " tive, if j-ou skin them," 
evincing quickness of thought as well as 
ability to combine numbers. After a few 
da}s spent in Montpelier, they proceeded 
to Burlington ; but the State of Vermont 
did not seem to offer sufficient encourage- 
ment, and Mr. Colburn was advised to visit 
the principal cities of the Union. Return- 
ing to Cabot, and spending one night with 
his family, he departed, never to return. 
He first went to Hanover, N. H., where he 
received liberal oifers for the education of 
his boy ; from here to Boston, where he 
arrived the 25th of Nov. Here the public 
were anxious to see and hear for them- 
selves. Questions of two or three places 
of figures m multiplication, questions in 
the rule of three, extractions of the roots 
of exact squares and cubes were put, and 
done with very little effort, and here he 
also received offers from wealthy men to 
educate his son. One offer was to raise 
$5000 l)y voluntary donations, and give 
the father $2500, and the remaining $2500 
to be used in Zerah's education ; but to 
these terms Mr. Colburn did not feel at 
liberty to accede. The rejection of all 
these proposals very speedily raised a 
prejudice against him in Boston, and from 
Boston he went to New York, Philadelphia 
and Washington ; but not receiving the en- 
couragement, pecuniarily, that he was in 
hopes to have met with, he next decided 
to go to England. In December, 181 1, he 
wrote to his wife from Washington '.omake 
such disposition of her farm and children 
as she could, and accompany him over the 
Atlantic. In this she showed her wisdom 
in refusing to accede to his request ; but 
her refusal did not deter him from the de- 
sign. He embarked with his son for 
Liverpool, Apr. 3, 18 12, and arrived in 
London, May 24. Here Zerah was visited by 
the high and noble of the city, and invited 
to call upon the crowned heads. His 
mathematical powers were put to the se- 
verest test, and he was able to answer the 
most difficult questions ; but during all this 



time of Zerah"'s exhibition, his education 
was neglected. After he started from 
Cabot he had learned to read, and in 
London to write. 

Mr. Colburn tried various ways to raise 
money. The exhibition of his son did 
not prove very remunerative. He was ad- 
vised by men of influence and means to 
put him to school, they generously offering 
the means for his education. After about 
4 years he placed Zerah at Westminster 
School, London. He was now 13 years 
of age ; but he did not complete his studies 
heie. He was taken away by his father, 
and placed in a school in Paris, where also 
he remained but a few months. His father 
had now become very short for means. 
While Zerah was at school, he had re- 
ceived liberal gifts of money for his sup- 
port ; but in his pinched condition, he 
knew not now what course to take. After 
a few years, however, Zerah was engaged 
as a teacher in a small school in London. 
In 1822, after an absence of 10 years from 
his family, Mr. Colburn's health began to 
fail, and Feb. 14, 1823, he died of con- 
sumption, far from home, and almost des- 
titute of the common comforts of life. 

As soon as necessary arrangements could 
be made by the contributions of friends to 
pay the passage of Zerah to America, he 
sailed, and July 3, 1825, arrived safely at 
his home in Cabot, having been absent 13 
years . 

After remaining a few months in town, 
he connected himself with the Methodist 
church, and became a local preacher, and 
during his seven years of ministry, had as 
many different appointments. Jan. 13, 
1829, he married Mary Hoyt, of Hartford. 
Six children were born to them, 5 daugh- 
ters and a son. The son gave his life for 
his country ; was killed in ' a battle near 
Washington, Sept. 12, 1861. Two daugh- 
ters died in early life. 

In 1834, Mr. Colburn gave up preaching, 
on account of poor health. ^He accepted a 
call to a professorship of languages in the 
Military College at Norwich, which he held 
until obliged to give it up on account of 
failing health. He died of consumption. 
Mar. 2, 1839, '^"'^* ^^''■^ buried near the 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



scene of his last labors, at Norwich, aged 
34 years, 6 months. 

I am informed by his daughter, who is 
now living at Thetford, to whom I am in- 
debted for the last portion of this sketch, 
that he did not retain his wonderful math- 
ematical powers after he became educated 
and entered upon the ministry. His wife 
died Mar. i6, 1856, aged 52. Thus lived 
and died one of the most wonderful minds 
for computation that the world ever saw. 

HON. JOHN MCLEAN, 

born at Peacham, Sept. 27, 1814, com- 
menced his business life in Lower Cabot. 
He was closely identified with the business 
interests of the town, and his death, Feb. 
3, 1855, without a moment's warning, cast 
a deep gloom over the whole community. 
The following, furnished by an intimate 
friend, is no overdrawn picture : 

Estimate of Mr. McLean, by One of His 
Companions. 

John McLean would have been a mark- 
ed man in any community. In Cabot, at 
the period ofwhich I write, he was specially 
distinguishable. His magnetism and innate 
force were something wonderful. He was 
a born leader of men. He never said 
"go," but always " come," and wherever 
he went he compelled a following. He 
found Cabot spell-bound, as it were, both 
in politics and religion, and he forced 
progress. He found the term abolitionism 
a by-word and a reproach ; and when he 
left the town, it was inscribed upon her 
banners as a word of honor. He de- 
manded full toleration in religious matters. 
He stimulated the dull to exertion in the 
way of self-help and development. He 
organized new industries, and waked up 
the dormant energies of the people. He 
was himself constantly developing in limit- 
less directions. What an inward pressure 
there must have been within him, what a 
cry for room, to have led him in middle 
aee, without education, almost blind, to 
the audacious resolve of becoming a man 
of letters and a member of the bar. But 
he did it, and was already retained in im- 
portant cases when his summons came. 
Departed friend, nothing but death could 



arrest the career to which his spirit aspired, 
and whose early death was a calamity. 
O. F. D. (Oscar F. Dana.) 

Washington, D. C, May, 1881. 

Mr. McLean was married to Margaret 
McWallace, Jan. 10, 1838. 

THOMAS LVFORD 

was born in this town,- 1802, and resided 
here the most of his life. He has held 
many offices in the town, and at the be- 
ginning of the writing of this history, he 
was the only living person who had a thor- 
ough knowledge of the beginning of this 
town, which he had heard from his father, 
and being a man of very strong memory, 
he had retained all he had heard. He was 
much pleased with having the history of 
the town written and was always ready to 
communicate any information with which 
he was possessed, and Thursday eve, June 
16, he gave a large amount of information, 
and never after that was he able to com- 
municate. He lingered till the 23d, when 
he was relieved by death, aged 79 years. 
On the Friday following, his funeral was 
attended at his late residence ; he was 
borne by his neighbors to the village cem- 
etery, and fciid beside his wife, who passed 
on years before. Since his decease, his 
sister, Mrs. Jason Britt, has contributed a 
large amount of information. 

MILITARY RECORD OF CABOT. 

The Revolutionary struggle just closed 
and perhaps constant apprehension of in- 
vasion from Canada, seems to have im- 
bued our fathers with a thorough military 
spirit ; from the first settlement of the 
town, but more particularly from the be- 
ginning of the present century, there was 
organized and maintained for a long period 
of time one uniformed company, besides 
the standing militia. We will notice each 
of these companies and give a list of the 
captains as far as we have been able to 
collect statistics. 

The first we have been able to gather is 
that in 1797, when every able-bodied man 
between the ages of 18 and 45 was obliged 
to do military duty, with certain excep- 
tions. The first captain of the militia 
here was David Blanchard, who held his 



CABOT. 



117 



commission until 1800, when Joseph 
Fislier was elected by the company. I 
find an order from him to Sergeant John 
Stone to warn all the men hereinafter 
mentioned to appear on the parade at the 
Centre of the town, June 7, 1800, at 10 
o'clock A. M., complete as tlie law directs. 
This notice has 1 1 names attached after 
the election of officers. IMvates must 
have been scarce. No record of any of- 
ficers occur after this, until 1808 ; but tra- 
dition tells us that Moses Stone was the 
next captain. In 1809, 27 soldiers' names 
are on the town record : Anthony Perry, 
captain ; Solomon W. O.sgood, ensign ; 
18 10, 32 soldiers enrolled: Anthony Perry, 
capt. ; John Stone, ist lieut. ; Joseph 
Stone, ensign ; Anthony Perry was cap- 
tain until 1 81 7, when George Sumner was 
elected. The enrolled militia were now 
52 men. They were not obliged to uni- 
form, but they were furnished with a gun, 
24 rounds of cartridge, priming wire and 
brush, and three flints. 

From 18 1 2 to 18 16, the military spirit 
seems to have run at a very high pitch ; 
our country having come to the point when 
forbearance ceased to be a virtue, and 
having declared war on Great Britain, pat- 
riotism rekindled in all those who but a 
short time before had laid aside the weap- 
ons of war in the Revolutionary struggle. 
They were alive all through, those old vet- 
erans, as well as those that had more re- 
cently come to the age to bear arms, and 
were emulous to equal the old warriors. 

The regular militia of the town was 
called out and jDut in thorough fighting 
order, and in addition to this, a company 
of minute men enlisted in this town, 
Woodbury, and Calais, and Anthony 
Perry, who also was a captain of the regu- 
lar militia, was elected captain, and Na- 
thaniel Perry, lieut. These men were to 
be ready to march to the front at any time 
they were called by their captain. P'or 
this roll I have made diligent search, but 
have not been able to find it ; the last 
traces I got of it, was among the papers 
of Reuben Waters of Calais. 

The battle of Plattsburg, Sunday Sept. 
II, 1814, our townsmen had been expect- 



ing for some days. The cannon was dis- 
tinctly heard all day. Captain Perry at 
once dispatched lieut. Perry to Woodbury 
and Calais, and his other officer through 
Cabot to rally the men, while he proceeded 
directly to Montpelier. The company 
here at once rallied and camped the first 
night near Montpelier Centre ; but on 
arrival next day at Montpelier, to their 
great disappointment learned the British- 
ers had been beaten. They were dis- 
charged and returned to their homes, 
except a few that were on horseback and 
wished to get a stronger smell of powder, 
who pushed on to Burlington. 

John Stone, who in 1800, held the office 
of Sergeant, held all the various commis- 
sions in the military rank ; 1809, was com- 
missioned Col. of the First Regiment, 3d 
Brigade 4th Division of the Militia of the 
State. A petition was presented to him 
signed by John Damon, Ira Atkins and 
Horace Warner for permission to enlist a 
company of Light Infantry to be attached 
to his regiment. The petition was grant- 
ed ; roll of the men enlisted : Ira Atkins, 
Horace Warner, M. O. Fisher, Benj. B. 
Hoyt, Zacheus Lovell, Avery Atkins, John 
Edgerton, Abram Hinks, Thomas Cald- 
well, Jabez Page, Jeremiah Atkins, John 
Hall, David Connor, Jr., David Bruce, 
Ebenezer Sperry, Hugh Wilson, Benjamin 
Sperry, Samson Osgood, John (ioodale, 
James Blanchard, Benjamin Hoyt, Caleb 
Fisher, Anson Coburn, Benjamin Durrill, 
Reuben Atkins, Samuel Hall, Parker 
Chase, Jr., Stephen Hoyt, Luther Swan, 
Benjamin Preston, Nathaniel Gibbs, Squier 
Boinin, Joseph Cate. 

The company mustered 34 men ; organ- 
ized Aug. 26, 18 19, by the choice of the 
following officers, John Damon being the 
first petitioner, was elected captain. In a 
neat little speech in which he thanked the 
company for the honor, he said, owing to 
bodily infirmities he wished to be excused. 
He then treated the company well to 
whisky and sugar, and wa*s excused. Ira 
Atkins was then elected captain ; Horace 
A. Warner, lieut. ; Avery Atkins, ensign ; 
M. O. Fisher, ist sergt. ; John Goodale, 
2d do. ; Caleb Fisher, 3d do. ; Parker 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Chase, 4th do. ; Thomas Caldwell, ist 
Corp. ; Jabez Page, 2d do, ; Jeremiah At- 
kins, 3d do. ; David Bruce, 4th do. ; Ben- 
jamin Hoit, fifer; Luther Swan, drummer ; 
Stephen Hoyt, bass drummer. 

The uniform adopted was black hat, 
white cockade, red parchment with star 
with'No. of company and regiment, white 
feather with red top, white cord with two 
large tassels, black coat with red facings, 
yellow buttons, black pants corded with 
red, white vest, white neck scarf, yellow 
gloves, canteen and cartridge-box, with 
white belt. The records show company 
drills were frequent; Oct. 3, 1820, they at- 
tended the regimental muster at Peacham ; 
Oct. 3, 1822, mustered at Danville; 1824, 
Horace Warner was elected captain, and 
in 1825, Marcus O. Fisher, captain. 

This company kept up its organization 
7 years, when by a vote of the company 
July, 1826, it was transformed into an artil- 
lery company, and a cannon and all the 
necessary equipments for the same was 
bought by subscription of the citizens of 
the town. 

Nearly the same officers were elected 
that were in command in the infantry, 
Marcus O. Fisher, being the first captain, 
Ira Atkins, ist lieut., Caleb Fisher, 2d 
lieut. The uniform with some slight 
changes was very much like that of the 
infantry. It mustered 84 men, and was 
said to be the finest looking and appearing 
company in the regiment. 

List of Captains: May 23, 1827, Jer- 
emiah Atkins was elected Capt. ; 1828, 
Caleb Fisher ; 1829, William Fisher ; 1832, 
Levi H.Stone; 1835, RoswellFarr; 1836, 
Enoch Hoyt; 1838, John Clark. 

This completes the list. It was a fine 
company, and often called to assist in cel- 
ebrations in the adjoining towns. And 
not unfrequently was the Fourth enlivened 
by the old-fashioned sham fight, in which 
they would become so much engaged fre- 
quently, that the cannon would be charged 
full too high for the safety of the glass in 
surrounding buildings, and those standing 
by. On one occasion one of the gunners, 
Mitchell Whittier, standing near the wheel 



had the top of his hat torn out. This was 
at an engagement with the cavalry at 
Marshfield. On another occasion, Capt. 
Levi H. Stone had his face filled with 
powder by a musket being carelessly dis- 
charged. This company kept up its organ- 
ization until an act was passed by the Leg- 
islature disbanding all military companies 
throughout the State June i, 1838, when 
this company reluctantly voted to dis- 
band, after first entering upon their record 
that the act of the Legislature ought to be 
considered a lawless act in very deed. 

About 1842, a Light Infantry company 
was organized with John McLean for its 
first captain. Of this company I am not 
able to find any record. 

During the organization of these inde- 
pendent companies all persons that did 
not belong to them, obliged to do military 
duty, were called out once a year for drill 
and inspection. They received the name 
of the Flood-wood Company. The train- 
ing of this company ended by electing a 
clerk that soon moved to the West, and 
took with him all the records and papers 
of the company, the members of the com- 
pany bidding him God speed. 

Many funny and characteristic anecdotes 
of military acts and deeds are related by 
the old inhabitants it would be pleasant to 
record, but our space forbids. We will 
only mention the Sutton Muster, in which 
the Cabot Artillery and Flood-wood both 
joined, taking one week in which to get 
through it, and in that time it is said there 
was a good many of them that did not get 
sober enough to get home. 

During these military organizations quite 
a number from this town belonged to the 
Cavalry in the late war, raised in the towns 
of Cabot, Hardwick, Danville and Peacham. 

WALTER STONE, 

who was in the 1st Vt. Cavalry, Co. D., 
taken prisoner March 4, 1863, and died in 
Libby Prison, was at one time captain of 
this old cavalry company. 

The last military organization in town 
was in 1866. After the close of the War 
of the Rebellion an infantry company was 
organized, with W. H. Fletcher for cap- 



CABOT. 



119 



lain ; also a cavalry company, with Hiram 
Perkins for captain. These companies 
were both finely equipped by the State, 
Init never did any great military service. 
They were disbanded by an act of the 
Legislature, 1868. 

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION 

who settled in town : Lieut. Thomas Ly- 
ford, Jonathan Heath, Starling Heath, 
Tliomas Osgood, Samuel Warner, Na- 
thaniel Webster, Fitield Lyford, Nathan 
Kdson, Trueworthy Durgin, Lieut. John 
Whittier, Maj. Lyman Hitchcock, Lieut. 
David Blanchard, Ensign Jerry McDaniels. 

SOLDIERS OF l8l2. 

Volunteers from this town : Luther 
Swan, Simeon Walker, Leander Corlis, 
Samuel Button, Ezra Kennerson, Peter 
L}ford, Jesse Webster, David Lyford, 
Royal Gilbert. 

SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1861. 

Demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter 
made April 11, 1861, promptly refused by 
Maj. Anderson, in one hour hostilities com- 



menced. The President's call for 75,000 
men was received in this town by the jour- 
nals of the 15th of April. A war meeting 
was at once called, to take the matter into 
consideration. Stirring speeches were 
made by several citizens, and it was at 
once voted to recruit a company, and offer 
their services to the Governor. A paper 
was drawn up, and volunteers called for, 
and the following young men enrolled 
their names : J. P. Lamson, John Derine, 

F. L. Drown, H. L. Collins, H. M. Paige, 

G. W. Wright, E. S. Hoyt, Nathaniel 
Perry, Chas. H. Newton, L. B. Scott, S. 
H. Bradish, L. S. Gerry, H. Perkins, 
Horace Carpenter, Luke A. Davis, C. H. 
Goodale, G. P. Hopkins, E. H. Scott, E. 
Gerry, Lyman Hopkins, Fayette Hopkins. 

The services of these volunteers were at 
once tendered to the Governor by Na- 
thaniel Perry and H. M. Paige. The first 
regiment was already full, but a large por- 
tion of them enlisted in other regiments 
as soon as an opportunity offered, as the 
following: roll will show : 



Credited pi 

Names. 
Aiken, Hiram 
Aiiisworth, Henry A. 
Kascom, William 
Bacdn, William W. 
Balaw, Simeon 
15ala\v, William 
Bailey, Nathaniel 
Batchelder, Ziba 
Blake, Daniel 
Blodgett, Stephen B. 
]]arnett, Geo. W. 
Carpenter, Amasa 
Cheever, Moses R. 
Clark, William H. H 
Collins, Hartwell L. 

Desilets, Carlos 
Uereen, John 
Dow, Harrison 
Dow, Harvey S. 
Thrown, Frederick L. 
Eastman, Curtis O. 
Fales, John W. 
Farr, Jacob 
Fisk, Frederick W. 
Gerry, Eli P. 

Goodale, Chauncey 
Goodwin, David M. 
Gray, Joshua C. 
Griftin, Clarendon 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS, 

■evimis to call for 300,000 Voliniteers of Oct. 17, 1863. 



A(ie. Enlistnient. 
36 July 12, 62. 
18 June 16, 62. 
45 Feb. 62. 

36 Feb. 10, 62. 

24 " 

21 Aug. 31, 61. 

21 July 3, 61. 
38 June 30, 62. 

18 Sept. 5, 61. 

22 Sept. 2, 61. 
20 Sept. 3, 61. 

19 " 

20 Feb. 28, 62. 
26 June T, 61. 

19 June 12, 62. 
22 June I, 61. 
41 Aug. 21, 61. 



Reg. Co. Remarks. 

10 A Tr. to Vet. Res. Corps, April 17. 
9 I Pro. July 15, 64; must, out June 13, 65. 
I Bat. 
I Bat. 

3 K Dis. Dec. 16, 62. 

3 K Re-en. Mar. 19, 64 ; deserted May 3, 64. 
H Killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. 
H Died Feb. 13, 62. 
H Discharged June 22, 63. 
K Discharged Dec. 19, 62. 
K Re-en. Dec. 15, 63; tr. to Co. E. Feb. 25, 65. 
G Must, out of service Sept. 30, 64. 
" " Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; tr. to Co. F. 
" " Died June 7, 62. 

3 G Re-en. Jan. 22, 64 ; pro. 2 lieut. Co. E. Aiis;. 
4, 64. 
Promoted Corporal. 
Pro. Sergeant ; dis. Jan. 5, 63. 
Discharged July 8, 62. 



34 June I, 61. 

27 Aug. S, 62. 

18 Sept. 30, 61. 

22 Mar. 22, 62. 

23 Sept. 3, 61. 
33 Aug. 30, 61. 

18 Sept. 4, 61. 

June, 61. 

21 Aug. 13, 62. 



9 I 

3 G 

4 G 
Cav C 

3 G 
II 
6 
3 
4 
4 



3A 



S 
I 
Bat. 



Pro. Sergt.; discharged June 5, 63. 

Sept. 27, 64 ; dis. June 29, 65. 

Must, out of service, Oct. 28, 64. 

Discharged Oct. 31, 62. 

Reduced; must, out Sept. 30, 64. 

Pro. Cor.; re-en. Dec. 15, 63; tr. to Co. C. 

Feb. 25, 65. 
Must, out of service Sept. 30, 64. 
Pro. surgeon of the 3d reg. 
Must, out of service June 24, 65. 



120 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 
Hall, Mark P. 
Hall, Merrill K. 
Hatch, Gonzalo C. 
Hatch, Jerome B. 
Hatch, Marshall E. 
Heath, Nathan L. 
Heath, Jeremiah A. 
Hill, Andrew 
Hill, Lorenzo D. 
Hitchcock, Henry C. 
Hooker, Amos O. 
Hooker, Sanford O. 
Hopkins, William J. 
Hoyt, Alonzo A. 
Hoyt, Asa 
Hoyt, Enoch S. 
Hoyt, Jonathan P. 
Ingram, John 
Kenerson, Albert 
Kenerson, William T. 
Lyford, James M. 
Mack, Asa B. 
Marsh, Henry O. 
Marsh, James Jr. 
McCrillis, Rufus 
McLean, Samuel E. 
Morrill, Abel K. 
Newton, Charles H. 

Oken, John E. 
Page, Henry M. 
Page, Wallace W. 



Paine, Geo. W. 

Perry, Adolphus B 

Perry, Charles II. 

Perry, William A. t8 Apr. 20, 63. 

Putnam, Chas. B. May ii, 63. 

Rudd, John 18 June, 26, 63. 



Rudd, William 
Russell, Hiram L. 
Scott, Erastus H. 
Scott, Luther B. 
Smith, Jarish S. 
Stone, Edward G. 
Sumner, Alonzo L. 
Thompson, Sam'l H. 
Walbridge, Don C. 
West, William N. 

Wheeler, John Q. A. 
Wilson, Nathaniel L. 
Wright, Geo. W. 

Writer, Anson S. 



Farr, William H. 

Hopkins, Oliver W. 
Hoyt, Edwin A. 
Kimball, Isaac N. 
Mason, Henry L. 
Trow, Kendrick 



A(/e. Enlistmenl 


Reg. Co. 


22 Aug. 28, 61. 


4 G 


22 Aug. 31, 63. 




27 June I, 61. 


3 " 




Cav C 


27 June, I, 61. 


3 C 




I Bat 


22 May 7, 61. 


2 D 




I Bat. 


18 July 25, 62. 


ti I 


19 Jan. 31, 62. 


7 H 


21 June 9, 62. 


9 I 


28 May 29, 62. 






Cav C 


41 Aug. 8, 62. 


II I 


25 June I, 61. 


3 ^ 


44 Aug. 10, 63. 


" H 




Cav C 




" D 


19 Mar. 20, 62. 


4 H 




CavC 


33 Sept. 3, 61. 


4G 


18 Sept. 3, 61. 


" " 


38 Aug. 12, 62. 


" " 




I Bat. 


32 Sept. 4, 61. 


4 H 




3 E 


22 Aug. 27, 61. 


4 G 




4 H 




Cav C 


23 June I, 61. 


3G 


25 " 


3 G 


. 21 Sept. II, 61 


4 H 


21 Sept. 3, 61. 


4G 



II L 



26 June 8, 63. 


II L 


20 Aug. 6, 62. 


" I 


Aug. II, 62. 


3 G 


26 Sept. 4, 61. 


4 G 


18 Sept. 4, 61. 


4G 


26 Sept. 3, 61. 




22 Feb. 8, 62. 


7 H 


36 Aug. 20, 61. 


4 H 


23 June 29, 62. 


7 " 


24 Sept. 7, 61. 


4 " 




Cav C 


22 July 10, 61. 


3K 


28 June 18, 61. 


3 G 



21 June I, 61. 3 G 



Remarks. 
Pro. Sergt.; must, out Sept. 30, 64. 
Tr. to Co. B. Feb. 25, 65 ; out July 3, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. 21 ; tr. to Co. I, July 25, 64. 
Promoted to Lieut. 

Reduced to rank Oct. 31, 62. 

Died June 14, 62. 

Must, from service June 24, 65. 
Pro. Cor. Feb. 18, 64 ; re-en. Feb. 20, 64. 
Pro. Sergt. Nov. 63 ; died Mar. 12, 64. 
Discharged Oct. 22, 62. 

Must, from service July 5, 65. 
Discharged Feb. 19, 63. 



Dropped Apr. 10, 63. 

Must, out of service Feb. 4, 61. 

Died of wounds received in action June 6, 64. 

Pro. to Cor. Nov. i, 63 ; do. Sen; tr. to Co. B, 

Re-en. Dec. 12, 63 ; tr. to Co. E. Feb. 25, 65. 

Pro. Sergt.; re-en. Dec. 15, 65 ; i Lt. Co. E. 
Oct. I, 64. 

Pro. to Major. 

Re-en. Jan. 22, 64 ; killed at Cold Harbor, 

June 3, 64. 
Re-en. Dec. 21, 63 ; tr. to Co. I July 25, 64. 
Re-en. Jan. 15, 63; tr. to Co. C. Feb. 25, 65. 
Killed at Cold Harbor, June ''i 1864. 
Brigade Band. 

Died June 23, 64, of wounds reed, in action 

May, 64. 
Died May 6, 64. 

Must, out of service June 24, 65. 
Killed. 

Pro. 2d Lt. Co. E. Aug. i, 62. 
Died Nov. 9, 62. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 10, 64. 
Re-en. Feb. 20, 64; pro. Cor. Oct. i, 64. 
Pro. Cor.; killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 65. 
Died Nov. 27, 62. 
Pro. Sergt.; re-en. Dec. 15, 63; pris. of war 

since June 23, 64. 

Di'-charged Oct. 31, 62. 

Pro. Sergt.; re-en. Dec. 32, 61 ; died May 11, 

64, from wounds received in action. 
Re-en. Dec. 21, 63; died July 15, 64, of 

wounds received in action. 



Volunteers for Three Years. 



20 Dec. 7, 63. 
18 Sept. I, 63. 



27 Nov. 10, 63. 
44 Sept. 23, 63. 



3G 



64. Disch. 



Tr. to Vet. Res. Corps May 23, 
Aug. 9, 1865. 
17 C Must, out of serv. July 14, 1865. 
3 Bat. 
3 Bat. Died. 

II I Died Sept. 13, 1864. 
17 D Died at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 24, 1S64. 



Brickett, Willard P. 



Vohinteer for One Year. 
Cav. 



CABOT. 



i2i 



Vohmteers Re-enlisted. 



Names, Arje. Enlistment. Reg. Co. 

Bamett, George M. 22 Sept. 2, 61. 4 H 

Cheever, Moses R. 19 Sept. 3, 61, 4 G 

Collins, Hartwell L. 26 June i, 61. 3 G 



Gerry, Eli P. 

Hatch, Gonzalo C. 
Hooker, Amos O. 
Hopkins, Daniel F. 
McLean, Samuel E. 
Page, Wallace W. 



33 Aug. 30, 61. 4 H 



27 June I, 61. 
19 June 31, 62. 

32 Sept. 4, 61. 
23 June I. 61. 



Paine, George W. 25 June i, 61. 

Perry, Adolphus B. Jr., 21 Sept. 11,61. 
Wright, George W. 28 June 10, 61. 
Writer, Anson S. 21 June i, 61. 



G 

H 

Bat. 

H 

G 

G 
H 
G 
G 



Kemarks. 
Re-en Dec. 15, 1863, tr. to Co. E. Feb. 25, 65. 
Re-en Dec. 15, 1863, tr. to Co. F. Feb. 25, 65. 
Re-en Jan. 26, 1864, pro. to 2d lieut., Co. E. 

Aug. 4, 1864, 
Pro. to Corp. ; re-en Dec. 15, 1863 ; tr. to 

Co. C. Feb. 25, 1865 
Re-en Dec. 21, 63 ; tr. to Co. I. July 25, 64. 
Pro. Corp. Feb. 18, 64 ; re-en Feb. 20, 64. 

Re-en Dec. 15, 63 ; tr. to Co. E. Feb. 25, 65. 
Re-en Jan. 22, 1864 ; killed at Cold Harbor, 

June 3, 1864. 
Re-en Dec. 21, 63 ; tr. to Co. I. July 25, 64, 
Re-en Dec. 15, 63; tr. to Co. C. Feb. 25, 65, 
Pro. sergt. ; re-en Dec. 31, 63 ; died May 11. 
Re-en. Dec. 21, 63. Died July 15, 64, of 

wound received in action. 



Hoyt, Jonathan P. 
McCauley, Kenneth 

Two men. 



Veteran Reserve Corps. 
44 Aug. 10, 63. 3 H Tr. from Vet. Res. Corps ; tr. to Co. K. July 
25, 64. 

Miscellaneous not Credited by Name. 



Adams, Chas. S. 
Boyle, Orvis P. 
Corles, Frederick 
Dow, John K. 
Fletcher, William H. 
Gibson, Charles 
Houghton, Charles L. 
Johnson, Silas G. 
Kimball, Isaac 
Maberny, William 
Osgood, Andrew E. 
Perkins, Eben S. 
Perkins, Hiram 
Shaw, George E. 
Wilson, Joseph 
Wilson, Freeman 

Clark, Emery H. 
Dow, Harvey S. 
Haines, William J. 
Hazen, Jasper J. 
Heath, George R. 
Perry, Anthony 
Perry, Jewett 
Smith, Henry D. 
Sprague, Alonzo F. 
Whittier, Harrison 
Wood, Hiram T. 

Fisher, Chas. M. 
Smith, Geo. C. 

Hopkins, Lyman H. 
Howe, Samuel W. 
Knapp, Francis L. 
Swazey, Parker 



Volunteers for Nine Motiths. 
13 C 



Killed at Gettysburg. 



Furnished under Draft. Paid Connmitation. 



Procured Substitutes. 



Entered Service. 

6 A 
6 D 



32 July 29, 63. 2 I Missing in action May 5, 64. 



16 



122 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Total, 138. Of this number g were 
killed in action, 18 died from disease, 5 
from wounds received in action ; of the 
number that returned, many of them con- 
tracted disease from which they have since 
died, or are now suffering. 

The town paid about $9000 bounty, and 
at the close of the war, to the credit of the 
town be it said, we had no war debt upon 
us. Taxes were levied, and promptly paid 
when money was plenty. 

After the close of the war, and when 
those who had gone first and done battle 
so valiantly for their country had returned 
to their peaceful avocations of life, the 
thoughts of the inhabitants of the town 
were turned to those who had given their 
lives to continue the life of our nation, and 
wishing to hand down their names in 
grateful remembrance to generations yet 
unborn, an article was inserted in the 
warning for March meeting, 1873, to take 
into consideration the subject of erecting a 
monument to their memory. 

At this meeting a committee was elected 
to obtain diagram specimens of material, 
cost of the same, place of location, and 
report at the next March meeting; J. P. 
Lamson, M. P. Wallace and Milton Fisher, 
c5^. Final action was not reached until 
the annual meeting, 1875, when $1500 
was voted for a soldiers' monument on the 
Common, and the committee before ap- 
pointed were instructed to purchase and 
locate the same. The committee con- 
tracted with Mr. Harrington, of Barre, to 
erect a monument of Barre^ granite, at a 
cost of $1500, on the highest point on the 
Common, in front of the Congregational 
church. The height of the monument is 
21 feet; upon the die, inscriptions: 

West Side: 

to the memory of cabot soldiers 
who fell in the great re- 
bellion of 1861-1865. 
Dulcet Desiinm est. Pro patri amor i I 
North side.— Adjatant, Abel Morrill, 
Jr.; 2d lieutenant, Luther B. Scott; Ser- 
geant, Sanford O. Hooker, Eli P. Gerry, 
Samuel H. Thompson, George W. Wright, 
Anson S. Writer; privates, Ziba Batch- 



elder, Nathaniel Bailey, William H. Clark, 
Carlos Desoletts, John H. Dow. 

East Side. — Privates, Wm. G. French, 
Jeremiah A. Heath, Andrew Hill, James 
C. Hill, Enoch S. Hoit, Isaac Kimball, 
Albert Kenerson, Rufus McCrillis, Henry 
O. Marsh, Henry S, Mason, Andrew E. 
Osgood, Wallace Page. 

South Side. — Privates, Adolphus B. 
Perry, Charles H. Perry, JewettW. Perry, 
John Rudd, William Rudd, Erastus H. 
Scott, Parker Swazey, Don C. Walbridge, 
Jarvis S. Smith, George E. Stone, Ken- 
drick Trow, Edward E. Hall. 

This monument was dedicated to the 
memory of these deceased soldiers July 
4, 1876, at 2 o'clock p. M., with singingby 
the choir, prayer by Rev. B. S. Adams, 
dedicatory address by J. P. Lamson, Esq., 
music by the Montpelier Band, and me- 
morial and dedication services by Brooks 
Post, G. A. R., from Montpelier. From 
the able address of Mr. Lamson we make 
the following brief extract : 

We meet to-day around this monument 
of the fallen heroes of Cabot to join in the 
ceremonies of its dedication. By the 
people of Cabot this structure has been 
reared in commemoration of those noble 
men, who, when rebellious hands were 
raised against their country's life, bade a 
last farewell to kindred and home, and 
went forth to die in its defence. Their 
sacred names are enshrined in our mem- 
ories, and engraved on the tablets of our 
hearts ; as long as life shall last, we, of 
this generation, shall cherish the recol- 
lections of their heroic deeds and noble 
martyrdom with a devotion which no mon- 
ument can kindle, and no inscription can 
keep alive. But time will pass, and mem- 
ories and traditions shall fail, and the 
tablet of fiesh must moulder into dust. It 
is fit, therefore, that we should carve on 
the everlasting granite the names of that 
noble band, that our children and our 
children's children may learn by whose 
blood our country was baptized into new 
life, and the bonds of its union were ce- 
mented for all coming time. 

Let this monument stand, then, a proud 
memorial of the dead, and may time touch 
it with a gentle hand as it bears to suc- 
ceeding generations its just and deserving 
record. 

At this time I am oppressed with a sense 
of the impropriety of uttering words on this 
occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must 



CABOT. 



123 



be here beside this monument, which bears 
the names of thirty-six men whose lives 
were more significant than speech, and 
whose death was a poem, the music of 
which can never be sung. For love of 
country they accepted death. That act 
resolved all doubts, and made immortal 
their patriotism and their virtue. 

Fortunate men ! Your country lives be- 
cause you died ; your fame is placed where 
the breath of calumny can never reach it; 
where the mistakes of a weary life can 
never dim its brightness. Coming gen- 
erations will rise up to call you blessed. 
So unseltish, so little looking for reward, 
so trusting for the final good, .so venturing 
for the brotherhood of man on the father- 
hood of God. And it was for this senti- 
ment of country, and nothing else, that 
these whose names are engraved on this 
monument first sprang to arms and offered 
themselves as martyrs. "My Country" 
and the "old flag," how these thoughts 
quickened the elastic step, which bore 
them to the strife. How it lingered on 
dying lips when the bloody fray was over, 
"Tell her I die for my country." Softly 
would we touch the strings that vibrate 
only to plaintive notes — husband, father, 
brother, son, the loved, the fondly cher- 
ished. 

Nobly did they fall, and in a righteous 
cause. Their country called, and in the 
great cause of humanity they died. And 
though their bones lie bleaching on a 
Southern soil, far away from friends and 
home, yet ever fresh will be their mem- 
ories in the hearts of the living and the 
loved. And their records will remain from 
everlasting to everlasting, after this mon- 
ument dedicated to them shall have crum- 
bled into dust. 

To you, soldiers of this town, this monu- 
ment IS dedicated ; make yourselves worthy 
of the honor. Your past is at least secure. 
May you so conduct yourselves in the con- 
flicts of life as to preserve unfaded those 
wreaths of glory, which your deeds have so 
nobly won. 

Let gene ratio ru^fter generation, as they 
pass from the cradle to the grave, be re- 
minded, as they look on this enduring 
monument, of the conflicts which inaug- 
urated the birth of our country, of the 
hardships and sacrifices by which it was 
pursued, and the serious part they may be 
called upon to perform for its further per- 
petuation. 

Let it stand, then, an everlasting me- 
morial and teacher, and in the ceremonies 
of this day let us invoke Almighty God to 
hold it tenderly in the hollow of his hand, 
and consecrate it with his continual bless- 



I.IEUT. COLONEL KIMBALL. 



BY J. C. JULIUS LANGBIEN, OF NEW YORK CITY, 

Civil yustice, and formerly Drummer of " A'." 

C. (jlh, N. Y. Vols. I Hawkins Zouaves. 

Eliphalet Addison Kimball was born 
June 3, 1822, in Pembroke, N. H. His 
mother survived his birth but 11 days. 
His father, soon after the death of his wife, 
removed to Cabot, Vt., where Addison's 
aunt and uncles resided, and it was here 
he and she, who mourns him as his de- 
voted widow, lived in childhood together 
until his 17th year, when he went to Con- 
cord, N. H., learned the printer's trade, 
returned to Vermont, and entered the oiifice 
of the Woodstock Age, Charles G. East- 
man editor and owner, a man of education 
and accomplishments, poet and politician. 
Young Kimball in two years bought the 
Age, and became its' editor and publisher, 
Mr. Eastman purchasing the Vennojit Pat- 
riot, and removing to Montpelier. While 
editor of the Age the war with Mexico was 
agitated. The Age, a democratic paper, 
took strong sides with the government, 
then under democratic control. The young 
editor wrote with instinctive force and 
character, and his editorials attracted at- 
tention. By a .sort of magnetism, wh) ,h 
he even then possessed, he soon gained 
influential friends. It was remarked there 
was no other young man 24 years of age 
who had more friends among the demo- 
cratic leaders, and that took the pride and 
interest in him they did. This influence 
and friendship secured him a captain's 
commission from President Polk in the 9th 
N. E. reg.,-Col. Ransom, from Wood- 
stock, commanding. 

He gave up his paper and post-office to 
be a soldier — he was postmaster at Wood- 
stock, and the quartermaster office ; he 
had been appointed by Gov. Slade, of 
Vermont, quartermaster of the 3d. Div. 
of the Vt. militia, Feb. i, 1840. He sailed 
for Mexico, May 27, 1847. He was in the 
first engagements at Contreras and Churu- 
busco. 

For his brave conduct in these engage- 
ments he received a brevet, and from that 
time was mentioned and thanked in gen- 



124 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



eral orders in nearly every engagement 
under Gen. Scott. Col. Ransom, the 
commander of the regiment, loved him as 
his son, and was as proud of him as one 
brave man can be of another. At Chepul- 
tepec, where Ransom fell, young Kimball 
with the Vermont boys, was the first to 
reach the Mexican flag on the heights, 
which he tore down quick as a flash, and 
surmounted with the stripes and stars. 

Owing to some misunderstanding, the 
credit of tliis achievement was given to 
Major Seymour, of the regiment, whom it 
made so famous that he became the gov- 1 
ernor of Connecticut. I 

After the fight, he was given a picket 
body of men to open communications with 
the city of Vera Cruz, and to bring up sup- 
plies and recruits for the army. This duty 
having been satisfactorily performed, he 
was placed in command of the vessel, 
taking the troops home to Ft. Adams, 
R. I. He had also received his commis- 
sion as brevet major. Aug. 20, 1847, and 
his welcome home was an ovation from the 
time he left Fort Adams until he visited 
Cabot, the scene of his childhood days, 
where the oldest and most respected cit- 
ijfins, headed by Captain Perry, a soldier 
of the Vt. Militia, as their Grand Marshal, 
paraded and marched through the town in 
his honor, and in the evening a grand ban- 
quet was spread, where he was welcomed 
home by people of all shades of political 
and social life. 

During all these stirring records of his 
life there was one who watched his every 
movement, and shared with him in his 
triumph and glory, and 2 years later, Nov. 
I, 1849, Major Kimball was married at the 
church where they had both been bap- 
tized, to her in whose heart his memory 
will ever be green. At this time he was 
the Route Agent from Wells River to 
Boston. The following year the young 
couple came to New York City, where 
Major Kimball obtained a responsible po- 
sition on the New York Herald. He re- 
mained on the Herald \\xi\S\. 1853, when he 
was appointed by President Pierce in the 
New York Custom House. It was while 



there employed that the Southern rebellion 
broke out. 

Apr. 16. 1861, Major Kimball wrote to 
Gov. Fairbanks, of Vermont, offering his 
services. The Governor was unable to give 
him a command. He next offered his ser- 
vices to the 9th New York Vols. (Haw- 
kins Zouaves) and was elected. This reg- 
iment was first ordered to Riker's Island, 
in the East river. While here the news 
agents of New York City presented to 
iMajor Kimball an elegant sword, and his 
friends of the Custom House a beautiful 
pair of epaulettes. The march of the 
"Ninth" down Broadway to the seat of 
war was one of the grandest ovations of 
the kind ever witnessed in the metropolis. 

The Major, b}- his soldierly bearing, 
fame, bravery and experience in the Mex- 
ican War, inspired the men with confi- 
dence, and the regiment had perfected 
itself in drill and discipline. They were 
looked upon with pride and affection by 
the city of New York. June 5, the reg- 
iment left New York, embarked on the 
"Marion " and " George Peabody " ; June 
10, it covered the rear of our retreating 
forces at Big Bethel. It was not other- 
wise actively engaged with the enemy in 
this engagement. Aug. 4, '61, Major K. 
was surprised by the following communi- 
cation : 

Camp Butler, Newport News, Va., \ 
August 4, 1 861. \ 

Maj. E. A. Kimball, ^h Reg. N. Y. Vols: 

We, the undersigned officers of the ist 
Regiment Vermont Volunteer Militia, be- 
ing about to depart to our native State to 
I be mustered out of the service of the U.S. 
I Government, do hereby tender to you our 
! kindest regards, and ho^e ere long to see 
' vou in your appropriate position, the 
Commander of a Regiment of Green 
Mountain Boys of such men as you have 
' heretofore led to victory on six different 
i battle-fields in support of the honor and 
flag of your country, and we ardently de- 
! sire to see you again manfully fighting at 
' the head of a regiment, leading to victory, 
I honor and glory, the citizen soldiery of 
I vour own much-loved State of Vermont. 

To command a regiment of Green 
: Mountain Boys was an ardent, long-felt 
j desire of Major Kimball's. He was one of 



CABOT. 



125 



the first to offer his services to Governor 
Fairbanks. It was always a regret that 
tinged the remainder of hisHfe that a com- 
mand had not been offered him from that 
State, for he felt that his services in Mexico 
entitled him to such an honor. A few 
days after the battle of Roanoke Island he 
wrote home to his wife : 

We have had a big fight and a splendid 
victory. I have not time to tell you the 
particulars, except that I charged the bat- 
tery at the head of my New York boys. 
God bless them ! we carried it. It was 
fully equal to anything I ever saw before. 
The prisoners say they fired at me time 
and time again, and that I must bear a 
charmed life. They did fire at me smartly. 
You will see the papers. I am well now, 
but can't go through many more as I did 
the other. / wish I could have made the 
same charge at the head of a Vermont Reg- 
iment, but it was not to be so. 

A sore spot in his heart ; he loved the 
Vermont boys. In another letter to his 
wife : 

You may rest assured if we have a chance, 
you will hear a good account of us. Our 
regiment numbers 950 men, and next to 
the "old Mexico 9th," is the best I ever 
saw. 

Feb. 8, '62, the battle of Roanoke Island, 
where the regiment gained its first fame, 
making the first decisive, successful bay- 
onet charge of the war. The battle had 
been raging for some time when the Third 
Brigade was sent for, ^nd they began to 
advance, the "Ninth" taking the lead. 
The road was a long, narrow causeway, 
flanked by marsh and ditches, and at the 
head a three-gun battery had a range of 
the field. The left wing advanced, led by 
Kimball, sword in hand, cheering on his 
men. "Now is the time, and you are the 
men," cried Gen. Foster, and the Zouaves 
rushed forward, with their peculiar cry of 
" Zou ! Zou ! Zou!" their red caps and 
blue, baggy uniform filling the narrow 
causeway, the intrepid Kimball leading 
them. The thunder of the rebel guns was 
heard ; quick as their flash every man 
prostrates himself upon his face ; the iron 
grape and cannister speed overhead, and 
lodge behind, scattering death among the 
other troops. The Zouaves mount the 



parapet upon which their colors are plant- 
ed, and before the rebel gunners have 
time to reload, their soldiers are flying in 
terror to the rear. A prisoner after the 
battle said : "It was perfectly frightful to 
witness the mad ■ career in which the 
Zouaves advanced upon a work which, 
until that moment, every one in it had 
supposed to be impregnable." 

From report of General Parke to General 
Burnside : 

The delay in the progress of the troops 
through the swamp being so great, it was 
decided to change the course of the 9th 
N. Y. Regiment, and the order was sent 
to the Colonel to turn to the left, and 
charge the battery directly up the road, 
and the regiment, with a hearty yell and 
cheer, struck into the road, and made for 
the battery on the run. The order was 
given to charge the enemy with fixed bay- 
onets. This was done in gallant style. 
Major Kimball taking the lead. The 
Major was very conspicuous during the 
movement, and I take great pleasure in 
commending him to your favorable notice. 

Col. Hawkins in his report: 

Upon reaching the battle-ground, I was 
ordered to outflank the enemy on their left, 
where they were in position behind an in- 
trenchment, mounting three guns. After 
leading the Ninth New York into a marsh, 
immediately in front of the enemy's work, 
amidst a heavy fire from them of grape 
and musketry, the order was given to 
charge the regiment with fixed bayonets. 
This was done in gallant style. Major 
Kimball taki^ig the lead. 

A friend who served with the Major in 
Mexico writes to him : 

My Dear Major: — Glory to God in the 
highest ! I have just been reading an ac- 
count of your gallant charge at the head of 
your boys on Roanoke Island. It fairly 
made the tears come into my eyes when I 
read of my old commander's offer to lead 
the charge, and doing it, too, as no one 
but he could do it. I would give ten years 
of my life to have been by your side. I 
glory in your glory, and would like to 
shake the hand of every boy of the 9th. 
God bless the number ! The glorious news 
from Roanoke tells me that you have been 
doing to the flag of the rebels what you 
did to the Mexican flag in '47. I am not 
disappointed, for I knew that you would 
allow no one to get nearer the enemy than 
yourself. 

Shortly after this battle, Lieut. Col. 



126 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Betts, of the regiment, resigned, and Maj. 
Kimball was promoted to Lieut. Colonel, 
Feb. 14, 1862. 

At the battle of South Mills, N. C, 
Ap. 9, '61, Col. Kimball displayed the 
same bravery, riding in the midst of the 
battle, at the head of the " Ninth," or- 
dered to charge the enemy. This battle, 
comparatively unheard of, was of the ut- 
most importance to the country, as it led 
to the evacuation of the city of Norfolk. 
The regiment marched 46 miles in 26 
hours, in addition to battle. Col. Kim- 
ball, writing of it to his wife, says : 

We have had a terrible fight, the hottest 
fire I was ever under. My horse was shot 
under me. We lost 73 men from our reg- 
iment. I escaped, as usual, unhurt. 

At South Mountain, September 14, the 
"Ninth" supported Clark's Battery of 
Regulars, the prelude to " Antietam." 
Major Judevine had command of the 89th 
N. Y. The enemy made several fierce 
charges upon this battery, which was gal- 
lantly supported by the "Ninth" under 
its gallant Colonel. After crossing Antie- 
tam Creek, in the face of a heavy fire by 
the enemy's sharp-shooters, the enemy 
took position under the brow of the steep 
heights, many of the enemy's shells strik- 
ing in front of them, and ricocheting over 
their heads before exploding, while others 
burst in the ranks, killing and wounding 
the brave boys. Kimball in command, 
impatiently waiting the order to advance, 
with sword in hand, stood upon the brow 
of the hill, the perfect picture of the hero. 

The long-expected command came, the 
regiment rashed to the top of the hill, 
their leader in advance. Storm of shot 
and shell greeted them. Zou-Zou-Zou ! 
their war-cry rang wildly above the bat- 
tle's din. Outstripping far the rest of their 
line in their daring charge, on they swept. 
. . . . Men falling at every step far back 
as could be seen, the track of the regiment 
strewn with the slain, the brave Kimball or- 
dered his bugler, Flocton, by his side, to 
blow the " Assembly of the Ninth." It was 
done ; the regiment rallied ; they encounter 
a stone wall ; with a wild cheer they sur- 
mount it. Here a terrific bayonet fight 



takes place ; the Zouaves hold their own ; 
re-inforcements arrive ; the enemy retreat 
in wild confusion. Kimball writes to his 
beloved wife : 

I am out of the hardest-fought battle I 
was ever in, and probably the hardest 
fought on this continent. I lost 221 out 
of 469 of my regiment which I took into 
action. I got a slight bruise. It was only 
by the mercy of Divine Providence that 
any of us escaped. We have fought a 
great battle, and won a great victory, but 

the cost has been immense 

I had my horse shot under me by a shell 
explosion. He is well, however. 

For his meritorious conduct in this 
battle. Col. Kimball was especially men- 
tioned and thanked in the ofiicial report of 
Gen. Cox, commanding the 9th army 
corps. 

At Fredericksburg, under General Burn- 
side, the regiment was engaged. Colonel 
Kimball in command. He writes : 

Dear Lite: — The cannon are now firing 
so the very earth quakes ; near 400 of them 
in action. We get in line in a few min- 
utes. God knows how soon the line may 
be broken, and who comes out of to-day. 
To-day will undoubtedly decide the fate of 
our nation, and if I fall, God knows I shall 
do so loving my country. Already has 
commenced one of the greatest battles of 
the world. My horse is saddled and before 
my tent, and we shall attempt to cross the 
river in a few minutes. God bless you all ! 

Addison. 

But with all his dash and intrepidity, 
many an officer and soldier in the ranks 
can bear witness that in battle he was cool 
and collected as on parade. He was no 
holiday soldier ; he dreaded the horrors of 
a battle-field, but personally knew no fear; 
a braver man and truer soldier never lived. 
He was a patriot, and that patriotism was 
not born of the rebellion. He had a rev- 
erence for the old flag. He was often 
heard to say : It is the proudest flag that 
floats, and his right arm and his life were 
always ready in its defence. 

He fought in other battles as heroically. 
When Col. Kimball commanded, he al- 
ways led his men into the battle ; and yet 
how reluctantly we come to that fatal night, 
Apr. 12, 1863. On that night the reg- 
iment lost its father and the nation one of 



CABOT. 



127 



its most gallant and heroic defenders — the 
hero of sixteen battles, in which he had 
been the " bravest of the brave," and that 
not by the sword, nor by the bayonet of 
the enemy ; the regiment could have borne 
that ; but he was mercilessly shot down in 
cold blood by an officer of the same army, 
most recreant deed ! 

By order from Gen. Dix, the regiment 
in command of Gen. Peck, left Pittsmouth 
for Suffolk the eve of the 12th, marching 
the distance of 30 miles, and coming in at 
I o'clock at night the 13th. The troops 
were ordered to be under arms at 3 o'clock. 
Col. Kimball was tired and worn out, but 
his soldierly instincts would not let him 
sleep until, an attack being expected, he 
had made inspection of the ground. While 
thus engaged, on foot, with no weapon but 
his sword, he encountered a body of horse- 
men, and soldier as he was, on his own 
camp-ground, he immediately ordered a 
halt, and demanded the countersign, plac- 
ing his hand at the same time upon the 
hilt of his sword, as if in the act of draw- 
ing it. The body of horsemen were Brig- 
adier General Michael Corcoran, who was 
officer of the day, and his staff, who, with- 
out a word of warning, drew a pistol from 
his holster and fired, the ball striking the 
Colonel in, and passing through, his neck. 
Fool-hardy and terrible blunder ! The 
news spread through camp like wild- 
fire. The regiment was frantic. They 
could not realize at first the lament- 
able, and to them costly, situation of 
affairs. He, for whom they all thought no 
bullet was ever cast, shot down in cold 
blood. Their indignation knew no bounds, 
and they demanded immediate court- 
martial, and refused to do duty, and threat- 
ened dire vengeance unless it was done. It 
was not until Gen. Getty promised imme- 
diate investigation, they were restrained. 
There was no justification for the act. It 
was entirely dastardly. Col. Kimball was 
alone, without his fire-arms, on foot ; Gen. 
Corcoran was accompanied by his staff, 
himself and all armed, on horseback. He 
could have had Kimball arrested by one of 
his staff officers if he had deemed it proper, 
but Col. Kimball was only in the perform- 



ance of a duty upon his own ground. The 
arrogant and hot Corcoran was piqued by 
having the countersign demanded of him. 
Napoleon was stopped by a sentinel. 
Washington was stopped by a sentinel ; 
Frederick the Great. Did any of these 
great commanders shoot their sentinel? 
Would it not have been more manly, more 
soldierly, in General Corcoran to have 
either given or demanded the countersign, 
than thus hastily to have shot that brave 
man and officer on his own ground. In 
any other country it would have been 
murder. But General Corcoran met his 
deserts. Not long afterwards, while out 
riding, he fell from his horse and broke 
his neck. 

The body was embalmed, and under an 
escort detailed from the regiment, and a 
committee from the city authorities, was 
brought to New York, where it lay in state 
in the Governor's rooms at the City Hall, 
and thousands of people viewed the re- 
mains, and shed tears as they gazed upon 
the dead soldier, whose bravery in battle 
was upon the lips of all. Never was the 
dead admired more by his audience. Of 
what avail to him so ruthlessly slain ? The 
flag draped his coffin, and the flag was 
covered with the most beautiful flowers ; 
depended from the sweetest flower-cluster, 
"We mourn our loss." The sword, belt 
and cap lay among the flowers. The dog 
which had followed its master through all 
his campaigns, lay crouched beneath, des- 
olate and inconsolable, faithful and true to 
the last. 

Six war-worn Zouaves bore the coffin to 
the hearse ; the military escort presented 
arms ; a salvo of 21 gims was fired from a 
battery in the park ; Battalion of police, 
under Capt. Mills ; First Regiment N. G. S. 
N. Y. (Cavalry) Lieut. Col. Minten, com- 
manding ; Sixty-ninth Regiment, Major 
Bagley, commanding ; Seventy-first Reg- 
iment, Col. Trafford, commanding ; with 
arms reversed ; volunteer officers ; with the 
faithful dog; the Col's, horse, led by his 
old, orderly Sergeant ; hearse drawn by 
six horses drajDed in mourning, flanked by 
the pall-bearers and Cols. Roome, Varain, 
Maidhoff, Ward, Mason, Lieut. Cols. Grant 



128 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and Burke ; widow and friends in car- 
riages ; officers of the ist Division N. G. S. 
N. Y. Detacliment of the original Hawkins 
Zouaves ; Detachment of the Second Bat- 
talion of Hawkins Zouaves ; the Mayor and 
Common Council in carriages ; citizens in 
carriages ; upon public and private build- 
ings flags at half-mast ; the procession 
moved to Greenwood. 

The regiment placed a handsome mon- 
ument over his grave. Colonel Kimball 
was 40 years of age, 10 mos. The Zouave 
Militia Regiment, formed of the surviving 
members of the regiment, named for him 
their first Co. in 1865: " E. A. Kimball 
Post 100." A large and handsome paint- 
ing of him adorns the Post-room, and 
every May, the remnant of that old reg- 
iment go down to Greenwood to decorate 
his grave. 

♦ Nor sliall your slory be forgot, 

Wliile fame her record keeps ; 
Or lioiior points tlie hallowed spot 
Wliere valor proudly sleeps. 

historian's note. 

THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF THE WRITEK. 

At the regular March meeting, 1 88 1 , the 
selectmen were instructed to agree with 
some one, at a reasonable compensation, 
to write the history of Cabot. Accordingly 
the one whose name stands at the head of 
this paper was engaged for the task. To 
me it has been a very pleasant undertaking, 
although at times somewhat discouraging, 
on account of the difficulty in gathering 
statistics and information as closely as I 
wished ; but I have discharged the duties 
to the best of my ability, with what I had 
to do with, and I hope that my labors have 
not been wholly in vain, but that these 
pages may be of some interest to those 
who shall read them now, that we may 
see something of the sufferings and priva- 
tions that the first settlers endured to bring 
about the comforts with which we are sur- 
rounded ; and when another century shall 
have passed, and the historian shall take 
his pen to record its history, may he find 
as many noble and commendable acts in 
those upon the stage at the present time to 
record, as we have found in those who 
have preceded us in the past one hundred 
years. 



Those who have most kindly assisted 
me in this labor are not only worthy of 
my thanks, but the unfeigned gratitude of 
the whole town, and the Editor who has 
undertaken, and carried so near to com- 
pletion, the noble work of gathering up the 
history of each town in the State, coming 
generations should rise up and call her 
blessed. J. M. F. 

July, 1881. 



CALAIS. 

BY JAMES K. TOBEY AND. EDWIN E. ROBINSON. 

Location : In the north-easterly part of 
Washington Co. ; bounded northerly by 
Woodbury, easterly by Marshfield, south- 
erly by East Montpelier, westerly by Wor- 
cester. The easterly line passes its entire 
length along the summit of the ridge, di- 
viding the valley of the Winooski in 
Marshfield from the territory drained by 
Kingsbury branch, and the westerly line 
about half a mile west of, and nearly pai- 
allel with, the ridge dividing the waters of 
Kingsbury branch from those of North 
branch in Worcester. The northerly line 
crosses the southern portion of two quite 
large ponds, that receive the streams, 
draining the southern and central portions 
of Woodbury about one-third of the surface 
of that town. 

From Sabin pond, the most easterly of 
these, Kingsbury branch flows southerly, 
leaving the town near the S. E. corner. 
Nelson pond, near the middle of the north 
line, discharges its waters southerly into 
Wheelock pond, the largest in town, and 
thence by the Center branch southerly and 
easterly into Kingsbury branch, some 2 
miles from the S. E. corner of the town. 
About a mile from the west line, and near 
its middle, is Curtis pond, discharging its 
waters S. E. into the Center branch. 
Near the center bf the town, and a mile 
and a half farther south, this branch re- 
ceives the waters from Bliss pond, in the 
S. W. part of the town. All the pondsand 
streams above mentioned, except Center 
branch, received their names from early 
settlers in their vicinity. Near the middle 
of the south line is Sodom pond, discharg- 



CALMS. 



i29 



ing its waters into the Winooski near East 
Montpelier village. Kingsbury branch 
drains about four-fifths of the surface of 
the town ; of the remainder about two- 
thirds is drained into North branch, and 
the rest into Sodom pond. 

Among our highest points of land are 
Hersey and Robinson hills, in the western 
ridge near Worcester line. These are 
cleared to their summits, excellent j^asture, 
and affording fine views of nearly the whole 
town, and eastward to the eastern range of 
the Green Mountains, with an occasional 
glimpse of the White'Mountains beyond, 
while at the west the view includes nearly 
all of Worcester, and is bounded by the 
mountains in the western part of that town. 
The surface is quite broken, but there is 
very little land in town not available for 
farm purposes. The soil is generally a 
fertile loam, in places of a lighter charac- 
ter, inclining to sand. The underlying 
rock is slate and limestone, often inter- 
mixed, and furnishing enough small stones 
in the surface soil to constantly remind the 
ploughman that, having put his hand to 
the plough, he should not look back. At 
the same time the soil is comparatively 
free from "cobble stones" and boulders 
except in limited localities. 

The General Assembly of the State, in 
se.ssion at Arlington, October 21st, 1780, 

Resolved, that there be, and we Do 
hereby, grant unto Colonel Jacob Davis, 
Mr. Stephen Fay and Company, to the 
Number of Sixty, a Township of Land by 
the Name of Calais, Situated in this State, 
Bounded as follows, and lying East of, 
and adjoining to, Worcester, and north 
of Montpelier, Containing Twenty-three 
Thousand and forty acres, and the Gov- 
ernor and Council are hereby Requested 
to State the fees for Granting Said tract, 
and Issue a Grant under such Restrictions 
and Regulations as they shall Judge Proper. 
— Extract from the Journals. R. Hopkins, 
clerk. 

The same day in Council it was 

Resolved, that the fees for granting the 
said tract be, and they are hereby, set at 
four hundred and Eighty Pounds LawfuU 
Money in silver, or an Equivalent in Con- 
tinental Currency, to be Paid by the said 
Jacob Davis, Stephen Fay, or their Attor- 
ney, on the Execution of the Charter of 



incorporation on or before the first Day of 
January Next. — Extract from the minutes. 
Joseph Fay, Sec'y. 

One month after the grant was made, 
the first recorded meeting of the propri- 
etors was held, and the following record 
made : 

At Public Meeting of the Proprietors of 
the Township of Calais, at the house of 
Mr. Elisha Thomson, Inholder in Charlton, 
Mass., November 20th, 1780, came to the 
following votes, [viz.] [58 Present] : 

istly. Voted and Chose Colo. Jacob 
Davis, Moderator. 

2dly. Voted and Chose Stephen Fay, 
Proprietor's Clerk. 

3dly. Voted that Mr. Stephen Fay to 
apply to the Authority of the State of Ver- 
mont for the Charter of incorporation of 
s'd Township, and for Each Proprietor to 
pay their Money to him, the s'd Fay, the 
sum of Eight Pounds silver money, or 
Cont'l. Currency equivalent thereto, it 
being in full for Granting fees for each 
Right in said Township. By the thirtieth 
day of December Next (or be excluded 
from any further Right or Property in 
Said Township.) 

4thly. for the Clerk to give Notice of 
the above article by Posting. 

5thly. Voted for each Proprietor to 
Pay their Equal Proportion of their Agents 
time and expenses to obtain the grant of 
said Township by the nth Day of De- 
cember next, and for the Clerk to enter 
their names, or cause their names to be 
entered, in the Charter of said Township. 

6thly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting 
to the first Wednesday in April next, at 
one o'clock afternoon, to this place. Errors 
Excepted. Attest, Ste'n. Fay, 

Pro. Clerk. 

There is no record of the adjourned 
meeting, and probably none was held, and 
the proprietors do not seem to have met 
the requirements of the grant in regard to 
payment of the granting fee, as shown : 

Arlington, 29th of Jan'y. 1781. 
Rec'd of Mr. Stephen Fay, Two Hun- 
dred and Thirty-three Pounds, fourteen 
Shillings and three Pence, LawfuU money. 
Towards Granting fees of the Town of 
Calais. Rec'd. 

Pr. Me, Thomas Chittenden, 
Committee. 

The time of paying the balance was ex- 
tended to March following : 

Arlington, loth of September, 1781. 

Rec'd of Stephen Fay, By the hand of 
Noah Chittenden, three Pounds, thirteen 



17 



130 



VERMONT HlSTORICALlMAGAZlNE. 



Shillings, as Part of the Granting fees of 
the Town of Calais. Rec'd by me, 

Thomas Chittenden. 

Boston, 28th of September, 1781. 
Rec'd of Col. Jacob Davis, Two Hun- 
dred and forty- two Pounds, Twelve Sliil- 
lings and Ninepence in full of the Grant- 
ing fees of the Town of Calais, in the State 
of Vermont, within mentioned. 

Pr. Noah Chittenden. 

Previous to the payment of the two last 
mentioned sums, the charter was issued : 

Unto the said Jacob Davis, Stephen 
Fay, and to the several persons hereafter 
named, their associates [viz] : Ephraim 
Starkweather, Lemuel KoHock, Noah Good- 
man, Seth Washburn, Joseph Dorr, Justin 
Ely, Abel Goodell, Shubal Peck, Nathan 
Tyler, David Wheelock, Nehemiah Stone, 
Nehemiah Stone, Jun'r., Phinehas Slay- 
ton, Phinehas Slayton, Jun'r., Daniel 
Bacon, JunV., Henry Fisk, Jun'r., Peter 
Wheelock, Sarah Davis, Ezra Davis, Dan- 
iel Steeter, Eli Jones, Josiah Town, Peter 
Sleeman, Salem Town, Samuel Robinson, 
of Charlton, Ebenezer White, Jun'r., Eli 
Wheelock, John Mower, David Hammond, 
Elisha Thomson, Caleb Ammidown, Na- 
thaniel Wellington, Peter Taft, William 
Ware, David Fisk, David Fay, of Charl- 
ton, Thomas Foskett, Marvin Mower, Jer- 
emiah Davis, Job Rutter, Jonathan Tucker, 
Richard Coburn, Jonathan Rich, Ebenezer 
Allen [Clerk], Abijah Lamb, Ebenezer 
Lamb, Edward Woolcott, Lemuel Ed- 
wards, Abner Mellen, JobMerrit, William 
Comins, Isaiah Rider, Samuel Fay, Elisha 
Town, Oliver Starkweather, John Stark- 
weather, Bezaleel Mann and John Morey. 

The usual reservation of iive rights for 
public uses follows in the charter, and then 
the boundaries. And that the same be, 
and hereby is, incorporated into a town- 
ship by the name of Calais. 

The charter closes with the following : 

Conditions and Reservations, viz. : that 
each Proprietor in the Township of Calais, 
aforesaid, his Heirs or Assigns, shall Plant 
and Cultivate five acres of land, and build 
an house at least eighteen feet square on 
the floor, or have one family settled on 
each respective Right within the term of 
three years next after the circumstances of 
the War will admit of a settlement with 
safety, on Penalty of the forfeiture of each 
respective Right of land in said Township 
not so improved or settled, and the same 
to revert to the Freemen of this State, to 
be by their Representatives regranted to 
such Persons as shall appear to settle and 



cultivate the same. That all Pine Timber 
suitable for a Navy be reserved for the use 
and Benefit of the Freemen of this State. 

In Testimony whereof we have caused 
the seal of this State to be affixed. In 
Council this Fifteenth Day of August, 
Anno Domini, one Thousand seven Hun- 
dred and Eighty-one, In the 5th year of 
the Independence oi this, and Sixth of the 
United States. Thos. Chittenden. 

Joseph Fay, Sec'y. 

As to the name given this town, we have 
no positive knowledge, and even tradition 
is silent, but it seems reasonable to sup- 
pose that Colonel Jacob Davis suggested 
the name of Calais, as he is known to have 
done of Montpelier. He was largely in- 
terested in these two proposed towns, the 
petitions for both grants were probably 
made at the same time, as they came be- 
fore the General Assembly together, and 
as the leading, active spirit in the enter- 
prise, it was but natural that he should 
suggest the names. He had become prej- 
udiced against the custom, so common 
among the settlers, of giving the name of 
the old home to the new, and wishing to 
avoid this in his selection of names, his at- 
tention was naturally drawn to France, 
rather than England, by her attitude 
toward this country at that time, and per- 
haps, also by thought of a prior claim 
upon Verd Mont through her daring and 
gallant son Champlain. And so it came 
about that two of the beautiful old cities 
of France had namesakes in the Green 
Mountain wilderness. 

The second proprietors' meeting on 
record was held at the house of Maj. Salem 
Town, in-holder in Charlton, May 18, 1783, 
when tlie following officers were elected : 

Col. Jacob Davis, moderator ; Stephen 
Fay, Pr. clerk ; Dea. Nehemiah Stone, 
treasurer; Maj. Salem Town, Capt. Sam'l 
Robinson, Mr. Peter Taft, assessors ; Capt. 
Peter Sleeman, collector ; Col. Jacob Davis, 
Capt. Peter Sleeman, Capt. Sam'l Robin- 
son, a committee to lot out s'd lands. Ad- 
journed, to meet at the .same place, August 
20, 1783, (when there was) "granted a 
Tax of three silver dollars on each Right of 
Land (exclusive of the Public Rights) to 
Defray the back charges that have arisen. 



CALAIS. 



131 



and also to enable the Committee to Lott 
out said Township." 

This was the first tax laid upon the town 
of Calais, and it Vas probably immediately 
following this meeting the first attempt to 
survey the town was made. 

The following is from Hon. Shubael 
Wheeler's account of Calais, published in 
Thompson's Gazetteer : 

In the summer of 1783, the proprietors 
sent a committee, consisting of Col. Jacob 
Davis, Capt. Samuel Robinson and others, 
to survey a division of this town of 160 
acres to the right. " A Mr. Brush, from 
Bennington, was the surveyor. The com- 
mittee and surveyor found their way to 
Calais with their necessary stores, and 
after running four lines on the north side 
of the first division, they abandoned the 
survey. Of their stores, then left, was a 
much-valued keg, containing about 10 
gallons of good W. l.rum, which in coun- 
cil, they determined should be buried, 
which ceremony was said to have been 
performed with much solemnity, and a 
sturdy maple, towering above the sur- 
rounding trees on the westerly side of 
Long (Curtis) pond, with its ancient and 
honorable scars, still marks the conse- 
crated spot." 

At the next meeting .of the proprietors, 
held Dec. 25, 1783, " the Committee Re- 
ported by Presenting a Plan of said Town- 
ship, Part of the first Division Lotts sur- 
veyed as said Committe saith." 

Sixty-four of these first division lots, 
each one-haif mile square, are included in 
a scjuare of 4 miles on each side. It is 
supposed that these lots were intended to 
have been in the center of the town, leav- 
ing an undivided space one mile wide on 
either side of them, but by .some mistake, 
their north-easterly boundary is only y] 
rods from the town line. 

At the s'd meeting, Dec. 1783, this first 
division was drawn by lot to the several 
proprietors, and they also voted and 
granted a tax of 54^, 8s. 8d. silver money, 
assessed on the rights of land, exclusive of 
public rights. 

Apr. 26, 1784, a meeting was held, and 
the following officers elected to fill vacan- 
cies occasioned by resignations : 

Major Salem Town, treasurer; Caleb 
Ammidown, Esq. and Lieut. Jonathan 



Tucker, assessors; after, nothing for 2 
years seems to have been done toward 
completing the survey or settling the town- 
ship. 

May 29, 1786, a meeting held; Capt. 
Samuel Robinson chosen to make applica- 
tion to a justice in Vermont, for a warrant 
to call a proprietors' meeting agreeably to 
the laws of that State, at the house ol Maj. 
Calvin Parkhurst, in Royalton, August 15, 
following, Aug. I, 1786, a meeting held; 
instructions given to proprietors who should 
attend the meeting at Royalton. The de- 
sign seems to have been at this time to 
bring the transactions of the proprietors 
within the jurisdiction of Vermont, by 
authorizing the surveying party about to 
leave for this State, to hold meetings here. 

Warrant granted by the Hon. Moses 
Robinson, published in the Vert/ioitt Ga- 
zette, June 26, 1786; this being the first 
meeting held in Vermont, we will give the 
record in full : 

At a Proprietors' Meeting, held at Maj'r 
Calvin Parkhurst's, in Royalton, in the 
State of Vermont, on Tuesday, the fifteenth 
Day of August, 1 786, Proceeded as follow- 
eth [viz.] : 

istly. Voted and chose Capt. Samuel 
Robinson, Moderator. 

2dly. Voted and chose Mr. Stephen 
Fay, Pro. Clerk. 

3dly. Voted and chose Mr. Eben'r 
Waters, Clerk pro tem ; Voted and chose 
Maj'r Calvin Parkhurst, Collector. 

4thly. Voted and chose Dea'n Nehe- 
miah Stone, Treasurer. 

5thly. Voted to establish the former 
Votes of said ProiDrietors (except such as 
refer to the sale of Lands and a former vote 
to Raise Twelve Shillings on each Propri- 
etor's Right, to Defray Charges.) 

6thly. Voted that the Proprietors com- 
plete the Survey of the first Division Lotts 
already begun in said Township ; also to 
lay out a second Division of Lotts in said 
Town to each Proprietor. 

7thly. Voted and chose a Committee of 
five for the above Purpose. 

Sthly. Voted and chose Mr. Eben'r 
Waters their Surveyor and one of the Com- 
mittee, and Capt. Sam'l Robinson, Lieut. 
Jonathan Tucker, Mr. Eben'r Stone and 
Mr. Parla Davis for their Committee. 

gthly. Voted that the above Committee 
be Empowered to Draw the Second Di- 
vision Lots when the survey of the same 
is completed. 



132 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lothly. Voted for those Proprietors that 
have advanced Money more than their Pro- 
portion of Taxes, Interest until paid. 

iithly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting 
to Thursday, Seventh Day of September 
Next, one o'clock P. M., to the Grand 
Camp in Calais, in the County of Addison, 
in the State of Vermont. 

After the above meeting, the committee 
started for " Grand Camp." I again copy 
from Judge Wheeler's account : 

In August, 1786, Capt. Samuel Robin- 
son, E. Waters, J. Tucker, E. Stone and 
Gen. Parley Davis came from Charlton to 
complete the survey of the first division 
and survey another. This party, after ar- 
riving at the settlement nearest this place, 
which was at Middlesex, laden with pro- 
vision, cooking utensils, blankets, axes, 
surveying instruments, etc., passed a dis- 
tance of 13 or 14 miles to the camp erected 
by the party, who commenced the survey 
three years previous ; often on the way ex- 
pressing their anxiety to arrive, that they 
might regale themselves with the pure 
spirit which had been permitted to slumber 
three years, and which they imagined must 
be much improved in quality by its long 
rest ; but judge of their surprise, astonish- 
ment and chagrin when in raising the 
earth they discovered the hoops liad be- 
come rotten, the staves parted, and the 
long-anticipated beverage had escaped. 
Whatever tears were shed, or groans ut- 
tered, at the burial of the keg, they were 
not to be compared with the bitter agonies 
of its disinterment. 

The party must have soon recovered 
from their disappointment, and proceeded 
to their work with a will, for in less than a 
month from the meeting at Royalton, they 
were on their way homeward, with the 
survey of the first and second divisions 
completed. 

The following record was made of the 
first meeting held in town : 

Sept. 7th, 1786, Grand Camp in Calais, 
the Proprietors met according to adjourn- 
ment. 

istly. Voted to and Drawed the Second 
Division Lots in said Calais. 

2dly. Voted to adjourn this Meeting to 
Wednesday, the thirteenth Day of Sep- 
tember, this Instant Month, at eight o'clock 
P. M., to the house of Mr. Seth Putnam, 
in Middlesex. Eben'r Waters, 

Clerk, Pro teni. 

The two next meetings were held by the 
party while on their homeward journey. 
From the reco'xl of the first of these : 



istly. Voted to give to any Person that 
will erect a Good Grist-Mill and a good 
Saw-Mill within Two years from this date, 
as near the Middle of said Township of 
Calais as he conveniently can, shall have 
one hundred Spanish Milled Dollars and 
one hundred acres of Land in said Town- 
ship. 

2dly. to give to Mrs. Dolley Putnam, 
wife of Mr. Seth Putnam, one hundred 
acres of Land in said Calais, Provided she 
shall Move into said Town before the last 
Day of June next, and continue to Live in 
said Town of Calais Two years at least. 

Adjourned, to meet two days afterward 
at the house of Calvin Parkhurst, in Roy- 
alton. 

The following record shows the party to 
have been early risers ; given for an ex- 
ample : 

September 15th, 1786, the Proprietors 
met, according to the adjournment. 

istly. Voted and chose Lieut. Jonathan 
Tucker, Clerk, Pro tem. 

2dly. Voted to adjourn this meeting 
until to-morrow Morning, at six o'clock, 
to this Place. 

The following day (Saturday) was spent 
in adjusting and allowing accounts for ser- 
vices and money advanced, and providing 
for their payment, and in arranging various 
other matters mostly pertaining to the fi- 
nances of the proprietary. 

The Record closes : 

I5thly. voted to adjourn this meeting 
to the second Tuesday in June next, at 
Nine o'clock A M., to this Place. 

Attest, JoNA. Tucker, 

Clerk Pro tem. 

Previous to the time to which the meet- 
ings in Vermont were adjourned, as above, 
three meetings were held in Charlton, Jan. 
I, 1787, at the house of Capt. Samuel Rob- 
inson, the accounts of the surveying com- 
mittee under consideration. 

Voted to leave it with the Committee's 
generosity whether to abate any of their 
Charges or not. 

Mar. I, 1787, Daniel Streeter, Caleb 
Ammidown, Phinehas Slayton, Sam'l Rob- 
inson and Peter Wheelock chosen a com- 
mittee to agree with Esquire Kollock (who 
had drawn the lot on which the first mill 
was built some 6 years afterwards) to build 
mills on his right, or dispose of it to some 
one who would agree to build. 



CALAIS. 



133 



The last recorded meeting of the pro- 
prietors in Massachusetts was May 21, 
1787, at the house of Salem Town, in 
Charlton, where all previous meetings not 
otherwise noted had been held. Dea. 
Daniel Streeter was chosen agent to act 
for the proprietors, under instructions at 
this time given him, at the meeting to be 
held in Middlesex the next month. 

In accordance with a warrant published 
in the Vermont Gazette of May 21, 1787, a 
meeting was held the 15th of June follow- 
ing, at the house of Seth Putnam, in Mid- 
dlesex, when Jacob Davis, Daniel Streeter 
and Peter Wheelock were chosen to lay 
out and make roads, and a tax of 12s. per 
right voted for that purpose. 

At a meeting held at the house of Col. 
Davis, in Montpelier, in September follow- 
ing, $1 per right was added to the road 
tax, and each proprietor was to have the 
privilege of working out his portion of the 
tax at 5s. per day, " they finding their own 
boarding." 

The following account of settlements 
begun this year is given by Judge Wheeler : 

The settlement was commenced in the 
spring of 1787, by Francis West, from 
Plymouth Co. Mass., who begun felling 
timber in a lot adjoining Montpelier. 

The first permanent settlers, however, 
were Abijah, Asa and Peter Wheelock, 
who started from Charlton, June 5, 1787, 
with awagon, two yoke of oxen, provisions, 
tools, etc., and arrived at Williamstown, 
within 21 miles of Calais, the 19th. 

They had hitherto found the roads al- 
most impassable. Here they were obliged 
to leave their wagon. Taking a few nec- 
essary articles upon a sled, they proceeded 
towards this town, cutting their way and 
building causeways as they passed along. 
After a journey of two days, and encamp- 
ing two nights in the woods, they arrived 
at Col. Jacob Davis' log hut, in Mont- 
pelier, where they left their oxen to graze 
upon the wild grass, leeks and shrubbery 
with which the woods abounded, and pro- 
ceeded to Calais, and opened a resolute 
attack upon the forest. 

They returned to Charlton in October. 
Francis West also left town, and returned 
the following spring, as did also Abijah 
and Peter Wheelock, accompanied by 
Moses Stone. This year they built log 
houses, the Wheelocks and Stone return- 
ing to Massachusetts to spend the follow- 
ing winter, and West to Middlesex. 



In this year, also. Gen. Parley Davis, 
afterward a resident of Montpelier Center, 
cut and put up two or three stacks of hay 
upon a beaver meadow in Montpelier, 
upon a lot adjoining Calais, (now known 
as the Nahum Templeton farm) a part ot 
which hay was drawn to Col. Davis\ in 
Montpelier, in the following winter, which 
served partially to break a road from Mont- 
pelier to Calais line. 

In 1788, two proprietors' meetings were 
held, one June 3, at the house of Col. 
Davis, and Sept. 30, at Peter Wheelock's 
new house, in Calais. At the last meeting 
Peter Wheelock was chosen proprietor's 
clerk, and the meeting adjourned to June 
2, 1 787, at the same place, but as Wheelock 
had not returned from Charlton, the record 
simply shows an adjournment to the i6th 
of June, at the house of Col. Davis, in 
Montpelier, when Moses Stone was chosen 
collector, and the meeting adjourned to 
meet Nov. 10, at his house in Calais. 

In 1790, four proprietors' meetings were 
held at the house of Peter Wheelock. At 
the one June 8, 1791, Dea. Daniel Streeter, 
Samuel Fay, Peter Wheelock, Godard 
Wheelock, Daniel Bacon, Moses Stone, 
James Jennings, Abijah Wheelock, Shubel 
Short, Jesse Slayton, Capt. Samuel Rob- 
inson, Ebenezer Stone, Parley Davis, Col. 
Jacob Davis, Moses Harskell, Francis 
West, presented accounts for work done 
on the highways in town. The whole 
amount allowed was 72^. 

There were recorded present at this 
meeting : 

James Jennings, Samuel Twiss, Shubel 
Short, Asa Wheelock, Francis West, Ed- 
ward Tucker, Abijah Wheelock, Moses 
Harskell, Peter Wheelock. 

June 6, 1792, Col. Jacob Davis, Abijah 
Wheelock and Peter Wheelock were chosen 
a committee to survey the undivided lands, 
and make a 3d division, and Col. Davis 
and Samuel Twiss were given the privilege 
of •' pitching" 400 acres of the undivided 
land, provided they should build and com- 
plete a good saw-mill and a good corn-mill 
within a year. 

From record of a meeting, Oct. 2, 1793 : 

istly. Voted to accept of the Corn-Mill 
& Saw-mill built in Calais, by Col. Jacob 



134 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Davis and Mr. Sam'I Twiss, they being 
done according to agreement. 

Jan 21, 1794, Joshua Bliss was chosen 
pro treasurer ; at a meeting held Feb. 6, 
1794, 40 rights were represented as fol- 
lows : 

Jacob Davis, 26; James Jennings, i; 
Saml Twiss, 5 ; Sam'l Fay, 3 ; Jedediah 
Fay, I ; Peter Wheelock, 4. 

Voted to accept the survey of the Third 
Division, and establish the Corners as the 
Committee have made them. 

The proprietors' record closes with a 
meeting held June 5, 1794, when the third 
division lots were drawn to the several 
proprietors, by Kelso Gray and Spaulding 
Fearce, appointed for that purpose, and in 
March following the town was organized. 

The first families settling in town came 
in the spring of 1789. Judge Wheeler tells 
the story of their journey as follows : 

In February or March, 1789, Francis 
West moved his family on to his farm, 
where he lived several years. Also, in 
March of this year, Abijah Wheelock, with 
his family, Moses Stone, Samuel Twiss. 
with his new married lady, accompanied 
by Gen. Davis, from Charlton, arrived at 
Col. Davis' house, in Montpelier, with sev- 
eral teams. His house was a mere rude 
hut, constructed of logs 20 feet in length, 
with but one apartment, a back built at 
one end for a fire-place, and covered with 
bark, with a hole left in the roof for the 
smoke to escape ; and this on their arrival 
they found to be preoccupied by several 
families, emigrants from Peterboro, N. H., 
and in that mansion of felicity there dwelt 
for about a fortnight, three families with 
children in each, one man and his wife re- 
cently married, three gentlemen then en- 
joying a state of single blessedness, and a 
young lady ; and among the happy group 
were some of the first settlers of Calais. 

On the 13th of April, racket-paths having 
been previously broken, Messrs Wheelock, 
Twiss and Stone prepared hand-sleds, 
loaded thereon their beds, and some light 
articles of furniture, and accompanied by 
Mrs. Wheelock and Mrs. Twiss, and Gen. 
Davis, proceeded to this town over snow 3 
feet in depth, Mrs. Wheelock traveling the 
whole distance on foot, and carrying in 
her arms an infant 4 months old, while 
their son, about 2 years of age, was drawn 
upon the hand-sled. Mrs. Twiss, the re- 
cently married lady, also performed the 
same journey on foot, making use of her 
broom for a walking-cane. 

During the day, the snow became soft. 



and in crossing a marshy piece of ground, 
Mrs. Twiss slumped with one foot, and 
sank to considerable depth, and was unable 
to arise. Gen. Davis, withal! the gallantry 
of a young woodsman, pawed away the 
snow with his hands, seized her below the 
knee, and extricated her. This incident 
was a source of no small merriment to the 
party generally, of mortification to the 
amiable sufferer, and gratification to Mrs. 
Wheelock, who felt herself secretly piqued 
that Mrs. Twiss did not offer to bear her 
precious burden some part of the distance. 

They arrived in safety the same day, 
and commenced the permanent settlement 
of the town. A large rock, now in the 
orchard on the farm owned by J. W. E. 
Bliss, once formed the end and fire-place 
to the log cabin of the first settlers of 
Calais. 

In 1790, James Jennings arrived with a 
family. In the winter of 1794, Mr. Jen- 
nings, being upwards of 60 years of age, 
lost his life by fatigue and frost, while on 
his return through the woods from Mont- 
pelier to this place. There was not at 
this time a sufficient number of men to 
constitute a jury of inquest. 

The first settlers lived at some distance 
from each other, and it was not uncommon 
for a woman to travel several miles to visit 
a neighbor, and return home after dark 
through the woods, brandishing a fire- 
brand to enable her to discover the marked 
trees. For one or two years the settlers 
brought the grain for their families and 
for seed from Williamstown, Brookfield and 
Royalton, a distance of 30 miles or more. 
After they began to raise grain in town, 
they had to carry it 15 miles to mill. This 
they did in winter, by placing several bags 
of grain upon the neck of an ox, and 
driving his mate before him to beat the 
path. 

Dates, as near as can be determined, 
when some of the first settlers moved their 
families into town : Francis West, Abijah 
Wheelock and Samuel Twiss in the spring 
of 1789 ; Peter Wheelock and Moses Has- 
kell in the fall of that year ; James Jennings 
in 1790 ; Asa Wheelock and David Good- 
ale in 1791 ; Edward Tucker and others in 
1792, and in 1799, considerable additions 
were made to the settlement. 

On Mar. 2, 1795, David Wing, Jr., of 
Montpelier, issued a warrant notifying the 
inhabitants of Calais to meet at the house 
of Peter Wheelock, on the 23d of that 
month, to choose all necessary town officers 
and transact any other necessary business. 



CALAIS. 



135 



At this, the first town meeting, the offi- 
cers chosen were : Joshua Bliss, mod- 
erator ; PeterWheelock, town clerk ; Joshua 
Bliss, Edward Tucker and Jonas Comins, 
selectmen ; Samuel Fay, treasurer ; Jonas 
Comins, collector and constable ; Jedediah 
Fay, Abijah Wheelock and Aaron Bliss, 
listers ; Amos Ginnings, grand juryman ; 
Edward Tucker, Frederick Bliss and God- 
dard Wheelock, surveyors of highways ; 
Amos Ginnings, sealer of leather; Moses 
Haskell, keeper of the pound ; John Grain, 
tithingman ; Aaron Bliss, JanTes Ginnings, 
Samuel Fay and Jennison Wheelock, hay 
wardens; Asa Wheelock, Stephen Fay and 
Abraham Howland, fence viewers ; Jona- 
than Tucker, sealer of weights and meas- 
ures. 

Voted that the place of posting and 
holding freeman's, and other town meet- 
ings, be at the house of Peter Wheelock. 

In September following, Peter Wheelock 
was chosen to the General Assembly. Thos. 
Chittenden received 8 votes for Governor, 
and Isaac Tichenor, 7 votes. For David 
Wing, Jr., for treasurer, and for each of 
the councillors, 17 votes were cast. 

At a town-meeting Sept. 5, 1797, it was 

Voted that the Town petition the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the State at their next 
session to alter the name of this town from 
Calais to Mount Vernon, and that the ex- 
pense of such alteration be paid from the 
town treasury. 

In the same year, a meeting was warned 
for the purpose of electing a Representa- 
tive to Congress, to fill a vacancy occasioned 
by the member-elect refusing to serve. 
The record of the meeting closes as fol- 
lows : "No votes being offered, the 
meeting was dissolved." 

The warning for the town meeting, 
March, 1800, contains: "6th. To see 
what measures the Town will take to keep 
in employ Idle and Indolent persons who 
do not employ themselves," but at the 
meeting the article was " passed over." 

In 1813, what funds had accumulated 
for " support of worship," nearly $40 were 
given to Elder Benjamin Putnam, and in 
18 1 5, the amount then on hand was voted 
to Elder Benjamin Page. At this time 



there had been received on the right 
granted to the first settled minister, $628.34. 
Of this, $284.80 had been appropriated 
for town expenses, and $100 for support of 
schools. 

In March, 181 5, the committee to settle 
with the town treasurer found that 38 
pounds of lead had been lent out of the 
town stock to Samuel Rich, Esq. 

In 18 1 8, it was voted that the selectmen 
provide a house for the poor, and that the 
money arising from lands appropriated to 
the use of first-settled ministers be used for 
town expenses. In 1829, that town officers 
be allowed $1 per day. 

1827, Caleb Curtis was authorized to .sell 
the town military stores, and in 1828, the 
powder on hand was presented to the 
La Fayette Artillery Co. 

In 1836, Alonzo Pearce, Jesse White 
and Lovel Kelton were chosen a committee 
to locate and build a town-house near the 
center of the town, and the freeman's meet- 
ing, held Sept. 5, 1837, was called at the 
center school-house, and adjourned to the 
new town-house, but it was not completed 
at that time, and the first meeting warned 
there was in March, 1839. Previous to 
this, meetings had been held : 

In 1795, and '6, and freeman's meeting 
in '97, at Peter Wheelock's : town meet- 
ings, 1797, 1800, '2 and '4, at Asa Whee- 
lock's ; freeman's meetings, 1798, '9, 1800, 
and town meeting, '99, at Abdiel Bliss's ; 
town meetings, 1801 and '3, and freeman's 
meeting, from 1801 to 1804, at Alpheus 
Bliss's ; all meetings from 1805 to spring of 
1808, at Isaac Kendall's ; from fall of 1808 
to 1817, at Gideon Wheelock's; then at^ 
Center school-house until 1839 ; since 1868, 
at the vestry of the Christian church. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

CLERKS.-Peter Wheelock, 1795 to 1801 ; 
Gideon Hicks, 1802 to 9, and 18 18 to 47 ; 
Gideon Wheelock, 18 10 to 15 ; Lemuel 
Perry, 18 16, 17; Nelson A. Chase, 1848 to 
64 ; Alonzo Pearce, 1865 ; Marcus Ide, 1866 
to 75 ; Samuel O. Robinson, 1876 to 81. 

[For remainder of tables, see last page.] 

ROADS. 

The first record of the roads in town was 
made Mar. 4, 1799, the names of presen 



136 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MACa2INE. 



owners or occupants being in parenthesis ; 
Beginning at the south line of the town by 
Duncan Young's (Sodom), Capt. Abdiel 
BHss' (A. S. Bliss), Edward Tucker's, 
(W. H. Kelton), Peter Wheelock's (S. S. 
Fuller's) Jedediah Fay's (A. C. Guernsey), 
the mills (S. O. Robinson) Gideon Whee- 
lock's (J. W. Hall) and Levi Wright's, 
(Otis Rickord) to the north line of the 
town. A road leaving the above north of 
Levi Wright's, by Holden Wilbur's (J. Q. 
Haskell) to Amos Jennings' (Mrs. Balen- 
entine). A road from Edward Tucker's 
by Joshua Bliss, 2d, (J. W. E. Bliss) 
David Bliss (A. Sanders), Rufus Green's 
(Lewis Wood), Abijah Wheelock's (B. 
Wheeler), Joel Robinson's (Harvey Ains- 
worth), Thomas Hathaway (C. A. Wat- 
son), to Caleb Curtis' (A. J. Mower). 
From the N. W. corner of Abijah Whee- 
lock's lot (Kent's Corner) , to the first-men- 
tioned road, below the mills (near T. C. 
Holt's). From near Edward Tucker's by 
Winslow Pope's (south of A. D. Sparrow), 
to Ethel Steward's (O. A. Wood). 

From Peter Wheelock's by his saw-mill, 
(on the brook north of Caleb Bliss) by 
Shubel Shortt's (T. LeBarron) and David 
Fuller's (A. P. Slayton) toMontpelierline. 
From Abdiel Bliss' by James Jennings', 
Isaac Kendall's (E. L. Burnap) Abraham 
Howland's (on lot east of Burnap's) , cross- 
ing the East branch, and by Jennison 
Wheelock's (AlfredWheelock's) and David 
Goodell's (S. Bancroft), to Asa Wheelock's 
(Isaac Stanton). From near Isaac Ken- 
dall's to Samuel White's (Kelso Gray). 
From near Isaac Kendall's, southerly by 
^Simeon Slayton's, Jesse Slayton's (Jerra 
Slayton), Oliver Palmer's (Luther Con- 
verse) , Goddard Wheelock's (E. Pray) and 
Elnathan Hathaway's (L. M. Gate) to 
Montpelier line. From Oliver Palmer's to 
Gershom Palmer's (W. P. Slayton). From 
the south line of the town by Stephen 
Fay's (Walter Merritt) Phinehas Davis' 
(J. P. Carnes), Joshua Bliss' (L. Con- 
verse), Elijah White's (G. Holmes), Asa 
Wheelock's, Samuel Fay's (Palmer Paine), 
Amasa Tucker's (Henry Wells) Aaron 
Bliss' (Elias Smith), Noah Bliss' (C. H. 
French), Jonathan Tucker's, (Marcus 



Waite), Jonas Comings' (N. W. Bliss) 
and Noah C. Clark's, to Marshfield line. 
From Jennison Wheelock's by Asahel 
Pearce's (W. Lilley) to Aaron Lamb's. 
From Joshua Lilley's (L. G. Dwinell), to 
Aaron Bliss'. 

This record no doubt describes all the 
roads in town at that time, but some other 
settlements had been made. 

Ebenezer Goodenough was on the farm 
where C. B. Marsh now lives; John Crane 
where Zalmon Pearce lives ; Moses Has- 
kell had been ten years or more on C. S. 
Bennett's farm ; at about the date of this 
record, Zoath Tobey began on C. O. 
Adams' farm ; Elisha Doan on the lot 
north of Harvey Ainsworth's ; Frederic 
Bliss owned the lot where G. B. W. Bliss 
now lives ; Simon Davis the land where 
W. C. Bugbee lives, and Solomon Janes, 
Salem Wheelock and Jonathan Eddy were 
residents, but their location at that time is 
not satisfactorily determined. 

In 1810, II, all the roads in town were 
surveyed, and the record shows the follow- 
ing roads not described above : The west 
county road was surveyed in 1808, and the 
road from it to Sodom was opened pre- 
vious to 1810 ; also from the county road to 
Edward Tucker's. From the county road 
near Thomas Hathaway's, by the center of 
the town, to Aaron Lamb's. From Marsh- 
field line westerly by Aaron Bliss', Zoath 
Tobey's (Dr. Asa George) Lilley's Mills 
(Moscow), Artemas Foster's (M. C. Ken- 
iston), Phinehas Goodenough's (O. W. 
White), to the road near Amos Jennings', 
(Mrs. Balentine). 

From Lilley's Mills by Emerson's, to 
Woodbury line. From Woodbury line by 
E. Goodenough's, to Jonathan Tucker's. 
From the center of the town, through 
Pekin, and by where A. N. Chapin and 
W. C. Bugbee now live, to John R. Dens- 
more's (J. P. Carnes). From near Oliver 
Palmer's, southerly by Moses Haskell, to 
the south line of the town. 

In 1809, Reuben D. Waters bought the 
lot on which Andrew Haskell lives, and 
soon after a road was laid from the mills 
near the center to his house, and in 18 14, 
this road was extended northerly to Wood- 



CALAIS. 



n7 



bury line. The road from near Harrison 
Bancroft's, and by W. V. Peck's to the 
East branch was surveyed in 1814. The 
center county road in 18 15, and the road 
from Woodbury line to Moscow in 1821 ; 
from Maple Corner to Worcester in 1825. 

The first action of the town in regard to 
schools, was in March, 1796. "Voted to 
raise two pence on the pound on the 
Grand List of 1796, for schools," and the 
selectmen divided the town into the East 
and West school districts. 

In 1798, what is now No. 4 and the east- 
erly half of No. 13, was made the South- 
east district, what is now No. 2 was named 
the East district, and the remainder of the 
former East district was styled the North- 
east district. Ebenezer Goodenough was 
chosen trustee of the last-named district, 
and Oliver Palmer of the South-east. 

School trustees chosen in 1800 were: 
Abijah Wheelock, West district ; Joshua 
Lilley, east district; Doct. Samuel Dan- 
forth. South-east district ; Noah C. Clark, 
North-east district ; scholars in West dis- 
trict between 4 and 18, 96; in S. E. dis- 
trict, 27. 

In 1802, the North and Center districts 
were set off; trustees, Abijah Wheelock, 
West district ; Joshua Lilley, East dis- 
trict ; Oliver Palmer, South-east district ; 
Jonas Comins, North-east district; Levi 
Wright, Center district. 

In 1805, scholars reported between 4 
and 18 years of age, 207; of whom 100 
were in the West district, and the next 
March the North-west district was set off; 
1808, the South-west district was formed. 
In 1812, the town voted " to pay the school 
tax for the year ensuing in good corn, rye 
or wheat." This is the first year that we 
find a complete record of the families in 
town having children between 4 and 18 
years of age, 100 having 329 children; 16 
of these, i each; 25, 2 each; 18, 3 each; 
14, 4 each ; 14, 5 each ; 10, 6 each ; Jason 
Marsh, 7 ; Isaac Wells and Frederic Bliss, 
8 each. 

In 1 818, the South district was estab- 
lished, and in 1825 the Blanchard dis- 
trict, and March, 1826, the districts were 
numbered : West district, No. i ; East, 

18 



No. 2 ; Center, No. 3 ; South-east, No. 4 ; 
North-west, No. 5; North-east, No. 6; 
South-west, No. 7 ; North, No. 8 ; South, 
No. 9; Blanchard, No. 10; at the same 
time Nos. 11 and 12 were established; 
nearly the same territory as now. 

In 1828, Shubael Wheeler, Asa George 
and E. C. McLoud were chosen a com- 
mittee to examine teachers and visit schools . 
In 1829, district No. 13 was established; 
in 1832, No. 14. 

THE SLAYTON FAMILY. 

[From Genealogical and Biographical Sketch of the 
Slaylon Family, 1879.] 

Phineas Slayton, son of Thomas, and 
grandson of Capt. Thomas, from England, 
b. in Barre, Mass., 1736, m. Jane Gray, 
1761. He was an officer in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and a magistrate of his town ; 
children, Jesse, Simeon, Elijah, Abigail, 
Eleanor, Hannah, Elisha ; moved to Mont- 
pelier about 1790, settled on a farm near 
the Calais line. He was called by his de- 
scendants and neighbors ' ' Long Stocking," 
because he wore short velvet breeches, 
with long stockings and silver knee-buckles. 
His quaint old English style of dress will 
be remembered by many of the older res- 
idents of Washington County. 

Jesse Slayton, b. Barre, Mass., 1764; 
m. Betsy Bucklin ; children, Bucklin, Jesse, 
Phineas, Darius, Lucy, Betsy, Eleanor, 
Mahala, Aseanath. He moved to Calais 
about 1790, and built a house and cleared 
the farm where Jerra Slayton now lives. 
Many, if not all, of the children were born 
in Brookiield, and moved to Vermont with 
their parents, and all settled in Calais or 
vicinity, and most of them reared large 
families of children. Moving into the set- 
tlement before the town was organized, 
their father, Jesse Slayton, was one of the 
original 25 who voted on the organization 
of the town, and a revolutionary soldier. 

Bucklin Slayton, son of Jesse, b. in 
Brookfield, Mass., 1783; moved to Calais 
with his father; m. 1804, Sally Willis, b. 
in Hardwick, Mass. ; dau. of Edward Willis 
and Nancy Fuller, of Bridge water, Mass., 
who were among the early settlers of 
Calais; children, Harriet, Dulcenia J., 



138 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Orrin B., AroP., Sarah, George J., Fanny 
and Hiram K. Slayton. 

He was a master carpenter, and planned 
and set out many of the frame dwelling- 
houses and stores of Montpelierand Calais. 
He was the first man, according to common 
report, who set out buildings by square 
rule ; previous to that time buildings had 
been built by scribe rule. Whether he 
was the originator of the square rule or 
not, is not known beyond a doubt by the 
writer ; but it would seem there were few, 
if any, who set out by square rule at that 
time, for in 1827 and '29, he was sent for 
to set out the factories at Nashua, N. H., 
and when asked how long a building he 
could set out, he said if they would fur- 
nish the lumber, he could set out a build- 
ing that would reach from Nashua to 
Boston. In the war of 1812-14, Bucklin, 
Jesse, Phineas and Darius all enlisted in 
the company from Calais and Montpelier, 
raised and commanded by Capt. Gideon 
Wheelock, to meet the British at Pitts- 
burgh. 

Orrin B., his son, m. Dulcena Andrews ; 
children, Joseph, Austin C. Aro P. Jr., 
Rufus, Amanda, Amelia and Alfred. 

Austin C. Slayton, son of Orrin B., 
enlisted in the 3d Vt. Regt., and served 4 
years in the war of the Rebellion in the 
army of the Potomac. He was a good 
soldier and in a great many battles. His 
regiment belonged to that famous Vermont 
brigade called the "Old Iron Brigade," 
whose valor reflected imperishable honor 
on the State which furnished the men, and 
on the nation whose life they fought to 
maintain. He is now living in Chicago. 

RuFus Slayton, brother of Austin C, 
enlisted in the 7th Vt. Regt., served faith- 
fully, and died from sickness, occasioned 
by his service in the army, soon after 
reaching his home. Aro and Alfred still 
live in Montpelier, and Joseph in Calais. 

Aro p. Slayton, son of Bucklin, en- 
listed in the war of the Rebellion, was 
elected ist lieut. of Co. H. 13th Regt. V. 
Vols. This company was composed largely 
of citizens of Calais. He was in the battle 
of Gettysburg, and in command of his 
company through that battle, and was pro- 



moted to the captaincy of that company. 
He represented Elmore in the Legislature. 
He married Lucy White, by whom he had 
seven children : Florence, Katie, Frank, 
Herbert, Lucy, Calvin and Orrin. He and 
his family now live in Elmore. 

Geo. J., bro. of Aro P., m. Fanny An- 
drews ; children, Willis, Marinda, Cortez, 
Henry, Fremont and Melvina. He and 
some of his children are living in Morris- 
ville. 

Hon. Hiram K. Slayton, son of Buck- 
lin, b. in Calais, 1825, m. Eliza A. Mitch- 
ell, of Manchester, N. H., 1850; have one 
son, Edward M. Slayton. He was ed- 
ucated at the common schools and Mont- 
pelier Academy, taught school 2 winters; 
at 18 years entered as a clerk in a counting- 
room on India street, Boston, for three 
years ; returned to Calais and opened a 
country variety store ; also bought country 
produce ; was appointed a delegate from 
Vermont to the first Republican National 
Convention at Philadelphia, in 1856, and 
alternate delegate in i860; was elected a 
representative from his native town in 1858 
and "59; moved to Manchester, N. H., in 
1863; went to Cuba in the fall of '63; 
thence to New Orleans ; wholesaled dry 
goods through tl^e winter ; returned to 
Manchester the spring of '64 ; commenced 
and built up a large wholesale and produce 
and provision business ; was elected from 
Ward Three a representative to the New 
Hampshire Legislature in 187 1 ; re-elected 
in '72 ; spring of '73 he gave up his mer- 
cantile business to his son, visited Eng- 
land, Scotland, and passed the summer in 
Antwerp, Brussels, Cologne, Berlin, Dres- 
den, etc. ; at the World's Fair in Vienna, 
at Augsburg, Basle, Paris, etc. ; in 1876, 
was elected a member of the constitutional 
convention to revise and amend the con- 
stitution of the State ; in ^'j'] , a senator to 
represent the city of Manchester in the 
New Hampshire Senate ; re-elected in '78, 
and he is more widely known throughout 
the country for his efforts in favor of specie 
payments and able financial articles, orig- 
inating the maxim, viz.: "The nation 
which has the most valuable legal tender 
dollar, (other things being equal), will 



CALAIS. 



139 



outrun in wealth and prosperity the nation 
whose dollar buys less, as sure as death 
follows existence"; is the author of the 
resolutions in favor of specie payments 
which passed the New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont Legislatures, and the resolution 
passed by the Vermont Legislature in the 
fall of '78 in relation to the Bland silver 
bill. His efforts in favor of resumption, 
an honest dollar and honest payment of 
debts were continuous for many years. 
His articles on finance are widely copied 
by the public press of the country, and 
their soundness is endorsed by such lead- 
ing financial thinkers and writers asAmasa 
Walker, David A. Wells, B. F. Nourse, 
Abram S. Hewitt, Jas. A. Garfield and 
others. 

Edward M. Slayton, son of Hiram R., 
b. in Calais, 185 1; m. Jennie Hovey, of 
Rockland, Me., 1874; has one daughter, 
Olive May ; sons, Hovey Edward and H. K. 
Slayton, Jr. ; now living in Manchester, 
N. H., wholesale produce and provision 
merchant. 

Darius Slayton, son of Jesse, had 2 
sons, Henry and Edson, and 2 daughters. 
He is a good citizen, and still lives on his 
old homestead farm in Calais. His son 
Edson has reared a large family of chil- 
dren, and is a respected citizen of Wolcott. 

Otis Slayton married a daughter of 
Wm. Peck, has no children, and lives in 
Calais. 

SILAS HATHAWAY AND FAMILY. 

Among the few familiar names intimately 
connected with the early history and set- 
tlement of Calais, are found those of Silas 
Hathaway and his sons, Elnathan, Thomas 
and Asa. Cotemporaries of the Whee- 
locks, the Blisses, Slaytons, Fays and 
Tuckers, they shared their full measure the 
hardships incident to a new settlement. 

Silas Hathaway, son of Elnathan, 
(who died at New Bedford, aged 90) was 
born in New Bedford, Mass., July 3, 1742. 
Silas married Mary Griffeth, of Rochester, 
Mass. ; of their 9 children, all born at New 
Bedford, 6 married and raised families : 
Elnathan, Esther, Thomas, Eleanor, Asa, 
Sarah, West, in order of age. • Mr, Hath- 



away emigated to Calais in 1796, whither 
some of his family had already preceded 
him. He resided for many years on the- 
farm now (1879) owned and occupied by 
Caleb Bliss, his residence being near the 
old cemetery on that farm. He died June 
I, 1812. 

Elnathan, son of Silas, born Feb. 3, 
1770, came to Vermont earlier than any 
others of his family, the exact date un- 
known ; but certain it is that he came sev- 
eral years prior to his father's coming. He 
married ist, Rhoda Tabor, of Mass. ; 2d, 
Esther (Buel) Bassett, of E. Montpelier ; 
3d, Jane Burchard, of Starksboro ; chil- 
dren by 1st wife, 3 — but one. Alma, grew 
up — by 2d wife, 6; three, Rhoda, Alden, 
Martha, attained majority. 

Elnathan was a farmer and blacksmith, 
and resided on the farm now (1879) of 
Lemuel Cate. He was for many years a 
prominent member of the society of 
Friends, who had a church in E. Mont- 
pelier, and were quite numerous in that 
and neighboring towns. His parents re- 
sided with him in their decline of life. He 
died Jan. 1835. Of his descendants, none 
in town. His daughter Alma m. James 
Lebaron, and lived many years in Calais, 
but removed some years since to Mass., 
where she died, Dec. 1872, leaving two 
daughters. His daughter Rhoda m. Alonzo 
Redway, and lives in East Montpelier. 
His son, Alden, m. Louisa, dau. of Wil- 
liam Templeton, of E. Montpelier, where 
he died Jan. 1843, age, 47. 

Esther, dau. of Silas, b. Sept. 1771, 
m. Smith Stevens, son of Prince Stevens, 
of E. Montpelier, and lived there in the 
decline of life with James Bennett, who m. 
Rhoda Stevens, a daughter. But two of 
this family living, Catherine and Smith 
Stevens, Jr., of E. Montpelier. 

Thomas, son of Silas, born Aug. 1773 ; 
m. 1st, to Susannah Coombs, of Roches- 
ter, Mass., Jan. 1797; 2d, toPhilanaPray, 
of Calais, (from Oxford, Mass.) Sept. 1845. 
He came with his family from Rochester, 
Mass., to Calais in 1799, locating on the 
farm where he resided till his death. He 
first came to Calais in March, 1794, and 
cut the. first tree on his land June i, 1795. 



140 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He returned to Massachusetts in the fall, 
and came back in the spring, for several 
years before he moved his family on. He 
had lo children ; 8 married : Susan, Caleb 
Coombs, Loam, Earl, Sorton, Almeda, 
Lora, and Philander ; Loam, Almeda and 
Lora only survive. Thomas lived in de- 
cline of life upon the old homestead with 
his son Lorton, dying Apr. 1856. Of his 
children, Susan, b. in 1800, m. Calvin 
Foster, of Moretown ; died there July, 
1874; no descendants; Caleb Coombs, b. 
1801, m. Polly Ainsworth, of Calais. He 
died in N. Montpelier, where he had resided 
many years, Dec. 1878. He was a farmer ; 
had 6 children. The widow and two 
daughters alone remain of his family. 

Loam, son of Thomas, b. 1803, a farmer, 
m. Catherine H., daughter of Lyman Dag- 
gett, a farmer of Calais, from Charlton, 
Mass. He removed to Hardwick in 1866 ; 
resides at the South Village ; 4 children in 
this family. Lyman Daggett, the oldest 
son, is a lawyer at Hardwick ; Fernando 
Cortez, the youngest, graduated at Dart- 
mouth in 1868; was principal of Valley 
Seminary, N. H., Hardwick Academy, 
and People's Academy, Morrisville. He 
attained a high reputation as a teacher, 
but broke down from over-work, dying 
July 6, 1873. He was a member of the 
State Board of Education at his death. 

Earl, son of Thomas, b. 1806, m. ist, 
to Nancy, daughter <jf Gaius Allen, of 
Calais, (formerly of Maine) ; 2d, to Sarah 
Ann Stewart, dau. of David Stewart, of 
Duxbury. His farm was near his father's 
old homestead, in Calais. He died Feb. 
1 861. He had but one son, Mahlon S., 
with whom his mother resides. He was b. 
1844, m. Stella C. Shedd, of Hardwick, b. 
1851. He follows the same occupation as 
his father, varying it for some years past 
by school-teaching for a portion of the 
year. He has also filled positions of re- 
sponsibility and trust in town aiTairs with 
much acceptance. 

Lorton, b. Aug. 1808, m. Hannah N., 
dau. of Jonathan Hamblet, of Worcester, 
Vt. ; he resided through life on the old 
homestead of his father, in Calais ; died, 
1858. His children were Mary Jqne and 



Julia Emma. Mary J. m. Carlos Jacobs; 
resides in Calais. Julia E. m. Charles 
Watson ; resides upon the old Hathaway 
homestead. His widow m. Jonas G. Orms- 
bee ; resides at North Calais. 

Almeda, dau. of Thomas, b. 1810, m. 
Martin W. Hamblet, who died 1869. She 
resides with her only son at Middlesex. 
Lora, son of Thomas, b. July, 1812, m. 
Judith Cilley, of Worcester ; is a farmer in 
Woodbury; has 2 sons, 2 daughters. 

Philander, son of Thomas, b. 18 16, m. 
Nancy E. Coats, of Windsor. He was a 
mason by trade ; died in Windsor, 1857; 
left a widow and two children ; all reside 
in Boston. His widow m. John C. Hutch- 
inson, of Windsor, 'a blacksmith and gla- 
zier. 

Asa, son of Silas, b. Dec. 1777, came to 
Calais with his father in 1796; m. Mary, 
dau. of John Peck, of E. Montpelier, (from 
Royalston, Mass.) He resided the re- 
mainder of his life here for the most part 
on farms in the south part of the town, 
now (1879) occupied by E. H. Slayton 
and H. H. McLoud, where he died in 
1830. He was a farmer and blacksmith ; 
raised 7 children ; 6 married ; 5 are living : 
Tilmus, Elnathan, Hiram, Stillman, and 
Asa Peck. 

Tilmus, b. 1805, m. Lois K., dau. of 
Enoch Blake, of Cabot ; resided till re- 
cently on his father's old farm ; now at 
E. Cabot; has two sons, Asa Sprague and 
Clarence Lockwood. Asa has for some 
years past been engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits in Boston, Ma.ss. 

Clarence is a graduate of Norwich Uni- 
versity, Northfield, Vt. ; studied theology 
with Rev. Dr. Hepworth, then of Boston ; 
visited the Argentine Republic, South 
America, as an attachee of Prof. Gould's 
scientific expedition ; after his return, 
studied medicine, and established himself 
in practice in Boston, where he now re- 
sides. 

Elnathan, son of Asa, b. 1808, m. Dul- 
cenia, dau. of Bucklin Slayton, of Calais; 
is a farmer ; resides near the old home- 
stead of his father. 

Hiram, son of Asa, b. 1811, m. ist, 
Ruth H. Johnson; 2d, Esther Ann Pren- 



CALAIS. 



i4i 



tiss, both of Moretown ; children, 5 by ist 
and one by 2d man-iage, of whom Chas. 
Johnson, Edna Ruth, Asa Peck and Frank 
Luce are now living. The two oldest sons, 
married, farmers, :eside near their father; 
the youngest with ; the daughter married 
Henry A. Slayton, a merchant of Morris- 
ville. Hiram, farmer, resides in Moretown 
village ; has long been a prominent citizen 
of that town, and leading member of the 
Methodist church. 

Stillman, son of Asa, b. 1813, m. Ca- 
lista D. Harrington, of Bennington ; has 
resided in Boston, Philadelphia, Pt. Kent, 
Bennington, Wisconsin, etc. He was a 
photographer ; now a farmer in Highland, 
Minn. He has 2 daughters, i son ; all of 
Minnesota. 

Asa Peck, son of Asa, b. 1817, m. ist, 
Sarah Carlton, of Dorchester, Mass. ; 2d, 
Ann Maria Hilton, dau. of John Hilton, 
Esq., of Lynn, Mass. ; residence, Boston 
and Lynn, Mass. ; a wholesale and com- 
mission dealer in grain, flour and pro- 
visions, senior member of the firm of Hath- 
away & Woods, 24 Commerce and iii So. 
Market st., Boston. He went to Boston 
in 1836, and has resided there ever since, 
except 2 years spent at Huntsville, Ala. 
He is classed financially with the solid, 
and is certainly among the heavy men of 
Boston. 

Lyman Daggett, son of David, (an of- 
ficer of the Revolutionary war, dying in 
that service at Oxford, Mass., 1777) came 
as a member of his uncle, Peter Wheelock's 
family, with them to Calais, Sept. 1789, at 
the age of 14. He was a farmer ; lived before 
married on the farm now of his grandson, 
Willard C. Bugbee, son of Chester Bug- 
bee, with whom he lived in the decline of 
life ; where he died, Apr. 1871. He m. 
Sarah W., youngest daughter of Silas 
Hathaway ; b. Feb. 1785; d. Aug. 1872 ; 
children, 3 ; 2 attained maturity : Cath- 
erine H. who m. Loam Hathaway (noticed) , 
Clarissa Amanda, widow of the late Chester 
Bugbee, of Calais, residing with her son 
upon the old homestead, cleared of the 
primitive forest by her father. Only two 
bearing the family name are now (1881) 
counted among our citizens : Elnathan, 



son of Asa, and Mahlon S., son of Earl 
Hathaway, the former standing upon the 
edge of the dark valley, wearing the snows 
of three score years and ten ; the latter, 
but just passed the threshold of active 
business life. Beside these, there remain 
in town the descendants of Lorton Hath- 
away and Chester Bugbee, who can claim 
direct lineage from Silas Hathaway. 

Charles Dugar, born in France, came 
to Nova Scotia with his father's family, 
and when about 12 years of age, to Charl- 
ton, Mass. 

Gload, son of Charles, born in Charl- 
ton, 1775, married Sarah Dunton, of Stur- 
bridge, Mass., and removed to Calais in 
June, 1809. He settled first near where 
Allen Morse now lives, then where John 
Sabin now is, and afterwards on land now 
owned by his son Abner, the only one of 
his 1 1 children now living in this vicinity. 

ABNER,'son of Gload, was born 1805, in 
Charlton ; when about 5 years old, an ac- 
cident rendered him totally blind, and his 
career has been remarkable for one placed 
in the circumstances he was. His father 
was poor, and he was early thrown upon 
his own resources, but natural intelligence 
and energy have in great measure com- 
pensated for his loss of sight. He attend- 
ed school, and made considerable progress 
by hearing the recitations of other schol- 
ars, and engaged in nearly all the sports 
and labors of boyhood, taking long tramps 
in the woods in fishing and trapping. 

He began business for himself by ped- 
dling small articles from house to house, 
and when about 21, having accumulated a 
little capital, bought a farm, and married 
Hannah Jacobs, of Montpelier. Since 
that time he has made farming his bus- 
iness, and with more than average success. 
He has reared a family of 6 children, and 
given them as good advantages as are en- 
joyed by the average of farmers' families, 
and now owns a good farm, part in this 
town and part in Worcester. He per- 
forms nearly all kinds of farm labor, and 
upon a recent visit, was found going about 
his barns caring for the stock. He is a 
good judge of cattle, even distinguishing 



142 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their different colors by some unaccounted 
for sense. 

Near his house when a boy was a saw- 
mill ; this he clambered over until he be- 
came so fa.niliar with it, that he has during 
the leisure hours of his busy life made two 
models of it, complete in all their details. 

While clearing his farm, he made a con- 
siderable business of burning charcoal, 
and one winter drew 900 bushels to Mont- 
pelier, some 10 miles, with a pair of two- 
years-old steers. 

He once engaged of a neighbor one of a 
lot of young pigs. One among them was 
of slightly better form than the others, 
and this the neighbor intended to keep 
himself. But when Dugar came, he could 
not quite refuse a blind man his choice ; so 
Dugar entered the pen, and after careful 
examination, came out with the identical 
pig the other had selected. 

PALMER FAMILY. 

Oliver Palmer married, Dec. 1786, 
Asenath Barnes ; removed from Wood- 
stock to Calais in 1796; lived some 20 
years on the farm now owned by Luther 
Converse, and returned to Woodstock. 
While in Calais, he held the offices of town 
treasurer, selectman and lister. His chil- 
dren were : Orpha, b. 1789, m. 1808, An- 
drew Nealey ; lived some years on the farm 
now owned by George Chase ; Millie, Har- 
riet, Alden, 1795, a mill-wright, married, 
lived in Calais^ Montpelier and elsewhere ; 
Walter, b. 1805 ; Laura, 18 10. 

Gersham Palmer, younger brother of 
Oliver, married Mercy Bennett in Wood- 
stock, probably about the time of his re- 
moval to Calais in 1797 ; lived on the farm 
north of' his brother Oliver ; was prom- 
inent in town business ; moderator in town 
meeting 6 years, selectman 8 years ; lister 
2 years ; was the fourth representative from 
Calais; served 7 years; in 18 10, judge of 
probate in what was then Caledonia Co. ; 
2d justice in town ; served 12 years, and 
by act of the Legislature, Nov. i, 1810, 
was made one of a committee of three to 
locate and build county buildings in the 
new County of Jefferson, now Washing- 
ton. 



He died Oct. 11, aged y] years. His 
children, all born in Calais, were Hannaii 
W., b. 1798, m. 1827, Alvah Elmore, lived 
on the Col. Curtis farm, where she died, 
Aug. 1843; Rispah, b. 1800, m. in Wood- 
stock, 1820, Eben Cox, son of Daniel and 
Celia (Darling), born Jan. i, 1796. They 
came to Calais in 1827, and began on the 
farm where he died, Nov. 1877. Only one 
of their family of 9 daughters resides in 
Calais: Aurelia M., b. Oct. 14, 1829, m. 
Mar. 28, 1855, Elbridge H. Stickney. 

Mercy, dau. of Gersham, wasb. in 1802 ; 
Lucia D., in 1803. 

Bennett, son of Gersham, b. Nov. lo, 
1805, was ordained to the ministry in the 
Church of Christian Brethren, Calais, Aug. 
29, 1830 ; married Valina Snow, of Pomfret, 
and went to New Hampshire to live, and 
while there was a member of tlie N. H. 
Legislature. He returned to Calais in 
1845, where he remained till his death. 
May 12, 1 85 1. Children of Bennett and 
Valina Palmer : Lucia Ellen and Sarah 
Snow, b. in Washington, N. H., 1835, 
'37; Gersham Bela, b. in Marlow, N. H., 
1840 ; Charles Bennett, b. in Springfield, 
N. H., 1844; Redora Valina, b. in Calais, 
Aug. 26, 1847. 

Dulcenia, dau. of Gersham, was born 
1808; Fanny, 18 10; Mercy, Lucia, Dul- 
cenia and Fanny are married, and reside in 
Woodstock. 

DAVID GOODELL 

settled on what is now known as the 
Smilie Bancroft farm, about 1791. He 
died Feb. i, 1808, and his wife, Martha, 
Aug. 29, 1809. Their children : Pamelia, 
b. 1787, m. Asaph King; Polly, b. 1789, 
deceased ; John, b, 1792 ; Orange, b. 1795, 
deceased ; Tamar, b. 1801, m. Jason Chase. 
John Goodell, son of David, m. 1818, 
Lucy, dau. of Elijah White ; settled in 
Cabot; in 1825, returned to Calais, where 
he resided until his death, July, i860; 
children, Diana, b. 1824, m. Alvin Chapin ; 
Matilda, b. 1827, m. Alonzo Taylor; re- 
sides in New York City; Sidney, b. 1830, 
m. Elizabeth Darling, of Meriden, Mass. ; 
resides in Milford, Mass. ; Lucy, b. 1840, 
m. 1857, Alonzo, sonof Shepherd Wheeler ; 
their dau. Flora, born Dec. 1862. 



CALAIS. 



U3 



BARNABAS DOTV. 



Barnabas Dotv, Jr., b. in Rochester, 
Apr. 30, 1 77 1, 2d son of Capt. Barnabas, 
went to Montpelier in the spring of 1789, 
with his brother Edmund, where they 
built, under tiie direction of Col. Larned 
Lamb, the first framed-house in that town, 
for Col. Jacob Davis. He worked as a 
houseivright there each summer, returning 
to R. in the winter, till 1792 ; m. in Roch- 
ester, Mass., Jan. 19, 1793, Thankful, dau. 
of David and Sarah (Parker) Wing, b. 
July 2, 1769, and settled in Montpelier the 
following spring. He was commissioned 
ensign of Washington Artillery by Gov. 
Jonas Galusha, 181 1, and captain 3 years 
later, by Gov. Martin Chittenden. He 
rode post some years from Montpelier to 
Hardwick, 20 miles, to which latter place 
he removed, and carried on the business 
of a blacksmith, saddler, watchmaker and 
merchant, doing most of the magistrate's 
busine.ss in town; was postmaster 1821-5, 
until having buried his son, Horatio Gates, 
1827, and his wife, 1 831, he went to live in 
Georgeville, C. E., thenin Irasburgh, Vt., 
and spent the last 16 years of his life in 
Calais, where he died Dec. 1864, aged 93 ; 
was buried in Hardwick. [Philo Club, p. 

39]- 

Copy of a letter presented Silas Ketchum 
by A. S. Bliss: 

Montpelier, Mar. 30, 1814. 

To Silas Williams, Esq., Maj. Steven 
Pitkin, Mr. Elihu Coburn, Maj. Joel 
Walker, William Mattocks, Esq., Alpha 
Warner, Esq., Elnathan Strong, Esq., 
Ralph Parker, Esq., Wm. Baxter, Esq. 
and Wm. Howe, Esq : 

Gentletiien: — The bearer, Mr. Barnabas 
Doty, a man of integrity and faithfulness, 
has undertaken to carry the mail and dis- 
tribute papers, on the route formerly rode 
by Mr. Henry Dewey, and from our ac- 
quaintance with him, we are persuaded he 
will give as good and as general satisfac- 
tion as did Mr. Dewey. As he is a stranger, 
your influence in his behalf in encouraging 
his business, may be of considerable ben- 
efit to him. Yours with much respect, 
Walton & Goss. 

He made first trip, date of above letter. 
The route book also presented with above 
letter, shows the route to lay from Mont- 
pelier through Calais, Plainfield, Marsh- 



field, Cabot, Peacham, Danville, Wal- 
den, Hardwick, Greensboro, Glover, Iras- 
burgh, Salem, Derby and Dunkensbor- 
ough. [Philo. Club]. 

ELIJAH WHITE 

came from Charlton, Mass., to Calais in 
the summer of 1797, and began chopping 
in the east lot now owned by Lewis Ban- 
croft, but abandoned it, and the next sum- 
mer began on the lot in the south-easterly 
part of the town, where he resided until 
his death, 1832. In Feb. 1797, he brought 
his newly-married wife, Ruth Needham, to 
Calais. She died about 1847; children, 
all born in Calais: Lucy, b. 1800, m. 
John, son of David- Goodell ; Adams, b. 
1802; Larnard, 1805; Ruth, 1813, m. 
1835, Amasa Hall; settled in Marshfield. 

Adams, m. 1825, Alfreda Bryant; lived 
in Calais and Woodbury; died, 1873; his 
wife in 1877; both in Woodbury; chil- 
dren, Florilla, Clarissa, Elijah, Ruth and 
George. Larnard m. 1828, Roxana, dau. 
of Nathan Kelton ; lived in the S. E. part 
of the town; deceased. 

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE SOCIETY. 

In August, 1823, a call was issued, 
signed by Caleb Curtis, Medad Wright and 
Nathan Bancroft, asking all interested in 
building a meeting-house in Calais, to 
meet at the house of Medad Wright on 
the i8th of that month. 

At this meeting, the above society was 
organized, by-laws adopted, and the fol- 
lowing officers elected : Caleb Curtis, 
moderator; William Dana, clerk, and 
Joshua Bliss, treasurer. Caleb Curtis, 
Isaac Davis, Alpheus Bliss, Medad Wright 
and Joel Robinson, committee to select a 
plan and agree with Caleb Bliss for land 
on which to set the house. 

On the 30th of the same month, a meet- 
ing was held and the committee reported 
they had agreed upon a building lot and 
drawn a plan "40 by 42 feet, 40 pews on 
the lower floor, 5 feet by 6, and 18 above 
of the same bigness." The report was 
accepted. It was decided to put up the 
frame the ensuing fall, but to be 3 years 
completing the house ; also " that payment 
for pews be made in three equal instalments, 



144 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



payable one-half in neat cattle, the other 
moiety in grain, the first payment of stock 
in one year from the first day of October 
next,, and the grain part in one year from 
January next, and so annually." Chose 
Col. Caleb Curtis, Dea. Joshua Bliss, and 
Mr. Joel Robinson a committee to super- 
intend the building of the house, and 
" Capt. Remember Kent, Capt. Isaac Da- 
vis and Mr. Joseph Brown, a committee, 
to examine the work whether it be well 
done." 

Following the record of the above meet- 
ing are the names of members of the 
society, as follows : Caleb Curtis, Isaac 
Davis, Alpheus Bliss, Joshua Bliss, 2d., 
Medad Wright, William Dana, Vial Allen, 
Pliny Curtis, Joel Robinson, Jabez Mower, 
Linnus Richards, Isaac Robinson, William 
Robinson, Welcome Wheelock, Oliver 
Sheple, Benjamin Page, Gaius Allen, 
Curtis Mower, Ira Brown, Joseph Brown, 
Daniel Harris, Caleb Bliss, Remember 
Kent, Shubael Shortt, Thomas Hathaway, 
Ephraim Pray, John Robinson, Joshua 
Bliss, 3d., Joshua Bliss, 4th, Gload Dugar, 
Dwight Marsh, Charles Clark, Amasa Mc- 
Knight, Hosea Brown, Weston Wheeler, 
Mason Wheeler, Nathan Bancroft, Loam 
Hathaway, James Morse, Ira Kent, Brad- 
ley Webber, Abdiel Kent, Ezekiel Kent, 
Hiram Robinson, J. V. R. Kent, Joshua 
M. Dana, Abdiel Bliss, Kendall T. Davis, 
Jesse White, Joseph W. E. Bliss, Samuel 
O. Robinson, Moses Clark. 

Some of the last names on the list have 
become owners since the building of the 
house. 

The frame of the house was prepared 
and raised about the middle of October, 
1823, under the direction of Lovell Kelton, 
Esq. As first framed there was a projec- 
tion in front, supporting the steeple, but 
subsequently the corners were filled out 
leaving the building in its present shape. 
During the two next summers, 1824 and '5 
the house was completed, under the direc- 
tion of Mr. Griffin of Hardwick, Vt. In 
Nov., 1825, a meeting was held and the 
house accepted, at a cost of $2005, and 
the society was found to be indebted to 
the building committee some $460. Prob- 



ably about the last of Nov., 1825, the 
hou.se was dedicated, the dedicatory ser- 
mon by Rev. Mr. Bartlett of Hartland. 
Six religious societies were represented in 
the ownership of the house and its use was 
apportioned among them according to the 
interest owned by each. The first appor- 
tionment on record is that for 1828 : Bap- 
tists, 10 Sabbaths; Universalists, 20; 
Congregationalists, 9 ; Christians, 6 ; Free 
Will Baptists, 4; Methodists 3, and there 
is no change on record, of this division of 
the time, until 1848, when it was Univer- 
salists, 32 ; Congregationalists, 7 ; Meth- 
odists, 5; Baptists, 4; Christians, 4. 
There is no further record. There was no 
stove in the house until 1831, though used 
almost every Sabbath summer and winter. 
William Dana was clerk of the society 
from its organization until 1834. Welcome 
Wheelock from 1834 to "65, and J. V. R. 
Kent since. The house has been little 
used for some years past, but the pride of 
the present generation has induced them 
to keep in repair the work of their fathers, 
though their religious zeal has not been 
sufficient to use it for the purpose for which 
it was designed. 

THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION. 

BY SILAS WHKELOCK, 1870. 

The first Christian church was organized 
in Calais, Dec. 2, 1810, by Elder Reuben 
Dodge and Benjamin Putnam. There is 
but little account of the church on record 
till 1824. Elder Dodge and Elder Putnam 
supplied them with preaching part of the 
time. 

In October, 1824, Elder Edward B. 
Rollins and Elder Seth Allen re-organized 
the church, and introduced the Rollins' 
discipline, (so called). 

Ezekiel Burnham was chosen Ruling 
Elder or Bishop of the church. Edward 
B. Rollins and Seth Allen were invited to 
take the oversight of the church. The 
number of membei^s at this time was about 
thirty. 

Previous to this organization, the church 
had no written creed or articles of faith ; 
taking the Scriptures as their rule of faith 
and practice. In 1835 or 1836, the Ver- 



CALAIS. 



145 



mont Conference laid aside the Rollins 
discipline, and returned to their former 
rule. During this time the church was 
supplied by a number of ministers, who 
occasionally met with them to preach the 
word. Among them were Jasper Hazen, 
Elhanan Winchester, R. Allen. Among 
those who have been instrumental in build- 
ing up the church are the following, viz. : 
Elders Benjamin Page, John Capron, Abra- 
ham Hartshorn, Isaac Petingal, Leonard 
Wheeler, Wm. Sweet and — Goolet, etc. 
The church now numbers 85 members. 
They have built a house for worship near 
the center of the town, and are supplied 
with preaching every Sabbath. 

There is a flourishing Sabbath-school, 
and a good interest manifested among 
both scholars and people. 

This church is now associated with the 
Vermont Western Christiah Conference. 
During the 60 years since its organization, 
there have been a number of revivals of 
interest, and quite a number of young men 
have been ordained as ministers of the 
Gospel. 

Previous to 1824, Jera Haskell and Royal 
T. Haskell were set apart for the work of 
the ministry, and were eminently success- 
ful in building up the denomination ; also, 
Jared L. Green and Bennet Palmer, but 
at exactly what tmie they were ordained 
does not appear to be known. 

After a few years Elder Palmer moved 
to New Hampshire and spent several years 
and then returned to this town, where he 
died May 12, 185 1. 

Elder Green labored with the church for 
many years, and contributed much to its 
prosperity ; then moved to Bradford, where 
he resided several years, preathing a part 
of the time in adjoining towns, and then 
moved to New Hampshire, where he now 
resides, but still remains a member of the 
Vermont Eastern Conference. 

Elders Jera and Royal Haskell went to 
Wisconsin, where Jera soon died, and 
Royal still resides. 

Orrin Davis, son of Isaac Davis, one of 
the early members ot the church, and one 
who did much for the prosperity of the 
church, was ordained in 1850. He is the 



pr-esent pastor of the church, and has been 
since i860. 

BY REV. ORRIN DAVIS. 

The church in 18 10 was organized with 
about 50 members ; there was a monthly 
conference established, which has been 
maintained until the present time. The 
ordinances have been observed all, or 
nearly all, of the time during the 70 years 
of its existence, and it has sustained preach- 
ing the most of the time by the following 
ministers, viz. : Elders B. Putnam, R. 
Dodge, B. Page, E. B. Rollins, J. Cap- 
ron, I. Petingal, S. Allen, William Has- 
kell, J. Haskell, J. L. Green, B. Palmer, 
L. Wheeler, A. Hartshorn, S. Wheelock, 
J. D. Bailey and O. Davis. It has sus- 
tained constant preaching the last 20 years ; 
the present membership about 80, accord- 
ing to the records, but there are only from 
50 to 60 resident members. The church 
will seat about 300. The Sabbath-school 
has for some years past numbered from 
100 to 130. 

UNIVERSALIST PARISH IN CALAIS. 
BY UEV. LESTER WARREN, 1881. 

The venerable William Farwell first pro- 
mulgated our sentiments in Washington 
County; Hon. D. P. Thompson, says in 
his History of Montpelier , Mr. Farwell 
advocated our faith in a debate with Rev. 
Chester Wright, — the grandfather of J. 
Edward. This public discussion was held 
in the street of Montpelier, under the first 
shade trees of the village ; a multitude of 
people were present in the streets to hear 
this debate, and we doubt not some of the 
fathers whose names here follow listened 
with intense interest to tliat discussion, 
and returned to organize a "parish" in 
Calais, just 60 years ago ; dated at Calais, 
Dec. 14, 1820, we have this document: 

We, the subscribers, inhabitants of 
Calais in Washington County, do hereby 
voluntarily associate and agree to form a 
society by the name of The Universalist 
Society in Calais for the purpose of having 
meetings, or supporting a minister to 
preach with us according to the " first sec- 
tion of an act entitled an act for the sup- 
port of the gospels," pas.sed Oct. 26th, A. 
D. 1798. Subscribed to by Gideon Whee- 
lock, Sabin Ainsworth, Abijah Wheelock, 



19 



t46 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Caleb Curtis, Backus Pearce, Levi Wright, 
Medad Wright, William Robinson, Aaron 
Lamb, Salem Goodenough, and others 
called a meeting, to meet at the dwelling- 
house of Gideon Wheelock. 

The record states this first meeting was 
held at Gideon Wheelock's dwelling-house, 
in Calais, Feb. 21, 1821 ; Levi Wright, 
moderator, of • said meeting ; Gideon 
Wheelock, clerk. A constitution and by- 
laws were adopted at this meeting to gov- 
ern the society and the following officers 
chosen : Aaron Lamb, Caleb Curtis, Levi 
Wright and Medad Wright, prudential 
com. The 4th article of this constitution 
reads : 

That any member wishing to withdraw 
from said society, it shall be his duty to 
make his wishes known to the clerk, in 
writing, and no member may withdraw 
without he />ay /i/s tax, or subscription. 

January 6, 184^, the new constitution 
and some articles of religious belief were 
adopted, which were recorded in the com- 
mencement of the "second book of rec- 
ords." Not all who have acted with the 
society have have had their names on the 
book of records, but I find the names of 25 
members who have been moderators at 
annual meetings since the organization, 
viz: Levi Wright, Jedediah Fay, Jonas 
Hall, Nathan Kelton, Abijah Wheelock, 
Medad Wright, Welcome Wheelock, Pliny 
Curtis, William Robinson, Abdiel Kent, 
J. V. R. Kent, John Robinson, Jesse 
White, Samuel O. Robinson, Richard W. 
Toby, Alonzo Pearce, Nathaniel Eaton, 
Jacob Eaton, Moses Sheldon, Sylvester 
Eaton, Lester Warren, E. A. Hathaway, 
Ira S. Dwinell, Z. G. Pierce, B. P. White. 

These have also been on committees 
and acted as officers of said society ; some 
of them many times. The clerks, or sec- 
retaries of this society have been only ten, 
serving the society as clerks an average of 
6 years each, viz : Gideon Wheelock, Wil- 
liam Robinson, John Robinson, Elon Rob- 
inson, W. Wheelock, A. Goodenough, J. 
V. R. Kent, James K. Toby, Alonzo 
Pearce and Simeon Webb. 

Welcome Wheelock was society clerk 
longer than any other, being elected in 



1840, and serving until the time of his 
death in 1865 — 25 years. 

In the year 1825, or when Calais Meet- 
ing-hou.se was dedicated, the Universalist 
families in this town were able to own and 
control the same only 20 Sabbaths in the 
year ; a little more than one-third ; in 
1845, their share was 32 Sabbaths. Now, 
in 1880, we count about 100 families, but 
they are so scattered all over town, it is 
difficult to get one-half to meet at any one 
place, and meetings are held in different 
places. The past year, 1879, and '80, the 
Universalists of Calais have had meetings 
of their order, one service each Sabbath 
in East Calais, and each alternate Sabbath 
in the west part of the town : al.so evening 
service in S. H. Fosters grove in North 
Calais. To lead the singing in their meet- 
ings they have had such talent as afforded 
by Pliny Curtis, Mr. Wheelock, E. W. 
Ormsby, Ira A. Morse, J. M. Dana, Sam- 
uel O. Robinson and wife, Abdiel Kent, I. 
R. Kent, L. A. Kent, Murray A.. Kent ; 
also in East Calais, Alonzo Pearce, A. D. 
Pearce ; by Amasa Tucker was played the 
bass viol, the first instrument of music in 
our meeting. Mrs. Dr. Ideand Mrs. Bur- 
nap have also been very efficient leaders 
in the choirs ; Mrs. Ide in the west, and 
Mrs. Burnap in the east part of the 
town. Those who have played the organ, 
are Mrs. J. C. Brown, Mrs. Edwin Burn- 
ham, Miss Josie M. Kent, Alice Pearce 
and Ellen Whitcher. 

About 50 Universalist ministers have 
preached in Calais occasionally. Those 
who have been employed by the society 
for any length of time are William Far- 
well, Paul Dean, John E. Palmer, Thomas 
Browning, Mr. Amiers, Lemuel H. Tabor, 
Lester Warren, Sylvester C. Eaton, John 
Gregory, George F. Flanders, D.D., Geo. 
Severance, J. H. Little, J. Edward Wright, 
E. A. Goodenough, S. C. Hayford, and at 
the present time George E. Forbes, (one 
service each Sabbath in the east part of 
the town.) I should not forget to mention 
that the ladies of the society have done 
their part nobly. They solicited the sub- 
scription, and hired S. A. Parker to preach 
a part of the time for one year, about 20 



CALAIS. 



147 



years ago. The}' have also been active in 
getting the reading meetings and Sunday 
school started, which have been the main 
cause of the present effort in the west part 
of Calais. 

Sunday schools which were first started 
by Mr. Raikes of England, 100 years ago, 
were not much thought of here when Uni- 
versalist meetings commenced, but we had 
a small school in 1844, mostly Bible class. 
In 1852, a school was commenced with 
Sidney H. Foster, superintendent, and N. 
A. Chase, librarian. From that it has 
continued, in the west part of the town 
until the present time. Now, the superin- 
tendent is J. K. Toby, with Mrs. Carrie 
Robinson assistant superintendent; and 
Mrs. William H. Kelton is teacher of the 
juvenile class ; and, with prospects bright 
for future usefulness, the Universalist par- 
ish in Calais now commences to have 
preaching service both in the west, and 
east, every Sabbath the ensuing year 
(1881) I hope. 

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION 

who afterwards became residents of Calais : 
John Beattis, who deserted from the Brit- 
ish ; Seth Doan, Jonas Comins, Backus 
Gary, Ebenezer Goodenough, Stephen 
Hall, Moses Haskell, Francis Lebarron, 
Job Macomber, John Martin, Shubael 
Shortt, Jesse Slayton, Samuel White, Ed- 
mund Willis, Duncan Young, deserted 
from the British, David Fuller, Asa 
Wheelock, Joshua Bliss. 



Names. 
Ainsworth, Geo. W. 
Ainsworth, Lavake 
Ainsworth, Marcus 



Bailey, Robert M. 
Bancroft, Horace D. 
Barret^iGeorge W. 
BatcheTcler, Chas. M. 

Benjamin, Thos. W. 
Bennett, L. Austin 
Blake, Stephen D. 

Bigelow, George 



SOLDIERS IN THE 

Reg. Co. EnHHment. 

II I Dec 8 63 

do " 3 63 

13 H Aug 19 62 



II I 

8 B 

II I 

do 


Aug 15 64 
Dec 31 61 
Aug 15 64 
Dec 5 63 


do 
do 
do 


Dec 3 63 
July 21 62 
Dec 3 63 


6 B 


July n 63 



Bliss, Frederick D. ii I July 16 62 



SOLDIERS IN WAR OF l8l2. 

Danforth Ainsworth, Welcome Ains- 
worth, Benjamin Bancroft, John Goodell, 
David Green, Isaac Hawkins, Enoch Kel- 
ton, Ansel Lebarron, Shubael Lewis, Azel 
Lyon, Jason Marsh, 28 months ; Perry 
Marsh, 14 months; D wight Marsh, 28 
months; John Martin, Jr., Jabez Mower, 
Ephraim Pray, Isaac Robinson, Joel Tuck- 
er, Josiah White, Daniel Young. 

VOLUNTEERS TO PLATTSBURGH SEPT. 1814. 

Vial Allen, Joshua Bliss, 2d, Joshua 
Bliss, 4th, Ira Brown, Pliny Curtis, Elias 
Drake, Samuel Fuller, Simeon Guernsey, 
Bemis Hamilton, Thomas Hathaway, Par- 
don Janes, Jabez Mower, Noah Pearce, 
Joel Robinson, Cyrenus Shortt, Darius 
Slayton, Jesse Slayton, Phineas Slayton, 
Simeon Slayton, Edward Tucker, Reuben 
D. Waters, Hiram Wells, Schuyler Wells, 
Josiah White, Gideon Wheelock, Jonathan 
Wheelock, Levi Wright, Medad Wright. 

SOLDIERS IN MEXICAN WAR. 

James M. Ainsworth, died at Jalapa, 
Mexico, Feb. 29, 1848. Dexter S. Good- 
ell, served in war of 1861-5, died 1878. 
Arlo Thayer. 

Amasa Tucker, an old resident and a 
man of remarkable memory, has aided 
largely in the preparation of the foregoing 
lists of soldiers, and they are perhaps as 
near correct as it is possible to make them 
at this time. 

CIVIL WAR, 1861-5. 

Remarks. 
Dis. June 16, 65. 
Deserted July 26, 64. 
Must, out July 21, 63 ; re-enlist. 11 Reg. Co. 

I. Nov. 30, 63 ; tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; 

tr. to Co. D. ; must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Missed in action Oct. 19, 64. 
Killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 63. 
Must, out June 24, 65. 
Tv. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; tr. to Co. D. ; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. ; disch. June 13, 65. 
Died February 19, 63. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; tr. to Co. D ; pro. 

Corp. July 12, 65 ; must.' out Aug. 25, 65. 
Drafted ; tr. to Co. Co. H. Oct. 16, 64 ; tr. 

to V. R. C. Nov. 22, 64 ; must, out July 

15, 65. 
Corp. ; pro. sergt. Dec. 26, 63 ; red.. Sept. 

37, 64 ; must, out June 24, 65. 



148 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Namei. 


Reg. 


Co. 


Enlistment. 


Bliss, Zenas H. 


9 


I 


June 24 62 


Brown, James W. 
Bruce, Joel 
Burke, Walter 
Burnham, Melvin V. 
Burnap, Charles H. 
Burnap, Wyman R. 


II 

4 
13 

9 
II 
d 


I 

G 
H 

I 
I 


July 26 62 
Sept 2 61 
Aug 19 62 
June 16 62 
July 17 62 
" 19 62 


Carr, Lemuel B. 
Carroll, Henry W. 
Clark, Aurelian M. 


II 

8 
4 


I 

I 

H 


Nov 30 63 
Feb 14 65 
Aug 30 64 


Clark, Charles 
Clark, Charles M. 
Clark, James H. 
Clifford, Isaac 
Church, Isaiah B. 
Colburn, Charles C. 
Colburn, Curtis C. 
Connor, Dorman 
Dodge, Oramel S. 
Dudley, Andrew J. 


II I 

istssF 
II I 
13 H 

7 

13 c 

do 
13 H- 
II I 

do 


Jan. 4 64 
Sept II 61 
July 15 62 
Aug 19 62 
Feb 8 65 
Aug 29 62 
Aug 29 62 
Aug 19 62 
Dec I 63 
July 15 62 


Eaton, Arthur G. 
Eaton, Chase H. 
Estes, Charles O. 
Fair, Simon C. 
Fair, Shubel B. 
Flynn, John D. 


9 
13 

2d 

II 

9 


I 
F 
H 
Bat 
I 
I 


June 26 62 
July II 63 
Aug 19 62 
Nov 12 61 
July 21 62 
May 30 62 


Foster, Edward L. 


II 


I 


Aug 2 62 


Foster, Sidney H. 


II 


I 


July 22 62 


Gardner, Horace 


13 


H 


Sept 22 62 


Goodell, Dexter S. 
Goodell, Henry M. 
Goodell, John A. 
Goodell, Lee Roy 
Goodell, William M. 


II 

d 
8 
II 

d 


I 

D 

E 

I 



July 21 62 

" 15 62 

Feb 14 65 

Dec 5 63 

8 63 


Goodno, Martin, 
Guernsey, Geo. H. 


II I 

do 


Nov 30 63 
Aug II 62 


Guernsey, Oscar W. 
Hale, William H. 
Hall, Hiram A. 


d< 
7 
9 


3 

A 
I 


" 15 64 
Feb 8 65 
June 24 62 


Hall, Hiram H. 
Hall, Robert H. 
Hammond, John F. C 


3 H 
T AC 
6 F 


June I 61 
July II 63 


Harding, John W. 
Hinkson, Lyman 
Hobart, Henry 


S E 

13 H 

do 


Feb 9 65 
Aug 19 62 
Sept 12 62 


Hovey, James O. 
Jackson, Orra W. 


II 


D 
I 


May 7 61 
Dec I 63 


Jackson, Samuel 
Jennings, Ira E. 
Judd, William 


II 

d 

2d 


I 

Bat 


Dec I 63 

4 63 

Nov 12 61 



Remarfcs. 
Pro. sergt. ; disch. for pro. in colored troops 

August 19, 64. 
Pro. Corp. Sept. 27, 64 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 62. 
Died March 4, 63. 
Died March 8, 63. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Pro. sergt. Sept. i, 64 ; died Sept. 21, 64, of 

wounds rec'd in action Sept. 19, 6*4. 
Deserted Nov. 2, 64. 
Died June 19 65. 
Tr. to Co. E. Feb. 25, 65 ; must, out June 

19, 1865. 
Deserted Oct. 22, 64. 
Discharged Jan. 10, 62. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Wagoner ; must, out July 21, 63. 
Not accounted for. 
Died Jan. 26. 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Corp. ; must, out July 21, 63. 
Discharged June 21, 65. 
Pro. to sergt. Aug. 11, 63; pro. 2d lieut. 

Sept. 2, 64 ; pro. ist lieut. Dec. 2, 64 ; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Died Nov. 9, 62. 

Drafted ; \^xo. corp. ; must, out May 13, 65. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Sergeant ; died July 23, 62. 
Pro. Corp. Dec. 26, 63 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Pro. corp. ; serg. Sept. 16, 64 ; must, out 

June 13, 65. 
Pro. reg. com. sergt. May 16, 63 ; pro. 2d 

lieut. Co. I. Dec. 28, 63 ; pro. ist lieut. 

Sept. 2, 64; must, out June 24, 65. 
istse.igt; pro. 2d lieut. July II, 63 ; ist lieut. 

Dec. 28, 63 ; hon. disch. for disability 
Nov. 22, 64. 
Sergt. ; pro. ist sergt. June 4, 63; must, out 

July 21, 63. 
Trans, to Inv. Corps, Feb. 15, 64. 
Disch. Nov. 17, 62. 
Mustered out May 23, 65. 
Discharged. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; tr. to Co. D. ; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; disch. July 21, 65. 
Pro. corp. Dec. 26, 63 ; sergt. Feb. 11, 65 ; 

must, out June 30, 65. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 

" Feb. 8. 66. 
Pro. to corp. Nov. 27, 64 ; must, out June 

13, 1S65. 
Discharged Nov. 21, 62. 

Drafted ; pro. to corp. ; tr. to Co. A. Oct. 

16, 64 ; pro. to sergt. Jan. i, 65 ; must. 

out June 26, 65. 
Died March 6, 65. • 

Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Disch. April 25, 63; re-enlist. 11 reg. Co. I. 

Aug. II, 64 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Re-enlfst. Dec. 21, 63 ; disch. May 13, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; must, out June 

29, 1865. 
Died August 8, 64. 
Died Feb. 3, 64. 
Sergt. ; reduced to ranks ; re-enlist. Jan. 2, 

64 ; pro. corp. Sept. i, 64 ; sergt. May i, 

65 ; must, out July 31, 65. 



CALAIS. 



149 



Names, Reg. Co. 

Kelton, Edgar A. 13 C 

Larock, John, 6 G 

Lawson, Truman, 11 I 

Leonard, Joseph W. do 

Lilley, Willard, do 

Lincoln, Eugene, 8 K 

Linsey, Hubbard 6 B 

Major, William 13 H 

Marshall, Chas, H. 11 I 

Marsh, Frank E. do 

Marsh, Henry O. 4 G 

Marsh, Wm, H. H. do 

Martin, James, 9 I 

Martin, John A. 11 I 

Martin, John W. do 

Martin, Silas B. do 

Martin, William E. do 

McLoud, Edward T. 1 1 

McLoud, Henry IL 4 G 



McLoud, Morrilla G. 4 G 



McKnight, Chas. M. 
Merrill, Isaac A. L. 
Mower, Albion J. 
Mower, Marcus M. 
Nelson, Geo. W. 

Newton, Henry H. 

Nourse, Calvin 
Ormsbee, Chas. E. 

Ormsbee, DeWitt C. 

Ormsbee, Geo. W. 
Peck, William V. 
Persons, Joseph Jr. 

Pierce, Alonzo E. 



Pierce, Lyman J. 
Pierce, Orion A. 
Phillips, Walter A. 

Porter, Freeman J. 
Pray, Rufus M. 
Preston, George 
Remick, George 
Robinson, Ed. E. 

Robinson, Joel E. 

Robinson, Robert PL 
Rodney, John 
Russell, Franklin W. 

Short, Gilbert L. 

Shaw, Dexter V. 
Slayton, Rufus H. 
Slayton, Theodore M. 



Enlistment. 
Aug 29 62 

Feb 22 65 
Dec I 63 
Aug 13 62 
July 15 62 

Feb 20 65 
July II 63 

Oct 3 62 
Dec 5 63 
Aug 1 1 62 
Sept 3 61 
do 

June 18 62 
Aug II 62 
Aug 13 62 
July 25 62 
Aug II 62 
Dec 3 63 
Sept 4 61 



do 



13 

(I 


H 

I 


Aug 19 62 
Julv 30 62 


9 
II 
6 


1 
I 
E 


June 30 62 
July 31 62 
July II 63 


II 


I 


Nov 30 63 


13 

2 


H 


Aug 29 62 
June 17 61 


II 


I 


Dec 3 63 


6 


H 


Aug 14 6r 


13 
II 


H 

I 


Sept 23 62 
Dec 5 63 



3 .K July II 61 



8 
3 
13 


E 
K 
H 


Feb 14 65 
July 10 61 
Aug 19 62 


9 

8 

[ ss 


I 

K 
K 
A 
F 


June 4 62 
Julv 23 61 
Feb II 65 
Sept 27 61 
Sept II 61 


[3 


C 


Aug 29 62 


7 
6 

ti 


A 
F 
H 


Feb 8 65 
Sept 28 61 
Dec I 63 


[I 


I 


Dec 2 63 


4 

:d : 

>3 


H 

Bat 
H 


Feb 14 65 
Aug 27 64 
Aug 19 62 



Remarks. 
Corp. ; pro. sergt. Feb. 28, 63 ; must, ou 

July 21, 63. 
Mustered out June 26, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; disch. July i, 65. 
1st lieut. ; resigned Nov. 25, 62. 
Pro. Corp. Nov. 14, 62 ; disch. June 15, 65 ; 

wounded, and lost an arm ; full pension. 
Mustered out June 28, 65. 
Drafted ; tr. to Co. H. Oct. 16, 64 ; must. 

out June 26, 65. 
Must, out July 21, 63. 
Must, out May 23, 65. 

Pro. Cor. Feb n, 65 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Died June 6, 64, of wounds rec'd in action. 
Pro. Cor.; re-enlisted Dec 15, 63; died July 

2, 64, of wounds received in action. 
Pro. Cor. July 15, 64; must, out June 13, 65. 
Must, out June 24, 61;. 

Pro. to Cor. Dec 26, 63.; must, out June 24, 65. 
Must, out June 24, 65. 

do do 

Died Jan. 13, 64. 
Dis. Feb. 18,63; re-en. 11 Reg. Co. L Dec. 

2, 63; tr. Co. A. June 24, 65 ; tr. Co. D.; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Re-en- Dec. 63 ; pro. Cor. Oct. 5, 64 to Sergt. 

Dec. 3, 64 ; tr. to Co. F. Feb 25, 65 ; must. 

out July 13, 65. 
Sergt ; died May 24, 63. 
Must, out June 24, 65. 
Capt.; re'-igned July 8, 63. 
Died July 29, 63. 
Drafted; tr. to Co. K. Oct. 16,64; iriust. 

out May 13, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65 ; tr. to Vet. Res. 

Corps, Nov. 25, 64. 
Must, out July, 21, 63. 
Re-en. Dec. 21, 63 ; pro. Cor.; must, out 

July 15, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65; tr. to Co. D.; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; must, out June 26, 65. 
Capt.; resigned Jan. 25, 63. 
Tr. to Co. A June 24, 65 ; tr. to Co. D.; pro. 

Cor. June 27, 65 ; must, out Aug. 25. 65. 
2d Lt.; pro. ist Lt. Co. A. Sept. 22,62 ; pro. 

Capt. Co. K. May 8, 63 ; hon. dis. Dec. 

14, 63, for disability. 
Must, out July 7, 65. 
Cor. Dis. Nov. 18, 62. 
1st Sergt.; Pro. 2d Lt. June 4, 63; must, out 

July 21, 63. 
Cor.; died Nov. 19, 62. 

Pro. Sergt.; re-en. Dec. 31, 63; dis. May 27, 65. 
Must, out June 28, 65. 
Re-en. Jan. 5, 64 ; dis. Feb. 21, 65. 
Pro. Reg. Qr. M. Sergt. Jan. 18, 62 ; dis. 

Sept. 12, 64. 
Must, out July 21, 63; died July 28, 63 of 

disease contracted in army. 
Died Jan. 14, 66. 
Dis. June 24, 62. 
Tr. to Co. B. June 24, 65; tr. to Co. D.; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Tr. to Co. A. June 24, 65; tr. to Co. D,; 

must, out Aug. 25, 65. 
Must, out July 13, 65. 
Died July 31, 65. 
Must, out July 21, 6j. 



I50 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 


Reg. 


Co. 


Enlistment. 


Slayton, Thos. J. 2d. 


d 





do 


Smith, Amasa T. 


3 


K 


July II 61 


Smith, Coridon D. 


2d 


Bat 


Dec 13 61 


Soper, George 


2 


D 


May 7 61 


Stockwell, Albert S. 


13 


C 


Aug 29 62 


Stone, Judson A. 


13 


H ' 


Aug 19 62 


Stone, Benjamin H. 


4 


G 


Aug 26 61 


Stowe, Lewis A. 




K 


Feb 20 62 


Stowe, William, 


2 


F 


May 7 61 


Sumner, Alonzo L. 


7 


H 


Feb 8 62 



Tewksbury, Chas. C. i ss F Sept 1 1 61 



Tice, Fletcher F. 
Tichout, Alva M. 
Walling, Ransom 

Webber, Silas 

Webber, Timothy C. 
Wells, William R. 

Wheeler, Martin E. 
Wheeler, Zimri B. 

Wheelock, Jacob E. 
Wheelock, Russell 
White, Chas. R. 
White, William O. 

Whiting, Amos A. 

Whitten, Curtis B. 
Witham, Aaron 



II I 

do 
6 B 


July 15 62 
Aug 10 64 
July 1 1 63 


4 G 


Aug 29 61 


13 H 
II I 


Sept 17 62 
Aug I 62 


do 
do 


July 24 62 
do 



istCav C Sept 10 61 

13 H Aug 19 62 

do do 

13 H do 

13 C Aug 29 62 

II I Aug 30 64 

9 I May 28 63 



There were 15 re-enlistments credited to 
the town, as follows : Marcus Ainsworth, 
Henry Hobart, William Judd, William H. 
H. Marsh, H. H. McLoud, Alonzo L. 
Sumner, C. C. Tewksbury, twice, Silas 
Webber, Amos Whiting, Wm. O. White, 
not credited by name, 4. 

Thirty men were drafted July 11, 1863 ; 
Of these 6 entered the service, and their 
names appear in the above record, and are 
as follows: Geo. Bigelow, Chase H. 
Eaton, John F. C. Hammond, Hubbard 
Linsey, Geo. W. Nelson and Ransom 
Walling. 

Twenty-four paid commutation, as fol- 
lows : Eri Batchelder, Ira D. Cochran, 
Chandler Coller, Lemuel P. Goodgll, Clark 
M. Gray, Geo. H. Gray, Geo. E. Hall, 
Edwin D. Haskell, John Q. Haskell, W. 
V. Herrick, James M. Jacobs, Ira Jen- 
nings, Marcus C. Kenneston, Allen Morse, 
Azro Nelson, Geo. S. Newton, William 
V. Peck, Orion Pierce, William C. Robin- 



Remarks. 
Sergt.; died Apr. 7, 63. 
1st Lt.; pro. to Capt. Jan. 15, Gt,; resigned 

Feb. 13, 63. 
1st Lt.; dism. July 30, 62. 
Died Dec. 7, 61. 
Must, out July 21, 63. 

do do 

Died Feb. 5, 62. 
Dis. Oct. 2, 62. 

Pro. to Cor.; killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. 
Re-en. Feb. 20, 64 ; pro. to Cor. Oct. i, 64 ; 

must, out Mar. 14, 66. 
Dis. Oct. 4, 61 ; re-en. 13 Reg. Co. C. Aug. 

29,62; pro. to Cor. Jan. 12,63; must. 

out July 21, 63 ; re-en. 1 1 Reg. Co. I, Aug. 

30, 64 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Must, out June 24, 65. 

do do 

Drafted ; tr. to H. Oct. 16, 64 ; must, out 

June 26, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; killed at bat. Wilderness 

May 5, 64. 
Must, out July 21, 63. 
Pro. to Artificer Dec. 26, 63 ; must, out June 

24, 65. 
Must, out May 13, 65. 
Cor. Pro. Sergt. Mar, 4, 64 ; must, out June 

24, 65. 
Dis. Oct. 29, 62. 
Dis. Apr. 18, 63. 
Sergt.; dis. Feb. 3, 63. 
Cor.; dis. July 21, 63 ; re-en. 8 Reg. Co. E. 

Feb. 14, 65; must, out June 28, 65. 
Dis. July 21, 63; re-en. 11 Reg. Co. I. Aug, 

15, 64 ; must, out June 24, 65. 
Must, out June 24, 65. 
Must, out June 13, 65. 

son, Lewis W. Voodrey, Henry P. Whee- 
lock, Jacob E. Wheelock, Benjamin P. 
White and Lewis L. Wood. 

SUMMARY. 

Enlisted for three years, 96 ; enlisted for 
one year, 23 ; enlisted for nine months, 27 ; 
drafted and entered service, 6 ; drafted and 
paid commutation, 24; total, 176. Entire 
quota of the town, 173; furnished in ex- 
cess of quota, 3. 

Partial list of natives of Calais who en- 
listed elsewhere : Horace Bancroft, Calvin 
Bliss, Solomon Dodge, Gardner Fay, Wil- 
lard Fay, Geo. W. Foster, Jr., James 
Hargin, Charles C. McKnight, Lorenzo 
Stowe, Marcus F. Tucker, Wm. Arlo 
Tucker, Calvin White ; in Confederate 
service, Jas. M. Bliss, Melvin Dwinell. 

SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN THE WAR. 

Freeman Porter, Amasa Smith, George 
Lowell, Charles Fisher, A. G. Eaton, 
Lyman Pierce, Lester Clifford, Austin 



CALAIS. 



ISI 



Bennett, are buried in East Calais cem- 
etery ; T. J. Slayton, in Short cemetery; 
Rufus Slayton in South cemetery ; Lorenzo 
Stowe, Lewis Stowe, in Center cemetery ; 
Joel Robinson, Marcus M. Mower, Ira Jen- 
nings, Clark C. Colburn, in Robinson 
cemetery. 

BIOGRAPHICAL PAPERS. 

FROM MAUCUS D. (JILMAN, LIHUAKIAN OF VT. 
HISTOlllCAL SOCIKTY. 

John Melvin Gilman, son of Dr. John 
Gilman, and only brother of Marcus D. 
Gilman, was born at Calais, Sept. 7, 1824. 
He resided on the farm of his step-father, 
Hon. Nathaniel Eaton, in Calais, until 
about 17 years of age. He was educated 
at the common schools of the town and at 
the Washington County Grammar School 
at Montpelier. He read law in the office 
of Heaton & Reed, at Montpelier, and 
commenced practice at New Lisbon, Ohio, 
where he remained until 1857, when he 
moved to St. Paul, Minn., where he has 
become one of the most prominent mem- 
bers of the legal profession in the state. 

While residing in Ohio, Mr. Gilman was 
electeil to the State Senate from Colum- 
biana County in 1849-50. He has been 
four times elected to the Legislature of 
Minnesota from St. Paul, "and has ren- 
dered the state valuable service in that ca- 
pacity." He has also been the democratic 
candidate for Congress and other offices in 
St. Paul ; but his party being in the minor- 
ity, he was not elected. Mi;. Gilman be- 
ing a good speaker, his services are always 
in demand as a campaign orator, and he 
generously devotes much time to the in- 
terests of the democratic party. 

Mr. Gilman married Anna G. Cornwell, 
atNew Lisbon, Ohio, June 25, 1857; they 
have had children : John Cornwell, born 
Jan. 23, 1859 ; Marcus Cornwell, born Oct. 
18, i860; Hays Cornwell, born July 29, 
1862 ; died Aug. 12, 1863 ; Jessie Corn- 
well, born Nov. 14, 1864; Kittie Cornwell, 
born Jan. 7, 1868; all born at St. Paul. 
The two last-named only are now living. 
The two boys, John C. and Marcus C, 
were accidentally drowned by the upsetting 
of their boat in a storm, on a bayo of the 



Mississippi river near St. Paul, while out 
duck-shooting, Apr. 28, 1877. 

ISRAEL EDSON DWINELL, 

of East Calais, [See Dwinell family in East 
Calais papers] , in boyhood was the school- 
mate and most intimate friend of the 
writer. He resided on his father's farm 
until about 18 years of age and was ed- 
ucated at the common schools and at the 
University of Vermont, where he was grad- 
uated in 1843 ; read theology, and was 
graduated at the Union Theological Sem- 
inary, New York City, in 1848 ; ordained 
colleague pastor with Rev. Brown Em- 
erson, D. D., over the Third Congrega- 
tional church, Salem, Mass., Nov. 22, 
1849; remained until his removal to Sac- 
ramento, California, in July, 1863, where 
he became pastor of the First (Congrega- 
tional) Church of Christ, and where he 
still remains, (January, 1881.) 

Many sermons and articles by Dr. Dwin- 
ell have been published, mostly upon the- 
ological matters. We give a list of his 
principal published writings : " Claims of 
Religion on the State," in New Englander , 
Nov. 1854; "Self-Development, not Ag- 
gression, the true Policy of our Nation," 
New Englander, Nov. 1855 ; " Advance in 
the Type of Revealed Religion," Bibliotheca 
Sacra, April, 1857 ; "Spiritualism tested by 
Christianity," New Englander, Nov. 1857 ; 
" Baptism a Consecrating Rite," Biblio- 
theca Sacra, January, 1858; "Union of 
the Divine and the Human in the Exter- 
nals of Christianity," Bibliotheca Sacra, 
July, 1859; "Adaptation of Christianity 
to Home Missions," Congregational Quar- 
terly, October, 1859; "Hope for our 
Country," a sermon at Salem, Oct. 19, 
1862, pp. 19; "Historical Sketch of the 
Pacific Theological Association," 1867, pp. 
28 ; " Relation of the Acceptance of Super- 
natural Ideas to Institutions of Learning," 
being an oration before the Associate 
Alumni of California, Oakland, 1868, pub- 
lished in tne minutes; "The Higher 
Reaches of the Great Continental Railway : 
A Highway for our God," a sermon at Sac- 
ramento, May 9, 1869, pp. 13; "New Era 
of the Spirit," Congregational Review, 



152 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



March, 1870; "Service of the Suffering," 
a sermon at Sacramento, April 23, 1871, 
pp. 13; " Religion, According to Carlyle," 
Congregational Review, Sept. 1871 ; "Prot- 
estantism — Is it a Failure," Christian 
Wor/d, January, 1869; "Memorial Ser- 
mon " at Sacramento, June 29, 1873 ; " Fel- 
lowship of the Churches," a sermon at 
the National Council of Congregational 
Churches at New Haven, in October, 1874, 
published in the Minutes. 

Besides the above, many sermons and 
addresses published in the newspapers ; 
the popular way of publishing discourses 
of late. Dr. Dwinell received the hon- 
orary degree of Doctor of Divinity from 
the University of Vermont in 1864. 

REV. C. L. GOODELL 

was born in Calais, Mar. 16, 1830. He 
was brought up on a farm, attended the 
common schools, and fitted for college at 
Morrisville and Bakersfield academies ; 
graduated at the University of Vermont in 
1855 ; at Andover Theo. Sem. 1858 ; was 
also a short time at Union Theo. Sem. 
New York City ; was settled as pastor over 
the Congregational church at New Britain, 
Conn., 14 years ; then moved to St. Louis, 
Mo., where he still remains as pastor of a 
church. He married Emily Fairbanks, 
daughter of ex-Governor Erastus Fair- 
banks, of St. Johnsbury, in 1859 ; they have 
two children, 

Mr. Goodell has been abroad three 
times, visiting Egypt, Palestine and the 
East, in 1867. His publications are : "An 
Oration on the Fourth of July, 1849, at 
Calais, published by request of the cit- 
izens " ; "A Thanksgiving Sermon on our 
National Affairs," 1863, which was widely 
circulated; " Sketch of the Life of Gov. 
Erastus Fairbanks," in the Congregational 
Quarterly, January, 1865 ; " Life of Rev. 
John Smalley, D. D., of Connecticut," 
1873; "Life of Mrs. Henry C. Stephens, 
of New York City," published in a vol- 
ume in 1869; in addition, Mr. Goodell 
writes us, he has had of late years some 
200 sermons and public addresses pub- 
lished in the daily press and in pamphlet 
form. 



COL. CALEB CURTIS, 

one of the early settlers of Calais, was a 
son of the first minister of Charlton, Mass., 
Rev. Caleb Curtis, and his wife. Charity 
(Combs) Curtis ; Col. Curtis was born in 
Charlton, Mar. 12, 1770; he married first, 
Polly, daughter of Levi Davis, of Charlton, 
who was a brother of Col. Jacob Davis, 
one of the principal proprietors of the town- 
ships of Calais and Montpelier, and the 
first settler of the latter town. 

Col. Curtis and wife moved to Calais 
before 1795, and settled at the head of 
Curtis pond, so named for him, where he 
continued to reside until his death, Jan. 4, 
1836. 

He opened an excellent farm, Vvhich he 
industriously cultivated, and was one of 
the most prominent citizens, having been 
chosen to most of the civil and military 
offices of the town and vicinity. He was 
thrice married, and brought up and ed- 
ucated a large and fine family. By his 
first wife, who died Jan. 4, 1801, aged 25 
years, he had : 

1st, Pliny, born in Calais, Nov. 14, 1795, 
who became a prominent citizen in town, 
and subsequently moved to Columbus, 
Ohio, where he died in Feb. 1853. 

2d, Ruth, born in Calais, Jan. 11, 1799, 
and died in Middlesex, Vt., July 30, 1865 ; 
she married first, John Oilman, M. D., 
May 20, 1 8 19, and they had two sons, 
Marcus Davis, the writer of this, and John 
Melvin. Dr, Oilman died at Calais, Feb. 
10, 1825, and his widow married Nathaniel 
Eaton, of Calais, and they had one son, 
Caleb Curtis, born at Calais, May 6, 1830 ; 
[For whom see Eaton Family paper.] 

Col. Curtis married, 2d, Miss Anna, 
daughter of Samuel Robinson, who settled 
in Calais from Charlton ; she died April 
27, 18 14, aged y] \ from this marriage 
there was, ist, Polly, born July 6, 1804; 
she married Ira Kent, of Kent's Corner, 
Calais, where she resided until her death, 
Jan. 24, 1881 ; 2d, Stillman H., born Dec. 
20, 1808, read law, and settled at Plainfield, 
and died unmarried, at Calais, in March, 
1844; 3d, Amanda M., born July 9, 1810, 
married Lebeus H. Chase, a merchant of 



CALAIS. 



iS3 



Plainfield, where she died March 23, 1837, 
no children; 4th, Minerva, born April 18, 
18 13, married Ezekiel Kent, brother of 
Ira; she died in 1871, leaving a daughter 
Alice, who married Col. J. O. Livingston, 
a lawyer of Montpelier, where they now 
reside. 

Col. Curtis married for his third wife, a 
widow Daggett, by whom he had, ist, 
Dauphna, born Aug. 13, 18 16, who mar- 
ried Rev. L. H. Tabor, a Universalist 
minister; she died at East Burke, Vt., 
Jan. II, 1880; they had three children. 

2d, Laura A., born Aug. 28, 18 19, mar- 
ried J. V. R. Kent, brother to Ira; she 
died at Calais, Aug. 31, 1851 ; 3d, Fanny 
H., born July 24, 1822, and married Abdiel 
Kent, another brother of Ira ; she died 
Dec. 24, 1854, leaving two sons and two 
daughters, the eldest daughter, Ella F., 
married Arthur B. Bacon, and they reside 
in Spencer, Mass., and have two children, 
Frederick and Laura. 

Murray A., married Ruth, daughter of 
Sidney Bennett and wife, Ruth (Eaton) ; 
they have a son, Dorman, and reside at 
Kent's Corner. Van R., married Le- 
lia, daughter of Capt. Foster of Calais, 
and reside in Spencer, Mass. Laura Ann, 
a young lady, finely educated, is precep- 
tress of the High and Graded School in 
Spencer, Mass. 

The children of Col. Caleb Curtis were 
nine, two sons and seven daughters ; and 
his third wife, widow Daggett, added to 
the family three daughters Lucy, Catharine 
and Mary, by her first husband, and the 
twelve lived together in affection, love and 
harmony. 

Pliny, eldest son of Col. Curtis, mar- 
ried Relief, daughter of Darius Boyden, 
one of the early settlers of East Montpel- 
ier, (who also came from Charlton) ; they 
were married at East Montpelier, Dec. 17, 
1 8 18, and settled on a farm where Sidney 
Bennett now lives, about a mile south of 
the Curtis homestead. They raised a 
beautiful family of eight children, all born 
in Calais ; about 1840, the family moved 
to a farm near Columbus, Ohio ; his wife 
Relief died at Peoria, 111., Aug. 13, 1862, 
aged 65. Their children were : 



1st, Nathaniel Bancroft, born Sept. 11, 
1819; married Jane Warren, of Warren- 
ville, Dupage County, 111., in 1853, and 
they have two daughters. Nathaniel went 
to Columbus, Ohio, early in life, and was 
very prosperous in mercantile and banking 
business there and at Peoria, 111., whither 
he removed in 185 1 ; and it should be re- 
corded that from 1840 until his death in 
1872, he contributed largely to the support 
of his father''s family, and especially to the 
thorough education of the younger mem- 
bers. From an obituary notice of Mr. 
Nathaniel B. Curtis, from a Peoria paper : 

Mr. Curtis came to Peoria in 185 1 or '52, 
from Ohio, and established here the first 
banking house in the city. The firm was 
known as N. B. Curtis & Co. ; the bank 
prospered under Mr. Curtis's able manage- 
ment, and upon the opening of the First 
National bank he was made cashier, and 
was a director up to within about 10 months 
of his death, when his brain became im- 
paired from the constant strain upon it and 
it was found necessary to send him to 
Hartford, Conn., where he died. Mr. 
Curtis, both as a business man and a pri- 
vate gentleman, was much loved by all 
who knew him. 

His widow died at Warrenville, Aug. 26, 
1879; 01^6 of the daughters is married, 
and the other resides with her mother. 

2d, Darius Boyden, born Sept. 17, 1821 ; 
died at Calais, November 7, 1844; never 
married. 

3d, Caroline Amanda, born Sept. 23, 
1823 ; married Jonas K. Hall, of Calais, in 
1846, and died May 12, 1848 ; no children. 

4th, Pliny, Jr., born March 29, 1826; 
was in business with his brother Nathaniel 
at Peoria, and married Miss Cornelia Bald- 
win of that place ; she died about 1873 or 
'74, leaving four children ; Mr. Curtis 
died at St. Louis, in 1880. 

5th, Maria, married Dr. E. S. Deming 
of Calais, in 1846 ; he died leaving 2 sons, 
Sumner, and Henry Halford, grown up to 
manhood ; residing with their mother in 
Kansas. 

6th, Lucinda, married Mr. Sanger, a 
prominent lawyer of Peoria ; died very- 
soon without children. Mr. Sanger mar- 
ried her sister, (7th) Mary ; he died soon 
after, leaving a handsome estate, and Mary 



154 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



married, 2d, a Mr. Brayton, of Peoria, and 
3d, a Mr. Wilson of the same place ; she 
died in 1876, leaving two sons, Ezra San- 
ger, by her first husband, and Curtis Bray- 
ton by her second ; the sons reside in 
Peoria. 

8th, Levon, died at 17. 

Polly Curtis, b. 1804, md. Ira Kent. 
(See Kent family paper.) 

Colonel Curtis was one of the most 
active and influential men of his time in 
the west part of the town ; educational fa- 
cilities were early and liberally provided, 
and largely through his influence a spa- 
cious and handsome church edifice was 
erected south of Kent's Corner, which is 
an ornament to the town at this day ; this 
was erected as a Union meeting-house, 
but the Universalist element largely pre- 
dominated in that part of the town at the 
time of its erection, and it is now entirely 
owned and controlled by this denomina- 
tion. The descendants of Col. Curtis, 
through the most remote branches, are of 
this faith, and so indeed are the descend- 
ants of the principal early settlers of that 
part of the town ; and no town ever did or 
does contain a more intelligent, moral, in- 
dependent, liberal community than is pre- 
sented in the inhabitants of West Calais, 
from the first settlement to the present 
time. 

CHARLES CLARK, M. D., 

was born in Montpelier, Jan. 31, 1800; 
son of Nathaniel and Lucy Perry Clark ; his 
father, Nathaniel Clark, died in 1810. 
When Charles was 7 years old, his left leg 
was amputated by Dr. Nathan Smith, of 
Hanover, N. H. When 21 years of age, 
he commenced the practice of medicine 
with Dr. N. C. King, in North Mont- 
pelier. In 1823, he moved to Calais, and 
was the same year married to Clarissa 
Boyden, daughter of Darius Boyden, of 
Montpelier. He remained in Calais 14 
years, and four of his children were born 
here. In 1837, he removed to Montpelier, 
purchasing the Boyden homestead of his 
wife's father, where he remained 12 years, 
and in 1849, removed to Montpelier vil- 
lage, for the better education of his chil- 



dren. 6 in all ; 2 born in Montjjelier. He 
died June 21, 1874, aged 74 years. 

FACE OF TOWNSHIP ; NAME. 

This town is peculiarly situated in some 
respects, it being naturally divided by two 
valleys, with high hills at their sides, ex- 
tending northerly and southerly ; in these 
valleys are the two principal streams of 
the town, and they join in the south-easterly 
part of the same, forming a principal 
branch of Winooski river. The east and 
west parts of the town are thus isolated and 
independent in a measure of each other. 
Notwithstanding the hilly and uneven char- 
acter of the town, there is less of what is 
denominated waste land, than in any town- 
ship within our knowledge. 

WHENCE THE NAME. 

Col. Jacob Davis, a proprietor in the 
grants of Montpelier and Calais, selected 
the name of Montpelier for that township, 
as uncommon and not likely to be dupli- 
cated ; and what more probable than, hav- 
ing selected a name from the south of 
France for the more southerly township in 
which he was interested, than that he 
should have selected a name from the 
north of France, Calais, for the northerly 
township. This we think is a solution of 
the question, how did Calais get its name? 
[See remarks of Mr. Tobey to same eff"ect; 
—Ed.] 

The early settlers of Calais, as well as of 
Vermont generally, had in view among 
other objects a more perfect liberty, free- 
dom and independence, and to escape from 
the injustice of a taxation for the support 
of religions in which they did not believe, 
and other Puritan oppressions that pre- 
vailed in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
from whence Vermont was mainly settled. 

CALALS ITEMS. 

We find the following in the Freevteii's 
Press, the first democratic newspaper es- 
tablished in Montpelier : 

Notice Is hereby given that a petition 
will be preferred to the next legislature of 
Vermont at their next session in Mont- 
pelier, for a grant for a turnpike from the 
river LaMoile, in Hardwick, to Montpelier 
Village, through Woodbury, Calais and 
Montpelier. Caleb Curtis. 

Calais, Aug. 15, 1810. 



CALAIS. 



155 



A singular explosion occurred in the 
northerly part of Calais in the spring of 
1826; near the base of a side hill, a large 
quantity of earth and rock was thrown out, 
leaving a cavity 12 feet in depth, 6 rods in 
length and 40 feet wide. Large trees were 
growing on the spot, which were removed 
with such force as to cause them to fall 
with their tops up the hill, although while 
standing, they leaned down the hill nearly 
30 degrees from a perpendicular. 

The ground was frozen to the depth of 
nearly 2 feet ; large stones, weighing from 
300 to 400 pounds, were thrown 30 rods, 
and one, weighing nearly half a ton, as 
judged, was thrown 8 rods ; the noise of 
tlie explosion was heard at a considerable 
distance. No cause was ever assigned, 
except that of the accumulation of water in 
the fissures of the rocks under the frozen 
surface ; but this seems hardly probable. 

THE OILMAN FAMILY OF CALAIS. 

rUOM THE MEMOKANDUM OF MAUCUS D. GILMAX, 
OF MONTPELIEU. 

Jonathan Oilman was born at Gilman- 
ton. May 31, 1763; lived at Gilmanton, 
N. H., until about 1794-5 ; in 1796, lived 
at Vershire, Vt., where he continued until 
about 1817, when he went to live with his 
son, John, at East Calais, which was his 
home until his death, which occurred at 
Newburyport, Mass., Dec. 5, 1824, while 
he was on a visit to his sons, Daniel and 
Jonathan, at that place, and he was buried 
there. He married Susannah Dudley, 
(probably at Gilmanton) Nov. 9, 1783. 
She was born at Exeter, N. H., 1762, and 
died at East Calais, Dec. 20, 1817; and 
was buried on the East Hill in Calais, near 
the Aaron Lilley place. 

Brothers and Sisters of Jonathan 
Oilman: — Phineas lived in N. H.; Zeb- 
ulon in Chelsea, Vt. ; Joseph lived and 
died in Calais — his son, Lewis, settled in 
Hardwick ; Edward, John and Nicholas 
lived in Strafford ; Levi and Abigail, sister, 
lived in N. H. 

The father of the above is said to have 
kept tavern a long while in Gilmanton. 

Children of Jonathan Oilman and wife, 
Susanna Dudley: Jacob, b. Feb. 24, 



1785, and had children, 9 girls, 2 boys, 
settled in Rochester, N. Y. 

Thomas, b. Aug. 19, 1786, m. and had 
3 daughters and one son, Leonard, a den- 
tist at St. Albans; one dau. md. and. died 
in Underhill. 

Daniel, b. Oct. 13, 1787, d. in Ohio ; 
had sons and daughters. 

John Taylor, father of Marcus D., b. at 
Gilmanton, N. H., July 24, 1791. 

Susan, b. June 25, 1792, m. Dr. Spear, 
of Vershire ; both died there ; had one dau., 
also deceased. 

Betsy, b. Mar. 6, 1794, m. Shadrach 
Weymouth, of Vershire, and died there 
before 1820; left one dau. and one son; 
the dau. Roxy Ann, m. Lyman Cole, an 
artist, and settled in Newburyport, Mass. 
The son, Warren, became a Methodist 
minister, and settled at West Amesbury, 
Mass. 

Sarah, b.* at Vershire, Jan. 1776, m. 
Jedediah Hyde in 18 12, and settled on 
Grand Isle ; had 7 sons and 4 daughters, 
who mostly settled on Grand Isle and Isle 
LaMotte. She died at O. I., Feb. 4, 1863. 

Roxy Ann, b. at Vershire, Oct. 16, 1798, 
m. Nathan Bicknell, Oct. 1825, and re- 
sides at Underhill, Vt. ; had children: 
Anne Eliza, m. to Lucius Mead, lives in 
Essex, Vt. ; Edna and Sidney, twins ; 
Edna not m. ; Sidney, m., clerk in a 
clothing store at Chicago ; Roxy Anne 
died at Burlington, Aug. 29, 1877, at the 
residence of her dau. A. E. Mead. 

Abigail, b. at Vershire, Nov. 22, 1800, 
m. 1st, Sewell Spaulding, and settled in 
Jericho ; 2d, M. Woodworth, and is still 
living in Underhill ; no children. 

Dudley, b. at Vershire, 1802, went to 
sea; died early in Cuba, W. 1. ; not mar- 
ried. 

Jonathan, b. at Vershire, 1806; learned 
the printer's trade at Montpelier; m. and 
.settled in Lowell, Mass., and died there or 
at Newburyport ; 3 children. 

JOHN TAYLOR OILMAN, 

born at Gilmanton, N. H., July 24, 1791, 
studied medicine at Dartmouth Medical 
College in 18 14, and commenced practice 
in 181 5 at East Calais. He married Ruth, 



156 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



daughter of Col. Caleb Curtis, May, 1819; 
children: Marcus Davis, John Melvin, 
[See Col. Curtis' paper, by Mr. Gilm&li, 
before these papers.] Dr. Gilman died 
at East Calais, Feb. 10, 1825. His widow 
man-ied Nath. Eaton, and died at Middle- 
sex, 1865, and was buried in Montpelier 
cemetery. Dr. John Gilman was the pi- 
oneer physician of East Calais, and had a 
large field of practice quite to himself until 
Dr. Chas. Clark, father to the ex-Prof. N. 
G. Clark, of the Vermont University, 
moved into town, who, in order to secure 
his share of practice, "reduced fare," or 
put down the price for his professional calls 
to 25 cents a visit. Dr. G., the estab- 
lished physician, growled a little, but not 
the man to be beaten in that way, down 
went his charges to 25 cents a visit. 
Many are the charges we find on his old 
book, all at 25 cents a visit ; occasionally 
made up to 35 cents for a little medicine 
sold at the time. He maintained his 
ground — succeeded — at his death left a 
handsome property for the day. He died* 
of what was then called lung fever ; at the 
present day, pneumonia. He had an at- 
tack, had but partially recovered, could 
not be deterred from visiting patients call- 
• ing for him, brought on a relapse, and died 
in a few days after. He was simply a 
martyr to his profession ; age, 34 years. 

In looking over a package of old family 
letters, journals, etc., we find Jonathan 
Gilman was found dead in his bed ; died 
suddenly of apoplexy. He was father of 
Dr. John, and grandfather to Marcus D., 
our historical librarian. Dr. John Gilman — 
as he wrote his name, dropping the T. — 
kept a note-book while at Dartmouth Med- 
ical College, in which is given the synopsis 
of every lecture he heard and the name of 
the professor who delivered it. From a 
sheet catalogue of the Medical College for 
1814, we give for benefit of our towns who 
may not have in their papers the record of 
all their early physicians, the Vermont 
names therein : 

Barret, Thomas T., Springfield, Vt. ; 
Bates, Roswell, Randolph ; Brown, Leon- 
ard, Peacham ; Campbell, John, Putney ; 
*Chamberlin, Mellen, Peacham; Elkins, 



Ephraim, Peacham ; *Finny, Alfrid, Lud- 
low ; Fletcher, John, Williamstown ; Gil- 
let, Bezaleel. Hartford ; Goodwin, Jacob, 
Bradford; Hatch, Horace, Norwich; Haz- 
eltine, Laban, Wardsborough ; Jennison, 
Charles, Hartland ; * Leavett, Harvey, 
Hartford ; Martin, Lyman, Peacham ; *New- 
ton, Enos W., Hartford ; Paddock, Wil- 
liam, Barre ; Paddock, Wm. S., Pomfret; 
Page, Alfrid, Barnard ; *Richardson, John 
P., Woodstock; Rogers, Asher A., Thet- 
ford ; Stevens, John, Newbury ; Tewks- 
bury, Hartland ; Tracey, James 2d, Hart- 
ford ; Wait, James, Brandon ; Washburn, 
Hercules, Randolph ; Wheeler, John, West 
Fairlee. 

Whole number of students, 105 ; Ver- 
mont representation in Dartmouth Medical 
College, 1814, as above, 27. 

MARCUS DAVIS GILMAN 

was born at Calais, Jan. 28, 1820. He had 
the misfortune tolosehis father — Dr. John 
Gilman — at 5 years of age. He lived with 
his mother and step-father, Mr. Eaton, on 
a farm in Calais until 15 years of age, 
when he went into Baldwin & Scott's store 
at Montpelier, as clerk, until 21 years of 
age ; then was in business as merchant at 
Northfield, as White, Gilman ^ Co., 2 
years ; then in same business at Montpel- 
ier 2 years, as Ellis, Wilder &-= Co. 

Mr. Gilman married Maria Malleville 
daughter of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, of 
Montpelier, May 10, 1843, and in 1845, 
moved to Chicago, 111., where he resided 
for 23 years, or until 1868 as a merchant; 
children : John Baldwin, born at Chicago, 
July 5, 1847, deceased; Emily Eliza, born 
at Chicago, June 10, 1849, married. 

Sarah Alice, born at Chicago, March 21, 
1851, died at Chicago, March 19, 1853; 
Marcus Edward, born at Chicago, June 26, 
1853, died at Chicago, Nov. 9, 1863. 

The next data in given memorandum : 
"At this time, March, 1870, we are re- 
siding (temporarily it may be) at River- 
side, Auburndale, Mass. Removed to 
Montpelier, Oct. 1871." He now resides 
at Montpelier, where he has been librarian 
of the State Historical Society since 1874, 



* Members of college. 



CALAIS. 



157 



and is corresponding member of six or 
seven State Historical Societies, &c. Mr. 
Oilman has said to us that he graduated at 
the Washington County Grammar School 
at the age of 15 years, and went out into 
the world for himself. In business he ap- 
pears to have been remarkably successful, 
and to have sensibly retired, that he may 
devote himself to his historical tastes. He 
has a very large correspondence ; his his- 
torical offices are a laborious business ; no 
nominal appointments, only, mere compli- 
ments, in his hands, as we may judge from 
the weekly file of letters and communica- 
tions on his table. He is just the one man 
in the State best situated to make a biblio- 
theca for Vermont, and he is doing it, 
several chapters qf which have been al- 
ready published, though by no means the 
most or the best part of it, as we are very 
well prepared to say, having carefully 
looked through the Mss. so far as finished 
up, and the vast amount of material to be 
worked up, and we shall with much interest 
await the appearance of the work when it 
may be published. 

JOHN BALDWIN OILMAN, M. D., 

son of Marcus D., died at his fathers, in 
Montpelier, May 18, 1873, iii his 26th 
year. Naturally cheerful, born to a home 
afiluent with pleasant things, fond of books 
in his early years, his childhood was a 
happy one. At 12, he was entered the 
Rev. Mr. Fay's excellent school for boys, 
at St. Albans, and fitted for college ; was 
next at Lombard University, 111., 3 years ; 
at 17 years, entered Harvard for a full 
course ; graduated in 1868; studied med- 
icine, the German, French and Italian lan- 
guages in Germany 2 years; Feb. 1870, 
returned to Boston, and continued his 
studies at the Boston Medical College. 
The summer following, the Franco-Prus- 
sian war breaking out, the opportunity for 
surgical experience in the military hospi- 
tals was irresistible, and he hastened to 
recross the ocean. On arriving, he was 
appointed by the German authorities to 
the post of assistant surgeon in the Prus- 
sian service, which position he held to the 
end of the war, when, retiring from tlie 



service, he was complimented by the Em- 
peror William with the Decoration of the 
^ron Cross, the first instance, so far as 
known, that an American surgeon has re- 
ceived the honor. Returning to Boston, 
he completed his studies there, and in the 
fall of 1871, commenced the practice of 
his profession in Topeka, Kansas, where 
he rapidly acquired an extensive practice. 
Late in the fall of 1872, small pox ap- 
peared in Topeka. From his experience 
in the military hospitals of Prussia, he felt 
himself especially fitted to deal with it, 
and entered upon the work with great in- 
terest. His treatment was the German 
mode, and attended with remarkable suc- 
cess, and his services were in almost con- 
stant requisition. He acted not only as 
physician, but ministered extensively as 
nurse, and in not a few cases as sexton. 
In this last office — burying the dead at 
midnight — he severely suffered. After the 
epidemic had subsided, he was stricken 
down with varioloid, and pneumonia, be- 
fore he was recovered, set in. He re- 
turned to his father's, in Montpelier, the 
last part of April, a quick consumption 
indelibly fixed upon him, which made rapid 
progress till in the midst of the beautiful 
month of May, in the quiet of the village 
Sabbath, his young, busy, earth-life went 
out. Says his friend, in the Boston Globe 
of May 20th : " Dr. Gilman was greatly 
beloved by his associates for his genial 
and unselfish disposition, as well as ad- 
mired for his brilliant qualities of mind, 
and his numerous friends will condole with 
his family upon a loss they feel personal 
to them as to his own kindred." 

Emily E., the only surviving child of 
Marcus D. Gilman, m.Apr. 13, 1868, Rev. 
Henry I. Cushman, born inOrford, N. H., 
graduated at Dartmouth College, read the- 
ology, and is now pastor of the first Uni- 
versalist church in Providence, R. I. 
Children, Mary Alice, born, Boston, Apr. 
27, 1869; died. Providence, R. I., June 
18, 1877; Ruth, born, Newton, Mass., 
May 29, 1870 ; Robert, born, Boston, Sept. 
18, 1872; Marcus Gilman, born, Montpel- 
ier, July 25, 1875 ; died in Providence, 
R. I., July 18, 1877; Earl Baldwin, born. 



158 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Providence, R. I., May 5, 1878; died 
there, May 25, 1878. — Ed. 

KENT FAMILY. 

Ezekiel, ist, b. June, 1744, m. Ruth 
Garey, b. Oct., 1748, lived and died in 
Rehoboth, Mass. ; d. in May 1842, wife 
in Dec. 1818; 11 children, two of whom. 
Remember and Ezekiel, settled in Calais. 

Remember, ist, son of Ezekiel ist, b. 
June 1 1, 1775 in Rehoboth, came to Calais 
in 1798; m. Rachel dau. of Capt. Abdiel 
Bliss 1799; settled at what has since been 
known as Kent's Corner, where he cleared 
a large farm and spent the rest of his days. 
He filled various town offices ; was suc- 
cessively ensign, lieutenant and captain in 
the militia, his first commission bearing 
date 1805. He died May 13, 1855, his 
wife Nov. 2, 1843. 

Their children all born in Calais, were 
Remember 2d, b. June, 1799; Rachel 
Bliss, b. Sept. 1800, m. Aaron Tucker. 
Ira, b. April, 1803 ; Abdiel, b. Nov. 1805 ; 
Georgie, b. Sept. 1808; Ezekiel 2d, b. 
May, 181 1 ; John V. R., b. Nov, 21, 1813 ; 
Samuel N., b. Nov. 1817; d. June 1835. 

Remember 2d, m. Jan. 1824, Delia dau. 
of Edward Tucker ; made the first clearing 
on the farm where W. G. Kent now lives ; 
has resided most of his days in Calais, 
working some portion of the time at his 
trade as a mill-wright. His wife died 
April, i860, and he m. Lucy (White) 
widow of John Goodell. He died in Calais 
Feb. 19, 1881. His children, all born in 
Calais, were : Azro, b. May, 1825; Diana, 
b. March, 1830, m. 1854, Enoch H. Vin- 
cent, b. 1820 in Middlesex, farmer ; resides 
in East Montpelier; children Jane K., m. 
William J. Somerville, Fayston, farmer; 
Ella D ; Prentiss J ; Jane, deceased at 18. 

Ira, m. Polly, dau. of Col. Caleb Curtis. 
(See Curtis family) . He has always re- 
sided on his father's old farm ; was consta- 
ble in 1838, post-master some 16 years; 
and from 1837 to '66, he and his brother 
Abdiel were in partnership under the firm 
name of I. & A. Kent, and transacted a 
considerable mercantile and manufacturing 
business. His children all born in Calais : 
Ira Richardson, b. Sept. 3, 1833 ; Amanda 



C, b. Jan. 2, 1838, d. Feb. 18, 1842; 
Rachel Ann, b. April 26, 1839, d. May 28, 
1855; Flora Emogene, b. April 17, 1841, 
d. Sept. 6, 1851 ; LeRoy Abdiel, b. Aug. 
25, 1843. 

Abdiel, when 21 years of age went to 
Nashua, N. H., and worked on the foun- 
dation of the first cotton factory built 
there ; thence to Mass. and learned the 
mason's trade, working at his trade sum- 
mers and teaching school winters, until 
about 1830, he bought in Calais where he 
now lives, and began manufacturing boots 
in a small building where the store now 
stands. This business was continued some 
40 years, at times employing a dozen or 
more men, and for some 20 years harness- 
making was connected, with it. In 1832, 
he enlarged his shop, and put in a small 
stock of staple dry goods and groceries. 
In 1854, the present shoe-shop and store 
were built, and the latter stocked with a 
general assortment of goods, and this 
business was continued by him and the 
firm of I. & A. Kent some 30 years. 

In 1837, he built the brick house where 
he now lives, and kept a hotel there until 
1847. In 1844, in company with others, 
he built the starch-factory near the centre 
of the town, and run it until about 1858. 
In 1847, put iron working machinery in 
the red shop at Maple Corner, where it 
was run by N. W. Bancroft some 4 years. 
He has been a large owner of real estate 
in this and other towns, a woolen-factory, 
mills and hotel at Craftsbury ; built and 
stocked the store in Woodbury, now owned 
by A. W. Nelson, owned for some years 
the Norcross mill in Woodbury, the Ira 
Brown saw-mill in the north-west part of 
Calais, and the old saw-mill at Maple Cor- 
ner. His brother, Ira, was a partner in 
all the above business from 1837 to '66. 
Beside being one of its most active busi- 
ness men, he has held nearly all the offices 
in the gift of the town, and that he has 
served acceptably is shown by his contin- 
ued re-elections, (see lists of town officers.) 
He m. 1st June 7, 1845, Fanny H., dau. 
of Col. Caleb Curtis, who d. Dec, 24, 1854, 
2d, Lucy A., dau. of Vial A. Bliss ; chil- 
dren born in Calais : Murray Abdiel ; Ella 



CALAIS. 



159 



Fanny, m. Arthur B. Bacon, resides in 
Spencer, Mass., merchant ; children : Fred 
K., Fannie L. 

George, son of Remember, m. April 24, 
1835, Mehitable Hill b. Dec. 2, 1807, in 
Cabot ; resides in Calais, a successful far- 
mer ; children: Marcus Newell, b. June, 
1837, George Wallace, April, 1845. M. 
Newell m. May 4, 1862, Hester A. dau. of 
Vial A. Bliss. For several years he re- 
mained upon the farm with his father, 
afterwards engaged in the mercantile pur- 
suit at Worcester Corner, where he died 
Oct. 20, 1876; children, Dora B., Frances. 
G. Wallace, m. May, 1868, Justina A. 
dau. of Kneeland and Caroline Kelton, 
b. in East Montpelier, Sept. 1849, resides 
upon the homestead : children, Alice Glee, 
George, Katie M., Jessie J. 

Murray, son of Abdiel, m. 1870, Ruth 
E., dau of P. S. Bennett, resides in Cal- 
ais ; son Dorman B. E. ; Van R., son of 
Abdiel, m. 1874, Lelia S., dau. of S. H. 
Foster of Calais ; is associated with J. E. 
Bacon of Spencer, Mass., in the manufac- 
ture of boots; child, Marion. 

Ira Richardson, son of Ira; m. 1855, 
Anna E., b. June, 1834, in New York city, 
died Aug. 3, 1856; dau. of William H. and 
Harriet A. Simpson ; child, Nora Anna, 
b. July 28, 1856, d. Oct. 19, 1861. He m. 
Feb. 1870, Inez R., (dau. of Hon. D. W. 
Aiken of Hardwick,) who died June 8, '74- 
"Rich. Kent" as he was familiarly 
known, was a person whom, never pos- 
sessing robust health, was enabled by his 
indomitable will, perseverance, and quick 
perceptive faculties, to accomplish while 
in his younger years an amount of business 
which might only have been expected from 
one of much stronger physique, and ma- 
turer years, and when 20 years of age 
assumed the entire management of the 
mercantile business of I. & A. Kent, which 
he continued for about 6 years, when he 
engaged in buying cattle and horses and 
selling in the Mass. market until 1865 ; 
during which time he filled various town 
offices with acceptance. Dec. 1865, he en- 
tered into a partnership with J. E. Bacon 
of Spencer, Mass., in the manufacturing 
of bobifs of which they did an extensive 



and successful business to the time of his 
death, which occurred in Calais, October 
9, 1875. 

LeRoy a. Kent, son of Ira, m. Feb. 
22, 1875, Blanche S., dau. of S. D. Hol- 
lister of Marshfield, b. May 11, 1852 : son 
I. Rich. b. Oct. 28, 1876, engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuit at Craftsbury, 1 868 to '70 ; 
1873 succeeded B. P. White in the same 
business at Kent's Coi-ner, where he still 
remains ; received appointment of post- 
master in 1873, present incumbent. 

AzRO, son of Remember 2d, m. Nov. 
1849, Hannah S., dau. of Edward and 
Susan Eastman b. in Salisbury, N. H., 
May, 1832. Learned the machinist trade 
at Northfield, and has been employed in 
the Central Vt. R. R. Co. shops since 
1849; since 1863, has been master me- 
chanic and general foreman in their shop 
at St. Albans: children: Edward T., b. 
July 20, 1853, d. May 30, 1859; Ele Mar- 
tha, b. July 20, 1859, d. Aug. 31, 1859; 
EdwardB., b. July, '66, now in Universty at 
Burlington. Azro Ceil, Aug. 1869. 

Prentiss J., son of Remember 2d, m. 
Sept. 1864, Elizabeth M., dau. of Am- 
brose and Sally Atwater of Burlington ; 
worked at the trade of machinist and 
teaching school till 1857 ; graduated from 
the medical Dept. U. V. M., i860; went 
to Michigan and engaged in drug business 
in connection with the practice of medi- 
cine. In 1862, was appointed assistant 
surgeon in the 174th Regt. N. Y. Vols. ; 
was in active service till spring of 1864, 
when by reason of the consolidation of 
174th and i62d regiments he was honora- 
bly discharged ; after which he resumed the 
practice of medicine at Winooski Falls. 
In 1869, health failing, he went to Wor- 
cester, Mass., and invented the " Kent & 
Bancroft self-operating spinning-mule," 
and was engaged for a time in its manu- 
facture and sale ; but returned to Burling- 
ton in 1874, and resumed his profession, 
where he now resides ; children : Osborn 
Atwater, b. in Winooski Falls, Oct. 24, 
1868, d. July 15, 1869; William Henry, b. 
in Woonsocket, R. I., July 2, 1871, d. in 
Burlington July, 1872; Arthur Atwater, b. 
in Smithfield, R. I., Dec. 1873. 



i6o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



J. V. R. Kent, son of Remember ist, 
b. Nov. 1844, "^- L^iura A., dau. of Col. 
Caleb Curtis, who died Aug. 31, 1851 ; 
Dec. 26, 1856, m. Mrs. Catherine A. 
Morse, dau. of Alpheus J. PjHss ; child, 
Charles v., b. Dec. 1857. Mr. Kent re- 
mained on the old homestead to the age 
of 20 years, when he learned the boot and 
shoe trade with his brothers, I. & A. Kent, 
where he worked about 15 years. For the 
last 12 years he has resided at Maple Cor- 
ner on the farm purchased of Alonzo Tay- 
lor of New York ; has filled nearly every 
office in the gift of the town, many of 
which he held continuously tor many years. 

EzEKiEL, 3d,m. Nov. 13, 1836, Minerva 
Anna, dau. of Col. Caleb Curtis ; a suc- 
cessful farmer ; resided in Calais until 
1872, when he moved to Montpelier, where 
he now resides ; has held town offices be- 
fore and since his removal ; daughter, Alice 
May, b. Mar. i, i84i,m. Nov. 1866, Capt. 
J. O. Livingston; enlisted May, 1862, 
and mustered out July, 1865 as Capt. of 
Co. G. 9th Regt. Vt. Vols. ; was admitted 
to the Lamoille County Bar, May term 
1862, and now practicing his profession m 
Montpelier. 

EATON FAMILY IN CALAIS. 

BY CALEB C. EATON. 

Jacob Eaton, Sr., settled in the South- 
east part of Calais, on Kingsbury''s branch, 
in 1816, with a family of 4 children, Isaac, 
(who 2 years after was killed by the kick 
of a horse), Jacob, Mary Ann and Syl- 
vester C, of whom 2 survive, Jacob and 
Sylvester, the former living on the old 
homestead farm. In 1827, Nathaniel, an 
older son, and Jacob, Jr., bought the farm 
of their father, and they lived together 
until the death of the latter, Feb. 1843, 
aged ']^ years. Nathaniel moved to Mid- 
dlesex, Vt., in March, 1864, where he died 
Feb. 6, 1878, aged 87 years ; 37 years of 
his life having been spent in the town of 
Calais, whither he moved from Hardwick 
at the age of 37 years. While living in 
Calais he was elected State Senator in 
1840 and '41 ; Assistant Judge of County 
Court, 1857, '58 ; justice of the peace con- 
tinuously for 24 years, and was often 
called upon to settle estates ; also, as com- 



missioner to locate, alter and establish 
new roads, and as referee, and to make 
contracts and legal papers. He was a 
useful man in the community in which he 
lived, fearless and outspoken in his views, 
had decided opinions of his own, and the 
ability to maintain them. He was twice 
married ; first, to Ruth Bridgman, in Hard- 
wick, in 18 1 2, by whom he had two chil- 
dren, Dorman Bridgman and Ruth ; the 
latter died in 1849, at the birth of her first 
child. Dorman B. is an eminent lawyer 
in the city of New York, where he located 
in 1850. He has taken an active and in- 
fluential part in reformatory measures in 
in that city, and is one of the leaders in 
favor of civil service reform in this coun- 
try ; has written an exhaustive work upon 
that subject, entitled, "Civil Service in 
Great Britain"; also, a work entitled, 
"The Spoils System, and Civil Service 
Reform in the Custom House and Post- 
office in New York City" ; and numerous 
other works of which I am notable to give 
the titles ; one written during the last 
Presidential campaign entitled, "From 
the Independent Republicans of New York, 
by Junius.'''' He is a graduate of the Vt. 
University ; also of Harvard Law School ; 
educated himself, and came out free from 
debt. He was chairman of the Civil Ser- 
vice Commission, when Geo. Wm. Curtis 
resigned, during Grant's administration. 

Nathaniel Eaton married, 2d, Mrs. Ruth 
(Curtis,) widow of Dr. John Oilman, by 
whom he had one son, Caleb C, born in 
Calais, where he resided till he was 34 
years of age, when he moved to Middlesex, 
living there 16 years; represented that 
town in the Legislature in 1876, ^yj ; was 
justice of the peace 4 years ; lister 3 years, 
and appointed to take the census for that 
town in 1880; in May, 1880, removed to 
Montpelier, where he now resides. 

He married Susan, daughter of Larned 
Coburn, one of the early settlers of East 
Montpelier ; children, 4 ; all daughters ; 
2 died in infancy ; Flora Coburn, born in 
Calais, preceptress in Goddard Seminary, 
Barre, m. Prof. Henry Priest, Principal of 
that institution, Aug. 11, 1881 ; Emily 
Louisa lives with her parents. 



Calais. 



EAST CALAIS PAPERS. 

CONTRIBUTED BY MR. AND MRS. ALBERT DWINELL. 

CAPT. JOSHUA LILLEY 

located at an early day in East Calais, and 
came in possession of the water-power and 
a large tract of land around. He put up a 
saw-mill and a grist-mill where the saw- 
mill now stands, and about 1805, built a 
two-story house on his hill farm, now 
owned and occupied by Levi G. Dwinell. 
Capt. Lilley entered into speculations of 
various kinds, among which was the mer- 
cantile, in which he was unsuccessful and 
had to retrench. In 1812, he sold his hill 
farm to Israel Dwinell, and about the same 
time his mills and other landed property 
passed into the hands of Maj. Nathaniel 
Davis, of Montpelier. 

Maj. Davis, availing himself of the water- 
power facilities, erected various mills, 
among which one for carding wool and 
dressing cloth, a trip-hammer shop, where 
were made scythes and hoes, and a shop 
or manufacturing cut-nails. 

One of the inducements for starting a 
nail factory was the supposition that there 
was iron ore in the ledges a short distance 
west of the village, all of which was true, 
but in the prospecting made, it was not 
found rich enough to pay for working. 
Nails were manufactured about 2 years, 
when it was found freights were too much 
to make the business profitable, and it 
went down, and other business was started, 
cabinet work, clover-mill, potash, etc. The 
business development called workmen and 
residents into the place, and the Major 
put in a store. 

SHUBAEL WHEELER, ESQ., 

son of Bowers Wheeler, of Montpelier, 
(now East Montpelier), married Elsey 
Davis, daughter of Maj. Nathaniel, about 
1 8 14, and in 18 16, they moved to East 
Calais, and occupied a two-story house 
erected by the Major, near where the saw- 
mill now stands. He was a lawyer, the 
first and only one who ever resided in town 
for any length of time. For several years 
he occupied a leading position in the af- 
fairs of the town and County, representing 
the town several times, and was clerk of 



the County Court for several years. He 
was interested in farming to some extent, 
and was partner for some years with Sam- 
uel Rich in mill property, deeded to them 
by Maj. Davis. 

Judge Wheeler was a man of high at- 
tainments, largely endowed by nature, yet 
his love of social pastime was at the ex- 
pense of his financial interests. About 
i860, he went West to make his home with 
his eldest daughter, Emily, the last one 
living of his 8 children — wife of Levi W. 
Wright, formerly of this town, now of 
Merrimac, Wis. 

CAPT. SAMUEL RICH, 

born in N. Montpelier, Oct. 22, 1797, 
married Dolly Davis, dau. of Maj. Na- 
thaniel; came to E. Calais in March, 1824, 
and owned the saw and grist-mills, to- 
gether with 350 acres of land. In 1836, 
he built the two-story house now occupied 
by his son-in-law, Albert Dwinell. In 
1840, he rebuilt the grist-mill now owned 
by Simeon Webb. 

In 1850, he sold the mills and his lands 
to Albert Dwinell, at which time he gave 
up active business. Mr. Rich died June 
12, 1856; Mrs. Rich, Aug. 15, 1841. Capt. 
Rich improved his limited opportunities 
for schooling, and had the advantage of 
one or two terms at the academy. He 
took up the study of surveying, and was 
for many years a practical surveyor. He 
was a man of superior mental endow- 
ments ; strong memory ; well versed in 
history and in politics ; always a staunch 
whig. He had 3 children. The son, 
Samuel D., has been an invalid from his 
youth ; the eldest daughter, Irene D., was 
married to Albert Dwinell, Apr. 10, 1845 ; 
Dolly A., the second daughter, married 
Joseph W. Leonard, and resides on the 
Leonard farm. 

ISRAEL DWINELL AND FAMILY. 

CONTRIBUTED BY L. G. DWINELL. 

Israel Dwinell, one of the early set- 
tlers of Calais, born in Croydon, N. H., 
Oct. 8, 1785; Apr. I, 1813, married Phila 
Oilman, of Marshfield, and on the same 
day moved to Calais, to a farm on the 
East Hill, where he resided until his death, 



1 62 



Vermont historical magazine. 



Feb. 20, 1874. His wife, born in Hart- 
ford, Ct., Sept. 17, 1793, died June i, 
1S64. They had 10 children, all born in 
the same house into which they moved 
the day they were married. In the midst 
of hardships which they had in common 
with all early settlers, they found means 
and disposition to give their children ad- 
vantages which few of their day enjoyed, 
two of their sons obtaining a collegiate 
education ; the others enjoying advantages 
above the most. Shortly after settling in 
life they made a profession of religion, and 
were for many years connected with the 
church known as " the Marshfield and 
Calais Church." In later years they were 
connected with the Christian Church of 
the town, they "dying as they had lived, 
strong in the faith of the Gospel," as said 
Rev. Mr. Sherburn in the funeral sermon 
of Mr. Dwinell. 

Alcander Dwinell. son of Israel, was 
born Feb. 2, 1814, married Sarah Cheney, 
Jan. 31, 1849, in Lowell, Mass., where he 
lived a few years, and removed to Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., where he now resides. He 
has one son, William Alcander, who mar- 
ried Julia Jaquith, of Brooklyn, and lives 
with his father. 

Ira S. Dwinell, son of Israel, born 
Jan. 27, 18 16, married Clarina H. Pearce, 
Oct. II, 1842, setded and still lives in 
East Calais. They have had 2 sons ; the 
first died in infancy ; the second, Byron 
Lee, graduated at Goddard Sem., Barre ; 
graduated at Tufts College, class of 1876, 
and at Boston University School of Med- 
icine at the age of 28 ; married Ada Bar- 
ron, settled in Taunton, Mass., practicing 
medicine. 

Solon, son of Israel, b. 1818, d. at 2^ 
years, the first grave in the East Calais 
cemetery. 

Israel Edson Dwinell, son of Israel, 
born Oct. 24,1820, " began to fit for college 
in the Academy at Randolph Center, Sept. 
1836; taught school in Calais, winter of 
1837 ; in Calais or Montpelier each winter 
but one till graduated from college ; fin- 
ished for college at Montpelier Academy, 
1837, '8 and '9; entered the University of 
Vt., Burlington, 1839; graduated in 1843; 



taught in Martin Academy, East Ten- 
nessee, 1843-5, 20 months ; entered Union 
Theo. Sem., N. Y. City, 1845 ; graduated 
from Un. Theo. Sem., 1848; married Re- 
becca Eliza Allen Maxwell, in Jonesboro, 
East Tennessee, Sept. 12, 1848 ; was home 
missionary, under the A. H. M. Society in 
Rock Island, 111., 7 ms., 1848-9; began to 
preach in Salem, Mass., the spring of 
1849; was ordained as colleague pastor 
with Rev. Brown Emerson, D. D., Nov. 
22, 1849; dismissed. May, 1863; began 
preaching in Sacramento, Cal., July i, 
1863 ; installed pastor of the First Congre- 
gational Church of Christ, Sacramento, 
Cal., July 10, 1864, where I now am. 

I. E. P." 

Albert Dwinell, b. Jan. 15, 1823, m. 
Irene D. Rich, Apr. 10, 1845, and settled 
in Moscow, East Calais, owning a large 
farm, and has also been in the mercantile 
business ; has been elected to both branches 
of the State Legislature ; has 3 sons : ist 
Frank Albert, graduated at Barre Acad- 
amy; m. Harriet A. Hammett ; settled in 
Plainfield in the mercantile business ; has 
been a member of the State Legislature 
from that town. 2d, Clarence Rich, 
graduated at Barre Academy; m. Ella H. 
Hammond, and is in the mercantile bus- 
iness at East Calais. 3d, Dell Burton, 14 
years of age. 

Melvin Dwinell, son of Israel, b. July 
9, 1825, gives the following: " Fitted for 
college mostly at MontiDelier Academy ; 
entered the University of Vermont in 1845 ; 
graduated Aug. 1849: was principal of 
People's Academy, Morrisville, 2 years ; 
came to Georgia in the fall of 185 1 ; taught 
in Hamilton, Ga., i year; taught 2 years 
in Macon Co., Ala. ; Jan. i, 1853, bought 
half in the Rome (Ga.) Courier \ a year 
after, bought the other half; have pub- 
lished the Rome Courier continuously from 
Jan. I. 1855, to this time (1881) except 
from May 18, 1864, to Sept. i, 1865. May 
18, 1864, the Federal troops took posses- 
sion of Rome, and I left. They used my 
material and stock on hand, and when they 
left, utterly destroyed everything in my 
office except one job-press, which they 
carried off. I was mustered into the Con- 



CALAIS. 



163 



federate army at Richmond, Va., Mar. 28, 
1 861, as 2d lieut. for the war; was pro- 
moted to 1st lieut. in March, 1862 ; was in 
the first and second battle of Manassas ; 
actually engaged two days of the seven in 
the fights around Richmond, from June 
28 to July 25, 1862 ; was in the first battle 
of Fredericksburg and the Gettysburg, be- 
sides 20 or 30 smaller engagements and 
skirmishes. The only wound received was 
a gun-shot wound in the upper left arm at 
the battle of Gettysburg. From this wound 
I was disabled some 2 months. After I 
returned to my command, in Nov. 1863, I 
was elected one of the two representatives 
from my (Floyd) county to the State 'Leg- 
islature, which exempted me from military 
duty, and I resigned my commission, and 
that ended my military service, except 
that I served as adjutant, with the rank of 
captain, for a short time in the spring of 
1864, under Gen. A. R. Wright, in com- 
mand of State troops. After the close of 
the war, I returned to Rome, Ga., arriving 
here May 25, 1865, and found that my en- 
tire assets consisted of $22.50 in gold in 
my pocket, and the debris of a printing 
establishment, once worth $10,000, esti- 
mated at $300 ; but I went to work getting 
up from the ruins, and soon got type 
enough to print small circulars, hand-bills, 
etc., using a planer and mallet for lack of 
a press. I soon hired a small press, and 
Sept. I, got out a small weekly paper. I 
was soon on my feet again, and have since 
done a fair business. In the summer of 
1875, I went to California; visited on the 
trip, Salt Lake City, the Va. City gold and 
silver mines, the valley of Yosemite, etc. 
In 1876, I made a trip to the East, visit- 
ing London, Paris, Brussels, Venice, Rome, 
Herculaneum, Pompeii ; ascended Vesu- 
vius ; lit my cigar in the crater ; saw Alex- 
andria, Cairo, the Red Sea, Jerusalem, 
Damascus, etc. I have recently published 
a volume descriptive of my travels, en- 
titled, ' Common Sense Views of Foreign 
Lands.'" 

Levi Gilman, son of Israel, b. Nov. 3, 
1827, m. Louise M. Kennan, Sept. 3, 1857, 
dau. of P. Kennan, adopted by A. Alden ; 
settled on the old homestead, in East 



Calais, where I now live ; have 3 children : 
Julia Louise, m. Nov. 12, 1879, to Charles 
P. Hollister, of East Montpelier, where 
they now live ; Maurice Kennan entered 
Boston University School of Medicine, 
Oct. 1880; Mary Avis, 14 years of age. 

Jane Phila, daughter of Israel and 
Phila Dwinell, b. May 8, 1830, m. John 
Gardner Hale, at East Calais, Sept. 28, 
1852, Rev. W. T. Herrick and Rev. I. S. 
Dwinell officiating ; children of Jane P., 
Harriet Amelia, Jennie Norton, b. in 
Grass Valley, Cal. ; Edson Dwinell, b. in 
Lyndon, Vt. ; Mary Gilman, Ellen Fran- 
ces, b. in East Poultney. 

Harriet A., educated at Mrs. Worces- 
ter's, Burlington, Tilden Sem., N. H., 
and graduated at Carlyle Petersilea's Music 
School, in Boston ; has taught music at 
Tilden Seminary, the People's Academy, 
Morrisville, and elsewhere. Jennie N. 
graduated at Mt. Holyoke Female Sem. in 
1876. -Edson D., prepared at St. Johns- 
bury Academy in 1878, has entered Am- 
herst College. 

Wait Byron, son of Israel, b. May, 
1839, d. June, 1848; Edgar, son of Israel, 
b. Feb. 1837, d. June, 1837. 

' ALDEN FAMILY. 

BY MR. AND MUS. ALBERT DAVINELL. 

Asa Alden, born in Natick, Mass., in 
1794, came to Vermont, 1817; married 
Avis Snow, of Montpelier. He and his 
wife were among the first who came to 
East Calais, and settled in Moscow in 
1819. He was the village blacksmith about 
30 years, in which occupation he had, the 
misfortune to lose one eye. For 20 years 
he was the first hotel-keeper at this place, 
and held the post-office 27 years, and other 
offices of public trust. Reared under Con- 
gregational discipline, his sympathies were 
ever in that direction, and while there was 
no such organized church in town, he yet 
lived to all appearance the life of a quiet 
and exemplary Christian . We well remem- 
ber him at the earlier church services and 
singing-schools, held in the school-house, 
he being the only one who discoursed bass 
on a big viol for miles around. He died 
here. May 2, i38o, aged 86. 



164 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



His widow survives, in her 8ist year, 
(1881) living with their youngest and only 
surviving daughter, Lydia Ann, in the 
same house they at first occupied, and 
which is now the oldest dwelling in the 
village ; built by Capt. Caleb Putnam about 
1818. 

Isaac ALDEN,nailor and merchant, came 
to East Calais in 181 5 ; married for his 2d 
wife, Hannah Snow, of Montpelier. Geo. 
Alden, nailor, came in 18 16; both broth- 
ers of Asa Alden. 

On the west side of the stream, next 
door neighbor to Mr. Alden, lived 

JONATHAN HERRICK, 

shoemaker, an honest, temperate, indus- 
trious man, and his wife, Drusilla Cole, 
who deserves mention among the early 
settlers, living in Moscow, East Calais, 
from about 1825 till 1847, when they moved 
to Cabot. Mrs. Herrick died in 1880. 
For some years Mr. Herrick took the 
lead in singing here, and his two old- 
est children, Lucius and Caroline, were 
among the best spellers in Moscow. 

THE DRS. OF CALAIS. 

Dr. Samuel Danforth, the first phy- 
sician of Calais, came to this town in 1800. 
He lived liere most of the time until his 
death, in 181 1 or 1812. 

Dr. Stephen Corey came in 1812; 
was in town but a short time. 

Dr. Jonathan Eaton came in 1812, and 
remained 3 years. 

Dr. Nathaniel B. Spaulding came about 
i8ig, and was here in 1832. 

Dr. John Gilman came in 1815, a man 
of marked abilities in his profession. [See 
Gilman Family.] 

Dr. Charles Clark came in 1825; re- 
moved to Montpelier in 1840. 

Dr. Asa George came in March, 1825, 
and died in Aug. 1880, a man of marked 
character and ability, and a leading man 
in his profession. 

Dr. William S. Carpenter came in 1841, 
and left in 1842. 

Dr. E. S. Deming came to Calais from 
Cornish, N. H., in 1843, located at Kent's 
Corner, and married Maria, dau. of Pliny, 
son of Colonel Curtis ; afterwards lived 



where Dr. Harris now lives ; was repre- 
sentative one year ; was a man of sterling 
integrity and a successful physician ; moved 
to Cambridge in 1854. 

Dr. M. Ide came in 1854, and removed 
to Stowe in 1875. He was town clerk 
many successive years, and held other 
town offices. 

Dr. G. H. Gray came in 1868, and still 
resides in town. 

Dr. Harris came about 1880. 

Drs. Gleason, Tilton, Tobey and others 
here for indefinite times. 

college graduates of CALAIS. 

I.E. Dwinell, M. Dwinell, D. B. Eaton, 
Calvin Short, C. L. Goodell, University 
of Vt. ; Dr. B. L. Dwinell, Harley N. 
Pearce, Tufts College, Mass. ; A. N. Bliss, 
University of Michigan ; Miss Laura A. 
Kent, Miss Ellen Cox, Miss Eva Darling, 
Antioch, Ohio. F. B. Fay entered Harvard 
in 1879; ^- Cate entered Tufts in 1876; 
C. L. Wood, a lawyer in Chicago. 

Mrs. Hartshorn celebrated her hun- 
dredth birthday in Calais. 

EAST CALAIS FIRE. 

BY CLAREMCE R. DWINELL. 

Sept. 5, 1873, 12 o'clock p. M., 20 min- 
utes, the little village of East Calais was 
aroused by alarm of fire. The basement 
of the building of W. H. Ridout, used on 
the first floor as a tin-shop by Wing & 
Ridout, was in flames, to subdue which 
was unavailing. The fire had so burned 
through the floor above, it was impossible 
to remove the stock of goods and tools. 
The second floor was occupied by the fam- 
ilies of W. H. Ridout and Alonzo Batch- 
elder, who were able to save but little of 
furniture and clothing. 

The fire spread to P. F. Whitcher's 
barn, the next building south, which with 
its contents was completely destroyed ; 
thence to the boot and shoe store of D. B. 
Fay, whose stock was partly removed ; 
next to the hotel property of Phineas 
Wheeler, which was entirely consumed ; a 
good hotel building, which had been re- 
cently much enlarged and improved ; two 
large barns, sheds and out-buildings ; 



CALAIS. 



i6s 



thence to the shop of A. N. Goodell, a 
quick victim to the flames. 

Only by the untiring efforts of the cit- 
izens, the fire was kept from crossing to 
the east side of the street, and to the new 
dwelling of Z. G. Pierce, just south of the 
hotel. This fire was a severe loss to the 
village. It has not yet fully recovered 
from its effects, and the hotel has not been 
replaced. 

REMARKABLE PRESERVATION. 

BY I. D. DWINELL. 

In the year 1866, the months of Aug. 
and Sept. were marked for the unusual 
amount of rain which fell "in these parts," 
which, culminating about the 21st of Sept., 
we were disposed to call it the line storm. 
The falling torrents had raised the trib- 
utary streams and Kingsbury branch to a 
flood of rushing waters. Rev. Mr. Lis- 
combe, a Methodist minister, who with 
his family sojourned with us 6 months, 
preaching occasionally (as oppoitunity al- 
lowed) the morning of the 22d, was stand- 
ing on the center of the foot-bridge at the 
head of Moscow falls, viewing the great 
rush of water, when the upper dam par- 
tially gave way, and the bridge started. 
He gave one leap up stream, and bridge 
and man went over the falls, a distance of 
300 feet — 75 feet perpendicular — over three 
dams ; and for a wonder to everybody, he 
came out alive, bearing cuts and bruises, 
but not seriously injured ; ruining, how- 
ever, his overcoat and losing his hat. 

Oct. 28, he preached his farewell sermon 
here, and the Monday following, started 
with his family for Wisconsin ; not with- 
out getting a new hat and coat and about 
$50 as a parting gift. His daughter, who 
came here a widow of seventeen, was mar- 
ried Sept. 26 to Henry Goodell, one of our 
young townsmen. 

East Calais boasts of a young man, a 
graduate of Tufts College in 1880, who 
taught our district school, in the winter of 
1881 ; Harley Nelson Pearce, who at the 
time of his birth, March, 1855, had twelve 
living grand-parents, six on his father's, 
and six on his mother's side. The latest 
surviving grand-parent was Judge Alonzo 



Pearce, who died July 25, 1879, aged 8oi 
years. 

LONGEVITY OF CALAIS. 

BY AM ASA TUCKKK, AGED 75. 

Persons deceased in town who were 70 
years of age and over : 

Darius Slay ton, aged 90 years; Amasa 
Tucker, 90; Reuben D. Waters, 91 ; Wel- 
come Ainsworth, 91 ; Luther Ainsworth 
88 ; Lyman Daggett, 95 ; Howe Wheeler 
92 ; George Ide, 93 ; Gideon Hicks, Jr. 
95 ; James Nelson, 93 ; Reuben Wilbur 
94 ; Stephen Hall, 92 ; Barnabas Doty, 92 
Squire Jennings, "]"] ; Jared Wheelock 
87 ; Pardon Janes, 82 ; John White, 89 
Asahel Pearce, 87 ; Alonzo Pearce, 80 
Benjamin Gray, 82 ; Jonathan Tucker, 83 
Asa George, 82 ; Thomas Stanton, 83 
Ezekiel Sloan, 88; John Martin, Jr., 86 
Aaron Bailey, over 80 ; Edmond Willis 
over 80 ; Daniel Young, 86 ; Bachus Pearce 

87 ; Samuel Fay, 83 ; Samuel Mackus, 88 
Thomas Cole, 85 ; Gideon Hicks, Sr., 75 
Israel Dwinell, 88 ; Abijah Wheelock, 82 
Asahel Pearce, 87 ; Nathan Bancroft, 82 
Samuel Robinson, 85 ; Jabez Mower, 84 
Jonathan Pray. 81 ; Ebenezer Cox, 81 
Mason Wheeler, 81 ; Joseph Brown, 82 
Remember Kent, 80 ; Remember Kent 
Jr., 81 ; Luther Morse, 82 ; Calvin Callier 
82 ; Welcome Wheelock, 80 ; Thos. Hath- 
away, 84 ; Samuel Fuller, 84 ; Joshua Bliss, 
2d, 84 ; John Martin, 84 ; Jonathan Dudley, 
84; Luther Ainsworth, 88; Joshua Lilley, 

88 ; Gideon Wheelock, 80 ; Jason Marsh, 
80 ; Abram Hawkins, 83 ; Bucklin Slayton, 
80; Willard Rideout, 86; Elijah Nye, 87; 
Sabin Ainsworth, 76; Edmund Willis, 86; 
Moses Ainsworth ; — Jacob Ainsworth, 
85; Mercy Ainsworth, 86; Jason Marsh, 
80 ; Amos Jennings, 82 ; Daniel Young, 
86; David Thayer, 80; David Daggett, 
80 ; Sylvester Jennings, 82 ; Edia Fair, 80 ; 
Beniah Short, T^) ! John Eddy, 76 ; Elias 
Smith, 70; Aaron Lamb, 75; Nathan 
Parker, 71 ; John White, Jr., 78 ; Geo. W. 
Foster, 70; Chas. Dudley, 76; John Em- 
erson, 75 ; Willard Bugbee, 79 ; John Dick- 
erson, 70 ; Noah Pearce, 74 ; Jacob Eaton. 
Sr., 'j'j ; Chas. Slayton, 71 ; Chancy Spauld- 
ing, 70; Jes.sa Slayton, 78; Simeon Slay- 



1 66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ton, TJ \ Seth Done, 71 ; Shubael Short, 
79 ; Phineas Goodnough, 74 ; Bucklin Slay- 
ton, 80 ; John Cochran, 74 ; Britian Whee- 
lock, 72; Silas Wheelock, 70; Rev. V. G. 
Wheelock, 71 ; Stephen Pearce, 74; Noah 
Clark, 75 ; Nehemiah Merritt, ^2, ; Aaron 
Lilley, 74 ; Thomas Foster, 76 ; Frederick 
Bliss, 'J'] ; Jeremiah Cummings, 76 ; Perez 
Wheelock, 76 ; Asa Wheelock, 75 ; David 
Fair, 79 ; Squire Jennings, 78 ; Aaron 
Wheeler, 78 ; Adams White, 71 ; Reuben 
Pray, 72 ; Thomas Pray, 75 ; Jesse White, 
74; Horace Ainsworth, 70; Hosea Ellis, 
'J'] ; Nathaniel Hersey, 78 ; R. W. Tobey, 
'j'^ ; Caleb Bliss, 79 ; Sabin Ainsworth ; 
Jonas Hall, 73 ; Isaac Wells, "j}, ; Stephen 
Martin, 76 ; Ezekiel Kent, T}, ; Lewis Wood, 
'jy ; Ezekiel Burnham ; William Bruce ; 
Joshua Bliss ; Peter Nelson ; Wm. Abbott ; 
Benj. Bancroft; Salem Wheelock; Amos 
Wheelock; Vial A. Bliss, 75; John J. 
Willard ; Caleb Mitchell ; Lemuel Perry, 
TJ ; Jed'ah Fay ; Sally Lamb, 95 ; Rachel 
Bliss, 93 ; Esther Kendall, 93 ; Sarah Os- 
good, 93; Sarah Wood, 91 ; Amy M. A. 
Wheeler, 91 ; Mrs. Jas. Nelson, 91 ; Nancy 
Wright, 93 ; Mercy Willis, 94 ; Polly Janes, 
80; Margaret Ainsworth, 93; Julia John- 
son, 90 ; Polly Wheelock, 85 ; Hannah 
Haskell, 80 ; Grace Jennings, 79 ; Polly 
Kent, 76; Elvira White, 74; Alfrida 
White, 73 ; Mary Curtis, ']'>) ; Almira Bliss, 
T}^ ; Catherine Robinson, 74 ; Charity 
Mower; Mary Jarvis, 72; Polly Marsh; 
Sally Wheelock, 'j'] ; Nancy Hall, T^i \ Car- 
oline Wright, Tj ; Phebe Bancroft, 74 ; 
Mrs. Joseph Brown ; Mrs. Rufus Green; 
Sally Marsh, ^-j ; Eliza Nye, "]"] ; Sarah 
Mitchell ; Lucy Ainsworth, 75 ; Polly Fay, 
72 ; Elanor Doane ; Rachel Robinson, 78 ; 
Polly Janes, 79 ; Jane Hathaway, 74 ; Sally 
White, ']'>) ; Hannah Guernsey, 79 ; Polly 
Haskell, 79 ; Relief Eddy, 72 ; Emeline 
Cole, 71 ; Lydia Gray, 78; Betsey Stan- 
ton, 70 ; Catherine White, 71; Rowena 
Wheelock, 70 ; Polly Dudley, 78 ; Joanna 
Smith, 79 ; Jerusha Emerson, 72 ; Jerusha 
Sloan, 78 ; Lydia Eaton, 75 ; Amy Parker, 
"n ; Deborah Slayton, 75 ; Betsey Slayton, 
72 ; Cynthia Wheelock, over 70 ; Eleanor 
Done ; Hannah Jennings, over 70 ; Mary- 
Short, 79 ; Roba Pierce, over 70 ; Sally 



Cochran, j-j ; Cyrena McKnight,73 ; Rachel 
Reed, 76; Hannah Turner, 71; Rebecca 
Mackus, -]■] ; Mercy Cole, 78 ; Sally Hicks, 
74; Phila Dwinell, 71 ; Polly Gilman, T}) \ 
Mrs. Johnson, over 80; Widow Brown; 
Mrs. Samuel Robinson, 84; Lucy Ains- 
worth, 72 ; Alfrida Leonard, 80 ; Lydia 
Eaton, 70; Hannah Bliss, over 70 ; Azu- 
bah Tucker, 87; Hannah Ainsworth Per- 
ry, over 80 ; Sally Tucker, over 70 ; Phila 
Hathaway, 82. 

Mrs. Esther Kendall and Mrs. Sarah 

Osgood, aged 93, were twin sisters, and 

died within about two months of each 
other. 

OLD PEOPLE OF CALAIS 

now living, over 70 years of age, July, 1881 : 
Salem Goodnough, 82 ; Aaron Tucker, 
86; Hosea Brown, 81; Joseph Whiting, 
82; Kelso Gray; Elijah S. Jennings, 81 ; 
Henry Sumner, 80 ; Jacob Eaton, 80 ; E. C. 
M'Loud ; John Robinson ; Rachel Tucker, 
81 ; Rispah Cox, 81 ; Lucy Kent, 81 ; Mary 
Abbott, 86; Sarah Ormsbee, 83; Polly 
Foster ; Avis Alden, 80 ; Ira Ellis, Ardin 
Martin, Ira Kent, Abdiel Kent, George 
Kent, Harvey Ainsworth, Orin Davis, 
Willard Nourse, Joseph Persons, James S. 
Daggett ; Amasa Tucker, 75 ; Caleb Bliss, 
Jerra Slayton, Isaac Davis, Chas. B. 
Marsh, Alonzo Stowe, Thos. J. Ormsbee, 
Thos. J. Porter, Jacob White, Jonas G. 
Ormsbee, Mason W. Wright; Lemuel 
Perry, 75 ; Henry Fay, Quincy A. Wood, 
Benjamin King ; Sally Fuller, 87 ; Betsey 
Webster, 81 ; Mary Morse, 81 ; Millicent 
Parker, 87 ; Sarah Mann ; Rhoda Goodell, 
83 ; Deborah D. Little, Mehitable Kent, 
Sarah Bancroft, Louisa Bliss, Rutli Mer- 
ritt, Chloe Guernsey ; Mary Cochran, 74 ; 
Sarafina Fay, Polly Martin, Polly Pierce, 
Susan Wells, Polly Sumner, Fanny Thayer, 
Harriet Bruce, Caroline Wright, Eliza 
Stowe, Rowe, P. S., S. F. Jones, Berthana 
Hockett, Lydia Brown ; Lucy Hammond, 
']^ ; Lydia Slayton, 70 ; Betsey Martin, 72 ; 
Marilla Perry, 73. 

Sixteen persons have committed suicide 
in town, and 6 persons out of the town 
who formerly lived here. 

There have been 14 saw-mills in town. 



CALAIS. 



167 



8 grist-mills, 2 potasheries, 7 distilleries 
and 10 cider-mills. 

[The town of Calais and State of Ver- 
mont are indebted to our aged contributor, 
Mr. Tucker, for the longest longevity list^ 
both of the dead and. living, received from 
any town yet in the State. — Ed.] 

ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, ETC. 

CO.NTKIBUTKI) BY ALLEN MOKSE. 

Joel Marsh was drowned in 1856, at the 
time he was helping to roll a lot of logs 
into Wheelock pond, getting entangled 
in them. 1839, Nathaniel Bancroft was 
drowned at Montpelier, during the great 
freshet of that year. S. Gaius Ainsworth 
was killed by a colt he was breaking ; the 
animal reared, and falling on him, so in- 
jured him that he died, 1858 or '9 ; Nelson 
Mower was killed about 1855, while draw- 
ing rails on a lumber wagon, one of them 
slipping from the axles, striking one end 
into the ground, and cast back so as to fall 
upon his head, with fatal results. 

June 15, 1873, Lafayette Teachout and 
wife and their little daughter, Dell, about 
6 years old, Mrs. Amasa MacKnight and 
Miss Anna Tobey were drowned in Whee- 
lock pond. They, in company with 18 
others, were out for a boat-ride, when the 
boat spnmg a sudden leak, and filled and 
sank. By the exertions of a few persons 
who witnessed the terrible accident, 18 
out of the 23 were rescued from what 
seemed certain death for all. 

1879, ^ ^O" of Otis Gray was killed by 
the caving in of a sand-bank, under which 
he was playing with some schoolmates. 
He was about 8 years old. James Jen- 
nings was frozen to death in 1794, [See 
record by Mr. Tobey] and 9 have died in 
town by suicide. 

Murders. — Rial Martin, a half-foolish, 
half-crazy person, shot and killed Jenner- 
son Wheelock and Lucius Ainsworth, July 
16, 1858, for which crime he was tried the 
following year, and sentenced to be hung ; 
but on account of his mental conditions, 
his sentence was changed to imprisonment 
at hard labor for life. He died at Wind- 
sor about 2 years after his sentence. Royal 
S. Carr, murdered a half-breed Indian, 



WiUiam Murcommock, Dec. 11, 1878, for 
which he was tried, found guilty, and sen- 
tenced to be hung the last Friday in April, 
1 88 1, and suffered in accordance with his 
sentence. These, it is believed are all the 
violent deaths that have occurred in Calais. 

DIPHTHERIA IN TEN DAYS. 

In one family, died, Aug. 26, Truman 
Doty, aged 17 years, 10 months and 17 
days. Aug. 31, Mortimer D. Doty, aged 
12 years, 8 months and 13 days. Aug. 31, 
Rinaldo C. Doty, aged 47 years and 5 days. 
Sept. 4th, Millard F. Doty, aged 9 years, 
I month and 10 days ; four members of 
one family in ten days, a father and three 
sons carried to the grave almost in one 
week ; — and the mother sick at the time of 
their death. Other instances very sad 
might be given, but this will suffice to 
mark, we have felt this scourge, in com- 
mon with so many towns in the State, dur- 
ing the last 20 years. 

KILLED IN BATTLE 

May 5th, 1864, William H. Stowe, of 
Calais, aged 25 years. This young man 
was the first in town to respond to his 
country's call for three years' men, and en- 
listed into the Second Vermont Regiment, 
of which he continued a brave and hon- 
ored member, beloved and respected by 
all his comrades. His term of service 
having nearly expired, he was fondly an- 
ticipating a speedy return home. But 
instead of his welcome presence, came the 
sad intelligence he was shot in battle in 
the afternoon of the first day's terrible 
fighting in the Wilderness. His funeral 
was attended in Calais, on Sunday, June 
5th. A large congregation assembled to 
testify their respect to his memory. 

FRANCIS WEST AND DESCENDANTS. 

In Jan. 1787, Francis West, of Roch- 
ester, Mass., bought the entire right of 
Ebenezer Allen, one of the proprietors of 
Calais, and the next March began clearing 
his 2d div. lot, now owned by Aro P. Slay- 
ton. In the summer of 1788, he built upon 
it, and March, 1789, moved there, and 
made it his home while he remained in 
town. A deed, dated Sept. 1796, gives 
his residence as Montpelier, and in July, 



1 68 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1797, he disposed of the last of his land in 
Calais. 

His children born in Calais were : Free- 
man, b. Oct. 1789, the first child born in 
town, died young, and was buried in the 
burying-ground east of Caleb Bliss' ; Sarah, 
b. 1 79 1, married Smith Bennett, who 
worked at tanning in Calais from 1830 
until his death, in 1859. His wife died in 
1842, and he afterward married Maria, 
daughter of Alexander and Polly (Tobey) 
White ; his children : Catherine Bennett, 
b. i8i8,m. Forbes Jones, resided in Calais ; 
Philip Sidney Bennett, b. 1820, m. ist, 
Ruth, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth 
Eaton, and 2d, Sarah A Cochran ; resides 
in Calais, a successful farmer. His daugh- 
ter Ruth m. Murray A. Kent. 

Mary W. Bennett, b. 1828; L. Austin 
Bennett, b. 1833, enlisted July 21, 1862; 
died Feb. 19, 1863. 

MOSES STONE. 

In 1788, Nehemiah Stone, of Charlton, 
Mass., one of the proprietors of Calais, 
deeded his 2d div. lot (No. 28) to his son, 
Moses Stone. The next spring Moses 
came to Calais with Abijah and Peter 
Wheelock, and built upon his lot, now the 
J. W. E. Bliss farm. He returned to 
Charlton in the fall, and the next spring, 
1789, came back with Abijah Wheelock, 
Samuel Twiss, and families. In Jan. 1794, 
lot No. 28 was deeded to Jonas Comings, 
and soon after Stone left town. 

SAMUEL TWISS. 

Samuel Twiss and wife came to Calais 
in the spring of 1789, and probably occu- 
pied the house built by Moses Stone the 
previous year. In company with Col. 
Davis, he built the mills near the center of 
the town in 1793, and became quite a land- 
holder in town, but in 1794 or '5 removed 
to Coit's Gore, now Waterville, Vt. 

ROBINSON. 

Capt. Samuel, son of Josiah and Anna 
(Barton), b. July 24, 1742, in Spencer, 
Mass., m. Molly Hammond, and settled in 
Charlton, Mass. ; was one of the propri- 
etors of the town of Calais, and a member 
of the committee that surveyed the town in 
1783 and '6, but did not reside here until 



1808, when he built the house where Capt. 
A. J. Mower now lives, and resided there 
until his death, Oct. 29, 1827 ; children : 
Joel, b. 1772; Anna, b. 1776, m. Col. 
tialeb Curtis ; Samuel, b. 1779, died un- 
married ; Lydia, b. 1783, taught school the 
summer of 1801, in Remember Kent's 
barn, m. Jacob Wilson, and settled in 
Spencer, Mass., where they reared a large 
family. Their son Hazary P. resided some 
20 years in Calais; William, b. 1785; 
Polly, b. 1787, m. Nathaniel Bancroft; 
James, b. 1790, d. 18 14 : Cynthia and Sally, 
b. 1793; Cynthia d. 1814, and was the 
first person buried in the Robinson burying- 
ground ; Sally m. Sherman Oilman. 

Joel, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Rachel 
Stevens. He came to Calais in 1795, and 
the next year bought the i6o-acre lot N. 
of Kent's Corner, at tax sale for 15s., 
made it his home and died there, 1832. 
His wife died, 1854; children: Lydia, b. 
1797, m. Dwight Marsh; Eri, b. 1799, 
died 1803; John, b. 1801 ; Levi, b. 1803; 
Elon, b. 1809; Hiram, b. 1812. 

Isaac, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Julia 
Harwood, in 1808, and soon after settled 
on the lot north of his brother Joel's, 
where he died July, 1826; children: Julia 
M., b. 1809, m. Luke Stratton ; Harriet 
H., b. 1811, m. Oliver Mower; Emeline, 
b. 1815, died young; Samuel O., b. 1816, 
m. Harriet (Arnold) Simpson. He learned 
harness-making, worked in Montpelier, 
Albany and Troy, N. Y., and in Boston; 
in 1872, bought the mills near the center 
of Calais, and has been town clerk and 
treasurer since 1876. 

D. Azro A. Buck, b. 1823, m. Josephine 
Burnett ; settled in Columbus, O., engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. His son, Edward 
Lyon, b. 1857, is a gradeate of :New Haven, 
Conn. Law School. 

William, son of Capt. Samuel, m. Eunice 
Blashfield, came to Calais {1808, began 
on Maple Corner lot, and afterward lived 
with his father. His wife died 1836 and 
about 1840 he removed to Charlton, Mass. 
Children: Adeline A., b. 1818, m. a Mr. 
White of Charlton Mass. ; Chester B., b. 
1825, d. 1839; William H., b. 1827, died 
young. 



CALAIS. 



169 



John, son of Joel, m. 1828, Hannah 
Taylor, and bought soon after the farm 
where W. G. Kent now lives. In 1848, 
exchanged for a farm at Maple Corner, 
and the same year built the " Red Shop " 
which he and his sons owned until 1876. 
His wife died 185 1, and he m. Mrs. Lucy 
(Hodgkins) Crosier. His children : Emily 
E., b. 1829, m. William H. Safford ; they 
taught school some years in Calais, Mont- 
pelier and Strafford ; in 1854 and 5, he 
published the "Star of Vermont" at 
Northfield ; was in the printing house of 
Houghton & Co. at Cambridge, Mass., 
some six years, and since 1866 has been 
connected with the publishing house, now 
Houghton & Mifflin, Boston. Their chil- 
dren are : Mary Alida, b. 1848, m. Dr. W. 
J. Clark of Milford, Mass. Agnes E., b. 
1852, m. Charles E. White of Adams Ex- 
press Co. Boston. William Leslie, b. 
1854, d. 1866. Lillian M., b. 1871. 

Edwin E., b. 1835, served 3 years in ist 
Reg't. Vt. Sharp-shooters ; was quarter- 
master sergeant of the reg't. ; since 1864 
has engaged in mechanical and mercantile 
pursuits in Worcester, Mass., Lapeer, 
Mich., and ^ince 1877, in Calais; William 
C, b. 1838, m. Coralinn E. Bliss; resided 
in Calais ; died, 1875 ; daughter, Ina Lucy, 
b. 1868. 

Levi, son of Joel, m. 1832, Catherine 
Daggett. He bought, 1830, the farm now 
owned by his son, Julius S., where he re- 
sided until his death, Sept. 1863 ; his 
widow d. May, 1881 ; children: Joel E., 
b. 1834; served in the 13th Reg't. Vt. 
Vols., mustered out July 21, 1863, died 
July 28, 1863, of disease contracted in the 
service; Julius S., b. 1836, m. Mary A. 
Pierce, who died 1872, and he m. Harriet 
L. (Norris) Persons ; resides on his fath- 
er's old farm ; children: IrvinG., b. 1864; 
Ilda G., b. 1865 ; Inda M., b. 1867 ; Lucy 
C, b. 1878; Otis v., b. 1838, d. 1863; 
Mary C, b. 1845, m. James K. Tobey. 

Elon, son of Joel, m. 1833, Patience 
Taylor, who died 1853, and he m. Rachel 
A. Bliss. He lived upon his father's old 
homestead until his death, in 1863; chil- 
dren: Lenora G., b. 1835, rn- Martin 



Goodnough ; Algernon E., b. 1843, d. 
1863 ; thtee other children died young. 

Hiram, son of Joel, m. Julia Ainsworth, 
who died i860, and he m. Mrs. Lovisa 
Hodgden ; resided in Calais, in Read- 
ing, Vt., and the last few years of his life 
in Northern Vt. and Canada; d. 1876. 
His daughter, Minerva J., b. 1837, m. Sol- 
omon K. Hapgood, and resides in Read- 
ing. 

ZOETH TOBEY, 

b. Sept. 15, 1764, m. Sarah West, b. July 
7, 1770, and settled first in New Bedford, 
Mass. ; removed to Wardsboro, Vt., about 
1792. In 1799, he bought the farm in Calais 
now (1881) owned by C. O. Adams, built 
upon it, and in 1805, sold it, and removed 
to Eastern New York. In 18 10, he re- 
turned, and began clearing what is now 
known as the Dr. George farm, where he 
died Mar. 16, 18 12. The farm remained 
in the hands of his heirs until 18 18, when 
it was sold to Dr. John Gilman. His 
widow m. 1st, Peter Wheelock, and 2d, 
John Gray, both of Calais. His children 
were : 

Elizabeth, b. 1791, m. 1814, David Dag- 
gett, b. 1778, in Charlton, Mass., lived in 
Calais and Montpelier. He d. 1861 ; she 
in 1862; children: Eli, b. 1815, died 
young; Polly W., b. 1818, m. Isaac fhap- 
man; Maria K., b. 1820, m. Thomas B. 
Muldoon; Lyman, b. 1822, m. Mary E. 
Belding; Avery T., b. 1824, m. Mary J. 
Corwin ; David J., b. 1827, m. Kate Roddy ; 
Delia P., b. 1831, m. John R. Cooley ; 
Lizzie, b. 1833, m. John M. Gunnison. 

Mary and Keziah b. 1793; Mary died 
young ; Keziah m. Isaac Raise, resided in 
Somerset, Niagara Co., N. Y. ; in 1865, 
removed to Delaware, where she died. 

Avery, b. 1796, m. Sally Norton, and 
settled at Russellville, Crawford Co., 111., 
had seven children, of whom only one, 
Sewell, the youngest, is living. 

Polly, b. 1798, m. 1820, Alexander 
White, by whom she had two daughters, 
Sarah Maria, b. 1822, Amanda R., b. 1827, 
d. 1866. Mr. White d. 1828, and his 
widow m. Jeremiah Comins, b. ^787, in 
Charlton, Mass. She d. 1855, and he in 
1863. 



lyo 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Richard West, b. 1800, m. 1822, Lydia, 
dau. of Edward Tucker, b. 1803. Shed. 
1844, and he m. Hannah C. (Dodge) 
Kelton. His children were : DeUa Irena, 
b. 1823, m. Thomas Bell, reside at Hills 
Grove, R. I.; children: Abbie W., b. 
1856, and Arthur T., b. 1864 ; WiUiam El- 
liott, b. 1825, m. 1853, Martha F. Martin; 
she d. 1878 ; he now resides in Calais ; 
children : Anna C, b. 1856, was drowned 
in Wheelock pond, June, 1873 ; Lydia M., 
b. 1859; Phebe Roxana, b. 1828, m. 1854, 
Amos W. Eddy, of Walden, Vt., where 
they have since resided ; children : Emma 
L., b. 1855, d. 1875 ; Marcia M., b. 1857 ; 
Nellie M., b. 1862; Edmund W., b. 1870; 
Orvis S., b. 1832, m. 1859, Nancy M. 
Hargin, resides in Hammond, St. Croix 
Co., Wis. ; children : Jennie B., b. 1863 ; 
Alpa A., b. 1866; Lena J., b. 1867; 
James K., b. 1845, m. 1870, Mary C. Rob- 
inson, lives in Calais ; children : Lelia M., 
b. 1873; Laura C, b. 1875; Clara Leone, 
b. 1879. Richard W. was a farmer, hotel- 
keeper, and mill-owner in Calais, East 
Montpelier, and Walden, Vt., Royalton, 
N. Y., and Absecon, N. J. He died in 
Calais, May, 1874. Zoeth 2d, b. 1803, 
died young; Allen, b. 1805, m. Elvira 
Ellis. He was a successful farmer, and 
resided in Calais, d. 1875; children: El- 
bridge A., b. 1847; Martin D., b. 1853; 
Elbridge A. m. Kate Doty, by whom he 
had a son, Allen. His wife died 1879, 
and he is now practicing medicine in 
Warren, N. H. Martin E. owns the old 
homestead. 

MANUFACTORIES IN CALAIS. 

BY ALLEN MOUSE. 

The proprietors of Calais, June, 1792, 
to " encourage the building of a corn-mill 
and saw-mill " offered 200 acres of land to 
any person who would build the same 
within a specified time, and in "Octo- 
ber, 1793, met and accepted" both mills 
which had been been built by Col. Jacob 
Davis, and Samuel Twiss, near the center 
of the town, the saw-mill on the same spot 
where the one owned by S. O. Robinson 
now stands, and the grist-mill just below 
it. These first mills in town, were bought 



about 1800, by Jason Marsh, and run by 
him, and his son, Jason, more than 68 
years. They passed into the hands of 
William White, who owned them a brief 
time; sold to E. N. Morse, who .sold to 
S. O. Robinson, in 1872, present owner. 
The situation of these mills is good, and 
had the water-power been as good, no mills 
in town would have done as much busi- 
ness ; but in dry times they are without 
sufficient water, still they have always done 
a remunerative business, and are in repair. 
The demand for lumber, soon caused 
other saw-mills to be built ; one about 
1800, by Col. Jacob Davis at the outlet 
of what is now known as the Wheelock 
pond, where an excellent water-power was 
easily obtained. Jason Marsh, who seem- 
ed to have a penchant for mill-property, 
which he transmitted to his descend- 
ants, bought this mill about 1820, and put 
a run of stone in a part of the saw-mill ; 
running it a few years, he sold to Gideon 
Wheelock, who owned it some years, since 
which it has passed through several hands ; 
owned since 1874, by H. O. Marsh, who 
has added a shop for the manufacture of 
coffins and caskets, in which he does a 
small business. The saw-mill is one of 
the best in town. Soon after the 2d mill 
the 3d, by Peter Wheelock, on the present 
C. Bliss farm, poor water-power, soon 
abandoned. 1803, Joel Robinson built a 
saw-mill at Kent's Corner, which did fair 
business for a time ; now in good repair ; 
does a small business. 1811, Joseph 
Brown built a saw-mill in the Brown dis- 
trict ; owned and run by the Browns about 
30 years ; abandoned. 1828, Isaac Davis 
built the saw-mill, Pekin ; nni about 25 
years ; 1834, Charles Slayton built one ; 
not a success. 1824, Dea. Joshua Bliss 
built the one, Jesse White rebuilt, about 
1840 at the outlet of Martin pond, now 
owned by William Dailey. 1856, John 
Robinson built one at Maple Corner. It 
tapered to nothing in about 15 years. 

Grist Mills : About 1820, Jason Marsh 
built one at No. 10, that he run several 
years ; sold to Gideon Wheelock, who run 
it 10 or 12 years and sold to John Rich, 
who run it about as long, when it changed 



CALAIS. 



171 



owners often till 1874, when E. D. Has- 
kell bought, enlarged, and added machinery 
for manufacturing woolen goods, and card- 
ing wool ; employed about 6 hands ; nin 
about 3 years ; failed ; since it has done 
but little. 1 8 17, Col. Curtis built a small 
grist-mill on Curtis Pond ; abandoned as a 
mill in about 10 years. 1847, John Rob- 
inson built the red shop, machine shop, 
etc., grist-mill; the grist-mill part was of 
small account ; the machine-shop part was 
run by Nathan Bancroft until 1852 ; since 
used as a general repair shop, etc., for the 
manufacture of horse-rakes, etc., owned by 
L. A. Kent. 

Wool-carding: Holbrook & Waters 
began here first on A. Haskell's present 
farm, about 1802 or '3; and continued the 
business for a few years. 1820, Jason 
Marsh put a carding-machine into his grist- 
mill that was in operation 8 or 10 years. 
1827, E. C. and Ira McLoud commenced 
here and carried on cloth-dressing at No. 
ID till 1844. They charged from $1,000 
to $ifoo a year; that shows the looms of 
our mothers were not idle ; they sold to 
G. J. Slayton and Joseph Andrews, who 
continued the business some 10 or 12 
years, adding in time the carding of wool ; 
the building has since been used for 
making and repairing carriages ; is now 
occupied by Peter St. Rock. Holbrook & 
Waters also manufactured wooden clocks, 
and cast bells up to 200 pound's weight ; 
at the same time they carded wool, but 
their business was small. 

Distilleries appeared in 1812, and in 
a short time increased to seven, and did an 
active business for several years, but as 
the temperance element developed they 
gradually went out of existence, and for 
the last half century there has not been 
any liquor distilled in town, and there is 
probably less liquor drank in this town at 
present, than in any other town in the 
county. 

Lemuel Perry manufactured potash, op- 
posite the Christian church, as early it is 
believed as 1800, for some 10 years, and 
then moved just below the Marsh mills, 
where he continued the business about 
15 years. 



Jonas Hall made axes and scythes in a 
small way for a number of years, and built 
a two-story brick house for which he made 
the brick ; the house is well preserved ; 
owned now by J. P. Laird. Mr. Hall 
owned and improved the saw-mill near 
his place ; his manufactures commenced 
about 1812. 

Boot and shoe business, 1829, 1. & A. 
Kent commenced this manufacture here, 
which continues to the present (1881 — See 
Kent record.) In the early years of this 
business they employed a dozen workmen, 
and run a two-horse team from here to 
Canada disposing of their goods. Of late 
years the business has declined, probably 
owing very much to the pressure of other 
business, but it has been of material ben- 
efit to this town, especially in its earlier 
days. 

Starch-making, 1844. — The Kent firm 
above, in Company with L. Bancroft, built 
a starch factory, which they run till i860, 
making some years 80 tons. Soon after 
Moses Sheldon began to make starch about 
2 miles below the first company, but soon 
gave up the business. 

Carriage-making was begun here in 
1840, at No. lo* by Rial Ainsworth, who 
made carriages of 40 diflerent kinds in a 
year. His business is much smaller now. 

Silk culture excited some attention 
here, and several parties about 1830, en- 
gaged in it. It soon died out. This vi- 
cinity, or those engaged in the business, 
were not adapted to that industry ; but 
some silk cloth has been manufactured in 
Calais, handkerchiefs, etc. 

There is one literary society in the town, 
called the Calais Circulating Library .formed 
in 1832, with ^2 members ; additions have 
been made nearly every year ; the library 
numbers now nearly 800 vols. There was 
also another library, started at East Calais, 
ro or 15 years ago. It is much smaller, 
but the books are excellent. 
post-office. 

BY L. A. KENT, P. M. 

The first post-office was established in 
town about 1828, Gideon Wheelock first 
postmaster, living at the Center, where H. 
Bancroft now lives ; Jonas Hall was the 



172 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



next P.M.; the office was kept at the brick 
house where James Laird now lives, from 
1830 to ■'49, when Ira Kent was made P. 
M., and the office moved to Kent''s Corners, 
where it has since remained, except from 
'65 to '68, A. Goodnough held the office at 
his house, where B. Wheeler now lives. 
B. P. White was postmaster from '68 to 
'73, when L. A. Kent succeeded him, and 
still holds the appointment. An office was 
created at East Calais about 1830, Asa 
Alden postmaster till '57; then Z. G. 
Pierce about 3 years, J. H. Cole 3 yearS' 
A. D. Pearce 8 years, F. A. Dwinell 4 
years, to 1874, since which time C. R. 
Dwinell has held the office. In 1880, 
another office was established at North 
Calais, with S. B. Fair postmaster. Of 
the publications received at the Calais of- 
fice there are 65 weeklies, 21 monthlies, i 
daily, 2 semi-weeklies. 

LETTER OF STILLMAN CHURCHILL, 

sent to me 23 years ago, inclosing a po- 
etical contribution from his wife — Ed. :] 

Mrs. Churchill was born in Calais, Nov. 
29, 181 8; her maiden name was Marsh. 
She was married to Stillman Churchill, 
Esq., in 1841. She is musical as well as 
poetical ; her father (Perry Marsh), was at 
one time a manufacturer oi the piano (in 
Calais.) She is a lover of music and a 
skillful practitioner. Mr C. removed to 
Stowe, his native town, in 1845, and went 
to farming, she having the care of a large 
dairy, and making butter and cheese with 
her own hands. Her husband in 1850 and 
'51, built the Mansfield House and fur- 
nished it at an expense of $10,000, and cut 
a road to the top of Mansfield. Mrs. C. 
was the first lady who ever rode on to the 
summit of the same, when she wrote the 
lines headed, Mansfield Mountain. She 
now resides again in Montpelier. A short 
sketch, which you may alter as you please. 
Stillman churchill. 

Montpelier, June 21, 1858. 

MANSFIELD MOUNTAIN. 
A song foi' the mountains, the storm-brewing moun- 
tains, 
Ascendinfj the lieaveus, the vaulted expanse; 
Their notches anil gorges llie antliem prolong, 
Tlieir valleys and woodlands enhance. 

Then join the high cliorus, O, man! 'tis for thee 
That up from wild nature such pteans arise; 

Drink deep of its spirit, pure, fearless and free. 
And let thy glad numbers ascend to the sides. 

With thought and with puriwse as firm, bold, and strong 

As rocks piled to mountaius, send upward tliy song. 



PERSONS WHO HAVE CELEF.RATED THEIR 
GOLDEN WEDDINGS. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howe Wheeler, 72 years ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Salem Goodenough,62 years ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Tucker, 60 years ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Luther Moi-se. 59 years ; Mr. 
and Mrs. Aaron Wheeler, 59 years ; Mr. 
and Mrs. Ebenezer Cox, 57 years ; Mr. and 
Mrs. Joseph Brown, 55 years; Mr. and 
Mrs. David Fair, 56 years; T. J. Porter, 
51 ; Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Pearce, Mr. and 
Mrs. Gideon Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Israel 
Dwinell, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Alden, Mr. 
and Mrs. Dr. Asa George, Mr. and Mrs. 
Aaron Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Pearce, 
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Gray. 

TOVm OFFICERS. 

Treasurers. — Samuel Fay 95, Peter 
Wheelock 96to98, Abdiel Bliss 99 to 1801, 
Oliver Palmer 1802 to 3, Joshua Bliss, 2d, 
1804 to 6, 19 to 21, Jedediah Fay 1807 to 

9, Samuel Danforth 10, 11, Lemuel Perry 
12, 13, 15, 18, Levi Wright 14, Preserved 
Wright 16, 17, Caleb Curtis 22 to 25, Gid- 
eon Hicks 26 to 47, Nelson A. Chase 48 
to 64, Alonzo D. Pearce 65, William White, 
66 to 69, Marcus Ide 70 to 75, Jonas G. 
Ormsbee, June 1875 to Mar. 76, Samuel 
O. Robinson 76 to 81. 

Moderators. — Joshua Bliss95,.9, 1800, 
2, 3, 4, 12, Jonas Comins 96, 7, Jonathan 
Eddy 98, Gershom Palmer 1801, 7, 8, 9, 

10, II, Caleb Curtis 5, 6, 13, 15 to 24, 
Abijah Wheelock 14, Caleb Putnam 25, 6, 
Shubael Wheeler 27, Lovel Kelton 28, 
Pliny Curtis 29, 30, i, 3, 4, 7, 8, 40 to 46, 
Nathaniel Eaton 32, 5, 56, Asa George 36, 
9, 47, 55, 8 to 64, 6, 7, J. Harvey Cole 48 
to 52, Abdiel Kent 53, 4, Rufus P. Moses 
57, Albert Dwinell 65, 9, 70, i, 2, 4, 6, 7, 
8,80, 81, Benjamin P. White 68, James K. 
Tobey 73- 5. 9- 

Constables. — Jonas Comins 95 to 97, 
Caleb Curtis 98, Aaron Bliss 99, Samuel 
Fay 1800, Jason Marsh 1801 ; Joshua Bliss, 
2d, 1802, Shubael Shortt 1803, Abijah 
Wheelock 4 to 6, Gideon Wheelock 7, 8, 
Medad Wright 9, J. R. Densmore 10, 11, 
Ona Kelton 12, 13, Remember Kent 13, 
Jedediah Fay 15 to 17, Nathan Kelton 18 to 
22, James Morse 23, 25 to 28, Shubael 



CALAIS. 



173 



Wheeler 24, Perry Marsh 29, 30, Alonzo 
Pearce 31 to 33, Ira McLoud 34 to 37, Ira 
Kent 38, Chas. B. Marsh 39 to 41, Enoch 
C. McLoud 42 to 46, David B. Fay 47 to 
50, Luther Morse 51- to 53, J. V. R. Kent 
54> S5> 65, 66, Alonzo D. Pearce 56, 57, 
67 to 69, Walter P. Slayton 58 to 63, 70 to 
74, Lee H. Bliss 64, Benjamin P. White, 
75 to 81. 

Collectors. — Alonzo C. Slayton 68, 
Smilie Bancroft 71. 

Selectmen. — Joshua Bliss 95, 96, 98 to 
1804, 12, Edward Tucker 95, Jonas Com- 
ins 95, 97, Asa Wheelock 96, Abijah 
Wheelock 96, 97, 1812, Oliver Palmer 97, 
Jonathan Eddy 98, Shubael Shortt 98 to 
1 80 1, Abdiel Bliss 99, Gersham Palmer 
1800 to 4, 7 to 9, Peter Wheelock 2 to 4, 
Caleb Curtis 5, 6, 15 to 20, Gideon Hicks 
5 to 9, 13, 15 to 20, Samuel Danforth 6, 
Lemuel Perry 7 to 9, 13, 14, 19, 22, Rufus 
Green 10, 11, Ebenezer Goodenough 10, 

11, Levi Wright 10, 11, Gideon Wheelock 

12, 21, Isaac Kendall 13, 15, Samuel Fay 
14, Jera Wheelock 14, Jedediah Fay 16, 17, 
Aaron Lamb 18, Preserved Wright 20, 21, 
David G. Sheple 21, Joshua Bliss, 2d, 22, 
Caleb Putnam 22 to 26, Lovel Kelton 23,36, 
Medad Wright 23, 24, Pardon Janes 24, 25, 
27, Welcome Wheelock 25, 26, 37, 38, Shu- 
bael Wheeler 26, 27, Jonas Hall 27, 28, 30, 
Alonzo Pearce 28 to 30, William Robinson 
28, 29, Oliver Merritt 29, Jesse White 30, 
32, 33, 49, 50, Pliny Curtis 31, 32, Nelson 
A. Chase 31, 32, 42, 43, 45 to 47, Charles 
Sibley 31, Joseph Blanchard 33, 34,48, 
Asa Alden 33, 34, 47, 49, 50, Charles 
Dudley 34, 35, 43, 44, Richard W. Tobey 
35' 36, 39, Alonzo Pearce 35, Samuel Rich 
36, Joseph Lance 37, 38, 39, Israel Dwin- 
ell yj , 38, John White 39, 40, J. Harvey 
Cole 40, 41, 53, 54, Levi^is Wood 40, 41, 

47, 48, 61, 62, 68, 69, Abdiel Kent 41, 42, 
44 to 46, 66, 67, Chester Bugbee 42, 43, 

48, 49, 55, 56, 57, 73, Stephen Pearce 44 
to 46, Rufus P. Moses 50, 51, Mason W. 
Wright 51, 52, Alfred P. Hicks 51, 52, 55, 
56, 64, 65, 67, 70, 71, 72, Jonas G. Orms- 
bee 52, 53, Allen Tobey 53, 54, John V. 
R. Kent 54, 55, 58, 59, 65, John Morse 
56, John Rich 57, William S. Orcutt 57, 



59, 60, 61, 66, 68, 69, Charles B. Marsh 
58, Sidney H. Foster 58, 59,60, Zephaniah 
G. Pierce 60, 61, 62, TJ, 78, 9, Alonzo M. 
Foster 62, 63, Ezekiel Kent 63, 64, Ira S. 
Dwinell 63, William White 64, 68, 69, 74, 
75' 78' 79. 80, Albert Dwinell 65, Benja- 
min P. White 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, Walter 
P. Slayton 70 to 74, "]"], 80, J. Warren 
Leonard 73, 75, 76, 80, 81, Andrew Has- 
kell, 74, Samuel O. Robinson 75, James 
K. Tobey 76, 81, Lemuel M. Gate 76, 81, 
Orson Putnam "jj, 78, 9. 

Listers. — Jedediah Fay 95, 98, 99, 
1 8 13, Abijah Wheelock 95, 1805, 11, Aaron 
Bliss 95, 1805, Samuel Fay 96, 99, 1801, 
2. 3, 13' 15' 19' Jonas Comins 96, 1803, 
Goddard Wheelock 96, Gersham Palmer 

97, 1806, Gideon Wheelock 97, i8c2, 15, 
16, Jonathan Tucker 97, 1809, Simon Davis 

98, Levi Wright 98, 1801, 12,44, 45,Phin- 
eas Davis 99, 1801, 5, Joshua Lilley 1800, 
Elnathan Hathaway 1800, 2, 3, Peter 
Wheelock 1800, Jonathan Eddy 1800, Caleb 
Curtis 1800, 2, 8, 9, 10, 18,21, 22, 24, 25, 
32, Daniel Carpenter 1801, James Gin- 
nings 1801, 3, Edward Tucker 1802, Rufus 
Green 1803, Lemuel Perry 1803, 4, 19, 
Ebenezer Goodnough 1804, Alpheus Bliss 
1804, Remember Kent 6, 7, Noah C. Clark 
6, 7, Oliver Palmer 7, Joshua Bliss 8, 11, 
Samuel Danforth 8, Isaac Kendall 9, John 
R. Densmore 10, 12, 13, 15, Gideon Hicks 
ID, II, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 27, 32, 33, 
yj, Aaron Lamb 1812, Ephraim Ladd 14, 
Joel Robinson 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, Joshua 
Bliss, 2d, 16, Caleb B. Mitchell 17, Pre- 
served Wright 18, Nathan B. Spaulding 
19, Benjamin Page 20, Caleb Putnam 21, 
Isaac Davis 21, 23, Israel Dwinell 22, 24, 
Oliver Shipley 22, Lovel Kelton 24, 25, 27, 

28, 31, 32, 33, Shubael Wheeler 25, 28, 

29, 30, David G. Shipley 26, Lemuel Bliss 
26, Welcome Wheelock 27, 30, Jabez 
Mower 28, Nelson A. Chase 29, 30, 34, 65, 
Pliny Curtis 29, 39, 40, Oliver Mower 31, 
Pardon Janes 31, Abdiel Kent ^^y 34, yj, 
42, 43, 47, Nathaniel Eaton 34, 35, 42, 43, 
44, 52, Lewis Wood 35, 36, 38, 44, 45, 
Enoch C. McLoud 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 
Charles Sibley 36, Alonzo Pearce yj, 52, 
John Walbridge 38, 39, Silas Wheelock 
40, 56, Charles Dudley 41, 46, 47, 50, 51. 



174 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Alfred P. Hicks 41, 43, 50, Richard W. 
Tobey 41, Joseph Lance 42, Elias Smith 
45, 46, 64, "]■},, 76, Ezekiel Kent 46, 57, 
59, 60, 61, 62, 70, 71, J. Harvey Cole 47, 
59, 60, J. W. E. Bliss 48, Charles Stevens 
48, 49, John Rich 48, 49, 53, 54, Allen 
Tobey 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 66, 74, Joseph 
W. Pierce 51, 57, 58, J. V. R. Kent 53, 
Ira S. Dwinell 53, 54, 55, J. O. A. Allen 
54, Jesse White 55, 56, Levi G. Dwinell 
56, William White 57, 59, Loam Hath- 
away 58, Jacob Eaton 58, Chester Bugbee 
60 to 63, 65, 68, 70, 71, J. Warren Leon- 
ard 61 to 63, I. Rich Kent 63 to 65, Lem- 
uel M. Cate 64, 67, Charles French 66, 67, 
Lewis Bancroft 66, 67, 68, John Morse 68, 
Alfred P. Wheelock 69, Walter P. Slay- 
ton 69, John O. Haskell 69, Charles B. 
Marsh 70, 71, James K. Tobey 72, 73, 
Andrew Haskell 72, 75, 76, 81, Alonzo C. 
Slayton 72, J. P. Carnes ^i, 74, 78, 81, 
Albert Dwinell 74, 75, 78, Alpheus S. Bliss 
75, 76, 9, Henry C. Wells 'j'j, 81, Jerome 
N. lUiss -]■], 80, Harry A. Morse 'j'j, 78, 
80, Albert C. George 79, Isaac Davis 79, 
Willard Bugbee 80. 

Superintendent of Schools. — Na- 
thaniel Eaton 46, Nelson A. Chase 46, 7, 
50, 6, 7, 60, Lester Warren 46, 9, 51, 
Henry Slayton 48, Asa George 52, Silas 
Wheelock 53, Sidney H. Foster 54, 5, 
Benjamin P. White 58, 9, 61, 2, Lee H. 
Bliss 63, 4, J. Henry McLoud 65, 6, 8, 
Marcus Ide 67, Frank A. Dwinell 69, M. 
S. Hathaway 70, i, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 81, Geo. 
H. Gray 73, 8, W. W. Ainsworth 79, 80. 

Delegates to Constitutional Con- 
ventions.— Samuel Fay 14, Benjamin Page 
22, Thomas Cole 28, Shubacl Wheeler 36, 
Nelson A. Chase 43, 50. 

Justices of the Peace. — Peter Whee- 
lock 95 to 1805, Gersham Palmer 1800 to 
II, Gideon Hicks 8 to 49, Lemuel Perry 
8 to 18, 22, 30 to 38, Samuel Fay 14, Gid- 
eon Wheelock 17 to 30, Nathan Kelton 18, 
Caleb Curtis 18, 20 to 35, Isaac Davis 21, 
2, Lovell Kelton 22, 24 to yj, Nathaniel 
Eaton 30 to 49, 51, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 60, 63, 
Medad Wright 31 to 34, Ohver Mower 31 
to 36, Shubael Wheeler 31 to 49, Jacob 
Tewksbury il>^ 4. 7; ^^ 9' 4°? Pliny Curtis 



2)1)^ 34i 39 to 45. Nelson A. Chase 33, 34, 
41 to 55, Asa George i^}, to 49, 78, 9, Ja- 
bez Mower 33, 34, yj to 49, Jos. Hatch 
34, Wm. Robinson 35 to 39, Jedediah 
Fay 36, Shubael Shortt 36, Abijah Whee- 
lock 36, Jason Marsh 36, Alonzo Pearce 
yi to 53, 55, 56, 58 to 60, 62 to 75, H. W. 
W. Miller 38, E. C. McLoud 38 to 49, 
Abdiel Kent 38 to 54, 62, Luther Morse 
38 to 50, Joseph Lance })^ to 44, Richard 
W. Tobey 40 to 47, Herman Bliss 40, J. 
Harvey Cole 42, 46 to 49, 54, 57, Joshua 
M. Dana 42, Welcome Wheelock 42 to 49, 
Charles Dudley 42 to 49, Lewis Wood 46 
to 49, 55 to 57, 61, Joseph Blanchard 46 
to 49, Alfred P. Hicks 47 to 50, 53, 4, 8, 
9, 60, David B. Fay 48, 9, Bennett Palmer 

48, 9, Rufus P. Moses 49 to 57, Jonas Hall 

49, A. S. Nelson 49, John Morse 49, 62 
to 67, Tilnus Hathaway 49, 52 to 61, Jonas 
G. Ormsbee 49, Ira S. Dwinell 49, 76, 'j'j, 

80, 81, James S. Gray 49, Lemuel Perry 
Jr., 49, John Rich 50 to 54, E. A. Hath- 
away 51, H. K. Slayton 55 to 62, Charles 
B. Marsh 56, 7, Sidney H. Foster 56, 72, 

3, J. V. R. Kent 57 to 69, 76, 7, Charles 
S. Bennett 58 to 60, 62 to ']},, Chester 
Bugbee 61, William White 61, 2, Lee H. 
Bliss 62, Alonzo M. Foster 63 to 65, J. 
Warren Leonard 63 to 69, George J. Slay- 
ton 64, 5, Walter P. Slayton 66 to JT, 80, 

81, Edwin D. Haskell 66, 67, 691071, 
S. S. Macomber68 to T] , Otis Slayton 68, 
Benjamin P. White 70 to ']T), Elias Smith 
70, 71, 78, 9, Benjamin Wheeler 72, 3, S. 
O. Robinson 74, 5, James K. Tobey 74, 
75) 78) 9) Orson Putnam 74 to TJ, 80, 81, 
M. S. Hathaway 74, 75, 78, 9, Shubael B. 
Fair ^(3, 7, 80, 81, Henry C. Wells 76, 7, 
J. P. Carnes 78, 9, Alpheus S. Bliss, 78, 
9, Herman O. Marsh 78, 9, W. W. Ains- 
worth 80, 81 , Harry A. Morse 80, 81 , Chas. 
French 80, 81. 

Representatives.— Peter Wheelock 95 
to 99, Abdiel Bliss 1800, i, Joshua Bliss 2, 
Gersham Palmer 3, 5 to 10, Lemuel Perry 

4, Gideon Wheelock 12, 13, 17, 21, Sam'l. 
Fay 14, Benjamin Page 15, 16, 22, Caleb 
Curtis 18 to 20, Lovel Kelton 23 to 25, 27, 
David G. Shipley 26, Pardon Janes 28 to 
31, Shubael Wheeler n, 34, 47, Pliny 



CALAIS. 



I7S 



Curtis 35, 36, Joseph Lance 37, 38, Alonzo 
Pearce 39, 40, Abdiel Kent 41, 42, Chas. 
Dudley 43, 44, Nelson A. Chase 45, 46, 
Enoch C. McLoud 48, 49, David B. Fay 
50, Rufus P. Moses 51, 52, Ebenezer S. 
Demming 53, Asa George, 54, 55, Lester 
Warren 56, 57, Hiram K. Slayton 58, 59, 
Albert Dwinell 60, 61, John V. R. Kent, 
62, 63, Alonzo M. Foster 64, 65, Sidney 
H. Foster 66, 67, Ira A. Morse 68, 69, 
Walter P. Slayton 72, 73, James K. Tobey 
74, 75, Erasmus L. Burnap 76, 'j'j, Benja- 
min P. White 78, 79, J. Warren Leonard 
80, 81. 

State Senators. — Nathaniel Eaton 40, 
41, Albert Dwinell 78, 79, 80, 81. 

Assistant Judges of County Court.— 
Shubael Wheeler 27 to 30, Pliny Curtis y], 
8, Alonzo Pearce. 

Judge of Probate. — Gersham Palmer 
10, Nelson A. Chase 68, 69. 

Sheriff. — Alonzo D. Pearce 70. 

Clerk of County Court. — Shubael 
Wheeler 45 to 8, 50 to — 

GRAND list. 

The list for the year 1795 was £lo\, 
los; 1796,^788,105. The first general 
list under the act of March 20, 1797, is 
recorded: 61 polls at $20, $1220; 174^^ 
acres improved land at $1.75 per acre, 
$305.37; other property and assessments, 
$1670.38, total, $3195.75. 1798, 67 polls, 
191 acres, $2142.73, personal, total, $3,- 
816.72 ; 1799, 72polls, 312 acres, $2702.06, 
personal, total, $4689.37 ; 1800, 80 polls, 
400 acres, $39.50 houses, $2750.50, person- 
al, total, $5090.00. 

For valuations, etc., upon which these 
and the following list are based, see svun- 
mary of list for 18 12. 

GRAND LIST OF 180I. 

The first complete list now on file. The 
date next the name signifies the year of 
settlement, or near as can be ascertained ; 

a. signifies acre or acres of improved land ; 

b. and figures following, appraisal of the 
buildings ; cash figures alone, the whole 
amount of list : 

Wm. Abbott, 1799 or 1800, $20; Ains- 
worth, Moses 1797, $6.50; Reuben, 1799, 



1800, I a., $28.25, Sabin, 1797, 4 a., $3.50 ; 
Alvord, Isaac 1801, $26.50, Stephen, 
1797,6 a., $57; Bliss, Aaron 1795,6 a., 
b. $250, $62, Abdiel, 1798, 30 a., b. $400, 
$148.50, Alpheus, 1799, 1800, b. $300, 
$72.50, Caleb, 1800, $58, David, 1797, 7 
a., b. $150, $88.25, Frederick, 1795' 1° a., 
$90.50, Joshua, 1795, 15 a., $115.75; 
Joshua 2d., 1798, 17 a., $124.75, Noah, 
1798,4 a., $70; Beckwith, Joshua 1800, 
$40 ; Carpenter, Daniel 1800, b. $300, $59 ; 
Clark, Noah L. 1797, 5 a., b. $100, $63.75 ; 
Comings, Jonas 1795, 5 a., b. $200, $65.75 ; 
Curtis, Caleb 1798, 3 a., b. $250, $76.75; 
Daggett, David 1778, $26.50; Danforth, 
Samuel 1800, $40; Davis, Silas 1801, $20, 
Simeon, 1795, 8 a., $54, Phineas, 1797, 8 
a., b. $250, $73.50; Dickenson, John 1798, 
$20; Doane, Elisha 1797, t^Z'-i Eddy, 
Edmund 1800, b. $100, $27, Jonathan, 
'797> $31-50; Emerson, John 1797, 3 a., 
$63.25; Fay, Jedediah 1795, 5 a., $65.25, 
Samuel, 1795, 6 a., $70.50; Ginnings, 
Amos 1795, 7 a., $88.75, James, 1795, 5 
a., $75.25; Goodell, David 1795, 4 a., 
$53.25; Goodenough, Ebenezer 1797,9 a., 
$ii6.7S; Green, Rufus 1797, la., $49.75; 
Haskell, Moses 1795, 2 a., $56.50; Hatha- 
way, Asa 1800, 10 a., $37.50, Elnathan, 

1796, 5 a., $75.25, Silas, 1797, 5 a., 
b. $150, $43.25, Thomas, 1797, 2 a., $55 ; 
Hicks, Gideon, 1800, 3 a., $38.75, John, 

1801, $26.50; Howland, Polly, widow of 
Abraham, 1795, 3 a., $11.75 ; Janes, Solo- 
mon 1796, 6 a,, $48.50; Kendall, Isaac 
1798 or i8oo,"5 a., $86.75 ; Kent, Remem- 
ber, 1798, 8 a., $60; Kinney, Stephen 
1801, $26.50; Lamb, Aaron 1789, b. $125, 
$55.50, Jacob, 1801, $33.40; Lebaron, 
Francis 1795, 2 a., $30; Lilley, Joshua 

1797, 10 a., $145.50; Merritt, Job 1800, 
$53, Nehemiah, 1800, b. $150, $29.50, 
Oliver, 1801, $20; Marsh, Jason 1800, 
$38.50; Mitchel, Caleb B. 1798, 10 a., 
$40; Nichols, Ezra 1801, $20; Ormsbee, 
Nathaniel 1800, $20; Palmer, Gershom, 
1797, 6 a., $103, Oliver, 1796, 10 a., $97; 
Pearce, Asahel 1795, 6 a., $81.50, Backus, 
1795, 4 a., $75.50, Noah, 1795, $51.50, 
Stephen, 1801, $20; Perry, Lemuel 1800, 
$57.50 ; Pope, Winslow 1797, $26.50 ; Rich, 
Samuel loa., $17.50 ; Robinson, Joel 1794, 



176 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



5 a., $61.75 ; Shortt, Shubael, 1795, 10 a., 
$95.50; Slayton, Jesse 1796, 5 a., $68.25, 
Simeon, 1795, 4 a., b. $100, $60 ; Steward, 
Ethel 1797, $26.50; Thayer, David 1798, 
$36.50, David, Jr., 1798, $20; Tisdale, 
Seth 1801, 4 a., $7; Tobey, Zoath 1799, 
$53; Tucker, Amasa 1797, 6 a., $73.50, 
David, 1800, $20, Edward, 1795, 25 a., b. 
$340, $153.25, Jonathan, 1797, 10 a., b. 
$150, $102 ; Wheelock, Abijah 1795, 10 a., 
$98.50, Asa, 1795, 9 a., $65.25 ; Gideon, 
1797, 6 a., b. $400, $78, Goddard, 1795, 
9 a., $103.75, Jennison, 1795, 8 a., $93.50, 
Peter, Esq., 1795, $76.50, Salem, 1797, 
$38: White, Elijah 1797, 3 a., $61.75, 
Samuel, 1797, 3 a., $64.75 ; Wilber, Hol- 
den, 1795, 18 a., $104; Willis, Edmund 
1797, $6.50; Wright, Levi 1797, 8 a., 
$60.50, Preserved, 1800, 7 a., $53-75; 
Young, Duncan 1796, 4 a., $53.50. 

Names on previous lists not on list of 
1801 : Lyman Daggett, Salmon Davis, 
John Crane, Stephen Fay, David Fuller, 
Bemis Hamilton, James Sprague, Leonard 
Wheelock. 

New names appear in the list from year 
to year, 1802, Amasa, Parley, Wareham, 
and Welcome Ainsworth, Hannah Butter- 
field, Joseph Ginnings, Thomas Haskell, 
Nathan Janes, Uriah Johnson, George and 
James Kelton, Calvin Pearce, Joseph Perry, 
William Thayer, Isaac Wells, Medad 
Wright. 1803, Ezra Bliss, James Dawson, 
William Drown, John Eddy, Artemas Fos- 
ter, Joseph W. Oilman, John Martin, John 
Ware. 1804, Benjamin Andrews, Chester 
Clark, Isaac Davis, Eliphalet Huntington, 
Enoch Kelton, Nathaniel Ladd, James 
Short. 1805, Luther Ainsworth, Amasa 
and John Bancroft, Squire Bullock, Ethan 
Powers, Prince Sears, Oliver Shipley, Buck- 
lin Slayton, Amos Wheelock, Reubin 
Wilber, Philip Vincent. 1806, Jacob Ains- 
worth, Benjamin Bancroft, Amos Barnes. 
George Brown, John Goodale, Phineas 
Goodenough, Ebenezer Goodenough, Jr., 
George Ide, Ephraim Ladd, Richard Pitts, 
Jonathan Pray, Cyrenus Shortt. 1807, 
Vial Allen, Thomas Anderson, Charles 
Bliss, Stephen Bates, Henry Fish, David 
Fuller, Jr., Martin Gilbert, Jessa Holmes, 
Pardon Janes, Elijah Nye, Stephen 01m- 



stead, Samuel Pratt, Phineas Slayton, 
Uriah Simons, Reubin D. Waters, Nathan 
Wheeler, Jared Wheelock, Suel White, 
Daniel and John Young. 1808, Thomas 
Andrews, Galen and Charles Bliss, Moses 
Blanchard, William Crosby, Thomas Fos- 
ter, Abraham Hawkins, William Lougee, 
John McKenzie, Samuel, Isaac and Wil- 
liam Robinson, John Waugh, Almond 
Wilber. 1809, Nathaniel Bancroft, John 
R. Densmore, Jonathan Green, Jonas Hall, 
Isaac Hawkins, Barnabas and Ebenezer 
Kelton, John Martin, Jr.. Daniel Nealey, 
Peleg Redway, Oliver Shipley, Jr., Lem- 
uel Tobey, Isaac Vincent, Welcome Whee- 
lock. 

The lists for 1810 and '11 are not pre- 
served. 18 1 2, Smith Ainsworth, George 
and Ira Brown, Isaac Corey, Jabez Carver, 
John Cate, John Chapman, Salvin D. Col- 
lins, Israel Dwinell, Gload Dugar, Na- 
thaniel Davis, Jonathan Eaton, Luther 
Farnum, Luke Fletcher, Benjamin Gray, 
Simeon Guernsey, Seth Gary, Salathiel 
Hammond, George Holbrook. Ona Kelton, 
William LeBarron, William LeBarron, Jr., 
Andrew Nealey, Beniah Shortt, Henry 
Stone, David G. Shipley. 

GRAND LIST RECORD FOR l8l2. 

From 1 80 1 there was a steady increase 
in valuation : 80 polls at $20, $1600 ; 1679 
acres of improved land at $1.75, 2938; 
houses assessed in the whole at $182 ; 112 
oxen at $10, $1120; 405 cows and other 
cattle of 3-years old at $6.50, 2632.50; 
178 cattle of 2-years old at $5, $890; loi 
horses of 3-ycars old, and upwards, at 
$13.50, $1363.50; 10 of 2-years old at 
$6.50, $65 ; 16 of i-year old at $3.50, $56 ; 
7 house clocks at $10, $70 ; 3 gold watches 
at $10, $30; 12 common do. at $5, $60; 
2750 dollars of money on hand and debts 
due, at 6 per cent., $165; i practitioner 
assessed at $25 ; mechanics and owners of 
mills and machines assessed in the whole 
at $143; total, $11340. Deduct for 5 
minors subject to military duty and equip- 
ped by parents at $20, $100; deduct 54 
militia polls at $20, $1080 ; deduct 5 horses 
of cavalry at $13.50, $67.50; leaving list 
for State taxes, $10092.50 

At that time the law required that all 



FAYSTON. 



m 



dwellings, stores and shops (log-houses 
excepted) should be assessed at two per 
cent, of their value, if in the judgment of 
the listers their value did not exceed $1000. 
And if valued at more than $1000, at three 
per cent. The law also specified how per- 
sonal property should be set in the list, as 
above. Wooden clocks were not taxed. 
Attorneys, physicians, merchants, mechan- 
ics, etc., were assessed in proportion to 
their gains. 

1820: 86 polls at $20, $1720; 1990 acres 
of improved land at .08 of appraised value, 
1^1366.42; 103 houses and lots at .04 ap- 
praised value, $247.06; 9 mills, stores, 
etc., at .06 appraised value, $48.60; 140 
oxen at $10, $1400; 429 cows and three- 
year olds at $6, $2574 ; 169 cattle, two- 
year olds at $5, $845 ; 132 horses, three 
years old and upwards, at $14, $1848; 26 
two-years old at $7, $182 ; 22 one-year old 
at $4, $88 ; i stallion at $50, $50 ; 5 brass 
clocks at $10, $50; I gold watch at $10, 
$10; 20 common do. at $5, $100; $1100 
money at .06, $66; total, $11295.08 ; 34 
militia polls and 9 cavalry horses were ex- 
empt from State taxes. 

1830: 252 polls at $10, $2520; 3690 
acres of land at .06, $1558.60; 541 houses 
and lots at .04, $1401.40 ; 14 mills, stores, 
etc., at .06, $62.40; 281 oxenat $2, $562 ; 
712 cows and other cattle of three years 
old, at $1.25, $890; 254 cattle of two 
years old at .75 each, $190.50; 25 horses 
and mules, three years old, appraised at 
less than $25, at $1, $25; 180 over $25 
and less than $75, at $3, $540 ; 6 at $75, 
at .06, $36 ; 43 two years, at $2, $86 ; 33 one 
year, at $1.25, $41.25 ; 2797 sheep at .10 
each, $279.70; 7 carriages at .06 of ap- 
praised value, $6.30 ; 8 brass clocks at $3, 
$24; 20 watches at$i, $20; $3350 money 
on hand, etc., at .06, $201 ; $90 bank stock 
at .03, $2.70; 2 practitioners of medicine 
assessed, $35 ; i merchant and trader, do., 
$30 ; total, $85 1 1 .85 ; 148 militia polls and 
6 cavalry horses, exempt. 

In 1840, the list amounted to $10373.54. 
Later lists were assessed nearly as at pres- 
ent, and are as follows : 





Polls. 


Real. 


Personal. 


Gd. List. 


18.W 


266 


$281,774 


$32,023 


$3,675 


18(K) 


312 


304,473 


46,.M7 


4,134 


1870 


341) 


374,673 


71,936 


4,848 


1878 


326 


296,652 


67,807 


4,269 



FAYSTON. 

BY MRS. LAURA BRIGHAM BOYCE. 

This township is in the S. W. corner of 
the County, 20 miles from Montpelier; 
b. N. by Duxbury, E. by Waitsfield, S. by 
Warren and Lincoln, W. by Huntington 
and BuelPs Gore ; 6 miles square ; land el- 
evated, lying in large swells, except along 
Mill brook and Shephard's brook, where 
there is some intervale. Shephard's brook 
runs through the North part of the town, 
and empties into Mad river in Waitsfield. 
It affords ample water power, and several 
flourishing mills are in operation on its 
banks. 

There was an extensive beaver meadow 
on this stream, and many of the trees on 
its banks were partly cut down by these 
animals. The brook received its name 
from one Shephard, who used to hunt 
beavers here. 

Mill brook runs through the South part 
of the town, in an Easterly direction, and 
empties into Mad river in Waitsfield ; this 
stream has good water-power, and several 
mills and one tannery are located on it. 
There is considerable good lumber in town, 
especially in the more mountainous parts, 
the most valuable of which is spruce. As 
many as 7,000 or 8,000 clapboard logs are 
annually cut in Fayston, besides the com- 
mon lumber, ash, basswood, etc. There is 
also a good deal of hemlock, the bark of 
which is used extensively in tanneries. 
The spruce and hemlock lumber is a source 
of profit to the inhabitants. The maple is 
abundant, and there are many valuable 
sugar orchards ; some have a thousand 
handsome second growth trees in one body. 
This adds an item to the income of the 
farmer, at the prices that have prevailed for 
maple sugar and syrup of late years. 

The soil is strong and fertile, though 
not as, easily tilled as a more sandy loam. 
These fertile upland farms are well adapted 
to dairying, as the sweetest grass is found 
here, and water as pure and soft as ever 
drank, two indispensable requisites for the 
dairy. Dairying is the chief source of in- 
come of a greater part of the inhabitants, 
though wheat and oats are raised here in 



23 



178 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



abundance, but potatoes more especially. 
Corn is often a remunerative crop ; but not 
so sure as on the intervales. 

Fayston was granted Feb. 25, and char- 
tered Feb. 27, 1782, to Ebenezer Wal- 
bridge and his as.sociates. It was first set- 
tled by Lynde Wait in 1798. In 1800, 
there were 18 persons in town. 

Lucia Wait, daughter of Lynde Wait, 
better known as Squire Wait, was born in 
1801, the first child born in town; subse- 
quently, Wait Farr, a son of William Farr, 
was born, and received a lot of land from 
Griswold Wait, as being the first male 
child born in town. From which we see 
in those primitive days the weaker were 
oppressed by the stronger, as they are still. 
There was no orthodox reason why Lucia 
Wait should not have had that lot of land 
as her birthright — except that she wasiCt a 
boy. 

The town was organized Aug. 6, 1805. 
James Wait was the first town clerk ; 
Thomas Green the first constable ; and 
Lynde Wait, Rufus Barrett and William 
Williams the first selectmen. Aug. 27, 
1805, there was a town meeting called to 
petition the General Assembly to be set off 
with other towns from Chittenden County, 
which was not granted until some time in 
1810 or 181 1, when Fayston became a part 
of Jefferson County. 

The first highways were surveyed in 1807, 
by Edmund Rice, surveyor. The first 
school district was organized in 1809, and 
consisted of the whole town, but subse- 
quently, in 1 8 10, we believe, it was di- 
vided into two districts. The first tax 
levied on the grand list was in 1807, which 
was 5 cents on a dollar, to be worked out 
on the highway. The first tax levied on 
the grand list to be paid in money was in 
1810. It was I cent on a dollar, and we 
have no doubt was as hard for these people 
as were the excessive taxes during«thewar 
for their descendants. The taxes levied 
on the grand list in Fayston during the war 
in one year were $10.79 O" 'i dollar of the 
grand list, making a poll tax of $21.58, and 
school and highway taxes besides, which 
must have made another dollar. This was 
in 1864. There were several other bounty 



taxes raised during the war, but this was 
the heaviest. Fayston paid h^r war debt 
as she went along, and can show a clean 
record. In 1812, the town voted to raise 
I cent on a dollar for the support of 
schools, which was to be paid to the town 
treasurer in grain. At this time there 
were 25 children in district No. i, between 
the ages of 4 and 18. 

In March, 1809, William Newcomb, 
William Rogers and Marjena Gardener 
were elected " hog ho wards," anoflicenow 
obsolete, and exactly what its duties were, 
even then, we are unable to learn. But it 
was an old-time custom to elect newly- 
married men to that notable ofiice, which 
might have been no sinecure after all, as 
the swine in those days all ran where they 
listed, and unless they were much less 
vicious than their modern descendants, it 
must have needed three " hog constables" 
to a town to have kept them in order. 

In April, 1808, William and Paul Boyce, 
two Quakers, emigrated from Richmond, 
N. H., and settled near beaver meadow, on 
Shephard's brook. This was the first open- 
ing in what is now called North Fayston. 
There is a little romance connected with 
this same William Boyce. It seems that 
William's susceptible heart had been touch- 
ed by one Irene Ballou, a Quaker maiden 
of his native place, and when he had made 
a beginning on his new home in the woods 
he began to be lonely, and feel the need of 
a helpmate to wash his wooden plates and 
pewter porringer, and also to assist him in 
picking up brush, planting potatoes, and 
several other things wherein the good 
wives made themselves useful in "the 
olden time," being then truly helpmates for 
men, instead of help spends, as many of the 
more modern wives are. So William jour- 
neyed to Richmond to claim his bride. 
He tarried long, and when he returned it 
was not the gentle Irene who accompanied 
him . Whether he met with a fairer Quaker- 
ess than she, and lost his heart with her 
against his will, or whether Irene was 
averse to going into the new country, 
among the bears and wolves, tradition 
saith not, but that it was not the latter 
reason we may infer from her farewell to 



FAYSTON. 



179 



him : " William, I wish thee well, I hope 
the Lord will bless thee, but I know He 
wont." Says one of his descendants : "I 
think He didn't, for he was always in some 
sort of trouble or other." Let the fate of 
William be a warning to all young Quakers, 
as well as those who quake not at all, to 
always keep their promises. 

BOYCE FAMILY OF FAYSTON. 

Paul Boyce married Rhoda Palmer, of 
Waitsfield, and here on the farm they first 
rescued from the wilderness,' they lived to 
a ripe old age, and were finally buried in 
tlie cemetery not far away. 

Their son, Ziba Wentworth Boyce, 
always resided in town until his death, 
1877, "igc, 63. He received but a common, 
school education, but by his own efforts, 
ultimately became a thorough scholar, and 
taught school many terms. Later he served 
the town in various capacities, and up to 
the time of his death was noted for his fine 
mental endowments. He was often jo- 
cosely called the "wisdom of North Fays- 
ton," and not altogether without reason. 
He was a writer of considerable ability, 
both in prose and verse. His two daugh- 
ters inherited his talent for writing, more 
especially his younger daughter, Mrs. Em- 
ongene Smith, now a resident of Dubuque, 
Iowa. The eldest daughter, Mrs. S. Mi- 
nerva Boyce, has always remained at the 
homestead. 

When Ziba W. was quite a young lad, 
his father sent him one night with his 
brother after the sheep, but they having 
strayed from their usual pasture, they 
failed to find them. In the morning they 
found what there was left of them, eleven 
having been devoured by the wolves during 
the night. 

On one occasion Paul Boyce was going 
off into the woods with his oxen, when he 
met a bear with two cubs face to face. The 
meeting was not a remarkably pleasant one 
to him ; he being a Quaker and averse to 
fighting, was pleased when the bear turned 
and trotted off. 

About the year 1809, Stephen Griggs 
emigrated from Pomfret, Conn., and set- 
tled about one-half mile from Esquire Wait's 



farm. He resided there as long as he 
lived, and his companion, who survived 
him many years, died there. The place 
has never passed out of the family, a grand- 
daughter at present residing there. This 
farm and the Brigham farm are the only 
ones in South Fayston which have never 
passed out of the families of the first set- 
tlers. 

Deer-yards were frequently found on the 
eastern slopes of the hills. The early set- 
tlers used to hunt them in winter when the 
snow was deep, so that they could not es- 
cape. Buck's horns were often found in 
the woods. Sable were quite abundant. 
Ezra Meach, of Shelburne, passed through 
the town in 1809, setting his line of traps 
for sable, and blazed trees along his route. 
He found it quite profitable business, as 
these animals were exceedingly good in the 
western part of the town. The panther, the 
great dread of the juvenile community, 
was often seen, or supposed to be seen, 
but never captured in this town. 

uncle John's Indian raid. 

Some time about 1803, there were then 
five or six families settled in what is now 
known as South Fayston. There were 
Uncle John and Uncle Rufus Barrett — I 
call them Uncle John and Uncle Rufus, as 
these were the names by which I knew 
them in my early childhood, albeit they 
were both young men at the date of my 
story. There were Squire Wait and Thos. 
Green, and if there were others I do not 
know their names. 

Now at that time the raising of a new 
house or barn was a job that required 
plenty of muscle and new rum, for they 
were built of logs, and very heavy. 

On a certain day, somebody in Warren 
was to raise a barn, and as the country 
was sparsely settled, everybody was in- 
vited far and near, and all the men of Fays- 
ton went except Uncle John. Whether 
he stayed at home to guard the women and 
children from the bears and wolves, tra- 
dition saith not. I only know he "tarried 
by the stuff," and all went well till near 
sundown, when suddenly there burst upon 
his ears a long, wild cry, between a howl 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and a whoop. Uncle John was on the 
alert ; he listened with bated breath a few 
moments ; louder and nearer than before 
came that terrible howl, this time in a dif- 
ferent direction. 

"'Tis the Indian war whoop," said 
Uncle John ; " no doubt we are surround- 
ed, and the men all away." He stood not 
upon the order of going, but went at once. 
Uncle John was no coward, and if the red- 
skins got his scalp, they should buy it 
dearly, he resolved, and seizing his gun, 
bidding his wife to follow, he ran to alarm 
the neighbors, and get them all together, 
that he might defend them as long as pos- 
sible. In a short time every woman and 
child in the settlement was ensconced in 
Uncle Rufus' domicile, with all the fire- 
arms the settlement contained, the door 
barricaded, and all the preparations made 
to receive the red-skins that one man 
could do, aided by a few courageous women. 
They listened, with hearing made acute by 
fear, for the repetition of the war whoop. 
Now they heard it evidently nearing them 
— Uncle John loaded all the guns — now 
they heard it further away. With pale 
faces and palpitating hearts, they awaited 
the onset. The twilight shades deepened, 
the night closed in, but still the Indians 
did not attack them. 

Now there was an additional anxiety 
among the inmates of the little cabin, for 
it was time for the men to be returning 
from the raising, and as they were un- 
armed, they would fall an easy prey to 
the Indians. 

Meanwhile the men, havingfinished their 
labors, were returning home, all uncon- 
scious of the danger menacing them. They 
reached home, but were surprised to find 
those homes deserted. "Come on to my 
house," said Uncle Rufus, "perhaps the 
women were lonesome, and have gone to 
make my wife a visit." So, not knowing 
what else to tlo, they went on. Yes, there 
was a light at Uncle Rufus ', sure enough, 
and a glance sufficed to show that there 
was some unusual commotion within. What 
could it be? 

" Hark, I hear voices," cried one of the 
women, " it is the Indians this time, sure." 



The children began to cry, and I suppose 
it would have been very delicate if the 
women had fainted, but they did no such 
thing. 

"What are you all about here? why 
don't you let us in?" cried Uncle Rufus, 
shaking the door. The door was opened 
speedily, and instead of being scalped by 
the Indians, they fell into the arms of their 
astonished husbands. 

" What is all this pow-wow about, any- 
way?" said one. Then Uncle John ex- 
plained how he had heard the Indian war- 
whoop off in the woods, and had gathered 
the women and children there together 
for protection. The men burst into a loud 
laugh. "It was the wolves," said Squire 
Wait, "we heard them howling on the 
mountain as we came home. I'll be bound 
there isn't a red-skin within 50 miles." 

Uncle John was somewhat crestfallen, 
but he was rather glad after all that it 
wasn't Indians, for he preferred to have 
his scalp in its proper place, rather than 
dangling from the red-skins' belts. 

Sometime in 1814, there was a rumor 
current of great treasure buried by the 
Spanish Legions at the forks of Shepherd's 
brook, and William Boyce, having a desire 
for " the root of all evil," resolved to find 
it. He engaged one Arad Sherman, a 
man of such magical powers that in his 
hands a witch-hazel rod performed as 
many antics as the rod of Aaron, and they 
went about the search. Arad took the 
enchanted rod, and lo ! it pointed out the 
exact location of the buried treasure, but 
it remained for them to dig and get it. It 
had been revealed to Arad that they must 
dig in the night time, and no word must 
be spoken by any one of the number dur- 
ing the whole time of the digging, else the 
treasure would be lost to them. So one 
night they started on their secret expedi- 
tion. Nothing was heard but the dull thud 
of the bars in the earth, and grating of the 
spade. The earth was obstinate, but they 
were determined no powers of earth should 
cheat them of their treasure. The hours 
wore on, when suddenly William's bar 
struck against the iron chest containing the 
treasure, with a sharp " clink." Over- 



FAYSTON. 



i«i 



joyed at their success, William forgot the 
caution and cried out " I've found it !" At 
that instant the box shook with an ominous 
rattle, and sank down, down, far below the 
sight of their longing eyes, taking the«bar 
and all with it, says the tradition. Fright- 
ened nearly out of their wits, they "ske- 
daddled" for home, sadder if not better 
men, and the treasure remains buried there 
to this day. 

In the winter of 1826, a beautiful doe 
was run down Shepherd's brook to Mad 
river, near Jason Carpenter's and brought 
up in an open eddy out of the reach of the 
dogs. Judge Carpenter caught it in his 
arms, and, seven or eight hunters coming 
up just then, he told them that they could 
not have the doe, but each one of them 
might go and select a sheep from his flock, 
if they would go home .about their busi- 
ness. Nothing but the beautiful doe would 
satisfy these blood-thirsty hunters, and, 
seizing the deer by main force, they killed 
it on the spot. 

Pigeons were abundant. One device 
for keeping them off the grain patches was 
a boy threshing a log chain around a 
stump. They used also to construct bough 
houses on the edge of the field, and draw 
a huge net over the baiting place, thus se- 
curing dozens at a haul. Partridges were 
caught on their drumming logs in snares, 
or, if not there, the gunner was sure to 
find them in some thicket. So it came to 
be a proverb, " hunted like a partridge." 

In early days Uncle Moses Eaton used 
to bring corn from Richmond on the backs 
of two horses, the roads not being passable 
for any vehicle. 

On his journey Uncle Moses met Uncle 
Joe Clark, of Duxbury, at Pride's tavern 
in Waterbury. " Now," said Uncle Joe, 
" you will want some pork to go with that 
corn, and you just call at my house, and 
tell Aunt Betsey to put you up a good clear 
piece of pork." The next time they met 
Uncle Moses said, "I called on Aunt Bet- 
sey, as you told me, and she raised her 
hands and blessed herself, saying, " What 
on airth does that man mean, sending any 
one here for pork, when he knows that we 
hanit had any kind of meat in the house 



for six months ?" But Uncle Joe enjoyed 
the joke hugely. 

In Fayston there was considerable snow 
on the 8th and 9th of June, 18 16, and 
everything was frozen down to the ground. 
The trees put out new leaves three times 
during that season, having been cut off 
twice by frost; hardly anything ripened, 
and the settlers saw dreary times. 

WILLIAM NEWCOMB 

came to the township quite early in its set- 
tlement, and finished his days here. He 
built one of the first framed houses in 
town, Esquire Wait's being the first ; Mr. 
Newcomb and Merrill Tyler each built 
theirs the same year, but I am unable to 
learn in what year. Mr. Newcomb's farm 
was occupied by his son Hoseamany years, 
but has passed into the hands of strangers. 
The old house was burned during a high 
wind, in Oct. 1878. 

Dr. Dan Newcomb, son of Hosea New- 
comb, was born and reared here, but has 
been for several years a practicing physi- 
cian in Steele County, 111. He is also the 
author of a medical work entitled, " When 
and How," a work of considerable merit. 
Don Carlos, another son, is a prominent 
wholesale merchant of Atchison, Kansas. 

NATHAN AND JACOB BOYCE. 

In 1808, Nathan Boyce and his wife, 
Zeviah, came to Fayston, and settled on 
Shephard's brook, near Paul Bdyce, of 
whom he was a relative, and also of the 
Quaker faith. Nathan Boyce died many 
years ago ; his wife in 1856, aged about 90, 
I think. She resided with her son Jacob, 
who died in 186-. His wife still survives 
him, at the age of 81 (1878. She is still 
living, Aug. 1881.) She lives on the old 
farm with her son, Seth Boyce. The farm 
has always remained in the family. 

Jacob Boyce had 4 sons and 4 daughters, 
all of whom, save one, are settled in Fays- 
ton or the immediately adjacent towns. 

BRIGHAM FAMILY. 

In 1809, Gershom Brigham and family 
emigrated from Winchester, N. H., and 
settled in South Fayston, near Lynde 
Wait's. Elisha, their third child, was then 
17 years old, and eventually settled on the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



same land, his other brothers and sisters 
finding other homes. His parents resided 
with him while they lived, and their bones 
rest in the little green grave-yard on the 
old Wait farm. Elisha lived here to ripe 
old age, raising a family of 1 1 children, all 
of whom are now living except one daugh- 
ter, who died at the age of 42. The two 
eldest sons and the two youngest daughters 
of this family have some literary talent, 
having all contributed to the press accept- 
ably, in prose and verse. The eldest son, 
[See separate notice of Dr. G. N. Brigham] . 

Elisha Brigham died in 1863, aged 70 
years; his widow in 1876, aged ']']. The 
old home that she had resided in for more 
than 40 years, took fire in some mysterious 
manner, and was burned in the early morn- 
ing hours, when her demise was hourly 
expected. She was borne from the flam- 
ing house to the home of a neighbor, and 
breathed her last in the very house whence 
she went on her wedding day to be mar- 
ried 59 years before. 

Mrs. Brigham was a woman of remark- 
able powers, mental and physical. Left an 
orphan by the death of her mother at the 
age of 12, she came from Randolph, Vt., 
her native place, to reside in the family of 
Esquire Wait, so she became early identi- 
fied with the history of the town. Her re- 
markably vigorous constitution and ambi- 
tion to excel, fitted her for the position of 
a pioneer's wife, and she endured the hard- 
ships and deprivations consequent on the 
building up of a new place, with great 
fortitude. With a large family of her own 
and many cares, yet she acted as nurse for 
half the town, and such was her skill in the 
management of the sick, that the old phy- 
sician, now dead, used always, if he had 
a critical case, to send for Mrs. Brigham, 
and said, with her to nurse them, he felt 
pretty sure of bringing his patients through. 
Her very presence and touch seemed to 
bring healing with them. 

When Mrs. Brigham was a fair, young 
wife of 19, she was small, lithe and supple, 
with nerves of steel, and she never shrank 
from any of the hardships of her life. 
They then made sugar nearly a mile from 
j-he house. It was growing late in the 



spring, and Mr. Brigham was' anxious to 
be about his spring's work, and his wife, 
being equally anxious for a good supply of 
sugar, offered to go with her sister, a girl 
of 17, and boil in the sap. Taking the 
baby with them, they started for the sugar- 
camp. It was late in .spring and quite 
warm, and babies were not killed by a 
breath of fresh air in those days. They 
boiled sap all day, Mrs. B. gathering in 
some sap near the boiling place. In the 
afternoon they heard a good deal of bark- 
ing off in the woods, but supposed it was 
some hounds after foxes. Mr. Brigham 
did not get up to the sugar-camp to bring 
down the syrup till nine o'clock, they stay- 
ing there alone until that time. A neigh- 
bor passing through the camp early the 
next morning, found a sheep dead at the 
foot of a tree where Mrs. Brigham had 
gathered sap at sundown. The sheep was 
still warm when Mr. Brigham arrived on 
the spot. On looking around, they found 
20 sheep had been killed by the wolves. 
Mrs. Brigham and her fair sister did not 
care to boil till nine o'clock the next night. 
On one occasion Mrs. Brigham, desiring 
to get some weaving done, mounted an un- 
broken, 3-years-oldcolt, that had never had 
a woman on his back before, and started 
on a ride of 4 miles through the woods, to 
Wm. Farr's, with a bag of yarn fastened to 
the saddle-bow. There was only a bridle- 
path part of the way, and the colt was shy, 
but he found his match in the little woman 
of scarce 100 pounds' weight, and carried 
her safely to her destination. Her busi- 
ness dispatched at Mr. Farr's, she started 
homeward by another route, having oc- 
casion to call at one William Marsten's,who 
lived far up on the road leading over the 
mountain into Huntington, and from thence 
homeward by a route so indistinctly mark- 
ed, blazed trees being the guide, she mis- 
took a path worn by the cattle for the 
traveled road, and did not discover her 
mistake till she came up to the pasture 
fence. Nothing daunted, she took down 
the fence, passed over, then replaced it, 
and went over, being then so near home 
that she felt pretty sure of her whereabouts. 
After the colt became better broken, she 



FAYSTON. 



i«3 



used often to take one child in her arms 
and another behind her, and go to the 
store, 3 or 4 miles distant, or visit a distant 
neighbor, or to go to meeting. 

JOTHAM CARPENTER 

was the first settled minister, and received 
the minister lot of land in this town. How 
many years he remained here I know not, 
but he has one son now living in Brook- 
field. 

Preaching has generally been of a desul- 
tory character, owing to the fact that North 
and South Fayston are divided by a nat- 
ural barrier of hills, that makes it far more 
convenient for the North section to go to 
Moretown, and the South part is more ac- 
cessible to Waitsfield, so that it seems 
probable that the different sections will 
never unite in worship. The people in N. 
Fayston have an organized Baptist society, 
and have quite frequent preaching,- and 
some years hire a minister, and many 
years ago, the Methodists had quite a large 
society in So. Fayston, but it has been 
dismembered a long time, and most of its 
former members are dead, and those re- 
maining have united with the Methodist 
church in Waitsfield. 

John and Rufus Barrett were among the 
early settlers, and one Thomas Green, but 
as they have no descendants remaining in 
town, I cannot tell when they .settled here, 
but they were here as early as 1803, it is 
believed. 

Elizabeth, widow of John Barrett, died 
in Waitsfield a few years since (1878) 
aged 93 years. She survived her husband 
many years. 

One Jonathan Lamson died in town sev- 
eral years ago, at the age of 84. His wife 
lived to the age of 107 years. Timothy 
Chase died at the age of 91 ; his wife, Ruth, 
some years earlier, over 80. Lynde Wait, 
the first settler, moved from town many 
years ago, and eventually went West, and 
I have learned, died at an advanced age, 
over 80. Nearly all the early settlers 
whom I have known, lived to ripe old age, 
but they have passed away, and with them 
much of the material for a full history of 
the town. I have gathered as much as I 



could that is reliable, but even the last 
two, from whom I have elicited most of 
the facts recorded here, have now gone to 
their long homes,' and much that I have 
gathered here would now be forever sealed 
in silence, had I began my work a little 
later. 

CAPT. ELLIOT PORTER, 

the first captain of the militia in the town, 
was born in Hartford, Vt., 1785, married 
Sidney Ward in 181 1, and soon after re- 
moved to Fayston, where they began to 
clear them a home in the North part of 
the town, where they resided till their 
death. He died at the age of 89 ; his wife 
at 86. They had 8 children. William E. 
Porter, their son, died at 57 ; 4 sons are 
now living. 

WILLARD B. PORTER, 

son of Elliot, has always resided in town, 
near where he was born, and has served 
the town in almost every official capacity. 
He has been town clerk 31 years, school 
district clerk 25 years, treasurer 14 years, 
justice of the peace 30 years, and in that 
capacity married 86 couple. He has rep- 
resented the town 6 sessions, including i 
extra session, and has attended 2 consti- 
tutional conventions. Mr. Porter says the 
first school he attended was in his father's 
log-house chamber ; the scholars, his eldest 
brother, himself and one Jane Laws ; the 
teacher's name, Elizabeth Sherman. Mr. 
Willard Porter has done more business 
for the town than any other person now 
living. 

WARREN C. PORTER 

served as a soldier during nearly the whole 
war of the Rebellion, and has taught school 
24 terms. Dr. Wilfred W. Porter, see 
separate notice. Walter, the youngest 
son, remains on the old homestead, and it 
was his care to soothe the declining years 
of his parents as they went slowly down 
the dark valley. 

There was no death occurred in the 
family of Elliot Porter for 50 years. 

Vi^ILLIAM SHERMAN 

was among the early settlers of Fayston, 
though I am not informed in what year he 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



settled here. He represented the town in 
the general assembly, and held other town 
offices. His daughter, widow of Eli Bruce, 
still lives on the old honaestead that he re- 
deemed from the wilderness. 

ELI BRUCE 

was a long-time resident of Fayston, and 
did a large amount of business for the 
town, several times being the represent- 
ative, and justice of peace for many years. 
He died at the age of 69. His daughter 
was the first person buried in the cemetery 
in N. Fayston. 

SILAS W. FISHER 

resides in N. Fayston, on the farm where 
he has lived for 50 years. His wife has 
been dead some years. He has two sur- 
viving sons ; one in the West, and the 
other, CM. Fisher, is constable of Fays- 
ton at the present time— 1878, He died 
in 1879. 

BENJAMIN B. FISHER 

was the first postmaster in town, and held 
the office till his death, and his wife held 
the office 4 years afterwards. Truman 
Murray is the present incumbent. 

RILEY MANSFIELD 

came to the town when he was quite a 
young man, and passed his days here, 
dying in 1876, aged 75 ; his wife in 1874; 
out of a large family, there is only one sur- 
viving child of theirs. 

JOSEPH MARBLE 

came to Fayston in September, 1809, and 
with his wife Susan passed the remnant of 
his days here, dying at the age of 84 ; his 
wife at 81. They had 11 children, two 
only are living (1878.) One daughter in 
Wisconsin, and Benjamin on the farm 
where his father began 70 years ago. He 
is I think now over 80 years of age — is 
still living, aged 86. Cynthia, daughter of 
Joseph Marble, and widow of Peter Quim- 
by, died Aug., 1878, aged 74. 

One fall, Joseph Marble, Jr., had a log- 
rolling, to build a new house, the old one 
giving signs of failing up. In the evening 
the rosy cheeked lasses from far and near 
joined with the athletic youths in a dance. 
It wasn't the "German," nor waltz, nor 



polka, but a genuine jig. It was a merry 
company who beat time to the music of a 
corn-stalk fiddle in farmer Marble's kitch- 
en, the jocund laugh and jest followed the 
" O be joyful," as it went its unfailing 
round, which it always did on such occa- 
sions. They grew exceedingly merry, and 
one fellow, feehng chock full and running 
over with hilarity, declared "When they 
felt like that they ought to kick it ojit.''^ So 
they put in " the double shuffle, toe and 
heel," with such zest that the decayed 
sleepers gave way. Down went floor, 
dancers, corn-stalk fiddle, and all, into 
the cellar. Whether the hilarious fellow 
" kicked it out" to his satisfaction, we are 
not informed, but if his fiddle was injured 
in its journey it could be easily replaced. 

In 1830, a little daughter of William 
Marston, 4 years old, strayed from home, 
and wandered on and on in the obscure 
bridle path. She came out at one Carpen- 
ter's, in Huntington, having crossed the 
mountain, and spent a day and a night in 
the woods ; and beasts of prey, at that 
time were numerous upon the mountains. 

Jonathan Nelson had a son and daugh- 
ter lost in the woods about 1842. The 
boy was 12 years of age, the girl younger. 
After a toilsome search, they were found 
on the second day, unharmed, near Cam- 
el's Hump. 

In 1847, the alarm was given that a 
little son of Ira Wheeler, 4 years old, had 
not returned from school. The neighbors 
turned out, and searching all day returned 
at night without any trace of the lost one. 
The mothej was almost distracted. The 
search was continued the second day with 
no better results. I remember hearing 
my brother say, as he took a quantity of 
provisions with him on the third day, that 
they were "resolved not to return home 
again until the boy was found either dead 
or alive," though many thought that he 
must have perished already, either from 
hunger and fatigue, or from the bears in- 
festing the woods. He was soon found in 
the town of Duxbury, several miles from 
home, having been nearly 3 days and 
nights in the woods. He had carried his 
dinner-pail when he started from school 



FAYSTON. 



185 



at night, and providentially some of the 
scholars had given him some dinner that 
day, so that his own remained untouched. 

This being the second time the men had 
been called out to hunt for lost children in 
5 years, some of them were getting rather 
tired of the thing, whereupon Ziba Boyce 
drew up a set of resolutions and read them 
on the occasion, after the child was found, 
and all were feeling as jolly as such weary 
mortals could. I have not a copy of them 
all, but it was resolved " that mothers be 
instructed to take care of their children, 
and not let them wander oiT into woods to 
be food for the bears, or for the neighbors 
to hunt up." 

There have been no more lost children 
to search for in Fayston since that, so we 
may suppose it to have been effective. 

Fayston, along with other towns, has 
suflered from freshets at various times. In 
the year 1830, occurred what was known 
as the "great freshet." Buildings were 
swept away, one person was drowned, and 
others barely escaped. The famous 
"Green Mountain slide," which began 
within a few feet of the summit, where 
the town is divided from Buel's Gore, 
in sight of the homestead where I was 
born, occurred in the summer of 1827. 
It had rained quite hard some days, and 
the soil, becoming loosened, gave way, 
carrying with it trees, rocks, and the debris 
of ages, on its downward course. Gath- 
ering impetus as it advanced, for the moun- 
tain is very steep here, it went thundering 
down the mountain side a distance of a 
mile or more, with a crash and rumble 
that shook the earth for miles around, like 
an earthquake. One branch of Mill brook 
comes down from here, and, being dam- 
med up by the debris of this grand ava- 
lanche, its waters accumulated till it be- 
came a miniature lake, then overleaping 
its barriers it rushed down to its work 
of destruction below. In July, 1858, a 
destructive freshet visited Fayston, and 
the towns adjacent. It had been exceed- 
ingly dry, and water was very low. At 
7 o'clock in the afternoon, on Satur- 
day, July, 3, the workmen in the mill of 
Campbell & Grandy were desiring rain, 



that they might run the mill. They got 
what they desired, only got too much ; for 
instead of running the mill they ran for 
their lives, and let the mill run itself, as it 
did very rapidly down stream, in less than 
2 hours after the rain commenced. The 
old saying "it never rains but it pours" 
was verified ; it came in sheets. I remem- 
ber watching the brooks surging through 
our door-yard ; we felt no alarm, thinking 
a thunder shower not likely to do much 
damage. We retired to rest, and slept 
undisturbed, not being in the vicinity of 
the large streams. We learned in the 
morning every bridge between Fayston 
and Middlesex, but one, was swept away. 
Campbell & Grandy's mill went off before 
10 o'clock, and the house pertaining to the 
mill was so much undermined by the water, 
the inmates left, taking what valuables 
they could with them. Mr. Green's fam- 
ily also deserted their house. The water 
was several feet deep in the road, but, the 
storm soon subsiding, the houses did not 
go off. 

A clapboard mill owned by Brigham 
brother, on Shepherd's brook, was ruined. 
Not a mill in town escaped a good deal of 
injury. Many people left their houses, 
expecting them to be carried down the 
seething flood, and but one bridge of any 
account was left in town, and the roads 
were completely demoralized ! 

This storm seemed a local one, not 
doing much damage except in the towns 
in the Mad river basin and on tributary 
streams. I have heard it speculated that 
two rain clouds met on the mountain 
ridges. Be that as it may, I think two 
hours' rain seldom did such damage in any 
locality. 

In the freshet of 1869, Fayston suffered 
less than many other towns, but several 
bridges were carried off, the roads cut up 
badly, mill dams swept away, etc. 

The mill rebuilt on the site of the one 
swept away in 1858, this time owned by 
Richardson & Rich, was again carried off, 
but as considerable of the machinery was 
afterward found, Mr. Richardson deter- 
mined to rebuild, putting it a few rods 
lower down the stream. He has built a 



24 



i86 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fine, large mill there, and feels secure this 
mill shall stand. 

Fayston is a veiy healthy town. There 
are several living in town over 80 years 
of age. 

[This was written in 1867.] 

ELISHA BRIGHAM 

was born in old Marlboro, Mass., 1792. 
In the common school he obtained all the 
education he ever had beyond the poor 
chance of gleaning a little, here and there, 
from a limited supply of books, amid a 
multitude of cares at home ; but at the 
age of 12, he had mastered most of Pike's 
Arithmetic ; performing more examples 
by the feeble light of an old-fashioned 
chimney fire-place, than at school. So 
engaged was he that he often went to bed 
on a difficult problem, to dream it out on 
his pillow. From Old Marlboro, the fam- 
mily removed to Winchester, N. H., and 
there hearing of the emigration to the 
Winooski, and Mad River Valleys, they cast 
lots with the pioneers to this then wilderness 
country, and removed on to the tract of 
land owned in the present homestead. 
Elisha, now 16, began to take the lead in 
business, his father being very infirm. 
About half a dozen families were settled in 
the south part of the town, having made 
little openings in the forest, with no well 
worked road into the town. He and two 
other members of the family, came the 
first year to roll up the log-house. The 
next year all came on, and a family of 8 
persons, several children younger than 
himself, seemed to be dependent on him, 
even so young, as a foster-father and a 
guardian. He commenced levelling the 
old forest trees, and bringing into tillage, 
meadow and pasturage. Early and late 
he toiled, and year by year the meadow 
widened, and the line of woods receded. 

In the earliest business transactions of 
the town, we find the name of Elisha Brig- 
ham. There was hardly a year from that 
time till his death, but what he held 
some town office. But what most distin- 
guished him was his exact honesty. No 
man could ever say that he defrauded him 
of the least in this world's goods. He 
would rather suffer wrong than to do 



wrong. He never could oppress the weak, 
as, instinctively, his whole nature prompted 
him to espouse their cause. And his reli- 
gious example was the crowning glory of 
the man. He was the real pioneer of 
Methodism in the town ; for many years 
leader in all their social meetings, and 
around him grew up a thriving class. In 
this earlier history of the community it 
might well have been christened the home 
of the good. Class-leader and chorister, 
he guided them encouragingly on, and yet 
his manner was never exciting, hardly, 
even, could it be said to be fervid or warm ; 
but solid goodness, tenderness, and genu- 
ine interest in all that pertained to the 
soul's welfare, were manifest. The waver- 
ing came to him, for he never faltered ; the 
weak, because he was a pillar of strength. 
He was a man of no doubts in his religious 
belief, and a man living not by emotion, 
but principle, and his home was one of 
hospitality ; particularly was the preacher 
his guest. 

In 18 16, collector, often juror and select- 
man, many years lister, nearly always high- 
way-surveyor, district clerk or committee 
man. In all his more active life, however, 
he was nearly alone in his politics, he 
being a thorough whig, while the town 
was intensely democratic. For which rea- 
son probably he was never sent to the 
Legislature of the State, as this seems to 
be the only office of importance which he 
at some time has not held. 

At the age of 24, he married Sophronia 
Ryder. They had 12 children, but one of 
whom died in infancy ; the rest were all 
living in 1863. One daughter died in 
July, 1866; the rest are all living, 1881. 
And in the fullness of affection and ten- 
derness all will say he was a good father. 
Daily he gatliered them around his fam- 
ily altar, while they lived with him, and 
sought for them the reconciliation of 
God. He walked before them soberly, 
patiently, peaceably. His soul seemed 
like an unruffled river, gliding ever tran- 
quil and even in its banks almost alike 
in sunshine and in storm. He had no 
enemies; but was Grandfather, and "Un- 
cle Elisha," to all the neighborhood. Even 




W. W. PORTER. 



FAYSTON. 



187 



the old and young far out of his own im- 
mediate neighborhood, called him by the 
sobriquet of Uncle Elisha, and seemed to 
mourn for him as for a good old uncle. 
His family physician remarked of him after 
his decease, that he was " the one man of 
whom he could say, he did not know that 
he had an enemy in the world. He was a 
peacemaker." 

ONLY A LITTLE WHILE. 
BY MKS. LAURA BKIGHAM BOYCE. 

Ouly a little while 
Lingers the springtime with Its sun and dew 

And song of birds, and gently falling rain. 
And springing flowers, on hillside and on plain. 

Clothing the earth in garments fresh and new. 

Only a little while 
The summer tarries with its sultry heat; 

Showering its smiles upon the fruitful land, 
Ripening the harvest for the reaper's hand, 

Ere autumn shall the fruitful work complete. 

Only a little while 
The autumn paints with gorgeousness the leaves. 

Ere wintry winds shall pluck them from the bough 
To drape the earth's dark, corrugated brow, — 

Then hasten, loiterer, gatlier in thy sheaves. 

Only a little while 
The winter winds shall moan and wildly rave. 

While the fierce storm-king walks abroad in might, 
Clothing the earth in garments pure and white. 

Ere the grim monarch, too. shall find a grave. 

Ouly a little while, 
lille's spring-time lingers, and our youthful feet 

Through flowery paths of innocence are led. 
And joyous visions fill our careless head ; 

Too bright, alas ! as beautiful as fleet. 

Only a little while 
Life's summer waits with storm and genial suu. 

With days of toil and nights of calm repose; 
We find without its thorn we pluck no rose. 

And spring-time visions vanish one by one. 

Only a little while 
Ere autumn comes and life is on the wane ! 

Happy for us if well our work be done. 
For if we loitered in the summer's sun. 

How shall we labor in the autumn rain ? 

Only a little while, 
And winter comes apace ; the hoary head. 

And palsied limbs, tell of the labors past, 
Aud victories won— all I soon shall be the last,— 

And they shall whisper softly " lie is dead." 

W. W. PORTER 

was born in Fayston, July 24, 1826. He 
was the 4th son of Elliot Porter and Sidney 
Ward, the former a native of Hartford, the 
latter a native of Poultney, Vt., and a 
daughter of Judge William Ward, judge in 
Rutland Co. 22 years. 

Wilfred spent his time until he was 17 
on the farm, and attending school winters ; 



at which time he commenced studying falls 
and springs, and teaching winters, attend- 
ing the academies at Montpelier and Ba- 
kersfield, and working on the farm during 
the summer months until he was 22 years 
of age. 

As early as fifteen he had set his mind 
upon the medical profession for life, and 
bent all his energies in that direction. 
Having studied medicine some time pre- 
viously, he, at 22, entered the office of Dr. 
G. N. Brigham, and began the study of 
medicine, which he continued suinmers, 
teaching school falls and winters for i.^ 
year, when he entered the medical college 
at Woodstock, where he remained one 
term, and afterwards at Castleton, Vt.,for 
two terms, graduating from that college in 
the fall of '51, when he came to Syracuse, 
and entered the office of Dr. Hiram Hoyt 
for a short time; May, 1852, entered the 
school at Geddes as principal teacher for 
one year, and May 16, 1853, opened an 
office in that place to practice his profession, 
which he has continued until the present. 

At the close of his first year, the res- 
ident doctor of Geddes died, leaving him 
in full possession of the field. Dr. Porter 
rose rapidly, and by integrity of purpose 
and dealing, grew into a very large and lu- 
crative practice, which he carried on for 15 
years, as it were, alone, after which he 
had partners in the practice of medicine. 

His practice gradually extended to the 
city of Syracuse, when, in 1875, the de- 
mand upon him for medical treatment from 
that city became so great that he opened 
an office there, which he alternately at- 
tends upon, with his home office in Geddes. 
He has been for 25 years a member of the 
Onondaga County Medical Society, and for 
one term its president, and a permanent 
meinber of the New York State Medical 
Society ; also a member of the American 
Medical Association, and upon organiza- 
tion of the College of Medicine of Syracuse 
University, in 1872, he was appointed clin- 
ical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology 
the first year, and at the end of the year, 
professor in full, which position he still re- 
tains. 

His skill in the treatment of diseases has 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



won for him a position in the esteem of the 
people to be envied by young practitioners, 
and his indomitable perseverance and en- 
durance of body have enabled him to grat- 
ify, in a great measure, the laudable am- 
bition of his earlier years — to be among 
the first in his profession. He was one of 
the first movers in the organization and 
establishment of a university at Syracuse, 
and since its beginning has been a trustee 
and closely identified with all its interests, 
and has been largely identified with the pub- 
lic schools of his town since his first resi- 
dence there, being supt. of the schools 
of the town for gome 2 years, and trustee 
of the village school for some 25 years ; 
also being president of the board of educa- 
tion. 

He and his wife are warmly attached to 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and are 
not only liberal supporters of the same, 
but of any enterprise they regard as look- 
ing to the building up of good society. 

In the year 1853, Nov. 13, he married 
Miss Jane, daughter of Simeon Draper and 
Clarissa Stone, of Geddes ; children, Clara 
A., George D. (deceased), Wilfred W. 
Jr., Jane and Louie. 

LONGEVITY RECORD IN 1 88 1. 

Ruth Chase died in 1865, aged 84 ; Tim- 
othy Chase in 1875, 93 ; Benj. Corliss, in 
1865, nearly 91 ; Henry Morgan, 1868, 84. 
The wife of Henry Morgan (in Northfield) , 
over 80 years. Her home was in Fayston. 
James Baird died in 1870, aged 81 ; Geo. 
Somerville, 1870, 80; Margarett Strong, 
1870, 98 ; Elizabeth Lamson, in 1872. Her 
friends diiTered as to her age ; some claim- 
ed she was 104 ; others that she was but 
102. Her husband, Jonathan Lamson, 
died some 20 years since, aged between 80 
and 90; Jane McAughindied in 1872, aged 
82; Capt. Elliot Porter, 1874, nearly 90; 
Sidney Porter, his wife, 1875, 86; Joseph 
and Susan Marble, over 80 ; Zeviah Boyce, 
1856, aged about 90; Mehitable Tyler, 
1855, between 80 and 90. Ehzabeth Bar- 
rett died in Waitsfield in 1873, aged 93. 
She was for many years a resident of Fays- 
ton, but moved to W. a short time before 
her death. 



TOWN OFFICERS 187I-1881. 

Town Clerks, WillardB. Porter, 1 871 to 
'80; D. 8. Stoddard, 1880; S. J. Dana, 
1 88 1. Representatives, 1871, none; S. J. 
Dana, 1872 ; M. S. Strong, 1874; D. S. 
Stoddard, 1876; Seth Boyce, 1878; Na- 
than Boyce, 1880. Treasjcrers, D. S. 
Stoddard, 1871, '72; A. D. Bragg, 1875, 
'79; Seth Boyce, 1880, '81. First Select- 
men, C. D. Billings, 1871 ; Dan Boyce, 
1872 ; C. S. Dana, 1874 ; Seth Boyce, 1875 ; 
J. Patterson, 1876; M. S. Strong, 1879; 
John Maxwell, 1878, '79; J. P. Boyce, 
1880, '81. Constables, Cornelius McMul- 
len, 1871, 72; H. G. Campbell, 1873, '74 = 
C. M. Fisher, 1875, '76, '79; S. J. Dana, 
1877,78; Allen S. Howe, 1880; M. S. 
Strong, 1881. Grand Jury, G. O. Boyce, 
i87i,'72, '73, '75 ; W. B.Porter, 1874, '76; 
C. S. Dana, 1877, '78; Seth Boyce, 1879, 
'80; R. Maxwell andWm. Chipman, 188 1. 
School Supt., Grey H. Porter, 1871, '72. 
'73; Rev. J. F. Buzzel, 1874 to 1881. 
Trustees of the Town, Seth Boyce, 1873, 
'79; Geo. Boyce, 1877, '78, '80, '81. Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Willard B. Porter, 1872, 
'74, 76, '78; G. O. Boyce, 1872, '74; D. 
S. Stoddard, 1872, '76, '78, '80; Z. W. 
Boyce, 1872, '74; H. H. Morgan, 1872; 
C. D. Billings, 1874; E. Ainsworth, 1874; 
S. J. Dana, 1876, ^8, '80; O. S. Bruce, 
J. Z. Marble, 1878 ; Nathan Boyce, Stephen 
Johnson, Dan Boyce, 1880. 

GERSHOM NELSON BRIGHAM, M. D., 

for 20 years a practicing physician at Mont- 
pelier, was born in Fayston, Mar. 3, 1820, 
was son of Elisha Brigham, who made his 
pitch in F. with the first settlers. His 
mother, Sophronia Ryder, whose mother 
was Lucy Chase, a relative of the Hon. 
Dudley Chase [See Randolph History, 
vol. II], was a woman of vigorous consti- 
tution and an active, original mind. Sev- 
eral ancestors in the Brigham line have 
been physicians, one of whom wasGershom 
Brigham, of Marlboro, Mass., the old an- 
cestral town of the Brighams of this coun- 
try, the stock tracing back to the parish of 
Brigham in Northumberland Co., Eng- 
land. Dr. G. N. Brigham received his 
education in our common schools, with a 



,-JO0^^ 





FAYSTON. 



189 



year in Wash. Co. Gram. Sch. and a half 
year at Poultney Academy, and studied 
medicine with Dr. David C. Joslyn, of 
Waitsfield, Dr. S. W. Thayer, now of Bur- 
lington, Prof. Benj. R. Palmer, now of 
Woodstock, graduating at Woodstock 
Medical College in 1845, attending three 
courses of lectures. He has practiced 3 
years at Warren, then 3 years at Waits- 
field; removed to Montpelier, 1849; at- 
tended lectures at the college of Physicians 
and Surgeons, N. Y., spending much time 
in the hospitals of the city, about which 
time he became a convert to homoeopathy, 
and was the second person in middle Ver- 
mont to espouse the cause at this time so 
unpopular, and one of si.x who founded the 
State Homoeopathic Society. He has ed- 
ucated quite a number of students in his 
office, among whom, his own son. Dr. 
Homer C. Brigham, of Montpelier, and 
Prof. Wilfred W. Porter, of the Medical 
Department in the Syracuse University. 
While at Montpelier he served a while as 
postmaster ; was town superintendent of 
common schools ; lectured on education, 
temperance and sundry scientific subjects, 
and has been a contributor to medical 
journals, and known to the secular press in 
essays and poetical contributions for over 
25 years. He delivered the class poem be- 
fore the Norwich University in 1870; pub- 
lished in that year a 12 mo. vol., pp. 180, 
" The Harvest Moon and other Poems" at 
the Riverside Press, which with additions 
came out in a second edition. 

The Doctor has since issued a "Work 
on Catarrhal Di-seases," 126 pp., and re- 
ports a work on "Pulmonary Consump- 
tion," nearly ready for press ; that he has 
written this year, 1881, a play in tragedy, 
" Benedict Arnold," that he expects to 
publish. He is regular contributor to three 
medical journals, and has written for as 
many as thirty of the leading newspapers, 
East and West. He married, ist, Laura 
Elvira Tyler, dau. of Merrill Tyler, Esq., 
of Fayston; children, Homer C, Willard 
Irving, Julia Lena, Ida Lenore. His first 
wife died Mar. 12, 1873. He married, 2d, 
Miss Agnes Ruth Walker, dau. of Ephraim 
Walker, Esq., of Springfield. They have 



one child. Dr. Brigham has resided since 
1878, at Grand Rapids, Mich. His son. 
Dr. Homer C, is in practice at Montpel- 
ier. In his poetical writings — not a few — 
the Doctor has always inclined to the pat- 
riotic. 

Aug. i6th, loothanniversary of Benning- 
ton battle. At the meeting of the Ver- 
monter's Society in Michigan, at Grand 
Rapids, Hon. W. A. Howard delivered 
the oration, and Dr. G. N. Brigham, the 
poem. We give an extract. In our crowd- 
ed pages we have scarce room for poetic 
extracts, even, and this appears to be the 
musical town of the County. Such a flock 
of native poets, all expecting by right of 
manor, to sing in the history of their birth 
town, with the one who has written the 
most in this prolific field, we must begin 
to be brief. Haply, he has published too 
widely to be in need of our illustration : 

FROM "THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON." 

When Freedom's cause in doubtful scale 
Hung trembling o'er Columbia's land, 
And men with sinking hearts turned pale 
That ' gainst the foe there stood no brand, 

Vermont, thy banner rose. 
Green waved thy lofty mountain pine. 
Which thou didst make thy battle sign. 
Then from the mountain fastness thou 
Didst sally with a knitted brow. 

And tyrants felt thy blows. 

The bugle blew no frightful blast 

Where th ' sulphrous smoke its mantle cast. 

For oft thy sons in forest field 

The heavy broadsword learned to wield 

In their old border frays. 
Bred to reclaim the native soil 
With sinewed limb and patient toil, 
The forest path to stoutly fend. 
Where foes did lurk, or wild beasts wend. 

No danger did amaze. 

Free as the mountain air they breathe. 
The vassal's place they dare disown; 
The blade from scabbard to unsheath 
And see the slaughters harvest sown, 

Ere wrong shall rule the day. 
So when the midnight cry, "To arms! " 
Did reach them at their northern farms, 
They snatched the musket and the powder-horn. 
And shook their brand with patriots' scorn, 

And gathered to the fray. 

Vermont, thy soul's young life was there. 
There from thy rocks up leapt the fire 
That made thy hills the altar-stair 
To holy freedom's star-crowned spire, 

AVhile all the world did doubt. 
In native hearts and native blades 
The freeman's hope forever lives; 
The soul that first in sorrow wades. 
The most to human nature gives 

In sorest times of drought. 



igo 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The hosts of Albion sleep secure. 
The mountain path to them is sure. 
And In their dreams they wait the day 
To feast and drive the mob away. 

And lora^e on the town. 
That dream to England sealed her doom ; 
They roused to hear the cannon boom. 
And see the mountaineers they scorned 
In serried line of battle formed. 

And on them coming down. 

And who here making pilgrim.ve. 
When told how, with their muskets clubbed. 
Our sires from breastworks drove the foe. 
How here were English veterans drubbed 

By plowmen gloved in steel. 
Shall say, the race keeps not to-day 
The Spartan fire — 

Shall say, if with this trenchant warp 
There run;^ not through a thread of gold; 
Or if the Attic salt still flows 
Through pulsing veins of later mold. 
And pledges colored wine. 

From hence the field of Bennington 
With Concord and with Lexington, 
Upv'n the patriot's scroll sluUl blaze. 
And virtue's hearts procUum her praise. 

Till chivalry's f»a^ shall end — 
Shall tell how Mars did glut his rage. 
How screamed the eagle round her nest. 
When death or freedom was the gage, 
WhUe war unloosed htr battle vest. 

And carn.\ge rode a fieud. 

And where the nations strive and hope. 
And in the breaking darkness grope. 
Here may expiring faith still burn. 
And see the patriot's emblem turn 
Alwve this crimson sea. 

From another poem on the same sub- 
ject : 

How grand thy towering cliffs, where twines 
The hemlock's green to wreath thy crown: 

How bright thy peaks when day declines. 
As there thy glory settles down. 

'\\"heu stirred the border feud, how rang 
The note of war; 

An<) where the wolf ran down her prey 

By grange girt in with woodl.-uul dun. 
The ranger hurrietl to the fray. 
There flashed the border-guardsman's gun. 

And when a mightier cause called for 
Thy sons to draw the sword 



The bngle gave the hills its blast. 

And men in buckskin breeches came. 
Their waists slung with the powder-horn. 

Their hearts with freedom's spark aflame. 
And battled UU the STATE was born. 

thy border cry 

Rang to the Northern cliffs for help. 

When Allen mustered for old Ti., 
Aud drove from there the lion's whelp. 

From there to Hoosick's bloody flume 
M."«rched forth our sires with hearts afl.<ime. 

And snatched the British lion's plume. 
And wrote for us a storied name. 



From a remembrance to \'ermont : 

O, bring the spring that plumes the glen. 
And hearty l>e the greeting: 

We'll think in kindness of the men 

■Wliose hearts to ours gave beating: 

Nor shall their armor rust 

Taken by us iu trust. 



Bathevi in the noon of peace, green, green 

Forever, be those hills: 
dreen where the hoar-tYost builds her screen. 

And winter's goblet fills. 
The frost and cedar green: 

Queen Virgin of the Ancient Jforth. 

Throned spirit of the crags. 
Who called the sturdy Aliens forth 

To weave thy battle-fl.igs. 
We take the sprig of pine. 
Proud of our lineal line. 
Vermont: Vermont: Our childhood's home. 

Still home where'er we roam. 

MISS SUSAN GRIGGS. 

BY -VN-XA B. BRAGG. 

Many elticient teachers of our district 
schools have been reared and educated in 
this town, though the greater part have 
followed teaching but a few terms before 
commencing " Ufe work," but Miss Griggs 
has made teaching the business of her life, 
and in years of service, number of pupils, 
and different branches thoroughly learned 
and imparted to others, has no equal here, 
and perhaps but few in our whole country. 
She was born in this town, Feb. 1S14. 
From her earliest schoolda}-s, her book 
was her favorite companion, often upon 
her wheel-bench, that sentence after sen- 
tence of some coveted lesson might be 
committed to memory, while her hands 
spun thread after thread of wool or flax, 
working willingly for herself and her 
brothers and sisters, as was the custom in 
those days. 

When 12 years of age, her father, an 
earnest Christian man, died, leaving his 
wife and little ones to struggle along the 
path of life alone in God's care. But as in 
his life he had often said, " Susan is our 
student." so in all her young da\-s after 
she seemed to hear his voice encouraging 
her to give her time, talents and life to the 
work of Christian education. She began 
teaching in the Sabbath-school at 13, and 
at 16 in a district-school, where for manv 
vears her time was spent, and in attending 
school, as she completed the course of 



FAYSTON. 



191 



study at Newbury Seminary. In 1850, 
she was one of the teachers sent out to 
the South and West by Gov. Slade. She 
taught one year at Wihnington, N. C, 
and then went toWolcottville, Ind., under 
the direction of Gov. Slade, a small village 
in a new town, first teaching in the family 
of George Wolcott, with the addition of a 
few neighbors' children ; then in a small 
school-house. The school so increased, 
Mr. Wolcott, the founder of the village, 
built a convenient seminary at his own ex- 
pense, furnished with musical instruments, 
library, apparatus, etc. Here she taught 
for 17 years, principal of the school, hav- 
ing sometimes one or two assistant teach- 
ers, and often a hundred pupils. Beside 
the common and higher English branches, 
there were often classes in German, Latin, 
French and painting, and always in music, 
vocal and instrumental, and always a lit- 
erary society, and always a Sabbath-school, 
in which she taught a class, and was some- 
times superintendent. She says "these 
years were full of toil, but bright with hope 
that minds were there awakened to the 
beauties of the inviting realms of purity 
and truth." 

After a short rest with a brother in Mis- 
souri and another in Wisconsin, she re- 
sumed teaching in Fort Wayne College, 
Ind. ; afterward in Iowa about 2 years, and 
is now in Kendallville, Ind., one of a corps 
of 12 teachers; 60 pupils under her charge. 
" Many will rise up and call her blessed." 

Mrs. Celia (Baxter) Brigham, ofEvart, 
Michigan, contributes the following for the 
Baxter family : 

EBER H. BAXTER AND FAMILY 

came to Fayston in April, 1831, and lived 
there 20 years. They had 14 children ; 
one died in infancy. They removed to 
Michigan with 10 children — two remained 
in Fayston — in 185 1 . Albert Baxter, eldest 
son, had then lived in Mich, about 6 years. 
He has been for the last 20 years connected 
with the Grand Rapids Eagle ; is now ed- 
itor of Grand Rapids Daily Eagle. Albert, 
Celia — Mrs. C. B. Brigham ; Rosina — Mrs. 
R. B. Cadwell, now in California; Edwin, 
lawyer in Grand Haven, Mich.; Uri J., 
lawyer in Washington, D. C. ; Sabrina — 



Mrs. S. B. Cooper, Evart, Mich. ; and Vi- 
enna I. — Mrs. V. I. B. Corman, Lowell, 
Mich., of the Baxter family, are more or 
less known as occasional authors in prose 
and poetry. T\^lve children, the father 
now in his 80th year (1879) still survive. 
Ira C, sixth son, left his body on the field 
of Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863. E. 1 1. 
Baxter was town clerk and justice of peace 
in Fayston for several years. 

MR.S. CELIA \\. BRIGHAM 

has written many years for press, and for 
many newspapers and journals short poems. 
She has sent us for her representation in 
the dear old birthtown, a rather pretty col- 
lection, for which we can make room only 
for the following : 

TO MY SLEEPING BABE. 
Gently, little cherub, gently 

Droop those weary eyelids now; 
Slumber's hand is pressing lightly. 

Softly on thy cloudless brow. 
Meekly, little sleeper, meekly 

Folded on tly guileless breast 
Dimpled hands of pearly whiteness — 

Lovely is thy " rosy rest." 
CalnUy, little dre.inier. calmly 

Beats that tiny heart of thine— 
As tlie pulses of tlie leallet, 

Rocked to rest at eventime. 
Soaiy, little darling, softly 

Dies away thy mother's song; 
And the angels come to guard thee. 

Through the night hours, lone and long. 
Sweetly, blessed infant, sweetly 

Fall their wldspers on thine ear; 
Smiles are on thy lips of coral — 

Snowy pinions hover near. 

TO AN UNSEEN MINSTREL. 

The lark may sing to the chickadee. 

From his lofty azure throne,^ 
Nor feel the thrill in the maple tree. 

Where his listener sits alone; 
Even thus, thy spirit sings to me — 
Hearest thou the answering tone? 
From their sunward flight, can thy tireless wings 
Ever fold where the forest warbler sings? 
Thou caliest the voices of long ago 

From level-trodden graves, 
As the wind may call an echoing note 

From out the dark sea caves— 
As the burning stars of heaven may call 
To the restless, heaving waves— 
That, ever-changing beneath their gaze. 
Can answer only lu broken rays! 

THE NEGLECTED BIBLE. 

Precious, but neglected Bible! 

Let me ope thy lids once more. 
And, with reverential feelings. 

Turn the sacred pages o'er. 



19:2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Source of joy au«l cousolalioa, 

Vaiuly Jo«?s thy tbuut supply 
Me with life's pure crystal waters— 

Lo! I lauguish, faiut aiid <.iie: 

Not b«caus« ts sealed the ft>uutaiu 

That could sootlie the^eenest woo ; 
Not because the stream uufaiUiig 

Hath oue uiouieut ceased to flow ; 
But because luy thirsty spirit, 

Seekiug bitter draught. pasi>ed by. 
Heedlessly, the liviujj waters — 

Lo ! I languish, tUiut and die : 

Descriptive of how many a Vemionter 
felt in 1851. is a little "sonnet" below, by 
Elisha Aldis Brigham, sent me by Mrs. 
Brigham. that her husband may. as well as 
herself, have a little niche in the history of 
their native town : 

SONNET. 

O, tell uje uot of Liberty's bright land : 
Where waa by brother tuau is bought and sold: 
To toil iu sweat aud tears, for others gold. 
Obedient to a tyrant's steru command; 
Where children part upon the auction staud 
To meet no more. :uid weeping parents torn 
Asunder — slave-bound captives long to mourn. 
Are scattered tar and wide, a broken baud. 
Where Justice on proud Freedom's altar sleeps. 
Where mercy's voice is never heard to sigh ; 
Where pity's hand ne'er wipes the tearful eye 
Of AlVie's exiles, who iu misery weep— 
The millions three who wear oppression's brand; 
Oh: call it not sweet Freedom's happy land! 
Faystou, Feb. 1851. 

A whole budget fix»m natives in the 
West : We will not give any one's long 
piece entire ; but not having the heart to 
leave any son or daughter who knocks at 
the old Green Mountain door, out entirely, 
even if they are unfortunately a "poet," 
we shall give some one short extract, or 
sonnet for all who have sent home their 
pieces for Fayston, and let the dry old, 
only statistici,uis, growl as they may. Here 
comes the Fayston men and women of the 
pen for a page or two : First, a long poem, 
almost a news-column, fine print, "written 
in my chamber at Washington, on the an- 
niversary eve of the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln." We will have six or seven 
verses from 

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

BY U. J. BAXTEK. 

Why sound the bells 
So mournfully upon the air of night? 
Why volley fortli the guns upon the night. 

With sudden peal that tells 
Of darkling horror aud of dire aUright ? 



The morn shall ope 
With a dread tale that tells of dark eclipse— 
Of a dark deed that throws its black eclipse 

On all a nation's hope. 
And smites the joy that fllled a nation's lips ? 

Stricken and low : 
Aye, let us weep — weep tor the guilt and crime — 
The ingrate sense — the cowatii guilt aud crime! 

Dissolve iu tears and woe 
The darkling horror of this monstrous time ! 

His name breathe not. 
His thrice-accursed name, whose brutal hand— 
Whose foul, polluted heart aud brutal baud 

A demon's pii'pose wrought. 
And whelmed in grief our glad, r^oiciug land. 



A nation's heart bowed with him in the dust 

We turn our hop* in vain 
To seek a chieftain worthy of his trust. 

No m.irvel here : 
Two kingliest come uot haply born and twhined — 
Each age its one great soul, nor matched, nor twinned, 

Owuing no mortal peer — 
So is his glory Iu our age uukinned. 

His mantle fell-- 
On whom is not yet shown— yet sure its folds 
Are buried not— its rich and loving folds 

Shall lay some blessed spell 
On him who most his uoble spirit holds. 

Great chieftain: rest: 
Our hearts shall go as pilgrims to thy tomb; 
Our spirits mourn and bless thy martyr tomb; 

We deem thy lot is blest; 
Our love shall tob our sorrow of its gloom. 

All coming time 
Shall ne'er despoil thy glory of its crown- 
Each year shall set its jewels in thy crown- 
Each day bell's passing chime 
Shall add a tongue to speak thy just renown. 

LITTLE BEN. 
BY SABAH BKIUHAM MA:SSFIELD. 

In a lonely spot in a dismal street 
Little Ben sat chaUng his bare, cold feet, 
Aud so hungry, too, for nothing to eat. 

All the long day had poor Ben. 
His mother, alas, had loiw; been dead — 
So long, he could just remember, her and 
The sweet pale face as she knelt by his bed 

And prayed God to bless Little Ben. 

The twilight deepened, how dark it grew. 

And how heavily fell the chill night dew. 

And the moaning wiuds pierced through aud through 

The torm of poor little Ben. 
" Oh : why am I left here alone." he cried, 
" Dear mamma told me before she died 
She was goiug to Heaven ; Oh, mamma,'' he sighed, 

'• Why don't you come for poor Ben ? " 

'* Can you b« happy, tho' in Heaven a saint. 

While I am so cold, so weary, so faint? 

Dear mother, dost hear your poor darling's plaint':* 

Oh, come tor your own little Ben: " 
The morning came with its rosy light. 
And kissed the wan cheeks aud lids so white. 
They were closed for aye: iu the loue ui^bt 

Au augel bad come for poor Ben. 



FAYSTON. 



193 



THE FIRST FLOWER OF SPRIN(i. 
J$Y ZIBA w. BOYCE, (dfcflased.) 
The first April violet beside the bare tree, 
Looking gayly up seerned to be sayliiK Ui nie, 
'• I come with yon robin, sweet spring to recall. 
There caroling above me the gla<i news to all- 
How pleased all yourfeellngs—youreyt and your ear; 
With j?ay exultation you welcome us here; 
Hut In the soon future, surrounded by flowers, 
And.Sujnmer bird's plumage, far frayer than ours. 
Forgotten the perils we willln;^ly bore- 
First messengers t(;lllng of winter no njore." 
I thought of the bird, and the flower, and then 
Confessed It Is thus with all pioneer men. 
Let them labor and suffer new truths to disclose. 
Their wants or their woes there's n(jbody knows. 
The world owns the work when the labor Is done— 
They, the bird and the flower, forgotten and gone. 

THE RAIN. 
BY MBS. D. T. SMITH. 

When from winter's ley spell 
Burst the brooklets In the dell. 

With a song; 
When the early robins call 
From the sunny garden wall. 

All day long; 
When the crocus shows Its face, 
And the fern Its dainty grace. 

And the daffodil; 
And the dandelion bright 
Decks the field wltli golden light 

On the hill; 
When the Spring has waked a world again. 
And the apple-blossoms whiten. 
And the grasses gleam and brighten. 
Then we listen to the rythmic patter of the rain. 

When the lllleE, snowy white. 
Gleam upon the lakelet bright, 

'Mid their leaves; 
And the twittering swallows fly, 
liulldlng nests for by and by, 

'Neath the eaves; 
Koses blush r the dewy morn. 
Bees their honey-fjuest have gone 

Ail the day; 
And the daisies, starry, bright. 
Glisten In the firefly's light 

As they may; 
When Summer decks t)ie mountain and the plain, 
When she binds her golden sheaves. 
Then she til ts her glossy leaves 
In the splashing and the dashing of the rain. 

When the maple forests redden, 

And the sweet ferns brown and deaden 

On the lea, 
Stralghtly furrowed lie the acres. 
And we hear the roar of breakers 

Out at sea; 
When the birds their columns muster. 
And the golden piplus cluster 

On the bough. 
And the autumn breeze Is sighing. 
Springtime past and Summer dying. 

Here and now; 
And autumn winds are filled with sounds of pain 
When the katydids are calling; 
Tl'.en the crimson leaves are falling 
Through the weeping and the moaning of th' rain. 
Dubuque, Iowa. 



THE MOSS-COVERED TROUGH. 
BY 8. MINEltVA BOYCE. 
Tliat'moss-covered trough, decaying there yonder, 

I remember It well when but a child; 
ThoHgh years have flown by, I still love to wander 
Along the old road by the woodland wild. " 

Ah! yes, I remember when full and o'erflowing. 
With the clear, sparkling nectar, so cool; 

The old farmer came with his bucket ft-om mowing. 
And we drank from his cup, then trudged on to 
school. 

And then 'neath the low-spreading maple close by It, 

Were gathered the wUdllugs of May ; 
There blossomed tlie hat of a lad who drew nigh It, 

And blue-bird and robin sang sweeter that day. 

Though now thrown aside, to give room for another, 
All neglected, and moss-grown, and old, 

I still find a charm to be found In none other. 
Were 't carved e'er so lovely, or plated with gold. 

Long ago the old farmer finished his mowing. 
Filled his last bucket, " reape'l his last grain;" 

Then went just beyond where seed-time and sowing 
Win never recall him to labor again. 

And here we give, if we may nip at 
will, the buds, for which we only have 
room, a pretty extract from Saurina Bax- 
ter, born in Fayston : 

BUDS AND BLOSSOMS. 
We walked within my garden 
On a dewy, balmy morn— 



We paused beside a rose-bush. 

The swelling buds to note- 
To drink the gushing fragrance 
Which round us seemed to float; 

One bud we'd viewed but yesternight. 

When very fair It grew— 
We'd waited for the morrow's light 

To see it washed In dew, 
A worm had found the curling leaf. 

Had marred the bursting budlet. 
Had withered stem and flower. 

Alas! for eartlily happiness. 

In bitterness I cried. 
Naught beautiful, naught lovely. 

May on this earth abide! 
A blight is on the floweret, 

A blight Is on the grove, 
A doubly blighting power upon 

Those objects that we love! 

"Mortal! " the voice seemed near. 
And musical the tone. 

Are there no buds, whose brightness 
Outshines the garden rose? 

What worm had nipped the blossom? 
Who answereth for those ? 

" Within the human garden 
How many a floweret lies. 
Despoiled by reckless gardener— 

And In the whispered lays we heard. 
And from the flowers there smiled, 
A plea for human rose-buds — 



25 



194 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Taking a skipping extract from Emogene 
M. Boyce: 

I paused ojice more, gave a few lingering looks 
At the dear olden place, the remembered noolcs: 
The orchard, tlie garden, the dark, silent mill. 
The little red cot at the foot of the hill, 
Where the little trout brook, still murmured along; 
The old lofty pines sang the same mournful song, 
When with father and mother, we children four. 
Had gathered at eve 'round tlie old cottage door. 

SOLDIERS OF FAYSTON. 

BY DOniJIC S. STODlJAIiD. 

The iTotes of war that rang through the 
land in the winter and spring of 6i were 
not without their effect upon the town of 
Fayston. Her hardy sons willingly re- 
sjionded to their country's call. The fol- 
lowing is the record of services rendered 
and lives given, who served for their own 
town in the order of enlistment : 

Thomas Maxwell, the first resident o 
Fayston to respond to the call for volun- 
teers. He enlisted May 7, 1861, at the 
age of 20 years, in Co. F. 2d Vt. Reg. ; was 
discharged, by reason of sickness, Feb 21, 
1863; re-enhsted Mar. 20, '64, in Co. F. 
17th Vt. Reg. ; severely wounded in the 
Wilderness May 6, '64. The ball entered 
the neck, passed through the roots of the 
tongue, and lodged in the base of the 
head, where it still remains ; discharged 
June 17, '65. 

Mark and Luther Chase, brothers, 
enlisted Aug. 14, '61, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; 
aged 26 and 18 years. Mark was dis- 
charged May 29, '62 ; reenlisted Nov. 27, 
'63 ; taken prisoner, and died at Ander- 
sonville, Ga., July 3, '64. Luther died in 
hospital Jan. 31, '62. 

Geo. Somerville, age 23, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Aug. 29, '61 ; discharged 
June 23, '62. 

John H. Hunter, age 41 ; enlisted 
Sept. 2, '61, Co. H. 6th Vt. ; chosen cor- 
poral ; discharged ; reenlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; 
lost an arm in the service ; finally dis- 
charged Mar. 10, '65. 

Geo. L. Marble, age 30, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Sept. 10, '61 ; reenlisted 
Feb. 8. '64; taken prisoner Oct. 19, '64; 
supposed to have died in Libby Prison. 

Wm. M. Strong, age 19, enlisted in Co. 
G. 6th Vt., Sept. 23, '6r ; served 3 years; 
mustered out Oct 28, '64. 



Allen E. Mehuren, enlLsted in Co. G. 
6th Vt., Sept. 27, '61, age 23; discharged 
by reason of sickness, Feb. 4, '63. 

Cornelius McMullen, age 29, enlisted 
in Co. B. 6th Vt., Oct. 3, '61, re-enlisted 
Dec. 15, '63, transferred to Co. H. Oct. 
16, '64, served till the close of the war, 
mustered out June 26, "65. 

Henry C. Backus, age 24, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Reg't., Oct. 7, '61, promoted 
sergeant, mustered out Oct. 28, '64. 

Warren C. Porter, age 37, enlisted 
Oct. 15, '61, in Co. G. 6lh Vt., served 3 
years, mustered out Oct. 28, '64. 

Chester S. Dana, age 33, enlisted in 
Co. B. loth Vt., July 18, '62, chosen sth 
sergeant, promoted to ist ser'gt., sick in 
general hospital much of the latter part of 
his service, discharged May 22, '65. 

LaFayette Moore, enlisted in Co. F. 
2d Vt. as a recruit, July 30, '62, age 26, 
died in the service Feb. 29, '64. 

Heman a. Moore, age 21, enlisted 
in Co. F. 2d Vt., Aug. 2, '62, mustered 
out June 19, '65. 

Eli Gibson, recruit in Co. G. 6th Vt.. 
enlisted Aug. 13, '62, age 22, died in the 
service April 7, '64. 

Lewis Bettis, a resident of Warren, 
enlisted for this town in Co. G. 6th Vt., 
Aug. 13, '62, age 37 ; transferred to the 
Invalid Corps, Jan. 15, '64. • 

John Chase, age 23, enlisted in Co. G. 
6th Vt., Aug. 13, '62 ; mustered out June 
I9> '65. 

Nathan Thayer, age 23 ; enlisted in 
Co. H. 6th Vt., Aug. 13, '62; discharged 
June 3, '63. 

Nelson J. Boyce, age 32 ; enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Aug. 16, '62; transferred 
to the Invalid Corps July i, '63. 

Lester H. Harris, age 25; enlisted 
Aug. 18, '62, in Co. F. 2d Vt. ; died May 
18, '63. 

The following 17 soldiers all members 
of Co. B. 13th Vt., (9 months), enlisted 
Aug. 25, '62; mustered in Oct. 10, '62, at 
Brattleboro ; mustered out at the same 
place July 21, '63; the battle of Gettys- 
burg being the only one in which they 
participated : 

George O. Boyce, 2d serg't., age 28; 



FAYSTON. 



195 



with others of his company taken prisoner 
by rebel guerrillas while going from Camp 
Carusi to Fairfax station with supply teams, 
May 14, ^6^. They were paroled the next 
day, and returned to the regiment. 

Dorric S. Stoddard, 3d corporal, age 28 ; 
William E. Backus, age 22, detailed scout ; 
John Baird, age 20, died of fever soon 
after returning home ; Matthew Blair, age 
27, afterwards re-enlisted in 56 Mass., 
killed in the Wilderness ; Charles D. Bil- 
lings, age ig, died at Camp Carusi May 19, 
'6^ ; Chauncey Carpenter, age 39, re- 
enlisted Dec. 31, '63, in Co. C. 17th Vt., 
discharged May 13, '65 ; Samuel J. Dana, 
age 29, wounded at Gettysburg ; Royal S. 
Haskins, age 21 ; Charles C. Ingalls, age 
18, re-enlisted Sept. i, '64, in Co. G. 6th 
Vt., mustered out June 19, '65; Stephen 
Johnson, age 21, re-enlisted Aug. 26, '64, 
in Co. G. 6th Vt., mustered out June 19, 
'65; ZibaH. McAllister, age 21, re-enlist- 
ed in Cavalry Co. C. Nov. 30, '63, trans- 
ferred to Co. A. June 19, ''65, mustered 
out June 26, "65 ; Levi Nelson, age 20 ; 
William Nelson, age 26, Daniel Posnett, 
age 47, Winfield S. Rich, age 24, Reuben 
Richardson, age 45, transferred to Co. 
H., re-enlisted Nov. 30, 'S}, in Co. H. 6th 
Regt., discharged May 12, '65. 

William G. Wilkins, age 18, enlisted in 
Co. F. 2d Vt., June 16, '63, discharged 
Jan. 21, '64. 

Robert Hoffman, age 21, enlisted in the 
3d Battery, Oct. 19, '64, discharged June 
15/65. 

John W. Palmer, enlisted in Cavalry, 
Co. C. Nov. 28, '63, age 23, transferred 
to Co. A. June 21, '65, mustered out 
Aug. 9, '65. 

Judson W. Richardson, age 29, enlisted 
in Co. H. 6th Vt., promoted corporal 
June 19, '65, and mustered outjune 26, '65. 

Charles O. Dyke, age 18, enlisted Nov. 
30, '63, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; mustered out 
June 26, '65. 

Myron Mansfield, age 18, enlisted Dec. 

2, '63, in Co. H. 2d U. S. Sharp-shooters ; 
transferred to Co. H.4th Vt., Feb. 25, '65 ; 
supposed to have died at Andersonville. 

Benj. B. Johnson, age 20, enlisted Dec. 

3, '6^, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; transferred to 



Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 4, '64; mustered 
out July 15, '65. 

Wm. H. Johnson, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
3, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; pro. corp. Sept. 
23, '64 ; serg't. June 20, '65 ; mustered 
June 26, '65. 

Charles B. Corliss, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
3, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; discharged June 
28, '65. 

Anson O. Brigham, age 21, enlisted 
Dec. 5, '63, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; trans, to 
invalid corps, and discharged June 28,^65. 

Calvin B. Marble, age 18, enhsted Dec. 
9, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; mustered out 
June 26, '65. 

Edwin E. Chaffee, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
9, '63 in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; pro. corp. June 
19, '63 ; must, out June 26, '65. 

Asa E. Corliss, age 20, enlisted Sept. 7, 
'64, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; must, out July 19, 
'65. 

John W. Ingalls, age 28, enlisted Sept. 
16, '64, but did not enter service. 

This town also furnished 14 non-resident 
soldiers, of whom I can give but a meagre 
report, as follows : 

Geo. Arnold, Francis E. Buck, Thomas 
Bradley, ist army corps ; Sidney Dolby, 
54 Ma.ss. (colored) ; Wm. W. Green, 
Philip Gross, ist A. C. ; Wm. J. Hopkins, 
cav. ; John J. Hern, ist A. C. ; Randall 
Hibbard, ist A. C. ; Frederic Kleinke, ist 

A. C. ; Nelson Parry, Co. B. 7th Vt., 
Nicholas Schmidt, ist A. C. ; John S. 
Templeton ; JamesWilliamstown,ist A. C. 

The following persons were furnished 
under draft, five of whom paid commuta- 
tion : Hiram E. Boyce, Eli Bruce, Jr., 
Nehemiah Colby, Charles M. Fisher, 
Julius T. Palmer, and one, Nathan Boyce, 
procured a substitute. 

This town probably furnished from her 
own residents as many, if not more, sol- 
diers for other towns than were credited 
to her from non-residents, the record of 
some of which is given as follows : 

Andrew J. Butler, Co. H. 6th Vt. ; Hi- 
land G. Campbell, 3d Vt. Battery ; Alba 

B. Durkee, Co. I. 9th Vt. ; Timothy Don- 
ivan, Co. H. 6th Vt. 

In Co. G. 6th Vt. : Edward Dillon, G. 
W. Fisher, James N. Ingalls, Robert Max- 



196 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



well and Samuel Maxwell. In 3d Vt. : 
Wm. W. McAllister. In Co. G. 6th Vt. : 
James H. Somerville, Ichabod Thomas. 
Dexter Marble lost a leg In the service, in 
a Wisconsin regiment. 

Thus I have given as best I can from 
memory, and from data at command, an 
imperfect record of Fayston and Fayston 
men during the rebellion. Undoubtedly 
the foregoing record is not perfect, yet I 
think it is substantially correct. 

Probably no town in the state suffered 
more financially than this. During the 
latter part of the war when large bounties 
were demanded by volunteers, and paid by 
wealthy towns, Fayston, to save herself 
from draft was obliged in one year (1864) 
to raise for bounties and town expenses 
the almost unheard of sum of $12.50 cents 
upon every dollar of her grand list, thus 
subjecting the owner of a simple poll list 
to the payment of a tax of $25. Yet this 
enormous sum was paid immediately, with 
scarce a murmur of complaint, and not a 
dollar left to be a drag-weight upon tax- 
payers in after years. 

Fayston can look back upon her finan- 
cial record as a town, and the military rec- 
ord of her soldiers with no feelings but 
those of honor, satisfaction and pride ; 
knowing that the privations and valor of 
her sons in the field, and the liberality of 
her citizens at home all contributed their 
mite to keep the grand old flag still float- 
ing over a free and undivided nation. 

GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO 

SUMNER'S BILL FOR ERASING OUR 

BATTLE RECORDS. 

BY D. S. STODDARD. 

Blot out our battle records, boys, 

Charles Sumuer's bill doth say; 
Forget that you were soldiers once, 

And turn your thoughts away. 

Yes, turn your thoughts away, my boys, 

So noble, brave and true; 
Forget you lugged a knapsack once, 

And wore the army blue. 

Flaunt not that starry flag, my boys, 

With Lee's Mills, on its fold, 
'Twill make some rebel's heart ache, boys, 

To see it there so bold. 

And blot out Savage Station, too. 

And likewise Malvern Hill; 
That was a noisy place, you know, 

But blot it out, you will. 



Fort Henry, too, and Donelson, 
Where Grant "Surrender" spake, 

In such decided tones it made 
The rebel Pillow shake. 

And Shiloh, too, and Vicksburg, wliere 

One Fourth of July day. 
Brave Pemberton his well-tried sword 

At the feet of Grant did lay. 

And Cedar Creek, and Winchester, 

And Sheridan's famous ride : — 
Forget it, boys, forget it all. 

It hurts the rebels' pride. 

And Fredericksburg, and Antietam, 

Where cannon rang and roared ; 
And Gettysburg, where three long days 

Grape shot and shell were poured. 

Where thousands freely gave their lives. 
And drenched with blood the sand. 

To stay the flow of Treason's tide 
In Freedom's happy laud. 

And Richmond, too, and Petersburg, 

And the Wilderness, forget; 
And comrades dear who fought so well. 

Whose sun of life there set. 

Forget, my boys, you ever marched 

With Shei'man to the seal 
Deny you ever fought against 

The rebels under Lee! 

And Appomattox Court House, too. 

Where Lee dissolved his camp; 
And gave liis long and well-tried sword 

To General U. S. Grant. 

Those names, we've loved them long, my boys. 

And oft a glow of pride 
Has thrilled through every vein, to think 

We fought there side by side. 

And oftentimes, my comrades dear, 

Tliere comes a sadder thought — 
The price, the price! by which our land 

These cherished records bought. 

And now shall we erase tliose names. 

And make our battle-flags, 
Wlilch e'er have been the soldier's pride, 

Nothing but worthless rags ? 

No more shall read those glorious names 

While swinging in the breeze? 
No more our hearts shall swell witli pride 

To think of bygone deeds? 

And nmst we suffer all this shame 

To please that rebel horde. 
Who brought the war upon themselves 

By drawing first the sword? 

Tlieu we must ask their pardon, too, 

For what we've done and said ; 
Tramp down the graves of comrades dear. 

And honor rebel dead. 

And I suppose the next kind thing 

That Sumner'U want is this, 
Tliat we get down upon our knees, 

And rebel coat-tails kiss ! 

Now, comrades, when all this appears. 

'Twill be when we are dead I 
When every man who fought the rebs 

Sleeps In his narrow bed ! 



MARSHFIELD. 



197 



For while there's one of us alive, 
Though kicked, or cuffed, or spurned I 

Our battle-flags shall bear those names 
That we so richly earned! 

And when we swing them in the breeze, 

Those names shall glisten there, 
As long as they enfold a stripe 

Or bear a single star. 

Rebels may sigh for what they lost, 

And mourn for what we won ; — 
Their moans and sighs can ne'er atone 

For half the mischief done. 

And comrades, when we older grow. 

And gray hairs fill our head. 
And some of us lie sleeping there 

Amid the quiet dead; 

Our children then will catch the theme 

Those battle-flags inspire. 
And oftentimes their hearts be filled 

With patriotic fire I 

And should it be in future years 

That Treason rears its head. 
And threatens to destroy the land 

For which we fought and bled ; 

Our sons will hoist those war-worn flags. 

And wave them tow'rd the sky. 
While rebels learn again, my boys, 

That Treason then must die. 

Those records fair shall never be 

Expunged from human sight! 
Before we'll suffer that, my boys. 

We'll go again, and flght. 
Faystou, Vt., Jan. 8, 1873. 

Mrs. L. B. Boyce continues and thus 
closes the record of Fayston : 

SAMUEL DANA 

has been a resident of Fayston for many 
years, and raised a large family here. Six 
of his sons and one son-in-law were in the 
army in the great rebellion. Several of 
them were seriously wounded while in ser- 
vice, yet all are now living and the father 
and mother also. 

I have been able to gather but little con- 
cerning our military record previous to our 
late war. 

In 1841, one Jesse Mix was a revolution- 
ary pensioner, and William Wait, and a 
Mrs. Hutchinson. John Cloud, who lost 
a leg in the revolutionary war, was for 
many years a resident of this town, but 
died elsewhere. 

Of the war of 1 8 1 2 there are no records 
that I can find, and the old inhabitants are 
either dead or moved away. 



MARSHFIELD. 

IIY MRS. II. C. PITKIN. 

Marshfield was granted to the Stock- 
bridge tribe of Indians, Oct. 16, 1782, and 
chartered to them June 22, 1790, by the 
General Assembly of Vermont, containing 
23,040 acres ; lat. 44° 19', long. 4° 30' 
on the upper waters of the Winooski ; 
bounded N. by Cabot, E. by Peacham and 
Harris' Gore, S. by East Montpelier, Plain- 
field and Goshen Gore, W. by Calais and 
East Montpelier. 

In the charter it is stipulated the town- 
ship shall be divided into 75 equal shares, 
etc., with the usual charter conditions. 

The charter is signed by Gov. Moses 
Robinson and Joseph Tracy, Sec. 

The township was purchased of the 
Indians by Capt. Isaac Marsh of Stock- 
bridge, Mass., in honor of whom it is 
named, for ^140 lawful money, and the 
deed was signed by 18 Indians, thus : 

Joseph Shawguthguat, Hendrick 
Aupanmat, Jehosuhim Alokaim, Peter 
Pohijhionurpjsut, -(-Joseph Luonahant, 
-)-John Pophmin, -(- Solomon Ouargaria- 
hont, -(-Uhndrw Warmaeruph, -)-Vendru 
Waumurmn, -|- Hudrink Ihchumhwmli, 
-)- Moses Laupumnsapeat, ~\- Thomas 
Wind, -\- John Thonhpol, -|- David Neson- 
ukausdahawauk, -\- Cornelius Janmauch, 
-)- David Nesonuhkeah Grum, -|- Abraham 
Maummumthickhur, -\- Isaac Unamprey. 

This deed was given July 29, 1789, and 
witnessed by David Pixley and John Sar- 
geant, missionary. 

These Indians, it is supposed, when 
they secured the grant of this land, in- 
tended to remove here, and make it their 
hunting-ground, but finding white settle- 
ments were beginning to cluster around it, 
they disposed of it as best they could, and 
sought the unbroken forests of New York 
and called the new home there, in honor 
of the old one in Massachusetts. 

Capt. Marsh had married, for his second 
wife, a young widow by the name of Pit- 
kin, of East Hartford, Conn., and four of 
her sons, and two of his own daughters were 
among the' pioneers of his new township. 
Caleb Pitkin one of these sons, came from 
East Hartford as a surveyor, with a com- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pany under Gen. Whitelaw, in the spring 
of 1790. They spent the summer survey- 
ing in this wilderness, returning to Con- 
necticut in the autumn. They spent the 
next season here also. Caleb was cook 
for the company, and it was asserted he 
" could cook as well as a woman." In the 
springs of 1792, '93, he, together with his 
brother, Martin Pitkin, and Gideon Spen- 
cer, came here, and labored clearing land, 
preparatory for a settlement, returning to 
East Hartford in the autumn, each year. 
The winter following Caleb, having mar- 
ried Hannah, daughter of Capt. Marsh, 
and Gideon Spencer, having previously 
married Polly, another of his daughters, 
together with Aaron Elmer, also a married 
man, removed to this town. They came 
as far as Montpelier with teams ; and from 
there, the snow more than 4 feet deep in 
Feb., they came with handsleds. Caleb 
Pitkin settled on the farm where his son, 
Jas. Pitkin, now dead, resided. Gideon 
Spencer, where his grandson Stephen 
Spencer lives, and Aaron Elmer where 
John Harris Eaton resides. All their pro- 
visions and furniture they brought from 
Connecticut over roads which would now 
be deemed impassable. In the summer 
they were joined by Ebenezer Dodge and 
family. 

John Preston Davis, son of Ebenezer 
Dodge, was born Sept. 7th, of this year, 
and was the first child born in town. 
James, son of Caleb Pitkin, was born in 
Jan., 1795, and was the second child born, 
and the first girl born in town, was Betsey, 
daughter of Gideon Spencer, now wife of 
Dea. Dan Storrs. During this first season 
no one of these settlers owned a team, 
and all the grain for their families was car- 
ried to Montpelier to be ground, and 
brought home upon their backs, they leav- 
ing the bran to lighten their loads. 

March i, 1795, Joshua, Stephen, and 
Nathaniel Pitkin, and Solomon Gilman 
moved into town. Joshua Pitkin settled 
near the centre of the town where William 
Haskins now resides. Stephen Pitkin on 
the farm below, where Bowman Martin 
lives, Nathaniel Pitkin, who was cousin to 
the other settlers of the name, on the road 



from Abram Wood's to the saw-mill in the 
south ]3art of the town, and Solomon Gil- 
man where his grandson Loomis Gilman 
now resides. 

Settlers continued to come in. Stephen 
Rich was an early pioneer, commencing 
his settlement where his grandson, Samuel 
D. Hollister, now lives. 

Nathaniel Dodge, another, who came at 
a day so early, that he moved all his goods 
into town on a hand-sled, was an upright. 
Christian man, accumulating a good prop- 
erty and bringing up a large family, only 
two of whom remain in town. 

Martin Pitkin removed here previous to 
the organization of the town. Simeon 
Dwinell was also one of the early settlers, 
and one of the best of citizens ; afterwards 
four of his brothers, men of worth, Mar- 
tin, Squier, Zenas, and Aaron Bullock ; 
the right kind of men ; John Pike, whose 
5 sons all tilled the soil and made their 
homes here ; Daniel Bemis with his large 
family ; Caleb Putnam, the first blacksmith 
in town, who made all the nails used in 
the early clays ; cut nails such as are now 
used, being cjuite unknown. Mr. Putnam 
was not only a good, ingenious blacksmith, 
but also a good, useful citizen. After some 
years, he removed to Woodbury, where 
he died. 

So rapid was the tide of immigration, 
that, at the organization of the town, 61 
men took the freemen"^ oath. Shall I say 
of these men, that they were industrious, 
energetic, persevering? None but such 
men would think of making comfortable, 
permanent homes in a forest? The farms 
they cultivated, the school, and dwelling- 
houses they erected, the thrift which soon 
became apparent on every hand, all tell 
what kind of men were the pioneers of 
Marshfield. 

Joshua and Stephen Pitkin for a few of 
the first years worked in company, after- 
wards they mutually agreed to dissolve 
partnership, and amicably divided their 
possessions. They built the first framed 
barn in town. It was raised July 4, 1796. 
This barn in their settlement became the 
property of Joshua Pitkin. Stephen Rich 
raised a barn June 20, 1797. Caleb and 



MARSHFIELD. 



199 



Stephen Pitkin had each a barn raised 
June 26, 1797. June 28, 1798, William 
Holmes raised a barn ; also Ebenezer 
Dodge raised a barn July 6, '98. Capt. 
Stephen Rich raised his house June 14, 
1800. This was the first framed-house in 
town. Stephen Pitkin, it is supposed, 
built the next framed-house, two-story. 
Joshua Pitkin raised a two-story house, 
Sept. 24, 1803. Nathaniel Pitkin raised a 
house June 20, 1804, and Timothy Cole 
raised a house June 24, 1804. 

THE FIRST RELIGIOUS MEETING 

in town of which we find any record, was 
Sunday, Aug. 20, 1797, at Nathaniel 
Dodge's. The 25th of Sept. after, Mr. 
Gilbert preached at Joshua Pitkin's. He 
was a missionary from Connecticut ; and 
Oct. 20, '97, a meeting at Nathaniel 
Dodge's, no preacher mentioned, and it is 
probable a sermon was read, as this was 
often the case in after years. From this 
time meetings were occasionally held in 
town ; very many it seems at Capt. Rich's ; 
for many years and also frequently, at 
Nathaniel Dodge's ; sometimes at Joshua 
Pitkin's. Among the ministers who occa- 
sionally preached here in the early days, 
were Elder Wheeler, of Montpelier, Bap- 
tist, Revs. Kinnee of Plainfield, Hobart 
of Berlin, Lyman, of Brookfield, Wright 
of Montpelier, Congregationalists. 

How did our settlers live ? in every de- 
partment of labor, almost nothing to do 
with? For making of maple sugar, the 
first five-pail kettle owned in town, Caleb 
Pitkin brought from Montpelier on his 
back, and sap-troughs had to be made, 
and the sugar-house was two huge logs 
with the kettle hung between, the smoke 
and ashes inclined to blow towards you ; the 
sap had to be gathered by hand, and where 
was the man who owned a sap-holder ? 
And when sugar was made, where was it 
to be stored ? James Pitkin told the writer, 
he could remember how his father provided 
for this emergency. In June, he pealed 
bir(jh- bark, soaked it, and sewed it with a 
strong wax-end, and thus made a large 
box, less the bottom, but he sat this on a 
smooth piece of bark, with a sap-trough 
under to catch the molasses, and he recol- 



lects many times eating biscuit and butter 
very near that sap-trough. The box, he 
thought, would hold 200 pounds. He also 
tells me the first cow his father owned, he 
drove from Newbury through the wilder- 
ness by marked trees, 34 miles. He did 
not say how the cow lived the first winter, 
but the second they raised a very large 
crop of wheat, and the cow was fed 
through winter, on wheat in the stook. 
She was very sleek, and yielded a large 
quantity of milk. 

The children must be educated. In 
1799, a meeting of the settlers was called, 
and they concluded to build a log-school 
house, covered with bark. It stood just 
above where the road turns off to go to Dan- 
iel Dodge's. Miss Nancy Caldwell taught 
the first school ; was afterwards married to 
Rowland Edwards of Montpelier. 

Capt. Marsh came from Connecticut to 
visit his children and their families three 
times, and once, Jan. 7, 1797, his wife came 
with him. No small undertaking for a lady 
past middle age, with such roads. These 
visits were seasons of great interest to 
their children, and no less so to them- 
selves. They were made happy by seeing 
the prosperity of the settlement, and the 
thrift which was apparent among their 
children. Mrs. Marsh died the next sum- 
mer. Capt. Marsh lived some years 
longer, and married the third wife. 

When Capt. Marsh and his wife returned 
home, Joshua Pitkin went in company with 
them as far as Walpole, N. H. ; was four 
days going, and four returning. They 
went the first day to Williamstown, the 
next to Pomfret, the next to Cavendish, 
and the next to Walpole. Joshua Pitkin 
has also a record of his going to Judge 
Lynde's of Williamstown, to get a writ 
made out, hiring a horse of Mr. Hamett of 
Montpelier, for the trip, for which he paid 
4s. It is not known what he paid for making 
out the writ. It ought to have been done 
cheap, as he went 20 miles to get it. He 
mentions a visit of Dr. Lamb of Mont- 
pelier, to his wife, for which he paid 6s ; 
and has a record of wages paid Henry Wal- 
bridge and two other joiners, at work on his 
new house, $2.25 a day for the three. And 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



we are informed, it was considered no more 
irnmoral then to buy a barrel of rum, or 
ID or 15 gallons of brandy, than it was to 
make -other purchases for family use. The 
mystery is, how any one kept sober ; how 
any one knew whether other people were 
sober. 

For a few of the first years the farmers 
here went to Montpelier or Calais for 
blacksmithing, till Caleb Putnam moved 
into town. 

Mr. John Knox was the first person who 
died in town. The date of his death is 
not known. Aug. 22, 1797, a child of Mr. 
Robert Waugh was drowned in a well. 

Joshua Pitkin was appointed first justice 
of peace Aug. 23, 1799. 

FIRST RECORD OF MARSHFIELD. 

On application of a number of credible 
freeholders of the town of Marshfield, 
County of Caledonia, and State of Ver- 
mont, that said town may be organized, 
according to law, 1 hereby warn a meeting 
of all the Freeholders and other inhab- 
itants of said town, qualified to vote in 
Town-meeting, to appear at the dwelling- 
house of Joshua Pitkin, in said town, on 
the tenth day of Marcli next, at ten o'clock 
forenoon on said day. ist. To choose a 
moderator to govern said meeting. 2d, 
To choose all officers that the law requires 
for organized towns to have. 

Joshua Pitkin, Justice Peace. 

Marshfield, Feb. 24th, 1800. 

March loth, 1800. 
This day a Town-meeting agreeable to 
the above Notification was held, and ist 
Chose Stephen Rich, Moderator; 2ond, 
Chose Stephen Rich, Town Clerk ; Joshua 
Pitkin, Clerk pro tem. ; 3rd, Stephen Rich, 
1st Selectman ; 4th, Stephen Pitkin, 2ond 
Selectman ; 5th, Samuel Paterson, 3rd Se- 
lectman ; 6th, Caleb Pitkin, Town Treas- 
urer; 7th, Stephen Rich, Nathaniel Pitkin, 
and Robert Waugh, Listers ; Gideon Spen- 
cer, Constable and Collector ; Samuel Wil- 
son, Grand juryman; 8th, Aaron Elmer, 
Ebenezer Dodge, Jun., Joseph Wells, Sur- 
veyors of roads ; 9th, David Benjamin, 
Ebenezer Wells, Nathaniel Pitkin, Fence 
Viewers ; roth, Robert Waugh, Pound 
Keeper; nth, Giles Skinner, Sealer of 
Leather; 12th, Caleb Pitkin, Sealer of 
Weights and Measures; 13th, Giles Skin- 
ner, Tythingman ; 14th, Ebenezer Dodge 
and Aaron Elmer, Hay wards; 15th, 
Joshua Pitkin, Caleb Pitkin and Joseph 
Page, auditors of accounts of Selectmen. 
i6th, All the above names chosen into the 



several Offices have taken solemn oath for 
the faithful discharge of their trust. This 
meeting adjourned untill the 24th day of 
this month, by order of the Selectmen. 

Monday, Mar. 24, 1800, town meeting 
according to adjournment. After taking 
the freeman's oath, it was voted to ratify 
the proceedings of the annual meeting, 
Stephen Pitkin, Esq., chosen moderator 
pro tem. "Chose Stephen Pitkin and 
Samuel Paterson, Jurymen to attend the 
Supreme Court ; Samuel Paterson, Joseph 
P. Page, Aaron Elmer, Elisha Benjamin, 
Jr., Nathaniel Pitkin, Ebenezer Dodge, 
Jr., and Robert Waugh, Petit Jurymen." 

" Voted to assess a tax of 2 cents on 
the dollar on all polls and ratable property 
for the purpose of defraying town charges ; 
to raise four days' work a year, from each 
voter for the year ensuing, to mend the 
highways ; that the tax shall be worked out 
in June, and that the Selectmen shall 
credit the same on the bills." 

Names of the men who took the free- 
man's oath at said meeting : 

Stephen Rich, Stephen Pitkin, Samuel 
Paterson, Caleb Pitkin, Aaron Elmer, Eb- 
enezer Dodge, Ebenezer Dodge, Jr., Elisha 
Benjamin, Jr., David Benjamin, .Samuel 
Wilson, Hart Roberts, Joshua Pitkin, 
Elisha Benjamin, John Goodale, Hugh 
Wilson, Matthew Jack, Joel Knox, Tim- 
othy Cowles, Stephen Cowles, Amon Per- 
sons, James English, Edmund Harwood, 
Abraham Goodale, Solomon Spencer, 
George Gleason, Martin Pitkin, Gideon 
Spencer, Joseph P. Page, Uriah Simons, 
Nathaniel Pitkin, Joseph Wells, Giles 
Skinner, Robert Waugh, Solomon Gil- 
man, Ebenezer Wells, Selah Wells, John 
Waugh, Stephen Olmsted, John Cutler, 
Samuel Wilson, Jr., Robert Dodge, Chas. 
Gate, Samuel Pratt, Cyrril Garnsey, Caleb 
Putnam, Simeon Dwinell, Daniel Holmes, 
Daniel Damon, Calvin Elmer, Job Taylor, 
Ichabod Shurtleflf, John Pike, Guy Benja- 
min, Asa Spencer, Josiah Hollister, An- 
drew Jack, William Jones, Avara Gilman, 
Wm. W. Powers, Nathan Jones, Chester 
Clark, Stephen Rich, town clerk. 

It was voted at town meeting Jan. 7, 
1800, Joshua Pitkin, Esq., mod. ; Stephen 



MARSHFIELD. 



2ol 



Rich, district clerk, to support the school 
on the grand list ; Robert Waugh and Na- 
thaniel Pitkin, school com. ; Aaron Elmer, 
collector. Voted, that no one shall have 
a right to take any child into his family to 
attend school, unless he take one for a 
year, and that the selectmen shall act in 
conjunction with the committee in exam- 
ining the school teacher, and to raise $34 
to support schooling. 

At town meeting. Mar. 25, 1801, Caleb 
Pitkin, mod., voted to divide the district; 
set up the old school-house at vendue, to be 
' sold to the highest bidder ; sold the house 
for 2^ bushels of wheat, on 6 months' 
credit, to Aaron Elmer ; 1 2 squares of 
glass, to Solomon Gilman, for i bush, of 
wheat ; 75 nails, to Nathaniel Dodge, for 
I peck of wheat ; boards, to Robert Waugh, 
for 9s. 6d., to be paid in wheat; table, to 
Joshua Pitkin, for 2 bush. 2 qts. of wheat ; 
chair, to Joshua Pitkin, for 3 pecks, 4 qts. 
of wheat. The selectmen organized the 
inhabitants on the river road into a school 
district, beginning at Hart Roberts' on 
the north, Capt. Skinner's at the south, 
Nathaniel Pitkin's on the west, and Sam- 
uel Wilson's and Joseph Wells' on the 
east. Stephen Rich, Samuel Paterson, 
Caleb Pitkin, were selectmen. 

So the old school-house was sold, a 
little, square, log-building, covered with 
bark ; a big stone chimney, with an open- 
ing above for the smoke to go out and the 
rain to come in, and the grand old forest 
for play-ground, and did it not ring with 
the merry shouts of childhood? They 
needed no gymnasium then. Were there 
not the trees to climb, the birds' nests and 
squirrels to hunt, and partridges and wood- 
chucks to look after? The children did 
not sing in school in those days. They 
had to sit straight, keep their eyes on the 
book, and their toes on the crack. They 
hardly dared breathe in school-time, there 
was such an awe of femle and rod. The 
children did not sing in school, but the 
bird's song they heard through the open 
window, and when the noon-time came, 
the children joined the chorus, and the old 
woods rang again. 

It seems the inhabitants not included in 

26 



the river district, were all in one other dis- 
trict. Afterwards districts were divided 
and arranged, as the inhabitants increased, 
according to their needs. But it was not 
until about 18 12, that a school-house was 
built on the river near Joshua Pitkin's. 
Schools were kept in a portion of a dwell- 
ing-house, and sometimes in Caleb Pit- 
kin's old house. In the mill district, now 
the village, the first school-house was built 
in 1 82 1. The first school in this district 
was taught by Miss Comfort Gage, in the 
summer of 1820, in Capt. Martin Pitkin's 
barn, on the place where the writer re- 
sides. There was a school a number of 
years in the Dwinell district, before the 
convenience of a school-house was en- 
joyed. Four winters this school was kept 
in Simeon Dwinell's kitchen. This to 
some housekeepers might have seemed an 
inconvenience, as the house was small, 
and Mrs. Dwinell had 8 children of her 
own. But she doubtless got along nicely, 
washing days and all. The children must 
be educated ; in those days troops of little 
ones were not so much in the way. 

In 1805, a committee was appointed by 
the town to act in concert with the select- 
men in purchasing a piece of ground for 
the burial of the dead, and the grave-yard 
near J. H. Eaton's was bought of Na- 
thaniel Dodge. 

Mar. 1797, Thomas McLoud, of Mont- 
pelier, and Sally Dodge, of Marshfield, 
were united in marriage by Joseph Wing, 
Esq., of Montpelier, the first marriage in 
town. Joshua Pitkin, Esq., was the first 
justice of peace, and Dec. 10, 1801, he 
married Ebenezer Wells to Susannah Spen- 
cer, the first marriage by a citizen of the 
town. 

Feb. I, 1803, a town meeting was called 
to see if the town would form themselves 
into a Congregational society, and also to 
see if they would agree to settle a minis- 
ter. The vote stood 17 in favor and 70 
against. 

Bears, wolves and deer were very num- 
erous in the early days of Marshfield. The 
wolves made night hideous by their howl- 
ings, and it was no uncommon thing to 
kill a bear or deer. Joshua Pitkin, in his 



202 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



journal, speaks of killing 8 deer at differ- 
ent times, and one bear story belonging to 
ovir region has in it sufficient of the tragic 
to warrant insertion here. 

One season early in September the bears 
began to make depiedations in the corn, 
on the Skinner farm, now Wm. Martin's. 
Solomon Gilman, one of the early settlers, 
who was a great sportsman, promised to 
watch for the bear, and put an end to his 
suppers of green corn ; he took his stand 
at night in the field, waiting the arrival of 
the depredator. The bear came on, and 
was soon helping himself, when with true 
aim, the hunter fired. The bear gave one 
great spring, and came directly on, or 
over him. He felt his time had come. 
The blood was flowing ! He caught the 
lacerated intestines in his hands, replaced 
them as he could in that moment of des- 
peration, wrapped the long skirt of his 
overcoat about his body, holding it firmly 
with both hands ; had just strength enough 
left to shout for help, and to run a short 
distance. Help soon came. They assisted 
him to a place of safety, and folding back 
his overcoat, a double handful of bruin's 
entrails fell to the ground ! Mr. G. lived 
long to be the terror of the denizens of the 
forest, but it was years before he heard 
the last of being killed by a bear. 

At another time, Mr. Gilman was pur- 
suing a bear through some woods where 
Mr. Ira Stone was chopping. Seeing the 
bear rapidly approaching, Mr. Stone sprang 
upon a large rock. The bear came up. 
Mr. Stone attempted to strike him with 
his axe, but one blow of the bear's paw 
sent the axe to the ground. They now 
clinched. Mr. Stone attempted to grasp 
the bear's tongue, but instead, the bear 
crushed two of his fingers. They rolled to 
the ground, the bear uppermost. Just 
now Mr. Gilman came near, and taking 
aim, shot the bear through the head. The 
crushed fingers was all the serious injury 
Mr. Stone received. 

The settlers made quite a business of 
selling ashes, and afterwards, a larger one 
of making salts for sale. The beautiful 
elms, of which there were many on the 
river banks and in other places, were cut 



down, piled and burned for this purpose, 
and a great deal of other valuable timber. 
Salts sold well, so the day and the long 
night were often spent in boiling salts, and 
more than one woman has lent a hand at 
this work. 

There are only two ponds which lie 
wholly in this town — Nigger Head, of cir- 
cular form, and about half a mile in width, 
and Nob Hill ponds. Long pond lies 
partly in Mai-shfield and partly in Groton. 
Mud pond has within a few years dried up. 
Our county map shows other ponds in our 
eastern portion, but by actual survey it is, 
found that neither of these are our side of 
the line. Our township is somewhat hilly, 
but in only one case are we entitled to the 
name of mountain. 

NIGGER HEAD 

mountain, in the north-easterly part of the 
town, is a steep precipice, 500 feet high, 
in one place 300 feet perpendicular. It is 
an imposing sight, so bold, precipitous 
and grand — nature enthroned in one of 
her wildest phases. On its dizzy heights 
we have a remarkably fine view of the sur- 
rounding regions, and of the bright waters 
of the beautiful pond below, and nowhere 
can one get a better view of the fearful 
precipice, than in a little boat on the 
waters at its base. 

Winooski river passes through this town 
from north to south, more than half of the 
town lying on the east. It receives many 
tributaries in its course. Lye brook, the 
outlet of Pigeon pond in Harris' Gore, is a 
considerable stream, and falls into the 
river a little south of the center of the 
town. 

A part of the south portion of Marshfield 
is more easily convened at Plainfield vil- 
lage, which really extends a little into our 
town than at our own village. As a con- 
sequence our people in that vicinity attend 
church at Plainfield, while a portion of the 
people in Eastern Cabot, on Molly's brook 
and vicinity, attend church at Marshfield. 

On the east side of the river a large 
quantity of good timber remains uncut, 
and there are also on this side of the river 
very large quarries of granite, beautifully 
clear, and of superior quality, and should 



MARSHFIELD. 



203 



the time come when a raih-oad shall pass 
up through this portion of our town, the 
value of these forests and quarries will be 
estimated very differently from what they 
are now. As far as farms are cultivated 
on this side of the river, they are pretty 
good. 

About the year 1825, quite a settlement 
was made on this side, some 2^ miles east 
of where the town-house now stands. So 
many families moved in, that a log school- 
house was built, and at one time there was 
a school of 30 scholars ; but the land prov- 
ing better for pasturage than tillage, after 
a few years the settlement was deserted. 
These large pastures are now owned by 
wealthy farmers. 

The town is in every part well-watered. 
The east part is noted especially for its 
pure, soft, cold springs. There is also 
hardly a farm in town but what has one or 
more good sugar orchards, and the amount 
of sugar made here any year is large. 
Through the kindness of E. S. Pitkin, 
Esq., I have the following statistics of the 
manufacture of maple sugar here in the 
spring of 1868, which is above the average : 
Sugar orchards, 108 ; sugar made in 1868, 
140,350 pounds, or more than 70 tons ; 18 
orchards made each 2,000 and upwards ; 40 
made less than 2,000 and more than 1,000 
pounds. 

WATER PRIVILEGES. 

Molly's brook, from the easterly part of 
Cabot, unites with theWinooski soon after 
entering this town. On this brook, just 
above the junction, are Molly's Falls, 
which are worthy the notice of the trav- 
eler. They can be seen to advantage from 
the stage-road, a mile above the village. 
The water falls in the distance of 30 rods, 
180 feet. Were we writing fiction, it would 
do, perhaps, to follow the figures of Thomp- 
son in his valuable " Gazeteer of Vermont," 
making these falls 500 feet ; but we, who, 
in the clear mornings of summer can hear 
the roaring of the water, will have it just 
as it is, 180 feet. There is an amount of 
water-power here not often equalled. It 
would be difficult to estimate how much 
machinery might be kept in motion by the 
water which is precipitated over these 



falls. Then, on the river below, are a 
number of excellent mill-sites, and in ad- 
dition to all these. Nigger Head brook, 
from where it leaves Nigger Head pond to 
its entrance into the Winooski, has a suc- 
cession of falls, making good locations for 
mills ; all the better, as the stream is never 
materially affected by drought. 

Among our early settlers a good deal of 
attention was paid to orcharding. On the 
hill farms there are good orchards and 
fine fruit, both grafted and native. On 
the river, apple-trees have never done as 
well. 

Aug. 22, 1811, there was a very great 
rise of water, and Joshua Pitkin lost grass 
sufficient for 15 tons of hay, by the over- 
flowing of his meadows, as his journal tells. 
In Sept. 1828, tliere was a great flood, and 
Stephen Pitkin, Jr's. clover mill, a mile 
above the village, was carried off; also 
many bridges. July 27, 1830, a great rise 
of water carried off nearly all the bridges 
on the river, and greatly injured the uncut 
grass on the meadows, and Aug. i, 1809, 
there was a great hail-storm, injuring gar- 
dens and corn very much. The evening 
of July 5, 1 84 1, there was a terrific hail- 
storm through a portion of the town. Veg- 
etation was much injured, and very much 
glass broken. Aug. 20, 1869, there was a 
very sudden rise of water, buildings were 
injured, some small ones carried ofif, and 
bridges and other property destroyed. 

A great gale was experienced here May 
13, 1866. The wind was accompanied 
with rain, and 4 barns and some smaller 
buildings were blown down. Mr. Amos 
Dwinell was in his son's barn at the time, 
and was buried in its ruins, but extricated 
without much injury. A number of cows 
were in two of the demolished barns, but 
only a very few were seriously injured. 

In the spring of 1807, snow was 4i feet 
deep April 4, and when Joshua Pitkin be- 
gan to tap his sugar-place, Apr. 15, it was 
3 feet deep. May 15, 1834, there was a 
great snow-storm, more than 2 feet deep. 
In the winter of 1863 and '4, snow was 
very deep, fences covered for months. 

We have also had our portion of fires. 
A barn was burned Oct. 1806, Jeremiah's 



204 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Carleton's blacksmith shop in 1827 ; after, 
an old house of Caleb Pitkin's, the dwell- 
ing house of Nathan Smith; the dwelling- 
house of Bemis Pike, Feb. 1835; '"^^^^ 
house of Hiram Goodwin, May, 1840; the 
starch-factory and clover-mill of Stephen 
Pitkin the night of Dec. 10, 1853, large 
shoe-shop of Henry Goodwin, May, i860; 
house belonging to G. O. Davis, occupied 
by G. W. Nouns, who was severely burned, 
and the family just escaped with their lives. 
Mar. 1869, the saw-mill and shop, and all 
the tools of Calvin York. 

CASUALTIES. 

Betsey Swetland and another young 
lady were riding on horseback May 7, 
18 17, below the village, when she was 
killed by the fall of a tree. vShe lived only 
a few hours. 

Mr. Jonathan Davis, an aged man, was 
burned to death by falling into the fire, 
probably in a fit, and Jonathan Davis, Jr., 
had a little son drowned in a water-holder 
at the door. 

George Pitkin, while drawing wood 
alone, fell before the runner of the sled, 
and was crushed to death, Feb. 20, 1845. 

Martin Bemis, son of Abijah Bemis, came 
to his death by slipping in the road, and a 
sled passing over him. 

Mrs. Linton was accidentally shot, by a 
gun carelessly handled by a boy. 

Mrs. Tubbs, an old lady, accidentally 
took some oil of cedar, and lived but a 
short time. 

Mr. Graves had a little daughter scalded, 
so as to cause death. A child of Nathaniel 
Lamberton was scalded, so as to cause 
its death in a short time. Mrs. Benoni 
Haskins was burned, so as to cause death 
in a few hours. A little child of Francis 
Loveland was also burned to death some 
years since, and a child of Spencer Law- 
rence scalded, so as to cause its death. 

A number of years ago, Mr. Asa Willis 
had a very remarkable escape from sudden 
death, while at work on a ledge of rocks, 
near where Daniel Loveland resides. There 
had been au unsuccessful attempt made to 
split open a granite rock 12 feet square, 
the lower edge of which lay on a large rock 
15 feet high. The top of the lower rock 



was slanting like the roof of a house. 
While attempting to open the crevice al- 
ready commenced in the upper rock, suffi- 
cient to insert a blast of powder, the rock 
split in two nearly in the middle, Mr. 
Willis fa*lling between the parts, and he 
and they sliding from the large rock to the 
ground, 27 feet. The two pieces, when 
they reached the ground, stood in such a 
way that the upper edges leaned against 
each other, and the lower edges stood 
apart so as to leave a wedge-shaped cavity 
large enough to admit his body, and there 
he lay. No one was with him but Mr. 
Joshua Smith. On ascertaining that he 
was alive, Mr. Smith dug away the earth, 
and succeeded in extricating him from his 
perilous situation. Neither he, nor the 
physician, who was immediately called, 
thought him much injured, and he lived to 
do a good deal of hard work, and yet it is 
thought he never entirely recovered from 
the eifects of the shock. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

The log hou.ses of the pioneers soon 
gave way to better dwellings. At the 
present time nearly all the houses in town 
are of modern style and finish, but it is 
the barns that ought particularly to be 
mentioned. Many of them are large, 
beautifully finished and painted, and not 
surpassed by any in the vicinity. 

THE TOWN CLERKS 

have been, Stephen Rich 7 years, George 
Rich 7 years, Robert Cristy g years, Mar- 
tin Bullock 16 years, Jacob Putnam 19 
years, Jonathan Goodwin 2 years, Samuel 
D. Hollister 2 years, and Andrew English 
24 years, from 1849 to his death in 1873 ; 
Geo. W. English 2 years, and Edgar L. 
Smith, elected in 1875, now in ofiice. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

The town was first represented in the 
Legislature in 1804, by Stephen Pitkin. 
He held this office in all 13 years, then by 
George Rich 3 years, Wm. Martin 12 years, 
Josiah Hollister 2 years, Alonzo Foster 2 
years, Spencer Lawrence 2 years. Wel- 
come Cole 2 years, Horace Hollister 3 
years, Ira Smith 2 years, Stephen R. Hol- 
lister 2 years, E. D. Putnam 2 years. Hi- 



MARSHFIELD. 



205 



ram Potter 2 years, Asa Spencer 2 years, 
George A. Gilman 2 years, Ingals Carleton 
2 )-ears, Samuel D. HoUister 2 years, An- 
drew English 2 years, Bowman Martin 2 
years, C. W. H. Dwinell 2 years, Wm. 
Martin, Jr., 2 years, and Preston Haskins 
2 years. George Wooster, 1869-70; 
Moody Bemis, 1872; George Putnam, 
1874; Levi W. Pitkin, 1876; Marshal D. 
Perkins, 1878; Mark M ears, 1880. 

Town Treasurer. — George O. Davis, 
elected 1870. 

SELECTMEN FROM 1876. 

EliG. Pitkin, 1876-77; H. P. Martin, 
1876-78; J.H.Eaton, 1876; Willis Lane, 
1876; Marcus R. Bliss, 1877-78-79; H. 
H. Hollister, 1879-80; Chester Sawyer, 
1880; Levi W. Pitkin, Orin H. Smith, 
Daniel Holcomb, 1881. 

TAVERNS. 

Joshua Pitkin, Esq., raised the first 
tavern-sign Oct. 1805. He continued to 
keep a public house many years. The 
second tavern was opened by Charles Cate, 
where Erastus Eddy now lives. Joshua 
Smith moved into town from Ashford,Ct., 
in Dec. 181 1, bought out Mr. Cate, and 
commenced keeping tavern, which he con- 
tinued 17 years. He was a kind neighbor, 
accommodating to all, and travelers who 
called on him would never forget the ex- 
ceeding drollery of his jokes. He died at 
the age of 84. His wife, one of our best 
women, still lives (1869) aged 87. 

Capt. James English opened a tavern 
about the year 181 1, where Obed Lamber- 
ton now resides, and kept a public house 
a number of years. He was a wheelwright 
and a highly respected citizen ; removed 
to what is now the village; died in 1825, 
and was buried with Masonic honors. 

Capt. Jacob Putnam bought out Capt. 
English in 1820, and kept a public house 
some years, and his son, A. F. Putnam, 
kept a number of years after at the old 
stand, and later at the village. 

Dudley Pitkin commenced keeping a 
tavern at the old place occupied by his 
father, about the year 1824, and for a few 
years continued the business. 

Daniel Wilson moved from Alstead, N. 



H., in 1821, and settled in the village. He 
built and run the first carding-machine in 
town. He also bought the place where 
the hotel now stands, and built there a 
one-story plank house. The place soon 
passed into other hands, and in 1826, was 
bought by Eli Wheelock, who put on an- 
other story, and made other additions to 
the house, and opened it as a hotel the 
same year. It has been used for a public 
house till the present time (1869), but so 
many additions and alterations have been 
made, that it would now be rather a diffi- 
cult matter to find the original building. 
The property soon passed into other hands, 
was purchased by Horace Bliss, who re- 
mained in the tavern a number of years ; 
then sold to Lyman Clark, who afterwards 
sold to Jabez L. Carpenter, and it has had a 
number of owners since. A. F. Putnam 
was proprietor 6 years, and sold to P. 
Stevens. The present occupant (1869) is 
P. Lee. 

STORES. 

The first store in town was opened as 
early as 18 18, by Alfred Pitkin, son of 
Joshua Pitkin, Esq., in a one-story house 
just opposite his father's, and just where 
Wm. Haskins' house stands. After a few 
years Mr. Pitkin removed to Plainfield, 
and later to Montpelier. The first store 
in the village was kept by a Mr. Kimball. 
He stayed here only a short time. 

Enoch D. Putnam opened a store here, 
Apr. 5, 1840, and continued to trade here 
till March, 1855, when he sold out and 
went to Cabot, and has recently removed 
to Montpelier. George Wooster went into 
partnership with Mr. Putnam in Sept. 
1848. In May, 1858, G. & F. Wooster 
commenced trade in their starch-factory, 
but have since built a large store, and are 
doing a good business. 

A. F. Putnam commenced trade in 1866, 
and IS also doing a good business. Levi 
Bemis and some others have also been in 
the mercantile business in our village, and 
after a time have left for other places. 
Geo. A. Putnam is our present merchant 
(1881), and Mrs. Adams keeps a ladies 
store. A. F. Putnam, postmaster. 



2o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Bates came here in 1826. He loca- 
ted at Eli Wheelock's hotel; remained 
but a few months. In 1827, Dr. Hersey 
came here to practice. He boarded at 
Judge Pitkin's ; remained about a year. 
About 1828, Dr. Daniel Corliss settled in 
our village, stayed a year and removed to 
Montpelier, (now East Montpelier, where 
he died.) 

Dr. Asa Phelps removed from Berlin to 
this place in 1831, and still lives here. 
For many years he was the only resident 
physician. He has known as well as any 
other man, what it was to travel over our 
hills on a dark night, with the thermom- 
eter below zero, while the winds were 
all abroad — years ago. At that time, we 
had many more poor people in town, 
than now, On such nights after doing for 
the sick, if he could have lodging on the 
floor, with his feet towards the fire, he 
would put up till daylight. He was never 
known after such visits to complain of his 
fare, indeed sometimes, he had no fare to 
complain of. He has had a large practice — 
often without pay, never objecting to have 
counsel, and if superseded by others, "he 
kept the even tenor of his way," never 
speaking against the practice of other 
physicians ; thus has secured universal 
respect. 

Dr. Ezra Paine moved here in 1842, and 
remained here some 2 years. 

Dr. George Town removed here from 
Montpelier in 1852, but after a few years, 
sold out and returned to Montpelier, but 
removed here again, and has a good 
practice. 

Dr. J. O. A. Packer, homcEopathist, re- 
moved from Peacham here in 1865. He 
is doing a good business. 

LONGEVITY. 

A few persons here have attained to the 
age of 90 years. Dea. Spencer died at 
90; Mrs. Capron overgo; Mrs. Cree, 94; 
Mrs. Austin, 94. 

Mr. Joel Parker and wife resided in this 
place a year or two. Some few years since, 
Mrs. Parker had attained to the great age 
of 97, and on her birth-day sung two 
hymns to a neighbor who called upon her. 



Mr. P. was 10 years younger. They have 
both recently died in Northfield, she in 
her looth year. 

Aged persons who have died in town 
within 2) or \ years. — Daniel Young, 91, 
and his wife Lydia, 85 ; Sylvester Love- 
land, 88, and his wife, 84; Mary Bemis, 
84; Samuel G. Bent, 81 ; Ira Smith, 80; 
Abijah Bemis, 86; Willard Benton, 83. 

Aged persons now living (1881). — Dr. 
Asa Phelps, 85 ; Lucy Bemis, 86 ; Sally 
Dwinell, 86; Mary York. 

MILLS. 

The first saw-mill in town was built by 
Stephen Pitkin, afterwards Judge Pitkin, 
in 1802, on Lye brook. In 1812, he built 
the first saw-mill at what is now the village, 
and a grist-mill in 181 8, which was used 
many years. The stone and brick grist- 
mill, now owned by Harrison F. Ketchum, 
was built in 1 831, by Gen. Parley Davis 
and Truman Pitkin. About the year 1823, 
Simeon Gage built clothing-works at the 
south part of the village, but they were 
used only a few years. 

LIBRARY. 

There has been for 20 years, in this 
place, a circulating library, of historical 
works, travels, etc. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

BY MRS. DEA. A. BOYLES. 

The first Congregational church in 
Marshfield was organized Dec. 24, 1800. 
By request of a number of persons in 
town, to be embodied into a visible church 
of Christ, Rev. Mr. Hobartand two breth- 
ren, Mr. Timothy Hatch and Peterson 
GifTord of Berlin, came and organized a 
church of 13 members. Selah Wells was 
the first deacon, and afterwards Gideon 
Spencer. For a number of years they had 
additions, both by professions and letters, 
and were supplied with preaching a por- 
tion of the time by ministers from the 
neighboring towns. Rev. Mr. Hobart of 
Berlin, Rev. Mr. Lyman of Brookfield, 
Rev. Mr. Wright of Montpelier, Rev. 
Mr. Worcester of Peacham, and also a Mr. 
Washburn and Mr. Bliss, were among 
those who occasionally ministered to them. 
About the year 18 17, Rev. Levi Parsons, 



MARSHFIELD. 



207 



afterwards missionary to Palestine, was 
here, and preached a number of times. 
But they never enjoyed the blessing of a 
settled minister. Thus they continued till 
Dec. 8, 1825, when with the hope that 
they should enjoy better privileges, those 
members residing at the south part of the 
town, united with the church in Plainfield. 
The rest of the members, and a number 
of other persons who wished to unite with 
a Congregational church, thought best to 
form a church at the north part of the town, 
in the vicinity of the village, and by re- 
quest, Rev. Mr. French of Barre, and 
Rev. Mr. Heard of Plainfield, came and 
organized a church, which still remains. 
Brothers Andrew Currier and Alexander 
Boyles, were chosen deacons. It has been 
supplied with preaching a part of the time. 
Among those who have labored here are 
Rev. Messrs. Kinney, Baxter, Herrick, 
Ton-ey, Waterman, Samuel Marsh, and 
Lane. Rev. Joseph Marsh labored here 
nearly 2 years. Through the summer of 
1868, Rev. Mr. Winch, of Plainfield, 
preached at 5 o'clock every other Sabbath. 
There have been many removals and the 
present number of church members is 
small . 

Record from iS6g ^0 Aug. 3, iZji, by 
Rev. TV. F. CoblcigJi, pastor, thett. — For 
several years there had been but little Con- 
gregational preaching in Marshfield, when 
in the spring of 1870, Rev. J. T. Graves 
preached half of the time for 6 weeks. 
Soon after. Rev. N. F. Cobleigh was en- 
gaged to preach half of the time for i year. 
The church had no church property, but 
in the spring of 187 1, a new church was 
begun, a Sabbath school organized, and a 
library obtained. The church will be ded- 
icated Aug. 16, 1871. The membership 
has more than doubled during the past 
year. Preaching services are now held 
every Sabbath. Rev. N. F. Cobleigh is 
to be settled as pastor Aug. i6th inst. 

Record from Ai/g. 1877, to i^7<), from 
Rev. Geo. E. Forbes. — From this time to 
the spring of 1877, Rev. Mr. Cobleigh 
was its pastor, and through his faithful ef- 
forts its membership was very largely in- 



creased. Of the. 57 who composed the 
church when Mr. Cobleigh resigned, only 
9 were members in 1870. Aug. 16, the 
church was dedicated and the pastor in- 
stalled. After Mr. Cobleigh's resignation 
in 1877, Rev. John Stone, of Berlin, sup- 
plied until early in 1878, when Rev. Paul 
Henry Pitkin, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was 
called to be its pastor. He was installed 
March 14; is its present pastor (1879.) 
Alexander Boyles, elected deacon in Aug. 
1827, held office till his death, Nov. 27, 
1876. The other deacons have been An- 
drew Currier, Silas Carleton, Benjamin 
Boyles and Mervin Roberts. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. 

BV MISS A. BULLOCK. 

About the year 18 15, Elder John Capron 
commenced preaching in this town, and 
soon after removed his family here from 
Danville. There was a revival of religion, 
and a church was organized about this 
time. They believed the Scriptures, to- 
gether with the spirit of God, a sufficient 
rule of faith and practice. They were 
blessed with more or less prosperity till 
1825, when some of them considered some 
articles setting forth their faith and cove- 
nant, as necessary and proper for a Chris- 
tian church. This caused a division, but 
finally there was a reorganization under 
the pastoral care of Elder Capron, Dec. 
15, 1836, the two blending together again. 
Between this time and March 5, 1844, 
44 persons united with this church, a part 
living in Calais, and a part in Marshfield. 
Among this number there were many of 
whom we believed "their record is on 
high." Elder Capron had but little edu- 
cational advantages, was of warm and 
energetic temperament, and many remem- 
ber him justly, as a friend and brother in 
adversity. He moved from this town 
some time after the death of his excellent 
wife, who was kind to all and ever had a 
word for the afflicted. She died June 14, 
1848, and was buried in our soil, and her 
memory still clings to our hearts. Elder 
Capron being the first settled minister in 
town, was entitled to, and received the 
town's minister lot of land. He removed to 



208 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Stowe. [See history of Morristown. Ed.] 
He was married a second time, and died 
some years since. 

About the year 1839, there was another 
church of the Christian denomination or- 
ganized in the North-west partof the town, 
under the direction of Elder Jared L. Green. 
This church was subjected to very hard 
and severe trials. Many of its members 
sleep in the dust, some are scattered to 
other parts, while others are living and 
striving for the better land. 

ADVENT CHURCH. 

Feb. 6, 1867, another church was organ- 
ized here of 6 members, believing in the 
advent of Christ near at hand, under the 
pastoral care of Rev. J. A. Cleaveland. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

From the early settlement of the town 
there have been residents here who have 
maintained the views of the Baptist church. 
More than 30 years ago a church of this 
denomination was organized, consisting of 
members in Barre, Plainfield and Marsh- 
field. The larger number resided in Barre 
and Plainfield, and this church will prob- 
ably be mentioned in the history of one of 
those towns. [Barre has left it, we think, 
to Plainfield.— Ed.] 

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
BY I;EV. a. SCOTT. 

Universalism was introduced into this 
town by Daniel Bemis, a Revolutionary 
soldier, who moved here from Conn, in 
1809. Soon after Ebenezer Dodge, Jr., 
and Robert Spencer became associated 
with Mr. B. in religious faith. The first 
preacher of this faith here was Rev. Wm. 
Farewell, in 1818. From this time there 
was occasional Universalist preaching here 
till 1854, by Revs. L.H. Tabor, Benjamin 
Page, Lester Warren, and it may be some 
others. 

In 1854, Daniel Bemis, Junior, Edwin 
Pitkin, Jonathan Goodwin, Abijah Hall 
and others united and secured the services 
of Rev. Wm. Sias for one-fourth of the 
Sabbaths for this and the next year. 
During 1855, the friends organized, under 
the name of "The Universalist Society of 
Liberal Christians in Marshfield." The 



society for the year 1856 and '7. enjoyed 
the labors of Rev. Eli Ballou for one- 
fourth the Sabbaths. 

In 1827, an association was formed 
called "The Union meeting-house soci- 
ety," for building and keeping in repair a 
church they erected in the village in the 
north part of the town ; the only church 
edifice in town till 1859. [In 1831, when 
the first list of shares prepared apportion- 
ing the time to the several denominations, 
the Universalists were represented by four 
shares, owned by Sam'l. Ainsworth, Daniel 
Bemis, Jr., and Cyrus Smith.] In 1857, 
this association repaired and modernized 
the church, making it neat and pleasant, 
both external and internal. Some of the 
other societies, desiring more room at this 
time, relinquished their interest in the 
church. The property being sold to pay 
the assessment upon it, it fell into different 
hands, and at the present writing, 1869, 
three-fourths of the occupancy is given to 
the Universalist society. This change in 
the occupancy of the house gave a new im- 
petus to the cause in the town. This so- 
ciety has since sustained public worship 
one-half of the Sabbaths, excepting 1866 
and '7, during which they sustained it every 
Sabbath. These years were supplied as 
follows : 1858 and ''9, by Rev. Eli Ballou ; 
i860. Rev. M. B. Newell ; 1861, '2 and '3, 
by Rev. E. Ballou; 1864, byRev. Olympia 
Brown; 1865, by Rev. L. Warren; 1866, 
7 and '8, by Rev. A. Scott. Revs. New- 
ell, Brown and Scott lived in the town 
during their ministrations. The society 
was united, and at the present time, 1869, 
is in as good, if not better, condition than 
at any former period, having raised more 
money for the support of worship one-half 
of the Sabbaths, than it had ever before 
done. Rev. L. Warren is to labor with it 
from May i, 1869. Connected with the 
society and congregation are some 40 fam- 
ilies, beside many single individuals of 
other families. There is also a small Sab- 
bath-school, for the use of which there is 
a reading library of 150 vols. The church 
property is worth from $3,000 to $3,500, 
f of which is given to the occupancy of 
the society. 



MARSHFIELD. 



209 



From paper of Rev. Geo. E. Forbes m 
1879 — Universalist record continued. — In 
1869, Rev. Lester Warren was engaged to 
preach one-half of the time till the spring 
of 1873. In July of this year, Rev. Geo. 
E. Forbes was settled over the society. 
For 2 years the Plainfield society united 
with this for his support. The remainder 
of the time he has preached for this so- 
ciety exclusively, and is its present pastor. 

The Union Sabbath-school, composed 
of scholars from the different denomina- 
tions occupying the church, was continued 
until 1871. Since that time the Sabbath- 
school here has been connected with this 
society ; present number, about 90, officers 
and pupils. A. H. Davis was its super- 
intendent in 1871 to '''j^, when he was suc- 
ceeded by C. H. Newton. Under the 
ministry of Rev. L. Warren in 187 1, a 
church was organized, which at present 
numbers 43 members. John E. Eddyand 
Abial H. Davis were elected deacons, and 
still hold the office. Ira H. Edson was the 
first church clerk, succeeded by D. R. 
Loveland and C. H. Newton, present 
clerk. 

METHODIST CHURCH IN MARSHFIELD. 

In May, 1826, Stephen Pitkin, Jr., mar- 
ried the writer, a daughter of Gen. Parley 
Davis, of Montpelier. A few months be- 
fore she had been baptized by Rev. Wil- 
bur Fisk, and united with theM. E. church 
on probation. Previous to their marriage 
Mr. Pitkin had also experienced religion. 
In Jan. 1827, there being no Methodists in 
Marshfield at that time, they both united 
with the Methodist church in Cabot ; he 
as a prqbationer, being baptized by Rev. 
A. D. Sargeant, of the N. E. Conference, 
and she, by letter, in full connection. In 
1827, the union meeting-house was built 
at Marshfield, and a committee appointed 
to divide the time for occupying the house 
between the different denominations own- 
ing it. A few Sabbaths were set to the 
Methodists, though Mr. Pitkin was the 
only Methodist pew-holder. Rev. N. W. 
Aspinwall, preacher in charge at Cabot, 
appointed and attended meetings here on 
these Sabbaths alternately with his col- 



league. Rev. Elisha J. Scott. In Feb. 
1828, the first quarterly meeting was held, 
weather stormy. The meeting commenced 
Saturday, p. m. Several ministers and one 
minister's wife were in attendance, and all 
were entertained at our own house — a 
small frame-house, never encumbered with 
clapboards. 

The next year Sophronia and Sally Cate 
were baptized by Rev. Hershal Foster — 
the former now Mrs. Guernsey, of Mont- 
pelier. These two, with Mr. Pitkin and 
myself, and a Mrs. Whittle, constituted 
the first Methodist class in Marshfield, or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1829, Mr. Pitkin 
class-leader and steward. What seasons 
of interest were the class-meetings and 
prayer-meetings of those days ! The next 
to join were Samuel G. Bent and wife. 
Our numbers increased very gradually ; 
at most, we occupied the church only \ 
the Sabbaths. Rev. Solomon Sias, Rev. 
Stephen H. Cutler, Rev. E. J. Scott, and 
others, spoke to us the words of life. About 
1834, the first wife of Andrew English, 
Esq., proposed to the writer, we should 
get the children of the neighborhood to- 
gether for a Sabbath-school. As we had 
preaching at the church so little, we met 
at our homes alternately, at 5 o'clock. 
This we did many months, till we had a 
good-sized school, when it was proposed 
to take our Sabbath-school to the church, 
where it was duly organized, Jeremiah 
Carleton, Esq., first superintendent. A 
library was procured, and the school pros- 
pered. It was strictly a union Sabbath- 
school. The desk was supplied by minis- 
ters of different denominations, and our 
Sabbath-school went on. For a number 
of years the Methodists were supplied with 
preaching \ the time, by preachers who 
lived in Cabot. After that, we were united 
with Woodbury and Calais, and supplied 
in that way. A few united with the little 
band from year to year, but deaths and re- 
movals kept our number small. Some of 
these death-bed scenes were, however, re- 
markably happy. Especially was this the 
case in the death of Loammi Sprague. 

The first preacher sent here by Confer- 
ence was Rev. David Packer, who died a 



27 



210 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



few years since in Chelsea, Mass. He re- 
sided on East Hill, in Calais. 

At this time preachers received but a 
very small salary, and the members were 
often scattering and poor. After being in 
Calais a few weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Packer 
one morning ate their last food. Almost 
an entire stranger, Mr. Packer did not feel 
that he could beg. After uniting in fam- 
ily prayer, he retired to an old barn on the 
place, while she sought her closet, and 
each alone committed their case to the 
father of the stranger and the poor. 

A mile away from them lived a young 
farmer, not a professor of religion. As he 
started after breakfast for the hay-field with 
his hired help, something seemed to impel 
him to stop. He must go back to the 
house and carry some provisions to the 
new minister. It was of no use to say, 
"I'm not acquainted with them, I know 
nothing of their needs," he must take 
them some food. He told the men they 
might go to mowing, he must go back. 
He went back, told his wife his feelings, 
and they together put up meat, potatoes, 
flour, butter and sugar, and other things, 
a fair wagon load, and he took it over, 
and found how blessed it was to give, and 
they, how safe to trust in God. 

Slowly did the little church increase, 
never having preaching more than one- 
fourth of the time for many years. 

In 1 85 1, the Congregationalists and 
Methodists agreed to unite and support 
preaching. First for 2 years they would 
have Congregational preaching, and then 
Methodist for the next 2. Rev. Mr. Marsh, 
Congregational, was our first minister, 
and at the close of the two years Rev. 
Lewis P. Cushman was appointed by Con- 
ference, and spent 2 years with us. In 
those years a number were added to the 
church. Mr. Cushman is now a mission- 
ary in Texas ; his little daughter, Clara, 
so well remembered by us, started last 
October as a missionary to China. 

Before the close of Mr. Cushman's first 
year Mr. Pitkin died, and as he had been 
very influential in procuring and sustain- 
ing preaching, and there was no one to 
then take his place, the effort was now aban- 



doned, and for a number of years we had 
no stated preaching. At length, in 1859, 
a few concluded to make one more eff'ort, 
and Rev. Joshua Gill was stationed with 
us. The Union church had passed mostly 
into the hands of the Universalists, and 
we had no preaching place. We needed a 
church, and one was put up and covered 
in '59, and finished in i860. The house 
was the right size, well furnished. Our 
next minister was Rev. Geo. H. Bickford, 
an excellent preacher, and one of the best 
of men. He died some years later at 
Barton. His last words, his hand upon 
his breast, closing his eyes, that grand old 
doxology, the gloria, "Glory be to the 
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." 
Rev. C. S. Buswell came next 2 years. 
Rev. James Robinson was stationed here 
in 1865, Rev. Joseph Hamilton in 1867; 
both years we had some additions. In 
1869, Rev. James Spinney was appointed 
here. No. of vols, in S. S. library, 450. 

In 1871, Rev. J. Hamilton was with us 
again, and stayed one year. In 1872, 
Conference made Rev. C. P. Flanders our 
pastor, succeeded in 1874, by Rev. C. A. 
Smith, who was with us 3 years, followed 
by Rev. G. H. Hastings in 1877, in 1879 
by Rev. O. A. Farley, and in 1881 by Rev. 
C. H. Farnsworth, our present pastor. 
Our members have gradually increased ; 
our present number is "]■}). 

In the spring of 1870, we bought of 
Bemis Pike a good house and garden for a 
parsonage; cost, $1,800. 

Feb. 3, 1878, our church was burned. 
The society had just put down a new car- 
pet, and a new organ and new lamps had 
been purchased, which, together with our 
large Sabbath-school library, was all con- 
sumed, and no insurance. What a loss for 
us ! But after mature deliberation we de- 
cided to rebuild. The Church Extension 
Society gave us $200, Rev. A. L. Cooper 
$50, and a few other friends smaller sums. 
January 16, 1879, our new church was 
dedicated, sermon by Rev. A. L. Cooper. 
The church is built in the Norman Gothic 
style of architecture, nicely finished and 
furnished throughout, warmed from the 
vestry beneath, and free from debt. 



MARSHFIELD. 



Since we have had a church of our own, 
our Sabbath-school has been prosperous, 
and never more so than at the present time. 
It is large, numbering over 80. The pres- 
ent superintendent is J. B. Pike. 

STEPHEN PITKIN, 

whose history is so interwoven with early 
Methodism in Marshfield, was very un- 
assuming in his manners, and very strong 
in his temperance and anti-slavery prin- 
ciples. He belonged to the old Liberty 
party when in this town ; their caucuses 
were opened with prayer. He had a great 
aversion to pretension. He once lent his 
sleigh and harness to a man calling him- 
self John Cotton, to go to Barnet, to be 
gone three days. Cotton was quite a 
stranger, having been in our place but 6 
weeks, during which he had boarded with 
my husband's brother, working for him a 
part of the time, and the rest of the time 
selling clocks he had purchased of a Mr. 
Bradford, in Barre. Four days went by. 
On inquiry, Mr. Pitkin found that tire 
clocks had been purchased on trust, and 
all sold for watches or money ; that he 
owed $60 toward his horse, and that he 
had borrowed of the brother with whom 
he boarded, horse-blanket, whip and mit- 
tens. It seemed sure he was a rogue. 
What could be done? Pursuit was use- 
less after such a lapse of time. Mr. P. 
felt his loss severely ; he had little prop- 
erty then, and what he had, was the product 
of hard labor ; but he always made his 
business a subject of prayer. About 3 
weeks passed away. One evening, having 
been out some time, he came in, and with 
his characteristic calmness, said, "H — , I 
shall not worry any more about my sleigh 
and harness ; I think I shall get them again." 
" Why do you think so ? " said I. His an- 
swer was, "I have been praying God to 
arrest Cotton's conscience, so that he will 
be obliged to leave them where I can get 
them, and I believe. he will do it," and 
from this time, Wednesday evening, he 
seemed at rest on the subject. The next 
Tuesday morning, as he stepped into the 
post-office, a letter was handed him from 
Littleton, N. H., written by the keeper of 
a public house there : 



Mr. Pitkin — Sir : — Mr. John Cotton has 

left your sleigh and harness here, and you 
can have them by calling for them. 

Yours, &c., John Newton. 

He started for Littleton the same day, 
some 40 miles, found the sleigh and har- 
ness safe, with no encumbrance. The 
landlord said the Wednesday night pre- 
vious, at 12 o'clock, a man calling himself 
John Cotton came to his house, calling for 
horse-baiting and supper. He would not 
stay till morning, but wished to leave the 
sleigh and harness for Mr. Pitkin, of 
Marshfield, Vt. He also requested the 
landlord to write to Mr. Pitkin, and said 
he could not write, and that he took them 
for Mr. Pitkin on a poor debt, and started 
oif at 2 o'clock at night, on horseback, 
with an old pair of saddle-bags and a 
horse-blanket on a saddle with one stirrup, 
and no crupper, on one of the coldest 
nights of that winter. None of the other 
men to whom he was indebted received 
anything from him, or ever heard from him 
after. 

[This brief sketch of this so worthy man 
cannot be better completed than by the 
following lines we have in our possession, 
which were written by Mrs. Pitkin after his 
death :] 

"I have loved tliee on Earth, 
May I meet thee in Heaven! " 

Thrice, since tliey.Iaid liim with the dead. 
Have Autumn's goldeu slieaves been laded. 

Thrice have the spring-birds come and flown. 
And thrice the flowrets bloomed and faded. 

Yet, yet the far-off birds returning, 

The harvest sunset gilded o'er, 
The flowrets springing, blooming, fading, 

But whisper, " he will come no moi-e." 

That hymn of praise, that voice in prayer. 

On memory's zephyrs back to me, 
Thrilling my inmost soul, they come 

Like midnight music on the sea. 

In these dear haunts, besiile this hearth. 
There is for me no answering tone. 

We knelt together by her grave, 
I weep and pray by theirs alone! 

Oh, " pure in heart," in purpose firm. 

To nic be thy meek mantle given ; 
One faith, one hope was ours on earth, 

God grant us one bless'd home in Heaven. 

In the winter of 1866, a lodge of Good 
Templars was organized here. Good has 
been accomplished, and it is hoped much 
more may yet be done. The present num- 
ber of members is 10 1. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



DEA. GIDEON SPENCER 

Came first to Marshfield from East Hart- 
ford, Conn., in company with Caleb and 
Martin Pitkin in the spring of 1792. That 
summer and the next they worked clear- 
ing land, and preparing for the coming of 
their families, returning for them in the 
fall. February, 1794, Mr. Spencer, Caleb 
Pitkin and Aaron Elmer removed their 
families to this wilderness, and commenced 
the settlement of Marshfield. From Mont- 
pelier they came with hand-sleds without 
roads over snow 4 feet deep. Daniel, old- 
est child of the Spencer family, was 4 years 
old. This family had the first daughter, 
born in town, and their son, Horace, was 
born the day the town was organized. 
Their location was a mile from either of 
the other settlers. So neighborly were the 
bears, Mr. Spencer found it necessary to 
take his gun when going after his cow, 
which had the whole forest for pasture. 

He was chosen deacon of the Congrega- 
tional church, soon after its organization ; 
was active in sustaining meeting, and at- 
tained the great age of 90 years. His 
wife, a daughter of Capt. Isaac Marsh, a 
woman of energetic and social habits, died 
at the age of 86. 

CALEB PITKIN 

married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Isaac 
Marsh, and came first to Marshfield as a 
surveyor. He was rather retiring in his 
manners, but had a vein of pleasantry 
which made him agreeable company, 
and he had a good education for the 
.times. He was a good reader, and often 
when no minister was present, read the 
Sunday sermon. His trade was a mason, 
and the original stone-chimneys of the 
first dwellings were laid by him. His 
wife was social, and a worker. He re- 
moved to Peacham a few years before his 
death, Apr. 1813, at the age of 40. His 
widow returned to Marshfield, and lived 
some years after the decease of her hus- 
band. The oldest son, James, still lives 
on the old place. One son, a physician, 
has deceased, and a daughter lives in 
Burlington. 



JOSHUA PITKIN, ESQ., 

born in East Hartford, Conn., arrived 
with his wife and three children in Marsh- 
field on the 1st of Mar., 1795, and located 
where Wm. Haskins now lives. Not a 
tree was felled on the lot, excepting what 
had been felled by hunters in trapping 
for furs ; but he went to work and soon 
had a spot cleared, a log-house up and 
ready to occupy. He raised a large family, 
and resided on the same place till his 
death. He kept the first public house in 
town, and was the first justice of peace. 
He and his exemplary wife united with the 
Congregational church. She died about 
182 1, and he married again. He com- 
menced a journal of his life and busi- 
ness Mar. 28, 1796. The last record is 
dated June 10, 1847. He died June 25, 
1847. His last words were, " I know that 
my Redeemer liveth," etc. Dea. Pitkin 
of Montpelier, his second son, kept the 
first store in town. None of his descend- 
ants remain in Marshfield. 

HON. STEPHEN PITKIN 

came with his wife into this town March i, 
1795. He had a large farm, pleasantly 
located, where Bowman Martin now re- 
sides. He was very well educated for the 
times, and possessed of a strong mind, 
and great energy. His keen eye, and 
commanding look gave evidence he was 
one to lead others, rather than one to be 
led. His influence was great in the busi- 
ness transactions of the town. He was 
the first town representative ; held the 
office in all, 13 years; was first militia 
captain, eventually became a major, and 
was assistant county judge 4 years. 

He was considerate of the poor, and the 
writer is informed by his nephew, James 
Pitkin, Esq., that in the cold season of 
i8i6and'i7, when almost no provisions 
were raised, he bought salmon at Mont- 
pelier by the barrel, when he had to be 
trusted for it himself, and sold it out to 
those in need, taking his pay when they 
could work for it. He continued to reside 
on the same farm till his death, which took 
place May 22, 1834, age 62. He raised a 
family of 13 children, 12 of his own, one 



MARSHFIELD. 



213 



dying in infancy, and one, the motherless 
babe of his brother, Levi, he and his ex- 
cellent wife adopted and brought up as 
their own. His oldest son, Horace, set- 
tled in town, but after a few years, re- 
moved to Central Ohio, where he recently 
died. His second son, Edwin, an enter- 
prising citizen, settled in town, raised a 
large and intelligent family, was consider- 
ably in town business, — and was for many 
years the principal surveyor in the vicinity. 
He died a few years since. His third son, 
Truman, settled in Marshfield first, sub- 
sequently in Montpelier, where he died, 
leaving 3 sons and one daughter. One of 
his sons. Gen. P. P. Pitkin, resides in 
Montpelier, and the other two at the West. 
His 4th son, Stephen Pitkin, Jr., will be 
particularly mentioned in another place in 
this history. The two youngest sons went 
West, where one died a number of years 
since. Three daughters still live, one in 
Iowa, and two in Massachusetts. 

CAPT. STEPHEN RICH, 

born in Sutton, Mass., at 15 became a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war, as a sub- 
stitute for his father. He was at the taking 
of Burgoyne, and in a number of other 
battles. He came to Marshfield in Feb. 
1798, and settled where his grandson 
Samuel D. Hollister now resides. He 
was the first selectman of Marshfield and 
first town clerk; held the ofl!ice 7 years. 
His only son George, was also town clerk 
7 years. He removed to Montpelier, 
where he died. Capt. Rich filled various 
town offices, and was an esteemed citizen. 
He accumulated a large property, and had, 
besides the son mentioned, a family of 
five daughters. He resided where he first 
settled till his death, at the age of 83. His 
wife, a woman of uncommon energy, sur- 
vived some years after his decease. 

CAPT. JOSIAH HOLLISTER. 

Corn in E. Hartford, Ct., came to Marsh- 
field about the year 1806. He married 
Phebe, daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, 
in 1809. He acquired a large property, 
was respected by his townsmen, and had a 
fair share of town offices. He represented 
the town in the legislature of the State 2 



years, and was chosen captain of a com- 
pany of cavalry. He died at the age of 52. 

HON. HORACE HOLLISTER. 

Born in E. Hartford, Ct.,in 1791 ; when 
a young man came to Marshfielcl, and re- 
sided one year with his brother Josiah, 
and then returned to Ct. ; was married to 
Ruth P., daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, 
and moved to Colebrook, N. H., first in 
1817, and to Marshfield in 1821. Like his 
brother, he was very successful, shared 
largely in the confidence of the people, 
and was very much in public business. 
He was a man who had an opinion of his 
own, and dared express it. He was elect- 
ed to most of the town offices ; was over- 
seer of the poor many years ; also, assistant 
judge 2 years, and senator 2 years. He 
died recently, aged 76. 

HON. WILLIAM MARTIN. 

BY MRS. SOLOMON WELLS, OF PLAINFIELD. 

Among the early settlers of Marshfield, 
was Wm. Martin, born in Francistown, 
N. H., July 28, 1786. In 1800, his father 
and family moved to the frontiers of Ver- 
mont. William worked out mostly till 21, 
to help support his father's family. He 
worked at South Boston a part of the time, 
and on the first canal that was built at 
Cambridge, and went to Canada, owing to 
the scarcity of money in Vermont, and 
worked. He had no education except 
what he picked up, without attending 
school. At 18, he enlisted in a company 
of cavalry ; was chosen at once an officer, 
and rose from one grade of office to an- 
other to colonel. At the time of Presi- 
dent Monroe's visit to Vermont, he com-* 
manded the company that escorted him 
into Montpelier, and took dinner with the 
President. He continued in the militia, 
was in the war of 18 12, and at the battle 
of Plattsburgh. 

In 1809, he married Sabra Axtell, of 
Marshfield, and moved that summer to 
Plainfield, where he lived 4 years, and 
then bought a farm in Marshfield, about a 
mile above Plainfield village, where he re- 
sided till 1840. His farm was one of the 
finest upon the head waters of the Win- 
ooski. He had 5 boys and 2 girls, two 



:i4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of whom are now dead. He held many of 

the town offices ; was constable and col- 
lector 25 years; 12 years representative, 
and a number of times was one of the as- 
sistant judges of the County Court. Up 
to 1840, much of his time was spent in 
public business. He then moved to Mont- 
pelier (now E. Montpelier,) afterwards 
returned to Marshfield, but finally removed 
to Rockton, 111., where he now resides. 
His wife is still living (1869,) but has been 
blind for 16 years. He is a man of fine 
social qualities, and was always hospitable 
and kind to the poor. He acquired a 
handsome property, and an accuracy in 
doing business which but few men possess. 
He was many years a member of the Con- 
gregational churchkin Plainfield. 

JACOB PUTNAM, ESQ. 

BY HON. E. D. PUTNAM, OF MONTPELIER. 

'My father, Jacob Putnam, moved from 
Alstead, N. H., to Marshfield, with his 
family, himself and wife, 3 boys and 3 
girls, in the spring of 1820. He also 
brought with him his father and mother, 
Joseph and Miriam Putnam. They were 
among the first settlers of Hancock, N. H., 
where my father was born in 1784. He 
bought the farm of James English, Esq., 
on the river road, 2 miles south of the vil- 
lage, 220 acres, for which he paid $1,400. 
He afterwards sold 50 acres, and the remain- 
der was sold in 1868 for $6,200. This is 
about a fair sample of the rise of real estate 
in the town in the last 50 years. Mr. Eng- 
lish moved to the village, and built a house 
and wheelwright shop. There were at 
^that time a saw and grist-mill, and only 
two houses within what are now the limits 
of the village. The land where the vil- 
lage now stands was then but partially 
cleared, and there were no settlements 
east of the river, except in the extreme 
N. E. and S. E. corners of the town, and 
there was but little money in the country. 
Most of the business transactions were in 
neat stock and grain. When anything of 
any considerable value was bought on 
credit (as was usually the case,) notes 
were generally given, payable in neat stock 
in Oct., or grain in Jan. following. When 



the prices of the stock could not be agreed 

upon by the parties, three men were se- 
lected as appraisers, their appraisal to be 
binding upon the parties. , A pair of good 
oxen were worth about $50 to $60 ; cows, 
$12 to $15 ; corn and rye were worth 5octs. 
per bushel ; oats, 20 cents ; potatoes, 12 to 
20 cents. Good crops of wheat were gen- 
erally raised in town, and I can recollect 
of wheat being carried as late as 1824, to 
Troy, N. Y., for a market. There was no 
manufacturing to any considerable extent 
done in this country as early as 1820. 
Nearly all the clothing was made at home 
by hand. The spinning-wheel and loom 
might be found in almost every house, and 
among my earliest recollections is the buzz 
of the wheel and the thumping of the old 
loom, and whenever there came a pleasant, 
sunny day in March, the flax-break might 
be heard at almost every farmer's barn, 
and very well do I recollect the " big 
bunches " of woolen and linen yarn which 
"ornamented" the kitchen of the old 
homestead, spun by my mother and sis- 
ters. The words of Proverbs, " She seek- 
eth wool and flax, and worketh diligently 
with her hands," were peculiarly applicable 
to my mother. In addition to making all 
the cloth for clothing the family, she made 
hundreds of yards of woolen and linen 
cloth, and exchanged it at the store for 
family necessaries. These days have 
passed. A spinning-wheel is 'rarely seen 
now ; if found at all, it is stowed away in 
some old garret, a relic, and the sewing- 
machine is annihilating the needle. Are 
people happier now than they were then? 
My father enjoyed the confidence of the 
public ; was town clerk 19 years, and oc- 
casionally held other town offices. He 
lived on the same place where he first 
bought 36 years, to the time of his death, 
in 1856, aged 72 years. My mother died 
in 1864, aged 81. They lived together 52 
years. Their children are all living, except 
the eldest son, Thomas B., who died Apr. 
30, 1830. The youngest son, A. F. Put- 
nam, is the present postmaster of Marsh- 
field. My grandfather died in 1826, aged 
83 years; my grandmother in 1835, aged 
91. 



MARSHFIELD. 



215 



JONATHAN GOODWIN, ESQ. 
BY MKS. H. L. GOODWIN. 

Jonathan Goodwin was born at Con- 
cord, N. H., May 27, 1784, where he 
passed his youth and early manhood. He 
was one of a large family. Were it not 
for the experience of the late war, it would 
be difficult for a person in these days to 
realize the bitterness of party-spirit and 
controversy, even among kindred, which 
existed before and during the war of 1812. 
At a family gathering where politics were 
discussed, Jonathan being a Democrat, 
and the other members of the family Fed- 
eralists, a brother remarked, "as there 
was a prospect of war, it would be a good 
time for him to show his patriotism and 
courage, if he had any." He replied, "it 
was a pity those who had so much sympa- 
thy for the enemies of their country, were 
not in a position to afford them the aid and 
assistance they would naturally wish to 
give." These remarks were never for- 
gotten. Jonathan enlisted as recruiting 
sergeant, was afterwards lieutenant and 
captain; was stationed at Saco, Me., Bos- 
ton and Plattsburgh. At the latter he re- 
ceived an injury from which he never re- 
covered, and was a pensioner the remain- 
der of his life. It is worthy of remark that 
during the 7 years he was in the United 
States' service, although at that time the 
custom of using ardent spirits was almost 
universal, he never indulged in it, not even 
after being assured by his physician that 
probably he would not survive the cam- 
paign without it. In 18 14, his family 
moved from Concord, N. H., to Randolph, 
Vt. After his discharge he removed to 
Chelsea, and in 1839, to this town to re- 
side with his eldest son. The following 
summer they built a house, and occupied 
it one winter. In April it was burned. 

It was burned on Saturday. The next 
day. Elder Capron announced from his 
pulpit that on Monday the inhabitants 
would meet to assist Messrs. Goodwin in 
getting out timber for another house-frame. 

On Monday, men enough came to cut 
the timber, hew it, frame it, draw it over a 
mile, and raise a house, 28 by 34 feet, in a 
day. 



He passed the remainder of his life in 
Marshfield ; was justice of peace, town 
clerk 2 years, postmaster 2 years, and 
often administered on the estates of the 
deceased, and gave general satisfaction. 
Although in early life his opportunities for 
education were limited, he was a person of 
more than ordinary information, especially 
in history and the Bible, of which he was 
a daily student. 

In early life he united with the Baptist 
church in Concord, but during a season of 
religious interest in Chelsea, was drawn to 
a more thorough examination of the Scrip- 
tures than ever before, which led to his 
embracing the doctrine of the final re- 
demption of all, in which belief he after- 
wards continued till his death, Jan. 1867, 
aged 82, generally respected as a man and 
a Christian. 

REV. MARCUS M. CARLETON, 

.son of Jeremiah Carleton, Esq., was born 
in Marshfield, 1826. When about 15, he 
made a profession of religion, uniting with 
the Congregational church in Barre, where 
he resided with his uncle. He soon after 
decided to be a foreign missionary, and 
from hence devoted all his energies to pro- 
curing a suitable education. He first en- 
tered Middlebury College, but removed to 
Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he 
graduated, and on account of a chronic 
cough went south to study theology at 
Columbia, S. C. After finishing his course, 
he offered himself to the Congregational 
Board for foreign missions, but was not 
accepted, they fearing his health would 
fail ; but determined in his resolutions he 
offered himself immediatqly to the Presby- 
terian Board by whom he was accepted, 
and sailed for India in 1865, where he has 
labored most of the time since. He was 
stationed first in Ambalia city, but the 
mission seeing him eminently fitted for an 
itinerant, set him apart for that work after 
a few years, since which he has lived most 
of the time in a tent, travelling from vil- 
lage to village in Ambalia district, in- 
structing and preaching to the people, and 
having studied medicine, .finding it very 
advantageous to him in his ministeral 



2l6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



labors among the inhabitants, he also ad- 
ministers to them as a physician — some- 
times his family accompany him in the 
tent ; but during the hot season they gen- 
erally remain among the mountains, where 
he sometimes rests with them during the 
hottest period. [An account of his family 
we will not repeat here, as we have already 
given the same in a notice of Rev. Mr. 
Carleton with his family in Barre — See No. 
I, of this vol. p. 40. A member of the 
Carleton family tells me he is a man of 
herculean frame — physically and mentally 
a very strong man. In a letter to his 
father in 1879, an extract of which lies 
before me, he speaks o^ his good health 
as a source of great joy — seems to luxu- 
riate body and soul in his nomadic preach- 
ing life.] 

MARSHFIELD MILITARY RECORD. 
SOLDIERS OF l8l2. 

This place furnished 8 : Abijah Bemis, 
Phineas Bemis, Obadiah Bemis, David 
Cutting, John Waugh, Abijah Hall, Isaac 
Austin, and Philip Delan. 

Lewis Bemis, a brother of three of these 
soldiers, was also from this town, though 
he enlisted from Barnet. His father and 
friends all resided here, and he should 
have a notice here. He belonged to the 
old 4th regiment, which was sent out un- 
der Col. Miller to the then territory of 
Ohio, to look after the Indians who were 
making depredations on the frontier set- 
tlements. At one time they came to the 
dwelling of a Mr. Harriman, (whose wife 
was the daughter of Alexander Parker of 
Montpelier, and sister of Mrs. James Pit- 
kin of this town,) just about an hour after 
the savages had murdered and left him 
and his family. They pressed on, but 
failed to overtake the Indians, and soon 
after joined the main body under the infa- 
mous Gen. Hull on its way to Fort Detroit. 
Before arriving at Detroit, Col. Miller saw 
HulPs treachery, and accused him of it, 
and challenged him to fight a duel, both 
before and after their arrival, quite in vain ; 
he surrendered the fort and army without 
firing a gun. In that fort, among our 
men, were a number of British who had 



deserted and joined our army. The next 
morning, and two or three succeeding 
mornings, our army was paraded and the 
British officers walked along and inspected 
it, and when they saw a British soldier, 
he was tapped on the shoulder, and com- 
manded to step out. Where they had 
suspicions, and yet were not certain as to 
their being British subjects, they would 
question them. A number of times Mr. 
Bemis, though he never saw Ireland, was 
asked, '* In what town in Ireland were you 
born"? Each time his answer was, "I 
was born in Paxham, in Massachusetts." 
One poor fellow, the first time they came 
round, succeeded in squinting his eyes so 
as fairly to deceive them, and after that 
succeeded in slipping down an embank- 
ment just in the right time to- save his life. 
About 40 of these jDOor deserters were 
taken out and shot. The army, surren- 
dered by Hull, was then taken to Quebec, 
and confined in a prison-ship on the St. 
Lawrence, where they were allowed but one 
half pint of water per day, though their 
prison was floating on the river, and if any 
one attempted to let down a cup for water, 
he was shot down. Three-fourths of the 
prisoners eventually died from the cruelties 
there received. The rest were eventually 
exchanged. 

Jesse Webster died in Marshfield, 
Oct. 20, 1878, aged 83 years. He was one 
of the Plattsburgh volunteers, and had an 
application for pension pending at the time 
of his death. 

It is not known that any one enlisted 
from this town, in the war with Mexico. 

But when the great rebellion broke out, 
that intensity of feeling which thrilled from 
the prairies of the West to the shores of 
the Atlantic, found an answering tone 
among our hills, and by our firesides. And 
as call after call for reinforcements came, 
the father left his family, the son his pa- 
rents, in many cases, alas ! to return no 
more. 

They came in serried ranks, the boys in blue, 
Who at their country's call no danger knew ; 
Room ! room ! for Marshfield boys, our 
soldiers true. 



MARSHFIELD. 



217 



LIST OF SOLDIERS FURNISHED FOR WAR OF 
THE REBELLION. 

BY GEN. p. p. I'lTKlN, OF MONTPELIER. 

Alphonso Lessor, Co. D, 2d Reg. Pro. Lt, wd. 

Patrick Mahar, F, 2. Wd. & dis. Oct. 31, 62. 

Alvah H. Miles, F, 2. 

Chauncey Smith, D, 2. Died of disease in 
army. 

David P. Bent, G, 4. Died ; buried at Wash- 
ington. 

Byron Bullock, G, 4. Died of disease in army. 

Hiram Hall, H, 3. Died. 

John E. Aiken, G, 4. 

Robert A. Spencer, G, 4. 

Edward W. Bradley, F, 6. Wounded. 

Homer Hollister, F, 6. Wounded in hand. 

Asa H. Winch, ist Bat. Died at New Orleans. 

Joshua D. Dunham, 2d Bat. Died at New 
Orleans. 

George W. Nownes, C, First Cav. 

Ira Batchelder, C, First Cav. Wounded. 

Josiah O. Livingston, I, 9. Pro. Capt. Co. G, 
Oct. 19, '64. 

George N. Carpenter, I, 9. Pro. ist. Lieut. 

Benjamin F. Huntington, I, 9. 

Vilas Smith, I, 9. Lost overboard Steamer 
U. S. near Fortress Monroe. 

John Q. Amidon, I, 11. 

Jackson Blodgett, I, 11. Died. 

George H. Wheeler, I, 11. 

Harvey L. Wood, I, 11. Deserted. 

Benj. F. Shephard, Jr., I, 11. Died in Hosp. 
at Montpelier. 

Robert H. Tibbetts, I, 11, Killed in battle. 

Alvah A. Cole, I, 11. 

Elbridge G. Wilson, I, 11. Killed in battle. 

p-rancis H. Felix, I, 11. Injured in shoulder. 

John W. Huntington, I, 11. 

Lorenzo D. Mallory, C, ist Cav. Pris'nr at 
Andersonville ; exch'd, died on way home. 

William R. Gove, C, ist Cav. 

Charles Nownes, C, ist Cav. 

Thaddeus S. Bullock, G, 4. Died in hospital. 

Nathaniel Robinson, G, 4. Ball in hand, 
cannot be extracted. 

Calvin R. Hills, G, 4. Wounded. 

William A. Webster, A, 4. Died at Ander- 
sonville. 

Wesley P. Martin, G, 4. 

David B. Merrill, A, 4. 

Smith Ormsbee, G, 4. Shot on picket, died 
from wound. 

Samuel Wheeler, A, 4. 

John Bancroft, C, Cav. Died. 

Parker S. Dow, C, 8 Regt. 

Frederick H. Turner, H, 11. 

David K. Lucas, 3d Bat. 

Edmund H. Packer, 3d Bat. 

Allen Phelps, Frontier Cav, 

Moses Lamberton, do. do. 

Edward L. Wheeler, do. do. 

Leonard H. Fulsome, do. do. 

Frank L. Batchelder, E, 4 Regt. 

Ira Ainsworth, E, 4. 

Patrick Moore, D, 8. 

Lysander E. Walbridge, E, 8. 

Theron T. Lamphere, E, 8. 

Hiram Graves, K, 2. 

Thomas Witham, K, 2. Died, prisoner. 



28 



George H. Nelson, D, 2. Badly wounded. 

David Powers, D, 2. 

Henry A. Rickard, D, 2. 

Joseph S. M. Benjamin, B, Cav. 

Francis H. Ketchum, C, " Badly wound- 
ed with shell. 

Eri McCrillis, C, Cav. Died at Andersonville. 

Geo. W. Nownes, C, Cav. Died Andersonv'e. 

Cyrus Farnsworth, H, 4 Regt. 

Horace Burnham, C, Cav. 

Charles M. Wing, B, Cav. Leg broken. 

Norman W. Johnson, F, 2 Regt. Ball thro, 
body and wrist, lived. 

John O. Morse, I, 9. Died. 

James H. Carpenter, H, 11. 

John Graves, Jr. H, 1 1. Died at Andersonville. 

Solon H. Preston, H, 11. 

William W. Willey, H, 11. 

Walter H. Morris, G. 3. Wounded. 

Charles H. Newton, G, 4. Wn'ded with shell. 

James Aylward, E, 17. Died. 

John H. Amidon, I, 11. 

Charles T. Clark, E, 17. Died. 

James Clark, C, 17. Died. 

William G. French, E, 17. Died. 

Clark J. Foster, E, 17. Badly wn'ded in leg. 

Benj. F. Huntington, E, 17. 

Daniel Hogan, E, 17. 

Wm. E. Martin, E, 17. ist Lieut.; killed be- 
fore Petersburg. 

Harvey L. Batchelder, C, 13. 

Martin L. Chandler, " " 

Eli S. Pitkin, C, 13. 

Charles A. Davis, C, 13. 

Hudson J. Kibbee, " " 

Sereno W. Gould, " " 

Charles E. Shephard, C, 13. 

Albert Sargeant, C, 13. 

Willard M. Austin, C, 13. 

Orson Woodcock, " " 

Rufus H. Farr, C, 13. 

Benjamin B. Buzzell, C, 13. 

David Huntington, " " 

Joseph Simmons, C, 13. 

Lucius D. Nute, " " 

In 1863 a draft was ordered ; 34 men 
were drafted, but only one, Cottrill Clif- 
ford, went into the service ; 22 paid their 
commutation money. Clifford served his 
time, was discharged, and accidentally 
killed on his way home. I do not find his 
name in our list of soldiers ; probably he 
was put in to fill up some regiment sep- 
arately from our other men. 

There went out 98 from us, 28 of whom 
never returned. A few were brought back 
to be buried, but most of our dead sleep on 
Southern soil. In the vigor of young 
manhood they went, one and another, 
who were household treasures. 

"The loved of all, yet none 

O'er their low bed may weep." 

Perhaps the last news of them was, " seen 
on the battle-field," or " taken prisoner," 



2l8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and then long months elapsed ere one 
word could be heard to stay the anguish of 
suspense. At last came the fearful, "Died 
at Andersonville." 

MONTPELIER & WELLS RIVER RAILROAD. 

When the history of Marshfield was 
written eleven years ago, we had no rail- 
road. About this time a charter was 
granted for the Montpelier & Wells River 
road, which passes through our town about 
a mile from the village. The town bonded 
itself in the sum of $17,500, and private 
subscriptions made up the sum of $30,000. 
All is paid but about half the bonds. 

The first train of cars went through here 
Nov. 29, 1873. Of course the rejoicing 
was great. 

A year or two later we were connected 
with the rest of the world by telegraph. 
The advantage to the public is not easily 
estimated. The railroad is doing good 
business. L. D. Nute is station agent and 
telegraph operator. A private telegraph 
is owned and run by George A. Putnam 
and L. D. Nute, from the depbt to Put- 
nam's store, where the post-office is lo- 
cated. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are telegraph 
operators. 

THE THANKS OF THE WRITER 

are due to James Pitkin, Andrew English 
and E. S. Pitkin, Esqs., and others, for 
the assistance rendered her in this work ; 
also to Miss Anna Pitkin, of Montpelier, 
for the loan of her father's journal. 



[We have known our excellent historian- 
ess of Marshfield more than 20 years. 
Mrs. Pitkin was a favorite contributor in 
our "Poets and Poetry of Vermont," 
(1858,) in which see from her pen, " The 
Young Emigrant," " The Fugitive Slave," 
pages 333, 334. So well has Mrs. Pitkin 
written for us, and for the Montpelier 
papers in the past, Z/ofPs Herald and other 
papers, we cannot forbear, not solicited by 
her, but of our own good will, to place a 
little group selected from her poems at the 
foot of her history here — Ed.] 



A THOUGHT. 

BY MES. HANNAH C. PITKIN. 

For tliee, busy man, in a forest lone 
A shoot liatli started, a tree liatli grown. 
Tlie axe-nian, percliance, may liave laid it low 
For thy narrow house— it is ready now. 
All ready— but mortal, art thou, art thou? 

Maiden, thy dream of affection so warm, 
Trust not. The shroud to envelop thy form 
Is woven, is coming, by wind or wave; 
'Tis thine, by a stamp which no mortal gave, 
Thou canst not turn from the path to the grave. 

Art thou tolling for wealth, the weary day. 
Or tliirsting for fame— there's a pillow of clay 
On a lowly bed, 'tis waithig thee there. 
The mould and the worm tliy pillow will share; 
Spirit, Oh, wliere is thy refuge — Oh, where ? 

TO THE itinerant's WIFE. 

BY MBS. H. C. PITKIN. 

Out on the ocean, dark and wild 

A little bark was driven. 
One kindly star looked out and smiled 

A precious boon from heaven ; 
It warned of threatening near. 
Just, just in time the rocks to clear. 

1 stood upon a point of land 

Where ocean billows came, 
A beauteous wave just kissed the strand. 

Then seaweed swept again. 
'Twas gone, to come again no more, 
But left a gem upon the shore. 

A wanderer lone mid desert's waste, 

Beneatli a burning sky. 
Sank down at last despairingly. 

He felt that he must die. 
My Island Home, so dear to me, 
I never, never more may seel 

Oh God : he cried. A tiny flower 

Just caught his closing eye, 
And in its winsome loveliness. 

It seemed to whisper " try." 
God lives, take heart, so o'er the main 
He found his Island Home agajn. 

So sister, like the star be thine 

To bless the tempest driven. 
And point to poor despairing ones 

The narrow way to Heaven. 
And in the wanderer's darkest hour. 
Sweetly to win him like the flower. 

In blessing be thou ever blest, 

Cheer age, and counsel youth. 
And ever where thy pathway lies, 

Scatter the gems of truth. 
And hear, when Death is lost in Life 
Blessings on the Itinerant's Wife. 

from an historical account of 
marshfield. 

CONTRIBUTED BY REV. GEO. E. FORBES IN 1879. 

[After the Legislature of Vermont had 
approbated and passed the General Res- 
olutions of 1878, to assist in finishing this 
work, the MS. history of Mrs. Pitkin, fur- 
nished to us for the work in i86q, havingf 



MARSHFIELD. 



219 



been sent to the Claremont Manufacuring 
Company of New Hampshire, and by them 
withheld four years, with the other Wash- 
ington County papers sent, under their 
proposition to immediately print. We 
wrote to Mrs. Pitkin for a duplicate of her 
history. Unable, from the infirmities of 
her age and feebleness, from fully under- 
taking to so do, she engaged the assist- 
ance of Rev. Mr. Forbes, who gave us a 
very reliable and pleasant paper of about 
half the length of Mrs. Pitkin's paper, with 
which we were pleased and should have 
published, had we not fortunately mean- 
time recovered Mrs. Pitkin's papers, which 
as they are the fullest record, as she was 
first invited to write, and is so eminently 
a Washington County woman, daughter 
of old Gen. Parley Davis, of Montpelier, 
and a long-time honored and beloved res- 
ident of Marshfield, we are assured no 
other writer could be so acceptable to 
Marshfield, and none other to the County, 
and so have given the papers of Mrs. Pit- 
kin in full, nearly ; and will here but ap- 
pend a few extracts from the paper by Mr. 
Forbes, containing information or points 
in it not in Mrs. Pitkin's paper; while we 
feel to express under the circumstances 
more thanks to Mr. Forbes than if able to 
give his paper more fully — Ed.] 

Marshfield is situated in the eastern part 
of the County, and lies on both sides ot 
the Winooski river, which flows through it 
from north to south. The soil is a mix- 
ture of clay and loam ; the surface broken 
and hilly, is divided into productive farms. 
The river valley, and that part of the town 
lying west of it, contains the best tillage 
land, which has very largely been brought 
under cultivation. The eastern part, more 
rocky, is used principally for pasturage ; 
although in the eastern part in some sec- 
tions there are some good farms. 

The original forests were heavy timbered 
with maple, beech, birch, spruce and hem- 
lock, and some elm, fir, cedar and pine. 
In the eastern part there yet remains a 
considerable growth of spruce and hem- 
lock, but it is rapidly being cut off for lum- 
ber. Sugar-maples are to be found in all 
parts of the town, producing quite as 
abundantly of sugar as in any other part of 
New England. 

Besides the Winooski river privileges 
there are two or three streams which fur- 
nish good water-power the larger part of 



the year. It has not been utilized to any 
large extent, however, hence the town is 
not noted for its manufacturing interests. 
Molly's Falls, on Molly's brook, about a 
mile from the village, in a distance of 30 
rods the water falls between 200 and 300 
feet in a series of beautiful cascades. 
During high water the roar of these falls 
can be heard for several miles. A good 
view of these falls can be obtained from 
the road leading to Cabot. There is also 
a very pretty cascade on Nigger-head 
brook, about a third of a mile south of the 
village, where it is crossed by the road 
leading to the depot. The town has only 
one village, which is situated on the 
Winooski river, about a mile from the 
Cabot line. The Montpelier & Wells 
River R. R. crosses the town, running 
nearly parallel with the river from Plain- 
field until within a mile of the village, 
when it makes almost a right angle to the 
east, passing Nigger-head pond, and thread- 
ing its way through a notch in the moun- 
tains to the Connecticut river. The Marsh- 
field station on this road is one mile from 
the village, and 15 miles from Montpelier. 

It is not known what white men first 
visited the town's location. This town- 
ship was purchased of the Stockbridge 
Indians, (see Mrs. Pitkin's paper,) but it 
is not certain whether these Indians ever 
occupied this territory. At the time of the 
purchase by Mr. Marsh, they were resi- 
dents of New Stockbridge, Montgomery 
Co., N. Y. 

When the first settlers picked their 
dwelling-places, Mr. Pitkin settled upon 
the river near the place where Bowman P. 
Martin now resides ; Messrs. Dodge and 
Spencer settled further south and west on 
the higher land. Here was the birth-place 
of the first child born in town, a son to 
Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Dodge, Sept. 17, 
1794, the place of his birth about a mile 
north of Plainfield village ; the place is 
still owned by descendants of the Dodge 
family. 

The first " burying-ground " was pur- 
chased by, and for the use of the town. 
The first interment therein that has a stone 
to mark the spot was the infant twin sons 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Joshua and Ruth Pitkin, died January 
9, 1800. Stephen Pitkin, Jr., donated the 
land for the village cemetery, and the first 
interment in it was liis adopted daughter, 
Eunice Sweeny. 

There have been five church organiza- 
tions in town. At present there are but 
three, as the Christian, and Calvinistic 
Baptist have become extinct. There have 
been 1 1 school districts in town. The pres- 
ent number is 10, each of which has a 
school of from 20 to 30 weeks per year. 
The school ir} village district has two de- 
partments, but employs two teachers only 
during the winter term, as a rule. The 
town has no academy, but competent 
teachers hold select schools at frequent 
intervals, affording educational facilities 
for those wishing to remain in towji. And 
the seminaries at Montpelier and Barre, as 
well as academies in the vicinity, have 
drawn a considerable number of students 
from this town. There are but two per- 
sons, however, from this town who have 
received a full collegiate education. Rev. 
Marcus M. Carleton, missionary in India, 
and Prof. Curtis C. Gove, Principal of 
High School at Westport, N. Y. 

The principal business of the town has 
been, and still is, farming. At present 
there is but little manufacturing being done. 
There is i boot-shop for making men's thick 
boots and overshoes, 2 harness-shops, i 
tin-shop, I photograph saloon, 2 cooper- 
shops, where are manufactured butter and 
sugar- tubs, and sap-buckets. Six saw- 
mills, one clap-board and three shingle 
mills. Two of the saw-mills are run by 
steam ; the rest by water-power ; one 
cheese-factory, and i starch factory. There 
is I blacksmith shop, 2 wheelwright shops, 
and 3 carpenter-shops. There is a hotel, 
and a patent medicine laboratory. There 
are 3 stores, and 3 churches. The town 
cannot boast of a lawyer. It has 3 doctors, 
Asa Phelps and George^ M. Town, allo- 
pathic ; J. Q. A. Packer, homoeopathic. 

The town representatives from 1870 to 
1879 have been: Moody Bemis, George 
A. Putnam, L. W. Pitkin, D. M. Perkins. 

The population in 1840, was 1,156; in 
1850, 1,102; in i860, 1,160; in 1870, 



1,072. The decrease which the census of 
1870 shows, is doubtless owing to the 
abandonment of some of the smaller and 
most unproductive farms, and the Western 
emigration of many of the younger men. 

LEWIS BEMIS. 

There are a few pensioners of the war of 
1812 yet living. One of the ''soldiers of 
this war, Lewis Bemis, enlisted at Barnet 
in 1808. His son, Daniel H. Bemis, of 
Lancaster, Mass., writes of him : "He 
enlisted at Barnet in 1808, and served 5 
years in the 4th Reg't. of Regular U. S. 
Infantry. He was with Harrison in his 
march through the wilds of Ohio in pur- 
suit of the Indians, and was in the battle 
of Tippecanoe, when over half of the men 
in his company were killed or wounded. 
The man on either side was killed, and he 
was slightly wounded in the face by a rifle 
ball. He was in 11 battles and 13 skir- 
mishes with the Indians. He used to re- 
late to his children the story of the sol- 
diers' sufferings while on their march to 
join Hull, and through Ohio ; how their 
thirst was so intense, that when they 
reached Lake Erie, in spite of their offi- 
cers, large numbers threw themselves on 
the beach, and drank until they died from 
the effects of it. He was under Hull when 
he surrendered at Maiden, near Detroit, 
and was a prisoner 26 weeks, during which 
time he suffered greatly, both for want of 
water and decent food. Their bread, he 
used to say, bore the mark on the package 
in which it was enclosed, 1804. He was 
paroled, and went from Halifax to Boston, 
where he arrived a few days before the 
term of his enlistment expired. He soon 
after enlisted again in a Company of Light 
Artillery, with which he went up and joined 
Gen. Macomb's army the day before the 
battle of Plattsburg. A part of the bat- 
tery was stationed at the bridge-head at 
Plattsburg, and the remainder sent to Bur- 
lington, to prevent the British from land- 
ing and destroying that place. He was 
with that portion of the battery sent to 
Burlington, and so did not have any active 
part in tlie battle ; but assisted in burying 
the dead. He was one of the party who 



MARSIIFIKLD. 



buried the British dead after the engage- 
ment. He was discharged after peace 
was ratified, having served in all about 6 
years and 6 months ; 5 years under the 
first enhstment in the 4th Infantry, and 18 
months in the Light I5attery. He died in 
1855, at Clinton, Mass., where he is l)uried, 
aged 7^:' 

IRA SMITH. 
BY nP.V. GEOllGE E. FORBES. 

He was the son of Joshua and Keturah 
Smith; was born in Woodstock, Conn., 
Jan. 22, 1800. At 1 1 years, he came with 
his parents to Marshfield. They moved 
on to the farm now owned and occupied 
by J. E. Eddy. During his minority, Ira 
worked on the farm summers and attended 
.school winters until he was 18. The school- 
liouse then stood near the present resi- 
dence of Webster Haskins. Soon after 
there was a school-house erected where 
the village now stands, in which he taught 
the first school. He was paid in grain, to 
the value of $12 per month, boarding him- 
self. In 1821, he purchased 300 acres of 
wild land lying around the present site of 
the Marshfield depot, which he cleared, 
and cultivated 15 acres, .spending apart of 
his time there, and the balance in working 
out, until he was 29, when, Jan. 4, 1829, 
he was married to Hannah Jacobs, and 
they settled at first on his cleared land, 
but a short time after, as he purchased, and 
they removed to, the home of his parents, 
where they lived 11 years. For about 4 
years after selling the home farm, he 
rented different places, but in 1844, pur- 
chased a farm on which the remainder of 
his life was spent. He died Sept. 18, 1880, 
leaving a widow, one son, Orrin, who lives 
on the homestead, and two daughters, now 
Mrs. Levi Benton, of Marshfield, and Mrs. 
C. H. Newton, of Montpelier. One son 
died in the army, and a daughter married 
E. B. Dwinell, but died a few years after, 
and 4 children died quite young. Mr. 
Smith held many of the town offices, being 
regarded by the citizens as a man of worth 
and integrity. He represented the town 
in the Legislature during 1844-5. I" pol- 
itics he was a Democrat, and never failed 
by his vote to express his faith in the doc- 



trines of his party. His last public act 
was to rise from the sick bed to which he 
had been confined for several days, and go 
to the polls to deposit his ballot for the 
several State officers. He believed in the 
vital principles of religion, but in accord- 
ance with the general character of the 
man, his faith found expression in deeds 
rather than in word. In religious sym- 
pathy he was a Universalist, and gave his 
influence and means to promote the inter- 
ests of that society in town. His morals 
were always above reproach. He was 
temperate in deed and in word ; drank no 
intoxicating liquors, no tea or coffee, and 
never used tobacco in any form ; was fru- 
gal and industrious, and consequently was 
enabled to acquire a good property, while 
generously responding to many calls for 
the promotion of educational and benev- 
olent enterprises. 

He possessed an indomitable will and 
wonderful endurance from the time that he 
hired out as a laborer, at 9 years of age, 
until he abandoned active toil, a short 
time before his death. He met all duties 
with a manly spirit, and evinced his willing- 
ness to obey the primal law of life — labor. 
He had a remarkably strong constitution, 
and when his "golden wedding" was cel- 
ebrated in 1879, he seemed nearly as hale 
and hearty as a man of 60 years, though 
even then there were premonitory symp- 
toms of the disease which caused his death. 
For nearly 2 years he suffered from a 
cancer on the lower lip, and during the 
latter half of this time, especially, did he 
endure extreme pain and inconvenience in 
taking food. But under all these trials he 
exhibited great fortitude, and died re- 
signed to his Maker's will. His funeral 
was attended by a large concourse of cit- 
izens besides the numerous relatives, thus 
testifying of the esteem in which he was 
held by the entire community. The fun- 
eral services were brief; no formal eulogy 
was pronounced ; his life had preached its 
sermon, and with a few words of comfort 
to the bereaved ones, the last sad rites 
were ended, and the body of this worthy 
man was borne to its final resting-place. 
His age was 81 years. "Though dead, he 



222 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



yet speaketh," in his good, solid, practical 
life. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

CONTINUED. 

The Rev. Geo. E. Forbes continued as 
pastor until May, 1880. For i year suc- 
ceeding this date the church had only oc- 
casional preaching services, and during 
this time its numbers were diminished by 
the death of two members. In May, 1881, 
the Rev. Eli Ballou, D. D., was engaged 
as pastor for one-half the time. This en- 
gagement continues at present, (Aug. 18, 
1881.) 

MARSHFIELD VOTED FOR THE GAZETTEER 

at the town-meeting held March 4, 1879, 
to send a subscription to. Miss Hemenway 
for the whole work, attested by E. L. 
Smith, town clerk. 



MIDDLESEX. 

BY STEPHEN HERRICK, ESQ. 

The town of Middlesex was chartered 
June 8, 1763, by Benning Wentworth, 
Esq., then Governor of the Province of 
New Hampshire, to the following grantees : 
Jacob Rescaw, Benjamin Crane, 3d, Seth 
Trow, Richard Johnson, Lawrence Eg- 
bert, Jr., James Campbell, David Ogden, 
Matthias Ross, Jonathan Skinner, Jehial 
Ross, Ebenezer Canfield, Daniel Ogden, 
Jonathan Dayton, Jr., Lawrence Egbert, 
Samuel Crowell, William Bruce, Robert 
Earl, Patridge Thacher, Joshua Horton, 
Job Wood, George Ross, Cornelius Lud- 
low, Nathaniel Barrett, Esq., Jeremiah 
Mulbard, John Roll, Jr., Joseph New- 
march, Nathaniel Little, Henry Earl, 
Richard Jennee, Esq., Gilbert Ogden, John 
Little, George Frost, Daniel Ball, Samuel 
Little, 3d, David Morehouse, Jr., Thomas 
Woodruff, John Force, Joseph Raggs, Jr., 
Capt. Isaac Woodruff, Daniel P. Eunice, 
Jacob Brookfield, Jonathan Dayton, 3d, 
Isaac Winors, Samuel Meeker, Jr., David 
Loomeris, John Cory. Jr., Alexknder Car- 
miea, David Bonnel, James Seward, Ste- 
phen Potter, Nathaniel Potter, Stephen 
Wilcocks, Thomas Dean, Jonas Ball, Amos 
Day, John David Lamb, William Lamb, 
William Brand, James Colie, Jr., William 
Hand, Robert French, Samuel Crowell, 
Jonathan Woodruff, Ezekiel Ball, Aaron 
Barnett. 

THOMAS MEAD AND THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first settler in this town 20 years 
subsequent to the above date made his first 



settlement here. Having succeeded in 
finding one of the best lots of land in 
Washington County, on the Onion River, 
5 miles from Montpelier village, here Mr. 
Thomas Mead made his excellent location. 
The second settler, Jonah Harrington, 
chose his location about 2^ miles from 
Montpelier on a superior lot of land. 
Seth Putnam came soon after with three 
brothers, Ebenezer, Jacob and Isaac, who 
were soon followed by Ephraim Willey, 
Ebenezer Woodbury, Ira Hawks, Solomon 
Lewis, Samuel Mann, Isaac Bidwell, Henry 
Perkins, Daniel Harrington, Samuel Mon- 
tague, Nathaniel Carpenter, Daniel Smith, 
Hubbard Willey, Asa Harrington, Joseph 
Chapin, William Holden, Lovewell War- 
ren, Jesse Johnson, Joseph Hubbard, 
David Harrington, Jonathan Fisher, Isaac 
Bidwell, Oliver Atherton, Robert McEIroy, 
Nathan Huntley. 

organization of the town. 
Copy of a record in the town clerk's of- 
fice in Middlesex : 
To SetJi Putnajii, Esq.: — 

Sir — We, the Inhabitants of the town 
of Middlesex, petition your honor to grant 
a Warrant for the purpose of calling a 
town-meeting in .said town of Middlesex 
on Monday, the 29 of March instant, at 
ten of the clock in the morning, for the 
purpose of Organization of said Town. 
Edmond Holden, 
Levi Putnam, 
Samuel Harris, 
Isaac Putnam. 
Chittenden, March 15th, 1790. 

In pursuance ofthe foregoing Petition, By 
the authority of the state of Vermont, you 
are hereby directed to warn all the free- 
Holders and other inhabitants of the town 
of Middlesex to meet at the dwelling-house 
of Seth Putnam, Esq., in said Middlesex, 
on Monday, the 29th day of March Instant, 
at ten of the clock in the morning. Firstly 
to choose a moderator to govern said 
meeting. 

2dly, tq choose a town Clerk, Select- 
men, Town treasurer, and all other Town 
ofiicers according to Law, and of your do- 
ings herein make due return according to 
Law. 

Given under my hand at said Middlesex, 
this 15th day of March, A. D., 1790. 

To Levi Putnam, freeholder of the Town 
of Middlesex. Seth Putnam, 

Justice of the Peace. 



MIDDLESEX. 



223 



Served the within Warrant by notifying 
the inhabitants by setting up a true copy 
at my dwelHng house in Middlesex. 

March i6th, 1790. 

Levi Putnam, Freeholder. 

Mar. 29, 1790, According to within war- 
rant being met, made choice of Levi Put- 
nam, Modera'r ; Seth Putnam, Town Clerk ; 
Thomas Mead, Levi Putnam and Seth 
Putnam, selectmen ; Edmond Holden, con- 
stable and collector of taxes ; Lovewell 
Warren, Town Treasurer ; Jonas Harring- 
ton, Surveyor. Attest, 

Seth Putnam, T. C. 

Recorded May 7th, 1790. 

I find by the records in the town clerk's 
office that the honorable Seth Putnam was 
chosen to represent the town of Middlesex 
on the first day of September, 1807, and 
that the number of votes cast for repre- 
sentative was 30. The general reader will 
at first think it strange, to say the least, 
that the town had no representative till 1 7 
years after its organization ; but may re- 
member Vermont was not admitted into 
the Union until Feb. 1791. 

Samuel Mann, one of the first settlers 
of the town, bought two lots of land 3 
miles N. E. of Middlesex village. I bought 
the same lots Oct. 19, 1820, at which time 
I commenced an acquaintance with the in- 
habitants of Middlesex. I came into the 
town with my family Mar. 16, 1821. The 
venerable Thomas Mead was then very 
far advanced in years, and had a great 
number of children and grand-children. 
His son Thomas, and grand-son Thomas, 
lived in his house, and also Jacob Morris, 
who married his daughter, making in all 
four families. Mr. Thomas Mead was a 
church-going man and was much respected. 
There was no meeting-house in town until 
several years after I came, except a small 
house of one story, which was built by a 
very upright and benevolent man, 

SAMUEL HASKINS, 

who built it at his own expense to present 
to the Methodist church, which was then 
in a prosperous state here. He owned a 
saw-mill and grist-mill, and an oil-mill. 
While he was grinding large cakes of oil- 
meal, one of the stones, 6 feet or more in 
diameter, broke away from the axle-tree or 
shaft, and threw him backward against the 



oil-trough, and broke both of his legs. 
The stone which remained attached to the 
axle-tree rolled around swiftly against the 
other, crushing them nearly off, until the 
sufferer was released by a neighbor, who 
took away the stone and conveyed him to 
his house. Two physicians were soon in 
attendance ; both limbs were taken off, but 
the good man's sufferings soon ceased, 
and he passed away calmly. I was stand- 
ing by to behold the solemn sight, and 
could truly say : 

"How still and peaceful is tlie grave 
Wlien life's vain tumult all is passed; 

Tlie appointed liouse by Heaven's decree 
Receives us all at last." 

After the death of this generous man, 
the house was changed from a meeting- 
house to a dwelling-house, and thus re- 
mains. It stands near the S. E. corner of 
the town cemetery, owned and occupied 
by a grand-daughter of the deceased and 
her husband. 

LOVEWELL warren, 

one of the first settlers, was town treasurer 
in 1790. He was much esteemed by his 
neighbors. Leander Warren, a son of 
Lovewell, represented the town several 
times, and was much esteemed by his 
townsmen. Rufus Warren, a son of Le- 
ander, has also represented the town. 

HON. SETH PUTNAM 

had 3 sons. Holden, the oldest, repre- 
sented the town several times. Roswell, 
the second, was an estimable citizen, much 
esteemed, and the reverend George Put- 
nam was a minister of the Gospel, much 
esteemed. Hon. Seth Putnam made the 
town a present by deeding to the town a 
small lot of land for a cemetery, where his 
remains and the remains of a part of his 
family are buried. Their graves are en- 
closed by an iron fence. Almost all the 
first settlers of Middlesex were living here 
when I came. I think the number of men 
was about 210 who were heads of families, 
and they have all passed away from earth. 

WILLIAM HOLDEN, 

one of the first settlers, bought a lot of 
land about i^ miles from the village, the 



224 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



farm now owned by William B. McEIroy. 
Mr. Holden had 5 sons, Horace, William, 
Xetxes, Moses and Philander. Horace 
Holden, chosen town clerk in March, 1820, 
held the office 32 years. At the end of 32 
years, his son, William H. Holden, was 
chosen, and held the office 19 years. C. 
B. Holden, a son of Horace, held the office 
from March, 1873, to the time of his death, 
July 25, 1878, and. James H. Holden ap- 
pointed July 27, 1878, by the selectmen; 
held the office until September 3, 1878. 
Horace, William, Xerxes, Moses and C. 
li. Holden represented the town several 
times each, and have all passed away, and 
William H. Holden has also passed away. 

JOSEPH CHAPIN 

was born Oct. 28, 1758. His son, Joseph 
Chapin, Jr., was born June 25, in Weathers- 
field, Vt., in 1792. Joseph Chapin, Sr., 
settled in Middlesex when the town was 
quite new ; his .son, Joseph Chapin, Jr., 
was a farmer, and by industry and good 
economy, acquired a very handsome prop- 
erty for his children, and left a good name. 
His wife passed away many years before 
his departure. She was sister to Horace 
Holden. Joseph Chapin, Sr., lived to the 
age of 96 years, and was esteemed by all 
who knew him. 

Joseph Chajjin, Jr., had 2 sons. Hink- 
ley, the oldest, was killed instantly. He 
was a brakeman on the cars, and received 
the fatal blow when passing through or 
under a bridge. William Chapin, his son, 
still survives and has held many important 
offices in town. 

The Chapin family own lots in our beau- 
tiful cemetery, and the remains of their 
loved ones are deposited there. One of 
Joseph Chapin, Jr's., daughters, with her 
husband, Otis Leland, are living in sight 
of our beautiful cemetery, where they often 
visit the graves of their departed friends — 
their son, their parents and grand-parents, 
and brother who was killed on the cars. 

JEREMIAH LELAND, 

one of the first settlers, removed from 
Charlestown, N. H. He died soon after 
I came to Middlesex, respected by all who 
knew him ; left 3 sons, Rufus, James and 



Jeremiah, all of whom have long since 
passed away, esteemed by all, and their 
remains are deposited in our cemetery, 
with the remains of all their partners in 
life. James, son of Jeremiah, was never 
married. Jeremiah, Jr., has left4 sons, all 
now living, two of whom have rejDresented 
the town, and Rufus has left two sons, 
who are now living, worthy men, much 
esteemed. 

EBENEZER PUTNAM, 

a brother of Col. Seth Putnam, was a man 
about 50 years of age when I came to live 
in Middlesex, in 1821. He was a very 
pleasant, social man, and worked with me 
to score timber for a barn. His son, Rus- 
sel, hewed the timber. Soon after, Russel 
was taken sick. I visited him several 
times. His sufferings were very great be- 
fore he passed away. He left several 
daughters and one son, whose name was 
Holden, who was a sheriff of good repute, 
and enlisted in the last war, and lost his 
life in the defence of his country. 

JACOB PUTNAM, 

another brother of Col. Seth Putnam, set- 
tled on a branch of Onion river in Middle- 
sex, about 5 miles above Montpelier vil- 
lage. I became acquainted with him soon 
after I came to the town. He was a man 
of good understanding. I was associated 
with him and Nathaniel Carpenter in mak- 
ing an appraisal of all the real estate in 
Middlesex soon after I came. He died 
many years since. His son, C. C. Put- 
nam, and C. C. Putnam, Jr., are persever- 
ing men and good citizens. 

Isaac Putnam, another brother of Seth 
Putnam, lived in Montpelier, and passed 
away to the spirit life, leaving a good name 
and a respectable posterity. 

NATHANIEL CARPENTER 

was one of the first settlers ; voted for town 
representative in September, 1807; was 
town clerk in all 9 years, and a justice of 
the peace, I think, 30 years, or more. He 
died in the winter of 1837. In 182 1, when 
I came to live here, he lived one mile from 
our village and 5 miles from Montpelier 
village. He had 4 sons by a second mar- 



MIDDLESEX. 



225 



riage ; two or more by a previous marriage ; 
his four last sons were, N. M. Carpenter, 
Don P. Carpenter, and Heman and Al- 
bert. Don P. Carpenter has been one 
of the side judges of Washington Coun- 
ty Court, and Heman, judge of Wash- 
ington County Probate Court, and N. M. 
Carpenter is a respectable and successful 
farmer. I know less of Albert, as he set- 
tled in a distant state. 

CAPT. ROBERT MCELROY, 

one of the first settlers, lived 2 miles from 
Middlesex village. His family were an 
aged mother, who emigrated from Scotland, 
his wife, 4 sons and 3 daughters. Ira, the 
oldest son, died single; Harry, the second 
son, had 3 sons, Clesson R. and H. L. Mc- 
Elroy, and Wm. B. McElroy. Lewis had 
2 sons and Jeremiah 2 sons, in all, 7 
grandsjons. Capt. Robert McElroy and 
wife, mother and 4 sons, have passed 
away. Harry McElroy's third son, Wm. 
B. McElroy, was chosen town clerk, Sept. 
3, 1878. 

It will be observed by this that Capt. 
Robert McElroy has left a good record. 
In addition to the above I think it is my 
duty to state that Harry McElroy's eldest 
son, Clesson R. McElroy, was a lieutenant 
in the army and a valiant officer, held in 
high esteem by both officers and soldiers, 
and Harry McElroy's second son, H. L. 
McElroy, has been superintendent of com- 
mon schools in Middlesex for several years, 
and as such highly esteemed. 

JESSE JOHNSON 

was one of the first settlers, and voted for 
representative in 1807. He was far ad- 
vanced in life in 1820. His son, Jesse 
Johnson, Jr., was a man in the prime of 
life, and lived about 50 years after 1820, 
and was for many years associated with 
Mo.ses Holden, his son-in-law, in trade. 
They were esteemed by all who knew 
them, were good economists, and accumu- 
lated a large property, and have passed 
away. They have left no son to perpetuate 
their names. 

EPHRAIM WILLEY 

was one of the first settlers, and had 2 
sons, Hubbard and Benjamin, who were in 

29 



the prime of life in 1820. They have all 
passed away ; but have left a great number 
of children and grand-children to perpet- 
uate their memory, all of whom are re- 
spectable citizens, even as their fathers 
and grandfathers before them were. 

RUFUS CHAMBERLIN, ESQ., 

one of the first settlers, was in 1821 a man 
far advanced in life, and had then living 5 
sons and 3 daughters. His oldest son, 
Clesson, died in Massachusetts. Oliver 
A. Chamberlin, the second son, and A. 
L. Chamberlin, the fourth, are still liv- 
ing. Rufus Chamberlin, Esq., and wife, 
2 daughters and 3 sons, have passed from 
this life, but not without leaving children 
and grandchildren to perpetuate their 
memory, though most of the grandchildren 
have passed away. I will name a few : 
Wm. H. Holden, C. B. Holden, Martha 
Holden ; children of Horace Holden and 
his wife, Mary Chamberlin, and Mary, also 
a daughter of Oliver A. Chamberlin. Our 
town clerk is a son of Harry McElroy and 
his wife, Mary Ann, dau. of Rufus Cham- 
berlin, both of whom have passed away. 

MERCHANTS AND STORES, 1879. 

We have three stores in Middlesex vil- 
lage, one owned and occupied by Benja- 
min Barrett and James H. Holden, one by 
J. O. Hobart, and one by N. King Her- 
rick, all doing a good business without 
danger of failing. Our merchants are as 
reliable as those of Montpelier, and I choose 
to patronize them. 

We have at this date, Jan. 1879, ^^ 
physician in town. Nearly all of the peo- 
ple of Middlesex employ the physicians 
who live in Montpelier village. 

MEETING-HOUSES AND CHURCHES. 

We have three meeting-houses, all good ; 
one good brick one in the village, near the 
passenger depot, one built of wood in the 
center of the town, and another of wood in 
the small village denominated Shady Rill. 
They are all kept well painted and in good 
repair. The one in Middlesex village is 
now occupied by the Methodists one-half 
of the time, and seldom at any other time, 
and it is about the same as to the house in 
the center of the town. The meeting- 



226 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



house in Shady Rill was built about 30 
years ago, by the Freewill Baptists, and it 
is occupied by those who built it, and their 
posterity. There was a Congregational 
church in this town when the brick meeting- 
house was built, but there is not now. I 
think it passed away about 1845. The 
Methodist church has about 36 members 
at this time. The Freewill Baptist church, 

1 think, is about the same as to numbers. 
The Methodist denomination own a 

good and well-finished parsonage house 
and out-buildings, all well arranged, near 
the brick meeting-house in Middlesex. 

MICAH HATCH 

was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, 
and was an early settler of Middlesex. 
He bought two or more good lots of land, 
4 miles north of Montpelier village. He 
had 2 sons, Micah and David ; David had 

2 sons, Zenas and Gardner. Zenas was 
drafted and lost his life in defence of his 
country. A daughter of Micah Hatch 
was the mother of the Hon. Zenas Upham, 
one of the side judges of Orange County 
Court in 1878. 

SOLOMON LEWIS 

was an early settler of Middlesex, and set- 
tled on the North branch of Onion river, 
6 miles north of Montpelier village. Wil- 
liam Lewis, a son of Solomon, owned and 
occupied the farm for many years, and said 
farm is now owned by Lathrop Lewis, a 
son of the late William Lewis. I could 
say much in commendation of Mr. Sol- 
omon Lewis and his son William, and of 
his grandson, Lathrop, all of whom have 
been good citizens. 

EZRA CUSHMAN 

was one of the early settlers, a respectable 
merchant, and associated as such with 
Theophilus Cushman, his nephew, in trade 
in Middlesex village in the early settlement 
of the town, was a man in whom the people 
all had the utmost confidence. He mar- 
ried a daughter of Hon. Seth Putnam. 
Their son, the Rev. Lewis Cushman, a 
Methodist minister much esteemed, has 
been engaged in the ministry more than 30 
years, previous to 1879. 



CAPT. ZERAH HILLS 

was one of the early settlers of this town. 
He had 3 sons, Lorenzo, Justin and Zerah. 
Zerah built the house above described, 
and had it very nearly completed when the 
Rebel war commenced, and he enlisted in 
defence of our country, and died in its de- 
fence June 25, 1863, lamented by all who 
knew him. 

COL. HUTCHINS 

was one of the early settlers of Middlesex. 
He had two sons, Timothy and Solomon. 
Solomon married a sister of ex-Governor 
Paul Dillingham. Solomon Hutchinskept 
a public house in Middlesex village when 
the town was quite new. I think the 
house was the first public house kept in 
Middlesex. Solomon Hutchins and his 
immediate family have long since passed 
away, but leaving a respectable posterity 
of children, grandchildren and great 
grandchildren. 
March, 1879. 

MIDDLESEX CONCLUDED. 

BY VOLNEY V. VAUGHN, ESQ. 

The township, situated on the north 
side of the Winooski river, 30 miles from 
the mouth of the river at Burlington, lat. 
44°, 20', long. 4°, 2', is bounded N. by 
Worcester, E. by East Montpelier and 
Montpelier, S. by Berlin and Moretown, 
from which it is separated by the Winooski, 
and W. by Waterbury. 

The N. H. charter, by Wentworth, was 
granted " by command of His Excellency, 
King George III., in the third year of his 
reign," and provides : 

The township of Middlesex, lying on 
the east side of French or Onion river, so 
called, shall be six miles square and no 
more, containing 23,040 acres. 

The first meeting for the choice of town 
officers shall be held on the 26th day of 
July next, to be notified and presided over 
by Capt. Isaac Woodruff", and that the an- 
nual meeting forever hereafter for the 
choice of officers for said town shall be on 
the second Tuesday of March, annnally. 

The town was to be divided into 71 
equal shares ; each one of the 65 propri- 
etors to whom it was granted to hold one 
share, and 6 shares as usual in the N. H. 
charters for the Governor's right, the ben- 



MIDDLESEX. 



227 



efit of the Gospel and schools. The Gov- 
ernor's land was a tract of 500 acres in the 
S. W. corner of the town. 

The council of New York established 
the county of Gloucester in 1770, which 
included this town, arid the first record of 
a proprietors' meeting found in our town 
records commences : 

A meeting of the proprietors of the 
Township of Middlesex, on Onion River, 
in the Province of New York, holden at 
the dwellLng-house of Samuel Canfield, 
Esq., in New Milford, Conn., on Tuesday, 
ye tenth day of May, 1770. 

At this meeting Partridge Thatcher, of 
New Milford, was chosen moderator, and 
SanTuel Averill, of Kent, clerk. 

It was voted to "lay out said township 
and lot one division of 100 acres to each 
right," and Samuel Averill was chosen 
agent to agree with a surveyor and chain- 
bearers to do the business. It was voted 
to lay a tax of $3 per right, to pay the ex- 
pense of surveying, and Partridge Thatcher 
and Samuel Averill laid out the ist division 
as above voted. 

The proprietors held a meeting at Kent, 
Apr. 13, 1773, Samuel Averill, Jr., clerk. 
Voted $2.50 per right instead of the $3.00 
voted before to pay the expense of the 
surveys. 

Oct. 14, 1774, Samuel Averill, Jr., col- 
lector, sold 8 lots of land at public auc- 
tion, to satisfy unpaid taxes voted as above. 
Partridge Thatcher and Samuel Averill, 
Jr., bid off 4 lots each, at ^i 2s., N. Y. 
money, per lot. 

The first deed of Middlesex lands re- 
corded is from Samuel Averill, Jr., to 
Samuel Averill of 5 full rights, dated Kent, 
Litchfield Co., Dec. 30, 1774, and ac- 
knowledged before Wm. Cogswell, justice 
of the peace. 

The first proprietors' meeting held in 
Vermont was at Sunderland, Oct. 13, 1783, 
Isaac Hitchcock, proprietors' clerk, and the 
2d and 3d division of lands were made, and 
surveys recorded Feb. 9, 1786. 

The first proprietors' meeting held in 
Middlesex was at the house of Lovell War- 
ren, Aug. 14, 1787. Choice was made of 
Seth Putnam, proprietors' clerk, and ad- 
journed until Nov. 5, same year, and at 



this adjourned meeting it was claimed that 
all former surveys or pretended surveys 
had been made inaccurately, that some of 
the lots had been laid out within the limits 
of Montpelicr, that proprietors could not 
find their lots, etc., and it was " Resolved 
to hold null and void all former surveys or 
pretended surveys." 

It was voted to lay out the ist, 2d and 
4th divisions in 69 lots each, of 104 acres 
in a lot, the 4 acres beingallowed for high- 
ways. Where the village now stands, 30 
acres were reserved for a mill privilege, 
and 104 acres of the pine lands just east- 
erly of the mill site for the first mill- 
builder, if he built a mill within i2months. 
This reservation was the 3d, called the 
white-pine division, which was laid out in 
about i-acre lots, and divided among the 
proprietors the same as the other divisions. 
The 1st, 2d and 3d divisions were allotted 
in 1787 and '88, and surveys recorded in 
September, 1788. Allotted by Gen. Parley 
Davis, surveyor ; Isaac Putnam, hind- 
chainman ; Jacob Putnam, fore-chainman. 
The 4th division was allotted by Gen. 
Davis in 1798. 

This allotting, if accurately surveyed, 
would cover 22,162 acres, which would 
leave 878 acres undivided land, of which 
each proprietor would own an equal share. 
This land, which is north-easterly of the 
Governor's right, has been taken up or 
"pitched" from time to time, until it is 
all claimed on titles of original rights. 

By an act of the legislature, approved 
Oct. 30, 1850, so much of the town as is 
contained in lots numbering 50, 55, 56,57, 
58, 63 and 64, and so much of the undi- 
vided land as lies westerly of a line com- 
mencing at the most south-easterly corner 
of lot number 64, and running south t,6° 
west and parallel with the original line be- 
tween Waterbury and Middlesex to the 
Governor's right, so called ; thence on the 
line of the Governor's right to the original 
town line, was annexed to the town of 
Waterbury, whichleaves about22,ooo acres 
as the present area of Middlesex. 

The change in the town line was made 
to benefit a few families who lived in the 
west part of the town who could more con- 



228 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



veniently attend meetings and go to market 
in Waterbury than in Middlesex, on ac- 
count of living the west side of a high 
range of hills or mountains, that form a 
natural boundary, and so separate the two 
towns that only one carriage-road directly 
connects them. The change brings the 
town line as now established very near the 
summit of this range of mountains. 

Near the S. E. corner of the town com- 
mences a less elevation of land, which ex- 
tends in a northerly direction a little east 
of the centre of the town, which unites 
with the higher range about 4 miles from 
the south line, and gives the south part of 
the town a slope southerly towards the 
Winooski, and the northern and eastern 
part a slope easterly towards the North 
Branch of the Winooski, which fiows 
through the N. E. corner of the town. 

The surface of the township is somewhat 
uneven, but the soil is generally very fer- 
tile and productive. There are many ex- 
cellent farms on the hills, and some fine 
intervales along the river and branch, and 
although the meadows are not very ex- 
tensive, they are enough so to form a num- 
ber of very good and valuable farms. 

The land is naturally covered with maple, 
birch, beech, ash, elm, butternut, red-oak, 
iron-wood, pine, spruce, hemlock, fir and 
other smaller trees and bushes such as are 
common in this part of the State. 

The N. W. corner of the town contains 
about 1200 acresof nearly unbroken forest, 
covering the mountain and lying along its 
base, which only needs steam-power in the 
immediate vicinity, backed by good me- 
chanical enterprise and skill, to make it 
valuable property. 

This town will compare favorably with 
the other towns in the County for farming 
and lumbering. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

Nature has given our territory fully an 
average share of the singular and odd, and 
of the grand and sublime. 

Among the oddities is a rocking stone 
on the farm of William Chapin, near the 
Centre. This stone, weighing many tons, 
is so evenly balanced on a high ledge that 



it can be rocked forward and back with 
ease. On the mountain west of the late 
C. B. Holden farm is a high cliff of rocks, 
from which many heavy pieces of rock have 
become detached and fallen to the ravine 
below. These are so placed that they 
form some curious caverns on a small scale, 
which are noted hedge-hog habitations. 
One of these rocks, sheltered by the over- 
hanging cliff from which it fell, which is 
some 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and from i 
to 2 feet thick, lies on another rock in such 
a manner that it projects over nearly half 
its length, and is so nicely balanced that a 
man can teeter it up and down with one 
finger. 

A few years ago there stood by the road- 
.side on the farm now owned by Daniel 
Pembrook, an iron-wood or remon tree, 
which about 2 feet from the ground di- 
vided into two trunks, each about 6 inches 
in diameter. They grew smooth and 
nearly straight, and from i to 2 feet apart 
for some 10 feet, where they again united 
in one solid trunk, which was about 10 
inches in diameter ; this continued about 3 
feet, where it again divided. The two 
trunks above were similar to the two be- 
low for about 10 feet; there it united once 
more, and above threw out branches and 
had a "top" similar to other trees of its 
kind. This tree was cut down by some 
one who had an eye keener for the useful 
than for the ornamental. 

The only road that directly connects 
this town with Waterbury, about i^ miles 
from the river, passes through a notch be- 
tween masses of ragged ledges which for 
many rods rise almost perpendicular on 
either side to the height of 100 feet or 
more, with just fair room for a good car- 
riage-road and a small stream of water be- 
tween. 

The channel called the Narrows, worn 
through the rocks by the Winooski be- 
tween this town and Moretown, is quite a 
curiosity. Of this grand work of time 
Moretown may justly claim a share, but as 
this town is the most benefited by it, Mid- 
dlesex history would be incomplete with- 
out a description. The channel is about 
80 rods in length, some 30 feet in depth, 



MIDDLESEX. 



i2g 



and averaging about 60 feet wide. Where 
the bridge leading from Middlesex village 
across to Moretown spans the channel, the 
width at the top of the cut is less than the 
depth. Below this bridge for many rods 
the rocks rise very nearly perpendicular for 
some 30 feet, appearing like a wall. Above 
the bridge for many rods they rise on either 
side to near the same elevation, but not 
quite so steep, leaving the chasm only a 
few feet wide at the bottom, and the river 
runs very rapidly through the channel. At 
the upper end of the Narrows is a dam and 
the mills described elsewhere. Just below 
the bridge, and in direct line with the 
course of the river above, is a high pinna- 
cle of rocks. When the river is low it 
runs the north side of this, and when the 
water is high it flows on both sides, or sur- 
rounds it. 

By a survey made by the late Hon. Wm. 
Howes a few years ago, it was ascertained 
that the fall in the river from below the 
dam at Montpelier village to the top of 
the water in the pond at Middlesex was 
only 5 feet 11 inches. 

There are many things that indicate that 
at some distant day these ledges formed a 
barrier that obstructed the water of the 
river, and raised it many feet higher than 
the meadows along the river above this 
place, forminff a large pond or lake, that 
flowed not only these meadows but a part 
of Montpelier, including the greater part 
of the village, and a portion of the towns 
of Barre, Berlin and Moretown. About 2 
miles above the Narrows the ledge, near 
where the carriage-road now is, some 50 
feet above the present bed of the river, 
bears unmistakable evidence of the wash- 
ing of the waters of the river or lake. 

While gazing on this woudrous work 

Of nature's law, divinely fair, 
We feel how great the worl{ of time. 

How weak and frail we mortals are. 

We feel the feeling grow of awe, 
While looking on this rolling tide, 

And think these were the works of God, 
In which mankind could take no pride. 

Along the mountain side in the N. W. 
part of the town are many rills and brooks, 
that come rushing down steep declivities 
and leaping from high precipices, forming 



many beautiful cascades and miniature cat- 
aracts, which if as great as they are lofty 
would be supremely grand. Here, too, are 
found high overhanging cliffs and deep 
ravines, and all the sublimity common to 
the mountains of the Verd Mont State. 

But when we stand upon the summit of 
the highest peak, 3,558 feet above Lake 
Champlain, and cast our eye at a glance 
over more than 10,000 sq. miles of the 
surrounding country, looking down over 
the homes of tens of thousands of our 
steady villagers and sturdy yeomanry, view- 
ing the well-cultivated plains and forest- 
covered hills, and beholding the distant 
mountain scenery, the winding streams 
and ever-varied landscape, here we find 
magnificence and grandeur combined. 

It might be said Bublime and fail". 

And lofty are our verdant hills. 
And crystal streams from fountains flow 

That turn witli ease the swiftest mills. 
Our plains', how grand, how marked with cave, 

While each proclaims the work of God ; 
And man, with thanks and willing hands. 

Improves the rich and fertile sod. 

For the following very good description 
of our mountains I am indebted to Wm. 
Chapin : 

MOUNTAINS OF MIDDLESEX. 

BY WM. CHAPIN, ESQ. 

Near the South-west corner of Middle- 
sex there rises abruptly from the south 
bank of the Winooski river a range of 
clearly-defined mountains, that extends 
about 20 miles, being nearly on the line 
between Middlesex and Waterbury, and 
extending between Worcester and Stowe, 
a little to the east of the line between 
those towns, and ending near Elmore pond, 
in the Lamoille valley. These mountains 
are called "The Hogbacks " in some of 
the earlier geographical works of Vermont, 
but that name now applies only to the 
south end of the range near the Winooski. 

The most conspicuous points in Middle- 
sex are locally known as ' ' Burned Mount- 
ain," "White Rock," or " Castle Rock," 
and " Mt. Hunger." This Mt. Hunger is 
nearly on the line between Middlesex and 
Worcester, and a little east of the corners 
of the four towns, Middlesex, Worcester, 
Stowe and Waterbury. Its height is 3648 
feet above the sea. 



230 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



As the topmost stone of this mountain, 
which is the highest point in the range, is 
doubtless in the town of Worcester, that 
town may perhaps fairly claim the honor 
of having within its limits one of the pleas- 
antest places of public resort to be found 
in New England. 

The name of Mt. Hunger was given by 
a party of hunters who went out from Mid- 
dlesex Centre on a winter's day, some 60 
years ago, to hunt for deer on this mount- 
ain. Lost in the vast woods, they had to 
stay out all night, with nothing to eat save 
one partridge, and that without salt or 
sauce. When they got home the next 
day, half starved and wholly tired out, 
they said they \\?LAhQe.Yi on Mount Hunger . 
Not an inviting name, certainly, but very 
appropriate to the occasion. 

The only comfortable way and road to 
the summit at the present time is in and 
through Middlesex. From the earliest 
settlement of the town this has been a 
favorite resort for all who have had suffi- 
cient hardihood of muscle and wind to 
make the first ascent. But the way was 
rough, tangled and steep. A better way 
was needed, and in due time was made. 
The Mt. Hunger road was commenced in 
October, 1877, and completed June i, 
1878. It was on its first survey 2 miles 
and 16 rods in length, extending from the 
public highway in Middlesex to the sum- 
mit of the mountain. The first 500 rods 
was made a good, safe and comfortable 
carriage road. The last half mile is very 
steep, and only a foot-path could be made, 
but the path is so well provided with stairs 
and other conveniences that children 6 
years of age have gone up safely, and men 
of 86 years have gone up without difficulty. 
[The late Hon. Daniel Baldwin, of Mont- 
pelier, twice after 86 years of age.] Many 
teams of one to 6 horses drawing carriages 
from two to 20 persons, have gone up and 
down this road in the summers of 1878, ^Q 
and '80, without an accident or mishap to 
any one. 

To build such a road, through a dense 
forest of spruce, birch and maple woods, 
was no small undertaking, requiring some 
courage, much capital and a vast amount 



of hard labor. Thousands of trees had to 
be dug up by the roots — giant birches that 
clung to the ground for dear life, well- 
rooted spruce, and tough beeches and 
maple ; thousands of knolls and hills had 
to be graded or removed, and hardest of 
all, thousands of rocks and ledges to be 
blasted, dug out, or got around in some 
way. 

Hundreds of feet of bridging had to be 
built across the many little brooks and rills 
that come down the mountain sides. The 
longest bridge is in Middlesex, near the 
Worcester line, and is 137 feet long. At 
the upper end of the carriage-road is a 
level plateau that has been well cleared of 
the undergrowth and made smooth, and 
here a barn has been built to accommodate 
travelers with teams. The grade of the 
road is necessarily somewhat steep, but as 
it is a continual rise from the foot to sum- 
mit, no very sharp or steep pitches are to 
be found in the whole length of it. 

This road was built by Theron Bailey, 
Esq., of Montpelier, proprietor of the 
" Pavilion," and is owned and occupied by 
him as a toll road, the various land-owners 
on the route having deeded him the right 
of way, and some 25 acres of land for 
building and standing ground at the top. 

The construction of this road was under 
the superintendence of Wm. Chapin, Esq., 
of Middlesex Centre, and was completed, 
with the exception of stairs and bridges, 
in 60 working days, and with a gang of 
less than 20 men. 

Whether this road will be kept up in re- 
pair or not, remains to be seen. The mount- 
ain top is one of the pleasantest places of 
earth, and will be visited so long as people 
inhabit the country ; standing in an isolated 
position, it commands a view of the whole 
country ; to the east, to the White Mount- 
ains, west, to the Adirondacks, north, to 
the Canadian Provinces, and south, to the 
Massachusetts line ; a score of villages, 
many lakes and ponds, and, best of all, 
thousands of New England farms and 
homes. 

Among those who visited here in the 
olden time was the late Daniel P. Thomp- 
son, of Monti^eher, who climbed up, fol- 



MIDDLESEX. 



231 



lowing the town line for a guide, about 
1833, and no doubt much of the sublime 
mountain scenery so beautifully described 
in " May Martin," " The Green Mountain 
Boys," and other Vermont stories, was 
studied from nature here. 

The tops of all of these mountains were 
covered with timber at the settlement of 
the town ; now some 10 acres are burned 
down to the bare rock on the top of Mt. 
Hunger, about the same area on " White 
Rock," and on Burned Mountain the fire 
has cleared some 30 to 40 acres. The 
spaces thus opened aflbrd the finest out- 
look upon the surrounding country. 

" Now on the ridges, bare and bleak, 

Cool 'round my temples sighs the gale. 
Ye winds! that wander o'er the Peak, 

Yc mountain spirits! hail! 
Angels of health! to man below 

Ye bring celestial airs; 
Bear back to Him, from whom ye blow. 

Our praises and prayers." 

Middlesex Centre, 1880. w. c. 

WATER-POWER, MILLS AND FRESHETS. 

The town is abundantly watered by 
springs, brooks and rivers. There are but 
very few houses in town that are not sup- 
plied with a stream of clear, pure, soft 
water, running from some never-failing 
spring. 

Numerous brooks rise among the mount- 
ains and on the hills, and flow across the 
, town. One called Big brook rises N. W. 
of the Centre, flows a southerly course to 
near the centre of the town, then flows 
south-westerly to the Winooski, emptying 
just above the village. 

On this stream, about half a mile from its 
mouth, has been- a saw-mill the greater 
part of the time for upwards of 60 years, 
and at diflferent times there have been mills 
at three other places on the stream, one 
being near the Centre. The best of these 
mills, built by Solomon Hutchins about 20 
years ago, was destroyed by fire soon after 
it was completed. The other mills have 
rotted down, been damaged by freshets 
and never repaired, or been taken down, 
and at present there is no mill on the 
stream ; but there is a repair shop, owned 
by Myron Long, in place of the mill first 
described. 



Along the mountains northerly of the 
height of land near the Centre, rise many 
brooks, which, flowing south-easterly and 
uniting, form a quite large stream, which 
empties into North Branch about 5 miles 
from Montpelier village. 

The two largest of these brooks unite at 
Shady Rill, about one mile from the 
Branch, and here in the year 1824, Jedu- 
than Haskins and Ira McElroy built a saw- 
mill on the right bank of the stream, which 
stood about 4 year^, and was washed away 
by a freshet. It was rebuilt soon after by 
Haskins on the other side of the stream. 
This mill stood until about 1850, when it 
was washed away and never rebuilt. On 
the east stream of the two that unite at 
Shady Rill, about ^ mile above that place, 
a saw-mill was built some years ago. In 
1869, or '70, this mill was bought by Isaac 
W; Brown, of Montpelier, who put in a 
clapboard mill, which was run by John 
Hornbrook until 1872. 

In 1872, W. H. Billings came fromWaits- 
field and bought the mill. He ran the old 
mill 2 years, and his brother, J. J. Billings, 
went in company with him. The fall of 
1875, they built a new mill, 34 by 60 
feet, and put in a small engine to run part 
of the machinery. In this mill they did a 
good business, which was increasing each 
year until the mill was burned. May 8, 
1880. At that time they had several 
thousand logs in the mill-yard, and they 
immediately commenced clearing out the 
debris of the burned mill, and laying the 
foundation for a large new mill, 48 feet by 
96. They put in a 75 horse-power engine, 
and commenced cutting out boards and 
timber July 17, and in the course of the 
summer they nearly finished the mill and 
put in all the machinery necessary for cut- 
ting, planing and matching boards, and 
sawing and dressing clapboards. It is 
now, Jan. 1881, one of the best mills in 
the State, and capable of turning out 10 
car-loads of dressed lumber per month. 
There is another mill, on another sti-eam, 
about half a mile west of this mill, now 
owned by Geo. W. Willey. 

In 181 5, Esquire Bradstreet Baldwin 
came from Londonderry, and built a mill 



232 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



where Putnam's mills now stand, on North 
Branch, about 5^ miles from Montpelier, 
since which there has been a mill there. 

We are favored by the following de- 
scription of these mills through the kind- 
ness of C. C. Putnam, Esq: 

" The north branch of the Winooski, 
which empties into the main stream at 
Montpelier, flows through the N. E. corner 
of Middlesex, about 3 miles, on which is 
situated one of the best mill privileges in 
the State, with a fall o/ 32 ft., on which 
was erected a mill in 18 15, by Bradstreet 
Baldwin, son of Benjamin Baldwin, of 
Londonderry, Vt. The mill built by Brad- 
street Baldwin, on the above-mentioned 
privilege, was owned and occupied by sev- 
eral parties until purchased by C. C. Put- 
nam and Jacob Putnam, about 1845. -^t 
that time the capacity of the mill was about 
100,000 ft. per annum. The old mill was 
situated on the west side of the stream at 
the top of the fall. In 1854, was erected 
a large double gang-mill on the east side 
of the stream below the fall to take advan- 
tage of the 32-feet fall, together with a 
grist-mill and machinery for dressing lum- 
ber. The latter was consumed by fire in 
1862. The same year was erected by C. 
C. Putnam on the same site, the mill now 
standing, with two laige circular saws. 
Since then have been added to the mill, 
planers, matchers, edging-saw, butting- 
machine and band-saw for cutting out chair 
stock, the capacityof the mill being 2,000, - 
000 ft. dre.ssed lumber per year. The past 
year, C. C. Putnam & Son, the present 
owners, have shipped 150 car-loads of 
dressed lumber to New Hampshire, Mas- 
sachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, 
valued from $25,000 to $30,000. The most 
of this lumber is cut on their land in 
Worcester, and floated down the stream. 
In connection with their lumber business 
they have a supply store, containing all 
necessaries for their workmen and public 
generally, doing a business of from $15,000 
to $20,000 per year." 

Henry Perkins came to town somewhere 
about 1800, and built the first grist and 
saw-mill at the Narrows, where the village 
stands. He lived in the Widow Aaron 



Ladd house, one of the two first houses in 
the village. Soon after, Samuel Haskins 
built an oil-mill, and Thomas Stowell built 
a clothing-works mill. 

In those early days, when news were 
conveyed on horseback as the swiftest 
means ; when freighting between here and 
Boston was mostly done with oxen ; before 
Ark Wright had invented the spinning Jenny, 
or carding-machines were known ; when 
the women did all the carding and spin- 
ning by hand ; when farmers had to go a 
great way to mill, and carry their grist on 
horseback, or on their shoulders ; when the 
meat mostly used was that of wild game, 
and salt to season it sometimes $3.58 per 
bu. ; when 8 children were called an av- 
erage family, and 12 or 13 not uncommon, 
and boys and girls were not afraid of work ; 
when the " goode housewyfe " found ample 
time to spin yarn from wool, flax and tow, 
and weave cloth to clothe all in her goodly 
family, works were then in vogue and built 
for coloring, fulling, pressing and dressing 
cloth. In May, 18 18, a freshet swept away 
the clothing-works, but they were soon 
built up again. 

At the time of this freshet Luther Has- 
kins was moving from the farm which he 
sold to Stephen Herrickin 1820, and which 
Mr. Herrick still owns and occupies. He 
got his cattle as far as the river, and could 
get them no farther on account of high 
water. Nathaniel Daniels and John Cooms 
undertook to go from the village in a boat 
to take care of the cattle. They had pro- 
ceeded some 20 rods up the river, when 
the current upset the boat. Cooms swam 
ashore, and seeing Daniels struggling in 
the water, was about to swim in to rescue 
him, when some one who considered the 
undertaking too dangerous, held Cooms 
back, and Daniels was drowned. 

Nov. 1 82 1, all the mills were destroyed 
by fire. They were soon rebuilt, with a 
good woolen factory in place of the clothing- 
works, which was built by Amplius Blake, 
of Chelsea, who employed Artemas Wilder 
to superintend it. 

In Sept. 1828, was another freshet, 
which swept away the factory, grist-mill, 
oil-mill and saw-mill. Much to the credit 



MIDDLESEX. 



233 



of the owners, they went to work with true 
Yankee courage immediately, and rebuilt 
the mills in a stronger and more secure 
manner, and had them all in operation 
within 2 years. They were not secure 
enough, however, to withstand the exten- 
sive freshet of July, 1830, during which 
the water in the Winooski probably was 
the highest ever known since the State was 
settled, being at its greatest height July 
27 or 28, so high it flowed through the vil- 
lage, and a dam was built across the upper 
end of the street, to turn the current of the 
river back towards the Narrows. All the 
mills were raised by the water from their 
foundations, and sailed oflf together like a 
fleet, taking the bridge below with them, 
until they struck the high pinnacle of rocks 
a few rods below the bridge, when, with a 
deafening crash, they smashed, and ap- 
parently disappeared in the rolling flood. 

The weather in the summer of 1830 was 
cold and wet up to July 15. From the 15th 
to the 24th it was mostly clear and exces- 
sively warm. During the day of the 15th, 
the thermometer rose in the shade to 94°, 
the i6th it rose to 92°, the 17th to 92^°, 
the 1 8th to 92°, the 19th to 90°, the 20th 
to 91°, and the 21st to 94°. 

The rain commenced in the afternoon of 
Saturday, the 24th, and continued till the 
Thursday following, and is believed to be 
the greatest fall of water in the length of 
time ever known in Vermont, the fall at 
Burlington being more than 7 inches, 3.85 
in. of which fell the 26th in 16 hours. 

After this freshet, Jeduthan and Luther 
Haskins built here an oil-mill, which was 
bought by Enos Stiles in 1835, and suc- 
cessfully operated by him for 33 years. He 
sold to Y. Dutton, who now owns it. There 
were many oil-mills in the State at an 
early day, but they had all been abandoned 
except two, when Mr. Stiles sold his mill. 
Mr. Dutton kept the mill in operation for 
a time after he owned it, and is supposed 
to be the last one in the State to give up 
making oil from flax-seed. The Messrs. 
Haskins also built a grist-mill, which was 
afterward owned for many years by Geo. 
& Barnard Langdon, of Montpelier, who 
sold to L. D. Ainsworth. He has at great 



expense fortified it against freshets, and 
made it a first-class, modern flouring and 
grist-mill, where he does a good business. 
He also owns a planing-mill near the grist- 
mill, and a saw-mill on the opposite side of 
the river in Moretown, which accommo- 
dates many who reside in Middlesex, and 
has recently bought the old oil-mill of 
Dutton. 

In Oct. 1869, there was a freshet that 
did considerable damage. No buildings 
were carried off", but the highways were 
badly washed, and many bridges carried 
away. In the town report the following 
March I find, in addition to a highway tax 
of 50 cents on a dollar of the grand list, 
about $3,000 in orders drawn for extra 
work and expense on highways and bridges. 
The river was so high thatMr. Ainsworth's 
saw-mill teetered up and down on the water, 
and would have been swept away had it 
not been securely chained to the trees and 
ledges. 

OF THE MINERALOGY 

here but little is yet known. Rock crystal 
is quite common, and some very fine spec- 
imens of crystal quartz have been picked 
up. The largest, most transparent and 
most perfect specimens have been found in 
the north western part of the town, along 
the foot of the mountain. The crystal 
quartz found here is mostly nearly white. 
Some of the specimens are traversed in va- 
rious directions with hair-like crystals of a 
reddish, yellowish or brown color, and 
similar to those found elsewhere along the 
gold formation, so called, that extends 
through this part of the State. Many 
stones are also found of which iron enters 
largely into the formation ; and it is claimed 
that gold has been found in small quanti- 
ties in the eastern part of the town, but no 
very valuable mines have yet been discov- 
ered here. 

MAGNETIC VARIATION. 

From an examination of the lines nm 
when the town was alloted in 1788, it ap- 
pears that the westerly variation of the mag- 
netic needle is now very nearly 4°, so that 
lines in this town that were run N. 36° E. 
in 1787, now in i88x nm N. 40° E. 



30 



234 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ANIMALS. 

The first settlers found in the forest of 
this town, the black bear, raccoon, wol- 
verine, weasel, mink, pine martin (im- 
properly called .sable), skunk, American 
otter, wolf, red fox, black or silver fox, 
cross fox, lynx, bay lynx or wild cat, star- 
nosed mole, shrew mole. Say's bat, beaver, 
musk rat, meadow mouse, jumping mouse, 
white bellied or tree mouse, woodchuck, 
the gray, black, red, striped, and flying 
squirrel, hedge-hog, rabbit, moose, and 
common deer. 

In 1831, a very large moose left the 
mountain near the notch road, and wan- 
dered towards the village of Middlesex. 
He crossed the Winooski near the eddy 
just below the narrows, and went across 
the meadows on the farms now owned by 
Joseph Newhall and Joseph Knapp in 
Moretown, passing through a field of wheat 
on the latter farm. He then crossed Mad 
river near its mouth, and started in the di- 
rection of the large tract of woods near 
Camel's Hump mountain. This is sup- 
posed to be the last wild moose that ever 
visited Middlesex. 

COUNTY MEMBERSHIP. 

Middlesex has had the honor to belong 
to Gloucester County, established by the 
N. Y. Council, Mar. 16, 1770; Unity, es- 
tablished Mar. 17, 1778 ; name changed to 
Cumberland, Mar. 21, 1778 ; to Benning- 
ton, being set to this County by change 
of county line Feb. i, 1779: to Addison 
Co., formed Oct. 18, 1785; to Jefferson 
County, incorporated Nov. i, 1810; to 
Washington Co., the name of JeiTerson 
being changed to Washington in 18 14. 

Middlesex can boast of being the first 
town settled in Washington County, as 
the county is now organized ; but it was 
not the first town chartered, Duxbury, 
Moretown and Waterbury having been 
chartered one day first, June 7, 1763. 

The altitude at Middlesex village was 
given by D. P. Thompson at 520 feet 
above the level of the ocean, probably 
meaning the elevation of the railroad at 
that place. He did not claim minute ac- 
curacy, but as his estimate was deduced 



from data of surveys for canals and rail- 
roads, it is probably a very near approxi- 
mation. 

CARRYING THEIR VISITORS HOME. 

Somewhere between 1825 and 1830, a 
carpenter and joiner, named Downer, came 
with his family from Canada to build the 
house where Elijah Whitney now lives, for 
Jacob Putnam, and moved his family into 
a house about 2 miles easterly from Wor- 
cester Corner, and owned by Wm. Ar- 
buckle. Downer, for some reason, went 
to Canada in the winter, and left his wife 
and four or five children in Worcester, and 
during his absence they were aided by the 
town. DanforthW. Stiles then lived where 
he had made the first beginning, on what 
is now known as the Nichols' place, above 
Putnam's Mills, and the Downer family 
came there and to Jacob Putnam's on a 
visit. When they were ready to return 
home, they procured a team, and a boy 
started to drive them home and take the 
team back, but they were met near the line 
by Worcester men, who turned their team 
around, and told them to drive back into 
Middlesex, and they returned to Stiles'. 
Stephen Herrick was overseer of the poor 
in Middlesex, and Stiles immediately no- 
tified him of the affair, and he started with 
his team to carry the family back. He 
took the woman and children, and accom- 
panied by Stiles, they proceeded to within 
about a mile and a half of the house, which 
distance was through a thick woods, when 
they were stopped by two men who were 
felling trees across the road so lively that 
after considerable effort to cut their way 
thi'ough, they returned with the family to 
Middlesex, leaving the family at Esquire 
Baldwin's. 

Herrick went home, arriving there about 
dark, and rode about that part of the town 
to mform the men of his defeat and pro- 
cure assistance, and was soon on the road 
to Worcester again, accompanied by Elijah 
Holden, with a span of horses and double 
sleigh to carry the family, and by Horace 
Holden, Moses Holden, Xerxes Holden, 
Asa Chapin, Torry Hill, Josiah Holden 
Abram Gale, John Bryant, George Sawyer, 
Jeremiah Leland, Sanford White, Lewis Mc- 



MIDDLESEX. 



235 



Elroy and others, in all 22 men, with 9 teams 
and plenty of axes, bars and levers, with 
which to clear the track, and they were 
joined by Stiles when they reached his 
place, making 23 men. When they reach- 
ed the woods they were again stopped, 
this time by 16 Worcester men with axes, 
who commenced to fell trees into the road, 
as fully resolved to prevent any further tax 
to support the Downers, as the Boston 
"tea party " were to avoid paying the three 
cent tax on tea. The Middlesex men 
commenced clearing the road, and pro- 
ceeded some distance in that way, but the 
1 6 men kept the trees so thick in the road 
ahead, that Herrick ordered his men to 
leave the road, and cut a new road through 
the woods around the fallen trees. In 
this way they succeeded better, and when 
the trees became too numerous ahead, they 
dodged again, and brushed out a road 
around them, Holden following close be- 
hind with the family. As soon as it was 
certain that they would succeed, Herrick 
proceeded alone to the house, to protect 
that from being destroyed, and to have a 
fire when the woman and children should 
get there. 

Very soon after he reached the house, 
William Hutchinson entered with a fire- 
brand, and was about to set fire to the 
house, when Herrick seized him, threw 
him to the floor, and seating himself on 
Hutchin.son, held him fast. Torry Hill 
soon entered, with a gruff " whose here?" 
Herrick answered, " I am here, and here is 
this little Bill Hutchinson, who bothered 
me yesterday by felling trees into the road." 
"Let me have him," said Torry. Herrick 
released him, when he sprang for the fire, 
determined to carry out his purpose, but 
Torry seized him by the collar, and snap- 
ping him to the door, gave him a kick that 
made him say, " Til go ! " " Yes, you will 
go, and that d: — d quick, too," said Hill, 
giving him another kick, that sent him 
many feet from the house. 

Soon after both parties arrived at the 
house, and the family was escorted in about 
daybreak. A war of words followed, with 
some threatening. One tall, muscular, 
Worcester man, named Rhodes, stepped 



out, and threatening loudly, exclaimed, 
" I can lick any six of you!" Torry Hill 
sprang in front of him, and smacking his 
fists together, replied, " My name is six, 
come on!" but no blows were struck. 

Herrick was soon called before Judge 
Ware, of Montpelier, to answer to the 
charge of violating the statute against re- 
moving any person or persons from one 
town in this State to any other town in the 
State without an order of removal. It was 
proved conclusively that all the home they 
had was in Worcester, that they were vis- 
iting in Middlesex, and desired to return, 
and that the defendant only helped them 
to return to their house in Worcester. Wm . 
Upham and Nicholas Baylies, counsel for 
Worcester, and Judge Jeduthan Loomis 
for defendant. 

Although the Worcester people were 
beat, they did not give up, but arranged a 
double sled so that the driver's seat was 
attached to the forward sled, and a blow 
or two with an axe would free the hind sled 
and body, and taking the family on the 
sled, they gave them a free ride up north, 
and when in a suitable place the driver de- 
tached the forward sled, and trotted off 
towards home, leaving the woman and 
children in the road, comfortably tucked 
up in their part of the sled, and where 
they would be under the necessity of so- 
liciting the charity of Her Majesty's sub- 
jects in Canada. 

POPULATION AND GRAND LIST. 

1783, population i or 2 ; 1791,60; 1793, 
grand list ^280, ids.; 1800, population 
262; 1810, population 401, list $4770.37; 
1820, 726, $7623 ; 1830, 1 156, $5720 ; 1840, 
1279, $8240; 1850, 1365, $2952.52; i860, 
1254, $3459.51; 1870, 1171, $3584.63; 
1880, 1087, $3128; 1881, $5068. 

In 1794, our votes for governor were, 
for Thomas Chittenden 10, Elijah Paine 4, 
Louis R. Morris i, and Samuel Mattocks i. 

It was voted to raise 3d. per pound for 
making and repairing roads, and 2d. per 
pound to defray town expenses. 

The 5d. on a pound was 2 1-12 per ct. 
of the grand list, which was a great varia- 
tion from the 125 to 150 per ct. raised by 



236 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the town for a few years past for necessary 
expenses and highways. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first district extended along the 
river, but we have not learned the exact 
location of the first school-house. The 
district was divided in 1794, the line be- 
tween lots 6 and 7 on the river, and one 
school-house built near where the No. i 
school-house now stands, and No. 2 school- 
house, which was waslied away by the 
freshet of 1818, about half way from the 
village to where the road leading towards 
the Centre passes under the railroad. 

As the town became settled, new dis- 
tricts were organized until they numbered 
13, but at present only 1 1 support schools, 
two having been divided and set to other 
districts. With two or three exceptions, 
the school-houses have been newly built or 
repaired within a few years, and are in 
good condition, and the schools will com- 
pare favorably with the common schools 
of surrounding towns. 

The natural division of the township 
prevents any natural central point in town, 
and no high schools of any grade have 
been established here, but many of the 
larger scholars attend the high schools and 
seminaries at Montpelier, Barre, Water- 
bury and elsewhere. 

The number of families having children 
of school age is about 170, and the num- 
ber of school children only about 225, 
consequently our schools are all small 
compared with the schools of early days. 
About the year 1825 Stephen Herrick 
taught at the Centre and had 75 scholars ; 
Hubbard Willey sending 10, Ezra Nichols 
7, and others nearly as many. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Representatives — Samuel Harris was 
rei^resentative in 1791 ; Seth Putnam, 1792, 
'93, '94, '96, '97 to 1800, '3, '4, '5, '7, '8, 
'13 to '17, '22; Josiah Hurlburt, 1795; 
Henry Perkins, 1801, '2, '6; David Har- 
rington, 1809 to 1813, '17, '19, '21 : Na- 
thaniel Carpenter, 1818, '20; Josiah Hol- 
den, 1823, '24, '28, '29; Holden Putnam, 
1825, '26, '27, '34, '36, '40; John Vincent, 
1830, '33^ '35. '37; Wm. H. -Holden, 



1831 ; Wm. J. Holden, 1838; Leander 
Warren, 1841, '44, '58, '59 ; Horace Hol- 
den, 1842, '43; Wm. H. Holden, 1845; 
Joseph Hancock, 1846, '48; John Poor, 
1849, '5°; Oliver A. Chamberlin, 1851, 
'52, '55; Moses Holden, 1853, '54; Geo. 
Leland, 2d, 1856, '57; James H. Holden, 
i860; Jacob S. Ladd, 1861, '62; Wm. E. 
McAllister, 1863; C. C. Putnam, 1864, 
'65; Rufus Warren, 1866, '67; Charles B. 
Holden, 1868, '69; Jarvil C. Leland, 1870; 
Jacob Putnam, 1872; Sylvanus Daniels, 
1874; C. C. Eaton, 1876; Myron W. 
Miles, 1878; Wm. Chapin, 1880. 

Superintendents of Schools. — David 
Goodale was chosen in 1846; Aaron Ladd, 
1847, '48, '49; Stephen Herrick, 1850, '56, 
'66; George Bryant, 1851 ; Wm. H. Hol- 
den, 1852; Wm. Chapin, 1853, '57, '69; 
H. Fales, 1854; Anson Felton, 1855; H. 
L. McElroy, 1858, '61 to '66; Marcus 
Gould, 1859, '60; W. L. Leland, 1867; 
C. C. Putnam, Jr., 1868, '70; Elijah 
Whitney, 1879, '80; V.V.Vaughn, 1871 
to '79, '81. 

First Selectmen. — Thomas Mead, 
1790, '95, '96; Samuel Harris, 1791 ; Seth 
Putnam, 1792, '98, 1803, '4, '14, '15; Levi 
Putnam, 1793; Josiah Hurlburt, 1794; 
Leonard Lamb, 1797 ; Henry Perkins, 1799 ; 
David Harrington, 1800, 'i, '2; Ephraim 
Willey, 1805; Elisha Woodbury, 1806; 
Josiah Holden, 1807, '8 ; Nathaniel Car- 
penter, 1809, 'II, '13, '18, '19, '20, '21 ; 
Jo.seph Hutchins, 1810 ; Ephraim Keyes, 
1812; Daniel Houghton, 181 6; Jacob Put- 
nam, 1817; Horace Holden, 1822, '23, '27, 
'35' '36, '39, '46, '47 ; James Jordan, 1828; 
John Vincent, 1829, '30, '31, '34; Wm. H. 
Holden, 1833; Aaron Ladd, 1837; S. C. 
Collins, 1838; Leander Warren, 1840, '57; 
Geo. H. Lewis, 1841, '42, '53; O. A. 
Chamberlin, 1843, '44, '48, '49, '51 ; Sam- 
uel Daniels, 1845 ; George Leland, 1850, 
'52; C. C. Putnam, 1854, '71, '72, ''73; 
Jacob S. Ladd, 1855 ; Moses Holden, 1856; 
Wm. D. Mclntyre, 1858; David Ward, 
1859, '60, '66, '67, '68; Osgood Evans, 
1861 ; Andrew A. Tracy, 1862 ; Jas. H. 
Holden, 1863, '64; D. P. Carpenter, 1865 ; 
Jarvil C. Leland, 1869; Jacob Putnam, 



MIDDLESEX. 



237 



1870; Gardner Sawyer, 1874, '81; Elijah 
Somers, 1875 ; Wm. B. McElroy, 1876; 
Hiram A. Sawyer, 1877; Norris Wright, 
1878; D.-R. Culver, 1879; C. J. Lewis, 
1880. 

Constables. — The first constable elect- 
ed was Edmond Holden, in 1790; Daniel 
Hoadley, 1791 ; Jacob Putnam, 1792 ; Seth 
Putnam, 1793; Samuel Harris, 1794, '97, 
'98, '99 ; Josiah Hurlburt, 1795 ; Wm. Hol- 
den, 1796, 1820; Henry Perkins, 1800; 
Rufus Chamberlin, 1801 ; David Allen, 
1802; Ira Hawks, 1803; Thomas Mead, 
1804, '5, '6; David Harrington, 1807 to 
'13 ; Josiah Holden, 1814 ; Horace Holden, 
1817, '19, ''24 ; Luther Haskins, 1818 ; Dan- 
iel Houghton, 1821 ; Jeduthan Haskins, 
1822 ; Alexander McCray, 1825; Ira Mc- 
Elroy , 1825 ; O. A. Chamberlin, 1828; 
Wm. A. Nichols, 1829; Luther Farrar, 
1830, '31 ; D. P. Carpenter, 1833, '34, '36, 
'^y ; Gideon Hills, 1835 ; Stephen Herrick, 
1838, '39, '40, '42, '45 ; Geo. Leland, 1841 ; 
Philander Holden, 1843, '44- '4^; Geo. H. 
Lewis, 1847, '48, ''49; Wm. H. Holden, 
1850, '51 ; Wm. Slade, 1852; Frank A. 
Blodgett, 1853, '54 ; Curtis Haskins, 1855; 
Ezra Ladd, 1856, '57 ; Wm. Chapin, 1858, 
'59; C. B. Holden, i860 to '74; Myron W. 
Miles, 1874 to the present, 1881. 

Overseers since 1841. — Robert Mc- 
Elroy, 1842; Selectmen, 1843, '75 i Jedu- 
than Haskins, 1844; D. P. Carpenter, 
1845 ; Wm. S. Clark, 1846; Wm. D. Mc- 
Intyre, 1847, '67, '68, '69; Enos Stiles, 
1848, '49; Thomas Stowell, 1850; Benja- 
min Scribner, 1851, '53, '54, '64; Stephen 
Hen-ick, 1852, '58; Daniel B. Sherman, 
1855, '56; Geo. R. Sawyer, 1857; W. H. 
Clark, 1859; C. C. Putnam, i860 to '67 ; 
David Ward, 1870; Elijah Somers, 1871, 
'72, '73, '74; Seaver Howard, 1876, ''77; 
Putnam W. Daley, 1878; H. A. Sawyer, 
1879, '80, '81. 

First Justices. — Seth Putnam, 1789, 
1811, '12; Nathaniel Carpenter, 1813, '14, 
'15, '17, '18, '23 to '30, and '33 to '39; 
Rufus Chamberlin, 1816; Daniel Hough- 
ton, 1819, '20, '22; David Harrington, 
1821 ; Wm. H. Holden, 1831, '32, ""^S; 
Horace Holden, 1839, '40>'4i> '44i nearly 



all the time till his death, in 1865 ; Wm. 
T. Clark, 1842; Thomas Stowell, 1843; 
John Poor, 1853; Jas. H. Holden, 1864, 
'65, '67 to '72 ; Marcus Gould, 1866; C. C. 
Putnam, 1872, '73, '74. '75 ! D. P. Carpen- 
ter, '76, '77, '78, '80. Seth Putnam, first 
justice in 1789, held the office of justice 26 
years; David Harrington, 15 years; Thos. 
Stowell, 12 years; John Poor, 14 years; 
Nathaniel Carpenter, first justice, 20 years, 
and Horace Holden was justice at least 
38 years. 

Town Agents.— Stephen Herrick, 1842, 
'52. '57, '58, '60, '61, '66, '72; Geo. H. 
Lewis, 1843, '44; John Poor, 1845, '53; 
Holden Putnam, 1846 to '51 ; George W. 
Bailey, 1855, '56 ; Wm. D. Mclntyre, 1859 ; 
Leander Warren, 1862, '63, '64, '65, '71, 
'73 ; D. P. Carpenter, 1867, '68, '69 ; David 
Ward, 1870; C. C. Putnam, 1874, '75; 
Wm. Chapin, 1876, '77, '78, '80, '81 ; 
Rufus Warren, 1879. 

County Judges. — Hon. James H. Hol- 
den, Hon. Don P. Carpenter. 

Members of Constitutional Conven- 
tion. — Seth Putnam was member in 1793 ; 
Rufus Chamberlin in 18 14, '22, '28 and '36; 
Wm. H. Holden in 1843; O. A. Cham- 
berlin in 1850. 

Postmasters. — Theophilus Cushman 
was postmaster in 1824 ; Daniel Houghton, 
1828 ; Aaron Ladd, 1829; Moses L. Hart, 
1830; Nathaniel Bancroft, 1831 ; Moses L. 
Hart, 1832, ''23; Hiram Mclntyre, 1834 to 
'38; Ransom B. Jones, 1838, '39; Horace 
Snow, 1840 to '45 ; Wm. C. Stowell, 1845, 
'4*6; Harris Hoyt, 1847; A. A. Haskins, 
1848, '49 ; A. H. Hayes, 1850 ; Jesse John- 
son, Jr., 1851, '52; Anson G. Burnham, 
1853, '54; Geo. H. Lewis, 1855 to '59; 
Simpson Hayes, 1859, '60, '61 ; James H. 
Holden, 1862 to 1881, inclusive. 

Physicians. — A doctor by the name of 
Billings practiced and resided in Middle- 
sex in 1821 ; Holdridge soon after ; Joseph 
Lewis, 1825; Samuel Fifield, 1830; Daniel 
Kellogg, '33 ; Henry Dewey, '34 ; H. Dewey 
and Jona Webster, '35 ; Jona Webster, '36, 
'37; Rial Blanchard, '40, '41, '42; David 
Goodale, '44; F. B. Packard, '45 ; Chand- 
ler Poor, dentist, '45 ; David Goodale, '46, 



238 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



'47; A. H. Hayes and B. L. Conant, '48; 
A. H. Hayes, '49; Horace Fales, '50 '51, 
'52, '53' '54, '55 ; J. W. Sawin, '58, '59; 
H. L. Richardson, '61, '62, '63; O. L. 
Watson, '65, '66; — Risdon, '79; W. G. 
Church, '80 and '81. 

There might have been physicians in 
town previous to any named, but I have 
no such record or evidence. In addition 
to those named, other physicians have 
lived in town, among whom is Dr. Zela 
Richardson, a son of Frederick Richard- 
son, who was one of the first inhabitants 
of Stowe. The Dr. was born in Stowe in 
Dec. 1799, went to Castleton when about 
22 years of age, and studied for the pro- 
fession under Dr. Thompson, and com- 
menced practicing according to the Thomp- 
sonian system in Brandon and vicinity in 
about 1824. He moved to Stowe in 1833, 
and practiced some there till 1840, when 
he moved to where Silas Mead now re-' 
sides in Moretown, where he lived until 
1846, when he moved across the river to 
Middlesex village, where he has ever since 
resided, but for the last thirty years he has 
nearly discontinued practice. 

Among others who have lived and prac- 
ticed in town a short time each are a doc- 
tor by the name of Conant, and Dr. Spicer, 
Dr. Scott and a cancer doctor named Hill, 
and perhaps a few others. 

THE CLERGY OF THE TOWN. 

No record has been found of the first 
preaching in Middlesex, but it is known 
that about 1812 the Methodist minister of 
the Barre circuit preached occasionally in 
town, and that in 18 13, 

REV. STEPHEN HERRICK, 

of Randolph, took the place of the Baire 
circuit preacher, and in his circuit visited 
Middlesex often, and usually held meet- 
ings in the school-house, then standing on 
the north side of the road, very near the 
present line between the farms now occu- 
pied by Stephen Herrick and Joseph Ar- 
buckle. About the same time, 

NATHAN HUNTLEY 

organized a religious society, commonly 
called Elder Huntley's church, which in 
belief and manner of worship was nearest 



that of the Free Will Baptists. Elder 
Huntley continued his labors until about 
1822, when through his advice the society 
decided to disband, and many of the mem- 
bers joined the other churches. 

ELDER BENJAMIN CHATTERTON 

was probably a resident of Middlesex longer 
than any other preacher that has ever re- 
sided here. He was a member of Elder 
Huntley's church, and was ordained Elder, 
and commenced preaching soon after the 
society to which he belonged disbanded. 
He was a Free Will Baptist, and continued 
to preach in town occasionally until near 
his death. He was buried on the farm 
wliere he lived, on East Hill, now owned 
by Charles Silloway. 

A list of many of the clergymen who have 
labored in this town, with dates to show 
about what time they were preachers in 
Middlesex : John F. Adams, Methodist 
circuit preacher in 1821 ; E. B. Baxter 
Congregationalist, 183 1 ; Benjamin Chat 
terton, Free Will Baptist, 1834; E. G 
Page and Isaiah Emerson, Meth., '35 ; J 
T. Pierce, Cong., '38; Edward Copeland 
Meth., '39; Hiram Freeman, Cong., '39 
and '40 ; W. N. Peck, Meth., '40, '41 ; El- 
bridge Knight, Cong. ; and Wm. Peck and 
Israel Hale, Meth., '42 ; John H..Beckwith, 
Cong., and H. P. Cushman, Meth., '43, 
'44, '45 ; P. Merrill, Meth., '46; N. Web- 
ster in '47; D. Willis, Meth., '48; E. B. 
Fuller, Free Will Baptist, '51, '52; Joshua 
Tucker, Free Will Baptist, 'sS'i L. H. 
Hooker, Meth., and — Cummings, Free 
Will Baptist, '54; E. Dickerman, Meth., 
and O. Shipman, Free Will Baptist, '55, 
'56; Abner Newton, Meth., '57; J. S. 
Spinney, Meth., '58, '59; N. W. Aspin- 
wall, '60, '61 ; W. E. McAllister, Meth., 
'62, '63 ; T. Drew, Meth., '64; F. H. Rob- 
erts, '65, '66; A. Hitchcock, '67; Dyer 

Willis, '68; Goodrich, '69; W. A. 

Bryant, Meth., '71, '72, '73 ; O. A. Farley, 
'74, '75 j L. O. Sherburn, '76; C. S. Hurl- 
burt, '77, '78; T. Trevillian, '79, '80; 
W. H. Dean, '81. 

EARLY INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. 
The following account of the hardships 
of the first family who made a settlement 



MIDDLESEX. 



239 



in this town, from Deining's Vermont Offi- 
cers, 1851, written by Horace Holden: 

' ' Thomas Mead was the first settler in 
tlie town and the first in the county. He 
came from Westford, Mass., having pur- 
chased a right of land in Middlesex. He 
came as far as Royalton with his wife and 
two or three children. Here he shouldered 
his gun, knapsack and ax, and set forward 
alone to find Middlesex, on Winooski 
river. He went from Brookfield through 
the woods to the head of Dog river, fol- 
lowing that down to its junction with the 
Winooski, and over that river to Middle- 
sex, having informed his wife that in a 
given time he should return, unless he sent 
her word to the contrary. On his arrival 
he found Mr. Jonah Harrington had made 
a pitch, and commenced chopping about 2 
miles below Montpelier village, where he 
tarried till morning when he went down the 
river about 3 miles to the farm now owned 
by Thomas Stowell, where was formerly a 
tavern. Here he made his ''pilch,'''' and 
a very good one too for a farmer ; but had 
he continued down to the village of Mid- 
dlesex it might have been much better 
around the falls in that place. 

" He was so pleased with swinging his ax 
among the trees on his own land, subsist- 
ing on such game as he took with wooden 
traps and his gun, that his promise to his 
wife to return was not fulfilled. She be- 
came alarmed about him, procured a horse, 
loaded it with provisions, and set forth to 
find her husband ; following up White 
river to its source in Granville, thence 
down Mad river through Warren, Waits- 
field and Moretown to its junction with 
the Winooski about half a mile below 
Middlesex village, crossed that river and 
travelled up it about one mile, where, to 
her joy and his surprise, she found her 
husband in the afternoon of the third day, 
doing a good business among the maples, 
elms and butternuts. From Royalton to 
Rochester she had a bridle path, then to 
Middlesex were only marked or spotted 
trees ; was often under the necessity of un- 
loading her horse to get him past fallen 
timber, and often had to lead him some 
distance. Mr. Mead's family soon moved 



into town. Mr. Mead's third son, Joel, 
was born in Lebanon, N. H., Jan. 18, 
1785, she having gone there for better ac- 
commodations than Middle.sex then af- 
forded. Some time in June, 1785, Mrs. 
Mead was gone from home on a very 
cloudy afternoon. Mrs. Mead had to 
look for her cows, which ran in the woods 
at large. She started in good season, 
leaving three small children, one a nursing 
infant 5 months old, alone in the house. 
Not hearing the bell on the cows, she 
took their tracks and followed down the 
river about i^ miles, found where they 
had fed apparently most of the day, but 
no bell to be heard. She then sought 
their tracks, and found they had gone 
down the river, and over "Hog back 
mountain" to Waterbury, one of the 
roughest places in all creation, almost; 
but cows must be found, or children go to 
bed supperless. She made up her mind 
to "go ahead," and crossing the almost 
impassible mountain, and following on, 
found the cows near the present railroad 
depot in Waterbury, 6 or 7 miles from 
home . 

"By this time it had become dark, and 
backed up by a tremendous thunder- 
shower, rendered it so dark, that return- 
ing over that mountain in the night was 
out of cjuestion. In this unpleasant sit- 
uation, she found her way to Mr. James 
Marsh's, the only hut in that village, and 
stayed till the first appearance of daylight, 
when she started her cows for home on a 
double quick time, where she safely ar- 
rived before any of her children had com- 
pleted their morning nap. She concluded 
the children had so long a crying spell 
before going to sleep, they did not awake 
as early as usual." 

About 1795, Mr. M.ead kept a few 
sheep, the only sheep kept in town at that 
time. He had to keep a close watch of 
them and yard them nights, to keep them 
from falling a prey to the bears that were 
then plenty in the woods. 

One morning he found his sheep had 
broken out of their pen, and following 
them a short distance northerly from his 
house, he found a sheep that had been 



240 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



killed and partly eaten by the bears. He 
returned to his house, took his gun, and 
started in search of the intruders. He had 
not proceeded far into the woods before he 
came in sight of a bear that was on the re- 
treat. He proceeded cautiously after bruin, 
keeping the bear to the windward, and fol- 
lowed up the hill in a northern direction, 
until he came near the top of the hill, when 
he again came in sight of his game, and 
was skulking along to get a better chance 
to shoot, when his wife, who had become 
alarmed by his absence and followed him, 
came in sight and halloed to him. This 
started the bear, but a quick shot rolled 
the sheep-thief over on the ground lifeless. 
The courageous woman told her husband 
she had seen another bear while she was 
searching for him, and they started back 
in the direction where she had seen it. 
They had not proceeded far when they 
came in sight of the second bear, which 
Mr. Mead also killed with one shot from 
his faithful gun. They then returned 
towards where the sheep had been killed, 
thinking to pick up and save the wool that 
had been scattered by the carniverous 
shearers. 

As they came in sight of the spot, bruin 
number three was finishing his morning 
meal. Mr. Mead immediately settled his 
account with this bear in the same way he 
settled with the other two, and went home 
feeling very well after his before-breakfast 
exercise. He then informed the few neigh- 
bors in town of what he had done, who 
collected together, helped get the three 
bears out of the woods and dress them, 
and all had a "jovial time" and joyful 
feast. 

As the number of settlements in town 
increased, the bears became less numerous, 
and when one was seen it was often the 
occasion of a lively and exciting chase. 
Sometimes nearly all the men within four 
or five miles would join in the chase, or 
surround the woods in which the bear was 
known to be, and lucky was the animal 
if he escaped unharmed. Three bears were 
killed one year at three such hunts. At 
one time, about the year 1830, a bear was 
discovered somewhere near the spot where 



the guide-board now is, near the Centre, 
and "all hands" started in pursuit. Geo. 
Holden, then living at the Centre, where 
Mrs. Daniels now resides, started with a 
pitchfork, the weapon he happened to have 
in his hands when he first heard the cry, 
"a bear! a bear!" The bear was chased 
down towards theWinooski, and made his 
way to somewhere near the river on the 
Governor's Rights, where, being worried 
by dogs and hotly pursued by men, he un- 
dertook to climb a tree that stood on a 
very steep side-hill. Mr. Holden, then a 
strong, courageous young man, was near, 
and ran to the foot of the tree as the bear 
was hitching up it, and stuck the pitchfork 
into the bear's posterior. Bruin , not liking 
10 be helped up in that way, dropped upon 
his hind feet, and threw his fore feet around 
Mr. Holden's body. Holden at the same 
time seized the bear "at a back-hug hold," 
and they tumbled over on the ground, and 
rolled over and over to the foot of the hill, 
and some say into the river, where they 
quit their holds, and bruin ran until he was 
out of the way of men and pitchforks, and 
went up another tree. The word spread 
rapidly that the bear was up a tree, and the 
men gathered together and commenced 
shooting at him. Many shots had been 
fired when Horace Holden put in an ap- 
pearance. After amusing himself and 
others present for a few minutes by crack- 
ing jokes and telling stories at the expense 
of the sharp-shooters, who were too ex- 
cited to kill a bear, he expressed a desire to 
try it himself. No sooner did his rifle 
crack than the bear loosened his hold on 
the tree and fell to the ground. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE EAST PART 
OF THE TOWN. 

Jacob Putnam settled where Elijah Whit- 
ney now lives in 1802 ; Micah Hatch on 
the old Hatch place, so-called, the same 
year; Wm. Lewis on the Lathrop Lewis 
farm in 1805 ; John Arbuckle where Put- 
nam Daley now lives, about 1808; Lewis 
McElroy where Dudley Jones now lives, in 

1822; Caleb Bailey and York lived 

on the George Herrick farm in 1823 ; Ich- 
abod Cummings began on the Ziba Smith 
farm in 1824, lived there one year, and re- 



MIDDLESEX. 



241 



moved the next year to the farm where he 
with his Oramel, now live ; Daniel Colby 
lived on the farm where Frank Maxham 
and son now live, in 1826. 

The most ancient writings with a pen 
in town, are probably in the possession of 
James Vaughn, among which is a book 
commenced by George Vaughn in Oct. 
1687 ; the writing done by him being very 
neatly executed, and a commission of 
1696, given here et literatem : 

"William Stoughton Esqr Lieutent 
Governour and Comander in chief in and 
over his Matys Province of the lllasssa- 
chusetts Bay in New England. To Jo- 
seph Vaughn Greeting, By virtue of the 
power and authority in and by his Matys 
Royal Commission to me granted, I do by 
these presents constitute and appoint you 
to be Ensign of the Foot Company of Mili- 
tia in the Town of Middleboro within 
the County of Plimouth whereof Jacob 
Thompson Gent is Lieutenant. You are 
therefore carefully and diligently to dis- 
charge the duties of an Ensign by order- 
ing and Exercising the sd Company in 
arms both Inferiour Officers and Souldiers 
Keeping them in good order and Disci- 
pline, Commanding them to obey you as 
their ensign, And yourself to observe and 
follow such orders and directions as you 
shall receive from your sd Lieutenant and 
other your Superiour Officers, according to 
the Rules and Discipline of War pursuant 
to the trust reposed in you. Given under 
my hand & seal at arms at Boston the 
Fifth day of August, 1696, In the Eighth 
year of the Reign of our sovereign, Lord 
William the Third, by the Grace of God, 
of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, 
King, Defender of the Faith, &c. 

By Command of the Lieut. Governor., &c. 
Wm. Stoughton." 

Jsa. Addington, Secr'y. 

THE MIDDLESEX MONEY DIGGERS. 

" May Martin, or The Money Diggers," 
by D. P. Thompson, is known to be found- 
ed upon the fact that men dug here for 
money, at the foot of the nearly perpendic- 
ular drop of a hundred feet or more from 
the southerly part of the highest peak of 
Camel's Hump. It was commenced by a 
few men in 1824 or '25, who built a shanty 
there, one side a large piece of detached 
ledge, the other three sides, log of un- 
trimmed spruce and fir, quite young ; the 



roof formed by drawing in the trees as 
they neared the top, until the boughs met 
the ledge above, which shelter being pro- 
tected from the north and west winds by 
the high ledge, made a warm and com- 
fortable place, under which the men pro- 
fessed to dig in search of the treasure sup- 
posed to have been secreted by Capt. Kidd 
somewhere on this continent. They were 
in part directed in their search by a woman 
living towards the North part of tlie State, 
who claimed to see into unsearchable things 
by looking into a transparent quartz stone 
or piece of glass. This company subsisted 
mainly by duping the nearest settlers so as 
to get them to furnish food. One man let 
them have his sheep to eat until they had 
devoured a large flock, he expecting good 
pay when the treasure should be found. 
Many were the conjectures as to the object 
of these money-diggers. Some thought 
they were a band of counterfeiters, others 
that they were a set of thieves, while a few 
thought they were honestly digging for 
money, and were hopeful for their success. 

Their work was brought to a close by a 
party of young men from Middlesex, among 
whom was Enos Stiles, who gives the fol- 
lowing account of their expedition, he be- 
ing the only one of the party now alive : 

Dec. II, 1826, between 8 and 9 o'clock 
in the evening, Ira McElroy, Calvin Farrar, 
Amos L. Rice, Archy McElroy, Jerry Mc- 
Elroy, Alexander M. Allen and Enos Stiles 
started from Middlesex village for Camel's 
Hump, with a view to discover what they 
could of the work or object of the money- 
diggers there, and were accompanied by 
Nathaniel Carpenter, then a justice of the 
peace, who went to act as an official if 
any arrests should be made. As they 
started, it so happened Danforth Stiles, 
from the east part of Middlesex, one Hink- 
son and one Reed were on their way to the 
mountain, and fell in with them. There 
was no temperance law then to forbid, no 
Good Templars to interfere, and acting 
upon the principle that which contained 
the most heat and stimulus was the best 
beverage for a long journey in a winter's 
night, they took two gallons of new rum 
for drink with them, and what provisions 



31 



242 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



needed beside. Leaving their teams at 
Ridley's tavern, now Ridley's Station, they 
took their provision and drink, and pro- 
ceeded on foot to the mountain, about 6 
miles distant. Esq. Carpenter stopped at 
the last house at the foot of the mountain 
to await for business, if needed, and the 
other seven of the party kept on up the 
steep mountain, through some two or three 
miles of thick forest. 

When about half way up, after crossing 
a spruce ridge and coming into hard wood 
where it was lighter, they called the roll, 
and found one man missing. Three men 
were detailed to go back and find him, 
which they did some one-third mile back, 
lying in the snow fast asleep, having ap- 
parently fallen asleep and dropped out of 
line unnoticed by the rest of the party. 
Nothing more of note occurred until they 
arrived in the early break of day at the 
headquarters of the money-diggers, where 
they found Rodney Clogston, of Middle- 
sex, the leader of the band, one Shackford, 
Eastman, and Friezell, up, dressed, with a 
good fire burning before the shanty. 

After looking over the premises a little, 
four of the party went up to the top, and 
were there at sunrise playing a game of 
cards. The south wind was blowing warm, 
and they suffered no inconvenience from 
cold. It had been warm for a number of 
days, and the snow was not very deep at 
that time. After taking breakfast, well- 
washed down, the Middlesex party com- 
menced a thorough search for goods, coin- 
ing implements, treasures or excavations, 
which continued till about i o'clock p. m., 
and resulted in finding nothing except a 
little digging done inside of the shanty in 
the ledge that formed one of its sides, 
about what might have been done by two 
men with powder, good drills and a sledge 
in one day. 

Giving up searching, the party came to- 
gether at the camp and had a social time, 
until some were feeling pretty well, when 
one man said he did not want to trouble 
the camp for anything, and offered to pur- 
chase one cent's worth of meat, which was 
dealt out to him. 

Then some of the boys, being possessed 



of evil spirits as well as good, commenced 
to break spruce twigs and put them on the 
fire for the. fun of seeing them burn ; this 
made a division, and two opposing parties 
were formed. Two of the men from the 
east part of the town sided with the dig- 
gers, and one remained silent and neutral, 
which made six against seven, when the 
invaders commenced piling on larger brush, 
and soon had the shanty in a rousing blaze. 
The diggers defended their property smartly 
by words, and declared that their things 
should all burn and the boys would be 
compelled to pay for them ; but no fighting 
was donfe, and before the fire reached any 
of their things they made a rush and saved 
their trumpery, and let the shanty burn. 
The bmsh was so dry, the blaze shot into 
the air some fifty feet, making a splendid 
sight, but the diggers' lodge was reduced 
to ashes. In less than two hours after, the 
money-diggers were all on the march for 
home, thus ending the digging for Captain 
Kidd's treasures on Camel's Hump. 

THE COLDEST NIGHT HERE 

in the month of July since the year iSi6, 
was probably in 1829. Enos Stiles relates 
that he worked at haying for Elijah Holden 
on the farm where Gardner Sawyer now 
resides, in 1829, and that he and two 
other men who were mowing on the loth 
of July threw down their whetstones on a 
swath of hay, one above another, and that 
when he took up the upper stone on the 
morning of the nth, the stones were 
frozen together so that he raised the three 
together when he lifted the top one. But 
he says the frost did not seriously injure 
the growing crops. 

FIRES. 

The only fire in town supposed to be in- 
cendiary was that burning the store, tavern- 
house and barns standing where B. Bar- 
rett's store and tavern now stand, and 
owned in 1835 by a man named Mann. 
In May, that year, the buildings, with 3 or 
4 horses and one ox, were burned, and 
Simeon Edson, who kept tavern where J. 
Q. Hobart now lives, was arrested on 
charge of setting the fire. At a justice 
trial the jury found him guilty, and he was 



MIDDLESEX. 



243 



lodged in jail to await County Court trial. 
After being in jail for some time, he got 
bail, and never appeared at trial, and as 
there was lack of good proof, his bonds 
were never called for. 

THE SAP-FEEDER, 

SO generally used by maple sugar-makers 
to run the sap into the pans or evaporators 
as fast as it evaporates, was invented by 
the late Moses Holden, Esq., who for 
many years owned and carried on the 
sugar-place about 2 miles from his home 
in the village ; was a part of the Scott farm. 
He was a large, strong man, a great 
worker, and seldom had any help in sugar- 
ing, and often felt the need of having his 
sap boiling safely when he was away. 
Hearing a description of a floating con- 
trivance for regulating the amount of water 
running into the flume of a certain mill, gave 
him an idea about regulating the sap running 
into his sap-pans, and he went to Montpelier 
and told one of the tinmen there what he 
wanted made. The tinman would have 
nothing to do with it for fear of ridicule in 
case of a failure ; but going to another tin- 
shop, the tinman made the feeder accord- 
ing to directions, and only asked for a 
chance to make more if it proved a suc- 
cess. Mr. Holden took his invention 
home, elevated his sap-holder, put on his 
feeder, and started a fire. It worked well 
during the day, and when he left at night, 
he filled his holder with sap and his arch 
with wood, and when he returned in the 
morning, found his holder nearly empty 
and everything right. He never applied 
for a patent, but used this first feeder as 
long as he sugared, and it is still used by 
Wm. Scott, who bought the sugar-place. 

Moses Holden died in May, 1878, at an 
advanced age. He had always been a res- 
ident of the town, had represented it in 
the Legislature twice, and had filled many 
offices of trust and responsibility. Many 
stories are told of his physical strength, 
one of them being to the effect that he has 
been known to cut and split 8 cords of three- 
foot wood in one day. He could lift up a 
full barrel of cider, hold it, and drink from 
the bunof-hole. 



BURYING GROUNDS. 

At an early date, Hon. Seth Putnam 
deeded his one-acre lot in the white pine 
division, which is in the village, on the 
east side of the street opposite the railroad 
depot, to the town for a burying ground. 
The yard is well fenced, and kept in as 
good condition as the scanty room will ad- 
mit. I have not learned who was the first 
person buried there, and the number can- 
not be very accurately determined, but the 
cemetery is nearly all occupied. 

The following names, taken mostly from 
the headstones there, show that there sleep 
some of the brave veterans who fought to 
establish our nation, and some of the dar- 
ing pioneers who cleared the dense forest 
from our fertile fields : 

Lyman Tolman, aged 95, Cyrus Hill, 94, 
Ebenezer Woodbury — Revolutionary sol- 
diers ; Hon. Seth Putnam, fourth settler in 
town, 93 ; Capt. Holden Putnam, Captain 
at Plattsburgh, 86; Jesse Johnson, Sen'r, 
86 ; Luther Haskins, 84 ; Mary Petty Has- 
kins, wife of Luther, 81 ; Sally, wife of Dr. 
Joseph Lewis, 83 ; Polly Goldthwait, 79 ; 
Elihu Atherton, 79 ; Moses Holden, 78 ; 
Aaron Ladd, 78 ; Jesse Johnson, Jr., ']']. 

As the ripened autumn leaves surely 
and successively drop from the forest trees 
and are borne to the silent earth, so are 
we, in sure succession, dropping from the 
stage of life, and being borne to the silent 
cities of the departed. And as the inhab- 
itants of these cities will soon outnumber 
those living in our villages and along our 
valleys and hill sides, it seems just and 
appropriate proper mention should be 
made of them ; and I think much credit is 
due the inhabitants of this town and near 
vicinity for the improving and adorning of 
their cemeteries. The ground now called 

THE MIDDLESEX CENTRE CEMETERY, 

is now one of the most neatly arranged 
country cemeteries to be found ; situated 
in a sightly, pleasant place, on the east 
side of the first made and most direct 
road from the village to the Centre, about 
2 miles from the river, on the top of the 
first of three elevations of rolling ground 
found in coming from the village on this 



244 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



road. Along the roadside and within the 
gate near the entering avenue, is a grove 
of handsome maples in rows, casting their 
shade upon the turf and over the pretty, 
white school house upon the left. The 
grounds within the cemetery are neatly 
arranged in 6 rows of lots, with 3 carriage 
avenues running the length of the ground 
and cross avenues. Each lot is raised 
above the avenues, with walk left between 
each 2 lots, and flowers, blooming shrubs 
and roses, break the mat of thick green grass 
and add their beauty to the sacred plots. 
A substantial wall and close-trimmed cedar 
hedge inclosing all. 

But it is more the tasteful arrangement 
of the whole that makes the place seem 
beautiful for every one, than any profuse 
adornment. The stranger, too, pauses to 
admire the lovely scenery around as well, 
and the mourners feel a spirit of thankful- 
ness that their dear friends are resting in 
so fair a place. 

There are some 200 graves here now, 
with many monuments. Jan. i, 181 2 Na- 
than Benton, one of the first settlers, 
deeded 2 acres of land here to Joseph 
Chapin, Josiah Holden and 16 others: the 
land tc be used for a neighborhood bury- 
ing ground. In the spring of 1822 there 
were 5 graves in this ground, but it was 
in an open field, and had not been exactly 
located. That year the neighbors met 
and appointed Stephen Herrick to meas- 
ure and stake out the ground, and a fence 
was built around it. 

But little was done to improve it more 
until about 1856, when through the influ- 
ence and under the supervision of Horace 
Holden, the friends of the deceased buried 
there, and others who felt interested, be- 
gan to kill the weeds and brakes that had 
become abundant, and improvements were 
continued from time to time till 1858, when 
everything was completed nearly as at pres- 
ent. In 1866, an association was formed 
called " The Middlesex Centre Cemetery 
Association," to which Aaron Ladd, Asa 
Chapin, and 21 others, owners of lots, 
deeded their right and title. Under the 
Association each one of those who deeded 
and each one who took an active part in 



the work of improving the ground were en- 
titled to a family lot. 

SOME OF THE OLDEST 

buried here are : Elizabeth McElroy, came 
from Scotland to U. S. in 1740, died in 
1823, aged 99; Joseph Chapin, SenV, 96 
Susanna Chase, 89 ; Jeremiah Leland, 78 
Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah Leland, 88 
Samuel Daniels, 87 ; Lucretia, wife of Sam- 
uel Daniels, 78 ; Polly McElroy, 84 ; San- 
ford White, 80; Maj. John Poor, 79, and 
Eliza M., his wife, ']■}, — both buried in one 
grave; Joseph Chapin, Jr., 78 ; Horace 
Holden, 74 ; Marian Leland, 92 ; Abram 
Gale, 78, and Mary, his wife, 92 ; Marga- 
ret Mead, 79 ; Benjamin Willey, 72 ; Mary 
Wilson, 73 ; Hosea Minott, 74 ; Knight 
Nichols, 81, and Mercy, his wife, 92 ; Geo. 
H. Lewis, 71. 

THE NORTH BRANCH CEMETERY. 

On North Branch, about i mile below 
Putnam's Mills, is another cemetery, of 
which Mr. Putnam furnishes the following 
description : 

"About 1 8 ID, J no. Davis was buried on 
land then occupied by him, known as the 
Scudder lot, nearly in front of his house, 
on the opposite side of the road. After 
that time the place was used for a burying 
ground, and k of an acre was enclosed with 
a log-fence. At that time a man by the 
name of Flanders lived where Chester 
Taylor now lives ; Levi Lewis and wife, 
Polly, lived where G. M. Whitney now 
does. J no. Davis and wife, Nancy, were 
the first who lived on the Stiles place. 
James Pittsly and wife, Esther, commenced 
on the place known as the Bohonnon 
place, on the east side of the stream, now 
occupied by Jacob Putnam. After this, 
Wm. Lewis purchased the Scudder lot and 
the inhabitants erected a board fence around 
the burying lot. Oct. 8, 1863, an asso- 
ciation was formed called the North Branch 
Cemetery Association. The trustees pur- 
chased id acres, together with the old 
ground of Lathrop Lewis, son of Wm. 
Lewis, for $150, and built a good, substan- 
tial fence around it, erected a hearse-house 
and purchased a hearse. The location 
being on the main road, and the soil dry 



MIDDLESEX. 



245 



and sandy, makes it the most desirable 
cemetery in the town." 

Some of the oldest buried in North 
Branch Cemetery were : Clarissa Gould, 
aged 66 ; Ruth Minott, 66 ; Daniel Russell, 
68; his wife. Temperance, 8i ; Reuben 
Russell, 78; his wife, Susannah, 69; John 
Gallison, 83 ; his wife, Phebe, 85 ; Allen 
Gallison, 68; Enoch Kelton, 64; his wife, 
Huldah, 72 ; Josiah Wright, 76; his wife, 
Betsy, 84 ; Nathaniel Wentworth, 71 ; Eliz- 
abeth, reUctof Moses Wentworth, 87 ; Wil- 
liam Lewis, 88 ; his wife, Hannah, 67 ; 
Jacob Putnam, 73 ; his wife, Polly W., 57 ; 
Betsy Thayer, 67 ; Isaac Batchelder, 61 ; 
his wife, Mary, 68 ; David Herrick, 86 ; 
his wife, Mary, 85 ; Stephen C. Jacobs, 76 : 
Andrew Tracy, 75 ; his wife, Levina, 84 ; 
Ebenezer Cummings, 94 ; Abel H. Cole- 
man, 75; David Gray, 82; David Hatch, 
63 ; his wife, Sarah, 57 ; John McDermid, 
nearly ']'] ; his wife, Adelia, nearly 72 ; 
Louiza Lane, 72; Margaret Smith, 81; 
Thomas Culver, 71 ; his wife, Anna, 73 ; 
Zeley Keyes, 76; Micah Hatch, 83; his 
wife, Mary, 69 ; Ephraim Hall, 68 ; Tim- 
othy Worth, 84 ; Solomon Lewis, 89 ; his 
wife, Susannah, 70; his second wife, Lu- 
cinda, 68 ; Elizabeth Church, 60 ; Sabra 
Burreli, 85 ; Wm. R. Kinson, 56; Hannah 
Kinson, 73 ; Eunice Edgerly, 64. 

Mrs. Lydia King, widow of Elder Na- 
thaniel King, died at the house of her son- 
in-law, Stephen Herrick, at the age of 91 
years, and was buried in Northfield. 

REMARKABLE CASE OF PETRIFACTION. 

In March, 1846, James Vaughn (the 
writer's father,) and family, which in- 
cluded his father, Daniel Vaughn, moved 
from Pomfret, this state, on to a farm in 
the N. W. part of Middlesex. 

"Uncle Daniel," as he was universally 
called in Windsor County, was a man 
about 5 feet, 10 inches in height, broad 
shouldered, stout built, and weighing some 
more than 200 lbs. He was noted for his 
remarkable strength, his strong, heavy 
voice, his sociality, his song-singing and 
story-telling, and was a notedly robust 
man, the solidity of muscle increasing as 
age advanced to such an extent as to 



make it necessary for him to use a cane 
or crutches for the last 15 years of his life. 

He died of dropsy June 3, 1846, aged 
78 years, and by his request was buried in 
a place selected by himself in a sightly 
spot near the house where he died. The 
following March the eldest daughter of 
James Vaughn, aged 16, died of consump- 
tion, and was buried in a grave near her 
grandfather. In Feb. 1855 their remains 
were taken up to be removed to the family 
burying-lot in Woodstock cemetery. The 
remains of the young lady were found in 
the usual condition of those buried that 
length of time. 

The uncommon heft of Mr. Vaughn's 
coffin led to an examination of the re- 
mains, when it was found that the body 
had become petrified. Every part, ex- 
cepting the nose, was in perfect form, 
nearly its natural color, but a little more 
of a yellowish tinge, hard like stone, and 
it weighed 550 lbs. The petrified body 
was viewed by Mr. Vaughn's family and 
many of the neighbors in Middlesex, and 
was also seen by many at Woodstock. A 
somewhat minute examination by physi- 
cians and scientific men revealed the fact 
that the fingers, toes and the outer part of 
the body were very hard and brittle, but 
that the length of time had not been suffi- 
cient to so fully change the inner portions 
of the most fleshly parts of the body and 
limbs. But it was generally believed by 
those who made examination that a few 
years more of time would have made the 
work of petrifaction complete, and chan- 
ged the entire body to a mineral forma- 
tion, that would perhaps endure for ages. 

A biographical sketch of him we have 
not given, as it properly belongs in Pom- 
fret history, of which town he was an 
early settler. 

SUDDEN AND ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. 

Luther Haskins, aged about 80, died in 
a chair in Barrett & Holden's store. He 
.sat leaning slightly back, and was first 
noticed to be dead by Will Herrick, who 
happened to go into the store. 

Nancy Hornbrook, aged 16, daughter of 
Wm. Hornbrook, dropped dead at a party 
at Alfred Warren's, about the year 1856. 



246 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



When the railroad was being built, Lo- 
vina Cameron, aged about 13, dau. of Ira 
Cameron, of this town, was visiting in 
Berlin. She and a cousin and another girl 
were walking over the railroad bridge near 
Montpelier Junction, stepping from one 
stringer to another, all having hold of 
hands, when one made a misstep, and Miss 
Cameron and her cousin fell through into 
the river and were drowned. 

U. W. Goodell, nephew of L. D. Ains- 
worth, was struck on the forehead by a 
stick thrown by a circular saw while work- 
ing in Mr. Ainsworth's saw-mill, and lived 
but a few hours. 

Chester Newton, while working in the 
same mill, helping to saw logs, was twitch- 
ed upon the large circular saw, by the saw 
catching a board he was moving, and so hor- 
ribly mangled that he lived but a short time. 

Alvaro, son of Frederick Richardson, 
brakeman on the cars, aged 26 years, was 
killed by his head striking the timbers 
overhead in the dry-bridge at Waterbury, 
in 1879. Hinkley Chapin, aged 22, was 
killed at the same place, and in the same 
way, in 1851. 

In 1872, Louis AmePs house, on east 
hill, caught fire from smoking meat in the 
wood-shed, and Mr. Amel was overcome 
by the flames while removing property, 
and burned with the house. Age, 51 yrs. 

Nathaniel Daniels was drowned in 1818 ; 
see account of freshets. George, a son of 
Hiram Williams, was drowned in the river 
below the Narrows, while bathing, aged 
about 16. Frank, son of Osgood Evans, 
was in a boat above the Narrows, one pad- 
dle broke, and he went over the falls and 
was drowned. His body was found in the 
eddy below the Narrows. . The only son 
of Asa Chapin, was drowned in a spring 
while drawing water for use in the house, 
and a little son of Samuel Mann was 
drowned in a spring on the Stephen Her- 
rick farm. 

James Daniels, aged about 78, living at 
Lawrence Fitzgerald's, was found dead in 
bed in the morning. 

There have been 10 cases of suicide in 
the last 60 years by Middlesex people, 7 of 
which were committed in town. 



STEPHEN HERRICK. 

BY THE EDITOR. 

We do not usually give sketches of the 
living, but the senior writer of this town 
history being so aged a man, and it being 
somewhat remarkable in his case that of 
210 men living in the town when he set- 
tled here, who had families, that he has 
been the last survivor of them all for eight 
and a half years past, it seems a moderate 
autobiographic record in such circum- 
stances is admissible. 

Mr. Herrick is of English and Scotch 
descent, son of Stephen, senior ; born in 
Randolph, Vt., Feb. 19, 1795. In the 
fall of 1820, he came to Middlesex, and se- 
lected his location, bought in October, but 
returned to Randolph, taught school that 
winter after in Brookfield, and returned to 
Middlesex in April, 1821. He bought his 
farm of Reuben Mann, son of Samuel, who 
was one of the first settlers, and where Mr. 
H. has continued to reside for the past 61 
years. He married Lydia, dau. of Rev. 
Nathaniel King ; their children : Eliza — 
mar. ist, Chester Pierce of N. H., 2d, 
Samuel Warren of Middlesex, 3d, Ad in 
Miles of Worcester, has three children 
living : Nathaniel King, the only son, 
who m. Jane Foster, 3 children, 2 living — 
King Herrick, as he is always called, is a 
merchant at Middlesex village ; Emily R., 
who died at 22 ; Harriet, who m. Abram 
S. Adams, had 5 children, and is deceased : 
Laura Jane, who m. John McDermid, had 
2 daughters, buried one ; Nancy Jane, who 
m. Arthur McDermid, bro. to John, 3 chil- 
dren, her husband dying, m. 2d, Freder- 
erick A. Richardson ; Lydia Ann, who 
mar. Heman Taplin, no children ; and 
youngest, Alma R., born In 1842, married 
V. V. Vaughn, Mar. 8, 1865,— children, 
Mabel, died at 10 yeafs, Wilmar Herrick, 
Ida Alma, and Frank Waldo. 

Mr. Herrick has been a man of great 
physical strength and vigorous mind. 
The following will evince what his mental 
ability has been : 

When the Vt. Central R. R. was being 
built, Abram B. Barker and Thomas 



MIDDLESEX. 



247 



Haight contracted to build 2 miles of it 
below Middlesex village. They carried 
on work for about a year and failed. Ste- 
phen Herrick took a contract to finish the 
work; carried it on about 13 months, and 
in consequence of short estimates also 
failed — but for which he immediately com- 
menced a suit against the R. R. Co., and 
afterwards was retained for and commen- 
ced a suit in favor of Barker and Haight 
as agent for their creditors. After carry- 
ing on these suits for 8 years he got a de- 
cree against the R. R. Co. in his own 
case for about $9000 ; the Barker & 
Haight suit he prosecuted for 20 years be 
fore getting a final decree. 

In these suits he took all his testimony 
himself, examined his witnesses himself 
in court, and wrote out his own pleas. In 
a word he was his own lawyer. It is said 
he once appeared in Supreme court with 
his case written out, filling 300 pages, that 
Gov. Paine, the president of the road, 
said that that book would be the death of 
him. Mr. Herrick tells the story now 
well, and adds //lai it was. When Gov. 
Paine was summoned, he told the officer 
he had rather meet the devil than that 
Stephen Herrick in the court. 

He has also successfully, as town agent, 
managed many suits for the town, includ- 
ing the noted Wythe pauper suit with 
Moretown, the Beckwith suit in regard to 
settling the 3 ministerial lots, and the East 
Hill road suit, and has managed many 
grand jury suits, in all of which he acted 
as his own counsel and made his own 
pleas. 

The Saturday before the death of the late 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin, these two old men 
met upon the street at Montpelier village. 
Said Mr. Baldwin, "We two old men, 
the two oldest inhabitants of ourresi^ective 
neighboring towns, should have a visit to- 
gether." Mr. Herrick assented, and asked 
where it should be. "It must be at my 
house," replied Mr. Baldwin, " and next 
Saturday, one week from to-day." The 
following Wednesday Mr. Baldwin died. 
Mr. Herrick seems remarkably hale and 
hearty yet. 



REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. 

No official list of Revolutionary soldiers 
who have resided in Middlesex can be ob- 
tained, but the following-named men are 
said to have been Revolutionary pension- 
ers who have lived in town : Estes Hatch, 
— Sloan, Jas. Hobart, Cyrus Hill, Micah 
Hatch, David Phelps, Col. Joseph Hutch- 
ins, Joseph Chapin, Sr., Lyman Tolman. 

Seth Putnam was one of the first three 
settlers in Washington County, having 
moved into Middlesex in 1785. He was a 
cousin to the noted Israel Putnam, and as 
a subaltern in Col. Warner's celebrated 
regiment of Green Mountain Boys, partic- 
ipated in their battles and marches in the 
old Revolution. He related many of his 
adventures of the first settlement, and 
among them one of a remarkable march 
which he made through the wilderness in a 
snow-storm, from Rutland, where he had 
been in attendance as a member of the 
legislature during the month of November. 
The only traveled road to his home was 
then around by Burlington, 

SOLDIERS, BURIED IN TOWN IN THE 
WAR OF 1 86 1. 

S. F. Jones, Jacob Jones and Zenas 
Hatch, — in North Branch Cemetery. 

Chester Newton, — in the Cemeteiy at 
the Center. 

Nathaniel Jones, — in the village Ceme- 
tery. 

Mrs. Esther Shontell, of this town, sent 
seven sons into the army in this war : Wil- 
liam, who measured 6 feet 8 inches in 
height ; Benjamin, 6 feet 4 inches ; Fred- 
erick, 6 feet 3 inches ; Leander, 5 feet 9 
inches ; Lewis, 6 feet i inch ; Joseph, 6 
feet 7 inches ; Augustus, 6 feet. Two of 
the brothers were killed ; and the mother 
draws a pension for one of them. Anoth- 
er left a widow, and two are pensioned on 
account of wounds. 

O, the strong Middlesex boys 
W ere luad for tlie war I 

And Die name of each Iiero 
To the ages afar 

Shall leave a track like a comet- 
Each shine as a star. 



248 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



List of Men credited to the Town of Middlesex, i 861-1865. 

BY STEPHEN IIERKICK. 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS. 



Names. 


Age. 


Reg. Co. 


Enlistment. 


Brown, Harvey W. 


19 


2 F 


May 7 61 


Smith, William S. 


22 


do 


do 


Ripley, William C. 


21 


3H 


June I 61 


Scribner, Walter 


21 


4G 


Aug 22 61 


Herrick, George S. 


23 


do 


Aug 29 61 


Leonard, Alonzo R. 


21 


do 


Sept 3 61 


Leonard, Charles P. 


19 


do 


do 


Cushman, George H. 


34 


do 


Aug 22 61 


Evans, Goin B. 


21 


6 G 


Feb 1862 


Gould, Page 


21 


6H 


Aug 14 61 


Gould, Worthen T. 


18 


do 


do 


Jones, Stephen F. 


44 


do 


do 


Jones, Jacob G. 


18 


do 


do 


Divine, John 


30 


6 G 


Oct 15 61 


Lee, John Jr. 


32 


do 


Sept 20 61 


Sweeny, James 


35 


do 


Sept 23 61 


Leonard, John R. 


26 


6 F 


Oct 3 61 


Whitney, Elijah 


31 


do 


Oct 8 61 


Hogan, John 


22 


6H 


Aug 14 61 


Shontell, William 


25 


8 E 


Oct"" 21 61 


Shontell, Benjamin 


24 


do 


Dec 16 61 


Shontell, Frederick 


22 


do 


Jan ID 62 


Shontell, Leander 


19 


do 


Dec 16 61 


Amel, Louis 


3« 


do 


Oct 7 61 


Warren, Lorenzo S. 




do 


Dec 7 61 


Warren, Alonzo S. 


20 


do 


do 


Kinson, Benjamin H. 


26 


do 


Oct 3 61 


Wilson, Francis 


28 


do 


do 


Nichols, Roswell S. 


41 


do 


Nov 30 61 


Lewis, Frederick A. 


18 


CavC 


Sept 13 61 


Lewis, UeForest L. 


20 


do 


Nov 12 61 


Scott, Elisha 


50 


do 


Sept 20 61 


George, Albert 


21 


do 


Sept 13 61 


Smith, John W. 


41 


do 


Sept 12 61 


Chase, Austin A. 


21 


do 


Oct 3 61 


Spencer, George W. 


28 


do 


Sept 20 61 


Hastings, Sidney B. 


42 


do 


do 


Dudley, William N. 


32 


do 


Sept 12 61 


Preston, Philander R. 


27 


do 


Sept 21 61 


Wells, Warren O. 


38 


1st Bat 


Dec 3 61 


Hills, Zerah 


34 


do 


do 


Oakland, George 


24 


2d Bat 


Oct 2361 


Hogan, Henry 


20 


9 I 


June 18 62 


Smith, William P. 


19 


do 


June 30 62 


Cushman, Holmes 


27 


ID B 


July 25 62 


Williams, Hiram 


29 


do 


Aug I 62 


Morrisett, John 


28 


do 


July 30 62 


Patterson, Robert 


35 


do 


Aug 6 62 


Scaribo, Fabius 


28 


do 


Aug 4 62 


Lewis, Charles J. 


25 


11 D 


Aug 12 62 


Fifield, William C. 


41 


6 F 


Aug 15 62 


Tobin, John W. 


18 


do 


do 


Cameron, Sylvester 


25 


do 


do 


Ward, Tertullus C. 


26 




do 


Bean, Albert 


23 


2 D 


do 


Bruce, George W. 


23 


loK 


Aug II 62 


Jones, Jabez 


19 


II I 


Dec 5 63 


Chase, Amos J. 


40 


Cav C 


Nov 24 63 


Buck, William H. H. 


22 


Cav G 


Dec II 63 


Templeton, James A. 


45 


Cav C 


Dec 863 


Cameron, John 


26 


do 


Dec 18 63 


Rublee, Otis N. 


18 


3d Bat 


Sept 563 


Herrick, Geo. S. 


25 


do 


Nov 2 63 


Amel, Louis 


19 


do 


Sept 1563 



Remarks. 

Died Feb. 4, 63, at Point Lookout, Md. 

Died Sept. 5, 61, at Washington, D. C. 

Discharged Nov. 8, 62. [23, 65. 

Corp : pris. June 23, 64 : must, out May 

Discharged Jan. 21, 63. 

Discharged Dec. 18, 62. 

Re-en. Feb. 8, 64 : must, out May 23, 65. 

Corp : killed at Weldon R.R. June 23, 64. 

Discharged April 24, 63. [June 26, 65. 

First Serg : wd. April 16, 62 : must, out 

Died Jan. 4, 63, at Belle Plains, Va. 

Died Feb. 63, at Brattleboro. 

Died Jan. 24, 62, at Camp Griffin. 

Re-en. Dec. 1 5, 63 : must, out June 26, 65. 

Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 : must, out July 15, 65. 

Discharged Jan. 8, 62. 

Mustered out Oct. 28, 64. 

First Lieut : resigned June 19, 62. 

Wd. April 16, 62 : deserted Jan. 19, 63. 

Corp : discharged Feb. 12, 63. 

Discharged Oct. 16, 62. 

Died May j6, 62. 

Wd. Sept. 4, 62 : must, out Aug. 3, 64. 

Re-en. Jan. 5, 64 : must, out June 28, 65. 

Wd. Sept. 4, 62 : dis. April 6, 63. 

Died March 19, 63. 

Died June 18, 62. 

Corp : died Dec. 5, 62. 

Musician : discharged June 30, 62. 

Paroled pris : must, out May 23, 65. 

Mustered out Nov. 18, 64. 

do [Nov. 1 8, 64. 

Pro. Corp : wd. Apr. i, 63 : mustered out 

Corp : discharged Oct. 9, 62. 

Discharged Nov. 27, 61. 

Discharged Oct. 3, 62. 

Discharged Nov. 18, 64. 

Discharged Jan. 13, 63. 
' Wd. July 6, 63 : Re-en. Dec. 31, 63'; tak- 

ken pris. June 29, 64; died at Florence, 
: S. C, Jan., 65. 

Corp : mustered out Aug. 10, 64. [La. 

Col-p : died June 25, 63, at Port Hudson, 

Corp: re-en.Feb.20,64: mus.out July 31,65 

Pro. Corp: do. Serg: mus. out June 13, 65. 

Died Oct. 12, 62. 

Mustered out June 22, 65. 

Died Feb. 17, 65, at Washington, D. C. 

Mustered out June 22, 65. 

Wd. Oct. 19, 64: dis. May 27, 65. 

Mustered out June 22, 65. [15, 65. 

Sec. Lt : pro. istLt : do. Capt : dis. May 

Must, out June 19,65. [out June 19, 65. 

Wd.Sep. 19, 64: pro. Corp: do Serg: mus. 

Mustered out June 19, 65. 

Killed in ac. at Gettysburgh, July 3, 63. 

Died Oct. 3, 64, at Sandy Hook, of wds. 

Deserted July 5, 63. 

Died at Middlesex, July 10, 65. 

Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. 

Discharged Sept. 15, 65. 

Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. 

Wd. May 6, 64 : discharged Feb. 22, 65. 

Musician : mustered out June 15, 65. 
do do 

do 



MIDDLESEX. 



249 



Names. 


Age. 


Reg. Co. 


, Enlistment. 


Remarks. 


Chase, Albert H. 


19 


•3d Bat 


Aug 29 63 


Mustered out June i q, 61;. 


Kirkland, William 


21 


do 


Sept 563 


do 


Leonard, Alonzo R. 


21 


do 


do 


do 


Libby, Frank F. 


iS 


do 


Nov II 63 


Promoted Corporal : do 


Shontell, William 


27 


do 


Sept 1 5 63 


do 


Stone, Charles H. 


20 


do 


Sept 363 


do 


Hastings, Flavel J. 


20 


Cav C 


Dec 4 63 


Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. [Aug. 17, 64. 


Scott, George W. 


18 


do 


Dec II 63 


Pris. June 29, 64 : died at Andersonville, 


Wheeler, Charles 


45 


10 B 


Dec 19 63 


Discharged May 15, 65. 


Wing, Lemuel B. 


18 


SSC 


Dec 28 63 


Discharged Mar. 10, 65. [9, 65. 


Murray, Henry 


'9 


CavC 


Dec 31 63 


Pro. Serg : wd. Apr. 3, 65 : must out Aug. 


Shepley, Elliot W. 


43 


do 


Dec 25 63 


Wd. May 5, 64 : Must, out Aug 9, 65. 


Towner, John S. 


26 


do 


Dec 18 63 


Pris. June 29, 64 : died Oct. 2, 64. 


Barton, David 


44 


10 B 


Dec 14 63 


Mustered out June 29, 64. 


Smith, Abner 


42 


do 


Dec 28 63 


Killed in act. at Cold Harbor, June 1,64. 


Magoon, Henry C. 


i8 


4 G 


do 


Died at Brattleboro, Aug. 20, 64. 


Mee, Cornelius 


18 


II H 


Dec 19 63 


Mustered out Aug 2, 65. 

Mustered out July 14, 65 : pro. Corp. 


Willey, Albert 


19 


17 c 


Sept 3 63 






VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS, 


Putnam, Chris. C. Jr. 


23 


13 I 


Aug 25 62 


Pro. Serg : must, out July 21, 63. 


Whitney, William H. H. 


, 22 


do 


do 


Discharged April 6, 63. 


Whitney, Hiram G. 


20 


do 


do 


Musician : mustered out July 21,63. 


Whitney, Sidney E. 


18 


do 


Aug 29 62 


do 


Jones, Dudley B. 


31 


do 


do 


do 


Jones, Jabez 


18 


do 


do 


do 


Benjamin, R. Plummer 


22 


13 B 


do 


do 


Jones, Edwin 


18 


do 


do 


do 


McElroy, Clesson R. 




do 


Aug 25 62 


2d Lt : pro. 1st Lt: mus. out July 21, 63. 


Luce, Merrill O. 


18 


do 


do 


Corp : pro. Serg : do 


Potwin, Joseph 


36 


do 


do 


Corp : do 


Ordway, Royal 


30 


do 


do 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 


Barnett, William W. 


28 


do 


do 


do 


Willey, Albert 


18 


do 


do 


do 


Flood, Gregory 


18 


13 H 


do 


do 


Nichols, Eugene 


25 


13 B 


do 


do 


Miles, Otis G. 


31 


do 


do 


Pro. Corp : Must, out July 21, 63. 


Chase, Albert H. 


18 


do 


do 


do - 


McCarron, Barney 


18 


do 


do 


do 


Chamberlin, Burt J. 


20 


do 


do 


do 


Rublee, Otis H. 


18 


13 A 


Oct 3 62 


Musician : do 


White, Lucian W. 


23 


13 B 


Sept I 62 


do 


Moulton, Stedman D. 


30 


do 


Sept 3 62 


Discharged April 24, 63. 


Wright, Edwin L. 


27 


13 c 


Aug 29 62 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 


Taylor, Francis F. 


18 


do 


Sept 862 


Died April 16, 63, 


Lawrence, George S. 


22 


do 


Sept 1 5 62 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 


Scribner, Hiram W. 


18 


do 


Sept 8 62 


do 


Slade, William 


42 


do 


Sept 10 62 


do 






VOLUNTEERS FOR 


ONE YEAR. 


Atridge, Nathaniel 


21 


Rec 


Aug 19 64 


Discharged Oct. i, 64. 


Cameron, James 


18 


2 D 


July 30 64 


Mustered out June 19, 65. [pris, of wds. 


Jones, Edwin R. 


20 


CavC 


Aug 22 64 


Died Oct. 7, 64, at Mt. Jackson, Va., while 


Nichols, Henry W. 


18 


2D 


Aug 2 64 


Mustered out June 19, 65. [June 19, 65. 


Alden, Sylvester O. 


27 


do 


Aug 19 64 


Wd. at Cedar Creek.Oct. 19, 64 : must, out 


Edgerly, James 


39 


do 


Aug 20 64 


Died Oct. 31, 64, at Winchester, Va. 


Saunders, Asa S. 


28 


do 


do 


Mustered out Tune 19, 61;. 


Dodge, Wallace W. 


21 


3d Bat 


Aug 22 64 


do 


Dutton, Charles H. 


22 


do 


do 


do 


Wakefield, William H. 


23 


17 E 


Aug 31 64 


Mustered out June 2, 65. 


Andrews, Salmon F. 


28 


do 


do 


Mustered out May 13, 65. 


Whitney, Geo. M. 


34 FrontCav Jan 3 65 


do June 27, 65. 


Connor, Francis R. 


21 


do 


do 


do 


Whitney, Sidney E. 


20 


do 


do 


do 


Stiles, Orrin 


43 


2D 


Feb 4 65 


Mustered out July 115, 6s. 


Nichols, Eugene H. 


22 


do 


do 


do 


Loizell, Julius 


18 


do 


Feb 8 65 


do 


Smith, James H. 


22 


7 I 


Feb II 65 


Mustered out Feb. 11, 66. 


Wells, Warren 


li 


5t Corps 


Jan 25 65 


Discharged Jan. 24, 66. 


Marsh, Rufus H. 




do 


Feb 14 65 


Discharged Feb. 13, 66. 


Richardson, Plummer H 


. 20 


6K 


Mar 1 5 65 


Mustered out June 26, 65. 



250 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 
Hatch, Zenas 

Vaughn, Henry J. 
Woodward, Harrisoi 

Hogan, John C. 

Orrin Bruce, 
Myron W. Miles, 



Age. 



DRAFIED AND KNTERED SKRVICE. 
Rey. Co. EnViUmenl. 



21 



2 D July 13 63 

6 E do 

2 K do 



Remarks. 
Wd. at Spottsylvania, Mav 12, 64: died 

Nov. II, 64, of wds. rec. Oct. 19, 64. 
Mustered out June 13, 65. 
Discharged Jan. 23, 64. 

SUBSTITUTE — FOR M. O. EVANS. 

20 4 I July 23 63 Pris. June 23, 64 : sup. died in reb. pris. 

PAID COMMUTATION. 

Francis E. Connor, Jeremiah Mahonev, Luther Maxhani, 

Chester Smith, E. D. Williams, ' Chas. H. Willev. 



SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF l8l2. 

Being unable to obtain an official list of 
the 1812 soldiers, I rely on the recollection 
of the oldest men in town for the following 
list of Plattsburgh Volunteers : 

Holden Putnam, captain of the Company 
from Middlesex and vicinity, Horace Hol- 
den, Xerxes Holden, Lewis Putnam, Ze- 
bina Warren, Nathaniel Carpenter, Alan- 
son Carpenter, Samuel Barnett, David Har- 
rington, Ephraim Keyes, Benj. Chatterton, 
Nathan Huntley, Abram Gale, Rufus Cham- 
berlin, Rufus Leland, Samuel Meads, Jesse 
Johnson, Hubbard Willey, " Priest" Cole. 

It is related respecting some of the Mid- 
dlesex volunteers to Plattsburgh : The 
Sunday previous to the battle, a Middlesex 
minister, known as "Priest" Cole, preach- 
ed a fiery war sermon, in which he urged 
every man capable of bearing arms to 
bravely turn out and meet the British in 
case of an invasion. Before the close of 
that week the march of the enemy towards 
Vermont was announced, and the reverend 
minister was one of the volunteers. When 
Captain Putnam reached the Lake with 
his company, he drew them up in a line, 
and gave orders for "all who had the 
cannon fever and did not want to cross the 
lake, to fall back to the rear." Not a man 
stirred except Priest Cole, who stepped 
back a few paces and there remained. A 
few days after the battle, Rev. Mr. C. was 
sitting in Enoch Clark's store, in the house 
now occupied by L. D. Ainsworth, when 
Esquire Nathaniel Carpenter entered, and 
sitting down by his side, slapping him on 
the knee, remarked, "Priest Cole, I was 
never more surprised in my life than I was 
to see you step back and not want to meet 
the British." Mr. Cole coolly replied, 
" Esq. Carpenter, it is a great deal easier 
to preach than to practice." 



OUR CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE CHURCH. 

BY MES. ALMA K. VAUGUN. 

You have asked lor a poem, and what shall it be? 
O, yes, I will sing for our new Christmas tree. 
Let all come under its boughs, the great and the small. 
It' the house is not full, 'tis no (^hristmas at all. 
Let us laugh and be merry; all be of good cheer. 
For our Christmas day conies only once in a year, — 
How delighted and happy we all feel to-night, 
How the little ones look on tlie tree with delight I 

But I could not but think, as we just knelt in prayer, 
Of the poor and the lowly, have they a gift there? 
And my mind it turned back to the thouglits of the 

morn. 
That 'twas on Cliristmas Eve that our Saviour was 

born. 
Though the gift may be humble that's placed on the 

tree, 
'Tis in memory of Christ;— like His gifts let it be;— 
If a gift to tlie poor or the meek has been given. 
You've laid up for yourselves a rich treasure in 

Heaven. 

We now honor His birthday with gifts and with mirtli ; 
Let us hope for His kindness and love while on earth, 
Anfi that Heaven's rich blessings may rest on us all. 
That no sorrow, nor evil, nor ill may befall. 
Then take not the gifts from the tree with fond pride. 
But think 'twas for tliee that our Saviour has died; 
And receive each gift liumbly, to-night, from the tree. 
As an emblem of love— of His kindness to thee. 

SUNSHINE WILL FOLLOW THE RAIN. 
BY MKS. ALMA K. VAUGHN. 

Life has its moments of gladness. 

Life lias its moments of pain; 
Yet God, He is near in our sorrow. 

Sunshine will follow the rain. 

Why are we ever a shading 
Our moments of gladness with pain? 
. Why are we apt to repining? 
Sunshine will follow tlie raiu. 

NOTHING LEFT UNDONE. 

Oh, can we, as the night has come. 
Review the day with pride, and say. 

We have left nothing now undone 
Of which we should have done to-day? 

For soon, liow soon our days are through. 

Our work in life will all be done; 
Oh, can we say, as death draws nigh, 

No eajrthly task is left undone ? 

[We selected from Mrs. Vaughn's poems 
one or two other pieces, which we should 
give would it not overrun the pages allot- 
ted for Middlesex. — Ed.'\ 



MONTPELIER. 



251 



MONTPELIER. 

BY HON. ELIAKIM P. WALTON. 

From the first Vermont grant of the 
town of Montpelier, Oct. 21, 1780, to Jan. 
I, 1849, the territory known by that name 
embraced the present towns of Montpelier 
and East Monpelier ; hence this paper 
will for that period give the history of the 
two existing towns under the original 
name, and of the present town of Mont- 
pelier from the last-named date. 

location. 

The origmal town was located on the 
longest river which has both its origin and 
embouchure within the State — the Win- 
ooski. In a map published at New Haven, 
Conn., about 1779, this river was called, 
' ' A', a la iMoelle, French R. or iremisoo R. , 
also Otiiain A." The first name was given 
by Champlain in 1609, to the next princi- 
pal river north, now called Lamoille, and 
it was erroneously applied to the Winooski 
on the map referred to ; French, or Onion, 
river was the name given in early New 
Hampshire charters of towns located on 
the river, and ' ' IVenusoo " and ' ' Oniain'''' 
were the erroneous readings by the drafts- 
man or engraver, for the genuine and beau- 
tiful Winooski, and the equally genuine 
but strong-flavored Onion, which suggests 
rather the richness of the broad meadows 
on either bank than the exceeding beauty 
of the mingled landscape of water, meads 
and magnificent mountains. 

The town was located in fatitude 44° 
17' north, and longitude 4° 25' east from 
tlie capitol at Washington, and about 10 
miles north-east from the exact geograph- 
ical centre of the State, which is near the 
west line of Northfield, in the mountain 
between Northfield and Waitsfield. Four 
important branches embouch in the town 
or on its border : Dog river from the 
south, Stevens's Branch from the south-east 
and Kingsbury's Branch and North Branch 
from the north, while the Winooski itself 
enters near the north-eastern, and runs to 
the south-western, corner of the town. 
Dog river gave the passage for the Vermont 
Central railroad through the mountains to 
the third branch of White river, which 



has its source at the same level as that of 
Dog river ; Stevens's Branch has the same 
source in one of its branches as the second 
branch of White river, which cuts through 
the eastern mountain range by the famous 
" Gulf" in WilliamstOwn, and a branch of 
Stevens's, from Barre, gives easy access to 
the valley of Wait's river. The northern 
branches of the Winooski give eligible 
passes to the upper valleys of Wells and 
Lamoille rivers, and North Branch gives 
an easy and almost a perfectly straight pass 
into the valley of the Lamoille, oppositeWild 
Branch, which cuts through to a branch 
of Black river, and thas opens a clear way 
to Lake Memphremagog at Newport. This 
location of the town, so central and so 
easily accessible to the surrounding coun- 
try in every direction, probably had an 
important influence in making it the polit- 
ical capital of the State, as it certainly has 
had upon the thrift of its business men. 
These facts also indicate that in the future, 
as ability shall be given, the village of 
Montpelier will become the centre for the 
intersection of at least five railroad lines, 
ruixuing in tlie river valleys above named, 
making it ultimately as accessible by rail 
as it has been by the ordinary highways. 
The Central railroad now opens two of 
these valleys to Montpelier ; in the third, the 
Montpelier and Wells River railroad is now 
in operation ; in the fourth, the managers 
of the Central road contemplate the laying 
of a track,' and in that event the valley of 
the North Branch to the Lamoille will 
alone remain to be occupied. A survey 
for a railroad there has been made, and the 
route is proved to be feasible. 
earliest grants. 
The earliest known grant of any part of 
the territory, on which the township was 
located, was made by CadwalladerColden, 
Lieutenant and acting Governor of the then 
royal Province of New York, June 13, 
1770, under the name of "Newbrook," 
which was a grant to Jacobus Van Zant. 
On a niap of Vermont, and of parts of 
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York 
and Pennsylvania, published at New Haven, 
Conn., when the inhabitants of Vermont 
held their lands "by the triple title of 



252 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



honest purchase, of Industry in Settling, 
and now lately that of conquest,'''' the last 
phrase indicating about 1779 as the date — 
this New York township seems to have 
embraced Montpelier eastward from ashort 
distance west of the mouth of North Branch, 
near the spot on which the State Capitol 
stands, with parts of Barre, Plainfield and 
Berlin.* 

On the 25th of June, 1770, still another 
small portion of Montpelier, on the East- 
ern border of the town, was granted, by 
the same authority, under the name of 
" Kingsborough," to John Morin Scott, 
who was subsequently a delegate from New 
York in the Continental Congress ; and on 
the 3d of July, 1771, John Murray, Earl of 
Dunmore, and then Governor of New York, 
granted yet another portion, under the 
name of " Kilby," to William McAdams. 
According to the map referred to, this 
grant covered all but a very narrow gore 
between the New Hampshire grant of 
Middlesex and the preceding New York 
grants of Kingsborough and Newbrook. 
Hon. Hiland Hall has suggested that 
Newbrook embraced Waterbury and vi- 
cinity, Kingsborough, Montpelier and vi- 
cinity, and Kilby, Middlesex and vicinity ;f 
but the New Haven map very correctly 
marks all the towns granted by New 
Hampshire on the North side of the Win- 
ooski, from Colchester to Middlesex, both 
included, with the names they now bear, ex- 
cept BelioH for Bolton, and an dmission of 
the corner of Richmond, which is included 
in Jericho. Immediately adjoining and 
East of Middlesex is " Kilby," just where 
Montpelier belongs. The only difficulty 



* The explanation on the map brings ont so strongly 
the Vermont spirit of those days, that it is worth copy- 
ing entire, as follows : 

"The Townships or Grants East of Lake Cham- 
" PLAIN are laid down as granted by tlie State of 
'•New Hampshire, Except those that are marked 
" Y Which were grantc<i by the State of New Yokk 
"on unlocated ground, where they do not interfere 
"with the Hampshire Grants; tlie Spurious New 
" York grants that interfere with the Older ones are 
"marked will; dotted lines, and as they are mostly 
" granted to Officers in the Regular army except a 
"few which liave the name of Wallis, Kemp, and 
" some such otlier favourites of these Princes of Laud 
"Jobbers MooKE, Dunmoke, Colden, and Tryon, 
" Stamped on them, it was not thouglit wortli while to 
" note them : Especially as the Inhabitants of the 
" State of Vermont now hold them by the triple title 
"of honest purchase, of Industry in Settling, and now 
" lately that of Conquest."' — Map facimj paije 630 in 
Vol. 4, of Documentary History of New York. 

t Vermont Historical Society Collections, Vol. I, pp. 
154,155,156, 



in the case is that "Kilby" contained 
30,000 acres, or 6,930 fnore than Mont- 
pelier, which would make "Kilby "cov- 
er a part of the present towns of Plain- 
field and Marshfield, with the whole of 
Montpelier ; but, on the other hand, in that 
case, the junctions of North Branch and 
Stevens's Branch with the Winooski should 
be in " Kilby " on the map, whereas they 
are in " Newbrook." The writer has con- 
jectured that "Kilby" in fact embraced part 
of the territory laid down on the map 
as Middlesex, and that Montpelier was 
covered by parts of "Kilby," "New- 
brook " and "Kingsborough," which would 
bring Berlin very near its correct place on 
the map, where it is in fact quite erro- 
neously placed in relation to Middlesex. 
These statements are of some interest as 
belonging to the history of the town, yet 
they are of no possible importance, since 
the grantees of New York appear never to 
have availed themselves of their grants, 
though an attempt was made to survey this 
region in 1773, by Samuel Gale, which was 
prevented by Ira Allen.* 

The names of the New York grantees do 
not appear in the list of persons who re- 
ceived compensation for their lands out of 
the $30,000 paid by Vermont to New York 
as a settlement of the long and bitter con- 
troversy for title and jurisdiction. The 
three New York grants were therefore dor- 
mant, or had lapsed for want of compliance 
with prescribed conditons, when, in 1780, a 
petition was filed in the office of the Secre- 
tary of State of Vermont, by Timothy Big- 
elow, Jacob Davis, Jacob Davis, Jr., Thos. 
Davis, and others, asking for a grant of 
unappropriated land. This was at the 
most critical period in the history of Ver- 
mont, when New York and New Hamp- 
shire were both claiming jurisdiction of 
the State, and Congress seemed so strongly 
bent upon sacrificing it to one of the claim- 
ing States, or dividing it between both, 
that the agents of Vermont in Congress 
withdrew, and indignantl}' refused further 
to attend, though invited to do so.f 



* Vt. Historical Society Collections, Vol. I, p. 306, 
where Allen states explicitly that Gale's camp was 
" tu'ar the uorllieast corner of the [then] jHesont 
town of Montpelier." 

^Saiiie, Vol. II, pages 31-34. 



MONTFELIER. 



253 



At this period, two-thirds of the State 
were occupied by the scouts of the British 
army and the Green Mountain Boys,* and 
the British far exceeded the Vermonters 
in the number of men and in military sup- 
plies. In fact, on the very day when the 
General Assembly authorized the grant of 
Montpelier, Major Carleton with a British 
force was at Ticonderoga, just returned 
from a successful raid on North-eastern 
New York, in which he had captured Forts 
Ann and George, and destroyed nearly all 
the farm-houses and barns in the towns of 
Kingsborough and Oueensborough.f 

It was at this critical time that Vermont 
was forced to rely on policy rather than 
arms for protection, and the negotiation 
with Gen. Frederick Haldimand, Governor 
and Commander-in-Chief of the British 
forces in Canada, was then instituted. In 
these desperate circumstances, one of the 
greatest difficulties was the want of money 
with which to supply and pay the little 
army of the infant State — a State which 
was not only relying solely on its own re- 
sources for its own defense, but actually 
had furnished and was in part supporting 
Col. Seth Warner's regiment in the Con- 
tinental army, then and while in service 
used for the protection of Vermont's most 
dangerous enemy — New York. For the 
extraordinary expenses of military defense, 
the taxes upon a people just entered upon 
the primeval forests, and having hardly 
cleared enough to afford a scanty support 
even in peaceful times, would not suffice ; 
and necessarily, therefore, the State Gov- 
ernment relied upon the sale of its wild 
lands, and of the confiscated estates of en- 
emies, for a fund to meet extraordinary 
expenses. An essential point of course 
was, to find purchasers who could make 
ixady pay in specie, or its equivalent, and 
thus supply the pressing needs of the gov- 
ernment. Accordingly we find, on the 
Assembly journal of the 14th of October, 
1780, the following entry: 

Resolved, that a Committee of five, to 
join a Committee from the Council, be ap- 

'Iii Octolier, 17S(», the nionlli in which the grant of 
M<>nl|ielicr was aslvcd, a Britisli party passed Ihroiigh 
ihat town, on tlicir way to attack Royulton.—yee B. H. 
\\\\.\\'& Eastern Veini<na,\> ;i.s:j. 

t VI. Hisl. .•Soc. Coll., Vol. II. pages -iti, 41 44, 6U-69. 



pointed to take into consideration the sit- 
uation of ungranted lands within this State 
which can be settled, and the several pe- 
titions filed in the Secretary's office pray- 
ing for grants of unlocated lands, and 
report their opinion w/iat lands can be 
granted and what persons will most con- 
duce to the welfare of t/iis State to Iiave such 
grants. 

The members chosen by ballot are, Mr. 
Samuel Robinson, Mr. [Edward] Harris, 
Col. [John] Strong, Mr. [EI:)enezer] Cur- 
tiss, and Mr. [Joshua] Webb.* 

This Committee was deemed so impor- 
tant that on the 17th of October, 1780, the 
Assembly added to it four members, to 
wit: Mr. [Matthew] Lyon, Mr. [Benja- 
min] Whipple, Mr. [Thomas] Porter, and 
Mr. [Major Thomas] Murdock.f The 
members of this Committee were selected 
from the then most important towns in 
the State, to wit : Bennington, Halifax, 
Dorset, Windsor, Rockingham, Arlinsj- 
ton, Rutland, Tinmouth and Norwich ; 
and the Council completed the Committee 
by adding leading men of the time, all 
noted in Vermont history, to wit : Ira 
Allen, John Fassett, (Jr.,) Jonas Fay and 
Paul Spooner.J 

The grant of the township of Montpel- 
ier — a name given by Col. Jacob Davis — 
was, in this emergency, the first one rec- 
ommended by the Committee and the first 
one authorized by the General Assembly. 

In General Assembly, I 

Saturday Oct. 21st, 1780. \ 

The committee appointed to take into 
consideration the ungranted lands in this 
State, and the several Pitches on file in the 
Secretary's office, &c., brought in the fol- 
lowing report, viz : 

"That, in our opinion, the following 
tract of land, viz : lying east of and adjoin- 
ing Middlesex, on Onion river, and partly 
north of Berlin, containing 23040 acres, be 
granted by the Assembly unto Col. Timo- 
thy Bigelow and Company, by the name 
of Montpelier." 

Signed, Paul Spooner, Chairman. 

The aforesaid report was read and ac- 
cepted, and 

Resolved, That there be and hereby is 
granted unto Col. Timothy Bigelow and 
company, being sixty in number, a town- 
ship of land, by the name of Montpelier, 



* Ms. Assembly Journal, 1778-1784, p. 128. 

t Same Axsoiihly Journal, p. 130. 

t J/i. Journals of (Juinuil, 1778 lo 1780, ;j. al3. 



254 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



situate and lyin^ in this State, bounded as 
follows, viz : lying east of and adjoining 
Middlesex, on Onion river, and partly 
north of Berlin, containing 23040 acres : 
And the Governor and Council are hereby 
requested to issue a Grant or Charter of 
incorporation of said township of Montpe- 
lier, under such restrictions, reservations, 
and for such considerations, as they shall 
judge best for the benefit of the State. * 
In Council, ? 

Saturday, 21st Oct., "1780. ^ 

The Governor and Council, to whom was 
referred the stating the fees for the grant 
of land made this day, by the General As- 
sembly of this State, having had the same 
under their consideration, have stated the 
fees aforesaid at four hundred and eighty 
pounds for the sd. land, being one town- 
ship by the name of Montpelier, in hard 
money, or an equivalent in Continental 
Currency, to be paid by Col. Timothy Big- 
elow or his attorney, on the execution of 
the Charter of Incorporation, on or before 
the 2oth day of January next. 

Attest, Joseph Fay, Secy. 
i;48o. t 

Although the sole condition of the grant 
was the payment of ^480, in specie or an 
equivalent in Continental Currency, by the 
20th of January 1781, the first charter was 
not granted until the 14th of August of 
that year, when a very imperfect charter 
was drawn — probably by Thomas Tolman, 
one of the grantees and Deputy Secretary 
of the Governor and Council — and execu- 
ted by Governor Chittenden. In this char- 
ter no boundaries were given to the town ; 
the customary five rights reserved for edu- 
tional and religious purposes were not in- 
serted, but were referred to as in the char- 
ter of the town of Ripton ; and two onerous 
conditions were imposed, to wit : first, that 
within 3 years after the circumstances of 
the then existing war would permit, 5 acres 
of land should be planted or cultivated, a 
house at least 18 feet square on the floor 
be erected, and one family settled, on each 
respective Right, on penalty of forfeiture 
of the land ; and, second, reserving all Pine 
Timber suitable for a Navy to the use and 
benefit of the Freemen of the State. As 
this is not tJic charter of the town, another 
having been substituted for it, and granted 
to the original and a few other grantees. 



* Ms. Assembly Journal 1778-1784 ;). 138. 
t Ms. Journals of Council, 1778 to 1780, p. 315. 



in 1804, it is omitted in this paper, and 
the reader is referred for a copy to Hon. 
Daniel P. Thompson's Histoiy of Montpe- 
lier, published in i860, pp. 21 and 22. 

Notwithstanding the imperfection of the 
charter of 1781, the proprietors proceeded 
to allot and organize the town under it, be- 
ginning with a warning dated June 1 1 , 
1784, which was less than three years from 
the date of the original charter, and four- 
teen months after the close of the Revolu- 
tionary War, by Gen. Washington's proc- 
lamation of Apr. 19, 1783. Before noticing 
the proprietors and the record of their 
meetings, it is best to give a list of the 
proprietors, which is embraced in»the per- 
fected and now actual charter of the town, 
that was authorized by a special act of the 
General Assembly, passed Feb. i, 1804, 
and executed on the 6th of the same 
month. 

The Charter of Montpelier. 
The Govei'Hor of the State of Ver- 
[l.s.] inont, to all People to who in these 
Presents shall come. Greeting : 

Whereas, the Legislature of the State of 
Vermont, at their adjourned session, hold- 
en at Windsor, on the first day of Febru- 
ary A. D. 1804, was pleased to pass an act 
entitled ' an act authorizing the Gov- 
erernor of this State to issue a new charter 
of Montpelier,' — 

A/'cnu, therefore. Know Ve, that I, Isaac 
Tichenor, Goverjior within and over said 
State, and in the name, and by the author- 
ity of the same, and in pursuance of, and 
by virtue of the act aforesaid, Do, by these 
presents, give and grant the tract of land 
hereafter described and bounded, unto Tim- 
othy Bigclow, and to the several persons 
hereafter named, his associates, in equal 
shares, viz : 

Ebenezer Waters, Ebenezer Upham, 
Elisha Wales, Elisha Smith Wales, Joel 
Frizzle, Bethuel Washburn, John Wash- 
burn, Elijah Rood, Thomas Chittenden, 
George Foot, Elisha Smith, Jedediah 
Strong, James Prescott, Jacob Brown, Gid- 
eon Ormsbee, James Mead, John W. Dana, 
Timothy Brownson, Gideon Horton, Mat- 
thew Lyon, Samuel Horsford, Ithamer 
Horsford, William Smith, Jacob Spear, 
Jonas Galusha, MaryGalusha, Noah Smith, 
Moses Robinson. Moses Robinson, Jun., 
John Fassett, Jun., Jonas Fay, Abiathar 
Waldo, Thomas Tolman, Timothy Stan- 
ley, Joseph Dagget, Ira Allen, Lyman 
Hitchcock, James Gamble, Alanson Doug- 



MONTPELIER. 



255 



lass, Adam Martin, the heirs of Isaac Nash, 
Jonathan Brace, Howell Woodbriclge, 
Ja:mes Brace, Henry Walbridge, Jun., Jo- 
seph Fay, William Goodrich, Sybil Good- 
rich, Thomas Matterson, Amos Waters, 
David Galusha, Jacob Davis, Ephraim 
Starkweather, Shubael Peck, Jacob Davis, 
Jan., Thomas Davis, John Ramsdell, Issa- 
cher Reed, Isaac G. Lansingh, PLbenezer 
Davis, Asa Davis, Levi Davis, Ebenezer 
Stone, and Samuel Allen, — 

Which, together with the five following 
Rights, reserved to the several public uses, 
in manner following, include the whole of 
said tract or township, to wit: One Right 
for the use of a Seminary or College, one 
Right for the use of County Grammar 
Schools in said State, lands to the amount 
of one Right to be and remain for the set- 
tlement 'of a Minister or Ministers of the 
Gospel in said Township forever, lands to 
the amount of one Right for the support of 
the social worship of God in said Town- 
ship, and lands to the amount of one Right 
for the support of an English School or 
Schools in said Township, — which said two 
Rights for the use of a Seminary or Col- 
lege, and for the use of County Grammar 
Schools, as aforesaid, and the Improve- 
ments, Rents, Interests and Profits arising 
therefrom, shall be under the control, or- 
der, direction and disposal of the General 
Assembly of said State forever. 

And the proprietors of said Township 
are hereby authorized and empowered to 
locate said two Rights justly and equitably, 
or quantity for quantity, in such parts of 
said Township as they, or their committee, 
shall judge will least incommode the gen- 
eral settlement of said Tract or Township. 

And the said proprietors are further em- 
powered to locate the lands aforesaid, 
amounting to three Rights, assigned for 
the settlement of a Minister or Ministers, 
for their support, and for the use and sup- 
port of English Schools, in such, and in so 
many places, as they, or their committee, 
shall judge will best accommodate the in- 
habitants of said Township when the same 
shall be fully settled and improved, laying 
the same equitably, or quantity for Cjuan- 
tity, — which said lands, amounting to the 
three Rights last mentioned, when located 
as aforesaid, shall, together with the Im- 
provements, Rights, Rents, Profits, Dues 
and Interests, remain inalienably appropri- 
ated to the uses and purposes for which 
they are respectively assigned, and be un- 
der the charge, direction and disposal- of 
the inhabitants of said Township forever. 

Which tract of land, hereby given and 
granted as aforesaid, is bounded and des- 
cribed as follows, to wit : 

Beginning at a Basswood Tree on the 



North Bank of Onion River marked Mid- 
dlesex Corner, July, 13, 1785 ; thence 
North 36° East, six miles to a Beech Tree 
marked Montpelier Corner, June 14, 
1786; thence South 54° East, six miles 
and a half, to a Maple Straddle marked 
Montpelier Corxei^ June 17, 1786 ; 
thence South 36° West, five miles and five 
chains, to a Basswood Tree in Barre North 
line, marked June 19, 1786; thence North 
67° West, one mile and sixty seven chains, 
to Onion River : thence down said river as 
it tends to the first bound. 

And that the same be, and hereby is in- 
corporated into a Township by the name 
of Montpelier. 

And the inhabitants that do, or shall 
hereafter, inhabit said Township, are de- 
clared to be enfranchised, and entitled to 
all the privileges aud immunities that the 
inhabitants of other towns within this State 
do, and ought, by the laws and Constitu- 
tion thereof, to exercise and enjoy. 

To have and to hold the said granted 
premises, as above expressed, with all the 
privileges and appurtenances thereunto be- 
longing, unto them and their respective 
heirs and assigns forever. 

In testimony whereof / Jiave caused these 
letters to be made patent, and the seal of 
our State to be hereunto affixed. 

Given under my hand at Windsor, this 
6th day of February, A. D. 1804, and of 
the Independence of the United States the 
twenty-eighth. Isaac Tichenor. 

By His Excellency's command, 
David Wing, Jr., Secretary of State. 

It will be observed that the boundaries 
are stated ; that all conditions are omitted, 
the town then being fully organized and 
well settled, having a population of about 
1000; and that the list of grantees and 
proprietors numbers 65 persons instead of 
the original 60. The additional names are 
the five first following that of Timothy Big- 
elow. It appears from the record of a pro- 
prietors' meeting, held in January 1787, that 
Joel Frizzle (one of the additional five) 
owned the original right of James Gamble, 
and his pitch was confirmed to him. Prob- 
ably the other four became proprietors in 
the same way — by purchasing original 
rights. The explanation of retaining in 
the new charter the names of original gran- 
tees who had sold their rights to the five 
new grantees in that case is, that it was 
done out of abundant caution, to make the 
title of the purchasers unquestionable. The 
original charter is not now to be found, 



256 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and probably it was destroyed on the issu- 
ing of the new charter, in which case it was 
fit that the five persons then holding orig- 
inal rights by purchase should have their 
names recorded in what was thereafter to be 
the charter of the town. The town record 
indicates that the copy of the original char- 
ter has been cut out, and the new charter 
substituted for it. 

THE ORIGINAL PROPIETORS OF 
MONTPELIER. 

The list of grantees is remarkable for the 
number of the influential men of the State 
embraced in it, to wit : Thomas Chitten- 
den, Governor; Moses Robinson, Judge of 
the Supreme Court, Governor, and U. S. 
Senator ; Jonas Galusha, Judge of Supreme 
Court, and Governor^ Ira Allen, State 
Treasurer, Surveyor-General, Agent to 
Congress, and the man of all sorts of work 
in surveying, road-making, financiering, 
and State politics at home, and in sharp 
statesmanship and diplomacy abroad ; Jo- 
nas and Joseph Fay, Secretaries, and 
Thomas Tolman, Deputy Secretary, and 
all authors of State papers, the first-named 
Judge of the Supreme Court, and the first 
two, agents to Congress, and employed in 
the Haldimand correspondence ; Matthew 
Lyon, Clerk of the General Assembly, 
Member of Congress, and an energetic 
and heroic man in politics and business en- 
terprises ; and JohnFassett, Jr., and'Noah 
Smith, the first a Councillor, and both 
Judges of the Supreme Court. With such 
proprietors, residing in Western Vermont, 
and most of them remote from Montpelier, 
it is not surprising that a deep interest was 
felt in the town, and a powerful influence 
exerted for its early prosperity in quarters 
where naturally it would receive little sym- 
pathy or favor. 

THE "founder" of THE TOWN. 

■ The first grantee of Montpelier, wlio in 
the Pedigree of the Lawrence family of 
Massachusetts is styled ' ' Founder of the 
toum of /Montpelier, Vermont,''^ was Col. 
Timothy Bigelow, of Worcester, Mass., 
born August 12, 1739. He was a distin- 
guished officer in the American War for 
Independence ; a Major under Gen. Ar- 



nold in the expedition against Quebec, in 
1775-6;* Commander of the 15th Conti- 
nental Regiment at the capture of Bur- 
goyne and other battles ; and a Member of 
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts 
in 1 774 and 1775. Washington said, when 
reviewing Col. B.\s soldiers, — "This is 
discipline indeed." His son Timothy was 
one of the most distinguished lawyers 
of Massachusetts, for thirty years a mem- 
ber of one or the other branch of the Leg- 
islature, and Speaker of the House for 
eleven years ; and his grand-daughter 
Katharine, daughter of the second Timo- 
thy Bigelow, married the late Abbott Law- 
rence, LL. D., Representative in Congress, 
and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court 
of St. James. t The " founder " of Mont- 
pelier died May 31, 1790, ten months be- 
fore the town was organized, and doubtless 
his rights to lands in the town all passed 
to other persons previous to the organiza- 
tion, the deeds of which will probably be 
found in the records in the Orange County 
Clerk's office. The author of the pedigree 
of the Lawrence family of course had the 
tradition that Timothy liigelow was the 
founder of the town, and perhaps full and 
authentic testimony to the fact. 

The writer of this paper can only con- 
jecture the ground on which the chief 
honor, as founder, should be conceded to 
Col. Bigelow ; but the conjecture is so 
reasonably founded as to leave no doubt of 
its accuracy.' The original petition of 
Timothy Bigelow and others for the grant 
bore the names of at least three of the 
Davises who were, with Joel Frizzle, the 
first settlers in the town ; and the Davises 
were all from Worcester County, Mass., 
of which Timothy Bigelow was a resident. 



*Arnol(i's field officers were Lieut. Col. Christopher 
Greene, (the hero of Red Bank, on the Delaware,) 
Lieut. Col. Roger Enos, [alterwards General Com- 
manding in Vermont, under the authority of the 
State,] and Majors [Return J.J .Meigs, [of Connecti- 
cut, afterwards of Ohio, and (atlier of the Governor of 
Ohio, and U. S. Postmaster General of that name,] 
and [Timothy] Bioelow.— Z.ossms''« Pieloriat I<\eld 
Hook of the Revolution, Vol. I, p. 190. Lossing records 
that on the expedition, Maj. Bigelow ascended a high 
mountain, then covered with snow, hoping to gain a 
sight of Queljec; for whicli feat the name "Mount 
Bigelow " was given to it, and is still retained. 

t Neio England Genealogical Register, Vol. 10, 1856, 
facing page 297. Blake's Biographical Dictionary 
states that the second Timothy Bigelow above named 
during a practice of 32 years, "argued not less than 
15,000 cases." A later biographer reduced the num- 
ber to 10,000. His death at 64 is not surprising. 



MONTPELIER. 



257 



At the session in Oct. 1779, tlie legisla- 
ture of Vermont established a form of town 
charters, and appointed Ira Allen to visit 
sundry states to further the interests of the 
State.* The Vermont Ms. State Papers 
contain many petitions for lands granted 
in 1779, made on a uniform printed form, 
which was most probably furnished by 
Allen (then Surveyor-General;) and many 
petitions in 1779 and 1780, of land com- 
panies formed in Massachusetts, Connecti- 
cut and New Hampshire, and in some 
cases of officers and men in the continental 
army. These, it is most reasonable to 
presume, were among the fruits of Allen's 
mission, which clearly was to make an in- 
terest for Vermont in as many states as 
possible, and also in the army. 

The conjecture then is, that Col. Big- 
elow was the head of one of these land 
companies, as Gen. William Prescott, of 
Massachusetts, certainly was of another. 
Gen. Prescott was with Col. Bigelow at 
the capture of Burgoyne, and their resi- 
dences in Massachusetts were in the same 
region — the one at Groton and the other 
at Worcester. At the head of such a 
company, Col. Bigelow would have been 
the most active and influential man in 
forming it, and by his influence, and pos- 
sibly by his aid, the Davises were en- 
listed, who were the foremost men at work 
upon the ground ; and their associates, 
most of them from Worcester and Ply- 
mouth Counties, Mass., were by the same 
influence led to become settlers. Certain 
it is that many of the early settlers were 
from that part of Massachusetts. To this 
day a Montpelier man cannot visit Wor- 
cester, Rochester, New Bedford, Yar- 
mouth, and Edgartown, without finding 
in each town names that were familiar in 
Montpelier sixty years ago — such as Davis, 
Clark, Stevens, Burgess, Hatch, Bennett, 
Hammett, and Nye. The writer is confi- 
dent that the original petition for the grant, 
could it be found, would prove that the 
company was chiefly composed of Massa- 
chusetts men, such as Col. Bigelow would 
most fitly head, and so make him justly 

* n. Hist. Coll., vol. I, p. 405. 



entitled to the credit his descendants have 
claimed for him. 

proprietors'' meetings. 

On application of more than one six- 
teenth of the proprietors, a warning was 
issued June 1 1 , 1 784, for the first proprie- 
tors' meeting, "at the house of Eliakim 
Stoddard, Esq., inn-holder, in Arlington, 
[Bennington county,] on Tuesday the 
17th day of August [then] next, at 9 of 
the clock in the forenoon," for the pur- 
pose of choosing moderator, proprietors' 
clerk, and treasurer, and to see what the 
proprietors would do respecting a division 
of the township. A meeting was holden 
accordingly, composed of Gov. Thomas 
Chittenden, Hon. Timothy Brownson, 
Maj. Gideon Ormsby, Jonas Galusha, and 
Thomas Tolman, esquires, and Mesrrs 
Joseph Daggett and John Ramsdell — who 
acted for themselves, and for others by 
power of attorney. Of these seven per- 
sons a majority were men of the highest 
worth and influence in the State : Gov- 
ernors Chittenden and Galusha ; Timothy 
Brownson, President of the Board of War, 
and Councillor from 1778 to 1795, and 
"one of the most trusted and confidential 
advisers of Gov. Chittenden during the 
whole period of his perilous and successful 
administration;"* Maj. Gideon Ormsbee, 
who was then and for many years a repre- 
sentative of Manchester in the General 
Assembly, and Thomas Tolman, Deputy 
Secretary to the Governor and Council. 
The officers elected by the meeting were : 
Gideon Ormsbee, moderator; Thos. Tol- 
man, clerk ; and Jonas Galusha, treasurer. 
It was voted to lay out a first division of 
lands in the town, in lots of 150 acres each, 
and a committee of six was appointed for 
the purpose, to wit : Thomas Tolman, 
Samuel Horsford, Gideon Ormsbee, Jonas 
Galusha, Joseph Daggett, and Samuel 
Beach— all but Mr. Beach being propri- 
etors, and he was the surveyor. 

The meeting adjourned to the first 
Monday in April, 1785, but there was no 
meeting at that time, and, under a new 
warning, the next meeting was at Arling- 



Qilaiid Hall's Early Historij of Vermont, p. 458. 



33 



258 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ton, Jan. 11, 1786, of which Col. Timothy 
Brownson was moderator. The appoint- 
ment of Mr. Tolman as cleric and the order 
for the first division were ratified, provid- 
ing that 5 acres should be added to each 
lot or right, as an allowance for highways, 
and that the division should be laid out in 
good form and as near to the centre of the 
town as might be. Col. Jacob Davis of- 
fered to complete the survey for £1 3s. 
lod. per right, and this was accepted. A 
new committee for laying out the division 
was then appointed, consisting of Col. 
Jacob Davis, Ebenezer Waters, (or, on his 
failure, Caleb Ammadon,) Samuel Hors- 
ford, Col. Samuel Robinson, and Capt. 
Abiather Waldo. 

By adjournment, the next meeting was 
held at the house of the clerk, Thomas 
Tolman, in Arlington, Jan. 9, 1787. In 
the absence of Col. Brownson, Col. Jacob 
Davis was appointed moderator. The 
members of the committee to lay out the 
first division, who were present, were 
sworn before Gov. Chittenden to a faith- 
ful discharge of their trust, and then sub- 
mitted a return, plan and survey-bill of 
the division, which was accepted and or- 
dered to be recorded. A "draft," or 
drawing by lot, was then made, in the 
presence of the meeting, as the law re- 
quired, and a lot or right in the first di- 
vision was in that way assigned to each 
proprietor. Accounts were allowed, £^7 
9s. to Col. Jacob Davis for laying out the 
division — ^5 to Thomas Tolman for clerk's 
fees — and 15s. to the collector for expense 
of advertising the first tax. A tax on each 
proprietor's right, of ^^i 5s. was then laid, 
out of the proceeds of which treasurer 
Galusha was directed to pay the above ac- 
counts. Joseph Daggett was appointed 
collector, and was directed to collect the 
tax in time for a vendue sale of lands, in 
default of payment on any right, on the 2d 
Tuesday of the succeeding June. It was 
represented to this meeting that Joel Friz- 
zel had become an actual settler, and had 
made his " pitch " as owner of the right of 
James Gamble ; whereupon it was voted 
that his pitch be granted and confirmed to 
him on the right of Gamble, and a lot of 



103 acres, (the three as an allowance for 
highways,) was thus allowed to him, and 
located on the Winooski, at the S. W. 
corner of the town, adjoining Middlesex, 
subsequently known for many years as the 
John Walton farm, and now owned by 
Col. Elisha P. Jewett, and known as the 
Jewett farm. It was also voted to lay out 
a second division of lands but excluding 
pine lands, to contain 66 lots, excluding 
the rights of James Gamble, (provided for 
in FrizzePs pitch,) Jacob Davis, Jacob 
Davis, Jr., and Thomas Davis, who, in 
lieu of rights to be drawn, were allowed to 
select two lots of 186 acres each, within 
the second division, convenient for a saw- 
mill and a grist-mill. It was then voted 
to make a third division, called the '-Pine 
Pitch Division," lying between Frizzel's 
pitch and the second division, being the 
land reserved in the second division, and 
this was to be divided into 70 equal lots. 
This division was small, 17 acres and i, 
or \ of an acre to the proprietor of each 
right. It was on the hill west of Green 
Mount Cemetery, and Thompson stated, 
on the authority of the late Simeon Dewey, 
Esq., who sawed the greatest part of the 
pine on this division, that the trees were of 
the most splendid northern sort, not ex- 
celled elsewhere in Vermont, or in New 
Hampshire, or even Maine. The condi- 
tion of the first charter, then existing, as 
to pine suitable for a navy, received an 
interpretation most liberal to the propri- 
etors of the town, many of whom sold 
their right to Col. Davis, and most of the 
lumber unquestionably went into vessels 
that were securely anchored on dry land. 
The State was not a loser by this appro- 
priation, however, since the pines from 
that hill sheltered many a man who had 
served his State and country on sea and 
land in the revolutionary struggle, and who 
gave sons and grandsons to serve them in 
the war of 181 2 and in the last and great- 
est struggle of all. Col. Davis was em- 
ployed to survey these two divisions on 
the same terms as for the first division ; 
and Ebenezer Waters, surveyor. Col. Ja- 
cob Davis, Parley Davis, Nathan Waldo 
and Joel Frizzel were appointed a com- 



MONTPELIER. 



259 



mittee to lay them out. After other formal 
business, the meeting adjourned to the 
second Tuesday of the next June, at the 
house of Capt. Elisha Wales, in Arlington. 

June II, 1787, the proprietors met per- 
suant to adjournment. Col. Timothy 
Brownson in the chair. Ebenezer Wa- 
ters, Col. Jacob Davis, and Nathan Wal- 
do, of the committee to lay out the second 
and third divisions were sworn, and then 
submitted their rejaort, which was accep- 
ted by a unanimous vote. A drawing was 
then made, "the same being done deliber- 
ately, correctly, and in open meeting," by 
surveyor Waters, so as to allot the land in 
the second and third divisions equally to 
each proprietor. On the 12th, the ac- 
counts for surveys, &c., were allowed and 
a tax voted ; Col . Jacob Davis and Parley 
Davis were appointed a committee to lay 
out and make the necessary highways ; 
and the meeting adjourned to the second 
Tuesday in January, 1788. On the same 
day, June 12, 1787, a vendue sale of pro- 
prietors' lots took place for non-payment 
of taxes, and the sales were recorded, and 
rules for redemption adopted. About half 
of the original proprietors' rights to the 
first division were sold, and mainly to Col. 
Jacob Davis, and the proprietors' clerk, 
Thomas Tolman. 

The meeting at Arlington in January, 
1788, extended the time for completing 
roads until the succeeding June ; assessed 
a tax of 3s. per right for making roads ; 
allowed the accounts of its officers, and ad- 
journed to the first Wednesday of June 
following, at the house of Jonas Galusha, 
in Shaftsbury. 

June 4, 1788, the proprietors met ac- 
cording to adjournment ; accepted the re- 
port of the committee appointed to make 
roads ; allowed their accounts, andassessed 
an additional tax of 19s. per right for the 
construction of roads. 

The next proprietors' meeting was held, 
on due warning, at Montpelier, Aug. 28, 
1792, of which Clark Stevens was mod- 
erator, and David Wing, Jr., clerk — both 
of Montpelier. The meeting ordered the 
fourth and last division of lands to be 
made under the direction of Col. Jacob 



Davis, and adjourned to the second Tues- 
day of May, 1793, at the house of Col. 
Jacob Davis, in Montpelier. 

May 14, I793i the proprietors met as 
per adjournment, when the fourth division 
was accepted and allotted in 70 equal 
parts. After allowing the accounts for the 
same, the meeting adjourned, to meet at 
the (public) house of David Wing, Jr., in 
Montpelier, on the 14th of May, 179$- 

The adjourned meeting assembled at 
the time named ; " and there appearing no 
business before the meeting. Voted, that 
this meeting be dissolved." This was the 
last meeting of the proprietors, the land 
all having been allotted, and the town 
passed by formal organization under a 
legal town government. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

According to his agreement with the 
proprietors, made in January, 1786, Col. 
Jacob Davis with a surveying party en- 
tered the town that year, and surveyed and 
laid out the first division of lands, his re- 
port having been made in January, 1787; 
but this service did not technically amount 
to " a settlement," although Col. Davis 
then undoubtedly determined to settle in 
the town. Iri the spring of the same year, 
1786, previous to the survey of the first di- 
vision, Joel Frizzel entered upon the south- 
west corner lot of the town, on the farm 
formerly of John Walton, and now of Col. 
E. P. Jewett, cleared a small part of it, 
planted corn, erected a small log-house, 
and resided in it with his wife, a French 
woman. " This," said Zadock Thompson, 
" was the first family in town."* In the 
later edition, he qualified this, by calling it 
" the first attempt to settle," adding that 
" the first permanent clearing and settle- 
ment was not made till the spring after" — 
that is, the spring of 1787. Daniel P. 
Thompson concurred with this last state- 
ment, giving the Davises the honor of first 
"permanent settlement," and character- 
izing Frizzel as an occasional sojourner, 
in his calling as trapper and hunter, in this 
part of the wilderness, who "squatted on 
the banks of the river, in the south-west 



' Vermont Gazetteer, 1824. 



26o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



corner of the township." The Davises 
need no honor at the expense of Frizzel. 
They certainly were the leading men in 
point of everything but the mere date of 
settlement. Frizzel was officially recog- 
nized as a settler ; his pitch was confirmed 
to him ; the charter recognized him as an 
original proprietor in the right of James 
Gamble ; and in Jan. 1787, the proprietors 
appointed him as one of the committee to 
lay out the second and third divisions. 
D. P. Thompson conceded that he may 
have remained "a year or two longer" 
after the laying out of these divisions, 
which would give him a residence in the 
town of about 5 years. The writer does 
not hesitate to say, on these grounds, that 
Joel Frizzel was the first actual settler, 
dating from the spring of 1786. In a year, 
however, he was followed by much more 
enterprising, energetic and valuable men, 
though without their families until 1788. 

May 3, 1787, Col. Jacob Davis, with 
his cousin Parley Davis, and a hired man, 
left his family in Brookfield, taking one 
horse and as large a quantity of provisions 
as could be carried, and on that day 
reached the house of Seth Putnam, in 
Middlesex, whose farm joined the lot in 
Montpelier which Frizzel then occupied. 
On the 4th, Col. Davis and party cut a 
bridle-road from Putnam's along the bank 
of the Winooski to a hunter's camp in 
Montpelier, on the ground now occupied 
by Washington County jail, nearly in the 
centre of Montpelier village. The hunt- 
er's hut was a very good one, well roofed, 
and walled on three sides, and was used 
until, in 8 or 10 days, a substantial log- 
house, 32 by 16 feet, was constructed and 
occupied. At this time two sons of Col. 
Davis had reached the camp, Jacob, junior, 
aged 19, and Thomas, aged 15 years. The 
party immediately made an onslaught on 
the magnificent maple forest then stand- 
ing, and cleared the land now bounded by 
Court street on the North, North Branch 
on the East, the Winooski on the South, 
and the State House and depot grounds on 
the West. This was the first occupancy 
of Montpelier village with an intention to 
settle permanently. This land was cleared 



in time to plant it with corn, of which a 
good crop was realized ; and early in June, 
Col. Davis left to attend the proprietors' 
meeting at Arlington on the nth, and 
Parley Davis proceeded to survey and lo- 
cate on a lot of about 300 acres at the 
centre of the town, which became his 
home for a long and honorable life. 

The work of clearing the land was con- 
tinued during the summer, and embraced 
most of the meadow land between the 
hills and the Winooski as far west as the 
knoll on which the Parson Wright house 
stands, now occupied by the widow of the 
first pastor's son, the late Jonathan Ed- 
wards Wright. This included the meadow 
land south of State House hill and west of 
North Branch, being nearly 50 acres. 
Thompson stated, on the authority of sur- 
viving contemporaries, that Col. Davis 
alone felled, trimmed out and cut into log- 
ging lengths, an acre of forest of average 
growth per day, and continued at this rate 
for several successive days. There was 
time then in that season for other work, 
and it was vigorously used. Col. and 
Parley Davis having been appointed in 
June, a committee to lay out and construct 
necessary roads, this work was entered 
upon at once. The first road constructed 
was from the Union House bridge, now 
the entrance to School street, skirting the 
hill nearly on the present line of Courtand 
High streets to the Winooski at the Parson 
Wright place, and then following the river, 
substantially as the highway still does, to 
Middle.sex line. The second road cut out 
by the Davises was in Berlin, being the 
present road from near the crest of Berlin 
hill, passing on the east side through the 
Andrew Cummings farm to the Winooski, 
and then following the river to the Gas 
works, where the stream was fordable, ex- 
cept in high water. This intersected a 
road, or more properly path, which had 
been opened through Berlin to the mouth 
of Dog river, and thus made a shorter route 
from the older eastern towns to Montpelier. 
Over this road, in fact, most of the early 
settlers in Montpelier came. 

Tlie food of the sturdy foresters during 
the summer and autumn of 1787, was 



MONTPELIER. 



261 



mainly of the fish of the streams and the 
game of the woods ; but these were of the 
best. The streams were full of trout, some 
of them weighing 5 pounds ; and the woods 
with wild game, such as moose, bears in 
abundance, deer, partridges, etc., and 
these, with the few condiments brought 
in by the party, vegetables and corn of 
the summer''s growth, and a little flour 
from the older settlements, furnished bills 
of fare tempting even to gourmands, and 
were amply sufficient for the pioneers of the 
settlement. All their work that year was 
preparatory for settlement. The log-house 
was not furnished with cellar, floor, oven 
and chimney until autumn, and then, hav- 
ing secured the fruits of the first harvest. 
Col. Davis returned with his sons to 
Brookfield, to prepare his family for mov- 
ing into the new town and the new house 
with the first sufficient fall of snow. 

The family consisted of Col. Davis and 
wife, two sons, and four daughters. The 
sons have already been named. The 
daughters were Rebecca, who became wife 
of Hon. Cornelius Lynde of Williamstown ; 
Hannah, wife of Hon. David Wing, Jr., 
of Montpelier, Secretary of State ; Polly, 
wife of Capt. Thomas West of Montpelier ; 
and Lucy, wife of Capt. Timothy Hubbard 
of Montpelier. Another daughter was born 
in Montpelier. 

Near the close of December, 1787, Col, 
Davis dispatched his sons Jacob and Thom- 
as, with their sisters Rebecca and Polly — 
all that could be carried at once — to Mont- 
pelier, intending tb complete the removal 
of the family by a second journey of the 
team, with which Jacob Davis returned to 
Brookfield. But a series of heavy snow- 
storms made the journey impracticable ; 
and thus the lad Thomas and the two girls 
were the only tenants of the new homestead 
until March. "Not another human face," 
said Thompson, "made its appearance at 
this lonely, snow-hedged and forest-girt 
cabin." Most welcome then was the ad- 
vent of the remainder of the family in 
March, 1788. 

FIRST THINGS. 
The summer work of 1788 comprised the 
tilling of the ground previously cleared ; the 



clearing of the remainder of the meadow 
to the Parson Wright place, and part of 
that east of North Branch, now occupied 
by Main Street ; extending the clearing on 
the west side to the falls on which now 
stand the works of Lane, Pitkin & Brock ; 
and the erection of the first dam and saw- 
mill on those falls. 

During the next summer, 1789, Col. 
Davis erected the first grist-mill on the 
falls of North Branch ; and thus prepara- 
tions were made to tempt new settlers with 
facilities for the erection of dwellings and 
converting the crops of corn and grain in 
the neighborhood into bread-stuffs. 

Sept. 22, the first birth in town oc- 
curred, being that of Clarissa Davis, young- 
est daughter of Col. Jacob Davis, and wife 
of Hon. George Worthington of Montpe- 
lier. 

Col. Davis employed all the men whose 
services could be commanded, his house 
of course being head-quarters, and more- 
over serving as hotel for all visitors. A 
larger house was a necessity ; and there- 
fore, in the summer of 1790, the Colonel 
erected a large house, of two stories, with 
four spacious rooms in each story, and an 
attic that served on occasions as a welcome 
dormitory. This was the first completed 
frame house in Montpelier. After Col. 
Davis left it, this dwelling became the first 
County jail-house, and was such until 1858, 
when it was removed to another part of 
Elm Street, where it is still used as a dwell- 
ing-house. A frame for a house had been 
erected a few days before Col. Davis's, but 
the house was not completed so soon as 
his. It was on the hill one mile north- 
east of the village, and was long known as 
the Silloway house, though it was built by 
James Hawkins, the first blacksmith in 
Montpelier, and finished in 1791. About 
the same time Hawkins also built the third 
frame house, in which the first store was 
opened by Dr. Frye.in 1791. This house 
stood until 1873, and was the first dwelling- 
house on the west side of Main Street, 
nearest to the Arch Bridge. These were 
quickly succeeded, all built by the ener- 
getic Hawkins, by the first Union House, 
which was the hotel kept by Houghton, 



262 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Tufts, Cottrill (before taking the Pavilion,) 
Lamb, Mann, and others in our remem- 
brance, and was burnt in 1835; and the 
Cadwell house, near the junction of Main 
and State Streets, once the finest residence 
in the village, and the favorite boarding- 
place of governors and other dignitaries, 
the wreck of which still stands, to the re- 
gret of many who would have so eligible a 
location for business purposes -worthily 
improved. 

The first wagon was brought into town 
in 1789, from Vergennes, by Thomas Da- 
vis, who had to cut much of his way from 
Williston to Montpelier, and scale "Rock 
Bridge," in Moretown, by an ingenious 
pieee of engineering, which is fully de- 
scribed by Thompson. 

The first notable stranger in Montpelier 
was Prince Edward of England, Duke of 
Kent, son of George III. and father of 
Queen Victoria. He was the guest of Col. 
Davis for a night in the winter of lygo-'gi, 
coming with an armed retinue of 20 men, 
to defend him from violence, and serve as 
"tasters" to try his food and save him from 
poison. Col. Davis so far assured the 
prince of personal safety, that he consent- 
ed to dismiss most of his attendants, who 
returned to Montreal, and the prince con- 
tinued his journey to Boston in a more 
modest and sensible style. * 

The first male child born in town was 
James, son of Solomon Dodge, April 5, 
1790. The first marriage recorded is that 
of Jacob Davis Jr. of Montpelier and Caty 
Taplin of Berlin, the ceremony being per- 
formed by the father of the bride, John 
Taplin Esq., Oct. 3, 1791. 

The first school was kept in a log house 
on the river near Middlesex line, by Jacob 
Davis, jr., and continued from about 1789 
to 1 79 1. In 1 79 1 a school was kept in 
the village, in Col. Davis' house, by David 
Wing, jr., who was subsequently Secre- 
tary of State; and in 1794, the town was 
divided into six districts, and schools 
were regularly maintained thereafter. 

The first tavern was built for Col. Davis 
on Main street, in 1793. It was the origi- 
nal " Union House," on the site of the 



vriiompsoii's Monlpelie7\p. 53. 



Unitarian church. This tavern was burnt 
in 1835, rebuilt and again burnt in 1859, 
and the third Union house was erected on 
its present site. The second tavern, 
known as the " Hutchins Tavern," and 
afterwards the " Shepard Tavern," was 
built about 1800, opposite the entrance of 
Barre to Main street. The "Pavilion" 
was built in preparation for the Legislature 
in 1 808 ; it was probably the finest hotel 
in the State then, and indeed for many 
years, and had a high reputation, specially 
under Thomas Davis, and Mahlon 
Cottrill. 

The first physician was Spaulding Pierce, 
in 1790; the first lawyer, Charles Buckley, 
1797 ; the first minister, Ziba Woodworth, 
free will Baptist, and one of the first set- 
tlers ; and the first mechanics were Col. 
Earned Lamb, carpenter and mill-wright — 
James Hawkins, blacksmith, David Tol- 
man, clothier, Paul Knapp, brick-maker. 

The first thanksgiving day observed in 
the town was Dec. i , 1 791 . The first social 
ball occurred at the house of Col. Davis, 
on the evening of the next day, Dec. 2 ; 
and that was succeeded immediately by 
the first death noted in the record of the 
town — thus : 

"Theophilus Wilson Brooks, drowned 
Dec. 3d, 1 791." 

In fact, however, his death was accom- 
panied by that of his betrothed. Miss Bet- 
sey Hobart, daughter of Capt. James Ho- 
bart, one of the first settlers of Berlin. An 
account of this unusually sorrowful event, 
written two days after and printed in a 
New York City newspaper, Dec. 31, 1791, 
has recently come into the possession of 
The Vermont Historical Society. It is as 
follows : 

Extract of a letter fr 01/1 Montpelier , (Vt..) 
dated December 5 , 1 79 1 . 
A melancholy accident took place here 
last Saturday morning, of which the fol- 
lowing is an account : On Friday, the 2d 
instant, being the day after Thanksgiving 
in this State, the young people in 'this 
neighborhood assembled to spend the even- 
ing in dancing. Amongst others, two 
young gentlemen from this town waited on 
two Misses Hobart, of Berlin, on the other 
side of Onion river. After having spent 
the greater part of the night in merriment, 




^^^^^^^ '^^^^^^;^^ 



MONTPELIER. 



263 



they parted about two o'clock in the morn- 
ing'. The above-mentioned couples hav- 
ing to cross the river in a canoe, they tour, 
(together with the ferryman,) imprudently 
got in all at once, and had not got far from 
the shore before the canoe overset ; but by 
the exertions of the ferryman, they righted 
her, and he, together with a Mr. Putnam, 
one of the young gentlemen, and one of 
the girls, got in ; but in helping the other 
girl in, they unfortunately overset the sec- 
ond time. They then endeavored for the 
shore. Mr. Putnam, at the dangerof his life, 
swam ashore with the younger Miss Ho- 
bart under his arm ; but were both of them 
so far chilled as to be unable to stand, 
having swam more than forty rods, as the 
water was high and the current swift, be- 
fore they reached the shore. The ferry- 
man got ashore by the helpx)f the canoe ; 
the other couple perished in the water. 
The young gentleman drowned is Mr. The- 
ophilus Wilson Brooks, son of Deacon 
Brooks, of Ashford, Connecticut, a val- 
uable young man, aged 25. The young 
woman is a daughter of Capt. Hobart, of 
Berlin, an amiable young woman, about 
twenty years of age. The body of the 
young woman was found about a mile be- 
low, yesterday morning. Mr. Brooks is 
not yet found. 

VITAL STATISTICS. 

In this connection, the vital statistics of 
the town in its earliest years may as well 
be stated. From the settlement of the 
first family in the spring of 1786 to the 
summer of 1799 — more than 13 years — the 
number of deaths recorded was 16. Of 
these, 3 were accidental, and 9 of diseases 
incident to infants and children ; and of 
the 4 remaining, adult cases, 2 were of 
consumption, i of fever, and i of a disease 
unknown. The number of births in the 
same period is stated by Thompson at 130. 
The population in 1791 was 113, and in 
1800, 890 — Thompson's estimated average 
for the whole time, 400. The rate of deaths 
was therefore less than i^ per annum, and 
the percentage five-sixteenths of i percent, 
per 100 of population. The registration 
report states the percentage of deaths in 
the whole State to population, in 1858, to 
be 1. 1 4, which is more than three times 
greater than in Montpelier for the first 13 
years. The rate of births in Montpelier 
was I to every 40 persons ; whereas in the 
State, in 1858, the rate was only i to 



every 49 persons. The difference between 
the town and the State in the proportion of 
births to deaths is most remarkable ; in 
the town the births being more than eight 
times the number of deaths, while in the 
State, the number of births, in 1858, was 
less than twice the number of deaths. It 
certainly must be conceded that Montpel- 
ier was, at the start, a remarkably fruitful 
and healthy town. This is presumed to 
be true of nearly all Vermont towns at the 
first settlement — of all that were not ex- 
posed, by their location, to peculiar mala- 
rial influences. Few but hardy and en- 
ergetic men and women would brave the 
perils and hardships of frontier life, and 
the labor of converting pathless forests 
into habitable, traversable and tillable 
fields ; and such people are proof against 
most diseases. 

Thompson stated other striking facts as 
to the health of the village of Montpelier, 
in his chapter on epidemics, which we 
quote nearly in full. The records of Rev. 
Mr. Wright, noted by Thompson, were 
undoubtedly more complete than the town 
records. The good parson was, from re- 
ligious principle, as well as from strong 
sympathy, a visitor to the bedside of all 
the sick and dying, and his parish then 
included the entire village. 

EPIDEMICS. 
FKOM D. P. THOMPSON'S HISTORY. 

Endemics we have none. From first to 
last no diseases have made their appear- 
ance in town which could be discovered to 
be peculiar to the place, or to have been 
generated by any standing local causes. 
Of epidemics, Montpelier has had its 
share, but still a light share compared, as 
we believe, with a majority of the towns 
in the State, only four deserving the name 
having occurred from the first settlement 
of the town to the present day. 

The first of these was the dysentery, 
which fatally prevailed throughout the 
town, in common with most other towns 
in Vermont, during the summer and fall of 
1802. The victims in Montpelier were : 
Mrs. Sophia Watrous, wife of Erastus Wat- 
rous, Esq. ; Erastus Hubbard, a younger 
brother of Timothy Hubbard ; John Wig- 
gins, another young man, and a consider- 
able number of children. 

The second epidemic was the typhus 
fever, which prevailed to a considerable 



264 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



extent in the summer season of 1806, and 
proved fatal to Montpelierls favorite and 
most honored citizen, David Wing, Jr., 
then Secretary of State. Luther Mosely, 
Esq., another vakied citizen, also fell a 
victim to the same disease, together with 
a young man by the name of Cutler, a girl 
by the name of Goodale, and several 
others. 

The third epidemic visiting the town 
was that fearful disease known by the 
name of spotted fever, which, to the gen- 
eral alarm of the inhabitants, suddenly 
made its appearance in the village in the 
winter of 181 1. The first victim was 
Sibyl Brown, a bright and beautiful daugh- 
ter of Amasa Brown, of the age of nine 
years, who, on Saturday, Jan. 2d, was in 
school, on the evening of that day sliding 
with her mates on the ice, and the next 
morning a corp.se. The wife of Aaron 
Griswold, and the first wife of Jonathan 
Shepard, were next, and as suddenly de- 
stroyed by this terrible epidemic, which 
struck and swept over the village, to which 
it was mostly confined, like the blast of the 
simoom, and was gone. There were over 
70 cases in this village, and, strange to 
tell, but three deaths of the disease, which 
at the same time was nearly decimating 
the then 400 inhabitants of Moretown,and 
sweeping off 60 or 70 of the 2,000 inhab- 
itants of Woodstock. The chief remedy 
relied on here was the prompt use of the 
hot bath, made of a hasty decoction of 
hemlock boughs ; and the pine-board bath- 
ing vessel, made in the shape of a coffin, 
was daily seen, during the height of the 
disease, in the streets, borne on ths shoul- 
ders of men, rapidly moving from house to 
house, to serve in turn the multiplying 
victims. So strange and unexpected were 
the attacks, and so sudden and terrible 
were often the fatal terminations of the 
disease, that it was likened to the Plague 
of the Old World. Some of its types, "in- 
deed, so closely resembled the Plague, as 
well to justify men in deeming them one 
and the same disorder. A bright red spot, 
attended with acute pain in some in- 
stances, appeared in one of the limbs of 
the unwarned victim, and, like the old 
Plague spot, spread, struck to the vitals 
and caused his death in a few hours. In 
other instances, a sort of congestion of the 
blood, or silent paralysis of all the func- 
tions of the life, stole unawares over the 
system of the patient, his pulse faltered 
and nearly stopped, even before he dream- 
ed of the approach of the insidious de- 
stroyer. The late worthy Dr. James Spald- 
ing once told us, that he was the student 
of an eminent physician, in Alstead,N. H,, 
when the epidemic visited that place, that 



he frequently went the rounds with his in- 
structor in his visits to his patients, and 
that on one of these occasions they made 
a friendly call on a family in supposed 
good health, when the master of the house 
congratulated himself on the prospect that 
he and his )oung family were about to es- 
cape the disease which had been cutting 
down so many others. Something, how- 
ever, in the appearance of one or two of the 
apparently healthy group of children present 
attracting the attention of the old Doctor, 
he fell to examining their pulses, when in 
two of them he found the pulse so feeble 
as to be scarcely perceptible ; but keeping 
his apprehensions to himself, he made 
some general prescriptions for all the 
children, and left, hoping his fears would 
not be realiz^l. Within three days both 
of those children were buried in one grave. 
The physicians who had charge of these 
cases in Montpelier were Dr. Lamb, Dr. 
N. B. Spalding, Dr. Woodbury, and Dr. 
Lewis, of Moretown. Volumes have been 
written on the causes of this and similar 
epidemics, and yet to this day the subject 
is involved in clouds of mystery. 

The fourth epidemic followed soon after 
the last, and in some instances, assumed 
some of its peculiar types. This occurred 
in the winter of 18 13, and was here gen- 
erally called the typhus fever, though it 
partook more of the characteristics of per- 
ipneumony, or lung fever, being the same 
disease which first broke out the fall be- 
fore, among the U. S. troops at Burling- 
ton, and by the following mid-winter had 
become a destructive epidemic in nearly 
every town in the State, carrying oiT, ac- 
cording to the statistics of Dr. Gallup, 
more than 6,000 persons, or one to every 
40 of its whole population. In this whole 
town, during the year 1813, the number of 
deaths — most of which were of this dis- 
ease — was 78, among which were those of 
Capt. N. Doty, R. Wakefield, C. Hamblin 
and others, in the prime of life. This great 
number of deaths in one year was, beyond 
all comparison, greater than ever occurred 
before, or has ever occurred since, it is be- 
lieved, in proportion to the population, 
which was then about 2,000; while the av- 
erage number of deaths in town per year, 
about that period, was, as near as can now 
be ascertained, but a little over 20, and of 
course but little more than one death in 
100. In the village, according to records 
left by the Rev. Chester Wright, the av- 
erage number of deaths for the five years 
preceding 18 13 was but four per year, 
which must have been considerably less 
than one to 100 yearly. This seems to be 
confirmed by another record left by Mr. 
Wright, of the number of deaths occurring 



MONTPELIER. 



265 



each year in the village for the 14 years 
succeeding 18 16, ])y which it appears that 
the average number of deaths in the vil- 
lage, during that whole period, was but 10 
yearly, while the population during the 
last-named period increased from nearly 
1,000 in 1816 to nearly 2,000 in 1830; so 
that the rate of mortality during the whole 
19 years, of which we have given the ap- 
proximate statistics, was, with the excep- 
tion of 18 14, always greatly less than one 
to every 100 inhabitants ; all going to con- 
firm what we have before stated respecting 
the peculiar healthiness of the location of 
our town, and especially of our village, 
from the earliest times to the present day. 

Notices of Proprietors' Meetings, of taxes, 
and of Sales of lands for Taxes in Mont- 
pelier — Compiled by Henry Stevens, 
Se7iior, from files of the [^Windsor'] Ver- 
mont Journal and the \_Bennington'] 
Vermont Gazette.* 

organization of the town. 
March 4, 1791, Jacob Davis, Clark 
Stevens and Jonathan Cutler presented a 
petition to JohnTapIin, of Berlin, a justice 
of the peace for the County of Orange, 
praying that a warrant might be issued for 
callifig a meeting of the inhabitants to or- 
ganize the town. Though this petition 
was not legal, (having the signatures of 
only three freeholders, while the statute 
required four,) Justice Taplin took no no- 
tice of the defect, but issued a warrant " to 
Clark Stevens, one of the principal inhab- 
itants of Montpelier," requiring him to 



* It wiU be observed that tliesc legal notices cover a 
niucli larger amount or taxes than that given lii the 
preceding text. Compilations Iil<e tlie above, for 
many towns, may be I'ovind In tlie State Library, at 
the end of an old volume of tlie Windsor Journal. 

Jour 

Proprietors to meet Aug 17, 1784, No 

Ditto, Sept 12, 1786, [not lioldcn,] 

Ditto, Sept 26, 1785, [not liolden,] 

Ditto, 2d Wednesday of .Jan 178(i, 

Taxed 25s 8d per right, Jan 9, '87, 

Proprietors to meet 2d Tuesday 
of June, 1787. 

Sale of lands for the tax of 25s 8d, 
June 12, 1787, 

Taxed £1 9s 4d by tlie proprietors, 
June 12, 1787, 

Lands to be sold for said tax, Oct. 
16, 1787. 

Lands to l)e sold for town tax, 
Jan 3, 1788, 

Taxed 19s 6d per right by the pro- 
prietors [June, '88,] 

Lands to be sold for said tax last 
Wednesday of Oct, 1788, 

Taxed £27 14s 5d for tlie general 
survey, 

Lands to be sold for do. Feb 16,'89, 

Two penny tax to be paid in la- 
bor, May, June and July, '89, 

Lands to be sold for the general 
survey tax, March 16, 1789, 

Lands to be sold for the 2 penny 
tax, June 23. 1791, 

Proprietors to meet Aug 28, 1792, 



nal. 

. 48 

108 
118 
184 




lazette. 

No. 55 
114 
117 
122 
190 


193 




203 


196 




203 


207 




212 


215 




222 


226 




234 


258 Vol . 6 


,No. 5 


269 " 


6, 


16 


276 " 

284 


6. 
[no 


24 

sales.] 


290 Vol.6, 


40 


289 " 


6, 


34 


403 " 
465 


8, 


49 



warn a meeting of the freeholders and 
other inhabitants of the town, to meet at 
the house of Jacob Davis on Tuesday, the 
29th day of March, 1791, at 9 o'clock in 
the morning, to choose a moderator, clerk, ' 
selectmen, trea.surer, and all other town 
officers, and to see if said town will choose 
some proper person to remove the pro- 
prietors' records into the town. This 
warrant was dated March 8, 1791, and on 
the same day Mr. Stevens posted his warn- 
ing in accordance with the warrant and 
the statute. Pursuant to the warning a 
meeting was holden, of which the follow- 
ing is the record : 

First Town Meeting. 

At a town meeting of the inhabitants of 

Tviontpelier, legally warned and met at the 

dwelling-house of Col. Jacob Davis, in said 

Montpelier, on the 29th day of March, 

179I'— 

Proceeded to choose a Moderator, &c. 
&c. 

1st, Voted, and chose Col. Jacob Davis 
Moderator to govern said meeting. 

2nd, Voted, and chose Ziba Wood worth 
Town Clerk. 

3d, Voted, and chose James Hawkins ist 
Select Man. 

4th, Voted, and chose James Taggart 2d 
Select Man. 

5th, Voted, and chose Hiram Peck 3d 
Select Man. 

6th, Voted, and chose Jonathan Cutler 
Town Treasurer. 

7th, Voted, and chose Parley Davis Con- 
stable and Collector. 

8th, Voted, and chose Josiah Hurlburt 
Highway Surveyor. 

9th, Voted, and chose Benj. I. Wheeler 
Highway Surveyor. 

loth. Voted, and chose .Solomon Dodge 
Highway Surveyor. 

nth Voted, and chose Col. Jacob Davis 
Lister. 

J 2th, Voted, and chose Benj. I. Wheel- 
er Lister. 

13th, Voted, and chose Clark Stevens 
Lister. 

14th, Voted, and chose Col. Jacob Davis 
Fence Viewer. 

15th, Voted to adjourn said meeting till 
the 1st Tuesday of .September. 

The aforementioned officers were duly 
sworn and affirmed to the faithful discharge 
of their respective offices, before John 
Taplin, Justice of the Peace for said Coun- 
ty- 

Ziba Woodworth, Town Clerk. 



34 



266 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



On the record is tlie following; list of vo- 
ters who took jxiit in the organization of 
the town, to which we liave aihled. when- 
ever possilile, tile region from wliich tliesc 
original freemen o( the town c.vme. 

r>enjaniin I. Wheeler, Rehobolh, Mass. ; 
David Parsons. Oxford, now Charlton, 
Mass. ; Parley Davis, Oxford, now Charl- 
ton, Mass. ; Kbenezer Dodge, Peterbor- 
ongh, N. li. ; Solomon Dodge, Peterbor- 
ough, N, H.; Nathaniel Peek, Royalston, 
Mass. ; David Wing, Rochester, Mass. ; 
Lemuel lirooks, Ashford, Ct. ; Clark Ste- 
vens, ]\ochester, Mass. ; Jonathan Snow, 
Rochester, Mass. ; Hiram Peck, Royals- 
ston, Mass. ; James Hawkins, James Tag- 
gart, John Templeton ; IClisha Cummins, 
born in Sutton. Mass. ; Jonathan C"utler, 
Charles McCloud ; Col. Jacol) Davis, Ox- 
ford, now Charlton, Mass. ; Isaac Putnam ; 
Nathaniel Davis, Oxford, now Charlton, 
Mass. ; Ziba Woodworth, Pozrah, Conn. ; 
Jerathmel [P.] Wheeler, Rehoboth, Mass. ; 
Smith SteVens, Rochester, i\Ia.ss. ; Charles 
Stevens, Rochester, Mass. ; Edmund Doty ; 
Duncan Young, a Scotchman, from Pur- 
go\ ne's armv ; Freeman West. New Bed- 
ford. Mass. ' 

The name of Josiah Ilurlburt appears in 
the list of town oflicers elected, and it is 
presumed he was a citizen of lawful age. 
Jacob Davis, Jr., was also of age and a 
citizen at that time. Thompson states that 
David Wing Jr. and Earned Lamb were 
then Freemen of the town, and sugge.sts 
that they may have been absent on the day 
of the meeting. This would make the 
whole number known to be freemen of the 
town at the organization, 30. The total 
population, by the census taken that year, 
was 113, which was small for the number 
of voters ; but doubtless several who acted 
in town meeting had not then brought 
their families into town. 

These names indicate, as the fact was, 
that on the organization of the town, set- 
tlements liad been made in every quarter 
of it, on the hills antl in the river valleys. 
Even now the farms of these men are 
easily recognized, and many are owned by 
the descendants of the original settlers. 
The early occupancy of the town so gen- 
erally was doubtless due to the provision 
in the original charter, which required 
"that each proprietor, his heirs or assigns, 



shall plant or cultivate 5 acres of land, and 
build an house at least 18 feet sciuare on the 
Hoor, or have one family settled on each 
respective right, within the term of 3 years 
after the circumstances of the war will ad- 
mit of a settlement with safety, on penalty 
of the forfeiture of each respective right, or 
share of land, in saitl t()wnshi[), not so 
improved or settled." 

IIAIUTS AND CIIARACTKR OV rilK FIKST 
SKTTI.KKS. 

I'lIDM I). I'. TllciiMr.-ON. 

Among the whole list of the 27 freemen 
who joined m its organization we fuul but 
one or two who did not become, not only 
the permanent residents of the town, but 
the permanent owners ol the farms they 
first purchased and improved for their 
homes. And in looking, now, over that 
ever to be honored roll of men, then all 
farmers, consisting of the Wheelers, the 
Davises, the Templetons, the Putnams, 
the Stevenses, the Cumminses, etc., and 
then glancing over the town, we can 
scarcely find one of the original homesteads 
of all those thus settling which is not still 
in the possession of some one of their de- 
scendants. This fact alone speaks, vol- 
umes in praise of the original inhabitants 
of the town. It speaks in such praise, be- 
cause it presupposes and proves the ex- 
istence, in them, of that invaluable combi- 
nation of traits of character which can 
alone ensure full success in building uji an 
abidingly thrifty town, and a well-ordered 
and respectable community — the resolu- 
tion and physical endurance necessary tor 
subduing the forests, the frugality and 
economy in living reciuired tor retaining 
and increasing the amount of their hard 
earnings, and the foresight and general 
capacity for business indisjiensable for the 
successful management of their accjuisi- 
tions. 

That the first inhabitants of Montpelier 
were generally men of great i)hysical 
powers, resolution and stability of pur- 
pose, and that they applied their energies 
of body and mind to the best etVect, in 
clearing up and improving their township, 
mav be well enough seen in the pictures 
we have already clrawn of the first years ot 
the settlement, but more certainly so in 
the noble results of their exertions, which, 
after 20 vears, stood developed in their 
individual thrit't, in their aggregate wealth 
and pecuniary independence. 

But those results were not brought about 
by hard labor alone. Strict frugality ni 
living lent its scarcely less important aid 
in the work. Nature has but few wants ; 



MONTPELIER. 



267 



and these settlers and their families seem 
U) have been well content to put up with 
her real requirements. The ambition for 
(h'si)lay in dress, e(iuippa<(e and costly 
lMiil(lin<(s was a forbidden, and an almost 
unknown, passion among them. And all 
expectations of making property without 
work, or of living on credit, were ideas 
which were still more scouted. They 
dressed comfortaljly but very plainly, wear- 
ing, for the 12 or 15 years of the settle- 
ment at least, scarcely anything but what 
was the ]iroduct of their own looms and 
spinning-wheels. With these implements, 
so necessary for the times, nearly every 
household was supplied. The girls spun, 
and the mothers wove, from their own 
wool, the flannels to be dressed or pressed 
for their best winter wear, and from their 
own flax the neat linen checks for their 
gowns and aprons for summer. Then the 
females of that day made their health, 
tlieir husbands' or fathers' wealth, and es- 
tablished enduring habits of industry for 
themselves, as they were passing along in 
their daily routine of hou.sehold employ- 
ments. And who does not see how much 
better it would in reality be for the health, 
constitutions and habits of the females of 
the present day, if they were compelled to 
resort to the same way of clothing them- 
selves and their families. P'oreign man- 
ufactured goods were scarcely u.sed at all 
for clothing during the first dozen years of 
the settlement. The wives who came into 
town with their husbands might have 
brought with them, perhaps, their calico 
gowns; and it was known that " Marm 
Davis," as that pattern of hou.sewives, the 
heli)-meet of Col. Davis, was called, had 
brought with her a silk gown — the one, it 
is believed, in which she was married ; but 
it is not known that there were any others. 
The first silk dress that was ever pur- 
chased and brought into Montpelier for 
one of its lady residents was one obtained 
for the wife of Judge David Wing, and 
was first worn by her at a meeting late in 
1803. 

" I well remember when that first silk 
gown made its appearance," recently said 
an aged lady cotemiJorary of the favored 
])ossessor of the rare garment, to us while 
making encjuires about such matters. " It 
was a meeting held in one of Col. Davis' 
new Ijarns. Hannah, that is Mrs. Wing, 
came in with it on, and made quite a sen- 
sation among us, but being so good a 
woman, and putting on no airs about it, 
we did not go to envying her. We thought 
it extravagant, to be sure ; but as her hus- 
band had just been elected Secretary of 
State, and might wisli to take her abroad 
with him, we concluded at length that the 



purchase might be perhaps, after all, (|uite 
a pardonaljle act." 

Ribbons and laces were not worn nor 
po.s.se.ssed by the women ; and the wearing 
of bonnets, which are thought to require 
trimmings made of such materials, was 
scarcely more fre(juent. Instead of bon- 
nets, they generally wore for head-dress 
when going abroad, the more substantial, 
but no less neat and tasteful, small fur 
hats, which were then already being man- 
ufactured in several of the older towns in 
the State. And it was not till a merchant 
had established himself in town that any 
innovation was made in these simple kinds 
of female attire. Then, for the first time, 
calico gowns became common — the best 
qualities of which cost 75 cents per yard, 
but of so strong and substantial a fabric 
that one of them would outwear two, or 
even three of most of those of the present 
day. 

The men clre.s.sed as plain, or plainer. 
Tow cloth for summer, and striped un- 
dressed woolens for winter, were the stand- 
ing materials of their ordinary apparel. 
For jjublic occasions, however, most of 
them managed to obtain one dress each, 
made of homespun woolen, colored and 
dressed cloth, which, as they used them, 
were generally good for their lifetimes. 
The first "go-to-meeting" dresses of the 
boys were also, of course, domestic man- 
ufacture, and generally of fustian. A new 
fustian coat was a great thing in the eyes 
of a boy of fourteen in those days. 

But as theirdays of gallantry approached, 
their ambition sometimes soared to a new 
India cotton shirt, which then cost 62 
cents per yard, though now not a fourth 
of that amount. The men wore fur caps 
or felt hats for every-day use, but some of 
them, fur hats on public occasions ; and a 
few of the wealthier cla.ss, especially if 
they became what was called public char- 
acters, bought themselves beaver hats, 
which stood in about the .same relation 
among the outfits of the men as did silk 
gowns among those of the women, such 
hats at that time costing $30 each. IJut 
this was not so very bad economy as might 
be supposed, after all, since one of the 
clear beaver hats of that day would not 
only wear through the lifetime of the 
owner, but the lifetime of such of his sons 
as had the luck to inherit it. 

The ordinary articles of family food 
were corn and wheat bread, potatoes, 
peas, beans and garden vegetables, pork, 
fish and wild game. Sweet-cake, as it was 
called, was rarely made, and pastry was 
almost wholly unknown. Indeed, we have 
been unable to learn that a pie of any kind 
was ever seen on a table in town till nearly 



268 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a dozen years after it was first settled. 
About that time, however, one of the 
elder daughters of Col. Davis, on noticing 
some fine pumpkins that were brought to 
the house during the harvesting, conceived 
the ambitious idea of making a mess of 
pumpkin pies, and obtaining at last the 
reluctant consent of her mother to let her 
make the experiment, she made a batch 
which took to a charm with the whole fam- 
ily and the several visitors invited to par- 
take of the novel repast. After this, 
pumpkin pies became a staple of the tea- 
table on all extra occasions. 

Laboring men who, in felling the forest, 
logging, or boiling .salts, as the first state 
of making potashes and pearls was called, 
often went considerable distances from 
their homes to work, generally took their 
dinners along with them into the woods, 
leaving the women to take care of the 
cattle and everything recjuiring atten- 
tion about home. These dinners gener- 
ally consisted of baked or stewed pork and 
beans, and not unfrequently of only bread 
and raw salt pork. Colonel Davis always 
used to recommend to his laborers to eat 
their pork raw or without any kind of 
cooking, contending that it was more 
healthy when eaten in that way than in any 
other.' Some of the new hands that had 
been hired in by the Colonel at last, how- 
ever, rebelled against the practice. Among 
the latter was Lemuel Brooks, the after- 
wards well-known Captain Brooks, who 
assured his fellow-laborers one day, after 
they had been making their dinners on 
raw pork, that he was determined to 
set his wits to work and see if he could 
not, by the next noon, get up a more 
christianlike dinner. Accordingly he came 
on the next morning with gun and ammu- 
nition, and just before noon stepped off 
into the neighboring thickets, and shot 
two or three brace of partridges, which, in 
their chosen localities, were as plenty as 
hens about a farm-house. And having 
speedily plucked and dressed the birds, he 
suspended them by the legs over a fire 
..struck and built for the purpose, with a 
thick slice of pork made to hang directly 
above each, so that the salt gravy should 
drip upon or into them, and moisten and 
season them while cooking. As soon as 
he had thus prepared his meal, he hallooed 
to the men, and in his usual jovial and 
humorous manner, bid them come in and 
partake of his " new invented dinner of 
parched partridges." And parched part- 
ridges thenceforward became a favorite 
meal among the woodmen of the settle- 
ment. 

The out-door work, at the period of 
which we have been speaking, was by no 



means all performed by the male inhab- 
itants. Wives and daughters considered 
it no disparagement to go out to work in 
the fields, or even into the forest, when- 
ever the occasion required it at their hands. 
They boiled salts and made maple sugar at 
times in the woods, and often in busy 
seasons, worked with their husbands, fath- 
ers or brothers, in making hay, harvesting 
grain, husking corn and digging potatoes 
in the field. The wives and daughters of 
the rich and poor alike cheerfully engaged 
in all these out-door employments, when 
tlie work, for want of the necessary male 
help or other circumstances, seemed to in- 
vite their assistance. Even Colonel Davis, 
whose family was regarded as standing in 
the first position in society, could be seen 
leading his bevy of beautiful daughters 
into his fields to pull flax. 

But fmgality in modes of dress, the 
supplies of the table, and other domestic 
arrangements for saving expenses and liv- 
ing within their means, did not constitute 
the whole of their system of economy. 
Tlieir provident forecast taught them the 
evils of debt. For they felt that under 
the depressing influence of that sort of 
slavery, they could never enjoy that feel- 
ing of proud iudependence which they 
carefully cherished, and which constituted 
the best part of their happiness. They 
rightly appreciated, also, the bad moral 
tendencies of that evil, than which scarcely 
nothing more silently and surely tends, 
with its numberless temptations, to do 
what we otherwise would not do, to de- 
l^ase our best feelings and convictions as 
men, and undermine our best civic virtues 
as freemen. Our first settlers, therefore, 
carefully avoided it, making their calcula- 
tions far ahead so to live, so to purchase, 
and so to enlarge their plans of improve- 
ment, as to keep out of debt, and often 
foregoing the most tempting of bargains 
rather than increase it. 

To enable the reader to estimate the 
cost of living and the profits of farming, as 
well as to appreciate the frugality of set- 
tlers, it will be well to note a few of the 
prevailing prices of labor, stock and other 
products of the day, as well as those of 
the few necessary articles which the set- 
tlers were compelled to import for their 
use and consumption in living, or in pur- 
suing their ordinary avocations. 

PRICES OF LABOR, STOCK, EXPORTED 
AND IMPORTED ARTICLES. 

The wages of the best class of laborers 
were' $9.00 per month, and 42 to 50 cents 
for casual day's work. 

The common price of wheat was 67 cts. 
per bushel ; Indian corn, 50 ; oats, 25 ; 



MONTPELIER. 



269 



potatoes, 25 ; best yoke of oxen, $40.00 ; 
best horses, $50; best cows, $25 ; salts of 
lye, $4 to $5 per cwt. ; pork, in dressed 
hogs, $4 to $6 ; beef, averaging $4. 

Of articles imported, the prices were : 
For rock salt, $3 per bushel ; common, 
$2.50; loaf sugar, 42 cts. per lb. ; brown, 
17 to 20 cts. ; common W. I. molasses, 
$1.17 per gallon; green tea, $2 per lb.; 
poorest Bohea, 50 cts. per lb. ; nutmegs, 12 
cts. each ; ginger, 34 cts. per lb. ; pepper, 
75 ; iron shovels, $1.50 each ; broad-cloth, 
$8 to $10 per yd. ; E. I. cotton cloth, 62 
cts. ; calico, 50 to 75 cts. ; W. I. nmi, $2 
per gallon; dry salt fish, 11 cts. per lb. 

And yet, with these extremely low pri- 
ces for their products, and enormously 
high ones for their imported necessaries, 
the settlers, such was their industry and 
frugality, steadily progressed along the 
way to independence and wealth. But 
though the openings in the forest, rapidly 
increasing in extent and number, the more 
and more highly cultivated fields, the bet- 
ter and better filled barns, and the con- 
stantly multiph-ing stock of the barn- 
yards, made their yearly progress in thrift 
clearly obvious to all, yet the ratio of that 
progress can be accurately estimated only 
from the financial statistics of the town. 
And for this purpose we subjoin the sev- 
eral grand lists of the town from its or- 
ganization for the ne.xt succeeding fifteen 
years, or to and including 1807, all taken 
yearly and on the same plan. 

GRAND LISTS OF MONTPELIER FROM 1 792 
TO 1806, INCLUSIVE. 
1792, $2,141.67; 1793, $3,075.00; 1794, 
$4,531.67; 1795.^5.705-83; 1796, $7,660; 

1797. $9,794-18.; 1798,110,963.93; 1799, 
$14,538.75; 1800, $15,390.93; 1801, $16,- 
979.77; 1802, $17,437.13; 1803, $18,126.- 
99; 1804, $19,310.91; 1805, $22,920.55; 
1806, $25,883.80. 

The increase of the population of the 
town, in the meanwhile, will be .seen by 
the different enumerations of the U. S. 
Census, the whole of whicli, as we may 
not find a more convenient place for them, 
we will also here insert. 

Census of the Town. — By the first 
enumeration, 1791, 113; in 1800, 890; 
1810, 1,877; 1820, 2,308; 1830, 2,985; 
1840, 3,725 ; 1850, Montpelier, 2,310, East 
Montpelier, 1,448, united, 3,758; i860, 
Montpelier, 2,411, East Montpelier, 1,328, 
united, 3,739 ; 1870, Montpelier, 3,023, 
East Montpelier, 1,130, united, 4,153; 
1880, Montpelier, 3,219, East Montpelier, 
972, united, 4,191. 

This statement shows a steady increase 
except in i860, '70 and '80, when East 
Montpelier lost materially. From 1840 to 



i860 the old* town as a whole was nearly 
stationary, while the present town, or the 
old village, has constantly increased. 



Part II. History Subsequent to the 
Organization of the Town. 

The strictly civil history of the town 
from its organization is that of every town 
in Vermont — a record of town meetings, 
of roads laid, school districts established, 
taxes voted, cemeteries provided, and lists 
made of persons warned out of town that 
they might not become chargeable to it as 
paupers ;* of elections, national, state and 
town, and of annual reports and returns 
required ; of intentions of marriage, mar- 
riages, births and deaths — very incom- 
plete. These fill volumes, and are of no 
use but for occasional reference, and in- 
stead of these it is deemed best to give con- 
densed statements, under different heads, 
of what has served to make the town, and 
most to mark its history, mainly outside of 
its official records. 

political history. 

Votes for President fro/n 1828 to i88o.f 

1828, John Quincy Adams, (National 
Republican,) 185 ; Andrew Jackson, (Dem- 
ocratic,) 171. 

1832, t Andrew Jackson, (Democratic,) 
284; Henry Clay, (Nat. Repub.) 163; 
Wm. Wirt, (anti-Masonic,) 70. 

1836, Martin Van Buren, (Democratic,) 
311 ; Wm. Henry Harrison, (Whig,) 246. 

1840, Martin Van Buren, (Democratic,) 
348; Wm. Henry Harrison, Whig,) 340; 
scattering 5. 

1844. James K. Polk, (Democratic,) 
348; Henry Clay, (Whig.) 250; James G. 
Birney, (Abolition,) 55. 

1848, § Zachary Taylor, (Whig,) 403; 



•These lists contain llie names of tlie wealtliiest as 
well as of tlie poorest citizens, witli tlieii- families, Ir- 
respective of character, color or condition, and were 
intended to embrace every person wlio at the lime 
liad not become lettally chargeable to the town in case 
aid or support slioiild be needed. 

t The first recorded vote is that of 1828, the presiden- 
tial electors having been previously elected by tlie 
General Assembly. 

J There is no record of presidential vote, and the 
votes given above were for Slate officers that year, 
being llie nearest approximation to the presidential 
vote. 

§Atallof the elections thus marked [ijl, members 
and officers ot the Legislature voted in Montpelier. 



270 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Lewis Cass, (Democratic,) 333 ; Martin 
Van Buren, (Free-Soil,) 249. 

After the Division of t/ie Town. 

1852, Winfield Scott, (Whig,) 388; 
Franklin Pierce, (Democratic,) 222 ; John 
P. Hale, (Abolition,) 171. 

1856, § John C. Freemont, (Republi- 
can,) 726; James Buchanan, (Democratic,) 
198 ; scattering, i. 

i860, § Abraham Lincoln, (Republican,) 
541 ; Stephen A. Douglass, (Democrat- 
ic,) 180; Edward Everett, (Conservative,) 
3 ; John C. Breckenridge, (pro-slavery 
Dem.) 2. 

1864, § Abraham Lincoln, (Republican,) 
664; Geo. B. McClellan, (Democratic,) 

157- 

1868, Ulysses S. Grant, (Republican,) 
416; Horatio Seymour, (Democratic,) 148. 

1872, Ulysses S. Grant, (Republican,) 
496; Horace Greeley, (Liberal,) 223; 
Charles O'Connor, (Democrat,) 3. 

1876,$ Rutherford B. Hayes, (Republi- 
can,) 577 ; Samuel J. Tilden, (Democrat,) 

423- 

1880, James A. Garfield, (Republican,) 
651 ;W. S. Hancock, (Democrat,) 382; 
scattering, 2. 

In ten of the above elections the ma- 
jority of votes cast in Montpelier was for 
the candidate elected ; in one instance the 
plurality was for the candidate elected ; in 
one instance the plurality and in two in- 
stances the majority was for candidates who 
were not elected. In 10 elections out of 14, 
therefore, the preference of Montpelier 
has coincided with that of the nation ; 
four times on the Democratic side, and six 
times on the Republican side. 
Votes for Governor front 1792 to 1880. 

1792, Thomas Chittenden 24. 

1793, Thomas Chittenden 23, Samuel 
Hitchcock 2, Parley Davis i. 

1794, Thomas Chittenden 26, Elijah 
Paine 25, Nathaniel Niles i. 

1795, Thomas Chittenden 27, Lsaac 
Tichenor 19. 

1796, Isaac Tichenor 24, Thos. Chitten- 
den 17, Paul Brigham i. 

1797, Elijah Paine 22, Samuel Hitch- 
cock 6, David Wing, Jr., 3, Lewis R. 
Morris i. 



1798-99, Unanimous for Isaac Tichenor, 
the votes being 47 and 64. 

1800, Isaac Tichenor 59, Paul Brigham 
2, Edward Lamb i. 

1801, Isaac Tichenor 51, Paul Brigham 
I, Israel Smith i. 

1802, Isaac Tichenor 49, Israel Smith 
13, Joseph Wing i. 

1803, Isaac Tichenor 59, Jonathan Rob- 
inson 12. 

1804, Isaac Tichenor 65, Jona. Robin- 
son 28, Lewis R. Morris 2, Jonas Galu- 
sha I. 

1805, Isaac Tichenor 69, Jona. Robin- 
son 16, Israel Smith i. 

1806, Isaac Tichenor 58, Israel Smith 
23, James Fisk i. 

1807, Isaac Tichenor 68, Israel Smith 21. 

1808, Lsaac Tichenor 117, Israel Smith 
109; Wm. Chamberlain 2. 

1809, Jonas Galusha 155, Isaac Tichenor 
112. Paul Brigham 4, Charles Marsh and 
Edward Lamb i each. 

1810, Jonas Galusha 147, Isaac Tichenor 
107, Paul Brigham, Elijah Paine and 
James Fisk i each. 

181 1, Jonas Galusha 150, Martin Chit- 
tenden 103, Paul Brigham 2, Wm. Cham- 
berlain and Benjamin Swan i each. 

1812, Jonas Galusha 163, Martin Chit- 
tenden 147, Paul Brigham 2, Timothy 
Merrill and Salvin Collins i each. 

18 1 3, Jonas Galusha 172, Martin Chit- 
tenden 150, Paul Brigham and William 
Chamberlain 2 each, Chauncey Langdon i. 

1814, Jonas Galusha 163, Martin Chit- 
tenden 156, Wm. Chamberlain and Ed- 
ward Lamb i each. 

181 5, Martin Chittenden 175, Jonas Ga- 
lusha 171, Paul Brigham and Nahum Kel- 
ton I each. 

1816, Jonas Galushanone, Saml. Strong 
none; number of votes not recorded. 

1817, Jonas Galusha 147, Isaac Tichenor 
72. 

i8i8-''i9, Jonas Galusha 155, Charles 
Marsh i ; same each year. 

1820, unanimous for Richard Skinner; 
191 votes cast. 

i82i-'22, Richard Skinner 172, Dudley 
Chase 2 ; same both years. 

1823, Cornelius P. Van Ness 145. 



MONTPELIER. 



271 



1824, Cornelius P. Van Ness 126, Sam- 
uel C. Crafts I. 

1825, Cornelius P. Van Ness 227, Sam- 
uel C. Crafts 5, Wm. A Griswold i. 

1826, Ezra Butler 189, Lemuel Whitney 
56, Joel Doolittle 2, Samuel C. Crafts i. 

1827, Ezra Butler 359; opposition vote 
not published ; no town record. 

1828, Samuel C. Crafts 187, Joel Doo- 
little 2. 

1829, Samuel C. Crafts 190, Joel Doo- 
little 74, Heman Allen 11, Chauncey Lang- 
don 2, Ira Allen and Silas Crafts i each. 

1830, Samuel C. Crafts 181, Ezra Meach 
172, Wm. A. Palmer 37. 

183 1, Ezra Meach 234, Heman Allen 
141, Wm. A. Palmer 77, Samuel C. Crafts i. 

1832, Ezra Meach 284, Samuel C. Crafts 
163, Wm. A. Palmer 70. 

1833, John Roberts 216, Wm. A. Palmer 
193, Ezra Meach 114, Horatio Seymour 
18, James Bell 3, D. A. A. Buck i. 

1834, Wm. C. Bradley 347, Wm. A. 
Palmer 154, Horatio Seymour 1 18, Samuel 
C. Crafts I. 

1835, Wm. C. Bradley 302, Charles 
Paine 115, Wm. A. Palmer 52, Wm. A. 
Griswold and Dudley Chase i each. 

1836, Wm. C. Bradley 375, Silas H. 
Jennison 281, Wm. Slade i. 

1837, Wm. C. Bradley 346, Silas H. 
Jennison 292. 

1838, Wm. C. Bradley 388, .Silas H. 
Jennison 305. 

1839, Nathan Smilie 405, Silas H. Jen- 
nison 340, Timothy Goodale 3, Lyman 
Fitch I. 

1840, Paul Dillingham, Jr., 428, Silas H. 
Jennison 386, Solomon Sias 5, scatter- 
ing 3- 

1841, Nathan Smilie 445, Charles Paine 
261, Titus Hutchinson 43, Samuel C. 
Crafts and H. F. Janes i each. 

1842, Nathan Smilie 430, Charles Paine 
272, Charles K. Williams 22, C. B. Wil- 
liams I. 

1843, Daniel Kellogg 404, John Mat- 
tocks 248, Charles K. Williams 26. 

1844, Daniel Kellogg 420, Wm. Slade 
318, Wm. R. Shafter 70, scattering i. 

1845, Daniel Kellogg 382, Wm. Slade 
238, Wm. R. Shafter 83, scattering 2. 



1846, John Smith 385, Horace Eaton 
269, Lawrence Brainerd99,Heman Allen2. 

1847, Paul Dillingham, Jr., 366, Horace 
Eaton 255, Lawrence Brainerd 100, Dan- 
iel Kellogg 4, Jedediah H. Harris i. 

1848, Paul Dillingham, Jr., 376, Carlos 
Coolidge 258, Oscar L. Shafter 118. 

After the Division of the Town. 

1849, Carlos Coolidge 248, Horatio Need- 
ham 248. 

1850, Charles K. Williams 259, Lucius 
B. Peck 236, John Roberts 12. 

1851, Charles K. Williams 238, Tim- 
othy P. Redfield 223, John S. Robinson 14. 

1852, Erastus Fairbanks 242, John S. 
Robinson 125, Lawrence Brainerd 89. 

1853, Erastus Fairbanks 220, John S. 
Robinson 173, Lawrence Brainerd 68, 
Stephen Royce i . 

1854, Stephen Royce 248, Merritt Clark 
165, Lawrence Brainerd 9, Wm. C. Kit- 
tredge i. 

1855, Stephen Royce 378, Merritt Clark 
144, Wm. R. Shafter 3. 

1856, Ryland Fletcher 284, Henry Keyes 
155, scattering 4. 

1857, Ryland Fletcher 197, Henry Keyes 
100, scattering 2. 

1858, Hiland Hall 236, Henry Keyes 
124, Wm. R. Shafter 3, Philip C. Tucker i. 

1859, Hiland Hall 265, John G. Saxe 
123. 

i860, Erastus Fairbanks 326, John G. 
Saxe 140, Robert Harvey 4. 

1 861, Andrew Tracy 199, Frederick 
Holbrook 146, Wm. R. Shafter 2, Hiram 
Atkins I. 

1862, Frederick Holbrook 173, Paul 
Dillingham 19, B. H.Smalley 6, Levi Un- 
derwood 5, scattering 4. 

1863, John G. Smith 318, Timothy P. 
Redfield 67. ' 

1864, John G. Smith 399, T. P. Red- 
field 97, scattering i. 

1865, Paul Dillingham 268, Charles N. 
Davenport 90. 

1866, Paul Dillingham 327, Charles N. 
Davenport 125. 

1867, John B. Page 288, John L. Ed- 
wards 112, B. B. Smalley i. 

1868, John B. Page 457, John L. Ed- 
wards 175. 



272 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1869, Peter T. Washburn 301, Homer 
W. Heaton 138. 

1870, John W. Stewart 322, Homer W. 
Heaton 167. 

1872, Julius Converse 424, Abram B. 
Gardner 265. 

1874, Asahel Peck 301, W. H. H. Bing- 
ham 297. 

1876, Horace Fairbanks 503, W. H. H. 
Bingham 369, scattering i . 

1878, Redfield Proctor 37S, W. H. H. 
Bingham 258, scattering il • 

1880, Roswell Farnham 540, E.J. Phelj^s 
290, scattering i. 

From the above record it appears that 
the town was Federal in politics from its 
organization until 1809, the year after the 
election of Mr. Madison as President : 
that in 1809 and until 18 15 the Republicans 
of the Jeffersonian school were in the ma- 
jority ; and that in 1815, the Federalists 
obtained a small majority. The vote of 
1 81 6 is not to be found in the town re- 
cords, and search has been made for it in 
the office of the Secretary of State, but 
without finding it. The representative 
elected in that year was a Jeffersonian Re- 
publican, and in 1817 the town was of the 
same politics by a vote of two to one. 
From that period there was no serious di- 
vision in State politics for 12 years. It 
was "the era of good feeling," following 
the .successful close of the war of 181 2 with 
Great Britain, and the people of the town 
were, with rare exceptions, substantially 
unanimous. On the election of Gen. Jack- 
son, a new organization of two political 
parties was made — known as the National 
Republican and the Democratic parties — 
and each was composed of men gathered 
from the old Federal and Republican ranks. 
These \i»sre speedily followed by the anti- 
masonic party, and the votes from 1830 to 
1835 inclusive, reveal the existence of the 
three parties in Montpelier, and also that 
the Democratic party was in the ascendan- 
cy. In 1836 and until 1841, there were 
but two parties. Democratic and Whig, 
the latter being in the minority. In 1841, 
the anti-slavery party was developed, and 
three organized parties were in existence 
until the division of the town January i, 



1849 : but in all this period the Democrat- 
ic party was ascendant, and in fact elected 
the town officers in every year after 1830 
until 1849. ^i^ the governor vote in 1848, 
the old town was exactly balanced between 
the Democrats on the one side and the 
Whigs aud Anti-Slavery men on the other. 

AFTER THE DIVISION OF THE TOWN. 

In 1849, the number of parties was again 
reduced to two, by a fusion of the Demo- 
crats and Anti-Slavery men into what was 
called the Freesoil party, and the town was 
exactly tied on the vote for Governor, but 
it elected the first Whig representative in 
the person of the late Jackson A. Vail, 
Esq., a lawyer and legislator of great abili- 
ty. From that period until the formation 
of the R'epublican party in 1854, the Whigs 
uniformly prevailed, as the Republicans 
have done since 1854, the election of Mar- 
cus D. Gilman excepted. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1 792 tO 
1882. 

1792 to 1796, 5 years, Jacob Davis; 
1797, 8, 1800, 01, 4 yrs., David Wing, Jr. ; 
1799, 1802, Parley Davis; 1803, 10, Jo- 
seph Woodworth ; 1804, 14, 15, Edward 
Lamb; 1805 to 1809, Cyrus Ware; 1811, 
12, Timothy Merrill ; 1813, Joseph Howes, 
after which for some years he was in the 
military service of the United States ; 
1816, 17, 18, 20, 29, Nahum Kelton ; 1819, 
George Worthington ; 1821, 22, 23, 26, 
Araunah Waterman; 1824, 5, Samuel 
Prentiss; 1827, 8, 30, William UiDham ; 
1831, 32, 2>1)^ Azel Spalding; 1834, 5, 
Wm. Billings; 1836, 7, Lucius B. Peck; 
1838, 9, Royal Wheeler; 1840, 41, Hora- 
tio N. Baylies; 1842, 3, Addison Peck; 
1844, 5, Jeremiah T. Marston ; 1846, 7, 
Charles Clark; 1848, Homer W. Heaton. 

REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE DIVISION 
OF THE TOWN. 

1849, 50, Jackson A. Vail; 1851, 2, 
Hezekiah H.Reed; 1853, Eliakim P. Wal- 
ton, recorded as E. P. Walton Jr. ; 1854, 
Abijah Keith; 1855, Elisha P. Jewett; 
1856, 7, Ferrand F. Merrill; 1858, 59, 
George W. Collamer; i860, 61, George 
C. Shepard ; 1862, 3, Charles Reed ; 1864, 
5, Whitman G. Ferrin; 1866, 7, Joel Fos- 



MONTPELIER 



273 



ter, Jr. ; 1868, 9, James R. Langdon ; 1870, 
71, Joseph Poland ; 1872, 3, Parley P. Pit- 
kin ; 1874, 5, Marcus D. Gilman ; 1876, 
7, Charles T. Sabin ; 1878, 79, Hiram A. 
Huse; 1880, 81, B. F. Fifield,— the six 
last for biennial sessions. 

CITIZENS OF MONTPELIER WHO HAVE HELD 
CIVIL OFFICES IN THE GOVERNMENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES. 

Electors of President and Vice - Presi- 
dent — 1836, Edward Lamb; 1840, Joseph 
Reed ; 1852, Ezekiel P. Walton ; 1872, 
Elisha P. Jewett. Augustine Clark and 
Wm. P. Briggs also held this. office, but 
previous to their residence in Montpelier. 

Senators in Congress — Samuel Prentiss, 
1831 to 42, II years; William Upham, 
1843 to 53, 10 years. 

Members of Congress — Lucius B. Peck, 
1847 to 51, 4 years; Eliakim P. Walton, 
1857 to 63, 6 years; Charles W. Willard, 
1869 to 75, 6 years. 

U. S. District Judge — Samuel Prentiss, 
1S42 to 56, 14 years, 

(7. S. District Attorneys — Lucius B. 
Peck, 1853 to 57; B. Franklin Fifield, 
1869 to 1881. 

United States Marshal — George W. 
Barker, 1835 to 37. 

Clerk of U. S. Circuit and District 
Courts — Edward H. Prentiss, 1842 to 59, 
17 years. 

Register of the U. S. Treasury — Stod- 
dard B. Colby, appointed in 1866, and 
died while in office. 

Post-Ojfce Depart/nciU — Charles Lyman 
was appointed clerk in the Dead Letter 
Office in 1861, and is now in that depart- 
ment ; also Miss Emma Camp. 

Treasury Department and General Laiid 
Office — Henry Howes. 

Agents for Pay itig Pensions — Azel Spald- 
ing, Thomas Reed, Jr., George Howes, 
Stephen Thomas. The office was re- 
moved to New Hampshire while Gen. 
Thomas was incumbent. 

Collector of Internal Revemte — Joseph 
Poland, Sept. 1862 to Mar. 69; C. S. 
Dana, Mar. 1869 to 81 ; J. C. Stearns, from 
July I, 1881. 

In this list might be included the roll of 
postmasters, sundry inspectors in the rev- 



enue department, and the names of a few 
who have been employed in subordinate 
offices at Washington, but a correct list is 
impracticable. 

CITIZENS OF MONTPELIER WHO HAVE HELD 
CIVIL OFFICES IN THE STATE GOVERN- 
MENT. 

Members of the Council of Cetisors — 
Nicholas Baylies, 1813; Joshua Y. Vail, 
1820; Ezekiel P. Walton, 1827; Joseph 
Reed, 1834; Hezekiah H. Reed, 1841 ; 
Joseph A. Prentiss, 1862; Charles Reed, 
1869. 

Members of Constitutional Conventions — 
Jacob Davis, 1793; Joseph Howes, 1814; 
Darius Boyden, 1822 ; Stephen Foster, 
1828; Nahum Kelton, 1836; Jeremiah T. 
Marston, 1843. 1850; Oramel H. Smith, 
1857; Eliakim P. Walton, 1870. 

Councillors previous to the State Senate 
in 1836 — Nicholas Baylies, 1814 to 15; 
George Worthington, 1827 to 31. 

State Senators — Araunah Waterman, 
1836-8 ; Wooster Sprague, 1842, 4; Or- 
amel H. Smith, 1845, 7; Charles G. East- 
man, 1851, 3; Joseph Poland, 1858, 60; 
Charles W. Willard, i860, 62 ; Roderick 
Rjchardson, 1862, 64 ; Charles Reed, 1864, 
7 ; Charles Dewey, 1867, 70; Eliakim P. 
Walton, 1874 to 1878. 

State Treasurers — Augustine Clark, 1 833 
to 37; John Spalding, 1841 to 46; Elisha 
P. Jewett, 1846; George Howes, 1847 to 
53 ; John A. Page, 1853 ; and again elected 
in 1866, and is still in office. 

Secretaries of State — David Wing, Jr., 
1802 to 6; Timothy Merrill, 1831 to 36; 
Chauncey L. Knapp, 1836 to 41 ; James 
McM. Shafter, 1842 to 49; Ferrand F. 
Merrill, 1849 to 53; Daniel P. Thompson, 
1853 to 55; Charles W. Willard, 1855 to 
57; Geo. W. Bailey, Jr., 1861 to 65. 

Secretary of Governor and Council — 
George B. Manser, 1832 to 36. 

Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs — 
George B. Man.ser, 1836 to 41. 

Clerks of House of Representatives — 
Timothy Merrill, 1822 to 31; Oramel H. 
Smith, ^r<? tem., 1835; Ferrand F. Mer- 
rill, 1838 to 49; George R. Thompson, 
1856 to 58. 



35 



274 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



yittlges of the Supreme Court — Samuel 
Prentiss, 1825 to 29, and chief justice one 
year; Nicholas Baylies, 1831 to 33; Isaac 
F. Rodtield, 1836 to 59, 24 years, and 
chief justice 8 years ; Asahel Peck, circuit 
court 1S51 to 56, Supreme Court, 1S60 to 
72. 13 years; Timothy P. Retitield. 1872. 
and is in office. 

yudi^vs of the County Court — Da\id 
Wing, Jr., Caledonia County Court, 1797- 
1807, 10 years; Cyrus Ware, chief judge of 
Caledonia County, 1808 to 1 1 ; Salvin Col- 
lins, Jefferson (now Washington) County, 
181 1. 12; Joseph Howes, 1819 to 27; 
Shubael Wheeler. 1827 to 31 ; JohnSp.ald- 
ing, 1840; Daniel Baldwin. 1846 to 8. 

State's Attorneys — Timothy iMerrill. 18 1 1 
to 13, 1815 to 22, 9 years; Nicholas Bay- 
lies. 1813. 14, 25; Wm. Upham, 1829; 
Azel Spalding, 1830 to 35; Homer W. 
Heaton. 1839, 41, 60, 61 ; Or.imel H. 
Smith. 1S42, 43, 44; Chiules Recti. 1847- 
8; Stoddard B. Colby, 1850, 51 ; Ferrand 
F. Merrill, 1854-56; Clarence H. Pitkin, 
1880. and is now in office. 

futfi^es of rrohaie Court — David Har- 
rington, 1811, 1812; Salvin Collins, 1815 
to 1820; Jeduthan Loomis, J820 to 1830; 
Joseph Reed, 1830 to 1833; Rawsel R. 
Keith. 1833 to 1836; Daniel P. Thomp- 
son, 1837, 38, 39; C.eorge Worthington. 
1840; Azel Spalding. 1842 to 45; Jacob 
Scult, 1850, 51 ; Joseph Poland. 1852, 53; 
Nelson A. Chase, 1854, 55; Timothy R. 
IMerrill, i860 to 70. 

Clerks of Supreme ami County Courts — 
C.eorge Rich. 181 1 to 19, and clerk of the 
Supreme Court only, 1819, 20; Joshua Y. 
\'ail, clerk of County Court, 1819, 20, and 
of both courts. 1821 to 39, 18 years; Still- 
man Churchill. 1839 ^o 44: Daniel P. 
Thompson. 1844. 45 : Jackson A. \'ail, 
1849; Shubael Wheeler, 1846 to 9, 50 to 
58. 1 1 years ; Luther Newconib, 1858 to 
77. 19 years: Melville E. Sniilie, from 
1877, and still in office. 

///{,■// Sher//fs — Ck-orge Worthington. 
1814; Rawsel R. Keith, 18251032; Isaiah 
Silver, 1840; Andrew A. Sweet, 1841, 42; 
C.eorge W. Barker. 1843 to 46; Addison 



I. W. Brown, 1871 ; John L. Tuttle. 1877. 
and still in office. 

BUSINKSS HISTORY. 

From the peculiar location of Montpelier 
vilhige, in a basin into which all the main 
roads converged through river \alle\s from 
the north and the south, the east and the 
west, it has from the beginning been an 
important business place, tempting to 
merchants and professional men, and re- 
paying good endea\ors with abunilant 
success. Not long before his tlcath. the 
late venerable Arthur Post wick, oi Jer- 
icho, informed the writer that in his early 
career as a business man, Montpelier, in- 
stead of his nearer neighbor Burlington, was 
the place where he purchased his gooils. 
thus showing that Montpelier merchants 
found customers even in the valley of Lake 
Champlain. as they did also through the cen- 
tral part of the State, and north to Canada 
line. Burlington had the advantage in 
trade tor all articles brought by water 
from Canada, but not until 1830, after the 
construction of the Champlain canal, diil 
the population of Burlington, which is as- 
sumed as a measure of business for the 
purpose of this comparison, exceed that of 
Montpelier. This is the more remarkable 
in view of the fact that Burlington is by 
five or six years the older town, and at the 
outset in 1791 had a population nearly 
three times as large as Montpelier. Tlie 
population of the two towns from i/Oi to 
1840 was as follows : 

Burlington 1791, 332; 1800,815; 1810. 
1690; 1820,2111; 1830,3226; 1S40. 4271. 

Montpelier, 1791, 113; 1800, 890; 1810, 
1877; 1820. 230S; 1830,2985; 1840,3725. 

From 1791 to 1820 the advance of Mont- 
pelier w;xs the most rapid ; but since the 
opening of the Champlain canal, and the 
railroads, and more recently, by the supe- 
rior energy and wisdom of Burlington in 
establishing manufactures on a large scale, 
the "Queen City" has tar outstripped not 
onlv Montpelier but all of her neighbors 
except Rutland. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Lest the above tribute to the enterprise 
and sa^acitv of Burlins^ton be taken as a 



Peck. 1846, 47; Joseph W. Howes, 1849; Lensure of Montpelier, it is necessary to 



MON'l'l'ia.lJOR. 



275 



recall the fact that in the early history of 
the town, and for several years, her busi- 
ness men were as enteri)risinj;, and even 
as daring, in respect to manufactures as to 
merchandize. It was the misfortune, how- 
ever, of the most considerable enterprises 
to i)e baalked by fire or flood, and of others 
by«changes in modes of manufacture — as 
of hats, ready made clothing, and machine- 
made boots and shoes, and household furni- 
ture, until at last capitalists were dissuad- 
ed from every adventure of the kind, and 
have turned their surplus capital into in- 
vestments in real estate abroad. United 
States bonds, in banking and insurance 
companies at home. For capitalists mere- 
ly, this is perhaps the most prudent course ; 
but for the town, for its growth in popula- 
tion and business, it is unfortunate. The 
earliest necessities of the .settlers of the 
town and vicinity were .saw-mills, for lum- 
ber to construct their dwellii.gs, and grist- 
iniils to prepare materials for food for man 
and beast. These were first provided on the 
falls of the North liranch, and were burnt 
in March, 1826. Mills of each .sort were 
also erected on the falls of the Winooski, 
and the grist-mill owned by Col. James II. 
Langdon was destroyed by a flood. Mar. 
25, 1826. This mill was rebuilt by Col. 
Langdon, and was sub.sequently enlarged 
by his son, James R. Langdon, into a 
flouring mill of the first class, with a capac- 
ity for 250 barrels per day. A profitable bus- 
ness was done in this mill for several years, 
but it passed into the hands of the Mont- 
pelier Manufacturing Company and is now 
used for other purposes. The saw-mill on 
tile same falls was burnt in Oct. 1834, was 
re])uilt, and is now used by the same compa- 
ny. A fourth grist-mill, erected by James 
K. Langdon, is now owned and run by Mr. 
K. W. Bailey. 

The superabundance of the production 
of grain in early days led to another 
species of manufacture, which would hardly 
be tolerated in these days. In 1805, a 
distillery of spirituous liquors was estab- 
lished, and was run for a few years, when 
it was converted into a manufactory of 
earthen ware, which was continued until 
stone and tin ware superseded earthen. 



In 1824, another distillery was started, to 
use up surplus grain in store ; but in 2 
years the grain was disposed of and the 
still was abandoned. 

Another necessity from the beginning 
was tanneries of leather, and the first was 
established early in the present century by 
Elijah Witherell and Silas Cobb, which 
has been succeeded by others. Thomas 
Dodge, an apprentice to Witherell, stole 
his indentures of apprenticeship, left his 
employer, and started a small establish- 
ment, in which Dodge struggled a while, 
and gave up the business for shoemaking. 
Still another large tannery was established 
in later years, and is now successfully run 
by Peck & Johonnott, and Peck l^ Cum- 
mings are in the same business. 

The clothing-mill, as it was called, or 
mill for wool-carding, fulling, dyeing and 
dressing cloth, was another necessity when 
the frugal and industrious housewives were 
obliged to si)in and weave their own wool. 
Of these there were two, which were con- 
tinued until home-made cloth gave way to 
the handsomer jiroductions of the power- 
looms. 

The most useful and promising under- 
taking, by way of manufactures, was by 
Sylvanus Baldwin, in the erection of a 
cotton mill in 18 10. From a memorial to 
Congress in 1832, signed by the distin- 
guished Secretary of the Treasury, Albert 
Gallatin, it appears that "as early as the 
"year 1810, there were, north of the Po- 
" tomac, 50 mills for sijinning cotton in 
"operation, and 25 more that went into 
"operation the ensuing year. The weav- 
" ing business had commenced, but was 
" not so far advanced." Baldwin's cotton 
mill at Montpelier was therefore among 
the first fifty in the country, and moreover 
it was among the few that had attained the 
dignity of weaving cotton yarn into sheet- 
ings and shirtings. This was 5 years be- 
fore the first power-loom in America was 
set in motion, (in 1815,) at Waltham, 
Mass. Having established this mill, Mr. 
Baldwin joined with Klisha Town in the 
invention and construction of a l(.)om for 
spinning flax and silk l)y water-power, with 
a model of which he went to Europe, in 



276 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the hope of winning a handsome premium 
offered for such a machine by the first Na- 
poleon. This enterprise failed through 
the mischances of war. In Mr. Baldwin's 
absence, the mill was run successfully by 
his brother, Hon. Daniel Baldwin, on 
whose authority this account is given. 
On the return of the owner, the cotton- 
mill was sold to David Harrington, and in 
December, 18 13, it was destroyed by fire. 
The first and the last owner were then 
crippled in means, and this enterprise was 
perforce abandoned. 

At a later date a similar enterprise was 
undertaken by Araunah Waterman and 
Seth Parsons, about 1820, who erected a 
large and well-appointed woolen factory 
for its day. It was operated for a time, 
but that, too, was burned. Mar. 22, 1826, 
with the loss of the life of Robert Patter- 
son, one of the operators, and nearly fatal 
injury to Araunah Waterman and Joel 
Mead. A second woolen factory was 
built in 1837-8, by Col. H. N. Baylies, 
which ultimately was converted into lum- 
ber-works by A. W. Wilder & Co. Still 
another woolen factory was built and op- 
erated at West Montpelier at a recent date, 
and this was burned. 

Among the early manufacturing estab- 
lishments was an oil -mill, built by Col. 
Earned Lamb, which in 1810 was con- 
verted into the before-named cotton-mill, 
and burned. Another was erected subse- 
quently by Enos Styles, of Middlesex, and 
Hubbard & Jewett, of Montpelier, which 
was also burned in October, 1834. 

Of paper-mills there have been three. 
One by Silas Burbank, which was burned ; 
one by Samuel Goss and John Reed, 
which was also burned ; and a third on the 
Burbank site, which was operated by Silas 
Goddard & Brothers, Augustus Goss and 
George W. Cobb, E. P. Walton & Sons, 
and last by A. M. & D. P. Squires. The 
water of the Winooski was seriously in- 
jured for the use of paper-makers, by an 
extraordinary flood in 1830, which cut 
into high clay-banks in Barre, that now 
contribute clay to the stream with every 
rain. On this account, as well as the un- 



reliability of water-power, the manufacture 
of paper was abandoned. 

Another early and widely-known man- 
ufacturing establishment was that of Eras- 
tus Watrous and George Worthington, 
hatters. They were succeeded by Luman 
& Norman Rublee, who continued in the 
business until the advent of silk hats»put 
an end to the old mode of manufacture. 

Still another old etablishment, (1816,) 
having customers in two-thirds of the State, 
was the boot and shoe manufactory of 
Silas C. French and Nehemiah Harvey, 
which was continued for a long series of 
years. 

The making of saddles, harnesses and 
trunks was commenced by Oliver Goss in 
1804. Henry Y. Barnes followed in 1817, 
who continued for many years. There 
have been several others in this line of 
business. 

Among the earliest experiments on a 
small scale was the manufacture of cut 
nails from hoop-iron, by Joshua Markham. 
Small as was the business compared with 
that of modern nail factories, Markham's 
nails were greatly used and highly appre- 
ciated, bringing 16 cents per pound. 

Another iron manufacture was that of 
large screws for mills, and all other pur- 
poses requiring strong screws. This bus- 
iness was prosecuted many years in Mont- 
pelier by Ellis Nye, who ultimately went 
into the employ of the late Joshua Thwing, 
of Barre, iron-founder and millwright. 

49 years ago, (1832,) an iron-foundry 
was established by Alfred Wainwright, 
which was continued by sundry successors 
until it came into the possession of Lane, 
Pitkin & Brock, and is now a part of their 
works used in the very extensive business 
of manutacturing saw-mill and other ma- 
chinery. 

The manufacture of mill, factory and 
other machinery has been prosecuted by 
Araunah Waterman ; Wooster Sprague, 
whose works were burned in October, 
1834; and by Medad Wright, at West 
Montpelier, who with his son still con- 
tinues in the business. 

Among the manufacturers of household 
furniture were Thomas Reed, Sr. ; C. & J. 



MONTPELIER. 



277 



Wood ; James Rowland ; Anson Davis ; 
Lyman Briggs, Samuel VV. Abbott & Co. ; 
Emery & Brown, and Abbott & Emery. 
This is another business which has been 
materially changed, from the complete 
manufacture from the lumber, to simply 
upholstering and other finish of articles 
manufactured elsewhere, in which E. N. 
Scovill is now engaged. 

The manufacture of tin-ware, and the 
sale of stoves, hardware, agricultural im- 
plements, etc., in connection therewith in 
several instances, has long been an im- 
portant business. In this class are to be 
reckoned Chester W. Houghton, and his 
son William; Zenas Wood; E. A. Webb 
& Co. ; Zenas & Charles Wood ; Andrew 
A. Sweet ; Erastus Hubbard ; Dennison 
Dewey; Braman & Tilden ; E. Scribner, 
Jr. ; Barrows & Peck ; Bancroft & Spear, 
and Geo. M. Scribner. 

Without allusion to the mechanical 
trades, such as are common throughout 
the State, the early history of Montpelier 
in manufactures may well be concluded by 
mentioning an extraordinary enterprise for 
Vermont — the only instance — and that is, 
boring through 850 feet of solid rock, (ex- 
cept occasional interstices,) inan endeavor 
to find salt water and start the manufacture 
of salt. The experiment was apparently 
countenanced by the geological forma- 
tions in the neighborhood, and about 60 
citizens of the town furnished funds for 
the work, which was prosecuted nearly 10 
years and a half, at an expense of $2,100. 
The intention was to bore a well to the 
depth of 1,000 feet, but when 850 feet had 
been reached, the drill by some accident 
became fastened so firmly that no avail- 
able power could start it. But for this ac- 
cident, the depth designed would have 
been reached, and doubtless a much lower 
depth, as men would not have been want- 
ing to carry on the work for the fun of it. 
The attempt was certainly creditable for 
the good intentions and enterprise of 
those engaged in it, and it did not dam- 
age their reputation for prudence. They 
had no very high expectations, and en- 
couraged none in others, as they might 
easily have done. They swindled no- 



body in the manner of the oil and mining 
corporations of a later day. They spent 
their own money, and were respected 
rather than ridiculed for the biggest bore 
in Vermont. 

The later important manufactures of 
Montpelier comprise machinery, by Medad 
Wright & Son, West Montpelier; saw- 
mill and other machinery, water-wheels 
and castings, and also brick, by Lane, Pit- 
kin & Brock — a very extensive, rapidly 
growing and prosperous business ; car- 
riages and sleighs for children, and other 
business in iron and lumber by the Mont- 
pelier Manufacturing Company ; and last, 
lumber in the Pioneer Manufacturing Co's. 
works, by Edwin Lane. 

LIST OF ATTORNEYS. 

D. p. THOMPSON'S LIST TO AUGUST, 18fi0. 

Charles Bulkley, Cyrus Ware, Samuel 
Prentiss, Nicholas Baylies, William Up- 
ham, Timothy Merrill, J. Y. Vail, Jed- 
uthan Loomis, James Lynde, Thomas 
Reed, Azro Loomis, Roswell H. Knapp, 
H. H. Reed, L. B. Peck, J. P. Miller, D. 
P. Thompson, O. H. Smith, C. J. Keith, 
Azel Spalding, S. B. Prentiss, Nicholas 
Baylies. Jr., Geo. B. Manser, F. F. Merrill, 
J. T. Marston, Isaac F. Redfield, H. W. 
Heaton, John H. Prentiss, Charles Reed, 
Wm. K. Upham, J. A. Vail, Stillman 
Churchill, R. S. Bouchett, Geo. W. Reed, 
A. W. Tenney, Charles W.Prentiss, Tim- 
othy P. Redfield, Luther Newcomb, Joseph 
A. Prentiss, Stoddard B. Colby, C. W. 
Willard, Wm. P. Briggs, B. F. Fifield, 
W. G. Ferrin, Geo. W. Bailey, Jr., C. J. 
Gleason . 

Additiojts from Aug. i860 to 1881. 

Samuel Wells, Joseph A. Wing, Nelson 
A. Taylor, C. D. Swasey, Albert Clarke, 
Rodney Lund, C. D. Harvey, F. V. Ran- 
dall, Asahel Peck, James S. Peck, Mel- 
ville E. Smilie, Luther L. Durant, Geo. 
W. Wing, Arthur Culver, J. O. Livings- 
ton, Clarence H. Pitkin, C. W. Porter, 
H. K. Field, H. A. Huse, C. H. Heath, 
C. S. Pitkin, H. G. Dewing, Hiram Carle- 
ton, S. C. Shurtleff, Henry Oviatt.JohnE. 
Harris, T. R. Gordon, Rush P. Barrett, 
J. K. Kinney, O. D. Clark, G. B. Clifford, 
H. W. Kemp, John G. Wing. 



178 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



PRACTICING PHYSICIANS TO 1872. 

D. P. THOMPSON'S I^IST TO ISGU. 

Pierce Spalding, Philip Vincent, Ed- 
ward Lamb, Stephen Peabody, Jacob P. 
Vargeson, Sylvester Day, Samuel Pren- 
tiss, Phineas Woodbury, Nathan B. Spald- 
ing, Nathaniel C. King, James Spalding, 
Eleazer Hamblin, Julius Y. Dewey, Ben- 
jamin Walton, Hart Smith, Seth Field, 
Azel Holmes, F. W. Adams, Zebulon P. 
Burnham, Charles Clark, Daniel Corliss, 
Milo P. Burnham; Sumner Putnam, East 
Montpelier, removed to Montpelier ; Thos. 
C. Taplin homoeopathist : J. M. Gregory, 
dentist; Ralph Kilbourn, dentist; M. 
Newton, and Brockway & Hawley, den- 
tists ; O. P. Forbush, dentist ; Orrin Smith, 
C. M. Rublee, E. Paine; G. N. Brigham, 
homoeopathist; C. B. Chandler, W. H. 
H. Richardson, James Templeton, G. H: 
Loomis, F. A. McDowell, M. M. Marsh, 
C. M. Chandler. 
Additions from Atigust, i86o to 1881. 

Lucy A. Cooke, clairvoyant ; A. B. Haw- 
ley, dentist; Charles E. Davis, dentist; 
John M. Comegys, dentist; H. L. Rich- 
ardson; J. M. Templeron, botanic; A. 
Denio, eclectic ; R. W. Hill, cancers ; Mrs. 
L. M. Smith, botanic ; D. G. Kemp, Geo. 
W. Nichols, J. E. Macomber, G. P. 
Greeley; C. H. Plumley, practical re- 
former ; N. W. & R. G. Gilbert, dentists ; 
J. B. Woodward; H. C. Brigham, homoe- 
opathist ; C. R. Pell, dentist, and succeed- 
ed by H. G. Williams. 

MERCHANTS AND TRADERS. 

U. p. THOMPSON'S LIST TO AUtiUST, 1860. 

1791 — Dr. Frye. 

1794 — Col. Joseph Hutchins. 

I7g6— Col. J. & W. Hutchins. 

1799 — Hubbard & Cadwell. 

1802 — W. I. Cadwell; Col. D. Robbins, 
cast part of town, Robbins & Freeman. 

1803 — Hubbard & Wing, Langdon & 
Forbes. 

1807 — Timothy & Roger Hubbard, Jas. 
H. Langdon, Uriah H. Orvis, Dunbar & 
Bradford. 

1808 — Chester W. Houghton, Josiah 
Parks. 

1809 — John Crosby, drugs, etc. 



1810 — L. Q. C. Bowles, Walton & Goss, 
booksellers, etc. ; French & Dodge, shoes. 

181 1 — J. F. Dodge, Langdon & Barnard. 

18 13 — John Spalding. 

1814— C. Hubbard & J. Spalding, D. 
Baldwin & Co., Austin Arms, Emerson &; 
Wilkins, Luther Bugbee, Charles Storey. 

1815 — Wright & Sibley, books, etc. 

1816— E. P. Walton & Geo. S. Walton, 
books, etc. ; French & Harvey, shoes. 

1818 — Sylvester Larabee ; E. P. Walton, 
books, etc. ; H. Y. Barnes, harness and 
saddlery. 

1821 — John Barnard, Langdon & Spald- 
ing, Chester Hubbard, Barnard & Dutton, 
W. I. Cadwell & Son. 

1822— C. Hubbard & E. P. Jewctt, Rog- 
er Hubbard. 

1823— Dutton & Baylies, W. W. Cad- 
well. 

1824 — Hubbard & Kimball, T M. Taylor, 
Warren Swift, Langdon, Spalding & Co., 
Otis Standish. 

1825 — Baldwin, Hutchins & Co., Cad- 
well & Goldsbory, Taylor & Prentiss ; 
Dodge & Standish, drugs, etc. 

1826— Wiggins & Seeley ; Geo. W. Hill, 
books, etc. 

1827 — Luther Cross, Joseph Wiggins, 
Goss »& Wiggins. 

1828 — Luther Cross & Co., Hubbard, 
Jewett & Co., Spalding, Storrs & Co., Bay- 
lies tS: Hutchins. 

1829 — N. Harvey, shoes. 

1830 — Baldwin & Prentiss. 

1 83 1 — Charles Lyman ; I. S. & G. Town, 
jewelry, etc. ; W. W. Cadwell, Hart & Ri- 
ker; J. M. & B. H. Snow, harnesses; E. 
H. Prentiss, drugs. 

1832— W. & M. P. Hutchins. 

1833 — Emerson, Lamb & Co., Snow, 
Bancroft & Co., Snow & Bancroft, A. C. 
Pierce & Co., Silver & Pierce, Standish D. 
Barnes, G. W. Ware, Baldwin & Scott. 

1834 — Jewett & Howes, Burbank & Hub- 
bard, Baylies & Hart, Ebenezcr Colburn ; 
S. B. Flint, saddlery and harness ; Hutch- 
ins & Wright ; Wm. Clark, books, etc. 

1835— H. N. Baylies & Co. ; Harvey & 
Harran, shoes ; John & Charles Spalding, 
Silver, Pierce & Co., Silas Burbank & Co., 
Ira Day, Wm. A. Prentiss. 





m 



MONTPELIER. 



279 



1836 — Jewett, Howes & Co., Emerson 
& Russell, Baylies & Storrs. 

1837— Bancroft & Riker, C. & L. L. 
Lainb, C. Alexander. 

1838 — Spalding & Foster, Langdon & 
Wright ; Town & Witherell, jewelry ; John 
S. Abbott, clocks, etc. 

1839— Baylies & Goss ; S. P. Redfield, 
ch'ugs ; J. T. Marston, E. P. Walton & 
Sons, books, etc. ; Storrs & Langdon. 

1840 — Charles Spalding, Silver, Lamb & 
Co. ; Harran & Dodge, boots and shoes. 

1841 — H. N. Baylies, Jewett & Howes, 
Baldwin, Scott & Co., Lyman & King, 
J. H. Ramsdell ; Cross, Hyde & Co., 
bakers. 

1842 — Cross, Day & Co., Benjamin Day 
& Co., French & Bancroft, Ellis, Wilder & 
Co. ; Clark & Collins, drugs. 

1843 — Silas C. French, boots and shoes. 

1844 — Augustus Haven, Zenas Wood, 
stoves and tin; Webb, Bancroft & Co.; 
J. 15ooth, hats ; Moses & Rich, No. Mont- 
pelier; J. Huntington, East Montpelier. 

1845 — ^- '^ C. Wood, stoves and tin ; J. 
T. Marston, books, etc. ; Wm. T. Burn- 
ham, hats, etc. ; Samuel Abbott, jewelry ; 
N. C. King, No. Montpelier. 

1846— Bancroft & Riker, J. W. Howes, 
L. & A. A. Cross, Erastus Hubbard. 

r847 — Harvey King. 

1848 — Loomis & Camp ; Hyde, Dodge & 
Co., hardware; E. C. Holmes; Witherell 
& Mead, jewelers ; Eastman & Danforth, 
books, etc. ; A. A. Sweet, tin and stoves ; 
Alfred Scott, hats. 

1849 — Keith & Barker; S. K. Collins, 
Redfield & Grannis, drugs.. 

1850— Scott & Field, Geo. P. Riker, Ban- 
croft & Holmes; Abbott & Emery John 
Wood, James Howland, cabinet work ; L. 
M. Wood, R. R. Riker, clothing and tailor- 
ing. 

185 1 — Hubbard & Blake, stoves. 

1852 — Peck & Lewis; Ballou & Burn- 
ham, books, etc. ; R. W. Hyde, T. C. 
Barrows, iron and hardware. 

1853 — Lyman & King. 

1854— Keith & Barker, Ellis & Bancroft, 
Gustavus Hubbard, Walker & White, Wil- 
der, Scott & Co. ; Smith & Pierce, Dr. B. 
O.Tyler, drugs; Geo. L. Kinsman, hats; 



N. C. Bacon ; Emery & Brown, crockery 
and furniture; Wm. P. Badger, W. W. 
Cadwell, hats ; Phinney & Mead, jewelers ; 
S. M. Walton, book-bindery; C. G. East- 
man, Ballou & Loveland, books and sta- 
tionery ; Wm. McCoUum. 

1855— C. W. Storrs, John S. Barker, H. 
S. Loomis, Peck & Bailey, Union Store, 
Fuller & Smith, Jacob Scott; Oliver & 
Helmer, hardware ; French & Sanborn, 
H. B. Witt, clothing; Fred E. Smith, Col- 
lins & Pierce, drugs ; Keith & Peck, leath- 
er dealers. 

1856— W. Corliss, E. Montpelier; Chas. 
Sibley, No. Montpelier; Palmer & Storrs; 
Burbank& Langdon, flour ; Hyde & Foster, 
hardware ; A. C. Field, clothing. 

1857— Ellis & Hatch, Livingston & Sal- 
mon ; James G. French, clothing; S. C. 
Woolson, merchant tailor ; Storrs & Ful- 
ler, W. L goods and groceries. 

1858— J. P. Dewey ; J. S. Lee, clothing ; 
L. F. Pierce, drugs; Q. K. Bennett, guns 
and pistols ; Mercantile Union, L H. P. 
Rowell, agent; C. & S. E. Robinson; 
Adams Kellogg, E. Dewey, hats and cloth- 
ing ; Emery & Field, crockery and furni- 
ture ; Wm. Storrs; Herrick& Page, shoes ; 
A. A. Mead, jewelry ; T. C. Phinney, jew- 
elry, changed to book-store. 

1859 — E. C. Lewis; S. S. Boyce, books, 
etc; S. Abbott, jewelry; Field & Watson, 
M. P. Courser, A. L. Carlton ; J. R. Lang- 
don, flour; J. C. Emery, crockery and fur- 
niture ; E. Gunnison, shoes ; Bailey & 
Brothers, Palmer & Stetson, Wooster 
Sprague. 

1860— Eli Marsh, Wm. B. Burbank, J. 
W. Ellis & Co. ; Jacob Smith, clothing ; 
Deming& Brooks. 

Additions frotii Aug. i860. 

i860 — George Watson ; Fisher & Strat- 
ton, silver-platers, etc. ; Braman & Tilden ; 
Dennison Dewey, stoves, glass and tin- 
ware. 

1861— Geo. W. Scott & Co., Ellis & 
Foster, Calvin Robinson, S. E.Robinson; 
M. C. Parkinson, watches, etc. ; Chas. H. 
Cross, bakery and confectionery; J. V. 
Babcock & Co., furniture; D. T. Knapp, 
Roger Bulkley, harnesses, etc. 



28o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1862— C. W. Ston-s; Geo. W. Wilder, 
books, etc.; E. Bickford, J. C.Page, boots 
and shoes ; L. F. Pierce & Co., drugs. 

1863 — N. P. Brooks, dry goods and 
hardware; Wm. F. McCkn-e, groceries; 
N. K. Brown, drugs; Barnes & Johnson, 
J. Lease, harnesses, etc. 

1864— Nichols & French, clothing ; J. 
A. Taft & Co., George Jacobs, Daniel 
Scribner, flour and groceries ; Kellogg & 
Adams, hats and clothing; J. P. Dewey, 
flour, grain and nails; H. & C. FuIIerton, 
boots and shoes; Wood, Bixby & Co., 
druggists ; S. Freeman, jewelry, etc. ; Wm. 
F. Braman, hardware, etc. ; Charles Cross 
& Son, bakers and confectioners ; E. Scrib- 
ner, Jr., stoves and tin-ware ; Dennis Lane, 
saw-mill machinery. 

1865— L. W. Smith; Jacob Smith & 
Son, furniture; A. D. Arms & Co., D. 
Neveux, W. I. goods; E. R. Skinner, 
staple and fancy goods, wholesale ; Blanch- 
ard. Peck and Jqjionnott, leather; Wm. 
F. Braman & Co., hardware; John W. 
Clark, wagons and sleighs. 

1866 — Martin & Simonds ; Geo. Nich- 
ols, ready-made clothing ; Carleton & Co., 
W. I. goods; Mark French, preserved 
fruits; J. E. Smith & Co., stationery and 
fancy goods ; J. Bodell, boots and shoes ; 
Bixby & Co., druggists ; Redfield & Crooks, 
drugs ; Lane, Pitkin & Brock, iron-founders 
and machinists ; E. N. Scovell, furniture ; 
Henry Cobb, marble monuments, etc. 

1867 — New York Dry Goods Store; 
Emery & Carleton, crockery and carpet- 
ings; H. E. Fifield & Co., flour and W. I. 
goods ; L. L. Tanner, boots and shoes ; 
W. F. Braman, hardware, etc.; J. V. 
Babcock, drugs, etc. ; Ira S. Town, 
watches and jewelry ; Peck & Johonnott, 
leather ; C. Spear, gas and water fixtures. 

1868— B. Benjamin & Co. ; W. E. Ad- 
ams, hats and clothing ; Denison Taft & 
Son, flour, etc. ; B. M. Chaffee, boots and 
shoes ; Lamb & Peck, hardware, etc, ; 
Putnam & Co., N. K. Brown & Co., drugs ; 
Flanders & Kinson, platers, etc. 

1869 — A. C. Dewey & Co., flour, lime, 
plaster, etc. ; J. C. Emery, crockery, car- 
petings, etc.; Philbrick Brothers, W. I. 
goods, etc. ; Barrows & Peck, hardware. 



etc. ; Babcock & Cutler, drugs, etc. ; W'. 
A. Boutelle & Wife, dry goods and milli- 
nery ; Blanchard, Keith & Peck, leather, 
etc. ; A. L. Carleton, dry goods; Hinckley 
& Best: C. F. FuIIerton, boots and shoes; 
S. S. Towner, millinery and fancy goods; 
Farwell Brothers, clothing; T. H. Cony 
& Co., W. I. goods; J. W. Page, teas, 
coffee, spices and tobacco, wholesale ; T.C. 
Phinney, books, stationery, fancy goods 
and homoeopathic medicines ; Hiram At- 
kins, staple stationery ; Medad Wright & 
Son-, lumber and machinery. West Mont- 
pelier; W. H. Barnes, harnesses, etc.; 
Cobb & Cummins, marble monuments ; 
Stimson & Co., patent door springs. 

1870 — Calvin Robinson & Co. ; Bailey 
& Park, Storrs & Jones, W. I. goods, etc. ; 
Carlos Bancroft & Son, W. I. goods, iron, 
etc. ; W. L. Washburn & Co., T. J. Hunt, 
W. F. Waterman & Co., W. I. goods and 
groceries ; Spear & Bancroft, tin-ware, 
stoves, etc. ; Woodward & Blakely, drug- 
gists ; D. McDonald, furniture, carpetings, 
etc. ; E. Hatch, boots and shoes ; E. Spin- 
ney, fresh and salt fish, etc. ;G. P. Foster, 
coal and wood ; D. Taft and Son, lumber ; 
Kimball & Hewett, monuments, etc. ; J. 
W. Paine, A. Allen, cigars. 

1871 — C. Blakely, drugs, etc.; Scovill 
& Lyon, furniture, etc. ; Jacobs Brothners, 
flour and W. I. goods; C. E. Winch & 
Co., W. I. goods and groceries; Thomas 
McGee, sewing-machines ; Fisher, Colton 
& Kinson, platers, etc. ; J. O'Grady, boots 
and shoes; N. C. Bacon, auction store; 
J. Bruce, harnesses and carriage trim- 
mings ; Soper & Lord, cloths and merchant 
tailors; T. A. Dewing, boots and shoes. 

1872 — George Jacobs, flour, W. I. goods, 
etc. ; Smith Brothers, coal ; L. W. Jones, 
provisions, W. I. goods, etc. ; Geo. M. 
Scribner, stoves and tin-ware ; F. C. Gil- 
man, wagons and sleighs ; B. T. Soper & 
Co., cloths and merchant tailors; A. G. 
Stone, watches and jewelry; Crosby & 
Taplin, dry goods; Redfield & Bascom, 
drugs, etc. 

1873 — Montpelier Manufacturing Com- 
pany, children's carriages, etc. ; Hatch & 
Farnsworth, boots and shoes ; C. E. Hos- 
ford, clothing, etc. ; Crosby & Taplin, dry 



■^ 




""^^C^^L^t^ ^5^^^^«^t/^?^^^^ 



MONTPELIER. 



2S'l 



goods ; Babcock & Cutler, drugs, etc. ; A. 
Luce & Son, groceries; V. Konsalik, 
watches, etc. 

1874 — J. D. Clogston, tin-ware ; Putnam 
& Marvin, groceries, crockery and glass. 

1875 — E. P. Towner, boots and shoes; 
Fuller & Howe, dry goods ; Mrs. A. L. 
Carlton, dry goods ; Bascom & Dewey, 
Wilson & Co., drugs, etc. ; C. H. Heaton, 
groceries. 

1876— A. & A. Johonnott, leather; N. 
P. Brooks & Son, house-finishing tools 
and fixtures, glass, sash, blinds, doors, etc. ; 
E. H. Towne, merchant tailor; C. P. 
Pitkin, coal and wood; H. C. Webster, 
dry goods ; Lyon & Daley, furniture, etc. ; 
A. J. Braley, groceries; C. H. Keene, 
watches and jewelry. 

1877 — Fred Blanchard, tin-ware, etc. ; 
C. W. Selinas, harnesses, etc. ; Henry 
Cobb, marble monuments; Kimball & 
Carter and H. C. Cross, granite monu- 
ments ; S. C. & H. H. Woolson, merchant 
tailors ; Chase & Edgcombe, boots and 
shoes; A. H. Bailey, Smith Brothers, 
dry goods ; Orange Fifield, flour, gro- 
ceries, etc. ; Washburn & Co., millinery. 

1878 — Sabin Manufacturing Co., door- 
springs ; Miss M. L. Page, millinery; 
Henry Lowe & Son, teas and fine gro- 
ceries. 

1879 — C. W. Skinner, watches, jewelry, 
etc. ; A. J. Howe, dry goods. 

1880 — Sumner Kimball, granite monu- 
ments; C. H. Shipman, C. E. Stow, 
boots and shoes ; Blanchard Brothers, 
flour, iron and hardware ; W. W. Park, 
flour and groceries ; E. W. Bailey & Co., 
flour and feed ; Montpelier Carriage Co., 
children's carriages. 

1 88 1 — C. A. Best, millinery and dry 
goods; D. W. Temple, dry goods; J. A. 
Murray, W. L goods and groceries ; H. E. 
Slayton, books and stationery ; E. R. 
Meader, millinery and sewing-machines ; 
Geo. E. Wheeler, marble monuments. 

When not otherwise indicated, the per- 
sons named were dealers in goods of the 
usual variety to be found in country stores 
until about 185 1, and after that date in 
dry goods. The list is necessarily imper- 
fect previous to i860, and since that it 

. 36 



might have been swelled to double its 
length by the insertion of the names of per- 
sons engaged in business not included gen- 
erally in the preceding list. Notably is a 
long line of dealers in family groceries and 
provisions, several with restaurants con- 
nected, and some doing a large business in 
fruits. The list is made from the Vermont 
Registers, and hence the true dates should 
be a year behind those given as a general 
rule . 

BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

The Bank of Montpelier was chartered 
in 1825, and organized in 1826, with a 
capital of $50,000. The first president 
was Hon. Elijah Paine, of Williamstown, 
and his successors under the charter and 
re-charters were James H. Langdon, Tim- 
othy Hubbard, John Spalding, Thomas 
Reed, Jr., Rawsel R. Keith, E. P. Jewett, 
and George C. Shepard. This bank was 
re-chartered in 1840, with a capital of 
$75,000, and still again in 1853, with a 
capital of $100,000. The cashiers were 
Thomas Reed, Jr., Charles R. Cleaves, 
George Howes, Geo. B. Reed and Chas. 
A. Reed. This bank was succeded in 
1865 by the Montpelier National Bank, 
organized under the national banking law, 
with a capital of $300,000, whose officers 
from its organization have been James R. 
Langdon, president, George C. Shepard, 
vice-president, and Chas. A. Reed, cash- 
ier, until 1 88 1, when E. D. Blackwell 
succeded Mr. Reed. The capital is now, 
1881, $360,000. 

The Vermont Bank was chartered in 
1848, and organized in 1849, with a cap- 
ital of $100,000. The presidents were 
Hezekiah H. Reed, George W. Collamer, 
Homer W. Heaton, E. H. Prentiss and 
Roderick Richardson ; and its cashier, John 
A. Page. This bank continued until the 
First National Bank of Montpelier was or- 
ganized in 1865, under the national bank- 
ing law, the president of which has been 
John A. Page ; and the cashiers, R. J. 
Richardson, L. F. Richasdson, J. C. Tap- 
lin and J. C. Houghton. 

The State Bank was organized in 1858, 
under the general banking law of Vermont, 



2^2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



with a capital of $100,000, held mainly by 
stockholders in the old bank of Montpelier. 
Its officers were James R. Langdon, pres- 
ident, and George B. Reed, cashier. Bus- 
iness was continued but a few years. 

To the banks in Montpelier one compli- 
ment is due — they always have been per- 
fectly sound and reliable, without any 
exception. 

Latest organized is the Montpelier Sav- 
ings Bank and Trnst Company, chartered 
in 1870, organized in May, 1S71, and com- 
menced business Aug. i, 1871. Its offi- 
cers are Homer W. Heaton, president ; 
Whitman G. Ferrin, treasurer, succeeded 
by A. W. Ferrin. July i, 1880, there 
were 1685 depositors, deposits $346,284.33, 
and surplus $31,060.11. 

The Vermont Mntual Fire Insurance 
Company 

was incorporated in 1827, organized in 
March, 1828, and is now in the 54th year of 
successful and beneficent operation. The 
lirst President was Hon. Chapin Keith of 
Barre, and his successors were Hon. Israel 
P. Dana of Danville, and Hon. John 
Spalding of Montpelier — the terms of these 
three covering" the first 13 years of the 
company. In 1841, Hon. Daniel Baldwin 
of Montpelier consented to take the office, 
and he was re-elected at every annual elec- 
tion until 1874, — 31 years. He was suc- 
ceeded by James T. Thurston and Hon. 
W. H. H. Bingham. Hon. Joshua Y. 
Vail was the first permanent Secretary, 
and held the office until 1850, who was 
succeeded by Hon. Charles Dewey, who 
served until 1871, when Mr. James T. Sa- 
bin was elected, who is the present Secre- 
tary. The treasurers until 1842 were Hon. 
George Worthington, Hon. Oramel H. 
Smith, Calvin Jay Keith, Esq., Hon. 
Homer W. Heaton and Harry Vail. In 
1842, James T. Thurston was appointed 
and he was succeeded by O. J. Vail and 
H.N. Taplin, Jr. In this Company prop- 
erty for insurance is divided into five class- 
es, with rates of insurance varying in pro- 
portion to the hazrrd of each class, and 
the theory of the company is to make the 
property insured in each class bear the 



losses of its own. Theoretically, therefore, 
this Company has five distinct mutual in- 
surance companies under one management ; 
and distinct accounts of the five diflferent 
classes have been kept for many years, to 
enable the directors to assign to each the 
proper rates of insurance. The theory of 
the company is probably due to abundant 
caution in respect to the classes which are 
occasionally exposed to sweeping fires, 
from which isolated property is always ex- 
empt. It is an exception which proves the 
wisdom of the rule. The whole number 
of policies issued from March 31, 1828, to 
Aug. I, 1881, was 219,841 : of this num- 
ber 190,428 have expired or been canceled, 
leaving in force, at the last date, 29,413. 
The whole amount insured has been $237,- 
333,504, of which the amount canceled 
or expired is $200,430,697 — leaving the 
amount insured Aug. i, 1881, $36,902,807. 
The whole amount of premium notes tak- 
en is $21,456,983.09, of which the sum of 
$18,810,474.93 has expired or been cancel- 
ed, leaving in force, as a fund for the pay- 
ment of losses and expenses, Aug. i, 1881, 
$2,646,508.16. The whole cash receipts 
of the Company have amounted to $3,653, - 
940.38, and the whole amount paid for loss- 
es and expenses, (including a new and 
permanent office,) $3,643,289.08— leaving 
a balance in the treasury, Aug. i, 1881, of 
$10,651.30. Chargeable upon this surplus 
are unadjusted claims for losses estimated 
at $4,383.30. The total amount of assess- 
ments made in 54 years is 178^ per cent., 
or, on the average, 3 and 1-3 per cent, 
per annum of the premium notes. This 
result indicates that the premium notes 
have on the average constituted a fund, 
legally collectable if accessary, more than 
five times greater than the size of the loss- 
es and expenses, and so proves the safety, 
against any possible contingency, of insur- 
ance in institutions managed on the rnles 
of this company. 

The Farmers'' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company 
was incorporated and organized in No- 
vember, 1849, its first president being 
Hon. Azel Spalding, then of Montpelier. 
His successors have been Hon. William 



MONTPELIER. 



283 



Howes, of Montpelier, Hon. George W. 
Bailey, of Middlesex, Hon. William L. 
Sowles, of Swanton, and P. P. Pitkin, of 
Montpelier, tlie present incumbent. Hon. 
Joseph Poland, of Montpelier, has been 
the secretary since the organization. Sam- 
uel Wells was treasurer until his death, 
and was succeeded by Geo. W. Leslie. 
As its name implies, the purpose of this 
Company is to insure only farmers' prop- 
erty, and other property of like kind as to 
hazard — in theory corresponding with the 
first or least hazardous class ot the Ver- 
mont Mutual before described. The main 
difference between the two companies is, 
that the Vermont Mutual first ascertains 
its losses and expenses from month to 
month, assesses the premium notes to pay 
them, and collects (annually) these assess- 
ments ; while the Farmers'' Company re- 
quires payment by the insured in advance, 
of a sum estimated to be sufficient to meet 
the losses and expenses during the life o f 
the policy, which in that Company is 5 
years. As ample security, however, to 
the insured against loss, each member of 
the Farmers' Company, (as in the other 
Company,) is required to give a premium 
note, which is assessable or legally collect- 
able in case of necessity. 

The National Life Insurance Cot)ipany 

was incorporated in November, 1848, with 
an authorized capital of $100,000. This 
was reduced to $50,000, by an amendment 
of the charter in 1849, and the Company 
was located at Montpelier. Benjamin 
Balch made an unsuccessful attempt to or- 
ganize the institution in 1849, and, early in 
1850, it was organized by others, with 
Hon. Wm. C. Kittredge, of Fairhaven, as 
president, and Roger S. Howard, Esq., of 
Thetford, as secretary. These gentlemen 
resigned after brief service, when Dr. 
Julius Y. Dewey, of Montpelier, was ap- 
pointed president, which office he held 
until his death, when he was succeeded by 
his son, Hon. Charles Dewey. James T. 
Thurston, Esq., of Montpelier, served 
awhile as secretary, when Geo. W. Reed, 
of Montpelier, was appointed, and has 
since held the office. The financial af- 



fairs of the institution are managed by a 
board of trustees, and not by a treasurer. 
The whole amount of risks, Oct. i, 1880, 
was $8,623,156. The assets of the Com- 
pany are invested in U. S. and State bonds, 
bank stock and notes amply secured by 
mortgage, the par value of which on the 
1st of Oct. 1880, was $2,253,837.07. This 
institution has been prudently and very 
successfully managed, and bears a high 
reputation among those who are familiar 
with this class of insurance companies. 

STATE-HOUSES. 

The position of Montpelier as State 
capital from 1808, and County seat from 
181 1, has contributed much to the growth 
of the population and business of the 
town, and given it a prominence in the 
political, judicial, religious and social af- 
fairs of the State which otherwise it could 
not have attained, and an influence from the 
strongest and best men of the town, which 
has always been wisely used. The names 
of Wright and Lord in the churches, of Pren- 
tiss and Baylies and Loomis in all judicial 
circles, of Thomas Reed, Jr., among bank- 
ers, and of the senior E. P. Walton in the 
editorial and political field — not to men- 
tion the living — were known and respected 
throughout the State, and their influence is 
still felt through a great number in Vermont 
and elsewhere, who profited by their ex- 
cellent teachings and examples. 

Previous to 1808, there had been 46 ses- 
sions of the General Assembly in 14 dif- 
ferent towns ; 23 sessions in the eastern 
side of the State, in or near the valley of 
Connecticut river ; 22 on the western side, 
1 1 of which were in Bennington County, 
and 1 1 in or near the valley of Lake Cham- 
plain, and one session in the north-eastern 
part. These locations at extreme points 
from a common centre entailed hardships 
of access, alternately on the one side of the 
Green Mountains and the other, and many 
inconveniences and evils in future years 
which then were hardly considered. Among 
these was the impossibility of preserving 
complete records of public and official do- 
ings, and files of State papers ; because ot 
which, the early civil and political history 



284 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of the State, so far as official records and 
papers are concerned, is at best but frag- 
mentary, and much of that which has since 
been obtained consists of the fragments 
gathered by the late Henry Stevens, Sr., 
in the attics of deceased state officers, 
judges and legislators, and among the rags 
of the paper-mills. These were purchased, 
indexed and bound at considerable expense 
to the State. To remedy the inconven- 
iences of a State without a capital, and the 
frequent disputes between rival towns for 
the compliment of a legislative session, 
the General Assembly of 1805 appointed a 
committee to " fix upon a place in the 
town of Montpelier, for the erection of 
buildings for the accommodation of the 
Legislature of this State," and on condi- 
tion that the town of Montpelier should 
erect the buildings and convey them to the 
State, with the land whereon they shall 
stand, declared that " said buildings shall 
become the permanent seat of the legisla- 
ture for holding all their sessions."* In 
the debate of 1857, on the State house 
question, the late Dorr J. Bradley, of 
Brattleboro, gave a tradition as to the act 
of 1805, which doubtless came from his 
father, the late Hon. Wm. C. Bradley, in 
these words : 

But the gentleman from Westford has 
accused those of the House who oppose 
moving to Burlington, of sectional prej- 
udice. I have wondered that this subject 
was not earlier mentioned in the debate, 
but I did not expect it would come from 
the quarter it does. The question is a 
sectional question ; it was a sectional ques- 
tion before the gentleman from Westford, 
or any other member of this House, was 
born ; and it was to allay that sectional 
jealousy that the Capitol was located here. 
Our ancestors settled on the eastern and 
western borders of the then-called New 
Hamp.shire Grants, and the common dis- 
pute with New York united them in inter- 
est and in action. They were not, how- 
ever, so blind as not to see that the great 
natural feature of their territory must be 
respected. For a long time, this great 
range of mountains through their centre, 
prevented their having any Capitol. Each, 
year, however, the disputes for the locality 
of the next session became too tiresome, 

* Vermo7it Capitol, 1857. p. 284. Succeeding pages in 
that volume give other ofBchil papers, ami various 
facts connected witli the first and second State houses. 



and they resorted to an expedient. They 
did not call for " centralizing" some point 
in their periphery. They knew enough to 
know they could not. They. sought what 
was then a little hamlet among the moun- 
tains, but on neither side of them. It was 
selected because it was on neither side. 
A division of the range left it a perfect 
geogi^aphical puzzle to decide on which 
side it should be classed. How many a 
heart among those wise old men rejoiced 
that the mountains, for which the State 
had been named, the mountains, heretofore 
a curse, were to be henceforth a blessing. 
These mountains, into which, and not 
over which, our law-makers were to travel, 
were to become the centre about which 
the affections of all might cluster. They 
were careful not to wound the pride of 
either side. Their governors were alter- 
nately selected from each. The senators 
to Congress, being only two, were always 

taken one from each side 

Mr. Chairman, the Capitol was located 
here as a measure of peace. It was to 
build us up from a divided, into a united 
and homogeneous people. Fifty years of 
peace have been the product of this act of 
wisdom! Our old worthies were right. 
They set that puzzle to their children on 
purpose ; they knew what they were about ; 
their children understood them. Shall 
we, their grand-children, affect ignorance 
of their intention? Shall we discard all 
those lessons of wisdom, to find a place 
where some tourist may go with a sketch- 
book, or some artist with a pallet.'' Above 
all, which idea is sectional, that of pre- 
serving this peace of half a century, or 
that of violating its provisions? I, for 
one, am a kind of Samaritan on this sub- 
ject. "Our fathers worshipped in this 
mountain ;" not bowing themselves to the 
Adirondacks across the Lake, nor to the 
White Hills from St. Johnsbury ; but this 
mountain — the Green Mountain range; 
and I am for going down to no Jerusalem 
on the east or the west. 

The act making Montpelier the capital 
of the State was passed Nov. 8, 1805, and 
on the 25th of the next month, the town, 
in legally warned town meeting, appointed 
a committee to receive subscriptions and 
donations, and to superintend the erection 
of the buildings at the expense of the sub- 
scribers, the town as a corporation not to 
be liable for the buildings or the expenses 
of the committee. The town then had a 
population of about 1200 only, and a grand 
list of less than $23,000, and the heaviest 
part of the task rested naturally upon the 



MONTPELIER. 



iSs 



village, which then had probably less than 
half of the population and property ; and 
moreover money of any sort was exceed- 
ingly rare. Subscriptions were promptly 
made, but they were payable "in labor or 
materials when reasonably called for;" 
"such articles of materials and produce" as 
the subscribers chose; and "in grain, 
neat cattle, provisions, or goods at such 
times as we [the subscribers] shall partic- 
ularly specify." Some materials, specially 
nails and glass, required cash, and cash 
had to be provided. Sept. 2, 1806, the 
town voted almost unanimously to petition 
the Legislature to grant a tax of four cents 
per acre on all the land of the town, [which 
would raise about $800,] to be expended 
in completing the State-House ; but noth- 
ing appears to have been done, and the 
time was near [Sept. i, 1808,] when the 
work was to be completed. Therefore, 
May 12, 1808, the town voted a tax of 4 
cents on the dollar of the list of 1807, 
[which would raise about $1000,] two- 
tliirds payable in grain and provisions, and 
one-third in specie or current bank bills, 
or orders from the building committee, or 
receipts or orders from the architect and 
constructor. Deacon Sylvanus Baldwin. 
The constable began to collect this tax, when 
he was met by the objection, from ashrewd 
farmer, that by the constitution of the 
State a town had not the power to tax its 
inhabitants for the purpose of building a 
State-house. The judges and lawyers 
were then consulted, and lo ! the judg- 
ment of the farmer was unanimously af- 
firmed. This was a predicament very un- 
welcome to the people, most of whom were 
willing to pay the tax ; yet it was a serious 
predicament, because the constable dared 
not attempt to collect a tax which might 
afterwards be repudiated, and thus the 
burden be cast upon himself. In this 
emergency two projects were suggested : 
one being the selection of a collector who 
had no property, and the other a minor as 
collector, on the presumption that he 
would not be suable. The latter course 
was adopted, and the tax-bill was put into 
the hand of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, brother 
of Sylvanus. He collected the tax, even 



the constitutionally scrupulous farmer pay- 
ing his proportion with his townsmen. 
The original subscriptions, the tax, and 
other donations, amounted to from $8000 
to $9000, which was the cost of the house 
exclusive of the land — 20 rods by 16, which 
was given by Thomas Davis. 

THE FIRST STATE-HOUSE 

was constructed of wood, 50 by 70 feet on 
the ground ; 36 feet high to the roof, sept- 
angular-shaped in front, and otherwise 
square. About 20 feet of the front was in 
three floors — the first being the vestibule 
to the hall of the House of Representa- 
tives, which was 50 feet square, and rose 
to the height of the first two stories front ; 
the second floor gave entrance to the gal- 
lery of the House ; and the third floor, cov- 
ering the vestibules and hall of the House, 
was occupied by the room of the Governor 
and Council, into which an audience-room 
for spectators opened, and by committee- 
rooms — one of them named Jefferson Hall, 
and famous as the scene of political cau- 
cuses. The roof was surmounted by a 
modest cupola, in which was the finest- 
toned bell the town has ever had. The 
building was plainly furnished, warmed 
with stoves, and lighted with tallow can- 
dles — the hall of the House with a chan- 
delier so striking in its proportions and so 
brilliant in its eff'ect as to be a marked ex- 
ception to the plainness of everything else, 
and to incur the censure, as a piece of 
"foolery," of one of the wisest of the old 
legislators — Henry Olin. This house was 
used until 1836, when it was succeeded by 

THE SECOND STATE-HOUSE. 

This was authorized by act of Nov. 8, 
1832, on condition that Montpelier should 
pay $15,000 towards its construction. 
This sum was paid, and $3000 more for 
additional land. The second house was 
beautiful and substantial — a perfect speci- 
men (the dome excepted,) of Grecian 
architecture — and the finest Capitol of its 
day in New England, if not in the coun- 
try. The grounds, including fence, ter- 
race and approaches, were the same as 
now ; and as the building was in form the 
same as the present, a Greek cross, diff"er- 



286 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ing little in dimensions, (but more in the 
roof and dome,) a particular description is 
not necessary.* The whole cost, (the 
Davis land excepted,) of this house and 
grounds was 1^132,077.23. This Capitol 
was used until Jan. 5, 1857, when, through 
a lack of due caution both in erecting and 
managing the heating apparatus, the wood- 
work of the interior took fire, and all the 
wood-work was destroyed, and the walls 
of granite and brick were badly damaged. 

THE THIRD STATE-HOUSE 

was authorized by act of Feb. 27, 1857, 
which appropriated $40,000 on condition 
that the inhabitants of Montpelier should 
give good and sufficient security to pay in- 
to the treasury a sum equal to the whole 
cost of the work. This security was given 
in a bond in the sum of $100,000. At the 
session of 1858, no appropriation was made 
by the State, and the work was carried on to 
completion b}' funds advanced by citizens 
of Montpelier, leaving bills for the lurni- 
ture and some other debts outstanding to 
the amount of $34,000 in 1859, which sum 
the State then assumed, and the cost of con- 
struction was reported in 1859, as being 
"witliin $150,000." The first appropria- 
tion by the State, Feb. 1857, was $40,000 ; 
the second, Nov. 1857, was $30,000, and 
whatever should be paid by Montpelier on 
the bond required by the first named act — 
the amount then paid being $42,000 ; and 
the State in 1S59 appropriated the further 
sum of $34,000 — making in all $146,000. 
The contributions of Montpelier to the 
three houses have amounted to about $71,- 
000, exclusive of interest and the land 
originally deeded by Thomas Davis, which 
now, if it was private property, would be 
the most valuable land in the town. Every 
part of the building, which is ever heated 
or artifically lighted, is fire-proof, the ma- 
terials being granite, brick, iron and mar- 
ble ; and the roof and dome, which can 
hardly ever be exposed to fire unless by 
lightning, are covered with copper and con- 
nected by copper conductors running to the 
ground drains. The style of architecture 
is the same as that of the second capitol, 



* For IV ftood description sec [Ziulock] T/ioiii/tson's 
Yeimont [C'lvll History,] pajtcs lal-'.'. 



but the furniture, upholstery, gas fixtures, 
and heating apparatus (by steam) are far 
superior. The central building is 72 feet 
8 inches in height, surmounted by a dome 
and cupola 56ft. gin. in ht. — extreme ht. to 
base of the statue representing Agriculture, 
which caps the cupola, 129 feet 5 inches. 
The length of the central building is, for the 
portico 18 feet and the side walls 95 feet 8 
inches — in all 113 feet 8 inches; and the 
breadth is 72 feet 8 inches. The wings 
are each 52 feet in length, making the ex- 
treme length of both, including the width 
of the central building, 176 feet 8 inches. 
The width of each wing is 50 feet 8 inches, 
and the height 47 feet 8 inches, with cor- 
nices reaching to 8 feet below that of the 
central building, giving to the whole pile the 
shape of the Greek cross. By the enlarge- 
ment of the building, opportunity was giv- 
en for great improvements in its value and 
convenience for public business. The 
State Library has been materially enlarged 
aud improved, specially in law, history, 
and general literature, until it has come to 
be indispensable to judges, lawyers, and 
literary men for books of reference, and 
the number of volumes has largely out- 
grown the room. A fine State Cabinet of 
mineralogy and natural history has been 
formed, and it receives additions annually. 
The battle-Hags of the Vermont troops in 
the war for the Union are carefully pre- 
served, with the portraits of many of her 
officers ; and within the State Department 
and the room assigned to the Vermont 
Historical Society all the fragments of the 
early history of the State that are attain- 
able are gathered and safely kept. On the 
whole, the glory of the latter house greatly 
exceeds that of the former. 

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

From the settlement of the town until 1797 
it was in the County of Orange. In 1795, 
the town voted unanimously to petition 
the Legislature to be set oft" to the County 
of Chittenden, and failed to succeed, but 
was annexed to the County of Caledonia in 
1797, and there remained until the County 
of Jeft'erson was organized Dec. i, 1811, 
with Montpelier as the county town. The 



MONTPELIER. 



287 



name of the County was changed to Wash- 
ington in 1 8 14. The first court house was 
erected in 18 18, on the west side of the 
State House grounds — a wooden building, 
which now adjoins the Catholic church, 
and is occupied by its priest. The second 
house, of brick, was erected on the corner 
of State and EhTi streets in 1843, ^^^ was 
burned the same year. The third, a brick 
building, enlarged in 1879, partly burned 
in 1880, and re-finished in Aug. 1880, was 
erected on the same site in 1844. The 
first jail-house was the dwelling-house of 
the first settler in the village — Jacob Davis. 
It was given to the County by Thomas 
Davis, son of Jacob, and was converted 
into a jail and residence for the jailor. 
The changes in this building, to adapt it 
to its purposes, were made at the expense 
of citizens of Montpelier. In 1832, the 
County rebuilt the jail part of this building, 
and gave back half of the building to the 
original donor, who then needed this act 
of justice. In 1857, the County substi- 
tuted the present substantial and handsome 
building for the old one, and paid Mr. 
Davis for his interest in the property. In 
this connection a fact is added to correct the 
perhaps general impression that the State- 
House and other public buildings are 
sources of wealth to the citizens of the 
town, especially the hotel-keepers. Mr. 
Davis gave bountifully of his property to 
the State and County, doubtless hoping to 
regain all his gifts and more, by the in- 
creased patronage he would receive in his 
hotel. That hotel was the finest of its 
day, at least in the State, and was, as it 
has almost ever since been, the one most 
favored. Mr. Davis was himself an indus- 
trious, temperate and laborious man, and 
had the aid of sons and daughters born in 
his house ; and yet he would have died a 
poor man, entirely dependent upon his 
children, but for the remnant of his early 
patrimony which was restored in his old 
age by the County. 

HOTELS. 

The first building serving as a public 
house was Col. Jacob Davis' residence on 
Elm street, afterwards the jail-house, and 
still serving for dwellings on another part 



of the same street. The first hotel in the 
town and county, built specially for the 
purpose, was built by Col. Jacob Davia, 
about 1793 — the Union House, on the site 
of the present Unitarian church. It was 
of wood, and was burned in 1835. An- 
other hotel of brick was erected on the 
same site, and that also was burned in 
1859, and was succeeded by the present 
Union House, standing on the opposite 
corner of Main and Court streets. The 
second hotel built was the Hutchins tav- 
ern, longer known as the Shepard tavern, 
a wooden building, which stood on Main, 
opposite Barre street; it was burned. The 
third hotel erected was the Pavilion, by 
Thomas Davis, in 1807-8, a brick build- 
ing. For its day it was one of the best 
hotels in New England, adorned with 
mouldings, carved wood-work, and fresco 
painting excelled only in modern times. 
Mahlon Cottrill enlarged the building to 
about double its original dimensions. This 
building was succeeded by the present 
building, erected by Theron O. Bailey, 
which is one of the most perfect hotels in 
New England. The third hotel erected 
was by Obadiah Eaton in i8io, on ground 
now occupied by the Central Vermont rail- 
road for depot purposes. This building 
was moved to Elm street, and is now oc- 
cupied as a dwelling-house. The fourth 
hotel was of brick, on the south side of 
State street, and a few doors west of Main 
street, which was kept for many years by 
Rufus Campbell, Hugh Gourley, William 
Rogers and others, and was then converted 
into stores. It was erected about 1824. 
The fifth was the Eagle hotel, on State 
street, enlarged and changed into the 
present American house. The sixth was 
the brick dwelling-house on State street 
erected by Henry Y. Barnes, and changed 
into a temperance hotel. For many years 
it was known as Burnham's hotel, and is 
now known as the Bishop house. This 
comprises the list of hotels in the present 
town of Montpelier. In the part of the 
old town which is now East Montpelier, 
the writer remembers five taverns, some 
of which were not without fame in their 
day. For a time there was a hotel in the 



28^ 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



present limits of Montpelier, but not in 
the village, known as the Coffee House. 
It was on the farm two miles from the 
State-House, and on the road to Barre. 
The farm was originally owned by Jacob 
Davis, Jr., and is still known as the Coffee 
House. 

RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 

The to\vn records show action by the 
town in respect to the gospel fund and 
to preaching at different times, commenc- 
ing March i6, 1795, but not much fruit. 
About that time the first Methodist class 
was formed. [See History of Methodist 
church, by Methodist contributors.] From 
1 79 1, Clark Stevens, Friend or Quaker, 
was a resident of East Montpelier, and 
was joined by others of the same per- 
suasion, when religious meetings were held ; 
in 1803, a society was regularly organized, 
and shortly after a house for their meet- 
ings was erected. In 1804, regular re- 
ligious meetings were established in the 
village for services in "singing and read- 
ing of sermons " when destitute of preach- 
ing. The first record of regular preaching, 
in what is now Montpelier, was by Rev. 
Clark Brown, of Brimfield, Mass. In 1805, 
he was employed by the town to preach 
for one year ; but he did not succeed in 
that profession, and in 1806, left it and 
started a newspaper. In 1807, a Mr. 
Hovey was employed as preacher, but left 
the same year. 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

In the winter of 1808, Rev. Chester 
Wright spent a few Sabbaths, and Apr. 
12, thereafter, 83 leading citizens of the 
village formed "The First Congregational 
Society in Montpelier." July 20, 1808, 
"The First Congregational Church" 
was formed, consisting of 17 members. 
Mr. Wright was then employed as stated 
preacher, and continued as such until Aug. 
16, 1809, when he was made the perma- 
nent pastor of the church. The number 
of the members of this church reported in 
June, 1872, was 440, of whom 155 were 
then non-residents who had not taken 
letters of dismission or formally changed 
their relation. The whole number admit- 



ted to this church has been near 1200, 
thus showing that the removals by emigra- 
tion and death have been about 900. The 
meetings were usually held in the State- 
House, sometimes in the Academy build- 
ing until 1820, when what has been com- 
monly known as "the brick church "was 
erected, at a cost of about $8,000. The 
present elegant and substantial building, 
called " Bethany Church," which was ded- 
icated Oct. 15, 1868, occupies the site of 
the old church. The value of Bethany 
church was reported to the last General 
Convention to be $70,000 ; but including 
the land and organ, and the cost of the 
construction of the building, the sum 
should be about $6,000 greater. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the pastors of the First 
Congregational Church of Montpelier : 

Aug. 16, 1809, to Dec. 22, 1830, Ches- 
ter Wright; Oct. 26, 1831, to April 19, 
1835, Samuel Hopkins; Aug. 25, 1836, to 
July 15, 1840, Buel W. Smith; Dec. 15, 
1 84 1, to Dec. 9, 1846, JohnGridley ; Sept. 
27, 1847, to 1878, W. H. Lord; 1878 to 
the present time, J. H. Hincks. 

SECOND congregational CHURCH, OR 
FREE CHURCH. 

This church was organized in 1835, con- 
sisting mainly of members of the First 
Congregational church. For a few years, 
under the ministration of Rev. Sherman 
Kellogg, it prospered, but afterwards de- 
clined, and about the year 184S, was aban- 
doned, a part of the members returning to 
the First Church, and others joining the 
Methodist church. The pastors and min- 
isters of this church were : 1835 to 1842, 
Sherman Kellogg; 1842 to 1844, Joab 
Seeley ; 1845 to 1847, E. J. Comings. 
This church and society erected and used 
the building on State street, which is now 
the Village Hall. 

FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Elder Ziba Woodworth, (see biograph- 
ical sketch in East Montpelier,) was a cit- 
izen of the town at its organization, and 
on its record is a certificate of his good 
standing in the Baptist church prior to his 
residence here. From about 1800, Mr. 
Woodworth was in the habit of exhorting 



MONTPELIER. 



289 



as occasion offered, and in 1806, he was 
ordained, and preached from 1806 to 1826. 
Philip Wheeler is named in Walton's Reg- 
ister as a Baptist preacher in 181 5-16, and 
again from 1823 to 1825, and also Samuel 
Parker from 1827 to 1832. A church was 
organized in 1830, says D. P. Thompson, 
which would be in the ministry of Mr. 
Parker. In 1870, the church and society 
commenced the construction of a hand- 
some church edifice on School street, 
which has since been completed. The 
clerical list, so far as it is attainable, is as 
follows, beginning with the organization 
of the church in 1830: 1830-32, Samuel 

Parker; 1840, Keniston ; 1841-43, 

ZebinaYoung; 1849, Jackson; 1866-8, 

N. P. Foster ; 1869-71, William Fitz ; 
1872-78, N. Newton Glazier; 1879 to the 
present time, H. A. Rogers. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES OR SOCIETIES. 

In an account of the religious condition 
of the town previous to 1811 , the late Rev. 
Chester Wright stated that previous to 
1800, there had rarely been any preaching 
except by the Methodists ; that the in- 
creased population from 1800 was divided 
into various sects, the largest number pro- 
fessing Universalism. A society of this 
sect was formed in the village, (now Mont- 
pelier,) in 183 1 ; one had been formed 
earlier at the centre of the old town, and 
shared the meeting-house there with other 
denominations, and at a later date a third 
was formed in East Montpelier, and erect- 
ed a house of worship in East Montpelier 
village, which has been maintained ever 
since, and is now a handsome structure. 
The following list of Universalist preach- 
ers in Montpelier has been gathered from 
Walton's Register : 

1833, John M. Currier; 1834, John M. 
Austin; 1835,6. H. Fuller, J. Wright; 
1836, J. Wright; 1837-8, John Gregory; 
1839, J. Wright, J. Boyden; 1840 to 1866, 
Eli Ballou; 1867-70, J. O. Skinner; 1871, 
E. Ballou. 

UNITARIAN CHURCH AND SOCIETY. 

There had been occasionally missionary 
efforts for this denomination, but no stated 
preaching and permanent organization 

37 



until after the coming of Rev. C. A. Allen 
in 1865. A church and society has been 
formed, consisting of Universalists and 
Unitarians, and a handsome church edi- 
fice has been erected on the corner of 
Main and School streets, called "The 
Church of the Messiah." The list of min- 
isters embraces but two names : Rev. 
Chas. A. Allen began his labors in Mont- 
pelier in 1864, and remained here 5 years, 
receiving leave of absence for a year in 
1869, and resigning his charge before that 
leave had expired. Rev. J. Edward Wright 
became pastor in 1869, and is now (1881) 
in charge. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

In 1842, a church of this denomination 
was organized, consisting in part of mem- 
bers dismissed by request from the first 
Congregational church, among them being 
the first rector. A small church edifice 
was immediately built, and in 1867-8, an- 
other elegant one on State street, near the 
centre of the village, which superseded the 
first. It is called "Christ Church." The 
list of rectors is as follows : 

1843-49, George B. Manser; 1850-53, 
E. F. Putnam ; 1854-65, F. W. Shelton ; 
1866-8, D. C. Roberts ; 1869-70, Wm. J. 
Harris; 1871-79, A. Hull; 1880 and since, 
H. F. Hill. [An additional paper is prom- 
ised by the rector. Rev. Mr. Hill. — Ed.] 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

No record is found of regular ministra- 
tions according to the forms of the Cath- 
olic church for any considerable period 
previous to 1850, but there had been fre- 
quent visitations before that date, notably 
by " Father O'Callaghan," of Burlington. 
The old court house was first converted to 
the uses of a church, and was again con- 
verted into the priest's residence, when a 
convenient brick edifice had been erected 
near the State House, now known as " St. 
Augustine." The congregation is the 
largest in the town, being gathered from 
Montpelier and neighboring towns. The 
clerical list is as follows, gathered from 
Walton's Register : 

1850-53, Hector Drolette ; 1861-63,2. 
Druon; 1864-81, J. M.P. Duglue, inwhose 



290 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



absence Father Savoie officiated. [An ad- 
ditional paper will be given hereafter. — 
Ed.] 

LITERARY INSTITUTIONS, NEWSPAPERS, &C. 

The history of the common schools — at 
least until the establishment of a graded 
school by the union of all the districts in 
the village — is that of every other town of 
like population, and need not be given. 
Preliminary to a notice of the chartered 
literary institutions in their order, four so- 
cieties designed to supplement the formal 
schools are worthy of notice. 

LIBRARIES AND DEBATING SOCIETIES. 

The first was a Circulati)ig Library, of 
about 200 vols., established in 1794, and lo- 
cated in the centre of the old town, probably 
under the care of the late Parley Davis. 
One feature was the exclusion of all novels 
as well as all religious books, thus limit- 
ing the selection of books to works of 
history, travels, biography, the sciences, 
philosophy, agriculture, mechanics, and 
such poetry as was admissible under the 
rule ; and the second was the establish- 
ment of a similar library in the village, 
Feb. 28, 1814, which was not quite so ex- 
clusive in character. Both libraries ex- 
isted for many years, and were undoubtedly 
useful to all who were disposed to profit by 
them. The third was a literary society 
formed about 1807, for theme writing and 
debate, called " The Franklin Society,'''' of 
which the apprentices in the printing- 
offices and other mechanical trades were 
the members. Its rules required gentle- 
manly language and deportment ; and one 
who was an originator of the society, (the 
late Gen. Ezekiel P. Walton,) informed 
the writer that all the members became 
intelligent, valuable and influential cit- 
izens, except one alone, who was expelled 
for profanity. Another society, with the 
same name, existed in 1828. A similar 
but small society was in existence some 
few years, dating also from about 1828, 
and with like results ; at least three of the 
members became editors, two of them 
Members of Congress at the same time, 
and another a judge of the superior court 



of one of the large Western States.* The 
fourth was 

"THE MONTPELIER LYCEUM," 

formed Nov. 18, 1829, which was contin- 
ued for several years. Its design was 
"mutual improvement in useful knowl- 
edge," and the means were, by addresses, 
lectures, essays, reports upon assigned 
topics, and oral debate upon selected ques- 
tions. The members were not only the 
young people of both sexes from the 
schools, but also professional men, mer- 
chants and mechanics of all ages. The 
lad in his teens met his minister, his 
teacher, his doctor, or the judges and law- 
yers of the village, in public debate, and 
all were encouraged to take part in the ex- 
ercises. The fruits were indeed "im- 
provement in useful knowledge," and the 
art of imparting knowledge ; making good 
writers and keen debaters, sharpening the 
intellectual powers, educating in all the 
members a taste for whatever is excellent 
and useful in literature and science, and 
inspiring a zeal for personal and public 
improvement. Its first president, and prob- 
ably its originator, was the well-beloved 
principal of Washington County Grammar 
School for 12 years — the late Rev. Jona- 
than C. Southmayd. 

WASHINGTON COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 

Nov. 7, 1810, Montpelier Acadet/iy was 
incorporated, the iiame being changed in 
1 8 13 to Washington County Grammar 
School, and endowed with the rents of the 
Grammar School lands. The first acad- 
emy building was of wood, 44 by 36 feet 
on the ground, and two stories in height. 
It was located on what is now the triangle 
on Main at the intersection of Spring street, 
near the " Academy bridge." This build- 
ing was burned in 1822, when a more com- 
modious brick building was erected, which 
was used until it was superseded by the 
larger and still more commodious Union 
School building, erected at the head of 



•Tliree of the graduatds from Gen. Walton's print- 
ing-office were serving in Congress at the same time 
In 1857-'59— two as Members ol the House from Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont, and a tliird. liailing from a 
Western State, in the i)ost-office of the House, and 
allerward in the Clerks' Department, and as Pay- 
master in the Army in the Ktbellion war. Two other 
graduates from that office became clergymen of good 
reputation. 



MONTPELIER. 



291 



School street in 1858-9. The principal 
instructors of the Academy and Grammar 
School, until its union with the Graded 
School, were : James Whorter, James 
Dean,* Joseph Sill, Benton Pixley,t ^^^ 
Hill, Thomas Heald, Justus W. French, J 
Seneca White, Heman Rood, John Stev- 
ens, Jonathan C. Southmayd, J. B. East- 
man, Augustus A. Wood, || Aaron G. 
Pease, § Calvin PeascH J. H. Morse, M. 
Colburn, Geo. N. Clark,** Davis Strong, 
Horace Herrick, J. E. Goodrich, Charles 
Kent and C. R. Ballard. Others were 
temporarily employed, and among them 
was the late Hon. Joshua Y . Vail, in the early 
years of the .school, and Robert Hale in 
the later ; and in the interim between the 
destruction of the first academy building 
and the completion of the second, the 
want of an academy was measurably sup- 
plied by a classical school under a Mr. 
Sherard. For many years, dating from 
the preceptorship of Mr. Southmayd, 
Washington County Grammar School was, 
among others of its day, of the very high- 
est reputation in the State, sending out as 
teachers, clergymen, lawyers, physicians 
and public men, a long roll to the high 
honor of the institution audits instructors. 

MONTPELIER UNION GRADED SCHOOL. 

Prompted in part by a bequest of $1,000 
by Hezekiah H. Reed, land was purchased 
aniiply sufficient for school purposes for 
many generations, and a school-house 
erected at a cost of $19,000, when, under 
the general statute and special acts passed 
in 1858-9, the four school-districts in the 
village were united into one Union School 
district. The special acts gave full powers 
in respect to the course of study, and with 
a union of Washington County Grammar 



* Afterward Professor of Mathematics in tlie Ilni- 
versity of Vermont. [See vol. I, Burlington Paperon 
the University by Prof Clark— Ed.] 

t Clergyman iu Williamstowu and missionary among 
the Western Indians. 

t Clergyman In Vermont, New York and New Jer- 
sey. 

II Clei'gyman in Newr York. 

§ Clergyman In Vermont. 

Tl Professor and President of University of Vermont, 
who died while pastor of a Presbyterian church at 
Rochester, N. Y. [See biography "of, by brother of 
President Pease, vol. I, this work — Ed.] 

** Professor in University of Vermont, and now 
clergyman and Secretary of ihe American Board for 
Foreign Missions.- [See Paper by him on U. V. M., 
vol. I, Vt. Hist. Gaz.— Ed.] 



School with the district, a course was 
adopted embracing all studies necessary, 
from the primary to the highest grades re- 
quired for admission to colleges and the 
highest institutions for the education of 
females. Thus was formed a Union and 
Graded School, which has endeared itself 
to children and parents, and is an honor 
and a source of just pride to the town. 
The principals have been: 1859-61, M. 
M. Marsh; 1862-71, Daniel D. Gorham ; 
1872-74, C. W. Westgate; 1875-77, J.E. 
Miller; 1878-9, A. W. Blair ; 1880, W.W. 
Prescott; 1881, H. R. Brackett. 

NEWSPAPERS AND AUTHORS. 

The first newspaper established in Mont- 
pelier was T/ie Vermo7it P?'eciirsor, by 
Clark Brown, in November, 1806. Mr. 
Brown had not been fortunate as a preach- 
er, having failed in a few months, and 
he was little more fortunate as publisher, 
since he sold his paper in less than a year 
to Samuel Goss, the first proprietor of 
The Watchmaji, which was afterwards, 
from January, 1826, the Vermont IVatch- 
mati (Sr^ State Gazette, and from Dec. 13, 
1836, and still is, the Vetv/ioni Watchman 
(3r^ State Jourtial ; and the oldest newspa- 
per in Montpelier. The real germ of the 
Watchman, however, was not the Precur- 
sor, but the Green Moiintain Patriot, es- 
tablished at Peacham, Feb. 1798, by Sam- 
uel Goss and Amos Farley, and discontin- 
ued in March, 1807, the year in which Mr. 
Goss moved his office to Montpelier. The 
editors of the Watchman have been Sam- 
uel Goss, Ezekiel P. Walton, E. P. Wal- 
ton Jr., [so known to the public, the true 
name being Eliakim P. Walton,] Joseph 
& J. Monroe Poland. The period of Mr. 
Goss was from 1807 to 1810; of Mr. Wal- 
ton senior until about 1830, after which 
his brother Joseph S. Walton assisted for 
awhile, and E. P. Walton Jr. until Sept. 
1853 ; the latter was editor and proprietor 
until Jan. 16, 1868, and editor until Mar. 
1868; and from March 1868, the Messrs. 
Poland were in charge until J. M. Poland 
retired. During the 40 years of service by 
Walton, senior, the business of book-pub- 
lishing and .selling was connected with the 



292 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



newspaper, and for several years after his 
sons had become of age, the business was 
greatly enlarged by uniting under one 
• mariagement the newspaper, job and book- 
printing, paper-making, book-binding, and 
book-selling, making one of the most im- 
portant business establishments in the 
town, and furnishing support to a greater 
number of families than any other at the 
time. 

The next newspaper in point of time was 
The Freemaii's Press, by Derick Sibley, 
or Wright & Sibley. The germ of that 
paper was, it is supposed, The Weekly 
Wanderer, commenced at Randolph in 
Jan. 1 80 1, by Sereno Wright, and discon- 
tinued in 181 1 ; or possibly was removed 
to Montpelier and re-issued as ''The Free- 
mail's Press.'''' In D. P. Thompson's list 
of business men, however, the names of 
Wright & Sibley do not appear until 18 15. 
They may have come earlier, and probably 
did, as Rev. John Gridley's History fixes the 
date "about 1813." The latter was the 
Jeffersonian Republican as theWatchman 
was the Federal organ, until "the era of 
good feeling" came to Montpelier in 1818, 
when Jonas Galusha received all the votes 
of Montpelier except one. The "Press" 
was discontinued about that time — possi- 
bly before 18 17, leaving "the Watchman" 
sole occupant in the field. Mr. Sibley re- 
moved to Rochester, N. Y., where he was 
highly esteemed, and a son of his — possi- 
bly a native of Montpelier, — has been one 
of the most successful men of this country 
in telegraph companies. 

The next newspaper in the order of time 
was the '■'■Vermont Patriot &■= State Gazette,'''' 
established Jan. 17, 1826, by George 
Washington Hill & Company. It was in- 
tended to be the organ of the Jackson par- 
ty (since called Democratic) in Vermont, 
as was Isaac Hill's "Patriot" in New 
Hampshire. The "Vermont Patriot" was 
continued for some years by its founders ; 
from 1834 by Geo. W. Hill and William 
Clark; from 1839 by Jeremiah T. Mars- 
ton; from 1848 by Eastman & Danforth ; 
from 1854 by C. G. Eastman, and the ad- 
ministrator of his estate, from whom the 
paper passed to E. M. Brown, and short- 



ly after was merged in the present "Argus 
atid Patriot,'''' published and edited by Hi- 
ram Atkins. The dates given above, ex- 
cept as to the birth of the "Patriot," have 
been taken from D. P. Thompson's list of 
business men, and may not be entirely 
accurate, though it is believed they are 
nearly so. Mr. Hill did not possess the 
editorial tact of his distinguished brother, 
and employed others to do the chief edito- 
rial work, and most prominent among the 
several so employed were Horace Steele 
and Hugh Moore — Steele, the author of 
"The Indian Captive," (omitted front Za- 
dock Thompson's list of Vermont books,) 
and Moore a poet of no mean rank. Both 
Marston and Eastman were able editors, 
and Eastman was the sweetest of Vermont 
poets. 

"The State JotirnaV was established 
Nov. I, 1831, by Knapp&Jewett — Chaun- 
cey L. Knapp, a graduate from the Watch- 
man office, and Elam R. Jewett. The 
"Journal" was continued until December 
1836, as the organ of the Anti-Masonic 
party, and was then merged in the "Watch- 
man." Mr. Knapp was the chief editor, 
and after filling State offices in Vermont 
and Massachusetts, and serving four years 
in Congress for the Lowell, Mass., dis- 
trict — 1855-59, — "^^ ^^ "°'^ ^'^ harness 
again as editor of a daily newspaper in 
Lowell. Mr. Jewett was for a long time 
connected with the Commercial Advertiser 
of Buffalo, N. Y., and has retired from the 
newspaper business with an ample fortune, 
but is yet engaged in a lucrative business 
kindred to "the art of arts." 

The Voice of Freedom was established 
in January 1839, by Allen & Poland, with 
C. L. Knapp editor, an anti-slavery news- 
paper, which was continued until 1842, 
and then removed to Brandon. It was 
succeeded in 1844, at Montpelier, by the 
"Green Momitain pyeeman,'''' by Joseph 
Poland, which is now published by Her- 
bert R. Wheelock. The editors have been 
Joseph Poland, Jacob Scott, Daniel P. 
Thompson, Sidney S. Boyce, Charles W. 
Willard, J. W. Wheelock, H. R. Whee- 
lock, and H. A. Huse. [See paper later.] 

The "Christian Repositoiy ,'''' organ of 



MONTPELIEK. 



293 



the Universalist denomination, was started 
in Woodstock as "The Universalist Watch- 
man" in 1829, by William Bell, and re- 
moved to Montpelier about 1836, and its 
title changed. For most of the period of 
its publication in Montpelier, Eli Ballou 
was the editor and he was also publisher, 
under the firms of Ballou & Loveland, and 
Ballou & Son. It was merged in a Boston 
paper in 1870, having been edited for the 
three preceding years by J. O. Skinner. 

The "■Christian Messenger,'''' [see account 
of by Rev. J. R. Bartlett.] 

'Y\\t' Vermont Farmer was commenced 
in Montpelier in 1879, t)y L. P. Thayer, 
and removed to Northfield in 1881. 

For The Vermont Chronicle, now pub- 
lished here, see Windsor, next volume. 

For about 40 years a daily paper has 
been issued from the "Watchman" office 
during the sessions of the General Assem- 
bly. It was originated for the convenience 
only of members of the Legislature and 
persons having business before it, and at 
first was a small sheet of one or two pages, 
containing an abstract of daily proceed- 
ings. Soon it grew into a small news- 
paper of four pages, and contained an ab- 
stract of debates as well as of proceedings, 
and was in demand for more general cir- 
culation. It became at last a daily paper 
of medium size, or equal to the original 
weekly "Watchman," and was entitled 
" Waltofi's Daily Journal,'''' to distinguish 
it from his weekly newspaper. From the 
outbreak of the rebellion in the spring of 
1 86 1, until July, 1868, it was continued 
regularly as a daily paper — with two edi- 
tions each day for most of that period — 
and was supplied by correspondents in 
several of the Vermont regiments with val- 
uable materials for Vermont's history in 
the War, much of which is yet to be pre- 
served in a more convenient form. Daily 
papers have occasionally been issued dur- 
ing the Legislative sessions from the " Pat- 
riot "and "Argus" office, and also from 
the "Freeman" office, and from the lat- 
ter a daily, was published during the war. 

A regular visitor into more Vermont 
households than have received the Mont- 
pelier newspapers altogether, is "Walton's 



Vermont Register." It was started by E. 
P. Walton, Sr., and his brother, George 
S. Walton, in 18 17, the first number, (be- 
ing the Register for 1818,) having been 
printed and published in the closing 
months of that year. From that date 
until the present time it has been annually 
issued, and although it has not increased 
much in superficial dimensions, and is still 
a convenient hand-book, it has increased 
in matter as fast as the professional and 
other business of the State has increased. 
The second number of the Register, (for 
1819,) was published by E. P. Walton, 
Sr., Geo. S. having deceased, and the 
publication was continued by him and his 
sons until 1853, when the publication was 
commenced by E. P. Walton, Jr., the 
present Eliakim P. Walton. In a few 
years the proprietorship was given by him 
to Samuel M. Walton, and by him it was 
transferred to the Claremont Manufacturing 
Co. in 1867, their first issue having been 
the number for 1868, and in 1881 to the 
White River Paper Co. From 1817, or 
the origin of the Register, until now, the 
editors have been E. P. Walton, Sr., and 
E. P. Walton, Jr. — so it ever has been, 
and still is, " Walton'' s Vermotit Register .'''' 
For several years the blanks in the calen- 
dar pages were filled with guess-work as to 
the weather, and the writer of these pages 
exercised his ingenuity in filling in that 
sort of matter when a boy — a confession 
which suggests the utter folly of the fash- 
ion. It was the general fashion in al- 
manacs, however, and for the credit of 
Walton's it must be said, that nobody 
could be harmed by a prognostication of 
" rain or snow" in April, or of " unsteady 
weather, flying clouds ; we seldom fail of 
having a cold north-easterly storm this 
month" — all of which is the weather wis- 
dom for May, 1820. The three last 
months of that year were suffered to go to 
press without any weather at all, but it is a 
fact that the weather went on according to 
its will, without the slightest respect to the 
Almanac maker, or the hopes or fears of 
those who relied upon him. This folly 
was abandoned finally, and a page was in- 
serted from year to year containing a 



294 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



weather table, which was originally framed 
by the astronomer Herschel, and corrected 
by observations made by the Rev. Dr. 
Adam Clarke. It is obvious, however, 
that any scheme, constructed by observa- 
tions on another continent, and with a 
different climate from ours, cannot be re- 
liable here ; probably not as reliable as the 
judgment of persons who will themselves 
carefully observe the connection of fair 
or foul weather with the direction of the 
wind, and watch the thermometer and 
barometer — or better still, the daily an- 
nouncements from the weather office at 
Washington ; which, by the way, take no 
notice of the moon ?is an element in fore- 
casting the weather. The time came to 
relieve "Walton's Register" from this 
useless matter, and it was gladly improved. 

Among the papers temporarily published 
at Montpelier were " The Temperance 
Star,"' publishedin 1841-2 by the Vermont 
Temperance Society, and edited by Geo. 
B.Manser; '-The Harrisonian,'''' a. cam- 
paign paper issued^ in 1840, from the 
JVaichman office, and edited by E. P. 
Walton, Jr. ; ''The Reformed Drunkard,'''' 
in 1842, by F. A. McDowell, changed to 
" The Reformer,'''' -^nd discontinued; and 
a monthly literary and religious magazine 
in 1838, called " The Green Mountain 
Emporium,'''' by John Milton Stearns, 
which was removed to Middlebury and dis- 
continued. 

The newspapers continued at this date, 
1 88 1, are " The Vermont Watchman and 
State Journal," (Republican,) by Joseph 
Poland; "Argus and Patriot," (Demo- 
cratic,) by Hiram Atkins; "The Green 
Mountain Freeman," (Republican,) and 
"The Christian Messenger," (Methodist 
Episcopal,) by H. R. Wheelock. 

Of books printed and published at Mont- 
pelier a formidable list could be made by 
including legislative journals, statute books. 
Supreme Court and other reports, school 
books, sermons, pamphlets, almanacs and 
registers. The titles of many of these 
may be found in the catalogue of the Ver- 
mont State Library, and their omission 
here is excusable. Of the books noticeable 
are the following : Valedictory Address of 



George Washington, 1812, an edition of 
which, thanks to the Washington Benevo- 
lent Societies, saved the Watchman office 
from passing into the hands of a sheriff; 
Indian Captive, or the Burning of Royal- 
ton, by Horace Steele, 12 mo., 1812 ; Di- 
gested Index of law reports, by Nicholas 
Baylies, 1814, 3 vols, octavo, 1512 pages; 
On Free Agency, by Nicholas Baylies, 
1820, i2mo. 216 pages; Gazetteer of Ver- 
mont, by Zadock Thompson, 1824, 12 mo. 
312 pages; English Grammar, by Rufus 
Nutting, 1826, 12 mo. 136 pages; May 
Martin, by D. P. Thompson, i6mo. 1835, 
edition after edition of which has been 
printed in America and in England ; and 
The Green Mountain Boys, 1839, by D. 
P. Thompson, 2 vols. i2mo. 536 pages; 
The Gift, 1841, Poems, by Sophia Watrous 
[Bemis,] 24mo. 172 pages; Theological 
Criticism, Poetical Scraps, and Dogmas of 
Infidelity, 1843, by F. W. Adams, M. D., 
12 mo. 240 pages; Poems, by CJiarles G. 
Eastman, 1848, 12 mo. 208 pages, of which 
a new and enlarged edition, with a me- 
moir, has been recently printed ; The Cap- 
ital of Vermont, journal of proceedings 
and debates of the special session of the 
General Assembly, February, 1857, with 
an appendix and engravings — 8 vo. 300 
pages, 1857; History of the Town of 
Montpeher, by Daniel P. Thomp.son, i860, 
octavo, 312 pages; The Second Brigade, 
or Camp Life, by a Volunteer, [E. F. 
Palmer,] 16 mo. 224 pages, 1864; Adju- 
tant General's Reports, octavo, 1862, no 
pages — 1863, 106 pages — 1864, 958 pages 
— 1865, 762 pages — 1866, 368 pages — all 
embracing an official history, by Hon. Peter 
T. Washburn, of the part taken by Vermont 
in the War of the Rebellion ; Steps to 
Heaven, by Rev. F. S. Bliss, 12 mo., 1868, 
184 pages; Collections of the Vermont 
Historical Society, octavo, vol. I, 1870, 
508 pages — vol. II, 1871, 530 pages; The 
Family Physician, &c., by Dr. Leonard 
Thresher, 8vo. 1871, 406 pages ; and the 
Governor and Council, embracing journals 
of the Council of Safety and (iovernor and 
Council, early historical documents and 
biographical notices, edited by Eliakim P. 
Walton, 8 vols., published 1873-1881. 



MONTPELIER. 



295 



Of citizens of Montpelier the number who 
have been authors is not large, but their 
works are voluminous. The list in the order 
of time embraces Horace Steele, historical, 
I vol. ; Nicholas Baylies, law and metaphys- 
ics, 4 vols. ; Samuel Woodworth, pamphlet 
poem on the battle of Plattsburgh ; Sophia 
Watrous, poems, i vol. ; Rev. F. W. Shel- 
ton, tales and miscellaneous papers, 5 vols., 
previous to his removal from town; D. P. 
Thompson, historical novels and history, 
10 vols ; F. W. Adams, theology and po- 
etry, I vol. ; C. G. Eastman, poems, i vol- 
ume ; in all, 24 volumes. 

Several who were once residents of 
Montpelier became authors after their re- 
moval ; among whom are Rev. Samuel 
Hopkins, (pastor of the first Congrega- 
tional church,) author of two historical 
volumes on the Puritans in the reign of 
Queen Elizabeth ; Rev. JohnS. C. Abbott, 
(who temporarily supplied the desk of the 
same church,) author of numerous histor- 
ical, religious and miscellaneous books ; 
Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, author of several 
elaborate and valuable law books ; Hugh 
Moore, author of a memoir of Ethan Allen, 
and Zadock Thompson, author of the Gaz- 
etteer and History of Vermont, 2 volumes, 
and of other works. This hst might proba- 
bly be extended. The published orations, 
addresses, sermons, speeches, and other 
pamphlets, the work of Montpelier men, 
combined, would make several volumes ; 
and in such volumes the names of Goss, 
Prentiss, Merrill, Wright, Gridley, Upham, 
Walton, [senior and junior,] Peck, Pease, 
[Aaron and Calvin,] Gridley, Willard, 
Lord, and many others, would appear as 
authors. Taken all together, therefore, 
the literary history and character of the 
town has been highly creditable. 

MILITARY HISTORY. 

The first military company was organized 
in 1794, consisting of 72 men, many of 
whom had served in the Revolutionary 
War. The late Gen. Parley Davis was 
the first captain. From that date Mont- 
pelier, in common with other towns, main- 
tained the military organizations required 
by law ; and of these a history is not nec- 



essary. Military matters of special interest 
will be noted. 

Minttte Men m 1794. 
A special town meeting, July 21, 1794, 
voted 

That this town will ensure to the Min- 
ute Men, now enlisted from this town, the 
wages, while in actual service, that the 
Governor and Council of this State have 
promised to recommend the Legislature to 
ensure them ; provided that Congress nor 
said Legislature do not do it. 

It seems, then, that the town had, upon 
the requisition of the Governor and Coun- 
cil, furnished its quota of minute men for 
an expected emergency, and patriotically 
guaranteed payment to them while in 
actual service. D. P. Thompson conjec- 
tured that there was then no danger of 
war, foreign or Indian, and that the whisky 
insurrection in Pennsylvania was the 
source of the possible emergency. Mr. 
Thompson's conjecture was materially er- 
roneous, and implied a suspicion of the 
fidelity of the people of Vermont to law 
and order, which was never entertained. 
Quotas of troops, to quell the insurrection 
in Western Pennsylvania in 1794, were re- 
quired from four neighboring States only. 
A fierce war was waged in the summer of 
1794 by the Indians, on the North-western 
frontier, with whom Wayne, Scott, and 
others were contending ; but no minute 
men were required in Vermont to meet 
danger from any Indian war. The real 
danger was from Great Britain, and the 
emergency apprehended for Vermont was 
an attack from Canada on her Northern 
frontiers. Great Britain had interfered 
with American commerce ; Congress had 
debated a proposition for sequestrating 
the debts due from American to British 
citizens, and resolved on non-intercourse 
with Great Britain. An army of 80,000 
men was authorized at that period if emer- 
gencies should require it. The vote of 
this town shows that the Governor and 
Council had met in a special session, be- 
tween the regular sessions of Oct. 1793 
and '94, and required the raising of min- 
ute men — of course in response to instruc- 
tions from the National Government — and 
yet the writer of this paper has searched 



296 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the mariLiscript Council Journal in vain for 
the record of that meeting. The journal 
of the regular session of Oct. 1794 does 
show that the State authorities had acted 
and provided the men. Nothing came of 
these preparations for war, except a dem- 
onstration that the people responded cheer- 
fully to the requirements of the national 
and state authorities. Montpelier, at 
least, was entitled to that honor. 

Governor''s Gjiard. 

At an early day Vermont adopted the 
forms of Massachusetts in respect to the 
public honors paid to His Excellency, the 
Governor. That was his title, and being 
at least nominally "excellent," his person 
was at least nominally very precious. He 
must have a military guard on public oc- 
casions, to escort if not to defend him. If 
the governor of Vermont did not himself 
bear the sword and a cocked hat — as Mas- 
sachusetts governors did — he must be sur- 
rounded by swords and cocked hats on 
gala days ; and every day in his walk from 
his boarding-house to the Council cham- 
ber, he must be attended by the high sher- 
iff of the county, bearing a sword. When 
Montpelier became the capital of the State, 
the people there, and in the vicinity, fur- 
nished both the State-House and a Gov- 
ernor's guard, called " Washington Artil- 
lery," corresponding to the "Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery " of Boston. It was 
chartered in 1807. This company was in- 
dependent of the regular State military or- 
ganizations ; it chose its own officers, who 
were commissioned by the Governor in 
person, who also reviewed the company 
annually on presenting the commissions. 
The business of the company was to per- 
form escort duty when the Governor came 
to town on the day before the meeting of 
the General Assembly ; to escort the Gov- 
ernor and General Assembly and their of- 
ficers to the church where the election ser- 
mon was delivered, on "Election day;" 
and to fire salutes as proclamation was 
made from the portico of the state-house, 
by the sheriff of the county, of the election, 
severally, of the Governor, Lieutenant- 
Governor, Treasurer and Councillors. 



The company again met, in the week suc- 
ceeding, elected its officers, and was re- 
viewed by His Excellency. Thus it had 
at least three days of service in each year. 
In fact, its "trainings" were more fre- 
quent. Composed, as it was, of selected 
men, it always ranked high. This organ- 
ization was maintained until the necessity 
for it was obviated by giving the pre- 
eminence to civil over military power. 
The military and the armed sheriff were 
then excused from further service on such 
occasions in 1836. 

WAR OF 1812-16. 

The military history of Vermont at this 
period is singularly deficient, " our foreign 
relations and defensive operations being 
exclusively committed to the management 
of the general government,"* without in- 
tervention by the State authorities, such 
as from 1861 to 1865, when the admirable 
system of Adjutant-General Washburn 
preserved an accurate record of the Ver- 
mont officers and soldiers who served in 
the War of the Rebellion. There is, there- 
fore, no State record of the services of 
Vermonters in the War of 1812, excepting 
only an imperfect record of the Plattsburgh 
volunteers, gathered many years after the 
battle. Two modes were adopted by the 
General Government in raising armies, to 
wit : by drafts from the militia of the sev- 
eral states, called " detached militia," and 
by enlistments into the United States 
army. In both cases the men were under 
the command of United States officers, and 
hence no complete rosters can be found 
anywhere short of the records of the War 
Department at Washington. A roster of 
officers only has been published in the 
American State Papers, and with the aid 
of this the following list is made : 

Earned Lamb, of Montpelier, appointed 
Captain previous to 1 808. He commanded 
a company of U. S. troops stationed at 
Montpelier in 1808, but left the army be- 
fore the roster alluded to was published. 
Mr. Lamb died at St. Louis about 1828. 

Sylvester Day, of Montpelier, was 
commissioned as surgeon Mar. 13, 1813. 



♦Message of Gov. Martin CliUteudeu, 1813. 



MONTPELIER. 



297 



He remained in the army until his death, 
which occurred at Pittsburgh, Penn., about 
1864. 

GusTAVUs Loojviis was commissioned 
as 2d Lieutenant, Mar. i , 1 8 1 1 , and was 
placed on the retired list Mar. 13, 1865, 
with the rank of brevet Brigadier General. 
He was probably a resident of Thetford at 
the time of his appointment, but for many 
years his home, when on leave of absence, 
was at Montpelier, and here his family for 
a time resided. He died in 1871. 

Sylvester Churchill was commis- 
sioned as Lieutenant in 18 12, and as Cap- 
tain in the 3d Artillery, Aug. 15, 1813. 
During the War of the Rebellion he was 
Inspector General of the U. S. army, with 
the rank of brevet Brigadier General. He 
died at Washington near the close of that 
war. He resided in Montpelier for a few 
years previous to 1809, when he removed 
to Windsor, and became one of the pro- 
prietors of the Vermont Republican news- 
paper. 

In 18 1 3, Congress authorized the enlist- 
ment and organization of 46 regiments, to 
serve one year. Of these, four were as- 
signed to Vermont. The headquarters of 
one were at Rutland and Bennington ; of 
one at Woodstock ; and of two at Burling- 
ton. The roster of the officers of the 31st 
regiment of infantry, Daniel Dana, Col- 
onel, contains the names of the following 
persons from Montpelier and its immediate 
vicinity ; Cyrus Johnson, captain ; Pres- 
BURY West, ist Lieutenant; John Put- 
nam, 2d Lieutenant; Jonathan Eddy, 3d 
Lieutenant. 

Undoubtedly there were several Mont- 
pelier men in this regiment, and probably 
in the two regiments enlisted at Burling- 
ton, but their names cannot be given. 

Thelistof Montpelier men in the regular 
army or naval service may as well be com- 
pleted here as follows : Hannibal Day, 
son of Dr. Sylvester Day, commissioned as 
2d Lieut. July i, 1823, and breveted Brig- 
adier General, March 13, 1865. He is 
still living and is on the retired list. Asa 
Richardson, commissioned as 2d Lieu- 
tenant at a little later date ; after serving 
several years he left the army ; but how, 

38 



the writer is uncertain — perhaps he re- 
signed, or was placed on the retired list as 
a disabled officer. Disabled he certainly 
was. Charles C. Upham. now deceased, 
was paymaster in the navy for about 20 
years, and attained the rank of Captain, 
and was high on the list when retired. 
George Dewey, Midshipman, Sept. 23, 
1854, Commander from April 13th, 1872. 
Charles E. Clark, Midshipman, Sept. 
29, i860, Lieut. Commander from March 
12, 1868 — appointed from Bradford. R. Ju- 
lius Richardson was paymaster during 
the Civil War. Theodore G. Dewey, 
Midshipman, June 19, 1875. 

To resume the subject of the War of 
18 12. It was declared June 18, and the 
Proclamation was not generally published 
in Vermont until about the first of July. 
The news wa^ not unexpected nor unpre- 
pared for, since it appears that there was 
a body of troops at Montpelier as early as 
the 8th of July, under the command of 
Col. Cutting of the U. S. Army. The 
Governor and Council met at Montpelier 
on the 23d of July and adjourned on the 
25th. The business was not for the rais- 
ing of troops, but to represent to the Na- 
tional authorities the pressing necessity of 
arms and ammunition to prepare the mili- 
tia of the State to resist invasion. In a 
memorial prepared for that purpose it was 
declared, tJiat tJie orders from the War De- 
partment '-for detached \iiiilitia'\ men had 
been promptly obeyed.'''' The number of 
detached men required of Vermont by the 
act of Congress of April 10, 1812, was 
3000. The inference, then, from the state- 
ment of the Governor and Council is, that 
within less than a month the Vermont mil- 
itia had responded to all the demands made 
upon them. Undoubtedly this was true, 
and more, since many Vermonters enlisted 
into the regular army. The patriotism of 
the people — each political party spurring 
the other on — would not permit drafting, 
but rather a supply of all the needed men 
by volunteering. This was demonstrated 
by the Light Infantry Company of Mont- 
pelier, whose quota of men to be "detached'' 
was eight. The company was paraded ; 
i its captain [the late Hon. Jeduthan Loom- 



298 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



is, a strong opponent of the war,] addressed 
the men, declaring that it was their duty 
to obey the order of the Governient, and 
then ordered all who were ready to volun- 
teer to march two paces to the front. At 
the word, all marched out but five, and the 
consequence was that there was no "draft- 
ing" except to see who should serve as 
"Home guards" on the peace establish- 
ment. The recjuired number went into 
service on the frontier ; but the writer can 
give the name of only one, the late Hon. Jo- 
seph Howes. He remained for the period 
required, serving on the regimental staff as 
Sergeant Major. Judge Howes had agreed 
to divide the service with the Hon. Daniel 
Baldwin ; but when the time came for 
Judge Baldwin's turn, the officers in com- 
mand would not permit a compliance with 
the agreement by Judge Howes. A com- 
mission in the regular army for permanent 
service was tendered to Judge Howes, but 
he declined on account of the pressing ne- 
cessities of his family, and recommended 
the late Col. Cyrus Johnson of Berlin, who, 
as we have seen, did join the 31st Infantry 
as Captain. The total number of "de- 
tached militia" in Montpelier cannot be 
given. There were then three militia com- 
panies in the town liable to draft, and two 
of these were usually much larger than the 
Light Infantry. The whole number was 
probably about thirty. 

The invasion of Plattsburgh, in Septem- 
ber, 1 8 14, gave another occasion for rival- 
ry between the two political parties, which 
divided the town very nearly into two 
equal parts, the Jeffersonian Republicans 
having a bare majority for Governor, and 
the Federalists electing the town repre- 
sentative. Both parties rallied to repel the 
invasion. A company was immediately 
organized and marched for the seat of 
war. The election of Timothy Hubbard 
as captain indicated that the Federalists 
were the majority of the company, but the 
roll bears the names of good and true 
men of both political parties. The follow- 
ing is a copy of the roll, which the writer 
has had in his possession, in the hand- 
writing of the late Hon. Joseph Howes, 
who was second lieutenant : 



Copy of a Roll of Flattsbtirgh Volunteers 
1)1 ade at Burlington, Sept. lot/i, 18 14, by 
\_Brigadier'] Genl. P. \l\irley'\ Davis — 
belonging to Montpelier &^ vicinity. 

Timothy Hubbard, Capt. ; Isaac Put- 
nam, 1st Lieut. ; Joseph Howes, 2d Lieut. ; 
Stephen Foster, Ensign. 

Sergeants — Roger Hubbard, Benj. Phin- 
ney, George Rich, Jacob F. Dodge. 

Corporals — Ira Owen, Alanson Allen, 
Mark Goss, David Barton. 

Musick — Paul Emerson, Elijah Perry, 
Joseph Hancock, Jona. Stevens, Jeduthan 
Doty. 

Privates — Joel Mead, Cyrus Brigham, 
Jacob Grossman, Irani Nye, Daniel Wood, 
Caleb Morse, James Arbuckle, Thomas 
Mead, Jr., Ephraim Nye, Wm. Taplin. 
Andrew May, James Caldwell, Nathaniel 
Bancroft, Zebina Moulton, Samuel Rich, 
Michael Hammett, Daniel Perry, John 
Hull, Francis Lull, Darius Boyden, Thos. 
Brooks,* Abijah Howard, Henry F. Janes, f 
Samuel Scott, Cyrus Ware, Perrin B. Fisk, 
Parrot Blaisdell, Jr., Phineas Dodge, Jo- 
seph Woodworth, Josiah Benjamin, Harry 
Richardson, Dyer Richardson, PelegWhit- 
tredge, Thos. McKnight, Samuel Davis, 
Lemuel McKnight, Abial French, Calvin 
Hale, Eliada Brown, James Bennett, Rus- 
sell Steward, Anthony Burgess, Ira May, 
Stephen Jacobs, Samuel Mead, David Per- 
sons, Nathan Kelton, Thomas Reed, Jr., 
Isaac LeBarron, James Short, John Marsh, 
Jona. Cutler, Jr., Silas Loomis, Bartholo- 
mew Kimball, Jonathan Shepard, Silas 
Burbank, Andrew Dodge, Jr., John Young, 
George Gifford, David Grey, John P. 
Davis, Samuel Upham, Simon Cummings, 
Thomas Parker. Isaac Ames, Earl Cate, 
Benjamin Nealey, Robert Dodge, Peter 
Nelson, Aaron Gould, John Brown, Jo- 
seph Andrews, Simeon Bates, JosiahWing, 
Joel Tenjpleton, James Pine, Josiah White, 
Paul Hathaway, Arthur Daggett, Jr., 
Isaiah Burgess, James Pittsley, Phineas 
Parsons, Amos Farley,James Allen, Simeon 
Daggett, Elias Metcalf, Abner West, Amos 
Andrews, Zenas Johnson, Nathaniel Proc- 



* Grandfather of Brig. Gen. W. T. H. Brooks, who 
commanded tlie Vermont Brigade in the Sixth Corps 
in 1862. 

t Member of Congress from Vermont, 1835-7. 



MONTPELIER. 



299 



tor, Solomon Stone, Clark Lumbard, Rol- 
and Edwards, Asahel Lyon, Henry Cham- 
berlain, Jona. Dudley, Chester Luce, Peter 
C. Lovejoy, John C. Perry, John Cataffey 

[Chaffey,] Fassett. 

The total number of officers and men is 
1 18. They were all volunteers, and a few 
citizens of Berlin and perhaps of Calais ex- 
cepted, they were from the old town of 
Montpelier. The publication of this roll 
now — probably for the first time — will serve 
as a memorial of the dead, and inspire 
their descendants, if need be, with a like 
patriotic spirit. The total number of Ver- 
mont troops at Plattsburgh, Sept. 1 1 , 1814, 
was 2,500 ; probably three times that num- 
ber were on the way there, making in all, 
7,500, of which Montpelier furnished one- 
64th part. 

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

The full record of Adjutant General 
Washburn precludes the necessity of any 
details, or any assertion that Montpelier 
performed fully its part in that .ever mem- 
orable war. The total number of men 
required from Montpelier to fill all quotas 
was 189, and the town furnished 236, be- 
ing 47 more than her quota. The princi- 
pal field and staff officers were : Colonels, 
Nathan Lord, Jr., 6th ; Francis V. Randall, 
13th. Lieut. Colonels, Edward M. Brown, 
8th; Andrew C. Brown, 13th. Majors, 
James S. Peck, 17th; John D. Bartlett, 
1st cavalry. Adjutants, James S. Peck, 
13th ; J. Monroe Poland, 15th. Capt. and 
Assistant Quarter Masters, Perley P.Pitkin, 
2d ; John W. Clark, 6th ; Fred. E. Smith, 
Edward Dewey, 8th. Capt. and Com. ot 
Subsistence, Albert L. Carleton, iith. 
Quarter Master, Nelson A. Taylor, 13th. 
Surgeon, Charles M. Chandler, 6th. Most 
of the Montpelier iTien were in the 2d and 
13th regiments — the 2d being in the Sixth 
Corps, which had the highest reputation 
of any in the army of the Potomac for 
fighting, and the 13th wa.s in Gen. Stan- 
nard's famous flank movement at Gettys- 
burgh on the 3d of July, 1863, of which 
Major Gen. Doubleday in his report said, 
"that it is to Gen. Stannard and Col. 
Gates that the country is mainly indebted 



for the repulse of the enemy's charge and 
the final victory of the 3d of July."* 

The present military organization in 
Montpelier is one company of infantry, 
under Capt. Ely Ely-Goddard. 

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES. -' 

A review of what has already been re- 
corded will show that the people of Mont- 
pelier have been remarkable for their lib- 
erality in securing and establishing public 
institutions. The population of the whole 
town in 1810 was 1877, of which about 
one-half was in the present town, the pop- 
ulation of which in 1870 was 3023 ; yet the 
people of this comparatively small town 
have contributed largely in the erection of 
three state houses ; have built and sup- 
ported three academies, and contributed 
$20,000 to the Methodist Seminary and 
Female College ; have erected one masonic 
hall, and purchased a village hall ; have 
contributed to three court houses and two 
jails ; and have erected and supported i r 
church buildings, some of them at a very 
large expense. Other sources of very 
great expense, unusual to most villages, 
which cannot be fully estimated, have been 
in streets and sidewalks and the provision 
of gas. Much of the village of Montpelier 
was originally little above the surface of 
the rivers which flow through it, and the 
principal streets have been put in their 
present condition by filling and raising 
them with earth. Two of the stores on 
State street, near Main, have been raised 
about 8 feet above their original founda- 
tions, and other stores are at about the 
same height above the foundations of the 
first buikUng erected upon their sites. To 
a less degree a great portion of three of 
the longest streets has been raised in the 
same way. In this process a large sand- 
hill in the northern part of the village, 
once the site of a cemetery, has been re- 
moved, and such inroads have been made 
into neighboring hills and ledges as to 
make many sites for buildings. It can be 
truly said that compactly built streets now 
cover spots once occupied by malarious 
bogs or inaccessible clay-banks and ledges. 



* Adjutant General Washburn's Report for 1864, ap- 
pendix F, page 60. 



3O0 



VERiMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Another source of expenditures liberally 
made has been the fire department. The 
Montpelier Fire Company was chartered 
Nov. 7, 1809, and consisted of the fore- 
most men of the village. A fire engine 
was purchased, which has been carefully 
preserved ever since. Under the village 
corporation an efficient fire department 
was constituted, which at one time, by 
means of leading hose and water-tanks, 
was within the reach of every dwelling. 
Since that period, though the department 
has been maintained with six engines and 
a hook and ladder company, the erection 
of buildings in remote parts of the village 
has outrun the supply of water. Another 
good work which commended itself to the 
liberality of the town was the establish- 
ment of Green Mount Cemetery. It was 
founded by a former citizen of the town, 
Calvin Jay Keith, Esq., after he had ceased 
to be a permanent resident. It is now a 
noble monument to his memory. 

It is in other and vastly wider fields, 
however, in which the leading men of 
Montpelier have stood foremost ; enter- 
prises affecting not the town merely, but 
the whole State, and other states and 
countries, and for which Montpelier has 
not yet claimed the honor that is justly 
due to her citizens. A consideration of 
these will fitly close a paper which has far 
outrun the original design of its writer. 

WINOOSKI TURNPIKE. 

First among the enterprises of general 
public interest was the Winooski Turnpike, 
extending from the terminus of [Elijah] 
Paine's turnpike, (at the line between 
Berlin and Montpelier,) to Burlington. 
This company was chartered Nov. 7, 1805. 
Two Montpelier men were in the list of 
corporators, to wit : Charles Bulkley, 
(whose business was in Montpelier, resi- 
dence in Berlin,) and David Wing, Jr., 
who was then Secretary of State ; and 
Parley Davis, of Montpelier, was one of 
the three commissioners appointed to lay 
out the road. Col. James H. Langdon 
and Capt. Timothy Hubbard were leading 
stockholders ; and Mr. Hubbard for some 
years, and then Col. Thomas Reed until 



the Vermorkt Central railroad was con- 
structed, were managers of the road. It 
-was of great public convenience, and a val- 
uable property to the company. This 
road and Cottrill's stage lines were famous 
in their day. 

PROJECTED CANALS. 

The earliest canals projected in which 
Vermont was interested, were the ship 
canal, projected about 1784 by Ira Allen, 
to connect the St. Lavvrence river with 
Lake Champlain ; and the Champlain canal, 
projected by Elkanah Watson and Gen. 
Philip Schuyler in 1792.* Otter Creek 
and Missisco rivers were made navigable 
for a few miles each. These for the west- 
ern border of the State, while on the east- 
ern border, the main work being at Bel- 
lows Falls, Connecticut river was made 
navigable for flat boats as far north as the 
mouth of White river, and in favorable 
seasons farther still. But for projected 
canals within the State, and across it from 
west to east, the chief honor is due to 
Montpelier men. A meeting of delegates 
from Chittenden, Washington, Orange and 
Caledonia Counties met at Montpelier, 
June 30, 1825, and appointed three com- 
missioners to ascertain the practibility of 
opening water communication between 
Lake Champlain and Connecticut river. 
These were Araunah Waterman, John L. 
Woods and John Downer. They secured 
surveys in 1825, by Anthony M. HolT- 
man, of Swanton, John Johnson, of Bur- 
lington, and Araunah Waterman, of Mont- 
pelier, assisted by Sylvanus Baldwin, who 
was also of Montpelier. The surveys cov- 
ered routes from Montpelier via White 
and Wells river ; also from Montpelier to 
the present summit of the Vermont Cen- 
tral railroad at Roxbury ; and from Lake 
Champlain to Montpelier. A report by 
Messrs. Waterman and Woods was made 
to Gov. Van Ness, Nov. 2, 1825, which 
was communicated to the General Assem- 
bly ; and another report was made to the 
Governor, Jan. 18, 1826, by Mr. Water- 
man, to whom belongs, it is believed, the 

* Gen. Schuyler wrote to Gov. Thomas Ciiitteiideu 
on this subject, Oct. 17, 1793. His letter is in vol. 24 of 
Vermont (Manuscript) State Papers, page 66. 



MONTPELIER. 



301 



chief honor of promoting the enterprise. 
This favorable report of Messrs. Water- 
man and Woods secured prompt action by 
the General Assembly, which, Nov. 17, 
1825, requested the Governor to solicit the 
Secretary of War to direct suitable engi- 
neers to ascertain the different heights of 
land and the waters on the several routes 
in the State where it is contemplated to 
make canals or improve the navigation of 
rivers. In anticipation of favorable re- 
ports, the Onion River Navigation and 
Tow Path Company was incorporated Nov. 
8, 1825 ; an act to provide for improving 
the navigation of the valley of Connecticut 
river was passed Nov. 9 ; on the 15th the 
Battenkill Canal Company, and on the 17th 
the Otter Creek and Castleton River Canal 
Company was incorporated. In response 
to the application of Gov. Van Ness, 
many surveys were made in Vermont by 
the U.S. Topographical Engineers. These 
included the Lamoille and Black rivers to 
Lake Memphremagog, and the Clyde and 
Passumpsic rivers ; the Winooski to Mont- 
pelier, and from Montpelier by both White 
and Wells rivers to the Connecticut ; while 
beyond the limits of Vermont surveys 
were made with a view of possibly linding 
feasible water communication between 
Lake Champlain and the Atlantic Ocean. 
These surveys were failures in respect to 
canals, but served efficiently in pointing 
the lines for the railroads which have been 
constructed since, or are now in the pro- 
cess of construction. 

RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 

As in projected canals, so in railroads, 
Montpelier men were early in the field, 
and most efficient promoters, both in in- 
fluence and money. The honor of first 
suggesting a connection of Boston with 
Lake Ontario by railroad is undoubtedly 
due to John L. Sullivan, a distinguished 
civil engineer of Massachusetts. This was 
in 1827, in letters addressed to the late 
venerable Elkanah Watson, of Port Kent, 
N. Y., a most efficient promoter of public 
enterprises of various sorts.* The honor 



* Men and Times of the Revolution, or Memoirs of 
Elkanah Watson, page ali. In a report by the late 
Litii. I'iirli-y Davis, of Moutpclicr, uiaile Feb. 17, 1830, 
tlie date of Mr .Sullivan's corrcspondonce is assij^nod 
lo 182IJ. 



of securing the completion ofj^this great 
enterprise is doubtless chiefly due to the 
late Gov. Charles Paine ; but the credit of 
indicating the line on which the work was 
actually constructed, and of instituting the 
measures which led to the realization of 
the work through the labors of Gov. Paine 
and his coadjutors, clearly belongs to 
Montpelier. The railroad line from Bos- 
ton to Lake Champlain was first formally 
indicated by Mr. Sullivan ; but in point of 
fact it was one of the lines which Water- 
man and Davis and Baldwin, of Mont- 
pelier, had indicated for canals in 1825 ; 
while from Lake Champlain to the St. 
Lawrence at Ogdensburgh, Mr. Sullivan's 
line was by a transit of the lake from Bur- 
lington by ferry, and thence by rail up the 
valley of the Ausable ; but on the 17th of 
Feb. 1830, the report of Gen. Parley Davis, 
of Montpelier, made to a convention of 
citizens of Washington and Orange Coun- 
ties, indicated not only Mr. Sullivan's line, 
but substantially the line which was act- 
ually adopted — that is, from the lake "near 
Champlain, (N. Y.,) and thence in a di- 
rect route to Ogdensburgh." Now, in jus- 
tice to other Montpelier men particularly, 
and to the town in general, other faces 
should be recorded. 

The files of Montpelier newspapers, for 
the year 1830, alone contain railroad mat- 
ter enough to fill at least two respectable 
volumes : and that was 4 years before the 
first locomotive had been brought into 
New England, and 5 years before the first 
New England road had been completed. 
The discussion of the Boston and Ogdens- 
burgh railroad question in the Watchman 
was begun earlier, but the fitst efficient ac- 
tion in Montpelier dates from Jan. 26, 
1830; when, on hearing that the commit- 
tee of the Massachusetts legislature had re- 
ported in favor of a railroad to Lowell, cit- 
izens of Montpelier met immediately, and 
appointed a committee to report upon the 
subject at an adjourned meeting on the 2d 
of February. That committee reported at 
the time appointed, and their report fa- 
vored internal improvements generally, 
and specially a railroad from Boston to 
Ogdensburgh. The report concluded with 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



these resolutions, and the meeting acted 
accordingly : 

Resolved, That the public good requires 
vigorous and persevering efforts on the 
part of all intelligent and public spirited 
individuals, until by the enterprise of in- 
dividuals, the co-operation of State Legis- 
latures, or the aid of the General Ciovern- 
ment, the survey and completion of a route 
is established for a National Railroad />'w// 
the seaboard at Boston, through Lo^ivell, 
Mass., Concord in New Hampshire, and 
thence by the most convetiient route through 
the valley of Onioti river to Lake Cham- 
plain, and thence to the waters of Lake On- 
tario at Ogdensburgh, New York* 

Resolved, That the chairman and secre- 
tary of this meeting be authorized to call 
an assembly of the inhabitants of the coun- 
ty of Washington, at such time and place 
as they may think proper, to consult on 
this important subject, and to adopt such 
measures as may be deemed expedient. 

Which is respectfully submitted. 
Lyman Reed, ~^ 
E. P. Walton, > Com»iittee. 
S. Baldwin, ) 

At this meeting. General Parley Davis, 
Joshua Y. Vail, Araunah Waterman, and 
Sylvanus Baldwin, Esqrs., were appointed 
a committee " to prepare a topographical 
and statistical statement of facts on the 
subject of a route for a railroad from Bos- 
ton to Ogdensburgh ;" and Hon. Daniel 
Baldwin was appointed an agent to repre- 
sent the views of the meeting to the Massa- 
chusetts Railroad Association. 

These were all Montpelier men, Lyman 
Reed being then a citizen. He had been 
a merchant in Boston previously, and has 
since been in Baltimore and Boston. He 
was zealous for the interests of Boston, 
and very well informed on the then new 
question of railroads. He prepared the 
first lectures on the subject for the Mont- 
pelier Lyceum ; and then elaborated these 
into seven articles, which were published 
in Mr. Walton's newspaper, the then named 
Vermont Watchman &^ State Gazette. 

The President, Capt. Timothy Hubbard, 
and the Secretary of the meeting, O. H. 
Smith, Esq., immediately called a meeting 
of citizens of Washington county and vi- 

•In the Railroad Jubilee, Sept. 1851, this resolution 
was placed on one of the banners, with the names of 
the Committee appended, and it was styled " An ex- 
tract from the First Report in relation to a railroad 
from Boston to Ofrdensburgh, dated Feb. 9, [2,] 1830." 
—See Boston Railroad Jubilee, 1851, page 132. 



cinity, which was holden at Montpelier, 
Feb. 17, 1830. Gen. E. P. Walton (se- 
nior) presided, and O. H. Smith, Esq., 
was Secretary. At this meeting the com- 
mittee on topographical and other facts, 
through Gen. Parley Davis, submitted an 
elaborate report, which filled four columns 
of the IVatchmati &^ State Gazette. With 
the aid of knowledge derived from John L. 
Sullivan of Massachusetts, and John Mc- 
Duffie of Bradford, as to routes in Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire ; of other 
engineers as to both routes in New York ; 
and the canal surveys and the personal 
knowledge of Davis, Waterman, and Syl- 
vanus Baldwin, as to the routes in Ver- 
mont, — the entire line from Boston to Og- 
densburg was covered, and an array of fa- 
vorable facts presented, which gave a pow- 
erful impulse to public opinion in all the 
States interested, and gained for its au- 
thors and Montpelier the highest credit. 

Feb. 22, 1830, The Vermont Railroad 
Association was formed at Montpelier, of 
which all the officers were Montpelier men. 
They were : Timothy Hubbard, President ; 
Joseph Howes, Vice President ; Araunah 
Waterman, Joshua Y.Vail, Silas C. French, 
Ira Owen, Timothy Merrill, Directors ; 
Daniel Baldwin, Treasurer ; Lyman Reed, 
Recording Secretary ; E. P. Walton, (Sr.,) 
Corresponding Secretary. 

The first response to Montpelier was 
made on the nth of March, 1830, by a 
meeting at Keeseville, N. Y., of which 
Elkanah Watson was chairman. The pro- 
ceedings of the Washington and Orange 
County meeting at Montpelier on the pre- 
ceding 17th of February, including the full 
report of Gen. Davis, were read. It was 
resolved " that we cordially concur in the 
sentiments disclosed in the proceedings of 
a meeting held at Montpelier, Vt., on the 
17th ultimo;" and a committee, of which 
Mr. Watson was chairman, was "author- 
ized to commence a correspondence with 
that appointed at the Montpelier meeting, 
and with any other similar bodies," and 
"with our national and state authorities." 
A copy of the proceedings, both of the 
Keeseville and Montpelier meetings, was 
sent to Hon. Isaac Finch, M. C, from 



MONTPELIER. 



303 



New York, who was requested to invite 
the co-operation of the New York delega- 
tion in securing U. S. engineers to make 
surveys . 

March 23, 1830, Ogdensburgh respond- 
ed ; Apr. 6, Concord, N. H., and on the 
1 2th of May, Chittenden County entered 
spiritedly into the enterprise by a meeting 
at Burlington. That meeting 

Resolved, That we consider the public 
much indebted for the patriotic exertions 
of numerous associations of individuals on 
the contemplated route, and particularly 
to tliegejitletnen of Washington and Orange 
Counties for t/ieir elaborate and able report, 
and offer them our zealous co-operation in 
the laudable endeavor to excite attention 
and diffuse information on the subject. 

The meeting most miportant in its re- 
sult, however, was held at Malone, N. Y., 
on the 26th of May, 1830, of which a 
former citizen of Montpelier, George B. R. 
Gove, Esq., was an active member. The 
important feature in the proceedings was 
the suggestion of a General Railroad Con- 
vention, to consist of delegates from coun- 
ties on the proposed railway route in New 
York, Vermont and New Hampshire. The 
proceedings of this meeting were published 
in the Boston Patriot, whose editor ap- 
proved of the proposed General Conven- 
tion, to be held at Montpelier, and in 
which Massachusetts also was to be repre- 
sented, adding : "The Lowell road will 
be the beginning of the work, that before 
many years we hope to see extend to the 
Lakes." That work occupied 21 years. 

July 4, 1830, Elkanah Watson submit- 
ted an elaborate and interesting report " to 
the gentlemen of the Boston and Ogdens- 
burgh Railroad Committee for the Coun- 
ties of Essex and Clinton, State of New 
York." Three facts from a man of so high 
repute must be recorded here. He first 
alluded to the purpose of the Keeseville 
meeting as being " to consult on the pro- 
priety of co-operating with our eastern 
brethren, /Jiore especially the patriotic town 
of Montpelier , ifi the State of Vermont, on 
the splendid project of a railroad from 
Boston to Ogdensburgh ;" and then settled 
the question of priority, between himself 
and Mr. Sullivan, as to the first suggestion 



of the grand scheme, in these words : " It 
will be my fortunate lot, in character of an 
old and successful projector, to play the 
second fiddle, in figurative language. Mr. 
Sullivan opened the ball by a correspond- 
ence with me in 1827." And again : "Let 
me therefore bear testimony at the tribunal 
of this generation and posterity, that the 
credit is exclusively due to John L. Sulli- 
van, Esq., a distinguished civil engineer, 
and son of the late Governor Sullivan, of 
Boston." The third fact is the statement 
that the circulars issued by the Malone 
Committee, for the General Convention at 
Montpelier, were prepared by Mr. Watson. 
Oct. 6, 1830, the General Convention, 
consisting of delegates from Massachu- 
setts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New 
York — 48 in all — was held at Montpelier. 
The president was Luther Bradish, of 
Moira, N. Y., afterwards of New Y'ork 
city, and president of the State Senate. 
The secretaries were Albe Cady, of Con- 
cord, N. H., and John Johnson, of Bur- 
lington, Vt., Surveyor General of the 
State. It was a body of able and earnest 
men, and interesting addresses were de- 
livered by Elkanah Watson, of Port Kent, 
N. Y., and James Hayward, (engineer,) 
Henry Williams, (merchant,) and David 
Lee Child, (editor,) of Boston. An im- 
portant communication from John L. Sul- 
livan was read, and the Convention was 
closed by a speech by President Bradish. 
Two of Vermont's most famous railroad 
men 15 years afterward, appeared for the 
first time in that role in this Convention — 
Charles Paine, of Northfield, and Timothy 
FoUett, of Burlington ; one the first pres- 
ident of the Vermont Central Railroad Co., 
and the other of the Rutland and Burling- 
ton Co. The main business of the Con- 
vention consisted of six resolutions, rais- 
ing the same number of committees for 
furthering the great project. In forming 
these committees the Convention went 
outside of its own body and enlisted em- 
inent men in each State, such as Daniel 
Webster, Richard Fletcher, Amos Binney, 
and Robert G. Shaw, of Boston ; Matthew 
Harvey, Samuel Bell, Wm. A. Kent,Chas. 
G. Atherton and Jo.seph Bell, of New 



304 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Hampshire; D. Azro A. Buck, Heman 
Allen, (of Milton and Burlington, )Timothy 
Follett, Dudley Chase, and Samuel Pren- 
tiss, of Vermont ; and Richard Keese, 
Luther Bradish, Geo. Parrish, and Elkanah 
Watson, of New York. The scheme was 
an admirable one to enlist men wielding 
a powerful influence in the communities 
where they dwelt ; but it was inefficient 
for concentrated action, by reason of the 
impracticability of ever bringing the com- 
mittee-men together, and became illusory 
by depending upon the General Govern- 
ment to commence the work, at least by 
surveys, if not by aid in the construction 
of the road. The project was worthy of 
being treated as a national one ; but suc- 
cess was not attained until all idea of even 
State aid was abandoned, and the heavy 
burden was cast upon individual enterprise 
through incorporated companies in the 
several States interested. 

The first charter for the Vermont sec- 
tion of the road was passed Nov. lo, 1835, 
being an act to incorporate The Vermont 
Central Railroad Co. The commissioners 
for obtaining stock were John N. Pomeroy, 
Timothy Follett, John Peck and Luther 
Loomis, of Burlington ; John Spalding, 
Timothy Hubbard and Jonathan P. Miller, 
of Montpelier ; Amplius Blake, of Chelsea, 
Chester Baxter, of Sharon, and Lewis 
Lyman, of Hartford. The first meeting 
of the commissioners was held at Mont- 
pelier, Jan. 6, 1836, and the books for 
subscriptions to the stock were first opened 
at the same place on the next day. This 
attempt failed, as the originators of it ex- 
pected it would fail. The purpose and 
effect was to show to Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire and New York that Vermont 
was ready to co-operate, and would be 
ready when the time should come for 
practical action on their part. 

The second charter of the Vermont 
Central Railroad Company passed Oct. 31, 
1843. The commissioners were Charles 
Paine, of Northfield, John Peck and Wyllys 
Lyman, of Burlington, Daniel Baldwin 
and Elisha P. Jewett, of Montpelier, An- 
drew Tracy, of Woodstock, and Levi B. 
Vilas, of Chelsea ; who were required to 



open books of subscription within one year 
at Montpelier, Burlington, and such other 
places as they might deem proper. This 
requirement was observed, but not until 
the spring of 1845 was the work of procur- 
ing subscriptions vigorously pressed. Pre- 
liminary to this, a Railroad Convention, 
consisting of delegates from various parts 
of Vermont and New Hampshire, met at 
Montpelier, Jan. 8, 1844. Hon. Charles 
Paine, of Northfield, was president ; Hon. 
Elijah Blaisdell, of Lebanon, N. H. ; Gen. 
Joel Bass,of Williamstown, Simeon Lyman, 
of Hartford, and Hon. Joseph Howes, of 
Montpelier, Vice Presidents; and Hon. 
Oramel H. Smith, of Montpelier, and 
Halsey R. Stevens, Esq., of Lebanon, 
N. H., Secretaries. Hon. Charles Paine, 
of Northfield, and Hon. Daniel Baldwin 
and Col. Elisha P. Jewett, of Montpelier, 
were constituted a Central Corresponding 
and Financial Committee, with authority 
to raise funds and procui^e surveys from 
Connecticut river to Lake Champlain, and 
to examine routes on the west side of the 
mountains. James R. Langdon, Esq., of 
Montpelier, advanced ten thousand dol- 
lars for the purpose, and the surveys were 
executed that season, and a favorable re- 
port made Nov. 20, 1844. 

The commissioners appointed by the 
Central charter necessarily awaited the re- 
sults of the surveys before pressing for 
subscriptions to the stock ; but a further 
delay was occasioned by the neglect of the 
directors of the Concord, (N. H.,) road, 
chiefly, to secure the construction of what 
is now the Northern (N. H.) railroad. 
Assurances had been given by these di- 
rectors, and a meeting of the active pro- 
moters of the Central road with the di- 
rectors of the Concord road had been ap- 
pointed at Lebanon, N. H. Gov. Paine, 
with several Montpelier gentlemen, at- 
tended on the part of the Central, but 
there was no appearance of the Concord 
directors. It happened that a meeting of 
the friends of the then projected Sullivan 
(N. H.) road had been fixed for the next 
day at Claremont. In this emergency, 
Gov. Paine requested Col. Elisha P. Jew- 
ett and E. P. Walton, Jr., of Montpelier, 



MONTPELIER. 



30s 



to attend the Claremont meeting, and to 
pledge the Central road to a connection tuith 
the Sullivan, Cheshire and Fitchbitrg roads, 
thus forming a railway line through to 
Boston. This was done, and it proved to 
be a masterly stroke, forcing the construc- 
tion of the Northern (N. H.) road, and 
securing ultimately the completion of the 
Cheshire, Sullivan, Vermont Central, Ver- 
mont & Canada, and Northern (N. Y.) 
roads to Ogdensburgh — a realization of 
the grand scheme suggested by Mr. Sul- 
livan in 1826-27, and vigorously urged' 
all along the line by the action of Mont- 
pelier in 1830. The Claremont meeting 
was April 30, 1845. Within the next 
fortnight the New Hampshire Railroad 
Commissioners reported in favor of per- 
mitting the construction of the Northern 
(N. H.) railroad from Concord to West 
Lebanon, and the Governor approved the 
report. On the 4th of June the directors 
of the Fitchburgh road voted in favor of a 
connection with the Central, and a circu- 
lar to that effect was issued, signed by of- 
ficers of the Fitchburgh, Vermont & Mas- 
sachusetts, and Cheshire roads ; and on 
the loth of June the books of subscription 
to Central stock were opened in Boston. 
Thus rapid were the movements of all the 
lines concerned, after Gov. Paine's " flank 
movement" at Claremont — as famous, by 
the way, among railroad men then, as was 
Stannard's at Gettysburgh in army*circles 
afterward. 

The work of obtaining capita! in Boston 
for the Central road was undertaken at a 
time apparently very unfavorable, by reason 
of sharp competition between the Central 
and Rutland Companies in direct opposi- 
tion to each other, as well as of the ap- 
peals for stock for the Cheshire, Sullivan, 
Northern, and other roads. The writer 
was an active participant in the struggle, 
and this is a fit occasion to express the 
opinion he has long entertained, that with- 
out a sharp contest and competition, the 
capitalists of Boston could not have been 
aroused and interested — especially those 
who had already invested in the Massa- 
chusetts roads that were to be connected 
with those to be built in Vermont — and 



the work would have been slow ; perhaps 
a work of years. As it was, all of the then 
competing roads quickly obtained the cap- 
ital requisite for organization, and all were 
speedily constructed—too speedily for econ- 
omy. 

The work of obtaining Central stock in 
Vermont was assigned to Hon. Daniel 
Baldwin, of Montpelier, who had able 
assistants, however, in the towns most in- 
terested, from Burlington to Windsor. 
Gov. Paine took the task of raising capital 
in Boston, and as his assistants engaged 
the services of James R. Langdon and E. 
P. Walton, Jr., of Montpelier, — Mr. Lang- 
don as an eminent business man, and Mr. 
Walton to write for the press. As already 
lecorded, the books were opened in Bos- 
ton, June 10, 1845 ; on the 3d of July the 
first meeting of stockholders was called, 
and on the 23d of July the meeting was 
held and the Company legally and formally 
organized at Montpelier with a subscribed 
capital of two millions — the work of a 
month and a half. The amount obtained 
to that date in Boston was $1,500,000 ; 
and the amount obtained in Vermont was 
$500,000, of which $200, cop was subscribed 
in Montpelier. The whole amount of 
stock and bonds taken by Montpelier was 
near $400,000, and exceeded that sum in 
the opinion of Hon. Daniel Baldwin. 
Montpelier certainly was the leading town 
in the enterprise, and yet, unlike North- 
field, St. Albans, and Burlington, it has 
received only such advantages from the 
road as were necessarily incidental. It 
has had merely the power to get on to the 
road and use it, through the disadvantages 
of a branch. 

It is due to Gov. Paine and his coadju- 
tors to say, that from the first, their ob- 
jects were far-reaching and vast. It has 
already been stated that the necessities of 
the Central road led Gov. Paine to the 
adroit movement which forced the com- 
pletion of the Fitchburg and the construc- 
tion of the Cheshire, Sullivan and North- 
ern (N. H.) railroads to meet the Central 
on the west bank of Connecticut river. 
But this was only a part of the scheme of 
Gov. Paine and his colaborers. One of the 



39 



3o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



first things done, on opening the Central 
books for subscription in Boston, was the 
construction of a map, prepared and pub- 
lished b}' the writer of this paper, which 
gave all the great western lakes and the 
bordering territory in the United States 
and Canada, and a table of the tonnage of 
all the U. S. collection districts on the 
Lakes, copied from the official report of the 
U. S. Secretary of the Treasury. This 
was a revelation of the vast internal com- 
merce of our country, exceeding its for- 
eign commerce. It was at first received 
with surprise and doubt, and it became 
necessary to confirm the table by placing an 
official printed copy of the Secretary's 
report in the Boston Exchange, for the in- 
spection of the doubters. This was fol- 
lowed for nearly three months by a series 
of articles in the Boston papers, prepared 
by myself, for the purpose of magnifying 
the Central road as a necessary way for 
Boston to reach not only the local trade ot 
Central Vermont, but also the immense 
commerce of the North-western States and 
Canada. This large view always prevailed 
in the Central councils, and it has been 
executed with wonderful success. The 
Central by its lease pushed the Vermont 
and Canada road to Rouse's Point, and 
the Northern N. Y. road to Ogdensburgh 
followed ; then the Vermont and Canada 
was connected with Montreal and the 
Canadian system of railroads, of which it 
may be said that they owe much to the 
Vermont Central and managers of other 
New England roads. When the line from 
Boston to Ogdensburgh was assured, Gov. 
Paine and Central friends visited Sir Allan 
McNab, of Canada, and in 1857 a com- 
mittee of Boston gentlemen, among them 
Central men, visited Lord Elgin, and 
made a tour from Hamilton to Quebec — 
the purpose of both being to urge the con- 
struction of railroads in Canada, which 
have since been completed. At a later 
date the Central Vermont managers estab- 
lished a line of steamers from Ogdensburgh 
to the head of Lake Superior, and out of 
that has grown the Northern Pacific rail- 
road, which will speedily span the conti- 
nent. Truly the .suggestion ot Mr. Sulli- 



van in 1826-27, and the report of the 
three citizens of Montpelier in 1830, have 
been matvellously productive in develop- 
ing the resources of this country and Can- 
ada, and supplying freight to the numerous 
steamers of Sir Hugh Allan and of the 
Cunard and other lines of ocean steam- 
ers. As the writer of this paper has lived 
to see these grand results, he cannot but 
regard his labor in Boston in 1845 ^^ ^'''^ 
greatest work of his life. 

Only three of the fathers of the Vermont 
Central Railroad are now living, and these 
are all Montpelier men, to wit : Col. Eli- 
sha P. Jewett, commissioner under the 
second and actual charter, James R. Lang- 
don, and E. P. Walton, Jr., until his fath- 
er's death in 1855, and now E. P. Walton. 

Nbtwithstanding the disappointment to 
the expectations of the town, the zeal and 
liberality of its citizens for public improve- 
ments have survived. Various railroad 
enterprises have been undertaken and 
charters obtained, but only one has been 
realized. The entire cash fund required 
for the construction of the Montpelier and 
Wells River railroad was $400,000, and of 
this $250,000 was subscribed, and more 
than $200,000 has been paid by Mont- 
pelier, more than half of the cash capital. 
The road, howeyer, is not managed in the 
intere-t of Montpelier. 

The last feature in railway construction 
is the<lVrt;7'f7£' Guage Road; and in this, 
as in the projected canals and the Boston 
and Ogdensburgh railroad line, Montpelier 
has been the pioneer town in Vermont. 
The matter was first discussed in Mont- 
pelier newspapers, and the first result was 
a meeting of citizens of Washington, La- 
moille, Caledonia and Orleans Counties, 
at Albany, in March, 1872. In conse- 
quence of measures then set on foot, funds 
were raised, and surveys have been made 
from Montpelier to Canada line, embrac- 
ing several routes in various portions of 
the intervening country. Notices for ap- 
plications to the General Assembly for the 
charter of narrow guage railway companies 
from Canada line via Montpelier to Rut- 
land, were the first published, and these 
have been followed by many other notices 



MONTPELIEK. 



307 



in various parts of the State. It is the 
dawning of a new era in internal improve- 
ment, promising, by cheaply-constructed 
roads economically operated, to develop 
the resources of sections otherwise in- 
accessible to railroads, and to contribute 
to the prosperity of the through standard 
gauge roads by a large increase of their 
business. Whatever may be the faults or 
shortcomings of Montpelier in other re- 
spects, it must be conceded that the enter- 
prise and bounty of its citizens have largely 
benefitted the State — far more largely the 
State than their own personal interests, or 
the interests of their town. 

A few things have been accidentally 
omitted, and many purposely, which will 
be supplied by others. Of the things 
omitted is a notice of the State Arsetial 
buildings. During the war of the rebellion 
a necessity arose for hospitals specially 
adapted to cases of chronic diarrhoea. A 
medical commission was appointed by the 
U. S. Government, who made extensive 
explorations, and reported that a point in 
Minnesota, and what is now Seminary 
Hill in Montpelier, were the best in the 
country. The latter being most accessi- 
ble, the State, under the advice of Gov. 
John G. Smith, erected commodious and 
admirably arranged hospital buildings, 
which were used until after the close of 
the war. Then, as compensation to the 
State, the Secretary of War assigned to 
Vermont arms, equipment and ammuni- 
tion to the value of $600,000. This ne- 
cessitated the erection of arsenal build- 
ings, and these were located near the hos- 
pital. A large part of these military supplies 
have been sold, and the proceeds put into 
the State treasury. 

Another omission was Prospect Park, 
located two miles east of the State-house, 
and in an admirable position for its scen- 
ery and accommodations for State and 
County Fairs. It is private property, 
owned by J. W. Brock, L. Bart Cross, 
and the estate of the late J. Warren Bailey, 
but it ought to become the property of the 
State Agricultural Society. 

This imperfect record of Montpelier has 
far exceeded the design of the writer, and 



yet his purpose has been to be brief in re- 
spect to most matters already made public, 
and more elaborate in things never gath- 
ered in any previous history of the town. 
In the last field, the writer acknowledges 
his indebtedness for material aid to the 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin, the oldest resident 
of Montpelier, who recently died in his 90th 
year. e. p. w. 

October 10, 188 1. 



MONTPELIER POSTMASTERS. 

BY M. D. OILMAN. 

A post-ofiice was first established at 
Montpelier, Apr. i, 1798, and the first 
postmaster, Charles Bulkley, [see Judge 
Bulkley, Berlin, No. i,] to Apr. i, I801 ; 
Timothy Hubbard, to Apr. i, 1810; Syl- 
vanus Baldwin, to July i, 1813 ; Joshua Y. 
Vail, to May 15, 1829; Geo. W. Hill, to 
Feb. II, 1837; Geo. W. Barker, to Dec. 
26, 1840; Edwin S. Merrill, to Dec. 29, 
1843; Geo. W. Reed, to May 8,. 1849; 
Charles Lyman, to Apr. 28, 1853 ; Charles 
G. Eastman, to June 14, 1858 ; Timothy 
P. Redfield, to Apr. 2, 1861 ; James G. 
French, to Apr. 15, 1869; John W.Clark, 
to July I, 1881 ; James S. Peck, present 
incumbent, (Oct. 1881.) 

NEWSPAPER RECORD. 
FKOM MAKCUS DAVIS OILMAN, IIIST. LIB. 

The Freetiiati's Press — A Democratic 
paper, published at Montpelier, was com- 
"menced in 1809, not in 1812 or 1813, as 
stated by Thompson in his history of 
Montpelier. The first issue was Aug. 25, 
1809. A file of the "Freeman's Press" is 
in Mr. Gilman's library. It was printed 
by Derrick Sibley, and subsequently by 
Wright & Sibley, for proprietors, who ap- 
pear to have been the leading Democrats 
of Montpelier and the neighboring towns. 
The " Freeman's Press" was the second 
paper published at the Capital. It is in- 
teresting as giving many quaint views of 
life and times in those early days, the ad- 
vertisements, especially, possessing much 
interest. 

The paper was devoted mainly to na- 
tional politics, only a small space being 
given to local and State matters. This 



3o8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



file begins with No. 3, and embraces a 
period of about 2^ years. In the issue of 
Sept. 8, the first in this file, there are but 
6 lines of editorial, and those relate to the 
State election returns, which are published 
in part. There are five advertisements. 
Forbes & Langdon advertise for their 
customers to pay up, and also that "they 
had "just received from Philadelphia a 
quantity of Scotch snuff of superior qual- 
ity."" Charles Huntoon — not mentioned 
by Thompson — general merchant, "offers 
for sale at his stores in Montpelier and 
Berlin a general assortment of English and 
India goods, etc., etc., which he will sell 
for salts of lye, ashes, butter, cheese, beef 
cattle, and all country produce." George 
B. R. Gove — also not mentioned by 
Thompson — being about to leave Mont- 
pelier, offers for sale "one House and 
Store, with 5 acres of land within 100 rods 
of the State House, pleasantly situated in 
the centre of business, and is one of the 
best stands for a merchant in the State." 
This was the store on Main St., adjoining 
Bethany Church, with land attached. "Also 
an oil mill near Onion river bridge, also a 
gin distillery, new and complete, and a 
small farm in lierlin, and other lands." 
Dec. 15, 1809, we learn that Silas Burbank 
has purchased the oil mill of Mr. Gove, 
and wants flax seed, for which one gallon 
of oil, or one dollar in cash, will be given 
per bushel. October 13, 1809, Chester W. 
Houghton wants a few thousand bushels 
of potatoes delivered at his distillery, for 
which he will give in exchange i qt. of gin 
per bushel or 20 cents in English goods. 
Josiah Parks, bookseller, publisher, and 
justice of the peace, was a persistent ad- 
vertiser, continuing through the entire file 
of papers. So also were Justin and Elias 
Lyman, merchants, of Hartford, Vt. In 
the paper of May 2, 181 1, is the marriage 
by Josiah Parks, Esq., of Mr. Ezekiel P. 
Walton, printer, and Miss Pru.ssia Persons. 
November 5, 1809, James Peck opens a 
martial music school. Dec. 2, 1809, Chas. 
Bulkley, agent for the trustees of Mont- 
pelier Academy, politely says : 

The gentlemen and ladies of the vicinity 
are with pleasure informed that an addi- 



tional room has been fitted up in the 
Academy, for the accommodation of a 
ladies' school. An instructor has been ob- 
tained, whose attainments are in every 
respect adequate to instruct in the several 
branches of reading, grammar, geography, 
painting, embroidering, and the various 
kinds of needle-work. 

Sylvanus Baldwin, a stockholder in the 
paper, is a liberal advertiser of houses 
and lands for sale, and to be let, and 
of patent rights for sale. He is also in- 
terested in, and agent for, a cotton and 
woolen mill near "Paine's bridge." Jan. 
1 8 10, Thomas Reed continues the chair, 
cabinet and painting business, at his old 
.stand. July 4, 18 10, the Democratic Re- 
publican citizens of Montpelier, Calais, 
Marshfield and Plainfield, celebrated the 
4th at Capt. Samuel Rich's, North Mont- 
pelier, and it would appear that the Fed- 
erals did not celebrate the 4th of July in 
those days. Col. Caleb Curtis, of Calais, 
acted as Marshal, and Nahum Kelton, of 
Montpelier, as Assistant. "The Declara- 
tion of Independence was read, prefaced 
by some well-timed remarks by J. Y. Vail, 
Esq., a truly republican oration was de- 
livered by Timothy Merrill, Esq., which did 
honor to his head and heart ! " A sump- 
tuous dinner in a grove with regular and 
volunteer toasts followed, Josiah Parks 
being Chairman of Committee on toasts, 
which latter expressed the usual Demo- 
cratic sentiments of the time. 

Jan. i,i8ii, " Found near the Academy 
last evening, a good bandanna handker- 
chief, which the owner may have by ap- 
plying to D. Sibley." Jan. 7, 181 1, "good 
stock of hay at $5.50 per ton, and cash, 
labor, pork, shingles, or grain, received in 
payment. I live on the West road in 
Calais, near Col. Curtis'"." Signed, Wil- 
liam Thayer. 

Mar. 7, 181 1, Amos Bugbee, who is a 
machinist, and connected with the cotton 
and woolen factory before mentioned, offers 
for sale Dutch plows. Mar. 20, Josiah 
Fisk carries on the clothier's business, 
and does blue-dyeing at his shop in Mont- 
pelier. 

May 30, 1 8 1 1 , the Press says, ' ' we notice 
in the last Wrt;/cV/;««;/ the following: 'Our 



MONTPELIER. 



309 



glorious federal triumph in New York ; the 
Clinton interest is no more.' This is not 
the first time the patrons of this paper 
have been egregiously imposed upon in 
this way. DeWitt Clinton is elected by 
over three thousand majority." 

Nov. II, 181 1, brings the file near the 
war of 18 1 2, and political feeling began to 
run high. November 7, 181 1, Wright & 
Sibley purchase the entire stock of the 
" Freeman's Press " establishment, and are 
sole proprietors ; and about this time they 
remove "to the chamber of the White 
Store opposite Major Langdon's," in the 
wooden building adjoining Bethany church, 
now occupied by Fisher & Colton, sad- 
dlery and hardware store. 

Morse's tavern, sometimes called "Peo- 
ple's Rest," appears to have been the usual 
place for citizen's meetings, etc. 

We learn from Sylvanus Baldwin, post- 
master at that time, that the mail facilities 
of Montpelier at this time were two mails 
per week each, from the South and West ; 
and one mail per week each from the North 
and' East. We notice that Washington 
news was from 20 to 30 days old when 
published in Montpelier. 

The Freeman^s Press was published till 
about the close of the war with Great 
Britain, 18 15. After the suspension of 
the Press, there was no Democratic paper 
in Montpelier until 

THE VERMONT PATRIOT AND STATE 
GAZETTE, 

established by the Hon. Isaac Hill, of 
Concord. N. H. First No., Jan. 17, 1826, 
page-size 21x30 inches, enlarged to 24x36, 
Apr. 15, 1841. Mr. Hill placed his brother 
Geo. W. in charge as manager, under the 
firm of Geo. W. Hill & Co., with Horace 
Steele, editor, soon succeeded by Hugh 
Moore, Esq., of Concord, N. H., an ed- 
ucated and accomplished gentleman, who 
held the position several years, Mrs. Geo. 
W. Hill, a lady of culture and talent, ren- 
dering editorial service during the latter 
years of her husband's connection with the 
paper. From Apr. 30, 1827 to 1834, Mr. 
Hill was sole publisher, when, not satis- 



factorily succeeding, he sold to William 
Clark, some time foreman in the office. 

Mr. Hill was postmaster under Gen. 
Jackson's appointment until after Van 
Buren's election, when soon after he re- 
tired to a farm in Lowell, Vt., and re- 
moved to Johnson about 1850, where he 
still resides, (1881,) a hale old gentleman 
of the "olden time." 

Jeremiah T. Marston, who read law in 
Montpelier, and had just opened an office, 
became editor when Mr. Clark became 
proprietor. Mr. Marston continued editor 
only till Apr. i, 1838, when he with Geo. 
W. Barker bought out Clark for $2,200. 
Mr. Clark removed to New York City, and 
became connected with the large printing 
house of Trow & Co., where he continued 
until the failure of his eyesight quite re- 
cently, when he retired from business, and 
resides, (1879,) in Brooklyn, N. Y. He 
married Fanny, dau. of Isaiah Silver, of 
Montpelier. 

Mr. Barker, P. M. under Van Buren, 
after the "Hard-Cider-Log-Cabin" cam- 
paign of 1 840, retired from newspaper 
business to engage in building railroads, 
and died not long since in Sheboygan, 
Wis. 

The political aspect looked discouraging 
for a Democratic editor, but Marston, 
young and full of hope, determined to per- 
severe — became sole proprietor and editor, 
brought out his paper enlarged at $1,200 
cost, pushed ahead, and made the most 
lively, wide-awake and best looking paper 
in the State, until bought out in 1846 by 
Chas. G. Eastman and Jos. B. Danforth, 
the former, editor; the latter, manager. 
Mr. Marston accumulated during his con- 
nection with the paper $15,000 to $20,000. 
He removed to Madison, Wis., where he en- 
gaged in commercial and farming business. 
He married a daughter of Jacob F. Dodge, 
of Montpelier. They have 3 children. 
Mrs. R. W. Hyde, of this village, is a 
sister of Mrs. Marston. Mr. Marston has 
not taken an active part in politics since 
leaving Montpelier, but in the political up- 
heavings since then he has somehow got 



3'o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



on the opposite side from where he used 
to be. 

In July, 1851, Eastman bought out 
Danforth, and remained sole editor and 
proprietor until his death, Sept. i860. 
[The biography of Mr. Eastman will be 
given in the history of Barnard, next vol.] 

Mr. Danforth removed to Rock Island, 
III., where he published the Rock Island 
Argus, a Democratic paper, until recently, 
since which a "National Journal" — for 
whom farther, see history of Barnard, next 
vol. 

Location of the Vennont Patriot: West- 
erly side of Main street, opposite Bethany 
church ; wood structure, printing-office in 
the second story ; rear part of first story 
occupied as a book-bindery by a Mr. Wat- 
son, who went to South Carolina and died 
there, and the front part for the post- 
office, kept by Mr. Hill. When the South- 
ern and Western mails arrived, by stage, 
about the same time, 10 to 11 o'clock, A. m., 
the little room would be crowded to ex- 
cess. After the mail was opened. Post- 
master Hill would read out in a loud voice 
the address of every letter received, upon 
the conclusion of which there would be a 
stampede of those for whom there were no 
letters. 

The Patriot was published here until it 
passed into the hands of Marston & Barker, 
when it was removed to State street, in the 
Ballou building, opposite First National 
Bank, where the printing-office was in the 
second story, Mr. Marston having a book- 
store on the first floor, and a large reading- 
room, well supplied with newspapers, in 
the rear, for the benefit of any one who 
chose to use it. It was there the friends 
of the editor and Patriot gathered for 
news and political gossip. It was in this 
room the election of James K. Polk was 
first announced in Montpelier by a hurried 
scrawl from Hon. J. McM. Shafter, then 
Whig Secretary of State for Vermont, 
written at Burlington and forwarded by 
the stage-driver to Col. E. P. Jewett, it 
reading as follows: "New York gone! 
all gone ! We have got to take Polk, 
Texas and the devil !" and we also got with 
Polk that vast and rich territory compris- 



ing not only Texas, but NewMexico, Utah, 
Arizona, Nevada and California, to which 
latter State, Mr. Shafter removed some 
25 years ago, being now one of its prom- 
inent men. [See Shafter family in history 
of Athens, later in this vol.] 

Eastman and Danforth on their pur- 
chase removed the Patriot office across the 
bridge to a wooden building, then standing 
on land now occupied by the easterly part 
of Union Block, opposite the westerly ten- 
ement of Walton block, where it remained 
during the publication by Eastman and by 
E. M. Brown. [For Col. E. M. Brown, see 
Woodstock in next vol.] 

FROM AMERICAN NEWSPAPER REPORTER. 

THE ARGUS AND PATRIOT 

is the result of a union, early in 1863, of 
the Bellows Falls Argus with the Vermont 
Patriot — the former commenced in 1853, 
by Hiram Atkins, at Bellows Falls. The 
paper under its present title began with 
about 2,000 subscribers ; office-room, 30 by 
42 feet ; presses, a small-sized " Ruggles" 
for job work, and Newbury cylinder for 
the paper; working force, three hands 
with the editor. It now employs one of 
each size of the Degener job-presses, i 
Globe half medium, i hand press, 2 first 
class Cottrell & Babcock cylinder presses 
— one the largest press of any kind in the 
State (1881) ; office hands 20 — on job-work 
8 or 10 ; in outfit, type, etc., is in the very 
front of the printing establishments of the 
State. The work of the office goes all 
over the State, into each of the New Eng- 
land States, New York, Wisconsin, etc. 
Several thousand dollars value of paper, 
card, ink, etc., kept constantly on hand. 
All has gone on expanding. The large 
three-story building, opposite Bethany 
church, once familiarly known as the Lyman 
store, is now better known as the Argus 
and Patriot building, owned by its own 
editor and proprietor. From the time Mr. 
Atkins assumed control of the Argus and 
Patriot, every week has added new names 
to his subscription till the list is over 
6,000. The Argus and Patriot has occa- 
sionally been published daily during ses- 
sions of the Legislature. 




cZu^c.^^, 




MONTPELIER. 



311 



THE VOICE OF FREEDOM. 
PROM iroN. JOSEPH poland. 

The publication of The Voice of Free- 
dom was commenced January ist, 1839, 
by Emery A. Allen and Joseph Poland as 
publishers, under the firm name of Allen 
& Poland. Hon. Chauncey L. Knapp, 
then holding the office of Secretary of 
State by favor of the Whig party, was em- 
ployed as editor. The publication office 
was in the second story of the Barnes shop 
building, first door East of the Bishop 
hotel. In September of the same year Mr. 
Poland retired from the paper by reason of 
ill health, and its publication was con- 
tinued through the year by Mr. E. A. 
Allen. At the beginning of the second 
volume the proprietorship passed to the 
State Anti-slavery Society, Mr. Knapp 
still remaining as editor. After a few 
months, more or less, the paper fell into 
the hands of Mr. Jedediah Holcomb, of 
Brandon, and was removed to that place, 
where it was subsequently discontinued. 
Mr. Knapp has been for many years the 
editor and publisher of the Lowell, (Mass.,) 
Daily Ote^w, his son of late years having 
been associated with him in the business. 
Among other important positions he has 
filled are those of Clerk of the Massachu- 
setts House of Representatives and Mem- 
ber of Congress from the Lowell district. 
Mr. Allen is a practicing physician in Ran- 
dolph, Mass., and Mr. Poland is editor 
and proprietor of the Watchman &^ your- 
nal, Montpelier. 

Though an individual enterprise, the 
Voice of Freedotn was regarded as the 
organ of the then recently formed Anti- 
slavery Society of the State, of which Row- 
land T. Robinson, of Ferrisburgh, was 
President, and Dr. J. A. Allen, of Mid- 
dlebury. Secretary. As yet the anti- 
slavery sentiment of the State had not 
taken the form of political action, and only 
sought to promote its objects by moral 
and religious methods. But recent events 
had given a new impetus to the movement, 
and the roar of the on-coming tide which 
was destined to sweep American slavery 
out of existence, might already be heard in 
the distance. The celebrated controversy 



in Congress concerning the right of peti- 
tion, with John Quincy Adams as its elo- 
quent champion, was then at its height. 
The so-called "Atherton gag"' had just 
been adopted by the national House of 
Representatives, whereby "every petition, 
memorial, resolution, proposition or paper, 
touching the abolition of slavery, or the 
buying, selling or transferring of slaves in 
any state, district or territory of the United 
States," was "laid on the table without 
being debated, printed, read or referred," 
and had produced such general indignation 
among, all parties that the legislature of the 
State, in the fall of that year, by a nearly 
unanimous vote in both houses, had de- 
manded the repeal of said obnoxious res- 
olution, and instructed our Senatois and 
requested our Representatives to labor for 
its repeal. They were also instructed, by 
the same legislature, to " use their utmost 
efforts to prevent the annexation of Texas 
and to procure the abolition of slavery and 
the slave trade in the District of Columbia 
and the territories, and the slave-trade be- 
tween the several states." Indeed, so far 
had Mr. Knapp, the editor of the " Voice,''"' 
progressed in the direction of distinct po-_ 
litical action that, the year following^ 
when Harrison and Tyler were the Whig 
standard-bearers, he was waited upon by a 
delegation from the Whig State Com- 
mittee with the intimation that the sup- 
port of their presidential candidates was a 
condition precedent to his re-election to 
the office of Secretary of State. Where- 
upon he distinctly avowed that he would 
support no man for these high positions 
"with the smell of slavery upon his gar- 
ments." The result was that Mr. Knapp 
was superseded the ensuing fall by Hon. 
Alvah Sabin, of Georgia, as Secretary of 
State. 

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN 

was established at Montpelier, as the organ 
of the Liberty party, in January, 1844, by 
Joseph Poland, with Rev. J.C. Aspenwall, 
a Methodist preacher, as editor. Mr. 
Aspenwall retired in the fall of the same 
year, leaving the entire charge of the paper 
in the hands of the proprietor. A few 
months subsequently, Rev. C. C. Briggs, 



312 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a Congregational preacher and anti-slav- 
ery lecturer, became joint editor and pub- 
lisher, the firm being Poland & Briggs. 
In May, 1846, Mr. Briggs retired, and the 
paper was conducted by Mr. Poland until 
January, 1849, with Mr. H. D. Hopkins 
as associate editor during the year 1848. 
The first of January, 1849, infirm health 
induced the proprietor to sell and transfer 
the paper to the Hon. Jacob Scott, of 
Barre, who had for some years been a 
leading man in the anti-slavery ranks, and 
a candidate for Lieutenant Governor and 
also for Congress. During the year 1849, 
Hon. Daniel P. Thompson became asso- 
ciated with Mr. Scott, and at the begin- 
ning of the succeeding volume he became 
sole proprietor and editor. In 1856 the 
paper was sold to Mr. S. S. Boyce. In 
1 861 the paper was bought by Hon. 
Charles W. Willard, who was its editor 
for twelve years thereafter, and who was 
sole proprietor until 1869, when he sold a 
half interest to Mr. J. W. Wheelock. In 
1873, Mr. Wheelock became sole proprietor 
and editor, and so remained until his death 
in 1876, when he was succeeded by his son, 
Mr. Herbert R. Wheelock, the present 
proprietor and editor. The ofSce of pub- 
lication was first in the second story of 
the Lyman & King store, (now the Argiis 
Or' Falrioi huMing,) then in Cross' Bakery, 
in the rear of Babcock & Cutler's drug 
store, then in the second story of the 
Barrows & Peck hardware store, then re- 
moved to the new "Freeman Building" 
erected by S. S. Boyce, and subsequently 
to its present quarters. Of the several 
gentlemen connected with the Freeman 
from first to last, it is believed Mr. Aspen- 
wall is dead ; Mr. Boyce was engaged in 
the war of the rebellion, and has since re- 
sided in New York ; Messrs. Scott, Thomp- 
son, Willard and J. W. Wheelock have 
deceased ; Mr. Briggs is a successful bank- 
er and manufacturer at Rockford, Illinois ; 
Mr. Hopkins is living in Montpelier, but 
with impaired health, while the founder of 
the paper is now editor and publisher of 
the Watchman &^ Journal, at Montpelier 
— the office in which he learned the print- 
er's trade when a boy. 



As we have said, the Green Mountain 
Freeman was established as the organ of 
the Liberty party of the State, and for five 
years, and until the character of the party 
was somewhat " watered," to use a phrase 
current on change, by the absorption of 
the free-soil element of the Democratic 
party in 1848, it had the proud distinction 
of representing a political party which was 
never surpassed in any country or age for 
the purity of its principles and the uncom- 
promising firmness with which it pursued 
its single purpose. Never had an organ a 
more intelligent and devoted constituency. 
At the date of its transfer to Mr. Scott in 
1848 it had 4,000 subscribers. By the 
union that year with the free-soil portion of 
the Democratic party in the free states, 
and joining in the support of Martin Van 
Buren for the Presidency, the character of 
the party became less distinctively religious 
and more political ; but the fundamental 
principle of the original organization was 
never lost sight of until, through the agency 
of the Republican party and the consequent 
election of Abraham Lincoln, the doctrine 
of our boasted Declaration of Indepen- 
dence was transformed from a cruel lie to 
a living truth. And the founder of the 
F'reeman looks back upon his five years' 
labors in this connection as the crowning 
glory of his life. 

Botanic Advocate. — A monthly, com- 
menced about 1837, and continued about 
2 years. By Drs. Wright and F. A. Mc- 
Dowell. 

Green Mountain Emporiutn, and Liter- 
erary. Moral and Religious Record. — By 
J. Milton Stearns, 8 vo. monthly, 16 pages 
each ; commenced November, 1838, con- 
tinued only a short time, and moved to 
Middlebury. 

Vermont Family Visitor — Commenced 
in 1845, and issued about a year only. 

Vermont Temperance Star — Eight page 
quarto, monthly. Address, Geo. B. Man- 
ser. Vol. I, No. 6, is August, 1839, 
Montpelier, Vt. 

The Watchword — A temperance paper. 
Editorial committee : Rev. J. C. W. Coxe, 
Rev. J. E. Wright, H. D. Hopkins, H. A. 



MONTPELIER. 



313 



Huse. Feb. 14, 1874. Only a few num- 
bers issued. 

Ver//ioiit Tetnperaiice Banner — Started 
in the fall of 1879, under the auspices of 
W. F. Scott and J. P. Eddy. One num- 
ber published and then suspended for want 
of patronage. 

The Vernionter — Fred. H. Kimball, ed- 
itor and publisher, July, 1879. 4 pp. 
"The representative amateur paper of 
Vermont" published at present. 

The Era, by Edward Clark, and the 
Echo, by Chas. F. Burnham, were started 
about 1875, while both editors were serving 
their apprenticeship in the Argus office. 
Of both papers, only one or two numbers 
were issued. 

Young American, ^874 — Wm. M. Ken- 
dall, Jr., printer and publisher. An 8 page 
paper, printed at Montpelier, while its ed- 
itor was attending school ; and after his 
education was completed, removed to its 
former place of publication, Lebanon, N. 
H., Mr. Kendall becoming the editor and 
publisher of the Dollar Weekly at that place. 

Postage Stamp Reporter, iZ'j'j — ,C. F. 
Buswell, publisher. 8 pp. 7x5^. Issued 
monthly, devoted to stamp collecting, and 
discontinued on increase of postage regu- 
lation, with its Sept. No., 1877. 

Green Monntain Boys, \?>tj — Tuttle & 
Dewey, publishers. 8 pp. 6 x 8, and is- 
sued monthly. 

Winooski Impetus — Metropolis of Ver- 
mont, April 15, 1835, to March, 1836. 4to. 
Published monthly by a society of young 
men. 

The Montpelierian — Vol. 5, No. i. Sem- 
inary Hill, Montpelier, Vt., Jan. 20, 1877. 
Published by the Literary Society of the 
Vermont Methodist Seminary. 4 to, p. 8, 
[4] Continued monthly. 

{Editors and publishers now residing at 
Montpelier — E. P. Walton, retired; Jo- 
seph Poland, present proprietor of the 
Watchman ] J. M. Poland, retired ; Hiram 
Atkins, proprietor of the Argus, to whom 
we are indebted for the fine views of Beth- 
any and Christ Church in No. 3 of the 
Gazetteer; H. R. Wheelock and H. A. 
Huse of the Freeman^^ (|^ 



BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MONTPELIER. 
BY M. D. OILMAN, 

Librarian of the Vermont Historical Society. 

Montpelier has been prominent in the 
printing of books from an early period of 
its history ; the number of book imprints 
issued from the press of this town, as 
shown in my bibliography of Vermont, a 
work in course of preparation, exceeds 800, 
including of course official publications for 
the State, which are probably more than 
half of the number. 

The earliest Montpelier imprint I have 
met is a work compiled by Clark Brown 
with the title: "The Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the Constitution of the United 
States, and of Vermont, also Washington's 
Farewell Address," etc. Printed by Ben- 
jamin H. Wheeler, for Brown & Parks, 
1807. 16° p. 76. 

Mr. Brown started the first newspaper 
in town, the "Vermont Precursor," which 
he published weekly, Nov. 1806 to Sept. 
1807, when he sold out to Samuel Goss, 
who was at that time publishing a paper at 
Peacham. 

Mr. Goss re-christened the "Precursor" 
as the "Watchman," numbering consec- 
utively from the commencement of the 
former. In 1808, Mr. Brown delivered a 
Masonic Sermon at Danville: "The Mor- 
al and Benevolent Design of Christianity 
and Freemasonry," etc. Danville : Eben- 
ezer Eaton. 

The following partial list of books and 
pamphlets relating in any way to Montpe- 
lier is of interest, as showing the class of 
literature circulated among the people, es- 
pecially in the earlier history of the State ; 
the list is compiled wholly from my bibliog- 
raphy of Vt. 

The publications of the numerous insti- 
tutions and organizations in the State, 
such as religious, educational, masonic, 
temperance, odd fellows, agricultural, med- 
ical, benevolent, military, railroads, insur- 
ance and others, for full lists of which see 
Walton's Registers, are omitted here as 
well also as all official State publications, 
and town reports, although Montpelier 
printers have had their full share of the 
printing of the above works. All the pub- 



40 



3U 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lications named were printed in Montpelier 

unless otherwise noted. 

Adams, Daniel. Englisli Grammar. 

Published by L. O. C. Bowles, 1814. 
— Another edition, same publisher, 1817. 
— The Scholar's Arithmetic. Wright & 

Sibley, printers, 1812. 
Adams, F. W. " Theological Criticisms." 

Published by J. E. Thompson. 1843. 

p. 216. 

Mr. Adams was an eminent pliysician in Montpelier 
for many years, where he died in Dec. 1858, aged 71. 

Aiken, Solomon. "An Appeal to the 
Churches," etc., p. 120, printed by E. P. 
Walton, 182 1. 

Allis, Rev. O. D. Funeral Sermon on 
the death of Chas. M. Griswold, 1862. 
Printed at the Freeman office. 

Austin, Rev. Samuel. Election Sermon. 
1816. Printed by Walton & Goss. 

Baldwin, Daniel. Memorial Service, 
held in the Church of the Messiah, at 
Montpelier, Aug. 7, 1881. Printed, for 
private distribution, by Joseph Poland. 
8° p. 18. [By Rev. J. Edw. Wright.] 

See sketch of Mr. Baldwin, ^o<Z. 

Ballou, Eli. Review of Rev. A. Royce's 
Sermon against Universalism. Printed 
by F. A. McDowell, Universalist Watch- 
man office, 1838. 

Barber, E. D. Democratic Oration at 
Montpelier, 1839. Patriot office print. 

Barre. Reply of the people of Barre to 
the attack of Rev. A. Royce, 1845. Po- 
land & Briggs, printers, p. 51. 

Baylies, Nicholas. A Digested Index 
to Law Reports in England and the 
United States. Printed by Walton & 
Goss, 1814. 3 vols. 8° p. xiv, 545 ; vii, 
455 ; vii, 509. 

— An Esssay on the Human Mind. E. P. 
Walton, printer, 1820. 16° p. 216. 

— A second edition. Same imprint, 1829. 

Bayne, Thomas. Funeral Sermon on the 
death of Hon. Ira H. Allen, 1866. Wal- 
ton, printer. 

Bent, Rev. J. A. Thanksgiving Sermon at 
Stowe, 1854. E. P. Walton, Jr., printer. 

Bible. I am informed that an edition of 
the New Testament was printed by the 
late Ezekiel P. Walton, at Montpelier, 
in the early part of the present century, 
but I have never seen a copy. Some 
thirty editions of the Bible and parts 
thereof have been printed in Vermont, 
mainly at Brattleboro, Windsor and 
Woodstock. 

Boardman, Rev. E. J. Immediate Abo- 
lition Vindicated. An addre.ss at Ran- 
dolph, 1838. Walton & Son, printers. 



Boyle, Capt. R. Voyages and Adven- 
tures. Printed by Wright & Sibley. 
12° p. 262. 

Brigham,G.N. Poems, 1870. I2°p. 187. 

— Second edition of same, 1874, p. 219. 
Cambridge, Mass. 

Buchanan, Rev. C. The Works of. 
Walton & Goss, printers, 1813. 12° 
p. 369. 

Bunyan, Rev. J. The Heavenly Foot- 
man, 181 1. Walton & Goss, printers. 
24° p. 108. 

Bliss, Rev. J. I. Funeral Sermon on 
Capt. L. H. Bostwick at Jericho, 1863. 
E. P. Walton, printer. 

Burton, Rev. Asa. False Teachers De- 
scribed, a sermon at Thetford, 1810. 
Montpelier: Printed by Samuel Goss. 

— Funeral Sermon on Mrs. Joram Allen, 
at Thetford, 181 1. Wright & Sibley, 
printers . 

— Funeral Sermon on Oramel Hinckley, at 
Thetford, 1812. Wright & Sibley. 

Burton, Rev. H. N. "Go Forward." 
A Missionary Sermon at St. Johnsbury, 
1868. Fieeman print. 

Butler, J. D. See Article, Vt. Hist. So- 
ciety. 

Carpenter, Hon. Hem an. Family Re- 
Union, 1871. Polands' print. 

Chalmers, Rev. Thomas. Discourses 
on Revelation. 2 vols, in one, p. 175 
and 194, 12°. E. P. Walton, printer, . 
1819. 

Chandler, Rev. A. Sermon at Waits- 
field, 1826. E. P. Walton, printer. 

Channing, Rev. W. E. Election Sermon 
in Boston, 1830. Reprinted by Geo. W. 
Hill, Montpelier. 

Christian Pilgrim, i8° p. 143. E. P. 
Walton, printer. Comical illustrations. 

Cobb, Enos. An Exposition of Dr. Cobb's 
art of discovering the faculties of the 
Human Mind, etc. Montpelier, 1846. 
12° p. 31. 

Coburn, a. The Scholar's Teacher of 
Geography. Montpelier, 1838. p. 13. 

Dascomb, Rev. A. B. Memorial Record 
ofWaitsfield, 1867. Freeman Print. 

— Sermon on the death of Pres. Lincoln, 
1865. Walton's Print. 

Davis, Henry. Election Sermon at Mont- 
pelier, Oct. 12, 1815. Walton & Goss. 
8° p. 40. 

Davis, Miss Mary E. [A native of Plain- 
field.] Poems. Argus & Patriot print, 
1877. 12° p. 349. 

Day, Norris. A Lecture on Bible Poli- 
tics. Moiftpelier, 1846. 



MONTPELIER. 



315 



Dean, James. Gazetteer of Vermont. 
Printed by Samuel Goss, 1808. 8° p. 44. 

TliiB was the first gazetteer of tlie State. 

Dewey, C. C. Woman Suffrage. Journal 
Press, Montpelier, 1869. 

Dolphin, James. Travels of, among the 
Indians, etc. Wright & Sibley, print- 
ers, 1812. 18° p. 72. 

Dow, Peggy, [Wife of the famous Lo- 
renzo Dow.] Poetry. Printed by E. P. 
& G. S. Walton, 1818. 24° p. 160. 

Earle, Jabez. The Christian's Looking- 
Glass. Walton & Goss, 1817. i8°p.7o. 

Eastman, C. G. Sermons, etc., by Rev. 
J. Burchard. Burlington, 1836. 12° p. 
119. 

— Poems. Montpelier : Eastman & Dan- 
forth, printers, 1848. 12° p. 208. 

— Second Edition enlarged, T. C. Phin- 
ney, publisher, 1880. 12° p. xxi and 233, 
with steel portrait and a sketch of the 
author. 

See history of newspapers in Montpelier. [For bi- 
ography of Eastman, see Barnard history in succeed- 
ing volume.— Ed.] 

Elliot, Rev. L. H. Sermon on the 
death of Rev. Dr. Silas McKeen, Bi'ad- 
ford, 1877. Polands' print. 

Emerson, Mrs. Lucy. New England 
Cookery, etc. Montpelier : Printed for 
Josiah Parks, 1808. 18° p. 84. 

Mrs. Emerson was a sister of the late venerable 
Thomas Reed, an early settler at Montpelier; he was 
the lather of the late Thomas and Hezekiah H. Reed. 

Foster, Hosea B., of Berlin, Vt. Poems. 
Montpelier, Vt. : Printed by Ballou, 
Loveland & Co., i860. 18° p. 72. 

Franklin, Benjamin. 
Wealth. Walton & 
1810. 18° p. 31. 

— Life of Dr. Franklin 

printer, Montpelier, 1809. 12° p. 202. 

P'renyear, Rev. C. P. Funeral Sermon 
on the death of Wm. H. Carr, in Ja- 
maica. Argus and Patriot print, 1870. 

Frothingham, Rev. F. Dedication Ser- 
mon, Church of Messiah, Montpelier, 
1866. Ballou, printer. 

Fuller, Rev. Andrew. Baptism. Print- 
ed by Samuel Goss, 1807. p. 15. 

Perhaps the first imprint by Mr . Goss in Montpelier, 
a-! he purchased the "Precursor" in September, 1807. 
Sec ante^ Brown, Olauk. 

— Another edition, 1814. Printed by Wright 

& Sibley, p. 16. 
Gallup, Dr. J. A. Address before the 

Vermont Medical Society at Montpelier, 

Oct. 10, 1822. E. P. Walton, printer. 

8° p. 26. 
Gestrin, Prof. C. E. H. Vacation Labors, 

1879. Argus and Patriot print, p. 51. 



The 
Goss, 



Way to 

printers, 



Samuel Goss, 



Greene, Rev. R. A. Funeral Sermon on 
the death of Mrs. James Nichols, of 
Northfield, March 6, 1876. Argus and 
Patriot print. 8° p. 12. 

Green Mountain Emporium, and Litera- 
ry, Moral and Religious Record. By J. 
Milton Stearns. Vol. i, No. 8. Mont- 
pelier, June, 1839. Monthly. Allen & 
Poland, printers. RI 8° p. 15. 

Gregory, Rev. John. Review of Bishop 
Hopkins, against Universalism. Mont- 
peUer: Wm. Clark, 1835. 8° p. 12. 

— History of Northfield. Argus and Pat- 
riot print, 1878. 8° p. 319. 

— An Expose of Spiritualism. Polands' 
print, 1872. 8° p. 104. 

Gridley, Rev. John. History of Mont- 
pelier, in a Discourse in the Brick 
Church, Montpelier, Thanksgiving Day, 
Dec. 8, 1842. E. P. Walton & Sons, 
printers. 8° p. 48. 

A valuable work, and very scarce. 

— The Young Man Beguiled of his Strength. 

A Sermon at Montpelier, March 29, 

1846. Eastman & Danforth, printers. 

12° p. 21. 

Mr. Gridley was pastor of the " Brick Church" at 
Montpelier, 1841-4G, when he moved to Kenosha, Wis., 
where he died Dec. 27. 1876, aged 80 years. 

Haddock, Prof. C. B. An Address be- 
fore the Railroad Convention at Mont- 
pelier, January 8, 1844. E. P. Walton 
& Sons, printers. 8° p. 24. 

Hall, S. R. The Child's Assistant to 
Geography. Third edition, 1831. Mont- 
pelier: Published by J. S. Walton. 
12° p. 75. 

First edition was published in 1827, witli same im- 
print. Many editions were afterwards published. An 
enlarged edition, revised by Rev. P. H. White, was 
published at Montpelier in 1864, by C. W Willard. and 
a third edition in 1874, of 280 pages, 12 mo.. Freeman 
print. Another edition in 1878, same imprint, and the 
work is still in use in our public schools. 

Harrison, Wm. H. Biographical Sketch 
of. Watchman Office, Montpelier, 1836. 
12° p. 30. 

Harvard College. Fourth Report of 
Class of 1 86 1, J. Edward Wright, Class 
Secretary. Freeman print, 1878. 8° 
p. 30. 

Hervey, James. Meditations, etc. Sam- 
uel Goss, printer, 1810. 12° p. 144. 

HiNCKS, Rev. J. H. " The Mission of a 

Child's Life." A sermon preached in 

Bethany Church, Montpelier, March 20, 

1 88 1. Printed for private distribution. 

Joseph Poland, printer. 8° p. 28. 

Preached on occasion of the deaths of Mary, aged 7 
years, daughter of Jas. W. Brock, Esq., and Clara, aged 
13 years, daughter ot J. Monroe Poland, Esq. 

Holmes, James H. A Manual on Win- 
dow Gardening. Montpelier, 1877. 
12° p. 184. 



3i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Hooker, Rev. E. W. Address on Sacred 
Music, at Castleton, 1843. E. P. Wal- 
ton & Sons, printers. 8° p. 16. 

Hopkins, Rev. Samuel. The Evils of 
Gambling. A Sermon at Montpelier, 
April 19, 1835. E. P. Walton & Son, 
printers. 8° p. 22. 

House, Rev. A. H. Conversation. A 
Sermon at Island Pond, Feb. 14, 1858. 
Printed by Ballou, Loveland & Co. 8° 
p. 16. 

Hutchinson, Titus. Jurisdiction of 
Courts. Freeman print, 1855. 8° p. 15. 

Johnson, John. A Mathematical Ques- 
tion, propounded by the Vicegerent of 
the World. Answered by the King of 
Glory. Montpelier: Published by John 
Crosby, 18 13. 18° p. 143. 

Johnson, Oliver. Address before the 
Vermont Anti-Slavery Society, at Mid- 

. dlebury, Feb. 18, 1835. Knapp & Jevv- 
ett, printers. 8° p. 32. 

Jones, Charles E. Life and Confessions 
of. Printed by Ballou, Loveland & Co., 
i860. 12° p. 168. 

Jones, Henry. The seven Churches in 
Asia, the Millenial thousand years, etc. 
Knapp & Jewett, printers, 1834. 12° 
p. 70, ■ 

Kelton, C. G. The New England Col- 
lection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs. 
Published by Geo. W. Hill, 1829. 24° 
p. 168. 

Lamb, Earned. The Militia's Guide, etc. 
Printed by Samuel Goss, 1807. 18° 
p. 108. 

Linsley, D. C. Report of his survey of 
a road from the foot to the summit of 
Mount Mansfield, Oct., 1865. Mont- 
pelier. 8° p. 7. 

Lord, Rev. Wm. H. A Sermon on occa- 
sion of the death of Hon. John McLean. 
Preached in Cabot, Vt., Feb. 7, 1855. 

— Remembrance of the Righteous. A 
Sermon on occasion of the death of Gen. 
Ezekiel P. Walton. Preached at Mont- 
pelier, Nov. 29, 1855. 

— The Present and the Future. A Sermon 
on occasion of the death of Mrs. Lucre- 
tia Prentiss, wife of Hon. Samuel Pren- 
tiss. Preached at Montpelier, June 17, 
1855. 

— A Tract for the Times. National Hos- 
pitality. 1855. p. 48. 

— Life, Death, Immortality. A Sermon 
on the death of Samuel Prentiss, LL. D. 
Preached in the Congregational Church, 
in Montpelier, January 18, 1857. 

— A City which hath Foundations. A Ser- 
mon preached on occasion of the Fiftieth 



Anniversary of the Organization of the 
First Congregational Church in Mont- 
pelier, July 25, 1858. 

— A Sermon on occasion of the death of 
Hon. Ferrand F. Merrill. Preached in 
the Congregational Church, Montpelier, 
May 8, 1859. 

— A Sermon on the Causes and Remedy 
of the National Troubles. Preached at 
Montpelier, April 4, 1861. 

— A Sermon on occasion of the death of 
Rev. James Hobart. Preached in the 
Congregational Church, Berlin, Vt., 
July 18, 1862. 

^In Memoriam. Address at the funeral 
of Mrs. James T. Thurston, Montpelier, 
April 3, 1865. 

— The Uses of the Material Temple. A 
Sermon preached at the Dedication of 
Bethany Church, Montpelier, Oct. 15, 
1868. 

' — Address and Services at the funeral of 
Dea. Constant W. Storrs, Montpelier, 
March 26, 1872. 

— Woman's Mission for Christ. A Ser- 
mon preached at the funeral of Mrs. 
James R. Langdon, at Montpelier, Aug. 
3, 1873. 

All of tlie above were printed at the office of the 
Vermont Watcluuan and tjtate Journal. 

— Sketch of the Life of Hon. Samuel 
Prentiss, published in the United States 
Law Magazine. 

— Also, two or more articles in the Prince- 
ton Review. 

Lyman, Elijah. Sermon before the Leg- 
islature at Montpelier, Oct. 13, 1814, by 
Elijah Lyman, A. M., Pastor of the Con- 
gregational Church in Brookfield. Mont- 
pelier: Walton & Goss. 

Mansfield, Mrs. Lucy (Langdon.) Me- 
morial of Charles Finny Mansfield, com- 
prising extracts from his diaries, letters, 
and other papers. New York : Baker 
& Godwin, printers. 1866. 8° p. 
265 (2.) 

Mrs. Mansfield, daughter of James R. Langdon. of 
Montpelier. was born In Berlin in 1841, and married 
tlie subject of tliis memorial in 1861. He died in 1865. 
Mrs. Mansfield has since married again, and resides in 
New Yorlf. 

Marsh, Rev. Samuel. Message from 
God, etc. . Montpelier, 1844. 8° p. 16. 

— The Age of Prophecy. Press of East- 
man & Danforth, 1848. 16° p. 16. 

— National Prosperity. Montpelier, 1849. 
16° p. 16. 

— The Modern Colporteur Revival System. 
Press of Eastman & Danforth, 1849. 
16° p. 142. 

— Hard Questions Answered. Eastman 
& Danforth, 1849. P- 7~- 



MONTPELIER. 



317 



— Universalism. Press ofEliBallou, 1850. 

16° p. 28. 
— Reply to Ballou. Montpelier, 1850. 

16° p. 32. 
— Uncle Nathan. Ballou & Loveland, 

1854. 16° p. 218. 
Marshall, E. F. New Spelling Book. 

Published by E. P. Walton & Son, 1838. 

12° p. 144. 

Mason, John. Treatise on Self Knowl- 
edge. Wright & Sibley, printers, 1813. 
24° p. 194. 

— The same. Published by E. P. Walton, 
1819. 18° p. 177. 

McKeen, Rev. Silas. Civil Goverment a 
a Divine Institution. A Sermon before 
the Legislature, Oct. 9, 1857. E. P. 
Walton, printer. 8° p. 34. 

—A History of Bradford, J. D. Clark & 
Son, publishers, 1875. 8° p. 462. 

Miller, Col. Jonathan P. The Condi- 
tion of Greece in 1827-28, New York: 
J. & J. Harper, 1828. 8° p. 300. 

— Letters from Greece. [By Col. Miller 

and others.] Boston, 1825. 8° p. 20. 

rSee D. P. Thompson's History of Montpelier for 
a slietcti of Col. Miller, also vol. 11 of this Gazetteer- 
History of Randolph.] 

The Minister preachings his own Funeral 
Sermon. Wright & Sibley, 1812. 24° 
p. 96. 

Miscellaneous. Memoirs of that truly 
eccentric character, the late Timothy 
Dexter, together with his last will and 
testament. Montpelier, 1808. Sabin's 
Bibliography. 

— Records of the Montpelier Lyceum, 
1829-1836. Manuscript, p. 353. 

[Belongs to the Vt. Hist. Society.] 

— Catalogue of books of the Montpelier 
Agricultural Society, n. p. n. d. 

— Winooski Impetus. Metropolis of Ver- 
mont, April 15, 1835 to March 1836. 
4° Monthly, by a society of young men. 

— Services at the Dedication of Green 
Mount Cemetery, Sept. 15, 1855. E. 
P. Walton, Jr., printer, 8° p. 40. 

—A Child's Book. Illustrated. E. P. 
Walton, printer. 32° p. 8. n. d. 

— Reports of Town Officers in printed 
form, annually, since 1843. 

— Act of Incorporation, By-Laws etc., of 
the Village of Montpelier, 1848. 8° p. 
12. Editions of the same, 1855, 1864 
and 1875. 

— Village Reports, annually. 

— Catalogue of the Sabbath School Library 
of the First Cong'l Church, 1861. Wal- 
ton's print. 12° p. 18. 



— In Memoriam of Rt. Rev. John Henry 
Hopkins, in Christ Church, Montpelier, 
1868. Argus and Patriot print. 8° p. 
16. 

— Illustrated Capital Advertiser, 1872. 
Argus and Patriot print. 8° p. 8. 

— Reports of the Committee on Water 
Supply for the Village of Montpelier, 
1873. Poland's print. 8° p. 20. 

— Illustrated Circular of Lane Manufactur- 
ing Company, Montpelier, 1875. Argus 
and Patriot print. 12° p. 152. 

— Exhibition of the New Organ in Trinity 
Church, Nov. 5, 1875. 

— Webb's Montpelier Directory, 1875-6-7. 
8° p. 50. 

— Pocket Directory of the Village of Mont- 
pelier for 1877. Poland's Press. 18° 
p. 90. 

— Montpelier Illustrated ; with a brief 
sketch by E. P. Walton. In N. Y. 
Daily Graphic, Nov. 8, 1877. 

— Montpelier Monufacturing Company's 
20th annual catalogue, 1877. 8° p. 32. 

— Montpelierian, vol. 5, No. i, Jan. 20. 
1877. 4° p. 8 and (4.) Continued 
monthly by the Literary Societies of 
Methodist Seminary. 

Moore, Z. S. Sermon Oct. 6, 1813, at 
th^ Ordination of Rev. Jacob Allen at 
Tunbridge. Walton & Goss, printers. 

Morton, Rev. D. O. Wine is a Mocker: 
Sermon at Montpelier Oct. 16, 1828, at 
the formation of the Vermont Temper- 
ance Society. Printed by E. P. Walton. 
8° p 16. 

Murray, Lindley. The English Reader, 
1823. E. P. Walton printer. 12° p. 
262. 

New England Economical House-Keeper, 
and family Receipt Book. E. P. Wal- 
ton & Sons, 1845. 

Nutting, Rufus. Grammar. Third edi- 
tion. E. P. Walton, printer, 1826. 12° 
p. 136. 

— Fourth and fifth edition, same imprint, 
p. 144. 

— Nutting's New Grammar.. E. P. Wal- 
ton & Sons, 1840. p. 184. 

Palmer, E.F. The Second Brigade; or, 
Camp Life. E. P. Walton, printer, 1864. 

Palmer, Rev. J. E. A Collection of 
Essays, etc. E. P. Walton & Son, 
1836. 12° p. 306. 

Parker, Rev. Daniel. A Sermon, Church 
Privileges, etc., at Brookfield, March 9, 
1847. E. P. Walton & Sons. p. 19. 

Peach AM. Addresses at the opening of 
the Congregational Church atPeacham, 



3i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Sept. 28, 1871. Polands' print. 8° 

p. 66. 
— Catalogue of the Library of the Juvenile 

Society at Peacham. Polands' print, 

1881. 8° p. 24. 
Peake, Rebecca. Trial of, for murder, 

at Orange County Court, Dec. 1835. 

E. P. Walton & Son, printers. 12° p. 

88. 
Peck, Lucius B. Speech in Congress, on 

Slavery in the Territories, April 23, 

1850. p. 8. 
— Proceedings of the Washington County 

Bar on the death of Hon. Lucius B. 

Peck, at March Term, 1867. Freeman 

print. 8° p. 20. 
Perrin, Rev. Truman. Dietetics — Sound 

Health, etc. Freeman print, 1861. 8° 

p. 19. See History of Berlin, ante, p 63. 
Perrin, Rev. William. The Accident; 

or Henry and Julia ; and other poems. 

Walton & Goss, printers, 1815. 12° p. 

64. See Hist, of Berlin, p. 62. 
Peter the Great. Life and Reign of. 

Wright & Sibley, printers, 1811. 12° 

p. 316. 
Phinney, T. C. The Literary News. 

Monthly, May, 1878. 8° p. 8. For Sept. 

1881. p. 32. Continued. 
Postage Stamp Reporter. C. F. Bus- 
well, editor. Monthly, vol. i, No. i. 

Montpelier, January, 1877. 8° p. 8. 
PowARS, Grant. Oration at Thetford, 

July 4, 1812. Wright & Sibley, print- 
ers. 8° p. 16. 
Prentiss, Hon. Samuel. Oration at 

Plainfield, July4, 1812. Walton&Goss, 

printers. 8° p. 39. 
— Remarks in the U.S. Senate on Slavery 

in the District of Columbia, March i, 

1836. Washington : p. 14. 
— Speech in the Senate, January 16, 1838, 

on the Vermont Resolutions on the ad- 
mission of Texas, and the slave trade. 

Washington: 8° p. 10. 
— Speeches in the Senate, March 2d and 

30th and April 6th, 1838, on Dueling. 

Washington : 8° p. 19. 
— Speech in the Senate, June 23, 1840, on 

the Bankrupt Bill. Washington: p. 20. 
— Proceedings in the District Court, Oct. 

Session, 1857, on the Death of Judge 

Prentiss. Windsor: 8° p. 16. 
Proceedings and Address of a Jackson 

Convention at Montpelier, June 27, 1828. 

Geo. W. Hill, printer. 8° p. 24. 
Proceedings of the Montpelier, [Vt., Con- 
gregational] Association in Sept., in 

reply to annexed Statements of Henry 

Jones, against Freemasonry. Danville, 



1830. 12° p. 22. See Jones, Henry, 
ante. 

Progressive Reader. Printed by Geo. 
W. Hill, 1833. 18° p. 216. 

Rand, Festus G. Autobiography of; A 
Tale of Intemperance. J. & J. M. Po- 
land. 8° p. 16. 

Randall, Rev. E. H. Address on the 
death of President Lincoln, at Randolph, 
April 19, 1865. Walton's print. 8° 
p. 12. 

Rawson, Rev. Nathaniel. Discourse at 
Hardwick, on the Sabbath succeeding 
his Ordination, Feb. 17, 181 1. Printed 
by Walton & Goss. [See biography of, 
in Orleans Co. papers and items, vol. 11, 
this Gazetteer.] 

Redfield, Hon. Isaac F. Charge to the 
Grand Jury in Washington County, No- 
vember Term, 1842. Burlington: 8° 
p. 16. 

See Gilmaii's Bibliography for a biog. sketcli of 
Judge Redfield, and a list of his law publications, etc. 

Redfield, T. P. Report on the claim of 
the Iroquois Indians upon the State of 
Vermont. 1854. 8° p. 40. 

Reed, George B. Sketch of the Early 
History of Banking in Vermont, Read 
before the Vt^ Hist. Soc. at Montpelier, 
Oct. 14, 1862. 8° p. 28. 

— Sketch of the Life of Hon. John Reed, 
of Boston. Boston, 1879. 8° p. 22. 

Mr. Reed is a native of Montpelier; born July 28, 
18i9; son of the late Thomas Reed, Esq., an early and 
prominentcitizen of thetown. Mr, Geo. B. Reed has 
l>een for many years a law bookseller and publi'-licr in 
Boston. He is well versed in the history of Vermont, 
and has been a liberal donor to the Vt. Hist. Soc. 

Religious Courtship, [By Daniel De 
Foe.] Printed by Derrick Sibley, for 
Josiah Parks, i8lo. 12° p. 348. 

Rollins, E. E. Memorial Record of 
Greensboro Soldiers, 1861-5. Free- 
man print, 1868. 12° p. 77. [See 
Greensboro in vol. 11, this Gazetteer.] 

Sanders, D. C. A History of the Indian 
Wars. Wright & Sibley, printers. 12° 
p. 319. 1812. 

a very scarce work. Mr. Sanders was the first Pres- 
ident of the University of Vermont. [See biography 
of, in History of Burlington In vol. i, this Gazetteer.] 

Savage, R. A. Memorial Record of the 
Soldiers of Stowe, 1861-5. Freeman 
Print, 1867. 12'^ p. 104. [See Stowe 
in vol. II, this Gazetteer.] 

ScoTT, Walter. The Lady of the Lake. 
A Poem. Wright & Sibley, printers, 
1813. 18° p. 320. 

Scott, William. Lessons in Elocution, 
etc. Published by E. P. & G. S. Wal- 
ton, 1818. 18° p. 383. 

—Another edition, byE. P. Walton, 1820. 
p. 407. 



MONTPELIER. 



319 



Select Sentences. Printed for John 

Crosby, 1813. 18° p. 36. 
Shelton, Rev. F. W. Address at the 

funeral of Mrs. Upham, in ChristChurch, 

May II, 1856. E. P. Walton, printer. 

8° p. 16. 

Mr. Shelton was Rector ofClirist Cliurcli, Montpel- 
ier, 1854-66; he was a pleasant writer, and published 
several volumes, besides numerous articles in the 
Knickerbocker Magazine. Mr. Shelton died at Car- 
thage Landing, oii-the-Hudson, June 2U, 1881. 

Shepard, Sylvanus. The Phoenix Chron- 
icle. The Bonfire, in which 450 books 
were burned. A View of Montpelier 
and all the country villages in the State. 
Printed for the author, 1825. 8° p. 18. 

Mr. Shepard was an early settler of East Montpel- 
ier. 

Short Expose of the management of the 
finances of Vermont. Patriot office, 
1844. p. 8. 

Skinner, Rev. Warren. Capital Pun- 
ishment. A Lecture before the Legis- 
lature of Vermont, and others, Oct. 26, 
1834. Geo. W. Hill, printer. 8"^ p. 19. 

— The Christian Ministry. A Sermon be- 
fore the Universalist Convention at 
Montpelier, Jan. 17, 1833, at the Ordi- 
nation of Rev. J. M. Austin. Geo. W. 
Hill. 8° p. 25. 

Smith, Ruth B., (of Newbury.) The 
Pension Case of the late Capt. James T. 
Smith. Polands' print, 1879. 8° p. 32. 

Southmayd, Jonathan C. Address be- 
fore the Philological Society of Middle- 
bury College, August 15, 1826. E. P. 
Walton, printer. 

— Discourse at Montpelier, March 16, 
1828, on the use of distilled spirits. E. 
P. Walton, printer. 8° p. 16. 

Spalding, Rev. Geo. B., D. D. God in 
the War. A Serir.on at Vergennes, 
Nov. 26, 1863. Burlington: 8° p. 21. 

— A Discourse commemorative of Gen. 
Samuel P. Strong, at Vergennes, Feb. 
28, 1864. Burlington : 8° p. 22. 

— A Discourse at Dover, N. H., May 18, 
1873, ori the two hundredth anniversary 
of the settlement of that town. Dover, 
N. H. 8° p. 29. 

— A Discourse Commemorative ol Hon. 
John P. Hale, at Dover, N. H., Nov. 
27, 1873. Concord, N. H. 8° p. 19. 

— Relation of the Church to Children. A 
Discourse at Haverhill, N. H., Nov. 6, 
1873. Bristol, N. H. 8° p. 12. 

— The Dover Pulpit during the Revolu- 
tion. A Discourse Commemorative of 
Rev. Jeremy Belknap, D. D., July 9, 
1876. Dover, N. H. 8° p. 31. 

— Semi-Centennial Discourse at Laconia, 
N. H., June 18, 1878, before the Con- 



ference Churches of Strafford County. 
Dover, N. H. 8° p. 20. 
— Normal School Trainirig. Address at 
Gorham, Maine, Dec. 26, 1878. Port- 
land, Me. 8° p. 12. 

— Address before the New Hampshire 
Sunday-School Convention at Haverhill, 
N. H., Nov. 6, 1879. Bristol, N. H. 
8° p. 8. 

Rev. Dr. Spaldin;; is a native of Montpelier, son of 
the late James Spalding, M. I). He is pastor of the 
First Congregational Church, Dover, N. H,, where he 
was settled in 1869. See Granite Monthly., vol. i, p. 
197-9, for a biographical sketch. 

Spalding, James R. An Address on Fe- 
male Education at Pittsfield, Mass., Aug. 
22, 1855. New York. 8° p. 28. 

— An Oration at the Semi-Centennial An- 
niversary of the University of Vermont, 
August, 1854. 8° p. 2>2,- 

Mr. Spalding, an elder brother of tlie above, died at 
the residence of liis brother in Dover. Oct. 10. 187-.'. 
He was born in Montpelier, Nov. 15, 1821. Mr. Spald- 
ing was a gentlemon of tine culture and attainments. 
For many years he was an associate editor of the New 
York Courier and Inquirer, and he was mainly tlie 
founder of the New Y'ork World newspaper in 1859 ; an 
appropriate tribute to the worth of .Mr. Spalding, by 
Ricliard Grant White, was printed in the daily World 
01 October 12, 1872. 

Stebbins, R. L Sermon at the Ordina- 
tion of Mr. Charles A. Allen, as min- 
ister of the Church of the Messiah, at 
Montpelier, March i, 1865. Ballou, 
Loveland & Co. 12° p. 27. 

Steele, Zadock. His Indian Captivity, 
and an account of the burning of Roy- 
alton. E. P. Walton, printer, 1818. 
12° p. 144. 

Stone, J. P. A History of Greensboro, 
and the Congregational Church, 1854. 
E. P. Walton. 8° p. 40. 

Swett, Josiah. Sermon at the funeral 
of Mr. Sarah E. Weston, at West Ran- 
dolph, Nov. 23, 1851. E. P. Walton & 
Son. 8° p. 24. 

Teachem, Mrs. The Infant School Primer. 
E. P. Walton, printer, [1832.] 12° p. 
24. 

Thomas, Rev. A. C. Analysis and Con- 
futation of Miller's Theory of the End 
of the World in 1843. £:ii Ballou, 
printer, 1843. 8° p. 30. 

Thompson, Daniel G. A 'First Latin 
Book, introductory to Ceaser's Commen- 
taries on the Gallic War. Chicago, 
1872. 12° p. 224. 

Mr. Thompson is a native of Montpelier, son of the 
late Hon. Daniel P. Thompson, and resides in New 
York; he published articles on "Intuition and Infer- 
ence." in tlie Mind, A Quarterly Revieio of Psychology 
and Philosophy, London, July and October numbers, 

Thompson, Daniel Pierce. [A partial 
list of the works by Judge Thompson 
may be found in this History under Ber- 
lin, p. 69-72, vol. 4, together with a 



320 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



biographical sketch. The works omit- 
ted in the Berlin article are given here.] 

— The Adventures of Timothy Peacock, 
Esquire, or Freemasonry Illustrated. 
Middlebury, 1835. 12° p. 218. Pub- 
lished anonymously. 

— Revised Statutes of Vermont, i vol. 
1835- 

— Address before the Vt. Hist. Society, 
1850. Burlington. 8° p. 22. 

— History of the Town of Montpelier to 

i860, with Biographical Sketches. E. 

P. Walton printer. 8° p. 312. 

Mr. Tliompson's novels contiuue in demand, an edi- 
tion by Nicliols & Hall, Boston, 1876, in four volumes, 
contains; vol. 1, " May Martin," " Guardian and 
Ghost," " Shaker Lovers," " Ethan Allen and the Lost 
Children," " The Young Sea Captain." Old Soldier's 
Story," " New Way to Collect a Had Debt," and " Au 
Indian's Revenge," p. 380. Vol. 2, "Locke Anisden, or 
the School-master," p. 'Jai. "The Rangers," 2 v. in 
one. p. 174, 155. "Green Mountain Boys," vol. 4, p 364. 

— Another edition of the above four vol- 
umes by the same publishers, i88i. 

Thompson, George. Address to the 
Legislature and Citizens of Vermont, at 
Montpelier, Oct. 22, 1864. Freeman 
print. 8° p. 18. 

Thompson, Zadoc. Gazetteer of Vermont. 
E. P. Walton printer. 1824. 12° p. 
312. 

Thompson, S. New Guide to Health, or 
Botanic Family Physician. Montpelier, 
Printed for the publisher, 1851. 12° p. 
122. 

Thoughts on Divine Goodness. Print- 
ed by Geo. W. Hill. 1828, 12° p. 148. 

Thresher, Leonard. The Family Phy- 
sician, etc. Argus and Patriot print. 
1871, 8° p. 406. 

Truair, Rev. John. Sermon at Mont- 
pelier. Mach7, 1813. Walton&Goss. 

— The Alarm Tioimpet. Sermon at Berk- 
shire, Sept. 9, 1813, on the war. Wal- 
ton & Goss. 8° p. 27. 

Universalism. Form for Constitution 
and by-laws for the use of Universalist 
Churches, etc. Ballou & Burnham's 
press. 1851, 12° p. 16. 

— Discussion on Endless Punishment, by 
Rev. Luther Lee, and Rev. Eli Ballou. 
Ballou & Loveland printers. 1857, 12° 
p. 84. 

Upham, Hon. Willam. Speech in the U. 
S. Senate, March i, 1847, on the three 
million Bill. Washington. 8° p. 8. 

— Speech in the U. S. Senate on the Mex- 
ican War, Feb. 15. 1848. p. 19. 

— Speech in the Senate, July 26, 1848, on 
the Compromise Bill. p. 7. 

— Report on the Revolutionary Claims, 
Feb. 9, 1849. 



— Speech in Senate, July i and 2, 1850, 
on the Compromise Bill. p. 16. 

— Obituary Addresses on the death of Mr. 
Upham, delivered in the Senate and 
House, January 15, 1853. 8° p. 8. 

[Vide biographical sketch post.] 

Upham, William K. Argument for De- 
fendant in case Nathan Harris vs. Col- 
umbiana Co. Insurance Company, (Ohio), 
1853. p. II. 

Mr. Upliam was a native of Montpelier, son of Sen- 
ator Upham, died at Canton. Ohio. Mar. 22, 1865. 

Wait, Augustine. Speech before the 
Brotherhood of St. Patrick, Dublin, Ire- 
land, Nov. 24, 1862. E. P. Walton, 
printer, p. 20. 

Walton, Hon. Eliakim P. Speech on 
the Admission of Kansas, in the House 
of Representatives, Mar. 3 1, 1858. Wash- 
ington : 8° p. 15. 

— Speech on Free Trade and Protective 
Tariff, in the House of Representatives, 
Feb. 7, 1859. 8° p. 14. Washington. 

— Speech in the House on the State of the 
Union, Feb. 16, 1861. 8° p. 8. 

— Speech in the House on the Confiscation 
of Rebel Property. Delivered May 24, 
1862. 8° p. 15. 

Mr. Walton edited and compiled a history of the 
Vermont Capitol, a book of 300 pages, printed in 1857. 
He delivered an address on the first Legislature of 
Vermont, before the Historical Society in 1S78; also 
an address. "History of Early Printing in Vermont," 
before the Vt. Publishers' Association, at Benning- 
ton, August, 1877, which Is printed in the "Centennial 
Proceedings at Bennington." But the crowning work 
of Mr. Walton is the editing and publishing of the 
eight volumes of the Governor and Council, so called. 
This is a work invaluable to every student of Ver-. 
mont history, and Its appreciaiion will increase as 
time passes. [A most satisfactory work— that Ver- 
mont. Governor and Council— Ed.] Another work 
of great convenience to all Vernionters, as well as 
others, is, Walton's Vekmont Register and Al- 
manac. This work, with which everybody In Ver- 
mont ought to be familiar, was published at Mont- 
pelier by the Walton Family, 1818-1867, and since then 
at Claremont, N. H„ under tue same old familiar title. 
There is an excellent sketch of Mr. Wallon in my bib- 
liography of Vt., which I will not mutilate by giving 
even an abstract in this place. Seepost. I do not speak 
of Mr. Walton's "History of Montpelier," prepared for 
Miss Hemenway's Gazetteer, as I have not seen it. It 
is proper to say a word in this place to prevent confu- 
sion, as to the same Initials of the two Mr.E.P.Waltons, 
whose names occur so frequently in the imprints of 
this list. The father, Ezekiel Parker Walton, con- 
tinued in the printing business at Montpelier, 1807- 
1853; the ehlest son. Eliakim Persons Walton, became 
a partner with his father in 1833, under the firm name 
of E. I'. Walton & Son. Later, one or two younger 
sons of the elder Walton became members of the Arm, 
which then became E. P. Walton & Sous. Eliakim 
wrote his name E. P. Walton, Jr., until the death of 
Ills father in 1855. 

Waring, Geo. E. Jr. Elements of Agri- 
culture. S.M.Walton, 1855. i2°p.288. 

Washington, George. Valedictory Ad- 
dress. Walton & Goss, printers, 1812. 
p. 45. 

Watrous, Miss Sophia. The Gift. Poems. 
E. P. Walton & Sons, 1841. 12° p. 172. 

Watts, Isaac. Twelve Sermons, Moral 
and Divine. Wright & Sibley, 1811. 
12° p. 359- 



iMONTPELIER. 



321 



— Psalms of David, Hymns and Spiritual 
Songs. Walton & Goss, 18 14. 18° 
p. 296, 259. 

— Logic, or the Right use of Reason. E. 
P. Walton, printer, 1819. 12° p. 288. 

Webb, T. S. Freemason's Monitor. Wal- 
ton & Goss, printers, 1816. 12° p. 312. 

Webster, Noah. Spelling Book. E. P. 
Walton & Son, 1839. Another edition, 
1844. 

Wheeler, Rev.S. H. Memorial Sermon 
on Mrs. Betsey Carpenter, of Waterbury, 
Nov. 7, 1875. Press of J. & J. M. Po- 
land. 8° p. 15. 

Wheelock, Rev. Edwin. Historical 
Sketch of the Town of Cambridge. 
Freeman print, 1876. 12° p. 15. 

Wheelock, Rev. V. G. Revelation and 
Science Harmonize. A Sermon, i86g. 
Polands' print. 

— Growth of the Gospel. A Sermon at 
Stanbridge, P. Q., 1871. Journal Steam 
Printing Establishment. 8° p. 12. 

White, Rev. P. H. Ecclesiastical His- 
tory of Vermont. An Essay read at 
Newbury, June 21, 1866. Walton's 
print. 8° p. 7. 

— Jonas Galusha. Memoir of, read before 
the Vt. Hist. Society, 1866. E. P. 
Walton, printer. 8^ p. 16. 

Wild, Rev. A. W. Funeral Sermon at 
Greensboro, July 10, 1864, on the death 
of E. E. Hartson and Horace Sutham. 
Freeman print. 8° p. 18. 

Willard, Hon. Charles W. Speech in 
the House of Representatives, April 9, 
1869, on the Cuban Question. Wash- 
ington : p. 8. 

— Cuban Belligerency. Speech in the 
House, June 15, 1870. Washington: 
p. 15. 

— Interstate Commerce. Speech in the 
House, March 24, 1874. Washington : 
p. 25. 

— Civil Service. Speech in the House, 
April 17, 1872. p. 8. 

WiLLiAMSTOWN. Methodism in. His- 
torical Address, Dec. 19, 1880, by Rev. 
Mr. Bartlett. Messenger print. 12° 
P- 35- 

Wing, Joseph A. "Pluck," and Other 
Poems. Freeman print, 1878. 12° p. 252. 

Worcester. Record of Births, Mar- 
riages and Deaths in, Oct. 1813 to June 
1858. By S. S. Abbott. E. P. Wal- 
ton, printer. 18° p. 31. 

Worcester, Rev. Leonard. Funeral 
Sermon at Hardwick, Aug. 30, 18 14, on 
the death of Mrs. Lydia, consort of 



Samuel French, Esq. Walton & Goss. 
8° p. 24. 

— Sermon at Montpelier, Oct. 15, 1809. 
Peacham, Vt. Samuel Goss, printer. 
8° p. 24. 

— Appeal to the Conscience of Rev. Sol- 
omon Aiken. Printed by E. P. Walton. 
8° p. 16. 

Worcester, Rev. Thomas. Serious 
Reasons against Triune Woi^ship. Wal- 
ton & Goss, 1812. 

Wright, Rev. Chester. Federal Com- 
pendium ; an Arithmetic. Middlebury, 
1803. 12° p. 108. 

— Services at the Ordination of Rev. Mr. 
Wright at Montpelier, Aug. 19, 1809. 
Sermon by Rev. Asa Burton, Charge by 
Rev. Stephen Fuller, of Vershire, and 
the Right Hand of Fellowship by the 
Rev. Calvin Noble, of Chelsea. Peach- 
am: Printed by Samuel (ioss, i8og. 
8° p. 24. 

— Election Sermon, 18 10. Randolph. 

— Funeral Sermon on the death of Sibyl 
Brown. Preached Jan. 11, 181 1. Wal- 
ton & Goss, printers. 8° p. 12. 

— Sermon before the Vt. Bible Society at 
Montpelier, Oct. 28, 18 12. Walton & 
Goss. 8° p. 14. 

— Funeral Sermon, Dec. 27, 1813, on the 
death of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Jeduthan 
Loomis, Esq. Walton & (ioss. 

— Sermon before the Female Mission So- 
ciety in Montpelier, i8r6. E.P.Wal- 
ton, printer, p. 14. 

— Sermon at Middlebury, Aug. 16, 18 14. 

Middlebury : 8° p. 16. 
— Saints Resurrection. Sermon on the 

death of Geo. S. Walton, at Montpelier, 

June 10, 18 18. E. P. Walton, printer, 

8>. 15. 

— Address on the Death of Adams and 
Jefferson, at Montpelier, July 25, 1826. 
Printed by George W. Hill & Co. 8° 
p. 19. 

— The Devil in the Nineteenth Century. 
Two Discourses at Hardwick, May 6, 
1838. E. P. Walton & Son. 8° p. 21. 

Yale, Calvin. Some Rules for the in- 
vestigation of Religious Truth. E. P. 
Walton, 1826. 8° p. 15. 

— Sermon before the Vt. Colonization So- 
ciety at Montpelier, Oct. 17, 1827. E. 
P. Walton. 8° p. 15. 

Young, Samuel. Oration at Bennington, 
August 16, 1 8 19. Argus and Patriot 
print, 1871. p. 4. 

See Article onVt. Hisl. Society tor additional Mont- 
pelier imprints, etc. 



41 



322 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MACiAZINE. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

BY M. D. OILMAN, LIBUAKIAN. 

It is deemed appropriate that a brief no- 
tice of the Historical Society shall be in- 
cluded in the history of Montpelier, for the 
reason among many, that its headquarters 
and library are located in this town. 

The Society was incorporated by act of 
the general assembly, approved Nov. 5, 
1838, under the name of "The Vermont 
Historical and Antiquarian Society ;" the 
persons named in the act are Henry Ste- 
vens of Barnet, Oramel H. Smith, Daniel 
P. Thompson and George B. Mansur, of 
Montpelier. 

By an act of the general assembly ap- 
proved Nov. 16, 1859, the name of the 
Society was changed to "The Vermont 
Historical Society ;'' and by an act, ap- 
proved Nov. 21, the same year, room No. 
9 in the State Capitol was granted for the 
uses of the Society for its library and bus- 
iness purposes ; the Society by permission 
also uses a large book case in room No. 12. 

The first meeting of the Society was 
held at Montpelier, the third Thursday of 
Oct. 1840, at which the Society was organ- 
ized, and Henry Stevens elected president 
and librarian, Geo. B. Mansur and D. P. 
Thompson, secretaries. At this meeting 
associate members were elected: Silas H. 
Jennison, Isaac F. Redfield, D. M. Camp, 
E. P. Walton, Daniel Baldwin, Geo. W. 
Benedict, Solomon Stoddard, and Norman 
Williams. 

Mr. Stevens continued as president of 
the Society until about 1858, when he was 
succeeded by the Hon. Hiland Hall, who 
was president until Oct. 1866, when, upon 
his retirement, Rev. Pliny H. White was 
elected, and held the office until his death, 
April 24, 1869. 

Hon. Geo. F. Houghton was elected 
president Oct. 19, 1869, and held the office 
until his death, Sept. 22, 1870; Rev. W. 
H. Lord was elected president in Oct. 
1870, and held the offiae until Oct. 1876, 
when he declined further service ; the pres- 
ent incumbent, the Hon. E. P. Walton, 
succeeded the Rev. Dr. Lord. 

The librarians of the Society have been 
as follows: Henry Stevens, Esq., 1840- 



1858, Hon. Charles Reed, 1858, until his 
death, March 7, 1873; he was succeeded 
by Hiram A. Huse, Esq., until Oct. 1874, 
when the present incumbent, Mr. M. D. 
Gilman, was elected. 

Among the most prominent and active 
workers in behalf of the Historical Society, 
should be mentioned, Henry Stevens Esq., 
Hon. Hiland Hall, Hon. Charles Reed, 
Rev. Pliny H. White, Geo. F. Houghton, 
Esq., and the Hon. Eliakim P. Walton. 

The annual meetings of the Society are 
held at Montpelier, Tuesday preceding 
the third Wednesday of October. 

Persons desiring to become members of 
the Society can do so, on the recommenda- 
tion of any member, and the payment of 
|;2.oo for admis.sion, and $1.00 per annum 
thereafter. 

The Society at the present time, 1881, 
is in a flourishing condition ; it has a sys- 
tem of exchanges and correspondence 
with all kindred societies in this country 
and some in England, besides a large cor- 
respondence and exchange with individuals. 

The library is estimated to contain from 
7000 to 8000 vols, of books, about 500 
bound vols, of newspapers, and 12000 to 
15000 pamphlets, besides a large quantity 
of manuscripts, letters, and historical curi- 
osities. 

A card catalogue of the bound volumes 
and newspapers has been completed, and 
all books received are added to the cata- 
logue. 

The Society has portraits in oil of Hon. 
Hiland Hall, Rev. W. H. Lord and Hon. 
D. P. Thompson, all presented to the So- 
ciety, the two latter painted by Montpel- 
ier's native son, the distinguished artist, 
Thomas W. Wood, and by him presented 
to the Society. 

As is the case with most libraries of the 
time in our country, that of the Historical 
Society has outgrown the room set apart 
for it, and is greatly in need of more 
space, which we trust will soon be pro- 
vided in the proposed addition to the State 
Capitol. 

The following list of publications by the 
Vermont Historical Society is thought to 
be complete : 



MONTPELIER. 



323 



* Address by James D. Butler, atMont- 
pelier, Oct. 16, 1846: "Deficiencies in 
Our History." 8° p. 36. Montpelier : 
Eastman & Danforth. 

* Addresses on the Battle of Benning- 
ton, and Life of Col. Seth Warner, at 
Montpelier, Oct. 20, 1848, by James D. 
Butler and Geo. F. Houghton. Burling- 
ton : 8° p. 99. 

Address at Montpelier, Oct. 24, 1850, 
by Daniel P. Thompson. Burlington: 8° 
p. 22. 

* Address, " Life and Service*' of Mat- 
thew Lyon," Oct. 29, 1858, by Rev. P. H. 
White. Burlington : 8° p. 26. 

* Address, "The Marbles of Vermont," 
Oct. 29, 1858, by A. D. Hager. Burling- 
ton : 8'" p. 16. 

Constitution, By-Laws, Act of Incorpo- 
ration, and catalogue of Officers and Mem- 
bers of the Society. Woodstock, i860. 
8 ' p. 16. 

* Proceedings of 21st Annual Meeting, 
and Address by Rev. Joseph Torrey, "His- 
tory of Lake Champlain," Oct. 16, i860. 
Burlington : 8° p. 27. 

Proceedings, Special Meeting at Bur- 
lington, Jan. 23, 1861. Burlington: 8° 
p. 7, 8. 

Proceedings, Annual Meeting at Mont- 
pelier, Oct. 15 and 16, 1861. St. Albans. 
8° p. 17. 

Proceedings, Special Meeting at Bur- 
lington, Jan. 22 and 23, 1862. 8° p. 8. 
St. Albans. 

Address on Town Centennial Celebra- 
tions. By Henry Clark, at Burlington, 
Jan. 22, 1862. 8° p. 8. St. Albans. 

* Address by Henry B. Dawson on the 
Battle of Bennington, at Burlington, Jan. 
23. 1861. Printed in Hist. Magazine, 
May, 1870; reprinted in Argus and Pat- 
riot, Montpelier, June 27, July 4, 11, 1877. 

* Address, "Early History of Banking 
in Vermont," by Geo. B. Reed, Oct 14, 
1862. 8° p. 28. 

* Address, "Gov. Philip Skene," by 
Henry Hall, of Rutland, at Windsor, July 
2. 1863. Printed in (Dawson's) Hist. 
Magazine, vol. il, 2d series, p. 280-83. 

* Address on Joseph Bowker, by Henry 
Hall, Special meeting at Windsor, July i. 



2, 1863. Printed in (Dawson's) Hist. 
Magazine, vol. 11, 2d series, p. 351-54. 

* Address, " Evacuation of Ticonderoga, 
1777," at a Special Meeting at Brattle- 
boro, July 17, 1862, by Henry Hall. Print- 
ed in (Dawson's) Hist. Magazine, August, 
1869. 

Proceedings at Brattleboro, July 16, 17, 
and at the Annual Meeting at Montpelier, 
Oct. 14, 1862. St. Albans. 8° p. 26. 

* Address, " Secession in Switzerland," 
by J. W. DePeyster, at Montpelier, Oct. 
20, 1863. Catskill: 8° p. 72. 

* Address, "Life of Hon. Richard Skin- 
ner," by Winslow C. Watson, at Mont- 
pelier, Oct. 20, 1863. Albany: 8° p. 30. 

* Address, "Edward Crafts Hopson," 
by Henry Clark, Jan. 25, 1865. Special 
meeting at Rutland. 8° p. 6. 

* Address, "Charles Linsley," by E. J. 
Phelps. Special meeting at Brdndon, 
Jan. 28, 1864. Albany: 8" p. 20. 

* Address, " Battle of Gettysburgh," by 
G. G. Benedict. Special meeting at Bran- 
don, Jan. 26, 1864. Burlington: 8°p24. 

* Another edition, enlarged, p. 27, and 
appendix iv. Illustrated. 

Addresses, on " Solomon Foot," by Geo. 
F.Edmunds, on "Gov. Galusha," by P. 
H. White, on "New England Civiliza- 
tion," by Rev. J. E. Rankin, at Mont- 
pelier, Oct. 16, 1866. Walton's print. 
8° p. 72. 

* Addre.ss on Theophilus Herrington, by 
Rev. P. H. White. Special meeting at 
Rutland, Aug. 20, 1868. 8° p. 6. 

* Memorial Address on Hon. Jacob Col- 
lamer, by James Barrett, at Montpelier, 
Oct. 20, 1868. 8° p. 61. 

Proceedings, and Addresses at Mont- 
pelier, Oct. 19, 20, I869. " Capture of 
Ticonderoga," by Hiland Hall; "Memo- 
rial on P. H. White," by Henry Clark. 
Journal print, Montpelier. pp. 15, 32, 16. 

Proceedings, Oct. and Nov. 1870; con- 
tains address on Hon. Charles Marsh, by 
James Barrett. Montpelier, p. xxvii, 54. 

Proceedings, and Address by L. E. 
Chittenden, on " Capture of Ticonderoga." 
At Montpelier, Oct. 8, 1872. Montpelier: 
Printed for the Society. 8° p. xxi, 127. 

* Memorial .Sketch of Charles Reed, by 



324 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



H. A. Huse, at the Annual Meeting at 
Montpelier, Oct. 13. 1874. Printed in 
Daily Journal. 

Address, " History of the St. Albans 
Raid," delivered at Montpelier, Oct. 17, 
1876, by Hon. E. A. Sowles. St. Albans : 
S° p. 48, including proceedings of the So- 
ciety. 

Collections of the Society, 2 vols. Vol. 

1, Montpelier, 1870. 8°p. xix, 507. Vol. 

2, Montpelier, 1871. 8° p. xxviii, 530. 
Proceedings, Oct. 15, 1878, at Mont- 
pelier, with addresses:' by Rev. M. H. 
Buckham, on Rev. W. H. Lord, and by 
Hon. E. P. Walton, on "The First Legis- 
lature of Vermont." Folands' print. 8° 
p. xvi, 47. 

Proceedings, Oct. 19, 1880, at Mont- 
pelier, with address by Hon.E. A. Sowles, 
on " Fenianism," ete. Rudand : 8° p. 
xxviii, \2,) 43. 

Numerous addresses in addition to those 
noticed have been delivered before the; So- 
ciety, the manuscripts of some of which 
are on file in its archives. 

The publications marked with a * are 
out of print, and cannot be furnished by 
the Society. 

THE VERMONT STATE LIBRARY. 
KY HIRAM A. HUSK, STATE LIBRARIAN. 

Legislation as to a state library began in 
1825. The State had about forty years 
before, it is true, gone into the book bus- 
iness in rather a curious manner by seizing 
the library of Charles Phelps, Esq., of 
Marlboro, an energetic friend of New York 
rule. This seizure was made in 1782, and 
Stephen R. Bradley seems to have had 
charge of the confiscated literature for a 
time. In 1784 the legislature was provid- 
ing that the committee for revising the 
laws (an undertaking begun in 1782 and 
not completed till 1787) should be paid 
out of this library. The resolutions of the 
General Assembly, March 6, 1784, relating 
to such payment are as follows : 

Resolved, that Stephen R. Bradley, Esq., 
be, and is hereby directed to deliver to 
Nathaniel Chipman andMicah Townsend, 
Esqrs.. Committee for revising the laws, 
or either of them, upon the order or appli- 
cation of them, or either of them, such of 



the books late the property of Charles 
Phelps, Esq., as they or either of them 
may think necessary for them in revising 
the laws, he taking their receipt for such 
books to account. And further, 

Resolved, That all letters from either o f 
the Committee for revising the laws to the 
other upon the business of their appoint- 
ment, be conveyed free of postage. That 
the accounts of the said Committee, when 
the business of their appointment shall be 
completed, shall be adjusted by the Com- 
mittee of Pay-Table, at the rate of twelve 
shillings each per day, while they are sever- 
ally employed in the business, for their 
time and expences. That the Committee 
be paid for their services out of the library 
late the property of said Phelps, at a rea- 
sonable appraisement, to be made by such 
persons as shall be appointed by the Legis- 
lature, to be men acquainted with the val- 
ue of books, and to be made under oath, 
at cash price ; unless the Legislature shall 
see proper to restore said library to said 
Phelps; or unless said Phelps shall redeem 
the books so appraised by paying the said 
Committee such sum. as they shall be ap- 
praised at. The aforesaid Committee to 
have their choice of what books they take 
in payment. Pro^iided the said committee 
revise the statutes of this State which have 
not already undergone their examination, 
by the session of Assembly in October 
next. And if the said library shall be re- 
stored to said Phelps, or shall be insuffi- 
cient for payment, the Legislature will pay 
the said Committee for such their services, 
in hard money, or an equivalent. 

Whatever became finally of the Phelps 
books their temporary possession did not 
establish a state library any more than, in 
the troubled days of the revolution, the 
possession of that "one negro whench" for 
whose care Matthew Lyon charged the 
State, established slavery. 

The following is the resolution under 
which the Vermont State Library was 
formed : 

In Council, Nov. 17, 1825. 
Resolved, the general assembly concur- 
ring herein. That it shall be the duty of 
the governor and council annually, to ap- 
point some suitable person, whose duty it 
shall be to take charge of, and keep in 
good order, all the books and public docu- 
ments, deposited in the state-house, in 
Montpelier ; and that a suitable room in 
the state-house be placed under the con- 
trol of such person, for a place of deposit 
for such books and documents : and such 
person, in the discharge of his duty, shall 



MONTPELIER. 



325 



be governed by such rules and regulations 
as the governour and council shall, from 
time to time, prescribe. 

[Concurred Nov. 17, 1825.] 

Calvin J. Keith was the first librarian, 
and was appointed Nov. 17, 1825. He 
was librarian 4 years, and after his service 
there were frequent changes in the office 
for 30-'years. 

Until 1836 the librarian was appointed 
by the governor and council ; then till 1848 
by the governor ; and from 184S till 1858 
by the senate and house of representatives. 
In 1857 the control of the library was put 
into the hands of trustees, who appoint a 
librarian. The trustees organized Nov. 
16, 1858, and appointed Charles Reed li- 
brarian. Mr. Reed died March 7, 1873, 
and was succeeded by the present libra- 
rian. 

The greater part of the books of the li- 
brary escaped the fire of Jan. 6, 1857, 
which destroyed the state-house. While 
the present state-house was building, the 
masonic hall was used for the lil)rary. A 
catalogue of the library was printed in 
1850, one in 1858, and one in 1872. 

The library for nearly 30 years depend- 
ed principally for increase on the receipt 
of State publications and on e.xchanges. 
In 1854, an annual appropriation of $200 
for the purchase of books was made ; this 
appropriation was increased to $500 in 
1866 and to $800 in 1876. The substan- 
tial growth of the library and its real use 
date from the beginning of Mr. Reed's 
services as librarian. He used the small 
sums at his command with great good 
judgment, and made a useful working li- 
brary of it. 

The library now contains about 19,000 
bound volumes, exclusive of duplicates. 
It has outgrown the quarters that, when 
Mr. Reed took charge of it, were more 
than ample, and is now, though its books 
overflow into committee rooms, cramped 
for room. In American law reports it is 
among the best libraries in the country ; 
in other departments it is incomplete, but 
growing in those branches that appear to 
be of most use. 

The present officers of the library are : 
Trustees, ex officio, the governor, the chief 



justice and the secretary of state ; State, 
E. J. Phelps, Horace Fairbanks, L. G. 
Ware ; resident, E. P. Walton, Joseph 
Poland and Chas. H. Heath; librarian, 
Hiram A. Huse ; first assistant librarian, 
Thomas L. Wood. 

Portraits, <^c. — Among the noticeable 
things in the library are two portraits be- 
longing to the Historical Society, the 
work and gift of Thomas W. Wood, a na- 
tive of Montpelier, and now one of the first 
artists of New York city. One is a por- 
trait of Rev. W. H. Lord and the other of 
Hon. Daniel P. Thompson. A portrait, 
by Mr. Wood, of Judge Prentiss is also in 
the capitol, though the formal presentation 
to the Historical Society has not yet been 
made. These portraits are valuable for 
their artistic as well as their historical mer- 
it, and in the same class may be mentioned, 
of the portraits in the executive chamber, 
thatof Gov. Smith, byThos. LeClear. The 
portrait of Gov. Paine is a good copy, from 
a good original by Chester Harding ; and 
that of (iov. Williams, by B. F. Mason, 
is a creditable piece of work. The other 
portraits in the governor's room are no 
doubt historically valuable. A bust of Gov. 
Erastus Fairbanks, by J. O. A. Ward, is 
excellent work, as is one of Judge Elijah 
Paine by Greenough. There is also a fine 
bust of Jacob Collamer by Preston Powers. 
Julian Scott's large painting of the Battle 
of Cedar Creek is too big for the governor's 
room, and whatever good work there is in 
it has no chance to "vindicate" itself. A 
portrait of Washington hangs over the 
speaker's chair in the Hall of the House 
of Representatives. 

There should also be mentioned the 
statue of Ethan Allen which stands at the 
entrance to the capitol. It is of heroic 
size, is the work of Larkin G. Mead, 
was completed in 1861, and on the loth 
of October in that year was "inaugurat- 
ed," Hon. Fred. E. Woodbridge of Ver- 
gennes delivering the oration. Two of 
the field-pieces captured from the Hes- 
sians at Bennington, are to be seen in the 
capitol, as well as the battle flags of the 
Vermont organizations that served in the 
war of the rebellion. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



\_Present Artists in Montpelier — J. F. 
(iilman, crayon portrait painter. Union 
block; A. N. Blanchaid, Main St., A. C. 
Harlow, Ellis block. State st., photogra- 
phers. Mr. H. is just completing for the 
engraver the copy of an oil portrait of Gen. 
Parley Davis, for our next No. — Ed.] 

THE STATE CABINET. 

BY PHOF. IIIKAM A. CUTTIN(i M. I)., 

State Geologist and Curator ol'isiati' Caliinet. 

This is a collection in Natural History 
provided for by law and kept in the State 
house. It is intended to show the geolo- 
gy and natural history of the State. The 
collection of rock showing the .sections 
across the State were collected by the geo- 
logical survey. This was added to by the 
purchase of the Zadoc Thompson collec- 
tion of natural history, and by donations 
and otherwise it has been largely increased. 
The space alloted for the display of speci- 
mens is very inadequate, and in conse- 
quence thousands of them are packed 
away. There is, however, over 20,000 on 
exhibition, and those displayed are intend- 
ed to show the character of the rocks and 
all the minerals found in the State as well 
as insects, birds, animals, Indian relics, 
&c. Many specimens are of great value, 
and if lost could never be replaced. The 
collection was first in charge of the geo- 
logical survey, then in charge of State Geol- 
ogist Albert D. Hager. who was curator un- 
til he left the State in 1869. In 1870, Dr. 
Hiram A. Cutting was appointed as his 
successor, and still has charge. Since his 
appointment the collection has more than 
doubled. The number of visitors ranges 
from 12 to 25 thousand annually, and it is 
one of the greatest educational interests of 
the State. 

Though intended only to be representa- 
tive of the natural history of Vermont, 
there has, by various donations, several 
hundred of foreign specimens crept in, 
many of which are on exhibition, and are 
valuable, as comparatives with similar spec- 
imens in the State. It is to be hoped that 
this valuable aid to V'ermont education 
will ere long have the space granted nec- 
essary for the full display of its specimens, 
when it will be truly one of the most valu- 
able collections in New England. 



PAPERS FURNISHED BY CHAS. UE F. BANCROFT. 

NUMBER OF DEATHS IN TOWN YEARLY, 

From Jan. i, 1%^^, to Oct. i, 1881. 



825. 
826. 
827. 
828. 
829. 
830. 

831. 
832. 

833 
834- 
835- 
836. 

837- 
838 

839- 
840. 
841. 
842. 
843- 



•30 
•31 
•15 

.14 
.14 
.14 
.14 
•23 
•23 
•17 
.20 
. 22 
.20 
.24 
.28 
.46 
.58 
.41 
.41 



1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 

1853- 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
i860. 
1861. 
1862. 



•45 
. 22 

•32 
•36 

•23 
.41 
.28 
•35 
•35 
•31 
•25 
.30 

•35 
.29 

•25 
•34 
•25 
.29 

•.30 



1863. 

I864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1868. 

1869. 

1870. 

1871 

1872. 

1873^ 
1874. 

1875. 
1876. 

1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 



....46 
....31 
....42 
....29 
....25 
. ... 39 
....31 
....29 

28 

. ..66 
....50 
••••55 
••••75 
....56 
....48. 
.... 40 
.. .48 
....66 
....60 
a book 
■ the old 



The above was compiled from 
kept by the late Aaron Bancroft, ' 
village sexton," containing a record of all 
the deaths occurring from 1825 to 1857 in 
the village and the suburbs, (which is 
about the present limits of the town,) 
since which time the State law has re- 
quired the registration of all deaths. But 
the town records showing that the regis- 
tration is very imperfect since then to the 
date of 1 87 1, the files of the newspapers 
published in town had to be resorted to 
for those years. Since 1871 I have kept a 
record of all deaths. I think upon the 
whole, from my researches and inquiries, 
that the above is a very accurate state- 
ment. From 1825 to 1845 a large per- 
centage of the deaths were children, and 
the remainder of adults of a middle age of 
life, acute diseases being the cause of a 
large percentage of them. From 1845 the 
record shows a gradual increase of longev- 
ity, the last fifteen years showing a large 
percentage as being adults past the middle 
age of life, some of these years the av- 
erage age of the deaths in town being 
about 50 years. In 1880-81 the deaths of 
children were in an excess, resulting main- 
ly from diphtheria. The registration of 
the deaths in town to the year 1823, (when 
the registration ceased,) is very iinperfect, 
only from one to five being registered oc- 
curring in the whole town yearly, and some 
years none at all. b. 



MONTI'ELIKR. 



.327 



LONGEVITY OF MONTPKLIER. 

Persons who Jiave died since 1825. 

1878 Phoebe Hazard loi^ 

[864 Thomas Davis 95^ 

1861 Nathan Jewett 95 

[847 Aaron Griswold 95 

1854 Betsey Watson 94 

1874 Phoebe Tuthill 94 

[861 Levi Humphey 92 

1863 Simeon Dewey 92 

r868 Peter Nichols'. .92 

[880 Eleanor Needham 92 

[ 88 1 Aurelia Rose 92 

1847 Mrs. Campbell 91 

[863 Jonathan Shepard 91 

1864 Mo.ses Cree 91 

1877 Naomi Dodge 91 

[877 John Gray 91 

[839 Mrs. Edwards 90 

1863 Francis Gangau 90 

r 866 Samuel Goss 90 

[871 Hetty Houghton 90 

[876 Mary M. Vail 90 

1 880 Luther Poland 90 

[842 Mary Cadwell 89 

[860 Rev. Zadoc Hubbard 89 

[864 Aichen Butterfly 89 

1 865 Hannah Marsh 89 

[ 88 1 Daniel Baldwin 89 

1872 Aaron Bancroft 88 

[842 Luther King 88 

[866 Nathaniel Proctor 88 

[868 Mary Taylor 88 

[ 875 Dyer Loomis 88 

[875 Sally Grant 88 

[ 875 Silas Barrows 88 

[876 Lucy L. Loomis 88 

[879 Thomas Gannon 88 

[835 John Taplin 87 

[854 Amos Strong 87 

[865 Lucy A. Ripley 87 

[867 Rufus Campbell 87 

[872 Thomas Needham 87 

1877 Mitchell St. John 87 

[880 Julia A. Clark 87 

[881 Dorothy Home 87 

[ 839 Esther Hatch 86 

[846 John Melon 86 

[846 Sarah Philbrook 86 

[852 Elijah Nye 86 

[853 Dexter May 86 

[857 Patty Reed 86 

[S63 Mary Leonard. 86 

1869 Sarah T. Hayward 86 

[875 Anna Pitkin 86 

[875 Anna Waugh '. 86 

1877 Mrs. Luther Howe 86 

IS78 Pru.ssia Walton 86 

1879 Luman Rublee 86 

[ 880 Susan Loomis Brown 86 

[839 Arthur Daggett 85 

[840 Mrs. Bancroft 85 

[849 Mrs. Wesijohn 85 



1 844 Dolly Harran 85 

1847 Samuel LIpham 85 

1850 Darius Boyden 85 

1853 Capt. Eben Morse 85 

1855 Mrs. Emerson 85 

1862 Mrs. Wilson 85 

1864 Rhoda Brooks 85 

1866 Phoebe Gallison 85 

1872 Lucy Guernsey 85 

1876 Betsey Waugh 85 

1878 William Bennett 85 

1826 Mrs. Cross 84 

1849 ^^•'■''- Lydia Taplin 84 

1849 Betsey Wright 84 

1853 Lydia Lamb 84 

1856 Col. Asahel Washburn 84 

1862 John Gallison 84 

1866 William Kinson 84 

1869 Mary H. French 84 

1871 Patty Howes 84 

1871 .Sarah Phinney 84 

1874 Rawsel R. Keith 84 

1874 Deborah Washburn 84 

1876 Zenas Wood 84 

1879 Anna Stoddard 84 

1879 Lyman G. Camp 84 

1849 Ebenezer Frizzle 83 

185 1 Jacob Davis 83 

1854 Rebecca Davis 83 

1854 ZionCopeland 83 

1856 Hannah Dana 83 

1859 Joseph Reed 83 

1864 Thomas Clark, 83 

1864 Jane Law.son '^7, 

1864 B. Frank Markham 83 

1865 David Gray ^-^ 

1865 Polly Mitchell 83 

1867 Isaac Wilson S3 

1869 Edmund H. Langdon 83 

1870 Joseph Rowell 83 

1872 John Wood 83 

1872 Content Skinner 83 

1875 t'olly White 83 

1875 Mary Wood 83 

1850 Mrs. Eben Mor.se 82 

1858 Mrs. Holden 82 

1859 Jared Dodge 82 

1865 Anna F. Bancroft 82 

1868 Dr. Aaron Smith 82 

1874 Michael Malony 82 

1875 I'olly Kimball 82 

1875 Elizabeth (Jones) Caryl 82 

1876 John Home 82 

1880 Edward L. Taplin 82 

1881 Oramel H. Smith 82 

1823 Rebecca Davis 81 

1828 John Tuthill 81 

1846 Eliakim D. Persons 81 

1870 John Palmer 81 

1873 Nathaniel Abbott 8r 

1874 Sally Spaulding 81 

1879 Margaret Stimson 81 

i88o Daniel Cameron. . . , 81 

1881 Cynthia Hill 81 



328 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



[H72 

1839 

[842 

[844 

[849 
1859 
t863 

1863 
[863 
1869 
[870 
[871 
'874 
[875 
1875 
1876 

1S77 
1S7S 
[880 
[881 

t843 
[846 
[856 
t859 
t859 
t859 
[860 
1 861 
t862 
[863 
(869 
[871 
[872 
r874 
[875 



.845 
1843 
r847 
[846 
[856 
[867 
1872 
[872 
1872 
[877 
[878 

1879 

1880 
1828 
1840 
1840 
[843 
1847 
[849 
1852 
[852 
'?59 

1864 
[866 
1867 
[868 



Joseph Somerby 80 

Timothy Hatch 80 

Mrs. Doty 80 

Hannah Paine 80 

Cyrus Ware 80 

Araunah Waterman 80 

Silas Jones 80 

Joseph Howes So 

Mrs. Yatter 80 

Peter Rose 80 

John Spalding 80 

Bridget Brodie 80 

Hannah Ferrin 80 

William Bills 80 

Anna Smith 80 

Jane Hutchinson 80 

Betsey Young 80 

Dr. Buckley O. Tyler 80 

William Paul 80 

Horace .Spencer 80 

David Parsons 79 

Lemuel Brooks 79 

William Noyes 79 

Sarah Wilder 79 

Nancy Town 79 

Mary Lewis 79 

Benjamin Staples 79 

Mandy Mclntyre 79 

Abigail Dewey 79 

Silas C. French 79 

John G. Clark 79 

Hugh Rourk 79 

Jacob Mclntyre 79 

Isaac Lavigne 79 

Daniel Wilson 79 

Rev. Elisha Brown 79 

Mrs. Levey 78 

Mrs. Hassam 78 

Lucretia Parsons 78 

Silas Burbank 78 

Mrs. Phoebe Mann 78 

Mason Johnson 78 

Thomas Dodge y't^ 

Mary Prime 78 

Polly Coffey 78 

Sherman Hubbard 78 

William W. Cadwell 78 

Margaret Fitzgibbons, 78 

Helen Crane 78 

Polly Dudley 78 

Mrs. (^ale 77 

Mrs. Lawson 77 

Jesse Cole 77 

John Walton 77 

Mrs. Cole 77 

Dolly Wa.shburn 77 

Polly Davis 77 

Betsey Cummings 77 

Welcome Cole 77 

Mary Goss 77 

Polly Warren 77 

John Carroll 77 

Sally Richardson 77 

Persis B. Davis 77 



1870 Esther French 77 

187 1 Henry Y. Barnes 77 

1873 Dr. Aaron Denio 77 

1874 Susan Rowell 77 

1875 Thomas Donahue 77 

1875 Dr. James Templeton 77 

1878 Mrs. Daniel Cameron 77 

1879 Orin* Pitkin 77 

1880 Caroline Barnes 77 

1827 Hannah Carr 76 

1863 Nabby Smith 76 

1864 Sarah Wilder 76 

1873 Barnabas H. Snow 76 

1874 Clarissa Kellogg 76 

1875 James Boyden 76 

1876 Sarah Jones 76 

1877 Dr. Julius Y. Dewey 76 

1878 Alpheus Flanders 76 

1880 Fanny Peck , 76 

1881 Zebina C. Camp 76 

1881 Mary Jacobs 76 

188 1 Dorothy Walling 76 

1827 Samuel Campbell 75 

1840 Lois P. Lawson 75 

1845 Mrs. Packard 75 

1848 Roger Hubbard 75 

1849 Betsey Cadwell 75 

1850 Mrs. Lawton 75 

1855 Mrs. Jacob F. Dodge 75 

1856 Thomas Hazard 75 

1857 Betsey H. Vail : 75 

1857 Hon. Samuel Prentiss 7$ 

1865 Sylvanus Ripley 75 

1869 Margaret Moorcroft 75 

1869 Nehemiah Harvey 75 

1869 Dr. Reuben W. Hill 75 

187 1 Sally Taplin 75 

1872 Anna Hubbard 75 

1873 Nathan Dodge 75 

1840 Polly Barton 74 

1842 Mrs. Wheelock 74 

1845 Mrs. John Walton 74 

1845 Dr. Edward Lamb 74 

1847 I.saac Freeman 74 

1849 Mrs. Matthew 74 

1851 Mrs. Kendall 74 

i860 Francis Smith 74 

1861 Susan Abbott 74 

1864 Antoine Rivers 74 

1865 Richard Paine 74 

1865 Isaiah Silver 74 

1865 Ruth C. Moulton 74 

1866 Thayer Townshend 74 

1866 Hubbard Guernsey 74 

1868 Daniel P. Thompson 74 

1868 Frederick Marsh 74 

1874 Dr. Charles Clark 74 

1879 Mrs. John Girard 74 

1881 Jesse Hutchinson 74 

1826 Mrs. Nye 73 

1S35 Mrs. Eliakim D. Persons 73 

1864 Isaac Putnam 73 

1838 Mrs. Elijah Nye 73 

1862 Jane Hathaway 73 



MONTPELIER. 



329 



1864 Abby Langdon 73 

1868 Philomila Flint t^ 

1872 Hannah Patterson -j-i, 

1873 Phoebe Redway 73 

1876 Mrs. Orange Fifield ']}, 

1875 Richard Dillon -ji 

1876 Mary M. Davis -]■}, 

187S Orlena Hoyt .' -jt, 

1836 Charles Bulkley 72 

1837 Mrs. Holmes 72 

1838 Mrs. Timothy Hatcl; 72 

1837 Thomas Reed, Sr 72 

1840 Lucy Trowbridge 72 

1849 Sally Shepard 72 

1858 Ann Wheaton 72 

1864 Dr. Thomas C. Taplin 72 

1870 William Moorcroft 72 

1870 Stukely Angell 72 

187 1 Jeremiah Davis 72 

1872 Constant W. Storrs 72 

1872 Benjamin Brown 72 

1873 Timothy Cross 72 

1874 Col. Levi Boutwell 72 

1879 Betsey Cadwell 72 

1826 Mrs. Dodge 71 

1838 Mrs. Partridge 71 

1842 Mrs. De.xter May 71 

1849 Mrs. Anna Cutler 71 

i860 Samuel Forbes 71 

1864 Calvin Warren 71 

1864 Thomas Reed 71 

1867 Dr. Charles B. Chandler 71 

1878 Peter G. Smitli ._. 71 

1880 Anson Davis 71 

188 1 Mary Sargent 71 

1839 M''^- <^oIlins 70 

1839 •M'"'^- Burrell 70 

1841 Ebenezer Lewis 70 

1854 B. B. Dimmick 70 

1854 Joshua Y. Vail 70 

1854 Sophia B. Loomis 70 

1854 Mrs. Peck 70 

1854 Lucretia Prentiss 70 

1854 James Taylor 70 

1861 Samuel Abbott ,. . . .70 

1861 William P. Briggs 70 

1863 David Fitzgibbons 70 

1863 Anna O'Brien 70 

1865 Valentine Willey 70 

187 1 William B. Hubbard 70 

1872 Nancy Johnson 70 

1873 Luther Cross 'jo 

1873 Daniel Willey 70 

1875 Margaret Cooper 70 

1875 Mary Gannon 70 

1876 Allen Gallison 70 

1879 Mary Donahue 70 

1880 Mary Fenton 70 

1873 Mrs. Daniel Baldwin 'j-j 

Note. — In the preceding list are includ- 
ed the names of a few who for many years 
were residents of this town, but died while 
temporarily residing in some other place. 

B. 

42 



PERSONS RESIDING IN TOWN, OCT. 1 5, 1 88 1, 
IN THEIR 70TH YEAR AND OVER. 

Dr. Nathaniel C. King 92 

Lucy Mead 92 

Martha Rivers 91 

Joshua Bliss 88 

Lydia M. Warren 88 

John Murphy 86 

Enos Stimson 86 

Patrick Brodie 86 

Lucia Clark 86 

Joseph Wood 85 

Mary Gunnison 84 

Prudence Camp 84 

Rebecca Sweet 84 

Josephine Lavigne 84 

Betsey Haskins 84 

Clark Fisk 84 

Polly Cross 84 

Francis Labouchire 84 

Elvira Shafter 83 

Lucinda Stevens 83 

Andrew A. Sweet 83 

Appleton Fitch 83 

Peter Crapeau 83 

Polly M. Chadwick 82 

Loraine Riker 82 

Wooster Sprague 82 

Duran Stowell 82 

William Kelly 82 

Joseph Felix 82 

Eben Gunnison 81 

Roxa Gould 80 

Orin Cummins 80 

Horatio N. Taplin 80 

Elisha P. Jewett 80 

James McLaughlin 80 

Abby S. Dodge 79 

Nelson A. Chase 79 

Sarah R. Cleaves 79 

Patrick Corry 79 

Clarissa Silloway 79 

Orange Hfield 78 

Dorothy Harran 78 

Lucy Snow 78 

Miranda C. Storrs 78 

Eliza Boutwell ij 

Susan R. Aiken -j-j 

Stephen Bennett -ji 

Clarissa Chase 76 

Margaret Crapo 76 

Randall Darling 76 

Geo. S. Hubbard 76 

Eliza Hubbard 76 

Dorcas Maxham 76 

Nancy Sprague 76 

John F. Stone 76 

Henry W. Sabin 76 

Kendall T. Davis 76 

Snow Town 75 

Mary Tuttle 75 

Henry Nutt 75 

Eben Scribner 75 

John Slattery 75 

Patrick McManus 75 



330 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Julius H. Bostwick 75 

Maria L. W. Reed 74 

Harriet L. Taplin 74 

Jacob Smith 74 

Emerson Demeritt 74 

Michael Savage 74 

Elizabeth Alain 74 

Hopy Hartwell 74 

Mary L. Nutt 74 

Louisa Seymour 74 

Joseph L. Scoville 74 

Olive Fisk 73 

Sydney P. Redfield IZ 

Rufus R. Riker 73 

Nancy George T}, 

Sarah H. Nelson 73 

John O. A. Peck 73 

Ira S. Town 11 

John Demerritt 72 

Charles H . Severance 72 

Moses Yatter 72 

Susan E. Pitkin 72 

Lydia P. Stone 72 

George W. Scott 72 

Samuel Town 72 

Judith Town 72 

Hannah Dana .71 

Lucinda C. Bowen 71 

Samuel Dodge 71 

Eliza Hougliton 71 

Emeline Lewis 7 1 

Jane Meadowcroft 71 

Nancy M. Paul 71 

Isaac Seymour 71 

Marble Russell 71 

Susan Flanders 70 

Clortina Guernsey 7° 

Homer W. Heaton 7° 

Amira Demeritt 7° 

Ezra F. Kimball 70 

Joseph Paro 7° 

Julia Rivers 7° 

Mary Smith 70 

Joseph Alain 7° 

Sophronia Guernsey 70 

Peter Cayhue 7° 

Mary CoiTey 7° 

John Flynn 7° 

Ezekiel Kent 70 

Wm. N. Peck 70 

Mary D. Storrs 70 

Maria Scoville 7° 

Mary Town To 

Joseph A. Wing 70 

Erastus Hubbard 7° 

Edna Robinson 70 

Samuel S. Kelton 6g 

Margaret Bancroft 69 

Major S. Goodwin 69 

Charles H. Cross 69 

Caroline M . Cross 69 

Eliakim P. Walton 69 

Erastus Camp 69 

Solon J. Y. Vail 69 

B. 



ACCIDENTS. 

Four persons have been killed in town 
by the falling of trees. Previous to i8oo, 
in the east part of the town a little girl, a 
step-daughter of Benjamin Nash, was ap- 
proaching "her father, who was cutting 
down a tree in the border of the woods 
near the house, when the tree fell in the 
direction in which she was making her 
way, and killed her. The second was a 
young man named Chamberlain, who was 
killed by the falling of a tree in a central 
part of the town in the year 1801. And 
another by the name of Robinson, during 
that or the following year, was killed by 
the falling of a tree in the north part of 
the town. And yet another, an idiotic 
man, by the name of Charles Davis, was 
killed by a tree of his own falling, by un- 
dertaking to get out of danger by running 
in the same direction in which the tree 
had started to fall. 

At a later period, a stranger was drowned 
while attempting to wade through the river 
near Montpelier, having mistaken the place 
of fording. 

In 1824, Theron Lamphere was drowned 
in the mill-pond, while attempting to swim 
over. 

About 1822, Thomas, Jr., son of Thos. 
Davis, was accidently shot. 

In 1828, a man by the name of Mead, 
from Middlesex, was killed by the falling 
of the earth from the excavated bank in 
the rear of the house of W. W. Cadwell. 

In the store of Erastus Hubbard, Oct. 12, 
1848, election day, Mr. Hubbard, or his 
clerk, was weighing out a parcel of powder 
to some one of the crowd in the store- 
room and around the door. Powder had 
doubtless been scattered on the floor, in 
filling the can from which it was being 
poured into the scales ; and one or more 
persons were smoking cigars in the room, 
when suddenly a terrific explosion follow- 
ed. Azro Bancroft and a Mr. Sanborn 
were so burned that they did not survive, 
and one or two others were sadly maimed. 
Mr. Hubbard's life, in consequence of the 
burns received, was for months despaired 
of. He finally recovered, but wearing for 
life marks of the accident. The second 



MONTPELIER. 



331 



floor of the building was lifted by the ex- 
plosion about half a foot, and the store 
set on fire, but the flames were soon ex- 
tinguished with little additional damage. 

Two fatal accidents from gunpowder oc- 
curred in blasting out the rock for the 
foundation of the second State House. 
Elisha Hutchinson, of Worcester, was 
struck down dead near the Insurance of- 
fice, by a stone thrown by a blast on the 
ledge about 30 rods ; and John W. Culver, 
a mechanic of Montpelier, was the same 
season struck at the distance of 20 rods 
and killed, by a wooden roller placed over 
the mine to prevent the stones from flying ; 
while a young man by the name of Tucker, 
from Calais, one of the workmen on the 
State House foundation, was so injured by 
one of the blasts that he lost his eyesight 
and his prospects were ruined, for life. 

In August, 1859, a promising son of 
Charles Lyman, aged about 12 years, was 
drowned at the mouth of Dog river, while 
bathing. 

In the spring of 1858, the body of a Mr. 
Williams, of Middlesex, an insane person, 
was found in the flume of Langdon's mill. 
About the same period a man, not a resi- 
dent of this town, drowned himself by 
forcing his way through a hole in the ice 
in the North Branch, a mile or two above 
the village. 

Aug. 9, 1863, Carlos J., aged 1 1 years, son 
of Carlos Bancroft, was drowned, while 
bathing near the sand-bottom bridge. 

Jan. 14, 1864, Henry Crane, of this 
town, at one time High Sheriff" of the 
County, was killed by the cars in New 
London, Canada. 

1864, a daughter of Alexander Noble, of 
10 years, was drowned in the Worcester 
Branch mill-pond. She was gathering 
flood-wood. 

Apr. ID, 1865, a soldier named Cushman 
was maimed for life by the premature dis- 
charge of a cannon while firing a salute 
over the recent victories, he subsequently 
dying of the injuries in Boston. 

April 3, 1867, Peter Lemoine, aged 21, 
a blacksmith, was killed by the premature 
discharge of a cannon while firing a .salute 



over an election, and Alexander Jangraw 
was maimed for life. 

Aug. 3, 1867, John McGinn, aged 68, a 
stone mason, was thrown from his wagon 
when opposite the Bethany church, by his 
runaway horse, and instantly killed. 

In Apr. 1870, Alexander Noble, of this 
town, while assisting in getting out a jamb 
of logs in the Connecticut river, was 
drowned. 

May 16, 1871, Chas. Braley, aged about 
18 years, while out hunting, accidentally 
ignited some powder which he carried 
loosely in his pocket, causing an explo- 
sion, which proved fatal a day or two 
after. 

Oct. I, 1872, John Braley, aged 21, a 
brother of the above, night watchman in 
the Centra] Vermont depot, was instantly 
killed while coupling cars in the depot. 

Aug. 3, 1872, Truman Best, a merchant 
in town, was drowned while out pleasure 
riding in a boat on the Langdon mill-pond. 
In trying to assist a party in another boat 
to recover an oar which they had lost, both 
boats were carried over the dam. The 
two boats contained five men, -three of 
whom swam safely to the' shore, but one 
of them, Fred W. Bancroft, was rescued 
in a very exhausted condition, while pas- 
ing underneath the Central railroad bridge, 
with ropes, while clinging to a boat. Mr. 
Best is supposed to have struck his head 
upon the rocks below the dam as he came 
over, and was made insensible. His body 
was not found for some days afterwards, 
the river being very much swollen at the 
time when it was found, about two miles 
below down the river. 

June 24, 1873, Johnnie, aged 10 years, 
son of Patrick Kane, was drowned while 
in bathing, at the mouth of the Worcester 
Branch. 

Mar. 4, 1874, Michael McMahon, an 
aged section man, was killed by cars, 
being caught by the side of the cars, while 
in motion, and the end of the depot. 

May 25, 1874, Alfred Goodnough, aged 
50, a farmer, while driving across the rail- 
road track near Sabin's, was run into by a 
car, and received injuries which proved 



332 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fatal, he dying two days after at Mr. 
Sabin's house. 

1874, a little daughter of John O'Grady 
fell from the road opposite the machine- 
shop into the river, and was drowned. 

July 22, 1875, Bessie, aged 5 years, a 
dau. of Rev. W. H. Lord, was thrown 
from the wagon by a runawa)- horse, while 
descending the hill road leading down 
from Gould hill to Wrightsville, and re- 
ceived injuries which proved fatal in a tew 
hours . 

June 24, 1S76, Erastus Lamphear, aged 
49, a carpenter and joiner, was blown from 
the roof of a barn which he was raising, 
and severely injured. He was carried to 
his residence, and died the following day. 
Sept. 23, 1876, Charles W. Bailey, one of 
Montpelier's most worthy citizens and 
business men, was killed by the cars at 
Essex Junction. 

Sept. 26, 1876, by a collision of two 
passenger trains on the Montpelier and 
Wells River railroad, near the residence of 
W. E. Hubbard, Benjamin F. Merrill, en- 
gineer of one of the engines, lost a leg, 
and several other train men being more or 
less injured. 

In June, 1877, Henry L. Hart, a young 
man, aged 23, started on a pleasure trip 
down the Winooski in a row boat, and 
was last seen near the mouth of the river 
at Burlington a few days afterwards. His 
hat and a few contents of the boat were 
picked up, but of his fate nothing was ever 
learned. 

Aug. I, 1879, Aaron M. Burnham, arch- 
itect and builder, of this town, was fatally 
injured while superintending the erection 
of a church at Lebanon, N. H., death en- 
suing two days after. 

Sept. I, 1879, Johnnie H., of 5 years, 
son of J. W. F. Washburn, while play- 
ing on the bank of the river near the eddy, 
fell in and was drowned. 

July 23, 1880, while firing a salute in 
front of the State Arsenal grounds, Wm. 
Henry Willey and Clark B. Roberts, by 
the premature discharge of the cannon, 
were severely injured, each losing an arm. 
Willey was an old soldier, and Roberts a 
young man. 



Sept. II, 1880, James M. Wade, aged 
19, a brakeman on the Montpelier and 
Wells River railroad, was thrown from the 
train near the State Fairgrounds, was run 
over, and received injuries which proved 
fatal about a week after. 

Oct. 12, iSSi, Peter Marcott, Jr. , aged 
29 years, a teamster, was instantly killed 
on East Mechanic street, his neck being 
broken, caused either by being thrown 
from his wagon seat, and striking upon 
his head as one of the wheels dropped into 
a deep rut in the road, or by being struck 
upon the head by the wagon body, the 
horses starting up suddenly as he was 
about to get upon the seat. 
SUICIDES. 

In I So I, the wife of John Cutler de- 
stroved herself by hanging, and a few 
years later. Miss Nancy Waugh dro\vned 
herself. 

June 10, 1861, Henry Boyden, aged yj , 
living just across the river on the Berlin 
side, hung himself. 

July 30, 1865, George V. Rose, aged 
26, a U. S. recruiting officer stationed here, 
shot himself. 

Sept. 3, 1867, J. Fred Cross, aged 27, 
proprietor of the American House, shot 
him.self. 

Nov. 27, 1867, John S. CoUins, aged 30, 
died very suddenly, and is supposed to have 
taken poison purposely. 

Jan. 17, 1870, William Monsier, aged 
42, destroyed his life by drinking muriatic 
acid. After lingering three days, he died 
a most horrible death. 

Sept. 187 1, Isaac Scribner, aged 66, 
hung himself. 

Aug. 29, 1873, Albert N. Daniels shot 
himself, after attempting to take the life of 
another by shooting. 

Oct. 25, Rawsel R. Keith, aged 84, 
who had been a long suiferer from kidney 
disease, ended his sufferings by taking a 
dose of laudanum. 

Apr. 14, 1875, Mary Clancy hung her- 
self, insanity supposed to be the cause 
from religious excitement. 

Aug. 8, 1875, Daniel K. Bennett, a gun- 
smith, shot himself in a moment of insan- 
ity. 



AIONTPELIER. 



333 



Apr. 6, 1876, William J. Rogers, aged 
30, a traveling agent, by taking poison. 

June 6, 1876, Mrs. Mary Churchill, aged 
32, being deranged for some months, took 
her life by hanging herself. 

June 19, 1877, Harvey W. Cilley, aged 
34, hung himself. 

Tune 30, 1881. Jesse Hutchinson, aged 
74, by taking poison. 



In 1840, an Irishman was killed in a 
fight with one of his countrymen, near the 
old Arch Bridge, and the homicide was 
tried and sent to the State Prison, but in a 
few years pardoned. 

April 25, 1867, Patrick Fitzgibbons was 
killed on State street. He was intoxicated, 
and quarreled with three traveling agents 
in the Village Hall, where they were at- 
tending a dance. The agents leaving the 
hall, Fitzgibbons followed, accompanied 
by a companion, his brother-in-law. An 
officer, anticipating trouble, followed them. 
When passing through the alley-way, he 
came upon Fitzgibbons, who was in a sit- 
ting position in a chair, which he carried 
from the hall, dead, having been stabbed 
through the heart. All were arrested and 
acquitted, it always remaining a mystery 
whether he was killed by one of the agents, 
or by his brother-in-law through a mis- 
take, the night being very dark. 

Oct. 1864, Patrick Branigan, who had 
just returned home from three years' ser- 
vice in the war as a member ot the ist Vt. 
Battery, very mysteriouely disappeared. 
He was last heard of late at night, return- 
ing home in an intoxicated condition, sing- 
ing on his way. When nearly to his 
house, which was opposite the Washing- 
ton Colinty jail, his voice suddenly ceased. 
His not putting in an appearance the fol- 
lowing day, foul play was suspected, as he 
had quite a large sum of money on his 
person. The river which passes in tlie 
rear of the house was very high at the 
time. Thinking that his body might be 
found in the river, it was dragged as soon 
as possible, but was not found, and his 
fate yet remains a mystery. 

Aug. 29, 1873, Albert N. Daniels, an 



employee of the Montpelier Manufacturing 
Company, attempted to take the life of a 
young lady, an employee of the same 
works, with whom he was keeping com- 
pany. He fired two shots at her with a 
revolver, only one taking effect, and that 
not proving fatal. After shooting two 
shots at her, he shot himself through the 
heart, instantly expiring. The act was 
committed during the working hours in 
the room in which the lady was employed. 
On Sept. 27, 18S0, Joseph Dumas, of 
Northfield, who formerly resided at Mont- 
pelier, came to the latter place, and was 
last seen on the street that evening. A 
week later his body was found in the 
Branch, just below the Academy bridge, 
with several cuts upon the liead. Parties 
last seen with him were strongly suspected 
of foul play, but sufficient evidence could 
not be obtained to warrant their arrest. 



The number of disastrous fires which 
had occurred in town previous to i860 are 
small. The first one, it is believed, was 
in 1801, when the first frame school house, 
standing near the west end of the old bury- 
ing ground on the Branch, accidently 
caught fire and was consumed. 

In Dec, i'Si3, a fire occurred which re- 
sulted in the entire destruction of the large 
two-story cotton-mill, that had been for 
some time in .successful operation at the 
river falls, not far from the site now occu- 
pied by E. W. Bailey's grist mill. 

August, 1813, barn of J. B. Wheeler, 
Esq., with most of his crop of new hay, 
was struck by lightning. 

In 1815, the dwelling house of Seth Par- 
sons was burned, at a loss of $1,500. 

Winter of 18 16, a school-house on East 
hill, while the school was being kept by 
Shubael Wheeler. 

December, 18 18, a paper mill and cloth- 
ing works occupying the old site of the 
cotton factory, was burned, with a loss of 
about $4,000. 

About 1820, dwelling-house of Abijah 
Howard. 

In 1822, the blacksmith shop of Joseph 
Howes was burned, and the same vear the 



334 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



old Academy building was totally con- 
sumed by fire. 

1824, two-story house of the late Hon. 
David Wing, Jr. 

In March, 1826, occurred, considering 
the loss of life and personal injuries, the 
most calamitous fire, perhaps, ever expe- 
rienced in town up to that time. The wool- 
en factory and grist mill, on the falls of 
the North Branch, owned by Araunah 
Waterman and Seth Parsons, caught fire 
about daybreak, and was totally consumed, 
causing a loss of many thousand dollars to 
the i^roprietors. 

While the fire, which, when discovered, 
had gained too much headway to leave 
much hope of saving the factory, was 
raging in one part of the lower story, Mr. 
Waterman, Mr. Joel Mead, and Robert 
Patterson, a leading workman in the es- 
tablishment, made their way to the upper 
story, and fell to work to gather up and 
throw from one of the windows what cloths 
and stock they supposed they might have 
time to save. But the fire below spread 
with such unexpected rapidity, that before 
they were aware of any danger, the fire 
burst into the room, cutting off their re- 
treat downward by the stairs, and even 
preventing access to the windows the 
least elevated from irregular ground be- 
neath. At this crisis Mr. Waterman, 
closely followed by Mr. Mead, made a des- 
perate rush through tlie smoke and flame 
for a window in the end of the building 
next the Branch, stove out the sasli with 
the heel of his boot, and threw himself 
half suffocated through the aperture to the 
rough and frozen ground or ice some 30 
feet below. Mr. Mead followed in the 
perilous leap, and they were both taken up 
nearly senseless from the shock, terribly 
bruised and considerably burned in the 
face and hands. But none of their bones 
were broken, and they both in a few weeks 
recovered. Nothing more was seen of the 
fated Patterson except his charred skel- 
eton, which was found in the ruins after 
the fire subsided. For some reason he 
had decided not to follow Mr. Waterman 
and Mr. Mead in the only way of escape 
then left open to them, and the next min- 



ute probably perished in the smoke and 
fire which must then suddenly have en- 
veloped him. 

May, 1827, a two-story wooden build- 
ing, standing on the site of the present 
Argus building, and then owned and oc- 
cupied by Wiggins & Seeley as a store, was 
burned, causing a loss of probably not 
over $2,000. 

April, 1828, a paper mill owned by Goss 
& Reed, of Montpelier, situated at the 
falls on the Berlin side of the river, was 
burned ; loss about $4,000. 

1834, the oil mill and saw mill, in the 
former of which was W. Sprague's machine 
shop, standing also on the Berlin side of 
the river, but mostly owned and worked 
by Montpelier men, were both wholly 
burned. 

Feb. 1835, the first Union House, built 
by Col. Davis about45 years before, caught 
fire about midday, and was entirely con- 
sumed ; loss about $3,000. 

1842, the dwelling-house of p. H.Smith, 
Esq., caught fire, and the roof part of the 
building was destroyed. 

1843, the new brick Court House, stand- 
ing near the present one, was burned, but 
the records and files were mostly saved. 

1848, school-house in the Wheeler dis- 
trict. 

1849, barn of John Gallison, with hay, 
five horses and colts. 

1849, dwelling-house, barn and sheds of 
Charles Burnham. 

1853, the dwelling-house of Harry Rich- 
ardson, near the Union House, was wholly 
destroyed by fire. 

1854, the building of Ira Town, occu- 
pied by him as a goldsmith's shop, stand- 
ing on the present site of A. A. Mead's 
shop, was burned in part, and the adjoin- 
ing building of the Patriot office consider- 
ably injured. 

1854, also, the roof part of the upper 
story of Walton's book-store was destroy- 
ed by fire, and but for the timely striking 
of a shower on the excessively dry roofs, 
that whole block of wooden buildings 
would probably have been destroyed. 

1854, was burned a two-story house 
standing back of the old Masonic Hall. 



*« v..-'*»C-^'" 








I 



1! ' 
I. J 



'A'.KNVAt'?/ r*.r 



MONTPELIER. 



335 



1854, dwelling-house of Orrin Slayton. 

1854, three barns of Orlando F. Lewis. 

Within the year 1857, two small houses 
were burned near the brick-yard, and one 
near Keith's lodge. 

1858, school-house in Henry Nutt's 
school district. 

1858, a new one-story house of Mr. Cook- 
son, on the road leading from the cooper's 
shop north, through the great pasture, 
was burned ; and in the beginning of the 
next year, another building erected by the 
same man, on the same spot, was also 
burned down. 

December, 1859, the large three-story 
brick and wood, second Union House, val- 
ued about $5,000, was destroyed by fife. 

We make the whole to i860, but 24; 
and the property destroyed, except the 
.State House, which was public property, 
to come within $50,000. Was ever a village 
of the size, in this respect, more favored? 

i860, the old Harran house, on Upper 
Elm street, burned. 

1861, a house occupied by Thos. Arm- 
strong, in rear of the Burnham hotel. 

1862. the store of William W. Cadwell, 
on Main street, was consumed. 

Jan. 1863, Mrs. Chas. G. Eastman's 
house, on Main sti'eet, was partially con- 
.sumed. 

In the spring of 1864, the present Union 
House was nearly destroyed. 

Mar. 24, 1868, dry house of Lane Man- 
ufacturing Company consumed. 

Sept. 2, 1868, R. H. Whittier's slaugh- 
ter house, up the "Branch," consumed. 

Jan. 29, 1870, L S. Town & C. W. 
Storrs' block, on State street, partly con- 
sumed. 

Apr. 26, 1870, Daniel P. Thompson's 
residence, on Barre street, consumed. 

Dec. 29, 1870, the Vt. Mutual Fire In- 
surance Co's. new building badly damaged. 

Jan. 26, William Moorcroft's Woolen 
Factory, at Wrightsville, consumed. 

Sept. 18, 1871, Grovner B. Paine's 
house, on North street, consumed. 

1872, Lane Manufacturing. Company's 
second dry house consumed. 

Dec. 5, 1872, Chas. Reed's residence, 
on State street, badly damaged. 



May, 1873, Stephen Cochran's resi- 
dence, on Seminary Hill, consumed. 

Mar. 12, 1875, the first great fire; May 
I, the second. 

Feb. 28, 1875, Andrew Burnham's house, 
on Court street, considerably damaged. 

Apr. 22, 1875, W. A. Boutelle's black- 
smith shop, on Elm street, consumed. 

May, 1875, a house belonging to Bart 
Scribner, up the " Branch." 

Dec. 27, 1875, one of the Pioneer Man- 
ufacturing shops burned. 

Feb. 1876, Alonzo Redway's residence, 
on Court street ; loss $5,000. 

Aug. 9, T. O. Bailey's barns, on Mid- 
dlesex street ; loss $1,200. 

Aug. 21, Wm. E. Hubbard's barn, on 
Barre street ; loss $600. 

Nov. 13, E. D. Grey's paint shop, on 
Main street ; loss $800. 

In 1877 no fire occurred, and also in 
1874. 

Aug. 26, 1878, Louis Barney's barn, on 
North street, consumed. 

January 3, 1878, a destructive fire at 
Wrightsville — A. A. Green's residence and 
blacksmith shop and Ezra D. Rawlins' 
residence. 

Oct. II, a barn on Gould Hill, belong- 
ing to Henry Cummins. 

Dec. 30, the school-house near Henry 
Nutt's place. 

Apr. 23, 1879, a barn belonging to A. 
D. Bancroft, on North street. 

June 20, Geo. Jacob's barn, on Main 
street, consumed ; loss $600. 

June 21, a house belonging to Medad 
Wright, up the " Branch," consumed. 

Sept. 2, 1880, a storehouse belonging to 
C.H. Heath, on Barre street, consumed. 

Oct. 3, 1880, W. E. Dunwoodie's res- 
idence, on Upper Main street, consumed ; 
loss $1,500. 

Jan. 8, 1 88 1, C. W. Willard's residence, 
on State street, badly damaged. 

Jan. 17, one of the Cab Shop buildings 
burned, on the Berlin side. 

Apr. II, a barn belonging to J. R. 
Langdon, on Barre street, consumed. 

Aug. 4, 1 88 1, a new slaughter house on 
upper North street, owned by W. L. Le- 
land, was consumed. 



336 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In the year of 1875, MontpeJier was 
visited by two veiy destructive fires, in- 
volving the loss of many thousand dollars. 
The first of these fires broke out about one 
o'clock in the morning of March 12, in a 
one and one-half story wooden building on 
Main street, owned by Thomas W.Wood, 
and occupied Ijy Joseph D. Clogston as a 
tin shop. This was consumed, and the 
two adjoining ones on the east side, the 
first owned by Carlos Bancroft, a story 
and a half wooden building, occupied by 
Peck & Cummins, leather dealers, was 
also con.sumed ; and the second, a two and 
a half story wooden building, owned by 
James R. Langdon, and occupied by 
Barrows & Peck, hardware and stoves, 
was partly consumed. This fire was hardly 
under control when fire was discovered 
breaking out through the roof of Ira S. 
Town's three-story — and the C. W. Storrs' 
estate — wooden building, on State street. 
This was consumed, and the three-story 
brick block on the south sfde, owned by 
Timothy J. Hubbard, the adjoining build- 
ings on the north side, the first a new, 
three-story brick block, owned by Erastus 
Hubbard ; the second, a large, three-story 
wooden building, owned by Fred E. Smith, 
and the Rialto, owned by W. A. Boutelle 
and Eli Ballou, were ne.xt consumed, and 
Eli Ballou's three-story wooden building 
was partly burned before the flames were 
stayed. In the rear of these was a story 
and a half wooden building, owned by T. 
J. Hubbard, and used as a tenement and 
storehouse, which was also burned. Aid 
was summoned from Barre, which was 
responded to by an engine and company. 
Nine buildings were burned, and twenty 
business men and firms burned out, be- 
sides three law firms, a dentist, photog- 
rapher, and four societies. The firms 
burned out were, on Main street, J. D. 
Clogston, stoves and tin shop ; Peck & 
Cummins, leather dealers ; Barrows & Peck, 
hardware and stoves. On State street, C. 
B. Wilson, drugs and medicines ; Geo. L. 
Nichols, clothing ; Ira S. Town, jeweler ; 
Orrin Daley, fruit and restaurant; S. C. 
Woolson, merchant tailor ; A. A. Mead, 
jeweler; T. C. Phinney, books and sta- 



tionery ; JangraVv & Meron, barbers ; Chas. 
Keene, jeweler ; C. H. Freeman, photog- 
rapher: W. A. Boutelle, millinery; E. H. 
Towne, merchant tailor ; J. O'Grady, boot- 
maker ; T. W. McKee, sewing machines ; 
State Treasurer's office, C. H. Heath, L. 
L. Durant, and Gleason & Field's law of- 
fices, Masonic hall, Naiad Temple of 
Honor hall. Post Brooks G. A. R. hall, 
and Sovereigns of Industry hall. The 
total loss on buildings and goods was 
about $75,000, with an insurance of about 
$47,000. 

The only accident that occured was by 
the falling of the ruins of the Rialto build- 
ing, under which Wm. T. Dewey, a fire- 
man, was buried, but escaping with a 
broken leg. 

The business firms had hardly got es- 
tablished in their new or temporary quar- 
ters, when they were visited by the second 
great fire, more destructive than the first. 
This, like the first, broke out on the west 
side of Main street, in the rear end of Jef- 
ferson Bmce's brick building, at about 
1 2 : 30 o'clock on the morning of May i , 
There being a high wind at the time, the 
flames spread very rapidly. All the build- 
ings on that side of the street running 
south as far as the Montpelier and Wells 
River railroad depot were soon consumed, 
and also the James R. Langdon building 
on the north side, parti}" destroyed by the 
previous fire. All of the buildings on the 
opposite side of the street, from the Fred- 
erick Marsh residence to the railroad track, 
and from the head of Barre street up the 
street as far as the residence of Joel Foster, 
Jr., on one side, and the residence of 
Louis P. Gleason on the other, were laid 
in ashes in a few short hours, making a 
total of thirty-eight buildings burned, only 
three of them brick, the rest wooden, and 
most of them very old, among them being 
the old Shepard stand and the Col. Jon- 
athan P. Miller house. The buildings 
burned were owned by following parties : 
West side. Main street, a story and a half 
brick building, J. Bruce; two large bai'ns 
in the rear, T. J. Hubbard; new, two- 
story wooden building, new, three-story 
wooden one, tenement house and out- 



MONTPELIER. 



iZ7 



buildings, all owned by James G. French ; 
one-story wooden one, by D. K. Bennett; 
two-story and a half wooden one, byN. C. 
Bacon ; another of the same material and 
dimensions, the old Shepard tavern, and a 
new, one-story wooden building, all owned 
by Eben Scribner. On the east side oi 
the street, the old Frederick Marsh store, 
the residences and out-buildings of Mrs. 
John Wood, William C. Lewis, and Mr. 
Lewis' blacksmith shojD, Mrs. Timothy 
Cross' residence, the large, four-story 
wooden building, owned by Mrs. C. B. 
Wilson, Mr. Zenas Wood's residence, with 
out-buildings, the old Miller house, owned 
by Andrew Murray. On Barre street, 
south side, the residence and out-buildings 
of Mrs. B. M. Clark, Geo. S. Hubbard 
and Carlos L. Smith, and a tenement 
house of Mrs. Clark. Barre street, north 
side, Mrs. R. W. Hyde's residence, and 
brick house owned by James R. Langdon. 
Fifteen business firms were burned out, 
one livery stable, a carriage-maker and 
blacksmith, and forty families. The bus- 
iness firms were : W. A. Boutelle, milli- 
nery ; R. T. Eastman, carriage-maker; 
John O. Adams, livery; H. C. Webster, 
dry goods; Putnam & Marvin, W. 1. 
goods ; N. P. Brooks, hardware; D. K. 
Bennet, gunsmith ; N. C. Bacon, auction 
store ; Barrows & Peck, stoves, tin and 
hardware; Henry Cobb, marble dealer; 
Geo. M. Scribner, stoves and tin ware; 
Hyde & Foster, iron and heavy hardware ; 
J. D. Clogston, tin ware; Philip Preston, 
W. I. goods. Families burned out on 
Main street, west side, were: J. Bruce, 
H. C. Webster, Fred. W. Morse, E. N. 
Hutchins, A. W. Edgerly, Geo. S. West, 
Elisha Walcott, Mrs. Harris, Geo. W. 
Parmenter, Chas. T. Summers, GilmanD. 
Scribner, Oliver P. Thompson ; Main, east 
side, C. W. Selinas, Frank Keyes, Jerome 
J. Pratt, Mrs. Glysson, Zenas Wood, Mr. 
I. Lovely, Mrs. S. C. Gray, Mrs. Mary 
Lamb, Miss Selinas, Mrs. Dyer Richard- 
son, Mrs. Timothy Cross, Wm. C. Lewis, 
Mrs. John Wood, Philip Preston, Mrs. 
Frederick Marsh, Carlos W. Norton ; Barre 
street, south side, Mrs. B. M. Clark, Chas. 
T. Thurston, C. M. Pitkin, Peter Nathan, 



Moses Morey, Joseph Felix, Mrs. Aurelia 
Allard, Carl L. Smith, Hiram B. Wood- 
ward ; north side, Mrs. R. W. Hyde, and 
Col. C. B. Wilson. 

The flames spread so rapidly, and the 
heat being so intense, very little time was 
given to remove the goods and furniture 
from the burning buildings. What was 
removed and carried into the street was 
soon burned. Many families and some 
business men lost their all, the total loss 
being about $120,000, with an insurance 
of about $75,000. 

Several firemen and citizens were quite 
severely burned in their efforts to stay the 
flames and in saving goods. Many build- 
ings in various parts of the village caught 
fire from the falling cinders, and with great 
effort were extinguished. The light of the 
fire was seen for many miles in towns 
about us, and within a radius of twenty 
miles it was as light as day, people being 
awake ^thinking that the fire was that of 
some near neighbor's buildings. In the 
appeals for aid sent out, Barre and North- 
field each responded by sending fire en- 
gines and men, and at dawn the fire was 
under control. Daylight presented a sad 
picture from the State street bridge to the 
Montpelier and Wells River depot, and as 
far as Joel Foster's house, on Barre street, 
but three buildings remaining standing — ■ 
T. J . Hubbard's brick and wooden build- 
ings on the corner, and Carlos Bancroft's 
brick building adjoining. 

Never was more energy displayed than 
ill the rebuilding of the burned districts, 
the smoke having barely cleared away when 
several large and splendid brick blocks 
were under way in the course of erection, 
some of them occupied within four months. 

May 25, 1880, the Court House burned, 
leaving only the outside walls standing ; 
loss $15,000. It had been remodeled and 
enlarged the previous year, an extension 
of 22 feet having been added in the rear, 
the whole costing about $10,000. All the 
books and records of value were saved, 
the only loss being the files of the news- 
papers published in town for many years 
back, all being a total loss. 



43 



338 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Jan. 6, 1857, the State House, which 
was being warmed up on the eve of the sep- 
tenary Constitutional Convention, caught 
fire from the furnace, and all but the empty 
granite walls, with their brick linings, was 
destroyed, and all the contents, except the 
library, which was got out, and the l)ooks 
and papers in the safe of the Secretary of 
State's office, a few articles of furniture 
and the portrait of Washington, was re- 
duced to a heap of ruins. 

BURNING OF THE STATE HOUSE. 

BY JOSEPH A. WING, KSQ. 

O'er Montpelier, beauteous town, 

The shades of nij;ht were closing down ; 

The lovely moon, the queen of night, 

Was driving on lier chariot briglit; 

And star on star their Influence lent, 

'Till glowed with fire tlie firniaiuent. 

The wind was blowing high and strong, 

Aud swept in fearful gusts along; 

The piercing cold had cleared the street 

Of merry voice and busy feet, — 

And gathered 'round the cheerful hearth. 

The smiling face, the social mirth, 

Show'd that the night was gaily past. 

While outward howled the roaring blast. 

What means that wild and startling cry. 
To which the echoing hills reply? 
First feeble, low, and faint and mild ; 
Then loud, and terrible and wild. 
'Tisfire! flre! that awful sound I 
Firel Are! firel the h Us resound! 
Now rising near— now heard afar, 
The stillness of the night to mar, 
Joih'd with the wind's wild roaring, hear 
The cry of fire burst on the earl 
Forth from the hearth, the shop, the store, 
. At that dread sound, the myriads pour— 
And, gathering as they pass along. 
Each street and alley swells the throng. 
The rattling engines passing by. 
The roaring wind, the larum cry. 
The ringing bells, the wild afifright. 
Still add new terrors to the night. 

See yonder grand and stately pile. 
With lofty dome, and beauteous aisle. 
Our village glory and our pride. 
Whose granite walls old Time defied; 
Her halls of state, her works of art, 
Both please the eye, and charm the heart. 

The moon's pale light on those dark walls 

Coldly now is gleaming; 
But in her proud and lofty halls 

A wilder light is streaming. 
Now gaily dancing to and fro. 
Now upward speeds its flight- 
See! on its dome, now capped with snow. 
The flame doth spread its fearfi;l glow 
Of purple light. 

The wind roars loud, the flames flash high. 
Leaping and dancing to the sky ; 

While in the rooms below. 
From hall to hall resistless rushing. 
From doors and windows furious gushing— 

Oh! how sublime the show! 



Dark clouds of smoke spread far and wide. 
And balls of fire on every side 

Fall like the aniumu hail ; 
Before the fury of the blast. 
The rushing flames, that spread so fast. 

The heart of man may quail. 

Ah, man, how feeble is thy power. 
In that dread and fearful hour 

When flames are flashing free 
From lofty spires and windows high. 
And clouds of smoke obscure the sky. 
As onward, on, the flames rush by 

In wildest revelry! 

Roar on, fierce flame; beneath thy power 
The works of years, in one short hour. 

Are swept from earth away ; 
And nought is left of all their pride. 
But ashes, scattered far and wide. 
And crumbling walls, with smoke dark-dyed. 

Spread out in disarray. 

That lofty pile, one hour ago,— 

The State's just pride, the Nation's show, 

Capp'd with its bright and virgin snow,— 

In beauty shone: 
The next, a mass of ruined walls. 
Of columns broke, and burning halls, — 

Its beauty flown. 



FLOODS. 

From incontestible indications, it ap- 
pears the water in the unprecedented rise 
of the Winooski in the flood of 1785, rose 
some three or four feet higher than the 
highest parts of State street. This would 
have submerged nearly every acre of the 
whole of the present site of Montpelier 
village from one to a dozen feet, from the 
rise of the hills on one side to that of the 
corresponding ones on the other side. 

Floods filling the channels of the river 
and branch to the tops of their banks, with 
overflows in all the lower places, were of 
almost yearly occurrence during the first 
20 years after the settlement of the town. 
But the first one that fairly overflowed the 
banks and came into the streets to much 
extent, occurred, as far as we have been 
able to ascertain, in the summer about 
18 ID, the water submerging all the lower 
parts of Main and State streets, bursting 
over the western bank of the branch just 
above State street bridge, tearing out the 
earth near the bridge, rendering the street 
nearly impassible for wagons, and leaving, 
on the subsiding of the flood, a pond hole 
6 or 8 feet deep and 20 wide, extending to 
the border of the street. Into this hole 
one of the lawyers blundered on a dark 



MONTPELIER. 



339 



night some time afterwards, as we recollect 
from the circumstance that the wags of 
the village dubbed him for the time, 
"Walk-in-the-Water," in allusion to the 
name of the Indian chief, who, about the 
same time, had in some way become known 
to the public. 

In this hole was subsequently drowned, 
from falling in during a dark evening, 
Carver Shurtleff, a little man with a big 
voice, noted for expertness in flax-dressing 
and his propensity for trading in dogs. 

March 24, 25, 1826, on the breaking up 
of the river, an unusually high spring flood 
swept away the old trestle-bridge lead- 
ing across the river to Berlin, and car- 
ried off" the grist mill of James H. Lang- 
don, on the Berlin side. This flood oc- 
curred in the night, and was entirely 
unexpected. Probably less than a dozen 
people witnessed it, and can testify to the 
peril in which many families were placed. 
As the ice broke up above Langdon's mill, 
it formed a dam upon the bridge and piers, 
and almost the entire river was turned 
through what is now Barre street and the 
lower part of Main street, in a body like a 
wall or large wave. My informant saw it 
coming near the Shepard tavern, was 
forced to run with all speed, and found no 
refuge until he reached the portico of the 
Union House. Fortunately this change in 
the course of the river lasted but a few 
minutes, else marty houses would have 
been swept off. The bridge gave way, 
and with it the dam, taking a part of one 
of the paper mills and the river wall of 
Langdon's grist mill, and on the following 
day the grist mill fell into the stream. 

Sept. 1828, occuried the flrst of what 
are called the two great floods at Mont- 
pelier village. After nearly three days of 
almost continued rain, which grew more 
copious every day, and ended with an ex- 
cessively heavy and prolonged shower on 
the night of the 4th, the water rose 4 or 5 
feet higher than had been known since the 
town was settled, and nearly the whole 
village, cellars, streets and ground floors 
were inundated. Two bridges and a barn, 
on the North Branch, were swept away, 
and fences, wood-piles and lumber along 



the banks very generally carried down 
stream. The office of the writer of these 
pages was then in Langdon's great brick 
building on the corner. His boarding- 
place was at W. W. CadwelPs, on the op- 
posite side of the street, and a pretty cor- 
rect idea of the depth of the water may be 
had in the fact, which we distinctly re- 
member, that at noon, when the water had 
attained its height, Mr. Cadwell came for 
us in a skiff", and running it into the entry- 
way leading to the offices on the second 
floor, took us in from the third stair, and 
rowing us across the street and into the 
front hall, landed us on the fourth stair 
leading to the chambers of his own house, 
where the cooking for the family on that 
day could only be done. 

The second, and still greater, of these 
floods, was July 29, 1830, when the water 
rose full 6 inches higher than in the last, 
and ran over the window-sills and into the 
lower rooms of several houses around the 
head of State street. The two lower 
bridges over the Branch were again swept 
away. The office building of Joshua Y. 
Vail, on State street, was floated off", and 
lodged in a low branching tree near the 
old Episcopal church, from which it 
was afterwards lowered down, and drawn 
back to its old stand. Two other small 
buildings, standing near the bank of the 
Branch, were carried down stream, and 
wholly broken up in the rapids below the 
village. Much damage was occasioned by 
this gi-eat flood, but it was marked by the 
still greater calamity of the loss of life. 
Nathaniel Bancroft, of Calais, a middle- 
aged farmer of considerable property, was 
drowned. We then resided near the east- 
erly end of Main street, on the swell where 
Carlos Bancroft now lives. Towards noon, 
at the height of the water, we threw to- 
gether a few plank in the edge of the water 
which came to the foot of that rise, about 
10 rods from the Loomis house, near the 
residence of Dr. Charles Clark, mounted 
our rude raft with a setting pole, and 
sailed through the entire length of Main 
street to the end of the Arch Bridge over 
the river. When about midway on the 
voyage, Mr. Bancroft, with one or two 



340 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



others from the same quarter, who had 
come down to see the flood, rushed past 
us on the sidewalk, which was covered with 
less depth of water, all evidently much ex- 
cited by the novelties of the scene, and, 
regardless of a wetting, making their way 
through the water as fast as possible 
toward the corner, where the greatest 
damage was expected to occur. As we 
were nearing the old Shepard tavern stand, 
a pile of wood at the north-easterly end of 
the barn began to rise, tumble and float 
away in the strong, deep current, which 
here made from the street through by the 
way of the barn towards the confluence of 
the branch and the river. At this junc- 
ture, the luckless Bancroft, who had just 
reached a dry place before the barn door, 
and stood eating a cracker, rushed down 
into the water with the idea of saving 
some of the wood, and not being aware 
how rapidly the ground fell off here, was 
in a moment beyond his depth, and sunk 
to rise no more. When his body was re- 
covered, 20 or 30 minutes afterwards, his 
mouth was found full of half-masticated 
cracker, life gone beyond all the arts of 
resuscitation. It is probable he was stran- 
gled at the outset, and, as others have 
been known to do, died almost instantly. 

There have been numerous partial over- 
flows of the streets at various times, filling 
up grocery and other cellars, and doing 
injuries to bridges, mills and other build- 
ings, by sudden winter floods and the con- 
sequent breaking up and damming of the 
ice in the streams, within, above and below 
the village. Among these was one that 
suddenly occurred in February, 1825, in 
the middle of a night preceded by a re- 
markably warm and heavy rain. There 
was a ball at the Union House that night, 
and as John Pollard, ol Barre, with his 
sisters and others, were returning from 
the ball, their team became completely 
imprisoned on a little knoll in a road 
about a mile above the village, by mons- 
trous blocks of the disrupting ice of the 
river, which were being driven with amaz- 
ing force into the road immediately above 
and below. The party escaped to the 
hills, and the ladies waded through the 



snow, two feet deep, to a house half a mile 
distant, while the team was not extracted 
till the next morning. Another sudden 
breaking up of the ice occurred in January, 
1840, in the evening, after a warm, rainy 
afternoon. The ice, broken up in the 
river above, was, under the impetus of the 
rising water and a strong south wind, 
driven through the whole length of the 
mill pond, three-fourths of a mile, in about 
10 minutes. It was suddenly brought to 
a stand at the narrowing of the channel at 
the Arch Bridge, when half the whole 
river was thrown over all the lower part of 
Barre street, and for a short time all the 
buildings on that part of the street were in 
imminent danger of being swept away. 
Before much damage was done, however, 
Mr. Langdon's mill dam was crushed 
down and forced away beneath the tre- 
mendous pressure of the ice above, when 
the river at once fell back into its ordi- 
nary channel. 

Of the several great floods that have oc- 
cured in town that of Oct. 4, 1869, was the 
greatest of them all. On Saturday even- 
ing, Oct. 2, a severe rain storm set in, and 
continued to pour with scarcely a moment's 
interruption until the middle of Mon- 
day afternoon. The river banks began to 
overflow about 3 o'clock in the afternoon 
on Monday. About this time the Sand 
Bottom bridge across the Branch above 
the dam was carried away. It passed the 
Foundry bridge without doing any dam- 
age, but the Academy bridge was carried 
off when this one struck it. The Union 
House bridge also gave away when struck 
by these. As these neared the Post-office 
bridge great alarm was felt for the safety 
of the Rialto block. Fortunately the build- 
ing was strong enough to withstand the con- 
cussion received from them when they 
struck the bridge. The only damage done 
was the raising up of the upper side of the 
bridge several feet. The water continued 
to rise very rapidly until about 6.30 P. M., 
when it was at its greatest height, remain- 
ing at this point until about 8 o'clock, 
when it began to fall. At 5 o'clock on the 
following morning the streets were again 
passable. The depth of the water in the 



MONTPELIER. 



341 



streets and around the village, except on 
the high lands, when at its greatest height, 
was from two to six feet, our streets in 
many parts of the village having been 
raised up from one to two feet since that 
time. At the head of State street and on 
Main it was about three and a half feet, 
down State street below the Post-office 
bridge from five to six feet. In the bar 
room of the American house the water 
was some two and a half feet in depth, it 
being over the top of the cook stove in the 
kitchen. Many ludicrous scenes were 
witnessed in the attempts to save swine, 
cattle and horses. A large number of 
liogs under the barns at the American 
house were first removed into the bar 
room and then carried to the chambers 
above. The Washington County court 
being in session at the time, the court 
officials, lawyers, jurymen, etc., were con- 
veyed to their boarding places in a boat by 
Mr. James R. Langdon, the boat rowing 
into the court house yard, and taking them 
from the steps. Among those who had 
narrow escapes from drowning were Mr. 
James G. Slafter of this town, and Mr. 
Tucker of Northfield, who in attempting 
to get from the depot to the Pavilion, got 
on to Mr. Dewey's hay scales, which were 
rioating down the street. Failing to man- 
age their unwieldly bark, they were carried 
down the street as they were, being drawn 
into the current, but saved themselves by 
catching the limbs of the trees near where 
Mr. Badord now lives, from which they 
were saved by a boat. 

A very laughable scene was that of a boat 
load being conveyed from the court house 
to the Pavilion. When opposite that ho- 
tel, the boat struck the top of a hitching 
post as it was passing over it, and cap- 
sized. They all scrambled to their feet 
and waded into this hotel. At 6 o'clock, 
the Railroad bridge was carried off. It 
floated down stream whole, taking one of 
the large trees off on the bank of the river 
just below E. P. Jewett's. In striking the 
center pier of the railroad bridge at Jewett 
crossing, it swung around into the field on 
the north side, and there remained until 
taken to pieces and brought back. A very 



large amount of loss was caused by the 
damage to the carpets and furniture in the 
residences and to the goods in the stores, 
sufficient time not being given for their re- 
moval. A large amount of wood was lost 
by floating away, cords of it passing down 
through the streets. The town suffered 
loss to the extent of several thousand dol- 
lars by the loss of bridges, and nearly all 
of the plank street crossings flowing away. 
The brick side walks in town were ruined, 
the sand being washed out from under 
them, and the bricks being piled in heaps 
about. There was no loss of life. All of 
the boats that were to be had were made 
available b\' the removing of goods and 
persons to places of safety. The water 
was estimated to be about 18 inches higher 
than it was in 1830. 

[Note. — The record of the fires, acci- 
dents, crimes, and floods, occurring pre- 
vious to i860, we take from Thompson's 
History of Montpelier.] b. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS, 

who lived and died in this town : 

Col. Jacob Davis, aged 75. Eliakim D. 
Persons, died in 1846, aged 81. Estis 
Hatch, died in 1834, aged 86. Luther 
King, died in 1842, aged 88. Aaron Gris- 
wold, died in 1847, aged 95. Ziba Wood- 
worth, died in 1826, aged 66, and his broth- 
er, Joseph Wood worth, the date of whose 
death is unknown. 

Some 16 other early settlers of this town 
were also Revolutionary soldiers, but lived 
in that part of the town now East Mont- 
pelier. Doubtless there were others who 
resided here, but I am unable to learn 
their names. 

For Soldiers of 181 2, see page 298. 

MEXICAN WAR. 

Four soldiers enlisted from this town, 
and serve?d through the war, nearly two 
years, in the 9th reg't U. S. vols. : — Rich- 
ard Dodge, Daniel Cutler, Luman Grout, 
William Guinan. Cutler left the regiment 
in Mexico, and never returned. Dodge, 
Grout and Guinan served through the Re- 
bellion. Guinan died a few years ago, 
and Dodge and Grout are now both living 
in town. 



342 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



List of Men furnished by the Town of Montpelier, 1861-1865. 
Compiled mainly from the Adjutant General's Reports, from 1864 to 1872, inclusive, 

BY ClIAS. DK F. BANCROFT. 
FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE MONTHS. 

Mustered into service, May 2, 1S61. Mustered out August 15, 1861. 



Names. Age. 

Buxton, John H. 18 

Coffey, Robert J. 19 

Goodwin, Royal B. 22 

Gove, Freeman R. 27 

Newcomb, George W. 18 

Webster, Oscar N. 26 



Co. Eiilistiuent. Uemarks. 

F Mustered out Aug. 15, 61. 



do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 



Allen, Andrew H. 
Ballou, Horace C. 
Ballou, Jerome E. 
Barrett, John 
Bennett, Amos N. 
*Brown, Harvey W. 
Bryant, Eliphalet E. 
tBryant, James G. 
Burgin, Patrick 
Burnham, William T. 
Camp, William H. 
Clark, Charles 
Clark, Dayton R 
Cassavaint, Thomas L. 
Contant, Augustus 
Grossman, Horace F. 
Dodge, Richard S. 
Field, William C. 
Fitzgerald, Timothy 
Ford, Abraham 
Gravlin, John 
Goodrich, Victor 
Goron, Josejih N. 
Guinan, William 
Guinan, Edmund 
Gunnison, Eri S. 
Guyette, Cyril G. 
Harran, Selden B. 
Harran. Ira L. 
Hogan, Dennis 
Jabouzie, 'Charles 
Kelton, John A. 
La Monte, Robert 
Lapierre, Nelson 
Loomis, Elverton 
Macon, Alfred 
tMahoney, Sylvester D. 
Maloney, Thomas 
McCaully, Thomas 
McNamara, John 
Minouge, William 
tNoyes, Wallace W. 
Neveaux, Seraphine 
Parker, Jared 
Perrin, Julius 
Persons, Plynne C 
Phillips, Walter A. 
Quinn, John 
Randall, Francis V. 
Rodney, Lewis 
Rose, Peter 
Rose, William 
Sanders, Joseph A. 



Mustered into service, June 20, i86r. 

18 D May 7 61 Died July 26, 61. 

¥ do Mustered out June 29, 64. 

F do Sergt. Discharged Feb. 23, 63. 

B Mar. 20 62 Mustered out March 25, 65. 

F May 11 61 Pro. Corp. Killed at Fredericsb'gh, Mar. 3, 63. 

F May 17 61 Re-enlisted. Mustered out July 17, 65. 

K May 16 61 Discharged Nov. 23, 61. 

B Aug. 4 63 Mustered out July 16, 65. 

July 30 62 Killed at Bank's Ford, May 3, 63. 

May 23 61 Capt. Resigned Oct. 25, 61. 

May 7 61 Sergt. Mustered out June 20, 64. 

June 7 61 Discharged March 6, 62. 

May 7 61 Rec'd prom, to Capt. Must, out June 29, 64. 

Aug. 2061 Prom. Serg. Re-enlist. Must, out July 15, 65. 

June 9 61 Dis. Jan. 23, 63. Sub. July, 63. do. 

Aug 20 61 Pro. Capt. Hon. dis. Oct. 30, 63, for wds. rec. 

May 7 61 Discharged March 29, 63. 

do Mustered out June 29, 64. 

Aug 23 61 Re-enlisted Dec. 21, 63. Deserted Feb. 11, 64. 

June 16 61 Sergt. Discharged Nov. 20, 63. 

Mar 20 63 Mustered out July 15, 65. 

May 7 61 Killed at Bull Run, July 21, 61. 

Aug 1662 Prom. Serg. Mustered out July 15, 65. 

May 7 61 Sergt. Discharged Sept. 21, 61. 

do Discharged July 25, 63. 

do Corp. Mustered out June 20, 64. 

do Pro. Com. Serg. Re-en. Must, out July 16, 65. 

do Died Nov. 14, 61. 

June 661 Deserted Sept. 15, 63. 

Aug 20 61 Discharged vSept. 29, 63. 

Dec 29 62 Discharged July 18, 63. 

May 7 61 Discharged Nov. 27, 62. 

June 15 61 Mustered out June 23, 64. 

Mar I 62 Discharged March 8, 63. 

May 7, 61 Discharged Sept. 13, 62, for wounds received. 

May 20 61 Mustered out June 29, 64. 

July 27 63 Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Aug II 61 Mustered out Sept. 12, 64. 

May 7 61 Pro. Sergt. Re-en. Mustered out July 16, 65. 

H Aug 20 61 Deserted July 20, 62. 

H do Killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. 

F July 21 63 Received wounds. Mustered out Aug., 65. 

K Mar 11 62 Pro. Corp. Mustered out July 11, 65. 

F May 7 61 Transferred to Invalid Corps, Sept. i, 63. 

F do Discharged Nov. 7, 61. 

F - July 21 61 Discharged Sept., 61. 

F May 7 61 ist Lieutenant. Discharged Dec. 31, 61. 

H May 25 61 Mustered out June 29, 64. 

F do Capt. Pro. Col. 13th Reg't Sept. 24, 62. 

B Mar 29 62 Mustered out April 24, 65. 

H May 16 61 Discharged Feb. i6, 63. 

F Feb 18 62 Pro. Corp. Mustered out July 15, 65. 

F May 7 61 Re-enlisted. Mustered out July 15, 65. 



21 

20 
41 
30 

19 
21 

28 B 

30 D 

43 H 

21 F 
H 

21 F 

22 H 
F 
F 
D 
F 

H 
H 
E 
F 
F 
F 
F 
F 
F 
F 
D 



24 H 

24 K 

22 F 

21 D 

:^5 F 

20 F 

26 F 

37 F 

39 H 

18 F 
26 
23 



20 
21 

36 
29 



MONTPELIER. 



343 



I!<iii;irl;s. 
Mustered out June 25, 61;. 
Pro. Corp. Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 
Mustered out Oct. 12, 64. 
Mustered out June 29, 64. 
Killed at Wilderness, May 4, 64. 
Discharged Oct. 25, 61. 
Died June 28, 62. 
Mustered out June 29, 64. 
Discharged Dec. 4, 62. [Fredericksburgh. 

Re-en. Died May 12, 64, of wciunds recei'd at 
Discharged July 24, 62. 

FANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

vice, July 16, 1861. 
Mustered out July 11, 65. 
Killed at Lee's Mills, April 16, 62. 
Re-enlisted. Mustered out Julv 11, 65. 
Died Dec. 16, 63. 

Re-enlisted. Mustered out Julv 11, 65. 
Died Feb. 6, 63. 
Mustered out July 27, 64. 
Discharged August, 65, for wounds received. 
Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 
Discharged March 10, 63. 
Re-enlisted. Discharged Sept. 5, 66. 

RTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service, Sept. 20, 1861. 

24 D Aug 28 61 Re-en. Pro. to Capt. Hon. dis. March 8, 65. 
for wounds received. [Juty 15, 65. 

G Aug 27 61 Pro. 1st Lt. Re-en. Taken pris. Must, out 

K Sept 5 61 Pro. Sergt. Mustered out Sept. 30, 64. 

K Aug 16 63 Discharged March 9, 64. 

G July 24 63 Died in Andersonville prison, October, 64. 

K Sept 7 61 Discharged May 9, 64. 

G Mar 17 62 Discharged Feb. 8, 64. 

G Sept 2 61 Killed at P'redericksburgh, Sept. 19, 62. 

G Sept 9 61 Died Feb. 26, 64, of wounds received. 

G Sept 24 61 Discharged March 9, 63. 

G Sept 19 61 Died Oct. 5, 62, of wounds received. 

G Aug 24 61 Pro. Corp. Must, out Sept. 30, 64. 

G Mar 3 62 Pro. Corp. Must, out July 13, 65. 

K Aug 13 62 Died March 12, 63. 



Shainbeau, Francis 
Shorcy, Elscine 
Stearns, Parish L. 
Stearns, Henrv 
Stone, Horatio 
Storrs, Charles W. 
Taylor, Benjamin 
Town, Josiah L. 
Wade, Charles, jr. 
White, George A. 
Wright, Edwin N. 



*Burke, John, jr. 
Divine, Patrick 
Dudley, David 
Franklin, Roswell 
Laundrv, Joseph 
Loomis, Vernon L. 
Mason, William R. 
*McLaughlin, Charles 
McManus, James W. 
Rose, Frank 
Severance, George S. 



Aikens, Joseph P. 

Chamberlain, Russell T. 
Coffey, Robert J. 
Davis, Frank 
tGilman, Sidney A. 
Gove, Freeman R. 
*Goodwin, Lucius J. 
Kent, Hermon O. 
Ladue, Joseph 
Mailhote, Leonard H. 
Mailhote, Victor W. 
Silloway, Henry F. 
*Silloway, Charles P. 
Smith, Levi 



A.sf. 


Co. 


Knlistiiicnt. 


41 


C 


Mar 6 62 


24 
18 


F 
F 


May 7 61 
Oct JO 61 


39 
19 

20 

23 


F 
D 
F 
F 


May 7 61 

Dec 9 63 

May 7 6r 

do 


21 


F 


do 


36 


F 


do 


20 


F 


Aug 20 61 


27 


F 


May 7 61 


IRD 


REGIMENT OF IN 




Mustered into ser' 


18 

iS 

25 


K 
K 
K 


Feb T3 64 

July ID 61 

do 


45 
23 
18 


H 
K 
H 


June I 61 
do 
do 


28 


B 


June 3 61 


20 
25 
33 
19 


K 

K 
H 

I 


Jan 2 64 
Aug 22 63 
June I 61 
July 5 61 



FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service Sept. 16, 1861. 



Bickford, Frederick T. 
Dodge, William 
Fuller, George H. 
Goodwin, David 
Goodwin, Royal B. 
Gray, Ira S. 
Hoyt, Orlena 
Hawley, Amos B. 
Rice, James 
Spalding, Charles C. 



23 Band Aug 29 61 Discharged April 11, 62. 

42 do Sept 3 61 do 

27 do Aug 29 61 do 
21 do do do 

23 A Sept 16 61 Discharged Jan. 19, 63. 

24 D Sept 5 61 Killed at Savage Station, June 29, 62. 
24 D July 18 62 Discharged March 4, 63. 

27 D Sept 20 61 Pro. Sergt. Mustered out Sept. 15, 64. 

30 Band Aug 24 6r Leader. Discharged April 11, 62. 

36 D Sept 16 61 1st Lieut. Hon. dis. for disabil. Oct. 10, 62 



SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 



tAinsworth, James S. 
{Campbell, Alex. jr. 
Chandler, Charles M. 
Clark, John W. 

Hatch, George 
tHorr, John P. 
Johnson, P'rank 
Lord, Nathan, jr. 
tLewis, Frank L. 
Ormsbee, George W. 
Phelps, John D. 



Mustered into service, Oct. 15, 1861. 

20 H July 20 63 Mustered out June 26, 65. 
27 K July 22 63 Mustered out June 25, 65. 

34 Oct 29 61 Surgeon. Resigned Oct. 7, 63. 

33 Oct 14 61 Q. M. Pro. Capt. & Ass't Q. M. U. S. Vols., 
[Apiil 7, 64. Resigned Dec. 7, 64. 

29 Oct 15 61 Q. M. Pro. ist Lieut. Must, out Oct. 28, 64. 
F July 22 63 Killed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 64. 

18 H Aug 4 61 Pro. Sergt. Re-en. Must, out July 19, 65. 

30 Sept 16 61 Colonel. Resigned Dec. iS, 62. 

21 H July 18 63 Mustered out June 26, 65. 

18 H Aug 4 6i Re-enlisted. Mustered out June 26, 65. 

30 B Aug 9 61 Discharged Dec. 31, 63. 



344 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Nmiiics. Xgi-. Co. EntiblniLMit. 

Raymond, Levi 27 H Aug 14 61 

Stone, Adoniram J. 18 H Aug 11 61 

Stone, Henrv C. 20 H do 

tSpaulding, John P. 23 H July 23 63 

JSprague, Frederic W. A July 13 63 

White, Henry 18 F Oct 3 61 

•fWillev, Norman 21 B July 31 63 

JWille'v, William H. 28 B July 1563 



Keiuaiks. 
Pro. Corp. Re-en. Muster, out June 26, 65. 
Discharged March 10, 62. 
Discharged Oct. 30, 62. 
Mustered out June 26, 65. 
Killed in action, June 5, 64. 
Discharged Nov. 3, 62. 
Mustered out June 26, 65. 
do 



Fowler, Levi D. 
*Goodwin, Lucius J. 
Kent, Lorenzo E. 
Storrs, Charles W. 



Abbott, Henry C. 
Brown, Edward M. 
Dewey, Edward 

Foster, Isaac G. 
Getchell, John W. 
Jones, Alonzo 
Nichols, Roswell S. 
Sinclair, Hiram D. 
Smith, Fred. E. 
Thayer, James E. 
Webster, Oscar N. 



Brown, Stephen 
Jacobs, Don L. 
McManus. Patrick 
Plant, Charles 
Preston, Asa L. 
Smith, Otis B. 
*Seymour, Isaac 
Sylvester, Frank 



Ayer, Albert J. 
Bailey, Gustave 
Bovar, Peter 
Bradley, Henry M. 
Brooks, Robert 
Brown, George G. 
Burgess, Charles 
Burke, John 
Carr, James M. 
Cayhue, Tuffield, Jr. 
Coburn, Curtis A. 
Edson, John H. 
Glysson, Andrew J. 
Greeley, Allen 
Hubbard, George J. 
Hall, Lewis A. 
Kennedy, Felix 
Pierce, Hiram M. 
Selinas, Julius 
Smith, Hiram S. 
Smith, John G. 
Stetson, Ezra 
Stickney, Edward J. 
Storrs, Oilman 
Waldron, Ezekiel S. 
Wood, Joseph Jr. 



SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service Feb. 12, 1862. 
18 K Dec 13 61 Re-enlisted. Mustered out May 18, 65, 
18 K Oct 18 64 Taken prisoner. Mustered out May 18, 65. 

20 K Jan 2062 Pro. Sergt. Re-en. Mustered out May 4, 66. 

21 K July 23 63 Died Apr 15, 65, of wds reed at Spanish Fort. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service, Feb. 18, 1862. 
30 C Nov 19 63 Pro. ist Lieutenant in 2d La. Regiment. 
Lieut. Colonel. Resigned Dec. 23, 63. 
Q. M. Pro. Capt. & Asst. Q. M. U. S. Vols., 

Feb. II, 65. Res. May 29, 65. 
Discharged Oct. 12, 63. 
Re-enlisted. Mustered out June 28, 65. 
Discharged Oct. 16, 62. 
Discharged June 30, 62. 
Discharged Jan. 4, 63. 
Q. M. Resigned Nov. 30, 63. 
Sergt. Killed at Bayou des Allems, Sept. 4, 62. 
Discharged Oct. 15, 62. 

NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service July 9, 1862. 
I June 25 62 Discharged March 14, 63. 



40 

34 




Jan 
Jan 


9 62 
12 64 


ii 


E 
E 


Jan 
Dec 


462 
10 61 


44 
41 


E 
E 


Jan 

Nov 


662 
3061 


44 


E 


Sept 


2861 


31 

35 
27 


E 

I 


Oct 
Dec 


I 61 
361 



44 
25 
44 
21 
20 
18 
44 



28 



35 
18 

38 
43 
27 
18 



19 
26 



23 

37 



25 



I 'May 31 62 Mustered out July 8, 65. 

G June 5 62 Discharged Nov. 1 5, 62. 

I May 26 62 Deserted July 30, 62. 

I June 16 62 Discharged July 5, 65. 

I June 23 62 Discharged Nov. 3, 62. 

I do Discharged Feb. 20, 63. 

I May 29- 62 Discharged Dec. i, 62. 

REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service Sept. i, 1862. 
B July 30 62 Died Sept. 16, 63. 



B do Discharged Nov. 3, 62. 

B July 30 62 Deserted June 19, 64. 

B " do Discharged Mar. 5, 63. 

B July 24 62 Died in Danville Prison, Dec. 23, 64. 

B July 30 62 Promoted Corporal. Must out June 22, 65. 

B July 18 62 Discharged Sept. 17, 63. 

B do Died at Brandy Station, Va., Nov. 9, 64. 

B July 30 62 Corporal. Pro. Sergeant. Died July i, 64. 

B do Killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 

B July 12 62 Trans, to Signal Corp. Sept i, 63. 

Aug 27 62 Lieutenant Colonel. Resigned Oct. 16, 62. 

B July 30 62 Mustered out June 21, 65. 

B July 26 62 Pro. Corp. Died July i, 64, of w'ds rec'd. 

B July 30 62 Mustered out June 22, 65. 
B do do 

B July 28 62 Died Dec. 8, 63. [action. 

B July 30 62 Serg't. Dis. Sept. 23, 64, for wounds rec'd. in 

B do Mustered out June 22, 65. 

B Aug 4 62 Pro. Sergeant. Mustered out June 22, 65. 

B July 30 62 Mustered out June 22, 65. 

B Aug 462 1st Lieut. Killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 

B July 3062 Corp. Pro. to ist Lieut. Must, out June 22,65. 

B do Killed at Mine Run, Nov. 27, 63. 

B do Died Apr. 6, 64, of wounds received in action. 

B do . Promoted Corporal. Mustered out June 22,64. 



MONTPELIER. 



345 



ELKVENTH REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service, Sept. ii, 1862. 



Names. 
Anson, Charles H. 
Buxton, Harris B. 
Carlton, Alfred L. 
Clark, Charles W. 

Felt, George M. 
Field, Daniel G. 
*Hunt, William H. 
Rice, James 
Wells, William 
Wilson, John R. 



A^e. Co. Enlistment. Remarks, 

21 Aug 3062 Q. M. Pro. Capt. Co. E. Must, out June 24, 65. 

19 H July 362 Died Feb. 20, 63. [11.63. 

23 Aug 14 62 Q. M. Pro. Capt. and C. of S. U. S. V. March 

24 .Sept I 62 C. S. Pro. ist Lieut. Co. G. 63. Mustered out 

June 24, 65. 

(8 I July 19 62 Pro. Corp. Mustered out June 24, 65. 

Aug n 62 H. S. Discharged December 22, 62. 

64 Discharged Oct. 10, 64, at New Haven, Conn. 

F Aug 1262 Capt. Honorably dis. for disability, Apr. 2265. 

I Aug 26 62 Mustered out June 24, 65. 

62 Rec'd. pro to ist Lieut. Must, out June 24, 65. 



J)- 
26 

19 



THIRTEENTH RE(;iMENT INFANTRY. NINE MONTHS. 



Mustered into service, Oct. 10, i 

Alexander, Thomas C. 31 I Aug 2562 

Ballou, Wallace H. 28 I do 

*Ballou, Jerome E. 21 C Oct 2962 

Bixby, Freeman 23 A Aug 25 62 

Brown, Andrew C. 34 do 

* Burke, Walter 21 H Sept 1962 

Campbell, James 18 I Aug 25 62 

Cannon, Fergus 38 H Oct 10 62 

Clark, Albert 22 I Aug 25 62 

Dakin, Henry 44 H Sept 27 62 

Daniels, William iS I Aug 25 62 

Davis, George H. 35 I do 

Davis, Isaac K. 28 I do 

Dewey, Peter G. 19 I do 

Dodge, Wallace W. 19 I do 

Farwell, John G. 19 I do 

Flanders, John P. 24 I do 

Hoyt, Franklin 45 I do 

Jangraw, Frank 18 I do 

Kneeland, Howland 19 I do 

Ladd, John W. 22 I do 

Lamb, James C. 26 1 do 

Langdon, John B. Jr. 19 I do 

Laviolette, Eugene 27 I do 

Lemwin, George E. 21 I do 

Marr, Hobart J. 18 I Aug 25 62 

Marsh, Eli T. 27 C Aug 29 62 

McLaughlin, Charles 18 H Sept 29 62 

Mitchell, David 21 I Aug 25 62 

Morris, Francis 18 I do 

Noyes, William 45 I do 

Peck, Alonzo D. 23 I do 

Peck, George A. 20 I do 

Peck, James S. 23 I do 

Piper, Wilber F. 24 I do 

Prentiss, Samuel F. 20 I do 

Randall, Charles F. 18 I Sept 24 62 

Randall, Francis V. 37 Sept 13 62 

Roaks, William 18 H Sept 29 62 

Seaver, Curtis H. 22 I Aug 25 62 

Smith, H. Dwight 27 I do 

Smith, Guy 24 I do 

Swazey, Charles D. 29 I do - 

Taylor, Nelson A. 30 do 

Van Orman, John J. 25 I do 

Washburn, Charles PL 44 I do 

Welch, John 21 I do 

Wright, Prentice C. 23 I do 

Wright, Benjamin N. 30 I do 



862 ; mustered out, July 2X, 1863. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Corp. Pro. S. M. Must, out July 21, 65. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
H. S. Mustered' out July 21, 63. 
Lieut. Col. Resigned Mav 5, 63. 
Died Mar. 4, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do ' ' 

Serg't. Pro. 1st Lieut. Must, out July 25, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 
Corporal. Discharged May 5, 63. 
Discharged Feb. 4, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 

do 

do 
Mustered out [ulv 21, 63. 

do" 
Discharged Nov. 25, 62. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Pro. Com. Sergt. Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 

do 

do 
Corporal. Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 

do 
Discharged February 28, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Discharged Jan. 25, 63. [July 21, 63. 

2d Lieut. Pro. Adjutant. Jan. 63. Must, out 
Mustered out July 21, 63. [21, 63. 

S. M. Pro. 2d Lieut. Feb. 63. Must, out July 
S. M. Pro. 2d Lieut. Jan. 63. Must, out July 

21,63. 
Colonel. Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 
Pro. Corp. Must, out July 21, 63. [July2i,63. 
Com. Serg't. Pro. C. M. S. Nov. 62. Must, out 
Mustered out July 23, 63. [21, 63. 

Q. M. S. Pro. Q. M. Nov. 62. Must, out July 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do 

do 
Discharged Jan 31, 63. 
Killed at Gettysburgh, July 3, 63. 



Poland, J. Monroe 
44 



FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. NINE MONTHS. 
Mustered into service, 1862 ; out, in 1863. 
21 Aug 2 62 Adjutant. Mustered out Aug. 5, 63. 



346 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service 



Names, 


Age. 


Co. 


EiillstmeiU. 


Atherton, Omri S. 


22 


C 


Feb 


1564 


Burbank, William B. 


24 


E 


Aug 


22 64 


Camp, Harley W. 


3- 


E 


Jan 


I 64 


Cannon, Fergus 


39 


C 


Nov 


563 


Carpenter, Chauncey 


35 


C 


Dec 


31 63 


Cassivaint, Oliver 


34 


D 


Feb 


16 64 


Dow, Napoleon 


22 


C 


do 


* Dodge, Richard S. 


40 


K 


Aug 


264 


Emerson, Andrew A. 


• 18 


E 


Feb 


1864 


Fisk, Seymour M. 


35 


E 


do 


Girard, Alfred 


18 


C 


do 


Oilman, Charles 


19 


E 


Oct 


2963 


Gould, Gustavus 


21 


E 


Feb 


2464 


Guinan, William 


3- 


E 


Feb 


2964 


Hoyt, Franklin 


46 


C 


Aug 


2563 


Lamb, James C. 


27 


E 


Dec 


2363 


Ladosa, Joseph 


25 


C 


Feb 


17 64 


Lavally, Henry 


19 


C 


Feb 


1964 


Mahuron, Horace 


iS 


C 


Feb 


1864 


*Marshall, William 


45 


E 


Mar 


17 64 


Nichols, Roswell S. 


44 


C 


Feb 


16 64 


Peck, James S. 


24 


E 


Dec 


363 


Randall, Charles W. 


18 


C 


Feb 


23 64 


Randall, Francis V. 


40 




Feb 


10 64 


*Rose, Joseph 


23 


H 


May 


10 64 


*Robinson, Geo. S. 


32 


E 


Apr 


12 64 


St. John, Andrew 


44 


C 


Feb 


25 64 


St. John, Dominique 


38 


C 


Feb 


17 64 


Taro, John 




C 


Feb 


16 64 


Voodry, Adna J. 


19 


E 


Mar 


1964 




FIRST REGIMENT CAY 






Mustered i 


into sei 


Bartlett, John D. 


31 


C 


Oct 


14 61 


Buxton, John H. 


19 


C 


Sept 


II 61 


Carpenter, Charles - 


25 


c 


Feb 


20 61 


Carter, Constant 


27 


E 


Oct 


4 61 


French, Frank S. 


27 


C 


Oct 


361 


Staples, Marshall S. 


36 


C 


Nov 


9 61 


Tebo, Peter 


21 


M 


Oct 


10 62 



by companies in 1864. 

Remarks. 
Corporal. Died Nov. 5, 64. 
ist Lieutenant. Mustered out July 14, 65. 
Corp. Fro. Serg't. Must, out July 21, 65. 
Mustered out July 14, 65. 
Discharged May 13, 65. 
Discharged June 12,65. 
Discharged July 14, 65. 
Mustered out July 14, 65. 
Died June 17, 64. 
Mustered out July 14, 65. 

do 

do 

do 
Discharged Oct. 30, 64. 
Serg't. Dis. June 19, 65, for vv'ds. received. 
Q. M. Pro. 1st Lieut. Must, out July 14,65. 
Deserted Dec. 25, 64. 
Mustered out May 24, 65. 
Pro. Corporal. Mustered out July 21, 65. 
Died June 3, 64, of wounds rec'd. in action. 
Mustered out July 17, 65. 
Received pro. to Major. Must, out July 24, 65. 
2d Lieut. Discharged March 9, 65. 
Colonel. Mustered out July 17, 65. 
Killed near Petersburgh, July 27, 64. 
Capt. Mustered out July 14, 65. 
Mustered out July 14, 65. 
Discharged Aug. 30, 64. 
Discharged July 14, 65. 
Mnstered out July 14, 65. 



Captain. Pro. Major. Resigned Apr. 62. 

Discharged Nov. 26, 62. 

Discharged Oct. 3, 62. 

Mustered out Nov. 18, 64. 

Discharged Nov. 27, 61. 

Discharged Dec. 7, 62. 

Discharged May 21, 64. 



FIRST BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Mustered in 1861. 



THREE YEARS. 



Armstrong, Thomas 34 



Branagan, Patrick 
Brecette, Peter 
Brodar, Joseph 
Goodwin, Henry W. 
Howland, John 
Laundry, Charles 
Laundry, Frank 
Laundry, Jesse 
Mitchell, Sullivan B. 
Raspel, Henrick W. 
Riker, James B. 



Jan 14 62 



36 


Jan 


27 62 


19 


Dec 


9 61 


4S 


Jan 


1362 


22 


J>iov 


19 61 


43 


Nov 


II 61 


18 


Dec 


16 61 


22 


Dec 


10 61 


19 


Dec 


9 61 


41 


Nov 


21 61 


39 


Feb 


1362 


19 


Dec 


13 61 



Must, out Aug. 10, 64. Died in Reg. Service 
July 26, 65, of w'ds. rec'd. at Port Hudson. 
Mustered out Aug. 10, 64. 

do 
Discharged March 28, 63. 
Discharged June 5, 62. 

Corp. Pro. Serg't. Must, out Aug. 10, 64. 
Must, out Aug. ID, 64. 

do 

do 
Died July 25, 64, of wounds received in action. 
Mustered out Aug. 10, 64. 
Pro. 2d Lieut. Must, out Aug. 10, 62. 



Curry, Michael 



SECOND BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service 1861. 
18 Dec 25 61 Discharged Oct. 20, 62. 

THIRD BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY. THREE YEARS. 

Mustered into service 1863. 



Bousquet, Francis O. 


19 


Dec 


2563 


Deserted Aug. 31, 64. 


Brown, John H. 


45 


Dec 


1963 


Died Sept. 16, 64. 


Butterfly, Frank 


18 


Dec 


12 63 


Mustered out June 1 5, 65. 


Campbell, James 


19 


Dec 


22 63 


do 


*Campbell, Humphrey 


18 


Aug 


20 64 


do 



MONTPELIER. 



347 



Names. 
*Cayhue, Jesse 
Chalifaux, Naraise 
*Curry, Michael 
*Dodge, Wallace H. 
Estis, Charles O. 
*Jangraw, Alexander 
*Jangraw, Frank 
*Gravlin, Peter 
Langdon, John B. Jr. 
Miller, John 
*Morris, Frank 
*Morris, Joseph 
Moulton, Benjamin J. 
Palmer, Henry A. 
Phillips, Walter A. 
Prevost, Clement 
Reynard, Edmund 
*Rowe, Joseph 
Staples, Guy B. 
Staples, Marshall S. 
Taplin, Eben 
Valley, Joseph 
Washburn, William L. 
*Yatta, William 



Age. 


Co. Enlistment. 


l8 


Dec 2363 


28 


Dec 2663 


21 


Apr 23 64 


21 


Aug 22 64 


18 


Sept 7 63 


18 


Aug 19 64 


21 


Sept 7 63 


30 


Aug 18 64 




Oct 30 63 


18 


Dec 5 63 


19 


Aug 17 64 


20 


do 


27 


Dec 12 63 


18 


Dec I 63 


22 


Dec 12 63 


19 


Sept 1563 


26 


Dec I 63 


35 


Aug 3 64 


18 


Oct 16 63 


37 


do 


25 


Dec 1663 


24 


Dec 26 63 


20 


do 


18 


Dec 29 63 



Remarks. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 
Q. M. Serg't. Must, out June 15, 64. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 

do 

do 

do 

do 
1st Lieut. Honorably discharged Feb. 3, 65. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 
Discharged Jan. 28, 64. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 

do 
Artificer. Mustered out June 15, 65. 
Corp. Pro. to 2d Lieut. Must, out June 1 5, 65. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 

do 

do 



SECOND REGIMENT U. S. SHARP-SHOOTERS. THREE YEARS. 



Severance, Luther 
Pitkin, Perley P. 

JSmith, Henry C. 

IBrunell, Frank J. 
tRobinson, John 

Williamson, John 

*Batchelder, Josiah L. 
*Gravlin, Frank Jr. 
*Guinan, William 
*Jangra\v, Oughtney 
*Kimball, Frank 
*Nichols, Lucius 
*Stowe, Lorenzo 
*Wells, John T. 
*Wood, Lewis 
*Gravlin, Peter 
*Clogston, O. Curtis 
*Cutler, Marcus M. 
*Washburn, J. W. F. 

Clark, William H. 
Gilmore, Edward C. 
Parker, Jared 
Parker, Lucius R. 
Storrs, Charles W. 
Webster, Oscar N. 

Bixby, H. Roger 
Clark, Fred 
Collins, John 
Cross, Oscar N. 
Daniels, William 
Dewey, Peter G. 



Mustered in 1861. 
2; E Aug II 62 Mustered out June 12, 65. 

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 

35 June 6 61 Captain and Q. M. Pro. to Col. and O. M. 

U. S. Vol. 

FORTY-THIRD U, S. COLORED REGIMENT. 

July 21 63 Mustered out 65. 

FIRST COMPANY OF DRAFTED MEN. 

July 21 63 Discharged Oct. 22. 63. 
July 27 63 Deserted. 



CREDIT IN U. S. NAVY. 

Jan 3 64 Juniata Sophronia. 



Discharged June 3, 65. 



Mustered out July, 6i 
Must, out, 64. 



IN REGIMENTS FROM OTHER STATES. 

13th N. H. Regiment. Enlisted, 63, 3 years. 

36tla Mass. Enlisted, 63, 3 years. [July, 63. 

14th R. L Reg't. 9 months. Enlisted Sept. 62. Serg't. Must, out 
Sth Maine. Enlisted July, 62, 3 years. Must, out July, 65. 
39th Mass. Enlisted, 63, 3 years. Killed at Piedmont, Va., June 5,64. 
14th R. I. Reg't. 9 mos. Enlisted Sept. 62. Mustered out July, 63. 
14th R. L Reg't. 9 mos. Enlisted Sept. 62. Died, 63. 
14th R. L Reg't. 9 mos. Enlisted Sept. 62. " 

2d N. H. Reg't. 3 years. Enlisted May, 61. 
do do 

2d Mass Artillery. Enlisted Dec. 17, 63. Must, out Sept. 65. 

7th Ohio Infantry. Enlisted Apr. 17, 61. Must, out Aug. 64. 
24th Mass. Infantry. Enlisted Dec. 63. Mustered out Aug. 66. 

VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. ENLISTED MEN. 

E July 6 63 Must, out Nov. 13, 65. 
E do do 

E July 13 63 do 

July 22 63 do 

July 25 63 Transferred to Co. K. 7th Regiment, in 64. 

July 4 64 Mustered out July 3, 66. 

FIRST REGIMENT FRONTIER CAVALRY. 

19 M Jan 3 65 Mustered out June 27, 65. 
18 M do do 

27 M do Pro. Corporal. Mustered out June 27, 63. 

24 M do Com. Sergeant. Mustered out June 27, 05. 

20 M do Mustered out June 27, 65. 
22 M do do 



348 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 


Age. 


Co. 


EnlUfment. 


Remark.'!. 


Howard, George D. 


22 


M 


do 


1st Lieut. Resigned March i6, 65, 


Lemwin, George 


"2 


M 


do 


Pro. Sergeant. Mustered out June 27, 65. 


McCluskey, Charles A. 


28 


M 


do 


Mustered out June 27, 65. 


Morse, Joseph B. 


i<S 


M 


do 


do" 


Moulton, Isaac R. 


19 


M 


do 


do 


Newcomb, George W. 




M 


do 


Deserted Mar. 23, 65. 


Prentiss, Herbert J. 


iS 


M 


do 


Mustered out June 27, 61;. 


Tyler, Eugene C. 


iS 


M 


do 


do 


ELEVKNTH 


U. i 


5. INFANTRY. THREE YEARS. RECRUITS OF 1865. 


Bailey, Clinton 






June 22 65 


Discharged June 28, 68. 


Baxter, Robert 






Aug 26 65 


Died Aug. 19, 66, in Richmond, Va. 


Bryant, Eliphalet E. 






Aug 22 65 


Died Sept. 16, 66, in Richmond, Va. 


Chalyfaux, Maxy 






June 27 65 


Died Aug. 1 5, 66, in Richmond, Va. 


Connolly, Michael 






Aug 4 65 


Discharged Aug. 4, 68. 


Emerson, Amos N. 






June 26 65 


Discharged Dec. 16, 65. 


Fowler, Levi D. 






June 20 65 


Deserted Sept. 24, 65. 


Handlin, J. H. 






July 20 65 


Deserted May 18, 67. 


Lucia, Oliver 






June 27 65 


Deserted June 20, 66. 


Mack, James 






June 20 65 


Deserted Dec. 16, 65. 


Nealor, Edward 






July 2865 


Died Sept. 8, 66, in Richmond, Va. 



Pridelieu, Francis 



Brock, James W. 



June 19 65 Discharged June 19, 68. 

ENROLLED MAN WHO FURNISHED SUBSTITUTE. 



DRAFTED MEN WHO FURNISHED SUBSTITUTES. 

Bradish, Alonzo G. Colton, Henry C. Foster, Henry M. 

Huntington, William L. Nichols, George L. Reed, Charles A. 

Sterling, Joseph Tilden, Geo. W. Town, Chauncey W. 

DRAFTED MEN WHO PAID COMMUTATION. 

Babcock, Jerry V. Bailey, Charles W. 



Morey, Moses P. 
Standish, William O. 



Allen, Benjamin V. 

Barnes, Henry Courser, Merrill P. 

Palmer, Nahuni Pope, Walter 

Woodward, Justus 1>. 

* Residents of Montpelier, but credited to other towns, for the reason that at the date of 
their enlistment the quota of the town was full, and they were credited to other towns that 
they might draw 'their state bounty. At all the calls made by the Government for troops 
during the war, the town kept in excess of her quota. For various reasons, several went into 
other states and enlisted, and were not town credits. Therefore, it seems no more than jusf 
and right that all of the names of these men, so far as are known, should be written in history 
as credit to the town. 

t Substitute. 

X Drafted. 



montpelier's roll of honor. 



, Name. 
Allen, Andrew H. 
Ayers, Albert J. 
Atherton, Omri S. 
Armstrong, Thomas 
Baxter, Robert 
Bennett, Amos N. 
Brooks, Robert 
Brown, John H. 
Bryant, Eliphalet E. 
Buxton, Harris 
Burgin, Patrick 
Burke, John 
Burke, Walter 
Carr, James M. 
Cayhue, Tuffield 
Chalifaux, Maxy 
Divine, Patrick 
Emerson, Andrew A. 
Franklin, Roswell 
Gilman, Sydney A. 



Reg't. 



D 






2 


B 






ID 


C 






17 


Re 


gu 


lar 


Service 


II 


U. 


S, 


. R. Reg't. 


F 
B 






10 


3d 


Battery 


11 


U. 


s. 


R. Reg't. 


H 






II 


D 






2 


B 






10 


C 






13 


B 






10 


B 






10 


II 


U. 


s. 


R. Reg't, 


K 






3 


E 






17 


H 






3 


G 






4 



Died July 26, 61. 

Died Sept. 16, 62. 

Died Nov. 6, 64. 

Died July 26, 65, of w'ds. rec'd. at Port Hudson. 

Died Sept. 6, 66, at Richmond, Va. 

Killed at Fredricksburgh, May 3, 63. 

Died in Danville Prison, Ga.. Dec. 23, 63. 

Died at City Point, Va., Sept. 16, 64. 

Died at Richmond, Va., Sept. 16, 66. 

Died Feb. 20, 63. 

Killed at Banks Ford, May 3, 63. 

Died at Brandy Station, Va., Nov. 9, 64. 

Died at Wolfs Run Shoals, Va., Mar. 4. 62,. 

Died July i, 64. 

Killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 63. 

Died at Richmond, Va., Aug. 15, 66. 

Killed at Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, 62. 

Died July 17, 64. 

Died Dec. 16, 63. 

Died in Andersonville Prison, Oct. 64. 



MONTPELIER. 



349 



Name. 


Co. 




Reg't. 


Gray, Ira S. 


D 




5 


Greeley, Allen 


B 




10 


Goodrich, Victor 


F 




2 


Harran, Selden B. 


F 




2 


Horr, John P. 


H 




6 


Kent, Hermon G. 


G 




4 


Kennedy, Felix 


B 




10 


Kimball, Frank 


39 Mass 


.Reg. 


Ladue, Joseph 


G 




4 


Loomis, Vernon L. 


H 






Mailhote, Victor W. 


G 




4 


Mahonev, Sylvester 1). 


F 






Marshall, William 


E 




17 


McManus, James \V. 


K 






Minouge, William 


H 






Mitchell, Sullivan B. 


1st Battery 


Nealor, Edward 


II U 


S 


R. Reg- 


Rose, Joseph 


H 




17 


Shorey, Elscine 


F 




2 


Smith, Levi 


K 




4 


Sprague, Fredrick W. 


A 




6 


Stetson, Ezra 


B 




10 


Stone, Horatio F. 


H 




2 


Storrs, Gilman U. 


B 




10 


Storrs, Charles W. 


K 




7 


Stowe, Lorenzo, 


14th 


R. 


L Reg't. 


Taylor, Benjamin 


F 




1 


Thaver, James E. 


E 




S 


Waldron, Ezekiel 


B 




10 


White, George A. 


H 




2 


Wright, Benjamin N. 


I 




'3 



Remarks. 

Killed at Savage Station, June 29, 62. 

Died July i, 63, of vv'ds. rece'd. at Cold Harbor. 

Killed at Bull Run, July 21, 61. 

Died Nov. 16, 61. 

Killed at Cedar Creek, (Jet. 19, 64. 

Killed at Fredricksburgh, Dec. 19, 62. 

Died Dec. 8, 63. 

Killed at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 64. 

Died Feb. 26, 64, of wounds received in action. 

Died Feb. 6, 63. 

Died Oct. 5, 62, of wounds received in action. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Died June 3, 64, of wounds received in action. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Died July 25, 64, of wounds received in action. 

Died in Richmond, Va., Sei)t. 8, 66. 

Killed at Petersburgh, July 27, 64. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Died May 12, 63, 

Killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 

Killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 

Killed in Wilderness, May 4, 64. 

Killed at Mine Run, Nov, 27, 63. 

Died Apr. 10, 65, ofw'ds. rec'd. at Spanish Fort. 

Died in 63. 

Died June 28, 62. 

Killed at Bayou Des Allems, Sept. 4, 62. 

Died Apr. 6, 65. of wounds received in action. 

Killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 

Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 63. 



In addition to these might be added the names of many who were wounded and disabled, 
and did not survive their disability long after ihe war or their discharge. Below we give the 
names of those who lost a limb : Capt. Horace Grossman, Co. F, 2d Regiment, and Private 
Charles McLaughlin, Co. K, 3d Regiment, losing a leg ; .Serg't. Hiram M. Pierce, Co. B, loth 
Regiment, and Private Elverton Loomis, Co. F, 2d Regiment, losing an arm. 

RECAPI'lULATION. 

Total number of men furnished who entered the service 365 

Furnished substitute 10 

Paid commutation 10 

No. who served their teim of enlistment, or to close of war 120 

Mustered out previous to close of the war at the expiration of their term of service 80 

Discharged for disability, for wounds received and various other causes 114 

Killed in battle 21 

Died of wounds received in action 1 1 

Died of diseases contracted in the service 17 

Died in rebel prisons 2 

Deserted 12 



Perhaps it would be proper here to men- 
tion the names of those who were natives 
of Montpelier, and had sought homes in 
the West, and from there had enlisted and 
lost their lives in the defence of their 
country : 

Walter M. Howes, son of the late Hon. 
William Howes, of Prescott, Wis., for- 
merly of Montpelier, enlisted at the age of 
21 years, was promoted to Orderly Ser- 
geant of Co. F, 37th Wis. reg't ; was se- 
verely Avounded, but recovered. In mount- 
ing the enemy's works before Petersburgh, 
April 2, 1865, he was struck by a solid 



shot and instantly killed. He was a young 
man of fine character, high promise and 
an excellent soldier. 

Col. Holden Putnam, of the 93d Illinois, 
was killed in one of Gen. Grant's battles 
with Bragg in 1863. Col. Putnam left 
Montpelier about 1853, and settled in Free- 
port, 111., where he was successfully en- 
gaged in the banking business. When 
the war broke out, Putnam, true to the 
name he bore, at once gave his services to 
his country, and gave the name new honor 
by patriotism and bravery as was given by 
the Gen. Putnam of Revolutionary fame. 



350 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Capt. William W. Hutchins, son 
of the late William Hutchins of tins 
town, when the rebellion broke out 
resided in Prescott, Wis. He le- 
linquished a good business, and en- 
listed as a private in the 6th Wis- 
consin, and received promotions to 
Captain. While gallantly leading 
his Company at the battle neai 
Ream's Station, Va., Aug. 19, 1864, 
he was killed. He was a brave sol- 
dier and a good officer. 

We give below an account of a very re- 
markable military expedition under the 
command of Lieut. W. F. Cross, son of 
the late Timothy Cross, of Montpelier, 
which took place on the 21st of December, 
1863, ^^ Dakota Territory. 

He was ordered to march with twelve 
men a distance of forty miles, to destroy a 
camp of Sioux Indians. The thermometer 
stood at 35° below zero. It was so cold 
that the party could not ride, and they 
were therefore compelled to march twenty- 
five miles in tliat Arctic weather. They 
broke up the camp, killing the Indians, 
(we are sorry to add and scalping, though 
that is the fashion in such wars,) and re- 
turned without the loss of a man, though 
two horses gave out and were left on the 
road. On the return march, the ther- 
mometer was 24° below zero. The party 
was absent 39 hours, and in that time 
marched 80 miles, most of the way on 
foot, on snowy ground, and in weather 
never exceeded for severity in any military 
expedition, unless it was in Napoleon's 
Russian campaign. 




REUNIONS. 

There has been one soldiers' reunion in 
town, and several officers' reunions. 

All hail these reunions! the whole soul expand" 
With this greeting of hearts and this clasping ofliands ; 
The heroes who stood 'midst the carnage and roar. 
And the red stream of battle, in council once juore. 

Then raise the loud shout, the sweet hymn of the free. 
Let it swell on (he breeze o'er the mountain and sea; 
For our old battle banner, tho' riddled and worn, 
Not a single bright star from its glory is torn. 



OLD MASONIC HALL,— 1834. 
MASONIC. 

BY THOS. H. CAVE. 

Aurora Lodgp:, No. 9, F. & A. M., 
was chartered Oct. 14. 1796, the petition 
for which was signed by Moses Hubbard, 
Benjamin Waite, and others. 

The hall first occupied we have been un- 
able to ascertain ; but in 1805-6 the meet- 
ings were held in a room over Geo. B. R. 
Gove's store, (the building now occupied 
by Fisher & Colton,) on Main street. Then 
from 1809 to 1822, they had a hall in the 
old Academy building. About the first of 
January, 1822, this was destroyed by fire. 
January 7th of that year, they assembled 
at Reuben Lamb's mansion-room, so 
called ; and from Feb. 4 of the same year 
held their meetings in the Pavihon hotel, 
then kept by Thomas Davis, until they oc- 
cupied their new hall. The corner stone 
of this hall was laid Aug. 8, 1822, with 
masonic ceremonies, the oration being de- 
livered by Erastus Watrous. The Lodge 
held their first meeting in their new hall 
Oct. 7, 1822. This building stood at the 
corner of School and Main streets, on the 
site now occupied by Bethany church. 
(See engraving above.) 

Among the members of the Lodge we 
rind the names of many prominent citizens 
of this and adjoining towns : 

Sylvester Day, Rev.Benj.Chatterton 

Levi Pitkin, Lovell Kelton, 

Nathan Doty, Salmon Washburn, 

Thos. Reed, Sen"r, Silas Burbank, 
Samuel Prentiss, Jr., Elijah Witherell, 

Parley Davis, Chester Nye, 

Charles Bulkley, Jacob Miller, 

Erastus Watrous, Col. Samuel Fifield, 

David Wing, Jr., Denison Smith, 

Cyrus Ware, Hezekiah H. Reed, 



MONTPELIER. 



351 



Cornelius Lynde, 
Timothy Hubbard, 
Geo. W'orthingtori, 
Seth Putnam, 
Chapin Keith, 
Richard Holden, 
James Fiske, 
Col. Cyrus Johnson, 
Larned Lamb, 
Eliakim D. Persons, 
Lemuel Farwell, 
Wyllis L Cadwell. 
Apollos Hall, 
Joseph Wing, 
Isaac Putnam, 
Thomas Wallace, 
Salvin Collins, 
Silas W. Cobb, 
James Deane, 
Amasa Bancroft, 
Sylvanus Baldwin, 
Abel Knapp, 
Jeduthan Loomis, 
Jonah Parks, 
John Spalding, 
Dr. James Spalding, 
R. Bailev, 
O. H. Smith, 
Gamaliel Washburn, 
ChesV W.Houghton, 
Joseph Howes, 
Daniel Baldwin, 
Samuel Goss, 
Nathan Jewett, 



Roger G. Bulkley, 
Joseph Wiggins, 
Gen. Gusta. Loomis, 
L. O. C. Bowles, 
Isaiah Silver, 
Harry Richardson, 
Perrin B. Fisk, 
Israel Dewey, 
Otis Standish, 
Jona. Wallace, 
Diah Richardson, 
Thomas Reed, Jr., 
Nat. C. King, 
Svlvanus Ripley, 
R'. R. Keith, 
Nathl. Bancroft, 
Barzillai Davenport, 
Walter Little, 
M. T. C. Wing, 
H. N. Baylies, 
Parrot Blaisdell, 
Daniel H. Dewey, 
Roswell H. Knapp, 
Nelson A. Cha-^e, 
Mark Goss, 
Norman Rublee, 
John Goldsbury, 
Joseph S. Walton, 
Geo. W. Hill, 
Dr. Charles Clark, 
Dr. John Winslow, 
Joel Winch, 
Maj. John Poor. 



The Lodge flourished until the time of 
the great anti-masonic wave in 1834. We 
find among the documents preserved the 
following notice, which was published at 
the time in the Vermotit li 'atch/nan : 

MASONIC NOTICE. 

A meeting of all the masons in Wash- 
ington County is hereby notified to be 
holden at the hall in Montpelier, on Fri- 
day, the 19th day of September inst., at i 
o'clock, P. M., for the purpose of taking 
under consideration the unhappy and di- 
vided state of community on the subject of 
Freemasonry. It is desirable that the 
views and feelings of every mason in the 
County should be fully represented and 
expressed upon that occasion. This no- 
tice is the result of a very extensive con- 
sultation among masons, and is given at 
their request. 

Montpelier, lothofSept., 1834. 



We, the undersigned, do cordially ap- 
prove of the above notice, and request that 



the same should be published in all the 
papers in this County. 

Montpelier, 10 September, 1834. 



H. H. Reed, 
Luman Rublee. 
R. R. Keith, 
Isaiah Silver, 
Israel Dewey, 
William Mann, 
H. N. Baylies. 
H. Richardson, 
G. W. Barker, 
Ira Owen, 



Saml. Goss, 
Simeon L. Post, 
Oramel H. Smith, 
Alonzo Pearce, 
S. C. French, 
N. Jewett, 
Nathl. Bancroft, 
Jos. Howes, 
Jason Carpenter, 
Lovel Kelton. 



In accordance with said notice, the 
members met at Masonic hall. We copy 
from the records : 

At a special communication of Aurora 
Lodge No. 9, duly summoned and hold- 
en at Mason's Hall, in Montpelier, on 
Friday, the 19th day of September, A. 
L. 5834. 

Number of brethren present, about sixty. 
On motion, the following resolutions 

were passed and adopted by said Lodge, 

viz : 

Resolved and voted. That the trustees, 
or the survivors of them, who hold the ti- 
tle to the Masonic Hall in trust for the use 
of Aurora Lodge, No. 9, (reference being 
had to the deed of trust,) be, and are 
hereby directed to sell said Hall, and all 
right this Lodge may have therein, and 
also to sell all and singular the personal 
property belonging, to said Lodge, and 
make all collections of dues to said Lodge 
(if any) as soon as may be, and to the 
best advantage, and from the avails of 
such sales and collections to pay all sums 
due from said Lodge ; the same to be as- 
certained and certified by Jeduthan Loom- 
is, who is hereby appointed a committee 
for that purpose ; and the balance of such 
avails to pay and deliver to the Treasurer 
of the Washington County Grammar 
School, for the use and disposal of the 
trustees of said Grammar School, to whom 
the same is hereby presented as a dona- 
tion from this Lodge for the purpose of 
education ; and a cop}' of this vote shall 
be their sufficient warrant for the same. 

Resolved and voted. That until a sale of 
the Masonic Hall shall be made and com- 
pleted, full leave and license is hereby giv- 
en, and the Lodge does hereby approve of 
all kinds of assemblies being held in this 
Lodge room, under the direction and con- 
trol of the trustees aforesaid of said Hall. 

Resolved and voted, That Aurora Lodge, 
No. 9, be now dissolved, and closed forever. 

Attest, Hezekiah H. Reed, 

Sec'y pro tem. 



352 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



King Solomon Royal Arch Chapter, 
No. 5, — Commenced working under a dis- 
pensation granted Oct. 7, 1809, and char- 
tered Jan. 3, 1810. 

Charter Members — Charles Bulkley, 
Erastus Watrous, Joseph Freeman, Solo- 
mon Miller, Nathan Doty, Sherman Minot, 
Denison Smith, Sylvanus Baldwin, and 
Cabot W. Hyde. 

Jan. 18, 1810, — The first board of officers 
were elected, as follows : Charles Bulkley, 
High Priest ; Erastus Watrous, King ; Jo- 
seph Freeman, Scribe ; Joseph Howes, 
Treasurer ; Jeduthan Loomis, Secretary ; 
Solomon Millar, Captain of the Host ; Na- 
than Doty, Principal Sojourner; Phineas 
Woodbury, Royal Arch Captain : Sylvan- 
us Baldwin, Master of 3d Veil ; Denison 
Smith, Master of 2d Veil; George Worth- 
ington. Master of Lst Veil; Nathan 
Jewett, Tyler. 

The Chapter held its meetings in the 
hall occupied by Aurora Lodge. Many of 
the masons mentioned in the list of the 
Lodge were members of this body. We 
give the names of a few not given there 
who took their degrees in, and were mem- 
bers of, this Chapter : 

Hiram Steele, Asa Partridge, Jona. 
Briggs of Marshfield, Isaac Fletcher of 
Lyndon, Jacob Davis of Randolph, Mat- 
thias Haines of Cabot, Gov. Samuel C. 
Crafts of Craftsbury, N. R. Sawyer of 
Hydepark, J. Stearns of Chelsea, Seth G. 
Bigelow of Brookfield, Z. P. Burnham, 
Gov. Julius Converse (then) of Randolph, 
J. K. Parish of Randolph, D. Azro A. 
Buck of Chelsea ; and many others might 
be given did space permit. 

We copy from the Chapter Records : 

Oct. 20, 1816. — Voted, That the treas- 
urer pay out of the funds of the Chapter 
to the treasurer of the Vermont Bible So- 
ciety the sum of thirty dollars. 

Dec. 4, 1816. — Voted, To appropriate 
ten dollars tor the benefit of schools in the 
Western States. 

Whether the Chapter formally surren- 
dered its charter or not, we have no means 
of knowing, but at the time of the dissolu- 
tion of the Lodge it is probable that it was 
forfeited, as we find no record of meetings 
after that time. 



MoNTPELiER Council of Royal and 
Select Ma.sters. — Organized Jan. 3, 
1818, by Jeremy L. Cross, with Lucius O. 
C. Bowles as T. I. G. M., Nathan Jewett 
as D. I. G. M., and Daniel Baldwin as P. 
C. We can find no further record of their 
proceedings other than that they existed 
until the breaking up of Masonry in 1834, 
though they did not surrender their char- 
ter initil the revival of Masonry in this 
State about the year 1850 or '51, when by 
so doing they received a new one. 



Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M.— 
Chartered Jan. 9, 185 1. 

Charter Members. — Harry Richardson, 
John Poor, Walter Little, Diah Richard- 
son, Ira S. Town, Henry Crane, Otis 
Peck, Shubael Wheeler, T. C. Taplin, 
Levi Boutwell, Gamaliel Washburn. 

The first meeting was held in the office 
of Dr. T. C. Taplin, Feb. 5, 1850, for the 
purpose of drawing up a petition for a 
charter. 

The first election of officers occurred 
March 25, 185 1, at which time the follow- 
ing list was chosen : T. C. Taplin, W. 
M. ; Levi Boutwell, S. W. ; John Poor, J. 
W. ; A. A. Cross, Sec'y ; Ira S. Town, 
Treas. ; Gamaliel Washburn, S. D. ; Diah 
Richardson, J. D. ; Henry Crane, Tyler. 

The first hall occupied by the Lodge 
was in the third story (over the Vermont 
Bank,) of the building now owned by L. 
B. Huntington, on State Street. They 
remained here until Nov. 13, 1859, when 
they removed into the new block, built for 
S. S. Boyce, afterwards owned by Fred E. 
Smith. This they occupied until it was 
destroyed in Montpelier's first great fire, 
March 12, 1875. Meetings were then held 
in the American House, owned by Chester 
Clark, a prominent member of the Order, 
until the completion of Union Block, where 
a spacious hall and ante-rooms were fitted 
up especially for the use of the Masonic 
bodies. The first meeting was held in the 
new hall Dec. 13, 1875, which they now 
occupy. 

List of Fast Masters— T. C. Taplin, 
1850; Gamaliel Washburn, 1851-54, 1856; 



MONTPELIER. 



353 



John C. Emery, 1855, 1857-59, 1861-63, 
1878-79: John W. Clark, i860; Denison 
Dewey, 1864; Jas. S. Peck, 1869-71; J. 
W. F. Washburn, 1872-74; J. Austin 
J'aine. 1875-76; Truman C. Phinney, I 
1865-68, 1880, and now in office. 

List of officers, elected A-pjil 11, 1881 — 
T. C. Phinney, W. M. ; Geo. W. Wing. 
S. W. ; J. W. F. Washburn, J. W. ; Jas. 
C. Houghton, Treas. ; Thos. H. Cave, 
Sec''y ; Steplien R. Colby, S. D. ; F^red. 
W. Morse, J. D. : Chas. "c. Ramsdell, S. 
.S. ; G. Blair, J. S. ; C. C. Dudley, Chap- 
lain ; A. F. Humphrey, Marshal : W. A. 
Briggs, Organist; Isaac M. Wright, Tyler. 

No. of members, 167. Regular com- 
munications, Monday evening of week in 
which the moon fulls. Annual, April com- 
munication. 

King Solomon Royal Arch Chapter, 
No. 7. — Chartered Aug. 14, 1851. 

Charter Metnbers — John Poor, Levi 
Boutwell, Appleton Fitch, David Leach, 
Walter Little, Simeon Eggleston, Harry 
Richardson, Gamaliel Washburn, Joel 
Winch. 

The Chapter commenced its labors un- 
der a dispensation dated Jan. 9, 185 1, and 
on April 8 conferred the R. A. degree up- 
on Henry Crane, Geo. S. Johnson, and 
Joel Winch, Jr. 

The first election of officers occurred 
Dec. 27th, 185 1, with the following result : 

John Poor, High Priest; T. C. Taplin, 
King; Silas C. French, Scribe ; J. E. Bad- 
ger, Sec'y ; Levi Boutwell, Treas. ; Gama- 
liel Washburn, Captain of the Host ; Har- 
ry Richardson, Principal Sojourner ; Geo. 
S. Johnson, Royal Arch Captain; M; O. 
Persons, Master of 3d Veil; Joel Winch, 
Jr., Master of 2d Veil ; J. P. W. Vincent, 
Master of 1st Veil ; Henry Crane, Tyler. 

The Chapter has held its meetings in 
connection with Aurora Lodge continously 
since its organization, sharing with it in the 
expenses of rent. 

Past High Priests — John Poor, T. C. 
Taplin, Gamaliel Washburn, Levi Bout- 
well, C. N. Carpenter, Eli Ballou, Fred. E. 
Smith, John W. Clark, J. W. F. Wash- 
burn, James S. Peck. 



Officers elected April 14, 1881 — Geo. W. 
Wing, H. P. : Truman C. Phinney, K. ; 
Geo. Atkins, S. ; Thos. H. Cave, Sec'y : 
Jas. C. Houghton, Treas.; J. W. F. 
Washburn, C. of H. : C. Blakely, P. S. ; 
Thos. L. Wood, R. A. C. : Geo. L. Lane, 
M. 3d V. ; Geo. Blair, M. 2d V. ; Henry 
W. Drew, M. ist V. ; Chas. W. Guernsey, 
Daniel S. Wheatley, Stewards ; Rev. How- 
ard F. Hill, Chaplain; Wm. A. Briggs, 
Organist; Isaac M. Wright, T\ler. 

No. of members, 112. Stated Convoca- 
tions, Thursday evening of week in which 
the moon fulls. Annual, April convoca- 
tion. 

MoNTPELiER Council, No. 4, Royal 
AND Select Masters — Chartered Aug. 
10, 1855. 

The first meeting was held June 2>°, 
1853, — working under the old charter, — 
with the following officers : John Poor, Th. 
111. G. M. ; T. C. Taplin, R. 111. G. M. ; 
Samuel L. Adams, 111. G. M. ; Otis Peck, 
Prin. Cond. ; Joel Winch, Capt. of G. ; 
Harry Richardson, Marshal ; Gamaliel 
Washburn, Recorder ; Simeon Eggleston, 
Tyler. 

They held meetings until Feb. i, 1855, 
conferring the degrees on a number of 
companions. Having complied with a 
resolution of the Grand Council, surren- 
dering their old charter, and requesting a 
new one, the same was granted them, da- 
ted Aug. 10, 1855. 

First board of officers elected. — T. C. 
Taplin, Th. 111. G. M. ; Samuel E. Adams, 
R. 111. G. M. ; David Roberts, 111. G. M. ; 
Wm. P. Badger, Treas. ; John E. Badger, 
Recorder; Gamaliel Washburn, Prin. 
Cond. ; John W. Hobart, Capt. of the G. ; 
Wm. Rogers, Marshal ; Henry Crane, 
Tyler. 

Past Illustrious Masters — John Poor, 
one year; T. C. Taplin, nine years; Ga- 
maliel Washburn, four years ; Truman C. 
Phinney, who received his eleventh elec- 
tion April 14th, 1 88 1. 

Board of officers elected April 14, 1 88 1 . — 
Truman C. Phinney, Th. 111. M. ; Fred. 
E. Smith, D. M. ; John W. Clark, P. C. 
of the W. ; Jas. C. Houghton, Treas. ; 



45 



354 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Thos. H. Cave, Recorder; Geo. W. Wing, 
Capt. of the G. ; J. W. F. Washburn, 
Cond. of the C. ; Rev. H. F. Hill, Chap- 
lain ; W. A. Briggs, Marshal; Thos. L. 
Wood, Steward; Isaac M. Wright, Sen- 
tinel. 

The Council occupies the same hall in 
connection with the Lodge and Chapter. 

No. of members, 70. Regular Assem- 
blies, Thursday evening in which the moon 
fulls. Annual in April. 

Mount Zion Commandery, No. 9, 
Knights Templar. — Date of charter, 
March 20, 1873. Charter members, Jon- 
athan L. Mack, Henry D. Bean, Frank 
H. Bascom, G. V.C.Eastman, J. Monroe 
Poland, Jas. W. Brock, Emory Town, C. 
E. Abbott, A. McGilvary. 

First Board of Officers.—]. L. Mack, 
Eminent Commander ; H. D. Bean, Gen- 
eralissimo; F. H. Bascom, Captain Gen- 
eral ; G. V. C. Eastman, Prelate; C. E. 
Abbott, Senior Warden ; A. McGilvary, 
Junior Warden ; Joel Winch, Treasurer ; 
J. M. Poland, Recorder; E. Town, Stand- 
ard Bearer ; L. Bart. Cross, Sword Bearer ; 
G. W. Tilden, Warder. 

Officers Elected Dec. 1880.— J. L. Mack, 

E. C. ; Geo. W. Wing, Generalissimo ; 
Henry Ferris, Capt. Gen. ; C. Blakely, 
Prelate; J. S. Batchelder, S. W. ; W. A. 
Briggs, J. W. ; J, C. Houghton, Treas. ; 
Geo. Atkins, Recorder; E. L. White, St. 
B. ; J. C. Cady, Sw. B. ; J. W. F. Wash- 
burn, Warder; George Blair, istCapt. G. ; 
J. Henry Jackson, 2d Capt. G. ; M. Man- 
ning, 3d Capt. G. ; A. McGilvary, Com- 
missary ; D. S. Wheatley, Sentinel. 

Jonathan L. Mack has been Eminent 
■Commander since the organization. 

Stated Conclaves, first Thursday in each 
month; No. of members, 58. 

Gamaliel Lodge of Perfection, 
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. — Dispen- 
sation granted Dec. 15th, 1874; chartered 
Aug. i8th, 1875 ; constituted Sept. i6th, 

1875- 

First Board of Officers. — F. H. Bas- 
com, 32°, T- P- Grand Master; A. C. 
Dewey, 32°, Deputy Grand Master; J.W. 

F. Washburn, 32°, V. S. Grand Warden; 



M. T. McNeely, 32°, V. J. Grand Warden ; 
A. N. Pearson, 32°, Grand Orator; M. O. 
Pingree, 32°, Grand Keeper of the Seals; 
H. S. Smith, 32°, Grand Treasurer; C.H. 
Heaton, 32°, Grand Secretary; S. R. 
Colby, 32°, G. M. of Ceremonies; C. C. 
Church, 16°, Grand Hospitaler; H. Pat- 
terson, 14°, Grand Capt. of the G. ; J. A. 
Paine, 14°, Grand Organist ; C.Clark, 14°, 
Grand Tyler; H. W. Lyford. 14°, Grand 
Chaplain. 

Board of Officers, 1 88 1 . — Rev . Howard 

F. Hill, 32°, T. P. Gr. Ma.ster; S. R. 
Colby, 32°, D. Gr. Master; William A. 
Briggs, 16°, S. Gr. Warden; Geo. W. 
White, 16°, J. Gr. Warden; Ed. R. 
Morse, 16°, Gr. Orator; C. H. Heaton, 
32°, Gr. Secretary: H. W. Lyford, 14°, 
Gr. K. of Seals: H. C. Bartlett, 32°, Gr. 
M. of Cer. ; H. D. Bean, 14°, Gr. Hos- 
pitaler; Henry Lowe, 16°, Gr. Capt. of the 

G. ; J.W. F. Washburn, 32°, Gr. Organ- 
ist; I. M. Wright, 16°, Gr. Tyler. 

Regular meetings, Tuesday evening of 
week in which the moon fulls. 
Place of meeting. Masonic Hall. 

Mount Calvary Council of Princes 
OF Jerusalem, Ancient Accepted Scottish 
Rite. — Chartered Sept. 20, 1880. 

Board of Officers, 1881.— F. H. Bas- 
com, 32°, M. E. S. P. G. M. ; J. W. F. 
Washburn, 32°, G. H. P. D. G. M. ; 
Chas. H. Heaton, 32°, M. E. S. G. W. ; 
Geo. W. Wing, 16°, M. E. J. G. W. ; 
S. R. Colby, 32°, Val. Gr. Treas. ; Wm. 
A. Briggs, 16°, V. G. S. K. of S. & A. ; 
Rev. H. F. Hill, 32°, V. G. M. of Cer.; 
H. S. Smith, 32°, Val. Gr. Almoner ; F. F. 
Fletcher, 16°, V. Gr. M. of Ent. ; Henry 
Lowe, 16°, Gr. Tyler. 

Regular meetings, Tuesday evening of 
week in which the moon fulls, at Masonic 
Hall. 

St. Helena Conclave. — May i, 1875, 
Frank H. Bascom, 32°, D. D. Intendant 
General, instituted at Masonic Headquar- 
ters, Montpelier, the above named conclave 
of the "Imperial, Ecclesiastical and Mil- 
itary" Order of the Red Cross of Rome 
and Constantine, the Invincible Order of 
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and the 



MONTPELIER. 



355 



Holy Order of St. John the Evangelist. 
The following officers were elected : 

Frank H. Bascom, 32°, Montpelier, 
Most Puissant Sovereign ; J. W. F. Wash- 
burn, 32°, Montpelier, Viceroy ; George 
W. Tilden, Barre, Senior General ; E. A. 
Newcomb, Waterbury, Junior General; 
J. H. Jackson, Barre, High Prelate ; Albert 
Dewey, 32°, Montpelier, Recorder; Geo. 
W. Wing, Montpelier, Treasurer; Horace 
W. Lyford, Warren, Prefect ; H. O. Hatch, 
Barre, Standard Bearer; D. A. Gray, 
Waterbury, Herald ; John C. Cave, 14°, 
Montpelier, Sentinel. 

This Chivalric and Christian Order was 
founded A. D. 313, by Constantine; the 
Great Roman Emperor. It is the Ancient 
Knighthood of Europe, and is the most 
ancient body of Christian Masonry known. 
It is conferred upon Knights Templaronly 
in America, and is the ne plus ultra of 
York Rite Masonry, being conferred upon 
a select few only. 

Oct. 3, 1876, Frank H. Bascom, of 
Montpelier, was appointed Deputy for 
Vermont, to institute Mt. Sinai Temple of 
the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine. It is conferred only on 
Knights Templars and 32° and 2,2,° of the 
A. & A. Rite. 

Geo. O. Tyler, 33°, of Burlington, was 
elected ist Grand Potentate, and Charles 
H. Heaton, 32°, of Montpelier, Grand Re- 
corder. The present Grand Potentate is 
A. C. Dewey, 32°, and F. H. Bascom, 32, 
Grand Recorder. 



KNIOHTS OF HONOR. 

Capital Lodge, No. 917. — Organized 
Feb. 26, 1878. Charter members, J. W. 
Clark, R. J. Coffey, Orrin Daley. C. H. 
Farnsworth, Thos. Marvin, H. M.Pierce, 
Geo. W. Parmenter, T. C. Phinney, Geo. 
L. Story, D. S. Wheatley, J. B. Wood- 
ward, Chas. Wells. 

Regular meetings, first and third Wed- 
day evenings in each month. 

Hall in Sabin's Block, Main Street; 
membership, 44. 



ODD FELLOWS. 

Vermont Lodge, No. 2, was instituted 
May 15, 1845; the charter was granted 
April 26, of that year. The charter mem- 
bers were Rev. Eli Ballou, Thos. Poole, 
James W. Bigelow, Lorenzo Dow, Wm. 
H. Cottrrill. 

In 1852 it suspended, and was revived 
under its present charter, July 24, 1873. 

Charter Members. ^-K. T. Keith, C. T. 
Summers, A. D. Lane, Chas. F. Collins, 
Marble Russell, Geo. Reed, T. C. Bar- 
rows, G. B. Dodge, O. T. Dodge, L. M. 
Washburn, A. N. Pearson. 

The first officers were, A. T. Keith, 
N. G. ; A. N. Pearson, V. G. ; A. D. Lane, 
Secretary. 

The following board of officers were 
elected July i, 1881 : 

W. D. Reid, N. G. ; A. W. Ferrin, V. 
G. ; H. C. Web.ster, Rec. Sec'y. ; C. F. 
Collins, Per Sec'y. ; D. W. Dudley, Treas. ; 
C. T. Summers, R. S. N. G. ; Hem;y 
Whitcomb, L. S. N. G. ; C. W. Guern- 
sey, R. S. V. G. ; A. Clark, L. S. V. G. ; 
C. E. Wood, Warden; J. H. Jackson, 
Conductor; H. E. Slayton, Inside Guard; 
Chas. O. Foster. Outside Guard ; Charles 
Ferrin, R. S. S. ; Orville Dewey, L. S. S. ; 
Rev. H. F. Hill, Chaplain. 

Hall in Post Office Block, State Street. 

Brooks Post, No. 13, Grand Army 
OF THE Republic, was instituted April 28, 
1873- 

Charter Members. — P. P. Pitkin. F. V. 
Randall, J. S. Peck, J. W. Clark, J. O. 
Livingston, F. E. Smith, Geo. S. Robin- 
son, C. B. Wilson, J. M. Poland, N. N. 
Glazier, A. C. Brown, H. C. Lull, O. 
Daley, A. G. Bean and Elihu Snow. 

Present Officers.—^. F. Waterman, 
Commander; W. E. Lawson, Senior Vice 
Commander; N. C. Peck, Junior Vice 
Commander; H. L. Averill, Adjutant; 
H. M. Pierce, Quarter Master; Geo. W. 
Colby, Surgeon ; Chas. A. Sanders, Chap- 
lain ; W. W. Noyes, Officer of the day; 
J.J. Young, Officer of the Guard ; C. E. 
Stowe, O. M. Sergeant. 

The Post meets the first and third 



356 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Tuesday evenings in the month at their 
Hall, on South Main Street. 

The Post, in a financial point of view, 
is even with the world. It has assisted 
many deserving soldiers and their fam- 
ilies. It has always observed the memo- 
rial services on Decoration Day in a man- 
ner highly commendable ; and has been 
assisted materially by the citizens of the 
Capital on that day. It has done many 
deeds of charity, and still has that work to 
perform, and should receive the aid of all 
good citizens. 

Membership, 150. 

St. John Baptist Benevolent So- 
ciety. — Incorporated Nov. 23, 1872. 

The object of the Saint John Baptist 
Society of Montpelier is to render aid to 
the members in sickness, and, by the spirit 
of Christian association, to encourage the 
practice of the social virtues, and revive 
among them the sentiments of their na- 
tionality. To accomplish this end, as 
honorable as it is useful, the members 
agree to hold frequent meetings, and to 
make regular contributions to form a re- 
serve fund by means of which, in accord- 
ance with the conditions expressed in the 
rules of the society, each member will be 
entitled to a daily but temporary assist- 
ance. 

Charter AJet/ibers. — Mitchell Sweet, 
Eugene Laviolette, John C. White, Joseph 
N. Goron, Cyprien Peltier, Dieu D. Nev- 
eaux, Peter St. Rock, Alexander Camp- 
bell, John Rock, John Doucette, Alex- 
ander Campbell, Jr., John Jangraw, Ferd 
La Croix, Seraphine Neveaux, Alexander 
Jangraw, Humphrey Campbell, John Gag- 
non, Jesse Cayhue, Louis Greenwood, 
Frank Greenwood, Frank Lucie, Louis 
Rodney, David Brown, Leonard Mailhote, 
Peter Gay, Jerry Gay, Frank Lanier, 
Marcus Louiselle, Corliss Desaulniers, 
Edward Rattell. 

Present Officers, 1881. — President, Al- 
phonso Shorey ; Vice Pres't, Paul Terieo ; 
Secretary, Mitchell Sweet ; Treasurer, 
Seraphine Neveaux ; Marshal, Louis Rod- 
ney. 

Membership, 50. 



members of WASHINGTON COUNTY BAR. 

BY JOSEPH A. WING, ESQ. 

The following are now residents at 
Montpelier: 

Homer W. Heatox, admitted to the 
Bar in Washington Co., November term, 
1835 ; now aged 70. 

Joseph A. Wing, admitted to the Bar 
April term, 1836, and in 1881 is 71 years 
of age : practiced in Plainfield till June, 
1858, and since that time has practiced 
law at Montpelier. 

Luther L. Durant, aged 54 years, was 
admitted to the Bar in Washington County, 
November term, 1850. Commenced at 
Waitsfield, June, 1852, went to Water- 
bury in 1855, 'ii''d came to Montpelier, 
Nov. 1866. 

Carlisle J. Gleason, admitted to the 
Bar in Washington County, September 
term, 1858. 

Whitman G. Ferrin, aged 64 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Lamoille County, 
1843, June term ; moved to Montpelier in 
1859. 

Timothy P. Redfield, aged 67 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Orleans County, 
June term, 1838 ; practiced in that county 
till 1848, when he removed to Montpelier. 
He was elected Judge of the Supreme 
Court by the Legislature at the October 
session, 1870, and has been Judge of said 
Court till the present time. 

JosiAH O. Livingston, admitted in 
Lamoille, May term, 1861 ; was in the 
Army as Adjutant of the 9th Regiment ; 
moved to Montpelier in 1872. 

Stephen C. Shurtleff, aged 43 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Washington Co. 
March term, 1863; commenced at Plain- 
field in October, and came to Montpelier, 
September, 1876. 

C. H. Heath, aged 52 years, admitted 
to the Bar in Lamoille County, Dec. 7, 
1859; removed to Plainfield in 1859, '^"'^ 
from there to Monti^elier in 1872. 

Thomas J. Deavitt, admitted to the 
Bar in 1867 ; practiced in Moretown, and 
moved to Montpelier in 1873. 




oAtvvL^ 4r Ji<^ 



C-tyy^ 



MONTPELIER. 



357 



Hiram A. Huse, a graduate of Albany 
Law School in May, 1867; admitted in 
Orange County, removed to Montpelier in 
1873, '^"cl ^^'^^ appointed State Librarian 
in 1873. 

Benjamin F. Fifield, aged 49 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Washington Co. in 
1859. 

Hiram Carleton, aged 43 years, ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County 
at the September term, 1865 : commenced 
the practice of law at Waitsfield. in May. 
1866, and moved from there to Montpelier 
in December, 1875. 

Melville E. Smilie, aged 37 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Washington County, 
March term, 1866. He began practice at 
Waterbury in 1867. and removed to Mont- 
pelier in 1875 ; was appointed County 
Clerk in 1876, and has continued clerk to 
the present time. 

George W. Wing, aged 38 years, ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County, 
March term, 1868. 

Truman R. Gordon, aged 30 years, 
admitted to the Bar in Washington Co. 
September term, 1877; commenced prac- 
tice in Montpelier in 1878. 

Henry K. Field, aged 35 years, was 
admitted to Windham County Court, Sept. 
term, 187 1 ; removed to Montpelier in 
1872. 

Charles W. Porter, aged 32 years, 
was admitted to the Bar of Washington 
County, Sept. term, 1874. 

Clarence H. Pitkin, aged 32 years, 
was admitted to the Bar of Washington 
County, March term, 1872. He is the 
present State's Attorney of the Count}'. 

William A. Lord, aged 32 years, was 
admitted to the Bar of Washington Co. 
March term, 1876. 

Rush P. Barrett, aged 26 years, ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Windsor County, 
Dec. 7, 1878; removed to Montpelier in 
May, 1 88 1. 

Harry G. Dewing, aged 29, admitted 
to the Bar of Washington County, Sept. 
term, 1875. 



Harlan W. Kemp, aged 23 years, ad' 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County, 
Sept. 7, 1880. 

James S. Peck, aged 41 years, was ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County, 
Sept. 7, 1866; now Postmaster of Mont- 
pelier. 

OsMAN D. Clark, aged 26 years, was 
admitted to the Bar of Washington Co. 
March term, 1879. 

John G. Wing, aged 22 years, was ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County, 
Sept. term, 1880. 

Frank W. Tuttle, aged 21 years, was 
admitted to the Bar of Washington Co. at 
the March term, 1881. 

Henry Oviatt, aged 22 years, admit- 
ted to Washington County Bar, March 
term, 1875 ; the present short hand re- 
porter of the Court. 

There are many members of the Bar of 
Washington County who were once resi- 
dents of Montpelier, who are now living in 
other States, who are honorable members 
of the profession, among whom are Hon. 
Samuel B. Prentiss, of Cleveland, Ohio ; 
Joseph A. Prentiss, of Winona, Minn. ; 
C. W. Prentiss, of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
Chauncey W. Town, of New York city ; 
J. P. C. Cottrill, of Milwaukee; Daniel G. 
Thompson, of New York city ; Azel Spald- 
ing, of Kansas; Chester W. Merrill, of 
Cincinnati ; Rodney Lund, of Boston ; N. 
A. Taylor, of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Still- 
man Churchill, of Chicago; Jeremiah T. 
Marston, of Madison, Wis. 

From the formation of the County of 
Washington, the bar of the County was 
noted for men of learning and talent, who 
have passed away by death. Of those who 
have died who lived in Montpelier, or had 
their offices in Montpelier, are the follow- 
ing, many of whom should have more than 
a passing notice : Charles Bulkley, Cyrus 
Ware, Samuel Prentiss, Wm. Upham, 
Nicholas Baylies, Jeduthan Loomis, Azro 
Loomis, Lucius B. Peck, Stoddard B. Col- 
by, Oramel H. Smith, Wm. P. Briggs, 
Jackson A. Vail, William H. L^pham, Jon- 
athan P. Miller, D. P. Thompson, George 



358 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



R. Thompson, Calvin J. Keith, Samuel B. 
Prentiss, C. W. Willard, Charles Reed, 
Charles F. Smith, Ferrand F. Merrill, 
Timothy Merrill, Thomas Reed, Hezekiah 
H. Reed, Joshua Y. Vail, J. T. Marston, 
George B. Manser, Samuel Wells, George 
W. Bailey, Jr., Samuel W. Chandler. 

C. D. Swazey, C. D. Harvey, R. S. 
Boutwell, were in Montpelier in 1865, 
whether living or not I cannot tell. 

[Note. — Judge Bulkley is noticed in 
Berlin and in these pages as the first post- 
master in Montpelier, and the first lawyer. 
W^e have been told he was a strong man, 
of fine talent, and that the house is still 
standing on Berlin side in which he lived, 
which is all we have been able to learn 
about him. ' We would be pleased to learn 
more, as also ot any and all mentioned, of 
whom we have not full notice among our 
biographies to yet follow, which embrace 
at least twenty or more of the above 
names. — Ed.] 

VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION. 

This association was formed Oct. 22, 
1878, at Montpelier, and organized by the 
appointment of the following officers : 

President, Edward J. Phelps, Burling- 
ton; Vice Presidents, G. W. Harmon, 
Bennington, Wheelock G. Veazey, Rutland, 
William E. Johnson, Woodstock, Guy C. 
Noble, St. Albans, Wm. P. Dillingham, 
Waterbury ; Secretary, Hiram F. Stevens, 
St. Albans; Treasurer, Wm. G. Shaw, 
Burlington. 

The association numbered about 100 
members, and was chartered by the 
Legislature of 1878, approved Nov. 14, 
1878, and duly organized under the charter 
by the election of the officers above named 
for one year. At the first annual meeting, 
at Montpelier, Oct. 28, 1879, the follow- 
ing officers were elected for the ensuing 
year: President, L. P. Poland, of St. 
Johnsbury ; Vice Presidents, George W. 
Harmon, Bennington, Roswell Farnham, 
Bradford, John L. Edwards, Newport ; 
Secretary, Clarence H. Pitkin, Montpelier ; 
Treasurer, Wm. G. Shaw, Burlington. 

The 2d annual meeting of the association 
was held on the 4th Tuesday in October, 
1880, when the following officers were ap- 
pointed : 



President, Walter C. Dunton, Rutland ; 
Vice Presidents, Warren C. French, Wood- 
stock, John Prout, Rutland, Guy C. Noble, 
St. Albans ; Secretary, Clarence H. Pitkin, 
Montpelier; Treasurer, Wm. G. Shaw, 
Burlington. 

The 3d annual meeting was held on 
Tuesday, Oct. 25th, 1881, when the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : 

President, Daniel Roberts, Burlington ; 
Vice Presidents, Geo. W. Harmon, Ben- 
nington, John L. Edwards, Newport, Ros- 
well Farnham, Bradford; Secretary, Clar- 
ence H. Pitkin, Montpelier; Treasurer, 
Chas. W. Porter, Montpelier; Managers, 
Daniel Roberts, Burlington, W. P. Dil- 
lingham, Waterbury, John W. Rowell, 
Randolph, O. E. Butterfield, Wilmington, 
Henry C. Ide, St. Johnsbury. 

The association is in a prosperous con- 
dition, with about 120 members, from all 
parts of the State, and is of great benefit 
to the legal profession in the State. 

THE MEDICAL MEN OF MONTPELIER. 

BY SUMNER PUTNAM, M. U. 

Physicians who have lived and practiced 
in Montpelier within my remembrance or 
since 1828 : 

Dr. Edward Lamb was the leading 
physician in this town for over 40 years. 
He died at the age of 74, in 1845. 

Dr. James Spalding, who died in 
1858 at the age of 66, was the chief sur- 
geon here for many years. 

Dr. J. Y. Dewey had a full practice 
here from 1825 to 1850, when he became 
interested in life insurance, and discontin- 
ued practice. He died in 1877. 

As these men reached the zenith of their 
fame, Dr. F. W. Adams of Barton suc- 
ceeded them, and being a whole team in 
himself soon acquired fame. If reports 
were true, he neither feared man, nor the 
God of his fathers, but was really a kind- 
hearted man, a good physician and sur- 
geon. He died in 1859 o'' 60. 

Dr. Z. P. BuRNHAM practiced here a 
few years, but about 1840 moved to Low- 
ell, Mass. 





Jr> /r't^P^ 



^ 



MONTPELIER. 



359 



Dr. Ezra Paine was a practitioner here 
from 1859 to "JT), when he moved to Bos- 
ton, where he now resides. 

In 1849, Dr. Chas. Clark moved into 
Montpelier, and had a large practice in the 
village and surrounding country until 1865, 
when his health failed. He died in 1874 
at the age of 74 years. 

Dr. C. M. RuBLEE born in town; died 
in town 1870. [See sketch in the biogra- 
phies.] 

About 1850, Dr. Orrin .Smith of Berlin 
moved here, and practiced until 1856, 
when he went to Chicago, and has since 
died. I have heard many of his former 
patrons .speak of him with respect. 

Dr. C. B. Chandler came from Tun- 
bridge in 1856; died in 1867. He was re- 
spected by all who knew him. [See sketch 
in biographies.] 

About 1850, Dr. T. C. Taplin practiced 
homoeopathy, and adhered to high dilu- 
tions, too. 

Then followed Dr. G. N. Brigham, 
homoeopathist, who did not always give 
infinitesimals, and moved to Michigan in 
1875. 

Dr. B. O. Tyler, I think, moved from 
Worcester to this place and became en- 
gaged mostly in selling drugs. He died 
May 20, 1878, at an advanced age. 

Dr. W. H. H. Richardson moved here 
about 1858, from E. Montpelier, and prac- 
ticed successfully till 1867, when he 
moved to Winona, Minn., to continue 
practice, and engaged, somewhat, in real 
estate speculations, but in a few years died 
suddenly of apoplexy in the prime of life. 

Since the days of Lamb, Spalding, and 
Dewey, up to the dates of those at present 
here, two or three other physicians have 
practiced here, for a short time, viz : — Dr. 
G. H. LoOMis, Dr. W. Azel Holmes, 
Dr. F. A. McDowell, Dr. M. M. Marsh, 
and Dr. J. H.Jackson. Dr. H. L. Rich- 
ardson practiced l>ere in 1866, and Dr. 
Mulligan about 1858 or '59; the latter 
of whom died here soon after beginning 
practice. 

Of the physicians at present in practice 
here, Dr. C. M. Chandler, son of C. B. 



Chandler, came here in 1860, but went 
south as surgeon during the war, and final- 
ly settled in practice here in the fall of 
1865. 

Dr. S. PuTNAAi, now the oldest physi- 
cian in town; came here in the spring of 
1865, and desiring to establish himself hon- 
orably, and crowd no one, purchased the 
residence and '■'■good wiW^ of the late Dr. 
Chas. Clark, the latter of which purchases 
he was not fortunate enough to retain, if 
indeed, he ever received it at all. 

The same year, 1865, Dr. J. E. Macom- 
BER, a native of East Montpelier, moved 
to this place from Worcester. 

In 1866. Dr. D. G. Kemp succeeded Dr. 
W. H. H. Richardson in practice. 

Dr. J. B. Woodward came, I think, 
from Kansas to this place, about 1870, 
having formerly practiced in Waterbury, 
this county. He engaged at first in the 
drug trade but soon came into practice, 
which he pursued with avidity until the 
fall of 1879, when in consequence of a 
slight wound of 'the finger, received during 
a surgical operation, cellulites and septicae- 
mia supervened, sadly terminating in death. 

About 1876, Dr. H. G. Brigham, hom- 
oeopathist, succeeded his father G. N. 
Brigham in practice. 

' The Eclectic School of Medicine, so 
called, (Thompsonians formerly) have 
been represented here since about 1864 by 
Dr. J. M. Templeton, and latterly also, 
by Dr. H. E. Templeton. 

For more than thirty years Madame 
Lucy A. Cooke has been consulted here 
as a clairvoyant physician, her patrons 
coming from all parts of the country. 

In the spring of 1880, Dr. W. D. Reid, 
from Canada West, opened an office here, 
and about the same time Dr. Geo. E. Ma- 
LOY began practice in Montpelier. 

Oct. 29, 188 1. 

RESIDENT DENTISTS. 

O. P. Forbush, for some years here ; 
Richard Newton, partner with Forbush ; 
Alfred Clark ; H. T. Whitney ; G. E. Hunt 
opened an office here Oct.. 1879. 



36o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 







<j-te-yiJU€} 



The morning of life is g.)ne, 
Tlie evening sliades appear; 

LORENZO DOW, IN THIS COUNTY. 

Chief among the early missionaries in 
Washington County and in Montpeher, 
was Lorenzo Dow, a Methodist preach- 
er ; not a conference preacher, exactly, 
but one whose circuit extended all over 
Vermont, the Canadas, the South, Ire- 
land, Scotland, and wherever he chose to 
go ; who came and went as the "wind that 
bloweth wherever it listeth." A true, 
genuine methodist though ; he never 
preached any other doctrine. The pio- 
neer of methodism in Washington County ; 
but a man who must be his own leader, 
who could never restrain himself to circuit 
rules. He had joined the Methodist con- 
ference in his youth, had been appointed 
to a circuit ; it could not hold him ; remon- 
strated with, reappointed, shot off on a 
fervent tangent. Conference dropped him, 
could not keep a man it could neither rule 



or guide. Every minister 
seemed against him — Cal- 
vinistic divine, regular 
Methodist circuit preach- 
er as well, — decried by all, 
he prevailed. He thick- 
ened his appointments, 
the multitude hung on the 
words from his lips, his 
oddities attracted, his ec- 
centricities were his great 
cliarm. He was called 
••Crazy Dow,"' which name 
seemed to please him very 
well. From his home in 
Connecticut, he had his 
yearly line of preaching 
places all up through into 
Canada. On his annual 
visit to Vermont, he al- 
ways visited this Count}'. 
We hear of him before he 
enters at Danville ; when 
entered, in Cabot, Calais, 
Plainfield, Barre and al- 
ways at Montpelier. At 
the close of a first visit to 
Montpelier, as narrated to 
me a few years since, by 
an old gentleman, now 
dead, who was present, 
and his devoted admirer, Dow said at 
pai'ting with his audience "One year from 
this day, I will again preach here." The 
people after he left laughed at his giving 
out an appointment so far ahead and at 
his sq()posing that he would keep it. The 
year came round, no one remembered it, 
but, lo ! in a year to the day and hour, Dow 
appeared to fulfil his engagement ; his 
first salutation to the crowd, gathering 
around him, "Crazy Dow is with you 
once again V He preached as I never 
heard any one but him ; for three hours he 
held his large audience so still you could 
have heard a pin drop on the floor, said 
our narrator, and at the end of his sermon, 
gave out another appointment for a year 
from the day. People rather looked for 
him the next year. As he left in the morn- 
ing and kept to the hour as well as day 
before, he was expected in the morning 



MONTPELIER. 



361 




We are journeying to that laiui 
From wlifciice there's no return. 

again, and not appearing some said he 
would not come, others that he would be 
here before night, and others that because 
a crazy man had taken the freak to keep an 
appointment once, there was no reason to 
look for him to do so again. His appear- 
ance in the afternoon put an end to the 
growing anxiety. On he came, about 
mid-afternoon, accompanied by Peggy. He 
was not married when he came before, or 
did not bring his wife with him. They 
both were dressed in plain, homespun, 
woolen garments, a long cloak of plain 
woolen cloth reaching to their feet, wooden 
shoes on their feet, and both wore large 
brimmed chip hats, just alike, and each 
carried a staff or walking-stick. They 
journeyed upon horseback, but dismounted 
without the village, and walked up the 
street to the place for the meeting, follow- 
ed by the crowd. Dow excused his being 
46 



late, that his companion 
could not travel as fast as 
he could, and declined an 
invitation to dinner, al- 
though neither he or his 
companion had dined that 
day. It was getting late 
for his meeting ; he would 
not take any refreshments 
till after he had preached 
a long sermon, nor suffer 
his wife to. Dow mounted 
the platform, and seating 
himself in the chair, sat 
for some moments silently, 
gazing intently at his au- 
dience, and then suddenly 
arising upon his feet, at a 
signal from him, Peggy, 
who was seated with the 
audience, arose to her feet 
— clad in her long cloak 
and hat, stood gravely 
waiting. Said Dow, "This 
woman with me is Peggy 
Dow. I have brought her 
with me that she may teach 
the women subservience to 
their husbands." To Peg- 
gy, "Standstill!" Peggy 
stood very still. "Be 
seated!" Peggy sat down. Dow com- 
menced his sermon, preaching with his 
cloak and hat on. Dow always wore his 
hat when he preached, and as he never 
shaved, had a very long beard, that added 
to his conspicuous and distinguished ap- 
pearance. Peggy, a simple and amiable 
woman, was a good help to Dow. She 
greatly delighted in class and prayer- 
meetings, and was a very good singer. 
"PeggyDow's Hymn Book" — See Gilman's 
Bibliotheca, p. 315, — was printed at Mont- 
pelier. Here it was probably first used in 
the meetings of those early days. Long 
after Peggy's death, the hymn book was 
used by Dow. A gentleman in Montpelier 
has one now that was given to him or to 
his wife by Dow. The State Historical 
Library has a copy. Lorenzo Dow had 
opposition, however, to meet at Mont- 
pelier, as well as elsewhere. It was this, 



362 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



perhaps, made Montpelier a favorite preach- 
ing place. Opposition gave an attraction 
to a place. He counted upon it to succeed. 
It was ladder and platform to him. That 
churches or clergy combined against him, 
l)ut added to his popularity. One year 
some good church ladies of this village, 
loving quiet and orderly ways, took the 
matter in hand, and in the school-house 
where the meetings were held put in a 
quilt. A party of ladies were at work 
when Dow arrived. Not a word he said 
to the ladies' blockade. A moment he 
stood in the open door, in his uncouth 
long garment and unshorn awfulness, look- 
ing majestically upon the equally silent 
and suddenly abashed ladies, when, turn- 
ing from the door, springing upon a wood- 
pile in the yard, he commenced preaching. 
Long before he ende'd, a crowd packed the 
yard around him, and every woman in the 
school-house was seen at the windows and 
at the door. It had been utterly impossi- 
ble for them to restrain their curiosity, 
and listening, had become so magnetized 
by the marvelous man, they took out the 
unfinished quilt, and surrendered the 
school-house for the evening. Dow said 
when he saw the ladies there, he made up 
his mind he should be present at the shak- 
ing of that quilt, and he was. 

Again he preached on the wood-pile at 
the door of the old Court House, closed 
against him, and drew out, it is said, all 
the audience of a "four days' meeting," 
that had been got up just as he was com- 
ing, but five. Hearing Dow's voice with- 
out, at first one man stole out, then an- 
other and another. In vain the minister 
paused in the midst of his sermon to look 
reproof, and continued his discourse. An- 
other left, now a whole seat at once. The 
minister finished his sermon, but at the 
end only five persons were left in the 
house — himself, the two other ministers 
seated beside him, and the two deacons. 

He kept the people awake while with 
them, and in his absence they heard of 
him : now in Georgia, among the planta- 
tions South, having splendid success. He 
was to preach under a large tree. A man 
could sit among tlie liranches perfectly 



concealed by the thick foliage. The eve- 
ning before, Dow came to the spot with a 
negro, a good trumpet blower. Standing 
under the tree, Dow thus instructed him : 
He should come before any one in the 
morning, and hide in the tree overhead, 
and remain breathlessly still till Dow in 
his preaching should call out the third time 
"Gabriel!"' and then blow his tnmipet. 
The morning opened, to a vast dark as- 
sembly. Lorenzo preached on the "Judg- 
ment Day,"' — a tremendous sermon, — and 
when he had wrought the crowd up to its 
highest pitch, — pausing, listening, — cried 
out again, still more loud and terrific — 
" But you don't believe it ! If I were to 
tell you that Gabriel — will sound his trum- 
pet — before we leave this spot — you would 
not believe me ! The earth may open be- 
neath your feet, and you tumble into hell, 
before you will believe ! This trumpet may 
sound this very day !" The audience be- 
came strangely excited. " Gabriel may 
sound his trumpet at any time now." Gaz- 
ing intently up — "Methinks I see him! 
Methinks I hear his trumpet now ! Ga- 
briel will ■' A quick trumpet peal over- 
head ; a startled negro crowd, eyes rolling 
in their sockets ; a blast more loud, — 
groanings, falling upon their knees, black 
terror developed, — shriller and shriller the 
invisible trumpet ; confusion, flight, clutch- 
ings to each other, some praying, others 
famting. With the loudest blast, the ne- 
gro, tnu-npet in hand, leaped in his excite- 
ment from the tree into the sprawling 
i crowd, mistaken for Gabriel. Dow took 
advantage of the confusion to leave. He 
afterwards called it a trial of the power of 
of imagination. 

Finding on the fresh leaves of our early 
history the tracks of this eccentric Dow 
" everywhere," we had thought to trace out 
some account of his labors here and else- 
where from his published journal, but 
learning that a first nephew of his was still 
living, we will do better, and introduce to 
you, with his faithful and graphic memorial 
paper, Mr. Lewis J. Bridgmax, of New 
York, a son of Vermont, Biographist of 
his famous uncle. Lorenzo Dow. 



MONTPELIER. 



3^3 



LEWIS JOSEPH BRIDGMAN 




The following sketch of the Life and Times of the celebrated Lorenzo Dow, and his first wife, Peggy Dow> 
is compiled from some of their own writings, but principally is original matter, known to no one outside of the 
author, LEWIS JOSEPH BRIDGMAN. 



Note to the Reader. — Having been 
requested to write a brief sketch of the life 
of the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, for publi- 
cation in the history of Vermont, I comply 
with the pressing request, yet at this busy 
season of commercial business, I can 
scarcely find the time to do justice to so 
distinguished a character as the subject of 
this brief memoir. I know of whom I 
write. His eccentricities of character may 
have sometimes made him the subject of 
ridicule and jest, still he possessed talents 
of a very high order, that on many occa- 
sions in forensic discourses have discom- 
fitted his opponents, and drawn from them 
the warmest congratulations. He possess- 
ed in a remarkable degree the idiosyncra- 
sies of the Dow race ; but all his oddities 



possessed a point often bordering on the 
satirical. Like his father before him, he 
was gifted with a great amount of " handy 
change," as he used to denominate wit. 
His memory was also remarkable, border- 
ing on the marvelous. The memory of 
Lorenzo being as strong as it is reported, 
was nevertheless eclipsed by his father, 
Humphrey Bean Dow, which was so re- 
tentive, that by hearing any one verse read 
in any part of the Bible, he would readily 
repeat the next ; as incredible as this may 
appear, he was bften put to the test in the 
presence of the family, when I have been 
an interested spectator, and I never re- 
member of any omission. 

I recollect well when 1 was a boy. Uncle 
Lorenzo came to visit his sister, (my 



364 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



mother,) while we were living in Hard- 
wick, Vt. One day at dinner we had a 
new pitcher, made to commemorate some 
of the events of the war of i8 12-14 with 
Great Britain. Upon one side of the 
pitcher was a spread eagle in gilt, with a 
wreath running around the eagle of chain- 
work, and in each link of the chain, there 
being 21 links, were the names of our gen- 
erals who fouglit during the war. Gen. 
Brown's name stood at the top. Uncle 
took up the pitcher, and told the number 
of battles Gen. Brown had fought, the num- 
ber of men he had in each action, the killed, 
wounded and missing : those who fought 
against him. the number of men killed and 
taken prisoners : so with each general 
until he had gone through with the entire 
number. Then turning the pitcher around 
to the reverse side, there was a jDicture of 
a gilt ship under full sail, with the names 
of the commodores or post captains who 
took part in the same war, Commodore 
Rogers' name standing at the top. Uncle 
gave also the number of naval battles, 
when and where fought, the number of 
ships he commanded in each, number of 
men, how many lost, and how many pris- 
oners he took, and the minute history and 
details of each commander. The time 
taken in relating the battles was some two 
hours and a half. 

LORENZO DOW 

was born of Puritan parents, in Coven- 
try, Tolland Co., Ct., October i8th, 1777. 
His parents were born in the same town, 
from English ancestors. Ulysses, the 
oldest of the family, studied medicine, but 
finally devoted his time to teaching in an 
academy in New London, Ct. He taught 
the classics, astronomy, surveying, and 
navigation. He taught the latter to many 
of the post captains in our young navy, 
The next in the family was Ethelinda Dow, 
my mother, who subsequently married 
Joseph Bridgman, then living in Coventry. 
Subsequently my parents moved to Hard- 
wick, Vt., where my brother. Rev. Au- 
gustus Leroy, and Christiania and the 
writer of this article were born. The next 
daughter in my grandfather's family was 
Orrilana, who while visiting my mother in 



Hardwick, became acquainted with Mr. 
Fish, and married him there. The next 
daughter, Merya, married the son of Gov. 
Huntington, of Connecticut, and settled 
first in Georgia. The next was Lorenzo, 
and the youngest was Tabitha, who, 
while on a visit to lier sisters in Hard- 
wick, became acquainted with Capt. Sam- 
uel French, of that town, and married 
him. These three sisters marrying in 
that town, were among the first families 
to settle in that new country, and their de- 
scendants have filled offices of trust and 
profit in various departments of govern- 
ment and state. The only son of the 
author of this sketch is pastor of a large 
and flourishing church in Albany, N. Y., 
and is the youngest man who ever had the 
title of Doctor of Divinity conferred on 
him this country. 

In younger life, Lorenzo was possessed 
of a very weak and tender constitution 
which prevented him from joining in those 
athletic sports which have a tendency to 
bring health and strength to the young. 
His mind at a very early age became re- 
ligiously impressed with the thoughts of 
God and the works of Creation ; and the 
questions he would ask his parents, showed 
characteristics far beyond his years. A 
little later, while laboring, in more mature 
years, under that harrassing disease the 
asthma, he showed a resignation that was 
surprising in one so young. He tells us 
in his autobiography that at the age of 12 
years, his hopes of worldly pleasure was 
greatly blasted by a sudden illness occa- 
sioned by overheating himself with hard 
labor, and drinking cold water while in that 
state, that in subsequent years, would al- 
most take his breath, from the most excru- 
ciating pains. About this time his mind 
became greatly exercised on the subject of 
his salvation. One night he dreamed that 
he saw the prophet Nathan in a large as- 
sembly of people, prophesying many 
things. 1 got an opportunity, (he says) 
to ask him how long I should live? The 
prophet answered, until you are two and 
twenty. This dream was so imprinted up- 
on his mind, that it caused many serious 
and painful hours at intervals. 



MONTPELIER. 



365 



When about 13 years and upward, he 
tells us he was much impressed by the 
death of John Wesley ( 1 79 1 . ) He dreamed 
that he saw Wesley, who asked him if he ev- 
er prayed, he said no, and soon after he met 
Wesley a second time, who asked him the 
same question again, and he answered no, 
when Wesley said you must, and disap- 
peared. In the same dream, Wesley came 
once more, and asked the same question, 
he told him that he had prayed, then said 
Wesley, "be faithful until death.*' This 
dream so impressed him, that he broke off 
from his old companions and began a 
course of secret prayer which lasted through 
life. Subsequently his feelings were so 
aroused by the doctrine of unconditional 
reprobation and particular election, he be- 
came nearly deranged. 

About this time the Methodists came in- 
to Coventry and began preaching, and he 
went to hear them. On one occasion, the 
preacher took for his text "Is there no 
balm in Gilead? Is tliere no physician 
there ? " 

[Here follows a page of a sermon on 
hell and its pungent effect on a mind la- 
boring under "election," — we omit. We 
do not give sermons and the statements 
seem sufficient. — Ed.] 

It nearly drove him to commit suicide. 
The idea that filled his mind was that there 
was no mercy for him. He at last threw 
himself on the ground, and cried to the 
Lord, "I submit; 1 yield! If there be 
mercy in heaven for me, let me know it ; 
and if not, let me go down to hell, and 
know the worst of my case. As these 
words flowed from my heart," he writes, "I 
saw the Mediator step in, as it were, be- 
tween justice and my soul, and these words 
applied to my soul with great power, 'Son, 
thy sins, which are many, are forgiven 
thee ; thy faith hath saved thee ; go in 
peace.'" 

From this time on his happiness was 
complete. Many trials and doubts and 
conflicting emotions possessed him ; still 
his firm confidence in the God of hosts 
carried him triumphantly through all his 
after tribulations. 



In the "exemplified experience," at this 
time, his brother-in-law, Mr. Fish, was so 
interested that he became a seeker of 
Christ. Lorenzo often said his greatest 
desire to live was to obtain a higher degree 
of holiness here, that he might be happier 
hereafter. He was a believer to a certain 
extent in dreams ; he had many, some of 
which were exact forerunners of what 
soon after came to pass. A remarkable 
one occurred as follows : he dreamed he 
was in a strange house. "As 1 sat by the 
fire, a messenger came in and said, 'there 
are three ministers come from England, 
and in a few minutes will pass by this 
way." 1 followed him out, and he disap- 
peared. I ran over a woodpile, and jumped 
upon a log, to have a fair view of them. 
Presently three men came over a hill from 
the west towards me ; tlie foremost dis- 
mounted ; the other two, one of whom was 
on a white horse, the other on a reddish 
one. both with the three horses disap- 
peared. 1 said to the first, 'Who are you ?' 
He replied, 'John Wesley,' and walked 
towards the east. He turned round and 
looked me in the face, and said 'God has 
called you to preach the gospel. You have 
been a long time between hope and fear, 
but there is a dispensation of the gospel 
committed to you. Woe unto you if you 
preach not the gospel.'" 

His mind having been previously drawn 
towards a preacher's life, this singular 
dream decided the contest, and he entered 
the ministry. He was placed upon a cir- 
cuit extending into New Hampshire, then 
a wilderness. Wherever he preached souls 
were converted. His circuit was enlarged 
into the State of Vermont. As he became 
more known, invitations flowed in upon 
him from all parts. 

His health was very often broken down 
on account of the disease brought upon 
him while a boy, and resulted in the asth- 
ma to that extent that he either sat up 
whole nights or slept on the floor. 

He never took a collection for preach- 
ing, but sometimes received gifts from in- 
dividuals. His preaching took hold upon 
the careless, the blasphemer, and all in a 



366 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



remarkable manner. Revivals succeeded 
revivals all over the territory where he 
preached. 

In the town of Brandon, Vt., a rich mer- 
chant with his niece came some distance 
to hear him preach, but when they saw 
how plain the young man looked, their 
first thought was to go home, but conclud- 
ed to stay and see the thing out, as they 
had taken so much pains to get there. 
After the sermon their consciences ap- 
peared to be touched, and they were con- 
strained to cry for mercy. In that place 
25 others came out and joined the church. 
The people said, " Lorenzo has clone some 
good, by turning the mind of the blasphe- 
mer, from collecting his debts, to religion, 
and so we are kept out of jail." 

His great success was in visiting from 
house to house, and in making personal 
appeals to individuals. On many occa- 
sions he made appointments for preaching 
6 months and even 18 months ahead, and 
always fulfilled them to the minute, even 
if he had to ride a horse to death to reach 
the place in time, as it has been the case 
more than once. 

In Vermont, in passing through a dense 
woods one day to fill an appointment, he 
saw two men chopping wood. He mount- 
ed on a large stump, and said "Crazy 
Dow will preach from this stump 6 months 
from to day, at 2 o'clock, p. m." Six 
months from that time an immense audi- 
ence was assembled, and Dow in going to 
the place saw a man in great distress look- 
ing for something. Dow encjuired what 
the matter was. The man replied that he 
was poor, and that some one had stolen 
his axe, and that he felt the loss very 
much. Lorenzo told him if he would go 
to the meeting he would find his axe. Be- 
fore getting to the place of service, Dow 
picked up a stone and put it in his pocket. 
After the delivery of a powerful sermon, 
Dow said — " There is a man here who has 
had his axe stolen, and the thief is here in 
this audience, and I am going to throw 
this stone right to his head," — drawing 
back his hand as though in the act of 
throwing the stone. One man ducked his 
head. Dow went up to him and said — 



" You have g6t this man's axe I" And so 
he had, and went and brought it and gave 
it to him. 

Not to weary the reader, I will give but 
one more incident here, (of which scores 
could be authenticated,) to show the re- 
markable success with which his efforts 
were blessed. In one of his meetings again 
in Vt., (Wallingford,) Dow was intro- 
duced to a man by the name of Solomon 
Moon, who cavilled at every thing of a re- 
ligious aspect. Having delivered some re- 
ligious counsel, with the solemn recjuest 
that he should seriously reflect upon it, 
Dow left him to his own reflections. A 
few days after, in another part of the cir- 
cuit, some 40 miles from his home, Solo- 
mon Moon stood up in the lovefeast, and 
declared how he was caught in a promise, 
and to ease his mind was necessitated to 
fulfil it, and within three days found the 
reality of what he had doubted ; and be- 
sought others not to be afraid of promising 
to serve God. Said he — " I bless the day 
that ever I saw the face of Brother Dow." 
It was curiosity, as he testified, which first 
induced him to come out to hear the man 
who was called Crazy Dow. In this love- 
feast the cry began again, and continued 
within two hours of the setting sun. 

About this time he felt it his duty to 
visit Ireland, and without money or any of 
the necessaries for a voyage across the At- 
lantic. Money and all necessary conve- 
niences were furnished from friends, many 
sending gifts of whom he had never heard 
before. Providence in a very special man- 
ner on this, and other similar occasions, 
bountifully supplied his wants. 

While HI Ireland the Lord blessed his 
preaching to hundreds of souls. He crossed 
the ocean 14 times, and traveled extensive- 
ly through Ireland, England, Scotland, 
and even to the Continent. On one of 
his visits to Dublin, he caught the small 
pox the natural way, and was so far gone 
with it that it became necessary to sew 
sheets around him to keep the skin from 
falling off". For many days his case was 
pronounced hopeless, but the same merci- 
ful Providence that watched over him at 
all times brought him through safely. 



MONTPELIER 



367 



While staying with the great Dr. Paul 
Johnson, of Dublin, this sickness took 
place, and while there, his only child was 
born. In remembrance of the Doctor and 
hij wife, Dow named m_\- youngest sister 
after the Doctor's wife, " Letitia Johnson" 
Bridgman, and the youngest son of Mrs. 
Fish, "Paul Johnson" Fish, after the 
Doctor. The last voyage made, on his 
return to America, he brought home many 
works relating to the Quakers or Friends, 
and some rare histories relating to the 
court of St. James, which are now out of 
print. I recollect well when the books 
were brought home to our house in 
Hebron, Ct., there being 2,200 volumes. 

Dow lays down a few words for reflec- 
tions, viz. : The "pleasure" of the Lord 
was the moving cause of creation, love 
was the moving cause of redemption, and 
faith is the instrumental cause of salvation ; 
but sin, man's own act, is the cause of his 
damnation. 

The glory of God ovir object, the will of 
God our law, his spirit our guide, and the 
Bible our rule, that Heaven may be our 
end. Hence we must watch and pray, en- 
dure to the end to receive the crown of 
life, where there is pleasure without pain 
forever more. 

PEGGY HOAKUM DOW, 

the first wife of Lorenzo, was born in 
Granville, Mass., 1780, of parents who 
were strangers to God, although her father 
was a member of the church of England, 
and her mother had been raised by parents 
of the Presbyterian order. Her mother 
died when she, was 5 months old, leaving 
behind 2 sons and 4 daughters. "My 
eldest sister married," says Peggy, "when 
I was 6 years old, and she prevailed on my 
father to give me to her, which accordingly 
he did, and I was carried into the State of 
New York, and saw his face no more!" 

Peggy, at a very early age, had serious 
religious impressions, which lasted for 
some years, and at last eventuated in a 
bright Christian hope. But the vicissitudes 
and changes she passed through in a life 
so young, caused her to look to her Heav. 
enly Father for help more than otherwise 



she might have done. But her whole soul 
was of a religious cast ; her whole mind ' 
was filled with the love of her Saviour. 
She says in one of her letters, "My 
brother-in-law .... embraced re- 
ligion, and we were a happy family, . 
three in number. . . . The preachers 
made our house their home, and it was my 
delight tp wait on them." She formed a 
little class of seven persons, and in their 
meetings for prayer and praise it was a 
heaven on earth to their souls. 

About this time camp-meetings began 
to be introduced into that part of the 
country, attended by the conversion of 
many souls. Says Peggy, in her writings, 
" there was one about 30 miles from where 
I then lived, and my brother-in-law at- 
tended it, where he met with Lorenzo 
Dow, on his way to Canada, and invited 
him home to preach at our preaching- 
house, and sent on the appointment a day 
or two beforehand, so as to give publicity ; 
and as he was a singular character, we 
were very anxious to see and hear him. 
The day arrived, he came, and the house 
was crowded, and we had a good time. I 
was very much afraid of him, as I had 
heai'd such strange things about him. 
My brother-in-law invited him to our house, 
and after several days he came, and little 
did I think that he had any thoughts of 
marrying, and in particular that he should 
make any proposition of the kind to me, 
but so it was." In conversation with her 
sister, he enquired how long Peggy had 
been a Christian, what the character of 
her company was, and whether she had 
ever manifested a desire to marry a min- 
ister. He was answered satisfactorily. 
Soon after, meeting Peggy, Lorenzo asked 
her if she would accept such an object as 
him. She went directly out of the room 
and made no reply. "As it was the first 
time he had spoken to me," she writes, 
" I was ver\' much surprised." The 
next evening the conversation was renew- 
ed, when Peggy gave her consent to marry 
him, and travel with him when it was nec- 
essary. They were married Sept. 4th. 
The next morning Lorenzo started off on 
a preaching tour to New Orleans, in ful- 



368 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



filment of a chain of appointments given 
out six months before, and Peggy never 
saw him again for i8 months; this chain 
of appointments was over 4,000 miles. 

For many years after, she was his con- 
stant traveling companion. She traveled 
with him through every state and territory 
in the United States, and through the 
British Dominions, sharing in his fatigue, 
sleeping on the ground in the wilderness, 
with the open canopy of heaven for a 
roof, or lodging in the cane-brakes of the 
South when no house could be reached. 
All this suffering and deprivation she joy- 
fully submitted to, believing it was the 
Lord's will. It seemed that the burning 
desire of her heart was to know exactly 
what the Lord would have her do. 

Peggy writes. May 20, 18 14, they were 
at Hoboken, a delightful spot of the earth, 
upon the Jersey side of the river opposite 
New York, where from the window of the 
room we occupy we have a grand view of 
the city. On the other hand the Jersey 
side presents to view, decorated with all 
the charms of spring, green trees and 
shady groves. 

In June following, the deep trials and 
conflicts through which she passed began 
to tell sadly upon her health. 

peggy'.s last letter to her husband. 

Dear Lorenzo : — I take my pen again to 
converse with you, this being the only 
way we communicate our thoughts to each 
other, when .separated by rivers and moun- 
tains, and I esteem it a precious privilege. 
I have much cause to adore the beneficent 
hand of Providence for his mercy to usward, 
although we have our trials, yet he mixes 
mercy with them. He has of late given 
me some tokens for good — my heart has 
been enabled to rejoice in his love in a 
considerable degree. At a meeting a few 
nights ago, where Methodists and Presby- 
terians were united, and there was a union 
in my heart to all the dear children of my 
Master, I have felt more strength to say 
in my heart, "the will of the Lord be done." 
I think yesterday, my desire to (iod was, 
if it would be more for His glory for you to 
return in a few weeks, you might ; if not, so 
let it be. Go, my Lorenzo, the way yon are 
assured ike Lord calls, and if we meet no 
more ixx. this vale of tears, may God pre- 
pare us to meet in the realms of peace, to 
range the blest fields on the banks of the 



river, and sing hallelujah forever and ever. 
I am very sure if I reach safe the destined 
port, 1 shall have cause to sing. I trust 
the Lord who has called you to leave all, 
will give you a rich reward ; in this woi-ld, 
precious souls, and in the world to con-^e a 
crown of glory. I have seen Bro. Tarbox 
since his return ; nothing has taken place 
anew. You have been accustomed to 
similar treatment. Ma\- you have patience 
and true philanthropy of heart; that is 
most desirable. You cannot conclude 
from what I have written, that I would not 
rejoice to see )ou return, if it would be 
consistent with the will of God ; but I 
would desire, above all things, not to be 
found fighting against him. Your father 
is as well as we ma}- expect considering 
his infirmities. 

My dear Lorenzo, I bid adieu once more. 
May the Lord return you to your poor 
Peggy again. I liave written five times 
before this. Peggy Dow. 

Jan. 22, i8(8. 

My uncle was in Europe, expecting to 
make an extended tour, but by peculiar 
feelings of his own, and premonitions 
from friends in Europe in relation to his 
wife's health, he returned to America one 
year sooner than he had made arrange- 
ments for when leaving. Peggy had at- 
tended a writing-school in his absence, 
taken a heavy cold, and it had settled on 
her lungs. She traveled some with her 
husband after his return, but while in 
Providence, R. I., he found her one morn- 
ing in her room weeping ; enquiring the 
cause, after some hesitation she replied, 
" The consumption is a flattering disease ; 
but I shall return back to Hebron, and 
tell Father Dow that I have come back to 
die with him ! " 

She requested her husband not to leave 
her till she had got better or worse, which 
request she had never made before under 
any circumstances. In September the}- 
returned to Hebron. They never parted 
but twice after Lorenzo's return from 
Europe ; once for a night, and once while 
on business for five days in Boston. 

She continued to decline until Decem- 
ber, when one night she woke up and en- 
quired the day of the month, and being 
informed, said she was bound by the month 
of January ; she counted ever}' day until 
the year expired, and then almost e\ery 



MONTPELIER. 



369 



hour until the morning of the fifth, when 
she asked her husband if he had been to 
bespeak a coffin for her. She was an- 
swered in the negative. In the evening 
she asked if he had called in the neigh- 
bors. "I answered no," he has recorded, 
"but Bro. Page and wife came in. which 
seemed refreshing to her, in whose com- 
pany she had spent many hours. ■■■ At 2 
o'clock that night she requested to have 
the family called up, which being done, 
she failed very fast. Being asked if she 
felt any pain, she replied, " no." As she 
was dying, Lorenzo held her in his arms, 
and said, " Lord, thou gavest her to me ! 
I have held her only as a lent favor for 
fifteen years, and now I resign her back to 
Thee until we meet again beyond the 
swelling flood I "' .She replied with a hearty 
"Amen,''" and soon expired. 

By Lorenzo's request she was laid out 
in the bombazine dress she wore the last 
time she went to church, and with woolen 
blankets in the coffin, and was buried 
7 feet in depth in the cemetery at Burrows 
hill, Hebron, Ct. 

She possessed exquisite sensibility, but 
affection and condescension. The writer 
was then a boy, but remembers the cir- 
cumstances well. 

The following was put upon her tomb- 
stone : 

* * 

i FEGGYDOW, * 

* * 

* • * 

'I SHARED THE VICISSn'UDES OF LORENZO * 

* * 

* * 

* FIFTEEN YEARS. * 

* * 

* * 

* And died January 6th. 1820. * 

* ' * 

* Aged 39. * 

* * 

**:fr******************************** 

Three months after the decease of his 
first wife, Lorenzo married his second 
wife in Montville, Ct., who proved to be 
the very opposite of his " Peggy" in tem- 
perament, social qualities, and, in short, 
everything that goes to make a lady of 
refinement. Politeness and amiability 
were wanting in his second wife. Gifted 
with talents of a high order, educated in 



the best schools of the country, still she 
proved that with the highest talents, a 
person can be a fool. 

Lorenzo now at this age began to feel 
the effects of his severe labors and dej^ri- 
vations. His health began to give wav, 
the asthma troubled him more than form- 
erly, and his sufferings from that, and a 
tumor growing in his side, were at times 
so painful that it prevented sleep for whole 
nights together; and during the spasms, 
his only rest was in standing upright. He 
now in view of settling his worldly affairs, 
paid off all obligations on the farm in 
Montville, it being heavily mortgaged when 
it came into his hands, through his wife's 
friends. It consisted of 500 acres, and 
commanded a large stream of water, on 
which he had built mills and factories of 
various kinds, and which were in success- 
ful operation. He now felt that after his 
large house and farm buildings were all 
finished in splendid order, he and his wife 
could enjoy themselves : and proposed tak- 
ing a trip to New Orleans, where he had 
been a number of times before. Once his 
expenses were paid both ways by the Free- 
masons ; he having taken all the degrees 
then known in this country ; and much of 
his time was devoted to lecturing in lodges 
for the "good and welfare of the Order." 
They left in their private carriage with 
horses and driver. He had had a man to 
go on some time before them to make ap- 
pointments for his preaching. Arriving in 
Georgetown, D. C, he was taken sick. 
While he lay in distress, he signed a will, 
giving to her all real and personal proper- 
ty, together with his present money, some 
$3000.00, which, had he been in his right 
mind, she never would have received a 
dollar of. His disease was short, but pain- 
ful in the extreme, his end hastened by 
the bursting of the tumor. He died Feb. 
2, 1834, aged 56 years. His funeral was 
attended by a large concourse of sympathiz- 
ing friends, some of the principal families 
of Georgetown and Washington, and many 
thousand Freemasons, as he was buried 
under the Order of that body. The whole 
was a solemn and very imposing cere- 
mony. 



47 



37° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



There has fallen one of the mighty men 
of his time ; one, who has been the means 
in the hands of God of the conversion of 
thousands upon thousands, in this country 
and in Europe ; and whose name will go 
down the ages as a good and wise man, 
when those who have waded through fields 
of blood and carnage to obtain a throne, 
will be lost in the vortex of revolution. 

Owing to the condemnation of Holmead's 
burial ground in Washington as in the way 
of sanitary reform, the remains of the 
dead buried therein had to be removed, 
and among them those of Lorenzo Dow, 
the eccentric missionary of the last genera- 
tion. A Masonic Lodge in Connecticut, 
his native State, endeavored to secure the 
privilege of reinterring the remains of their 
brother in the craft with due ceremonial. 
The Methodist clergy of Baltimore also 
took steps to honor the Preacher, but the 
District clergy got ready first, and reburied 
Dow on Friday in the Rock Creek Ceme- 
tery, in a lot given by the banker Corco- 
ran, who admired hnn as a "prophet" in 
life. 

The old tomb at Holmead's bore on a 
stone slab the following singular inscrip- 
tion, the last lines of which were dictated 
by himself: 

*;|t!)C ******************************** 

* * 

* THE REPOSITORY OF * 

* LORBNZO DOW, * 

J Who was born in Coventry, Conn., ^ 

* Oct. i8, 1777. I 

* Died Feb'y 2, 1834, * 

I JIE.. B6. % 



% A Christian is the highest style of man. ^ 

% He is a slave to no sect; takes no * 

* private road; but looks through * 

* nature tip to nature's God. * 

* • * 

******************************* ^:*** 

The removal of this slab revealed the 
remains. The skeleton was all preserved, 
the long snowy beard lay in life-like natu- 
ralness upon the breast bone, beneath 
which the vest was in good preservation, 
and fully buttoned. The right sleeve of the 
coat was in good condition and the greater 
part of the pants. The mahogany coffin 



had almost entirely crumbled, the largest 
portion not being over 18 inches long. 

The last words on record, knbwn of Lo- 
renzo's writing, are : 

"We must soon part; therefore, as I 
take leave of you, my request is, to lay 
aside prejudice, sacrifice sin. sink into the 
will of (jod, take him for your protector 
and guide, by attention to the sweet influ- 
ence of his spirit on the mind, that you 
may be useful in your day to your fellow- 
mortals here ; and as an inward and spir- 
itual worshiper, ascend to God. Thus it 
may be well with you here and hereafter. 

"■ A7Heii. Adieu till we meet beyond 
this life ! 

"Farewell. 

" Lorenzo." 

['♦ Farewell means to do well."'] 

Lorenzo Dow had only one child, a 
daughter, born in Dublin, that died soon 
after their return to this country, aged 
five months, and was buried in Georgia. 

The following anecdotes in a mea.sure 
illustrate the eccentricities of Dow, and 
all, with one or two e.xceptions, never be- 
fore having appeared in print. In my 
youth my uncle spent much of his time in 
our family, the members of which have 
passed away, which gives me the opportu- 
nity, as being the only one left who was 
familiar with his habits and life. 

In the eastern part of the town of Mans- 
field, on a lofty eminence known as " Meth- 
odi.st Hill,'" is an old barn, in which were 
held the first Methodist meetings in the 
town, aud where Lorenzo Dow is said to 
have preached his first sermon. That he 
entered the barn early, and laid down up- 
on one of the long benches, and feigned 
sleep. Dressed in tow pants, coatless, 
and shoes minus the stockings, he would 
naturally be taken for anything but a min- 
ister ; therefore as the people began to 
flock together and as the appointed hour 
was approaching, they began to try to 
arouse him, telling him there was to be a 
meeting but the minister had not come. 
He jumped up, asked what time it was, 
and being informed it was meeting time, 
brushed his hair, entered the pulpit and 
preached a rousing sermon, after which he 
a.sked if anv one in the room wanted to be 



MONTPELIER. 



371 



prayed for, " If so," said he, "pray for 
yourselves!" whereupon he took his hat 
and left. 

While our family were living on the Dow 
farm in Hebron, my father had charge of 
the place, and one hot summer's day we 
were mowing hay in the bog meadow and 
it was "rather slim picking." My father 
composed the following lines in the fore- 
noon, and when we came up to dinner, he 
repeated them to Uncle Lorenzo, who, be- 
ing of a high spirit, did not for some days 
speak to father : 

III Hebron town there lies a piece of land, 
Surrounded by rocks and hills, and ou it water stands ; 
This meadow lays quite low, and is owned by Lorenzo 

Dow, 
And all the grass that on it grows will scarcely keep 

one cow. 
There is here and there a spear, and those are very 

scarce. 
In fact, there is not so much in bulk, as the beard that 

grows on his face. 

Some years before be became so cele- 
brated, he used to travel principally on 
horseback ; and as he had to meet his ap- 
pointments punctually, no matter what the 
weather might be, he had to go dressed for 
all weathers. To do this, he had an oil- 
cloth cloak made something like a bed- 
quilt, with a hole cut through the middle to 
put his head through, and the cloak hung 
in folds around his person, and in a meas- 
ure protected his horse from the storm. 
Dressed in this outlandish manner, on one 
occasion he overtook a heavily loaded 
team in a stormy day, the driver urging 
his horses up a steep hill, the roads almost 
impassable in the deep mud, the driver 
belaboring the poor beasts with blows and 
uttering blasphemous oaths, when Lorenzo 
overtook him. Listening a moment to the 
man's profanity, he asked him "if he ever 
prayed?" The driver said no, and would 
be damned if he ever would. Lorenzo gave 
him a silver dollar to bind his oath, and 
made him promise he never would pray, 
and rode on to the next tavern, about a 
mile, and put up. In a short time, on 
came the driver, full gallop, to give the 
dollar back to the person from whom he 
had received it, thinking he had sold his 
soul to the devil, but Lorenzo would not 
take it back. The thought worked so up- 



on the man, it eventuated in his conver- 
sion. 

While living in Hebron, there was a Mr. 
Little, a hatter, a man who was very anx- 
ious to quiz people, and endeavor to get 
the best of them in his jokes. Meeting 
Mr. Dow in the street one day, after pass- 
ing the compliments of the morning, Mr. 
L. said "I would like to ask you a ques- 
tion." Lorenzo reiMied " Go on." "Can 
you tell me how many white beans it takes 
to make a bushel?" Lorenzo fixed his 
little keen black eyes on him a moment, 
and replied, "it takes just as many white 
beans to make a bushel as it does Littles 
to make a man." 

In the same town there lived one of those 
low, cunning sneaks by the name of Skin- 
ner, who, like barnacles, attach themselves 
to any one who will give them a hearing. 
Meeting Lorenzo one day, as he (Skinner) 
was going to the grist-mill with his bags 
of grain on his horse, he riding on the 
bags, — stopped his horse, and looking di- 
rectly into Lorenzo's face, said, "Mr. Dow, 
there are many of my neighbors who would 
like to know why you wear your hair and 
beard so long?" L. turned upon him a 
withering look, and said, "Mr. Skinner, 
when I was a boy my father used to send 
me to the mill, and 1 used to go right 
straight to the mill ; and when my grist 
was ground, used to return directly 
home ; never stopped to ask impertinent 
questions, but always minded my own bus- 
ine.ss. Good-bye, Mr. S.," and immedi- 
ately turned his back and walked off. 

On one occasion he sold a yoke of oxen 
to Elder Wilcox, a Baptist clergyman, liv- 
ing in Montville, Ct., for the sum of $65. 
The Elder worked the cattle very hard, 
and after a while one of the oxen took sick 
and died, when he came to Mr. D. repeat- 
edly for damages in the loss of the ox. It 
was satisfactorily proved the ox was well 
when sold. At last, annoyed by the El- 
der's, insolence, D. threw down his pocket- 
book, and told him to take out a sum suf- 
ficient to pay him. He took $65.00, the 
same as he gave for both oxen, and the El- 
der kept the well one. Lorenzo wrote a 
receipt in this fashion, and made him sign 



3?: 



VERiMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it: "Received of L. Dow sixty-five dol- 
lars, in full of all demands, from the be- 
gining to the end of the world." Thus 
cutting off any further demands against 
Uow from Wilcox to any amount. 

Uow's first wife was a very tender heart- 
ed, amiable. Christian woman ; and he used 
to teaze and annoy her in many ways for 
sport, while Peggy would take it all to 
heart and grieve over it- His second wife, 
a perfect amazon, with a regular tiger-tem- 
per, used to rule him with a rod of iron, so 
much so that Dow had one room finished 
in his new mansion in Montville expressly 
for himself, and always carried the key. 
Over the fireplace he had a gilt hen paint- 
ed, and over it in large golden letters : 
" The hen crows here." 

It was reported that in consequence of 
his last wife's mother opposing the match, 
because Dow was a Methodist in belief 
and her daughter being a Presbyterian, 
that it became necessary to be married 
away from home. The arrangement was 
made that on a certain evening he was to 
preach in a school-house, and that Lucy 
Dolbear, his intended, should be present, 
and at the conclusion of the discourse, at 
a certain signal, Lucy should get up. 
When the sermon was ended and the ben- 
ediction pronounced, Mr. Dow said, "If 
there is any one here who would like to 
marry me, they will manifest it by rising." 
A n^gro woman rose up at the same time 
his intended did. He took Lucy, and 
went to Elder Whittlese\'"s, and they were 
mairied that night. 

There was a stor} going the rounds of 
the papers in Vermont of Lorenzo Dow 
raising the devil. One day while he was 
at the dinner table at our house in Hard- 
wick, mother asked him about it. Lorenzo 
replied that the circumstances were as fol- 
lows : In traveling through the northern 
part of Vermont, he was belated one night 
in a blinding snow-storm. He went for 
the only light he could discover, _ and 
found it came from a small log-house. 
After repeated knockings at the door, a 
woman opened it. He asked accommoda- 
tions for the night. She said her husband 
was gone, and she could not possibly ac- 



commodate a stranger. But he plead with 
so much earnestness, she concluded to 
take him in. He immediately went to 
bed, without removing his clothing, in a 
little corner, separated off from the room 
where the family lived by a partition of 
rough boards, with cracks between, cov- 
ered with paper pasted over, which was 
torn oft' in many places, and anything 
going on in the opposite room could be 
easily .seen. It soon appeared this woman 
was not alone, but had a paramour. Late 
in the night on came her husband, drunk, 
as usual, and demanded admittance, hal- 
looing and cursing at the top of his voice, 
his wife all the while trying to stop him, 
but before opening the door, she secreted 
her pal in a cask of tow in the room. 
When admitting her husband, she tried to 
silence him by telling him that Lorenzo 
Dow was in the other room, and if he was 
not still he would wake him up. Well, 
says the husband, I understand he can 
raise the devil, and now he has got to do 
it. Notwithstanding all the appeals of his 
wife, the husband pounded on the door, 
calling on Dow to come out. At last Dow- 
pretended to be roused out of a sound 
sleep, (although he had been awake all the 
time) ; rubbing his eyes and yawning, he 
came out. The man insisted on Dow"s 
raising the devil, and would not take 
110 for an answer. Well, if you insist on 
it, said Dow, I will do it, but when he 
comes, it will be in aflame of fire, and you 
must set the doors wide open, so he will 
have plenty of room. The man opened 
his door, and Dow, taking the candle, 
touched the tow in the cask. In an in- 
stant the cask was wrapped in flame, and 
the man inside jumping out, all on fire, 
ran up the street like the very devil, all of 
a light blaze, tearing through the snow at 
the rate of 2 : 40. The husband was so 
frightened, for once it made a sober man 
of him. 

When I was g years old, my parents 
moved to Connecticut, and Uncle Lorenzo 
journeyed with us. At one of our stopping 
places he was called on to preach. It was 
about 4 p. .M. In a few minutes they had 
in the hotel where we stopped a congrega- 



MONTPELIER. 



373 



tion of some 300 persons. In the course 
of the sermon, he pointed to a young man 
present, and said, "How came you to 
steal that sheep, and dress and have it 
cooked? Do you think it tasted any 
better than if you had gone to work, 
earned the money, and paid for it like an 
honest man ? " After the sermon, my sister 
Christiania asked him what lie meant by 
being so personal, and making such a di- 
rect accusation of stealing, when he never 
was in that town before, and knew no one 
present ; that, having made a charge, if he 
could not sustain it, would go hard with 
him. Uncle Lorenzo replied he felt in- 
tensely impressed in a very peculiar man- 
ner to say what he did, so much so that 
he could not stop until he had made the 
charge. It was soon told us by the land- 
lord that two years before, that man stole 
a sheep, had it cooked, and eaten in his 
own family. He was sued, but his father 
settled it so it did not go into court. The 
reader may analyze this, whether there 
were any spiritual manifestations. 

The next night we put up at another inn, 
and as my uncle entered the house, he 
met an old acquaintance, a Deacon in a 
Congregational church there. The Dea- 
con was in the act of shaving. Seeing our 
party, he said — "Mr. Dow, do you ever 
shave .^" Uncle L. said, "1 shave a Con- 
gregatioiial Deacon once in a while.'' 

On the farm that Lorenzo owned in 
Montville, Ct., there was a dam at the out- 
let of a large pond. Below on the stream 
my uncle owned some mills, and below 
these was a large cotton factory, owned by 
one of his neighbors, employing a large 
number of operatives. In the night his 
neighbor would go and open the gate, and 
let the water out of the pond to run certain 
machinery. The next day there was not 
water enough to run his own mill. The 
result was L. D. went and had a gate 
made of boiler-iron, and spiked down so 
the man of the factory could not open it. 
He then raised his dam to the height of 25 
feet, keeping back the water for months. 
His neighbor wanted water to run his fac- 
tory, while Dow closed his mills up for re- 
pairs. The result was his neighbor sued 



him, and beat him. Dow carried up the 
case to the next court, and got beat there. 
He then carried the case to the court of 
last resort, and got beat again. Then Dow 
took his hired man, and opened the gate. 
The three months of water accumulated, 
the pressure upon the gate was immense ; 
the stream poured forth in a torrent. Says 
Dow to the man, "He wants water; give 
him more. Hoist the gate higher," and, 
looking on the rushing stream, said, " my 
neighbor wants water, and water he shall 
have. Take the gate out." The impet- 
uous current did more damage to tlie cot- 
ton factory than three months' laying still 
for the want of water. 

This was the basis of that work pub- 
lished by Dow, entitled "Fresh Water 
Law, or Twenty-nine Reasons why a man 
cannot control the water on his own land." 

Lorenzo Dow was once preaching in the 
State of Ohio, and having unusual freedom 
of thought and delivery, the congregation 
was thrilled with admiration and delight. 
When the interest was at its height, he 
suddenl}- stepped down from the desk, and 
deliberately walked to another part of the 
room and pointing his long, sarcastic fin- 
ger at a person to whom he was a total 
stranger, and fijcing on him his searching 
eyes, addressed him thus : — " 1 niean/(7« .' 
Yes, you! who ran away from Connecticut 
between two days to avoid pa3ing your 
honest debts ; and more than this, you per- 
secuted and abused your wife because she 
was endeavoring to seek religion ! Aint 
you as/iat/ied of yourself /^' The poor fel- 
low looked as though annihilation would 
be the highest boon. Dow returned to the 
desk and resumed the thread of his dis- 
course, and by his wonderful tact and mag- 
netism raised the congregation to the same 
summit of interest as before. After the 
benediction was pronounced, the people, 
who knew nothing of the man's antece- 
dents, instituted searching inquiry into the 
man's history and found that Dow's charg- 
es were true to the very letter. 

On another occasion while preaching in 
a grove, a young ma'n commenced rattling 
some boards at no great distance from the 
preacher's stand. The speaker cautioned 



374 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



him very mildly at first, but every little 
while he would renew the mischief. At 
length Dow cast on him a serious look, 
remarking : — " Those boards will make 
your coffin.'' The young man died in a 
few weeks, and the carpenter not thinking 
of Dow's remark made use of the very 
identical boards. These are but specimens 
of what occurred along the history of his 
life. 

He was once holding forth in a place in 
a very powerful manner, and all at once he 
paused in his discourse, and very deliber- 
ately made the remark: "There is a man 
present, who has been considered a very 
respectable person, but he is guilty of hug- 
ging and kissing another man's wife. 
Both parties are present. The man has a 
white feather on his head ; and the woman 
blushes deeply." In an instant a man 
reached his hand to his head, and Dow 
pointing to him said, " Thou art the 
man.'' And pointing to the woman, whose 
cheeks were scarlet, said, "Thou art 
the woman." Subsequent developments 
showed that Dow's arrows hit the mark. 

At another time, while preaching in 
Mississippi, some rowdies were thrusting 
a knife into a beautiful beaver hat of his, 
at some distance from the stand. He 
turned to them and addressed them 
thus : — The laws of society condemn you ; 
the laws of your country condemn you ; 
moreover the laws of God condemn you. 
The word condemned means damned, ist. 
You are villains. 2d. You are condemned 
villains, that is you are damned villains. 
3d. God condemns you by His law ; that 
is He damns you. Hence, you are God 
da»ined villains ! 



THE VERMONT UIBLE SOCIETY 

Had its organization at the capital. The 
first meeting was held at the hall of the 
Academy, Oct. 28, 1812. Hon. Wm. C. 
Harrington, mod., Jeduthan Loomis, clerk. 
Rev. Chester Wright preached the opening 
sermon, and before the meeting dissolved 
88 persons had become members, and 
$323.75 raised. First officers : Charles 
Marsh, preset. Gen. Abner Forbes, treas., 
Wm. Page, sec'v. 



METHODISM IN MONTPELIER. 

BY REV. J. R. BAKTLETT. 

The history of the Methodist Church in 
Montpelier extends to the earliest associa- 
tions of Methodism in Vermont. 

Various accounts have been given of the 
introduction of Methodism into Vermont, 
some of which are only matters of tradi- 
tion and probably incorrect. It is now 
known that the first Methodist preacher 
sent to Vermont by the authorized voice 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
who accepted and worked under the ap- 
pointment, was Nicholas Snethen, who at 
the Conference held at Thompson, Conn., 
convened Sept. 20, 1796, was " read off " 
as the appointee to " Vershire circuit." 

This was an entirely new field for Meth- 
odistic preaching, and Mr. Snethen prob- 
ably went to his appointment with no def- 
inite knowledge of the existence of any 
Methodist families in Vermont except one 
in Vershire, one in Bradford, and perhaps 
a few others in the extended territory 
which comprised the " circuit." 

" Vershire circuit reached," as the re- 
cords state, "from the towns near the 
Connecticut river to Montpelier." These 
boundaries are somewhat indefinite, but 
were as accurate, perhaps, as any in the 
early days of Methodism, when bounding 
the parish of a Methodist preacher. 

Jesse Lee, the pioneer of Methodism in 
New England, was Presiding Elder, and 
in his journal makes reference to Vershire 
circuit in these words: "Many of the 
places where we preached in that circuit 
were quite new settlements ; the houses 
were very small, and but scattered through 
the country. The preachers had to en- 
counter many difficulties and to endure 
many hardships. But one thing which 
made up for all the difficulties was this, 
the people were fond of attending meeting 
by day or by night, and were very kind to 
the preachers ; and best of all was, sin- 
ners were awakened, and in a little time 
some of them became the happy subjects 
of the favor of God, and were zealously en- 
gaged in trying to help forward the work 
of the Lord as far as thev could. Since 



MONTPELIER. 



375 



then we have prospered considerably in 
this new part of the country." 

The fragmentary records which are the 
only means of information now extant, give 
conclusive evidence that Montpelier was 
thus visited by the earl}- itinerant preach- 
ers, and that it immediately became an ap- 
pointment for stated and regular preach- 
ing. It is probable, however, that such 
preaching was only at intervals of consid- 
erable extent in point of time, and that the 
meetings were small as regards the num- 
ber in attendance, being held in dwellings, 
or possibl}' in school-houses where they 
existed and could be obtained for the pur- 
pose. Arminian theology was then re- 
garded as an interloper, and met with its 
opposing creeds of Calvinistic dogmas on 
the one hand and extreme Liberalism on 
the other, as its vital and untiring dispu- 
tants. 

D. P. Thompson's History of Montpe- 
lier speaks of " A great public meeting" for 
a doctrinal debate," held in Montpelier 
during the summer of 1799, in which a 
"Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of some other part 
of the State," appeared "on the part of 
the Methodists." Doubtless this was 
Joseph Mitchell, the preacher on the 
"Vergennes circuit" in that year. Mr. 
Mitchell was never an appointee on any 
circuit which included Montpelier, but 
was a man of untiring energy, great intel- 
lectual power and unceasing labors in his 
calling as a preacher, and it is recorded of 
him that he traveled at the rate of nearly 
6,000 miles a year while on the Vergennes 
circuit. His appearance in Montpelier at 
this time would seem to indicate either 
that he was an occasional visitor and 
preacher here, although not on his stated 
circuit, or that he was brought forward to 
champion the doctrines of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church by the friends of the 
same. 

It is not improbable that Montpelier 
may have been occasionally visited by the 
preachers of Vergennes circuit, as well as 
by those of Vershire circuit, of which it 
was a part, for the early Methodist preacher 
had a habit of making himself heard, and 
of feeling very much at home wherever, 



and under whatever circumstances he could 
find a congregation, and in view of the 
common sympathy and purpose among 
the early preachers, especially, it is pre- 
sumable that no exclusive right of territory 
was thought of by any circuit preacher. 

Lorenzo Dow, famed for his eccentric- 
ities of life and speech, and an able though 
irregular worker in the early itinerancy, is 
also known to have been an occasional 
preacher at Montpelier, but was never an 
appointee on any circuit which included 
the town in its jurisdiction. So of others 
whose names are not in the list of Meth- 
odist preachers included in this sketch, 
but who may be remembered, or perhaps 
recorded, as having engaged in the work 
to a greater or less extent. 

The preachers who succeeded Mr. 
Snethen upon Vershire circuit while Mont- 
pelier continued within its bounds, were, 
in 1797, Ralph Williston ; in 1798, Joseph 
Crawford; in 1799, Mr. Crawford again, 
with Elijah Chichester as his colleague ; 
in 1800, Thomas Dewe} ; in 1801, Truman 
Bishop and Thomas Branch; in 1802, 
Solomon Langdon and Paul Dustin ; in 
1803, Samuel Draper and Oliver Beale. 
The dates above given indicate the "Con- 
ference year," commencing with the an- 
nual session in the summer of the year 
named, and continuing to the following 
session. In 1804, the circuit was divided, 
and Montpelier became a part of the new 
" Barre circuit," which included the fol- 
lowing within its jurisdiction : Barre, 
Plainfield, Middlesex, Montpelier, North- 
field, Williamstown, Washington, Berlin, 
and Orange. It is uncertain whether 
Moretown and Waitsfield were in the cir- 
cuit at this time, or were added subse- 
quently ; but eventually they were so in- 
cluded, as well as other towns. 

There are 257 names upon the oldest 
list of members now to be found, and 
which seems to include the entire circuit 
as it existed in 1804. 

Of this number it is difficult to decide 
how many were residents of Montpelier, 
as the Montpelier membership is not 
grouped as in some of the other towns, but 
it seems to be not more than six or eisht. 



376 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



There was, however, a "class" organ- 
ization, and it was represented in the re- 
ported "collections'" ate ach quarterly 
meeting of the circuit, the amounts vary- 
ing in these early reports from 35 cents to 
;iP8.54, the. last named being the report on 
Apr. 19, 1806, at the last quarterly meet- 
ing in the Conference year. 

July 23, 1808, collections from two 
classes in Montpelier were reported, indi- 
cating that another class was formed about 
this time, subsequent reports showing the 
continuation of this arrangement. The 
first receipt of "public money" reported 
from Montpelier was at a quarterly meet- 
ing held at Plainfield, October 16, 1807, 
the amount being $1.60. The name of 
the first class leader was Ansel Patterson, 
who afterwards removed to Barre, and 
was eventually expelled from membership. 

The number in society as reported to 
the annual Conference of 1812 was 330 
upon the circuit, and of this number 25 
were in the two classes in Montpelier, 
David Harris and Elias Kingsley being 
the leaders, and having thirteen and twelve 
in their respective classes, and three "on 
trial" in the class of Mr. Kingsley. The 
records are very meagre during these in- 
tervening years, but there is evidence of a 
steady growth in numbers and increase of 
influence for the church in the community. 

Aug. 5, 1820, the quarterly meeting was 
held in Montpelier, being the first on 
record as held in this town. It is not cer- 
tain, however, that quarterly meetings 
were now held here for the first time, as 
some of the records in former years are in- 
complete, and it is obvious that such meet- 
ings were held, of which no record is now 
extant, or at least known to exist. The 
record of this meeting is very meagre, 
being only a statement of the time and 
place and the amount of the collections 
and disbursements as follows : 

(2uarterly meetings held at Montpelier, 
for Barre circuit, August 5, 1820. 
Public collection, $8.62. 
Paid Ella Dunam expense, 6.00 

Squire B. Harskell do. 2.62 

$8.62 
This brief record is suggestive, however, 



of a meeting which was probably one of 
impressive and solemn interest in the com- 
munity. A Methodist " quarterly meet- 
ing" in 1820 was likely to be an event of 
great local interest. Barre circuit com- 
prised at this time some twelve or more 
towns within its bounds, and, in accord- 
ance with the custom in these olden times, 
there would be likely to be in attendance 
at the quarterly meeting some from every 
preaching station on the circuit, and a 
general attendance of the members and 
friends of the Methodist Church in towns 
convenient of access to the place of meet- 
ing. It is, therefore, probable that this 
meeting was one of considerable local im- 
portance. Mr. Henry Nutt remembers 
the occasion, and that the meeting was 
held in the grove at the "Centre," and 
very largely attended by the people from 
all adjoining and some other towns. 

Rev. Elihu Scott, who is now living in 
Hampton, N. H., writes: 

In June, 1825, I received my first ap- 
pointment in the New England Confer- 
ence, on old Barre circuit, Vermont, one 
of the oldest and best at that time in the 
State. John Lord was preacher in charge, 
David Leslie second, E. Scott third ; and 
because we had not help enough, we took 
on Horace Spaulding for the fourth, (a 
school teacher and local preacher of good 
abilities.) The following is a list of the 
towns then embraced in the circuit — a 
name that meant something in those days 
— namely : Barre, Montpelier, Calais, 
Plainfield, Marshfield, Orange, Washing- 
ton, Williamstown, Brookfield, Randolph, 
Bethel, Roxbury, Northfield and Berlin. 
I think we had preaching every Sabbath 
only in Barre ; in a few other places once 
in two weeks, in others once in four weeks, 
and in others once in eight weeks. But 
with lectures, as we then called them — 
that is, preaching on week days, afternoon 
or evening, in all our outlying neighbor- 
hoods where we had classes, four or five 
times a week three weeks out of four, sum- 
mer and winter, in jjrivate houses or 
school-houses, and visiting all our mem- 
bers frequently, we found plenty of hard 
work to keep us out of idleness and mis- 
chief. 

Previous to 1826, the Methodists had no 
church, but during this year one was built 
by them at the Centre of the town, in 
which meetings were then held alternatelv 



MONTPELIER. 



377 



with services in the old State House in 
the village. At the first quarterly meet- 
ing held in the church, Wilbur Fisk preach- 
ed upon the theme of " endless misery" — 
a memorable sermon, which was much 
discussed in the community. 

In 1828, Montpelier was made a station, 
and thenceforward lost its identity with 
Barre circuit, but gained one of its own. 
The appointments of preachers for Barre 
circuit from its formation to this time, (all 
of whom were of course regular visitors to 
Montpelier at stated appointments,) were 
as follows: In 1804, Oliver Beale ; 1805, 
Elijah Hedding and Daniel Young; 1806, 
Philip Munger and Jonathan Chaney ; 

1807, Sam'l Thompson and Eleazer Wells ; 

1808, Solomon Sias ; 1809, Warren Ban- 
ister and George Gary; 1810, Eliazer 
Wells and Squire Streeter; 181 1, Nathan- 
iel Sternes and John Jewett ; 1812, Eb- 
enezer F. Newell and Joseph Dennett ; 
1813 and '14, David Kilburn, Jason Walk- 
er being his colleague in '14 ; 1815 and '16, 
Joel Steele, Thomas C. Pierce being a 
colleague in '16; 181 7 and '18, Leonard 
Frost; i8ig, Thomas C. Pierce; 1820, 
Squire B. Haskell and Ella Dunham ; 182 1, 
John F. Adams and Abraham Holway ; 
1822, J. F. Adams, D. Leslie; 1823, Sam- 
uel Norris and Haskell Wheelock ; 1824, 
D. Kilburn, H. Wheelock and A. H. 
Houghton; 1825, John Lord, D. Leslie 
and Elihu Scott; 1826, A. D. Merrill and 
J. Templeton; 1827, J. B. White, E. 
Jordan and R. L. Hai-vey. 

There had also appeared among the 
Methodist preachers in the town the fol- 
lowing men who had occupied the office of 
presiding elder upon the district of which 
Barre circuit was a part : Jesse Lee, 
George Pickering, Shadrack Bostwick, 
John Brodhead, Joseph Crawford, Elijah 
Sabin, Thomas Branch, Eleazer Wells, 
Joseph A. Merrill, John Lindsley, John G. 
Dow, Wilbur Fisk. 

Among these names that of Wilbur Fisk 
is not the least prominent, and to the 
present generation is a household name in 
memory of a man who made his impress 
in society as but few men are able to do. 
The sermon of Mr. Fisk before the Ver- 

48 



mont Legislature of 1826 is now preserved, 
having been printed in pamphlet form. 
Mr. Fisk has been called the " founder of 
Methodism in Montpelier," but although 
his influence was of great value to Meth- 
odism in Montpelier, his work was inci- 
dental to its history rather than the found- 
ation of it. He was a strong man in the 
denomination, and doubtless exercised an 
influence which served in a great measure 
to dispel the opposition and the prejudices 
which had met the early efforts of Meth- 
odists to secure an acknowledged right to 
worship God according to the dictates of 
their consciences, and the preferences of 
their religious tastes. [For Presiding Elder 
Fisk, see Windham County vol., (follow- 
ing Washington County papers,) of which 
County he was a native — Ed.] It is also 
probable that this growing strength in the 
society gave encouragement to the local 
interests to such an extent as to bring 
about the independent existence of " Mont- 
pelier station," and thus secure a resident 
pastor who could give his entire attention 
to the interests of the church in Mont- 
pelier. 

So it came about that at the annual con- 
ference, held at Lynn, Mass., (this terri- 
tory being then comprised in "the New 
England Conference,") and commencing 
July 23, 1828, Barre circuit was again di- 
vided, (having lost " Brookfield circuit" 
in 1826,) and "Montpelier station" be- 
came an appointment. John Lord was 
presiding elder of the district, and JohnG. 
Dow the stationed preacher. 

The first quarterly meeting was held at 
the church "(at the Center) Sept. 20 and 
21, 1828. Regular meetings had been 
held up to this time, but the " quarterly 
meeting " now convened for the first time 
on the station, and as there was but one 
steward under the circuit arrangement, it 
became necessary to choose others ; the 
completed board was as follows : Stephen 
Sanborn, Daniel Culver, Samuel Upham, 
Cyrenus G. Kelton, (Recording Steward,) 
and Henry Nutt. At a subsequent meet- 
ing the board of trustees was increased to 
five, and then comprised Salvenus Morse, 
John Stevens, James Arbuckle, Daniel 



378 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Culver and Henry Nutt ; and the member- 
ship was comprised in seven classes, as 
follows: I, Henry Nutt leader, 13 mem- 
bers ; 2, Elias Wakefield leader, 9 mem- 
bers and two on trial ; 3, Cyrenus G. Kel- 
ton leader, 16 members ; 4, Goodyear 
Bassett local preacher and leader, 16 mem- 
bers and one on trial ; 5, James Arbuckle 
leader, 7 members and 5 on trial ; 6, Dan- 
iel W. Fox leader, 20 members ; 7, Nathan 
Howard leader, 13 members; total, - 105 
members and 8 on trial. 

The financial exhibit for this first year 
is as follows : Collections for this year's 
avails of subscription papers, $204 ; private 
donations, $15 ; ministerial or public money, 
$62 ; quarterly collections, $49 ; total, jf330. 
Disbursements, Paid Rev. J. G. Dow for 
traveling expenses, $10; for house rent, 
$70; fuel, $15 ; table expenses, $85 ; quar- 
terage, $140; paid Rev. John Lord, P.E., 
$10; total, $330. 

An interesting relic of the time here 
written of is an original "class paper," 
now in a good state of preservation, al- 
though yellow with age, and carrying an 
inscription of faded writing, but still very 
legible, as follows : 



pontpclicr (flass |!a]pfcr.---^o. 1. 

HENRY NUTT, Leader. 
John G. Dow, S. P. Rev. John Lord, P. E. 

Remember and observe the Quarterly Fast. 
See Discipline. 



Keep yourselves in the love of God. 

—Bible. 



Made April 15th, 1829. 



The original size of the above when 
folded is 5^x2^ inches, and when unfold- 
ed, it is twelve times as large, and con- 
tains the names of the members of the 
class indicated, with lines and spaces to 
record their state in life, (married, single 
or widowed,) their state in the church, 
(full membership or on trial,) and their 
attendance or non-attendance at class 
meetings. The church records, although 
merely incidental of the routine business 
during the next 6 years, indicate a general 
state of prosperity and a healthy growth 



in the membership. John G. Dow was 
again appointed preacher in charge in 
1829, with Eleazer Wells presiding elder. 
James Templeton was the preacher in '30 
and '31 ; Ezra Sprague, '32 ; John Currier 
ii^'SS i (Josiah A. Scarrit, presiding elder,) 
and Elihu Scott the preacher in '34. At 
this time there was under agitation a pro- 
ject to build a Methodist church in the 
village, the meetings having been held in 
the old Court House up to this time. 

The following record is still preserved, 
apparently upon the original paper where 
it was written : 

MoNTPELiER, Feb. 12, 1834. 

According to previous notice given, a 
meeting was called for the purpose of tak- 
ing into consideration the expediency of 
building a Methodist meeting-house. 

On motion, Hon. Cyrus Ware was 
called to the chair, and E. H. Washburn 
was appointed secretary. 

On motion, a committee was appointed 
consisting of three, to be denominated a 
Methodist meeting-house committee. Lu- 
ther Cross, Samuel Upham, Jonathan M. 
Snow, comprise this committee, whose 
duty it shall be to find a site on which to 
build said house, and any other business 
belonging to the subject. . 

On motion, the meeting was adjourned 
to meet at the State House, on the 24th 
instant, at 6 o'clock p. m. 

E. H. Wasubviin, Sfcre/ary. 

Feb. 24, 1834. 

Met pursuant to adjournment, Hon. C. 
Ware in the chair, and J. M. Snow, sec- 
retary _^r^ ^em. 

On motion, the question was tried rel- 
ative to the site belonging to Mr. Jewett. 

On motion, Col. J. P. Miller was added 
to the committee above raised, and also 
Mr. James Arbuckle and Mr. Nahum. 

On motion, the meeting was adjourned 
to the loth of March. 

E. H. Washburn, Secretary. 

March loth, 1834. 
On motion of Hon. C. Ware, Smith 
Sherman was called to the chair. 

On motion, said meeting agreed to 
build on the Keith site. 

On motion, adjourned to meet on the 
24th instant. 

E. H. Washburn, Secretary. 

MoNTPELiER, March 24, 1834. 
Met pursuant to adjournment after read- 
ing the notice published in the news- 
papers. Hon. C. Ware called to the 
chair. Trustees : Cyrenus Morse, Sam- 



MONTPELIER. 



379 



uel Upham, Jr., Christopher C. Wing, A. 
D. H. Cadwell, James Arbuckle ; Meth- 
odist meeting-house committee : C. C. 
Wing, J. M. Snow, Wm. B. Hubbard. 
4th. To act on draft for a constitution for 
said society. Constitution adopted. Plan 
A, for a meeting-house adopted. 

On motion, the meeting was adjourned 
four weeks. E. H. Washburn, Sec. 

No further record of this movement is 
preserved, and the project seems to have 
waited development for the time being. 

The earliest records of the Sunday-school 
are July, 1835; one superintendent, 5 
teachers, 48 scholars ; 75 vols, in the li- 
brary. It seems probable that there was 
a Sunday-school organization some years 
earlier, and it is also probable that the or- 
ganization has been continued ever since. 

Aug. 31, 1836, the New Hampshire and 
Vermont Conference commenced its sev- 
enth annual session in Montpelier, under 
the presidency of Bishop Elijah Hedding. 
It must have been with peculiar feelings 
of gratitude to God, that Bishop Hedding 
now looked upon the assembling of this 
conference. In 1805, he had been a 
preacher on Barre circuit, and had occa- 
sionally visited and preached in Mont- 
pelier. 

In 1824, he was elected and ordained 
Bishop, and in 1830, had presided over 
the first session of the New Hampshire 
and Vermont Conference at Barre, and 
now in the course of his official duties, 
came to preside over the session to be held 
in Montpelier. The number of members 
in the church in Montpelier at this time 
was 453. The sessions of the conference 
were held in the "Brick Church," (Con- 
gregational.) It is remembered that John 
Brodhead was also present among other 
visitors. 

Following this conference the building 
enterprise assumed definite form. 

Daniel Baldwin was made chairman of 
the building committee, and eventually 
bore the burden of carrying the church 
to completion. His financial account of 
receipts and expenditures amounting to 
$3,176.15, paid into his hands and fully 
accounted for, was rendered to the stew- 
ards under date of 1840. 



The deed of the land was given by 
Rawsel R. Keith to the stewards of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, the consid- 
ation being named as $500, and the lot 
being described as "situated on the north- 
erly side of the road leading from William 
Manny's to the State House ; " as bounded 
by lands belonging to Keith and Blaisdell, 
and the road, having 4 rods width and 
being 8 rods in length from the road to the 
rear boundary line. This deed was made 
and attested Dec. 16, 1836, and recorded 
Jan. 19, 1837. The deed was given, to 
quote its language, "upon the especial 
trust and confidence that they shall erect 
and build thereon a house or place of re- 
ligious worship for the use of the members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Montpelier according to the rules and dis- 
cipline which from time to time may be 
agreed upon by the ministers and preachers 
by said church at their general conference in 
the United States of America," and men- 
tioning further expectation that the prop- 
erty should remain in the control of the 
said church under its disciplinary rules. 
Some 33 years later, Nov. 8, 1869, the 
title was made absolute by the execution 
of another deed by which for a consider- 
ation of $100, Mr. Keith quit-claimed to 
the stewards of said church all right and 
title to the same piece of land, indicating 
that when it became necessary to make a 
change in the church property, it was 
found that doubt existed as to the right of 
the church to dispose of the same under 
the original title. This illustrates the 
truth that not only mice but men also 
sometimes overlook the means of egress, 
when deeply intent in improving the op- 
portunity of ingress upon a desired pos- 
session. 

The church was dedicated Nov. 19, 

1837, and the sermon preached by Rev. S. 
Kelley, pastor. In 1838 the church in 
Montpelier village was made a station by 
itself, with 99 names upon its roll of mem- 
bership. 

The first quarterly meeting held in the 
church at Montpelier village was Apr. 7, 

1838, and after this time usually occurred 
at this place. In 1837, Middlesex charge 



38o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was united with Montpelier for the time 
being, and two preachers were appointed 
to the work. In 1839, East Montpelier 
was annexed in like manner, but in each 
instance the arrangement was only for the 
current year. During these years and the 
following there was a steady growth in the 
membership of the church, with occasional 
revival of religion. In 1858, the Vermont 
Annual Conference, (organized in 1844,) 
held its fourteenth session in Montpelier, 
Bishop Osman C. Baker presiding. The 
conference convened May 13th. 

In 1866, the 22d session of the Vermont 
Annual Conference was held in Mont- 
pelier, convening April 19, with Bishop 
Matthew Simpson presiding. This was 
the centennial year of American Metho- 
dism, dating from its introduction in 1766, 
and great interest attached to the observa- 
tion of proper demonstrations to commem- 
orate such an occasion of congratulation. 
On Friday evening, April 20, a " centenary 
meeting" was held, at which Gov. Dilling- 
ham presided, Rev. H. Eastman read a 
poem suited to the occasion, and Rev. G. 
C. Bancroft delivered an address. The 
Sabbath services were particularly interest- 
ing. Bishop Simpson preaching at the 
Congregational Church in the forenoon, 
and the other services in the several 
churches being conducted by other vis- 
itors and by members of the conference. 

Sept. 21, 1868, it was voted by the 
leaders and stewards' meeting, (official 
board, improperly so called,) " to build a 
new house of worship," and the necessary 
measures were taken in due time to dis- 
pose of the church property then held by 
the society, and to procure the land and 
erect the church edifice now owned by 
this society. Like other church enter- 
prises ot this character, this involved years 
of toil and sacrifice on the part of the 
people, and corresponding labor and sac- 
rifice by the pastors who found their lot 
cast with this society during the several 
following years. It is not within the prov- 
ince of this article to relate the details of 
the effort to erect this new house of wor- 
ship, but to record its completion for 
dedication on Nov. 24, 1874, Rev. W. R. 



Clark, D. D., of the New England Con- 
ference, being the preacher of the dedica- 
tory sermon. 

Among the material encouragements in 
the undertaking was the donation of the 
mas.sive bell by Col. H. C. Nutt, at about 
$1,500 cost, and which was made a " me- 
morial gift" in the name of two sisters 
deceased, and whose names are cast in an 
inscription on the bell, as follows : 



IN MEMORY 

OF 

MY SISTERS, 

FANNY AND ASENATH 



H. C. NUTT, 

Trinity M. E. Church, 

Montpelier, Vt., 

1872. 



[Fanny W. Nutt was born in Mont- 
pelier, March 2d, 1836; united with the 
Methodist Church in this village in 1854; 
married Chas. H. Tenney, M. D., Nov. 25, 
1862, and died Nov. 8, 1864. Dr. Tenney, 
who was Assistant Superintendent of the 
Vt. Insane Asylum, died in Brattleboro, 
April 27, 1874. Two poems from her pen 
appear in "The Poets and Poetry of Ver- 
mont," one of which attracted very pleas- 
ant notice : 

THE TWO CROWNS. 

Over ocean's deep blue waters. 

In a home of royal pride, 
Is a darliiiK little baby. 

Known througliout the world so wide. 

I suppose that he Is winning. 

Just as other babies are ; 
Laughing eyes and dimpled shoulders, 

Brow as polished marble fair; 
Robes of costliest lace aud rausUn, 

Showing forth his baby charms- 
Strings of purest diamonds flashing 

From his rosy neck and arms. 

Tended by a score of servants. 

Feeding from a golden bowl — 
Worshipped by a mighty nation — 

Whence this homage of the whole? 



MONTPELIER. 



381 



Ah I adown tlie misty future 

They can see that baby brow, 
Seamed by many a care-worn furrow — 

Not as fresh and fair as now; 
Robbed of all the golden ringlets 

That his beauty now enhance; 
Wearing, as to hide its wrinkles. 

The Imperial Crown of France. 

'Neath our roof-tree fondly nestles 

Just the dearest little thing. 
That within an earth-hon;e ever 

Folded up its tiny wing. 

Eyes of blue, and golden tresses 

Waving 'round a brow of light, 
Looks she like a little cherub 

In her flowing robes of white; 
With no ornaments we deck her 

But the charms that nature gives, 
Save a pair of golden arrows, 

Looping up her little sleeves. 

At her birth no bells were pealing, 

Save the bells of silent joy ; 
At her feet bows no proud nation 

As before the Emperor's boy. 

But, I've often heard at twilight 

Angel feet come tripping in: 
Bending o'er her midnight slumbers, 

Often angel forms have seen ; 
And I almost hear them tell her 

That a crown of glory bright 
Waits to bind our baby's forehead 

In the blessed world of light. 

The interest in wliich is not diminished, 
but rather enhanced, now the fair, dear 
author sleeps in Green Mount Cemetery, 
and the pure young Prince has won the 
martyrdom of tlie brave by the barbaric 
Abyssinian spear. Touching sequel of 
human hope, if we look on one side of the 
leaf. If we turn the leaf, it may have a 
very beautiful golden lining. — Ed.] 

The Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church 
edifice is a substantial brick structure, of 
plain exterior, well located upon Main st. 
Its extreme length upon the outside is 11 1 
feet, with a corresponding width of 60 feet. 
The ground floor is occupied by a spacious 
vestibule, and from which a passage 24 feet 
in length and 10 feet in. width, leads to the 
vestry, 62 x 58 feet, being the largest lec- 
ture room in town, while upon the right of 
the passage from the vestibule is a class- 
room, 24 feet square, and upon the left two 
ladies' parlors, each 24 x 12 feet, and con- 
nected by folding doors. From the vesti- 
bule on each side is a stairway, 5 ft. 5 in. 
wide, with 20 steps of 7 in. rise, leading 
to the second floor, on which is the main 
audience room, 73 ft. long, 58 ft. wide, and 



32 ft. high, and having excellent acoustic 
properties. The pews are 120 in number, 
giving 600 sittings, while the gallery over 
the vestibule will seat 100, making a total 
seating capacity of 700 in the permanent 
seats. The organ loft, situated back of 
the pulpit, is 22 ft. wide by 17 ft. depth, 
and is furnished with a superior instrument, 
made by Geo. H. Ryder of Boston, and 
which was purchased by the ladies of the 
Society. On each side of the organ loft is 
a room 17x13 ft., and intended for the 
toilet of the preaclier and the choir. The 
audience room is heated by two furnaces, 
and the vestry by a third, all located in the 
cellar, while the smaller rooms are provid- 
ed with stoves for heating purposes. 

The following is a complete list of pas- 
tors who have been identified with this 
church since its independent existence, 
commencing in 1828, and also the names 
of the presiding elders of Montpeiier dis- 
trict, several of whom have resided in this 
town during their term of office : 

1828, John G. Dow, John Lord, Pre- 
siding Elder; 1829, John G. Dow, pastor, 
Eleazer Wells, Presiding Elder; 1830 and 
'31, James Templeton ; 1832, Ezra Sprague ; 
^^33^ John Currier, Josiah A. Scarritt, P. 
E. ; '34 and '35, Elihu Scott ; '36 and '';i7, 
Samuel Kelley, Charles D. Cahoon, P. E. ; 
'38 and '39, Eleazer Smith, ElishaJ. Scott, 
P. E. ; '40 and '41 , Charles R. Harding ; '42, 
'43, '44, ElishaJ. Scott, J: G. Dow, P. E. ; 
'45 and '46, Amasa G. Button, John Cur- 
rier, P. E. in '46; '47 and '48, Alonzo 
Webster; '49, S. P. Williams; '50 and '51, 
S. Chamberlain, A. T. Bullard, P. E. ; 
'52 and '53, Benjamin Walker; '54, Ed- 
mund Copeland ; '55 and '56, F. D. Hem- 
enway, E. J. Scott, P. E. ; '57 and '58, 
H. P. Gushing, W. J. Kidder, P.E. in '58 ; 
'59 and '60, W. D. Malcom ; '61 and '62, 
Isaac McAnn, P. P. Ray, P. E. in '62 ; 
'63 and '64, A. L. Cooper ; '65 and '66, M. 
Ludlum, A. L. Cooper, P. E. in '66; '67 
and '68, B. Taylor. Mr. Taylor was re- 
leased in Aug. '68, and Isaac McAnn com- 
pleted the conference year. 1869, S. 
Holman; '70, H. W. Worthen, J. A. 
Sherburn, P. E. in '70; '71 and '72, J. 
W. C. Coxe. Mr. Coxe was released in 



382 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the fall of V2» and James Morrow sup- 
plied the remainder of the conference year. 
1873 and ^4, H. A. Spencer, I. McAnn, 
P. E. in '74 ; '75 and '76, J. M. C. Fulton ; 
'78 and '79, Charles Parkhurst, Church 
Tabor, P. E. in '78. Mr. Parkhurst was 
released in the fall of '79. and N. Fel- 
lows, of the N. E. Conference, supplied 
the remainder of the conference year, and 
was appointed as pastor in '80 ; ^81, D. E. 
Miller. 

The annual statistics of the society as 
reported to the conference of 1881 are as 
follows : Members, 234 ; probationers, 
22 ; local preachers, 2 ; number in Sunday- 
school, 200 ; officers and teachers, 24 ; 
probable value of church edifice, $27,- 
000 ; probable value of parsonage prop- 
erty, $2,000: indebtedness, none; paid 
for ministerial support, pastor, $1,000; 
presiding elder, $68; bishops, $12; con- 
ference claiinants, $25 ; total, $1,105 ; cur- 
rent expenses, $275 ; benevolent collec- 
tions, $182; total annual financial dis- 
bursement, $1,562. 

THE VERMONT CHRISTIAN MESSENGER. 

BY REV. J. R. BARTLKTT. 

No certain data is at hand to indicate 
the birthplace of the Messenger. One in- 
formant states that it was started in New- 
bury in 1846, by Rev. Wm. M. Willets. 
The first record of it is found in Wal- 
ton's Vermont Register for 1848, stating 
that it was published in Montpelier in 
1847. In 1853, it was removed to North- 
field, and in 1859 again removed to Mont- 
pelier, where it has since been published. 

During its history it has been published 
by Rev. Elisha J. Scott, Rev. Alonzo 
Webster, C. W. Willard (commencing in 
1861) ; J. W. Wheelock (Willard & Whee- 
lock from 1869 to 1874, and then by Mr. 
Wheelock and his estate to 1879), since 
which time the present proprietor, Mr. 
Herbert R. Wheelock, has continued the 
publication in the ofiice of the "Green 
Mountain Freeman." Among its editors 
Rev. Elisha J. Scott, Rev. Alonzo Web- 
ster, and Rev. W. D. Malcom, have served 
the longest terms. 



The following memorial sketch of Mr. 
Scott was published in the Vermont Con- 
ference Minutes of the session of 1866: 

Rev. Elisha J, Scott was born in Greens- 
boro, Vt., Aug. II, 1803, and died in 
Montpelier, Jan. 24, 1866, in his 63d year. 
Bro. Scott was a son of pious parents, and 
a father's prayers and a mother's religious 
instructions were among his earliest and 
sweetest recollections. The principles of 
our holy Christianity took a strong hold of 
his young mind, and at the age of 12 years 
he gave his heart to the Saviour, and joined 
the Baptist Church, of which his parents 
were members. He continued in this 
Church some 7 years, when the Rev. Wil- 
bur Fisk, of precious memory, was sent to 
preach in an adjoining town. While listen- 
ing to his preaching, a change was wrought 
in his views of Christian doctrine, and 
ever after in sentiment and sympathy he 
was a Methodist. He Ixad early convic- 
tions that he was sent into the world to be 
a minister of Jesus, and made preparation 
to enter upon his life work. He was re- 
ceived on trial in the M. E. Conference in 
1828; was ordained Deacon by Bishop 
Hedding, at Barre, June 27, 1830, and 
Elder by Bishop Roberts, at Lyndon, Aug. 
12, 1832. He filled with great accepta- 
bility and usefulness the following ap- 
pointments, namely : Cabot, Craftsbury, 
Barton, Brookfield and Chelsea Circuits, 
Woodstock, Chelsea, Newbury and Barre 
Stations — all one year each ; Montpelier 
District as Presiding Elder, 4 years ; Mont- 
pelier Station, 3 years, the third year as 
Supernumerary. He was then placed on 
the superannuated list for 9 years, when he 
was again made eifective, and traveled 
Montpelier District a second term of four 
years as Presiding Elder. During the 
last years of this term his health complete- 
ly failed, and he again took a superannu- 
ated relation, which he held during the re- 
mainder of his life. During his retirement 
from the active work of the ministry, he 
performed much useful labor in supplying 
on the Sabbath appointments near the 
place of his residence, as Superintendent 
of common schools in his county, and as 
editor of the Messenger. He was for sev- 
eral years Secretary of the Conference, 
and a delegate to the General Conference, 
which met at Cincinnati, May, 1836. 

[We have among our waifs the follow- 
ing hymn, we clipped from some Mont- 
pelier paper at the time — probably the 
Messenger, composed by him a few days 
before his death, to be sung at his fu- 
neral. — Ed.] 



MONTPELIER. 



383 



THE DYING CHRISTIAN'S ADIEU TO EARTH. 

Launched on Death's dark, rolling stream, 

Earthly scenes recede from view; 
Oh! how trifling all now seem. 

As I bid them each adieu. 
Pleasant scenes I tliey could not last— 

Morning clouds, and earthly dew, 
Soon exhaled— and quickly past. 

Ere we thought to say adieu. 
Once, to me did they impart 

Happiness, short-lived, but true; 
Now, as from tliera all I part. 

Cheerfully 1 say adieu. 
Richer joys my soul shall taste, 

Joys that are forever new; 
To these joys I gladly haste. 

Bidding all below adieu. 
Objects to my heart most dear. 

Friends so loving and so true; 
Even those, without a tear, 

I can bid my brief adieu. 
Short the time that will us part. 

Then our union we'll renew, 
Wlien heart closely joined to lieart. 

Ne'er sliall breatlie tlie sad adieu. 
Farewell! earth, no onger liome. 

Heaven opens to my view; 
O'er hill and vale no more I roam. 

Loved scenes! my fond adieu. 
Hark! wiiat music do 1 hear? 

Sweet the strains— full and new- 
How It floods my ravished ear! 

World of death! my last adieu. 

Rev. Alonzo Webster, D.D., was born 
in Weston, Jan. 27, 1818 ; joined the New 
Hampshire Conference in 1837, and by the 
division of the same, became a member of 
the Vermont Conference at its formation 
in 1844; remained in active service in this 
Conference 19. years as pastor, and 3 years 
of service as Presiding Elder, 9 years of 
which he occupied the editorial chair of 
the Messenger. In 1856, and again in 
i860, lie was elected a delegate to the 
General Conference, and in 1866 was trans- 
ferred to the South Carolina Conference. 
In 1869, he received the appointment as 
Professor in the Baker Theological Insti- 
tute, first established at Charleston, S. C, 
but afterward removed to Orangeburg, to 
become a part of Claflin University, of 
which Dr. Webster was made President in 
1870. In 1874, he resigned this position 
to accept an appointment as Presiding 
Elder of Charleston District, and in 1876, 
and again in 1880, was elected to repre- 
sent the South Carolina Conference in the 
General Conference. His present address 
is Orangeburg, S. C. 



Rev. W. D. Malcom assumed the ed- 
itorial chair in 1867, and continued to oc- 
cupy the position until April, 1881. He 
was born in Albany, N. Y., July 3, 1827; 
in early life worked as a printer ; studied at 
the Newbury Seminary, and joined the 
Vermont Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1848, since which he 
has continued in the itinerant work of a 
Methodist minister with the exception of 
one year, ('49,) when he located, rejoining 
in 1850. Of the 33 years of his ministerial 
life, nearly 8 years have been passed in the 
office of Presiding Elder, which position 
he now fills upon the St. Johnsbury Dis- 
trict. In 1864, he was a delegate to the 
General Conference, and for five successive 
years filled the ofiice of Secretary to the 
Vermont Annual Conference. He is widely 
known in Vermont as a genial Christian 
minister, an able preacher, and a loyal and 
industrious worker in his Master''s vine- 
yard. 

The present, (Oct. 1881,) editorial force 
consists of Rev. J. R. Bartlett, Barre, ed- 
itor; Rev. W. R. Davenport, Cambridge- 
port, assistant ; Rev. J. O. Sherburn, Roch- 
ester, Sunday-school lessons. The Mes- 
senger is conducted as a denominational 
religious newspaper, in the interests of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, its editors 
being pastors in this Church, and members 
of the Vermont Annual Conference. It is, 
however, a purely private enterprise, in- 
volving the Conference in no financial or 
moral responsibility, further than its juris- 
diction to expect all persons who are mem- 
bers of the Conference to conform to sound 
doctrines of the Church in their public 
teachings, and to the rules of the Disci- 
pline in their manner of personal conduct. 
But as it seeks its support, in the main, 
from the membership of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, it is reasonable to ex- 
pect that it will be loyal and true to the in- 
terests of the same, and it is conduct^ on 
this basis ; while at the same time it seeks 
to avoid mere sectarianism of the narrow 
school, and to cultivate a catholic spirit, 
which while free to express its denomina- 
tional choice, is yet cordial and friendly to 
all other Christian churches. 



MONTPELIER. 



38s 



VERMONT METHODIST SEMINARY AND 
FEMALE COLLEGE. 

BY REV. J. A. SHEKBCRN. 

In giving a history of this institution it 
is necessary to briefly notice those institu- 
tions of which this is the legitimate suc- 
cessor. For the first 40 years or so, of 
the existence of Methodism in this State, 
it had no schools under its special super- 
vision ; not because it did not value schol- 
astic advantages, but because, for the time 
being, there were other interests to serve 
it valued more. 

Nearly 50 years since, Poultney Acad- 
emy, under the supervision of the Troy 
Conference, and Newbury Seminary, under 
the New Hampshire Conference, were 
opened for students in the fall of 1834. 

N. H. Conference then embraced what 
now composes the N. H. Conference and 
that part of Vermont lying east of the 
Green Mountains, making Newbury com- 
paratively central to the whole territory. 
The funds for the purchase of lands and 
the erection of buildings for Newbury Sem- 
inary were obtained by subscriptions and 
collections from the whole Conference. 
The buildings were good, [see descrip- 
tion in History of Newbury, vol. li, pages 
951 and 952 of this work,] located on a 
beautiful plateau overlooking the valley of 
the Connecticut, and affording a good view 
of mountain scenery in New Hampshire. 
The early purpose of the founders of this 
school was to make it, in part, a manual 
labor school for young men ; for this pur- 
pose a farm was purchased, but after a 
few years' trial the plan was abandoned, 
and the farm sold. 

In connection with Newbury Seminary, 
there was the Newbury Biblical Institute, 
having its board of trustees and its own 
professors. Out of this grew first, the 
Concord Biblical Institute, Concord, N. 
H., and finally, the School of Theology of 
the Boston University. There was, also, 
in connection with the school, the Female 
Collegiate Institute, having its separate 
board of trust, though its teachers were 
the Seminary teachers as well. Rev. 
Charles Adams, now D.D., of Washing- 



ton, D. C, being first principal, and Miss 
French, now Mrs. Joel Cooper, a widow 
in Iowa, preceptress. Mr. Adams had 
worthy successors. Bishop O. C. Baker, 
D.D., C. T. Hinman, D.D., J. E. King, 
D. D., and others. Miss French had her 
successors, women not to be forgotten, 
none of whom are remembered with great- 
er respect than the late Mrs. C. P. Tap- 
Un. 

Newbury Seminary early in its history 
took high rank as a school, and maintained 
it well through its entire history. Well 
may "old Newbury" be proud of her 
alumni, and her alumni be proud of her, 
as well. 

[We here reserve a notice of the Spring- 
field Methodist school, not to forestall the 
right of a town in a later volume to give 
the history of its own institutions :] 

Springfield Wesleyan Seminary for a 
time was quite a rival of Newbury, doing 
good work, but, being comparatively local, 
was not its equal. 

In 1844, the N. H. Conference was di- 
vided, leaving that part of it which lay in 
Vermont, by itself, which was made a sep- 
arate Conference, called the Vermont Con- 
ference. 

In i86q, the Burlington and St. Albans 
District, embracing the greater part of 
Western Vermont, and belonging to the 
Troy Conference, were added to the Vt. 
Conference, which materially changed its 
geographical center. 

Poultney Academy was at one time 
wholly suspended, and was afterward re- 
vived, and passed into private hands. 
N. H. Conference had built a Seminary 
for itself, Newbury Seminary needed funds 
to repair its old buildings or build new 
ones, and it was found hard to sustain 
Spingfield Seminary. Under these cir- 
cumstances, Vt. Conference, under whose 
patronage Newbury and Springfield were, 
decided, and the trustees of both schools 
concurred, to seek a central location and 
combine the schools. Rev. W. J. Kidder 
being the prime mover. 

The friends of Newbury struggled hard 



49 



386 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to retain the school there, while West 
Randolph, Northfield, Waterbury and 
Montpelier competed for it. Montpelier 
guaranteeing $20,000 to aid the enterprise, 
it was located there, upon the site occu- 
pied formerly by the U. S. Hospital, which 
with its buildings, was bought for $16,500. 
The situation is upon a beautiful plateau, 1 50 
rods from the center of Montpelier village, 
on elevated, dry ground. The view ex- 
tends from Orange Mountains on the east 
to Camel's Hump on the west, and from 
Berlin heights on the south to Worcester 
on the north. It would be difficult to find 
a more beautiful location in the State of 
Vermont for an institution of learning. 

Revs. A. G. Button, R. Morgan, I. 
McAnn and A. Hitchcock were each for a 
time employed as agents in raising funds 
for the completion of the Seminary build- 
ings, Noah Granger, agent for raising an 
endowment fund of $50,000, $30,000 of 
which is pledged, the income only of 
which can be used in aid of the school. 
The school was chartered in 1865, under 
the name of Vermont Conference Sem- 
inary and Female College ; but was after- 
ward changed to its present name, "Ver- 
mont Methodist Seminary and Female 
College." Hon. Paul Dillingham was 
president, A. G. Button, secretary, and 
Joseph Gould, treasurer of the first board 
of trust. Rev. A. G. Button and Paul 
Mclnstry supervised the remodeling of the 
buildings in 1868, and the school was 
opened the same fall. 

The Newbury Seminary boarding-house 
furnishings and school apparatus were re- 
moved to this Institution, and the funds 
resulting from the sale of the Springfield 
Seminary property was also paid into this 
Institution. 

In the fall of 1868, the school was 
opened, with a faculty most of whom had 
recently been teachers in Newbury Semi- 
nary, and many of their former pupils 
came with them. Rev. S. F. Chester 
having been the last Principal at Newbury, 
was the first Principal at Montpelier. 

The Seminary building, having been 
erected under the superintendence of Revs. 



S. Holman and A. G. Button, was opened 
for use in the fall of 1872, which is thought 
to be one of the finest academic buildings 
in New England. The school property, 
grounds, buildings, etc., are valued at 
$82,000. 

At present there are in the School seven 
courses of study, as follows : 

1. Common English, . . . . i year. 

2. Business, 2 years. 

3. Modern, 3 years. 

4. Music. 3 years. 

5. College Preparatory, ... 3 years. 

6. Latin Scientific, .... 4 years. 

7. Collegiate, 4 years. 

While the scholarship is designed to be 
thorough, the moral and religious welfare 
of the students is a prominent feature of 
this school ; and though founded and fos- 
tered by the Methodist Church, it gladly 
welcomes students of all communions, giv- 
ing to them the privilege of such Church 
Sabbath service as their parents or guar- 
dians may designate. 

It is with gratitude that we acknowledge 
the healthful religious influence which has 
been manifest since the transfer of the 
school to Montpelier, though it has hardly 
reached what was often seen in its palmiest 
days at Newbury. It has been at Mont- 
pelier only about 12 years, and its alumni 
are already taking rank as educators, min- 
isters, lawyers and business men. 

Frmcipals at Montpelier. — Rev. S. F. 
Chester, A. M., Rev. C. W. Wilder, A. M., 
Rev. J. C. W. Coxe, A. M., Rev. L. 
White, A. M., and Rev. J. B. South- 
worth, the present Principal, who has com- 
menced his sixth year. 

Present Board of Trust. — Rev. J. A. 
Sherburn, president ; Rev. A. L. Cooper, 
secretary; P. H. Hinkley, Esq., treasurer. 

By the blessing of God, and the wise, 
united and persistent efforts of the friends 
of this school, it is hoped it may live in 
growing efficiency and usefulness as the 
years go by, being a blessing not only to 
the Church which built it and cares for it, 
but also to the wide, wide world. 



MONTPELIER. 



387 




BETHANY CHURCH, MONTPELIER, VT. 
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH PAPERS. 

[Compiled from material furnished chiefly by 
Hon. Joseph Poland, but in which we shall 
purposely omit the statistics given by Mr. 
Walton on page 239, preceding.— Ed.] 

The first Congregational organization in 
Montpelier was the Society — 83 members 
— formed in April, 1800, antedating the or- 
ganization of the Church 3 months and 8 
days. It was called the " First Congre- 
gational Society of Montpelier." Its first 
declaration was : 

Impressed with the importance of relig- 
ious institutions to society in general, and 
to ourselves as men, and taking into con- 
sideration the unsettled state of such insti- 
tutions in this part of the country, and the 
necessity of uniting in religious opinions 
and harmony : we do hereby agree and 
form ourselves into a religious society, by 
the name of the first Congregational Socie- 
ty in Montpelier, under the following reg- 
ulations : 

1. We pledge ourselves to each other 
that we will (laying aside all trifling dif- 
ferences) according to our abilities, main- 
tain regular meetings in our Society, and 
contribute to the support of preaching, and 
when consistent, to maintaining a regular 
clergyman in the Society. 

2. That no member of this Society shall 
be compelled to pay any sum or sums for 
the use of the Society, except such sum as 
he shall voluntarily subscribe. 

3. When any member of the society 
shall remove to such distance as to render 
it inconvenient for him to attend our meet- 
ings, or shall in conscience think he ought 



to dissent, he may notify the Clerk there- 
of, whose duty it shall be to enter the same 
on record, and such person shall no long- 
er be considered as a member of this 
Society. 

4. We agree to meet at the usual place 
of holding meetings, in the Academy in 
Montpelier, on Wednesday, the 27th day 
of April, instant, at 3 o'clock in the after- 
noon, for the purpose of organizing said 
society with proper officers, and transact- 
ing any proper business when met. 

Dated at Montpeher, this 12th day of 
April, 1800. 

Elisha Town, George Worthington, Jo- 
seph Hutchins, Geo. B. R. Gove, Oliver 
Goss, Thomas Davis, Timothy Hubbard, 
John Bates, Charles Bulkley, Augustus 
Bradford, John Hurlbut, Alden Clark, 
Isaac Freeman, Amasa Brown, Jeduthan 
Loomis, Stuart Boynton, Willis I. Cad- 
well, Abel Wilson, Phineas Woodbury, 
Thomas Reed, Sylvester Day, Nathan Jew- 
ett, E. D. Persons, Samuel Prentiss, jun., 
Urial H. Orvis, Ellis Nye, Joseph Howes, 
Linus Ellis, William Hutchins, Jeremiah 
Wilbur, Roswell Beckwith, David Tuthill, 
M. B. Billings, Jonathan Shepherd, Eras- 
tus Watrous, Silas Burbank, Cyrus Ware, 
Roger Hubbard, Joseph Freeman, Edward 
Lamb, Nahum Kelton, Earned Lamb, C. 
W. Houghton, Josiah Parks, Sylvanus 
Baldwin, Joseph Wiggins, Abner H. Pow- 
ers, Abel Crooker, Ebenezer Morse, Enoch 
Cheney, Mason Johnson, Samuel Go.ss, 
David Edwards, Oliver Dewey, John Hunt, 
Ichabod Peck, Darius Boyden, Levi Pit- 
kin, E. Lewis, Hers. Estabrooks, T. Gay- 
lord, Jude Converse, Theop. Pickering, 
Archibald Kidd, Joseph Ray, Paul Knapp, 
Henry Howes, Samuel West, D. Edwards, 
jun., Jonathan Edwards, Aaron Bass, 
Charles Hamlin, William Hamlin, Timo- 
thy Hatch, Solomon Lewis, Elijah Tyler, 
John Howes, Joshua Y. Vail, J. H. Lang- 
don, S. W. Cobb, Ebenezer Parker. 

April 27th, this Society held its first 
meeting, and chose Samuel Goss to con- 
tract with a clergyman. June 24th, the 
Society voted to employ Rev. Chester 
Wright. (See sketch.) 

The original members of the Church, or- 
ganized July the 20th, were : 

Amasa Brown, Sylvanus Baldwin, An- 
drew Dodge, Heraldus Estabrooks, Sam- 
uel Goss, Timothy Hatch, Joseph Howes, 
Solomon Lewis, Sibyl Brown, Bachsheba 
Burbank, Lydia Davis, Susannah Lewis, 
Lydia Hatch, Polly Barker, Patty Howes, 
Rebeckah Persons, Sarah Wiggins. 

Relation of CJuirch and Society. — The 
Society owns and has care of the house, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



by mutual understanding with the Church, 
provides for and pays the salary of the pas- 
tor, and all funds needful for public wor- 
ship. When the pulpit is vacant, the 
Church may appoint a committee to act 
with a committee of the Society, if they 
choose, or leave it to the committee of the 
Society to secure a supply. In the settle- 
ment of a pastor, the Church take the first 
step in voting a call ; after which the So- 
ciety are asked to concur with the action 
of the Church, and a call is given by joint 
action. The annual meeting of the Socie- 
ty is on the last Monday of December. 

At the first communion after, 12 persons 
more were added to the Church, and Aug. 
i6th, the day of Mr. Wright's ordination, 
15 children were baptized. In the 3 years 
subsequent to 1812, 30 persons united with 
the Church; from 1816 to 1820, 142; in 
1827, more than 70. In 1830, the last of 
Mr. Wright's pastorate, the Church was 
almost daily enlarging. 

REV. CHESTER WRIGHT. 

Prepared, by particular request, for this work, by his 

grandson, Rev. J. Edward Wright. 

Thompson, in his History of Montpelier, 
having drawn a dark picture of the low 
moral state into which the town had lapsed 
at the beginning of the present century, 
refers to the action of a large portion of the 
better class of the people who desired a 
reformation, which resulted in the engage- 
ment of a minister and the organization of 
a church, from which time a marked im- 
provement was seen, and "the village of 
Montpelier, redeemed and regenerated 
through the blest instrumentalities of the 
affectionate and untiring labors of the 
devoted, self-sacrificing and high-souled 
Father Wright, at length took its stand 
among the most moral and orderly com- 
munities in the State." Perhaps the wri- 
ter's enthusiastic admiration led him in- 
to exaggeration in ascribing so great a re- 
sult to the efforts of one man ; but, with 
all due allowance made, Mr. Wright must 
certainly be ranked among the very first 
and worthiest of Montpelier's moral bene- 
factors. He was the first pastor of its 
Congregational Church, and here his min- 
istry continued for more than twenty years. 



For a large part of that period he was the 
only pastor in the town. It was his first 
settlement. It was at a time when the 
preacher spoke with an official authority 
which he does not command to-day. And 
the town itself was then " in the gristle," 
.as it were. Thus it was the very time for 
moral and religious suasions to tell. His 
faithful work did tell ; and many have there 
been who would sympathize with the his- 
torian's enthusiasm for his subject, even 
if they could not fully endorse all his lan- 
guage. " Even to this day," said the Rev. 
W. H. Lord, D. D., in the pulpit which 
Mr. Wright once occupied, and eighteen 
years after his decease, " the living power 
of his ministry is seen and felt in all this 
community, and his memory is kept in the 
hearts of many, fresh and sacred — fragrant 
and perfumed with the savor of a deep, 
deathless devotion to the cause of his Mas- 
ter. The church, nay, the village of Mont- 
pelier, is indebted to him, under God, for 
many of those principles and sentiments, 
and generous, hospitable, social traits, and 
kind brotherly feelings, which have dis- 
tinguished its society. Underneath all the 
frivolities and conventionalities of her mod- 
ern life, there is a strong blessed under- 
current of human sympathies, and effect- 
ive feelings of social interest and life, 
which have their source in the influence 
of his ministry." 

The man from whose labors such grand 
results flowed, was born in Hanover, N. 
H., Nov. 6, 1776. He was the son of Na- 
thaniel and Jemima (Bartlett) Wright, and 
the fourth of their eight children. 

His father was a farmer, one of the first 
settlers of Hanover, an estimable man, 
and a deacon of the Congregational church. 
His mother, a woman of deep piety, died 
when he was 8 years old, and his father 
subsequently married Mary Page, by whom 
he had three children. In 1815, two years 
after her death, he was united to Mrs. 
Martha Conant May*. 

The subject of this sketch passed his 
youth on the farm, and intended to follow 
his father's occupation. He bought a 
farm in Berkshire, Vt., on attaining his 
majority, but before working long on it 



MONTPELIER. 



389 



was led to consider the claims of the 
Christian ministry, and to change his en- 
tire plan of life. He began the necessary 
course of classical study, finished it, and 
entered Middlebury College in 1802. He 
supported himself during his preparatory 
work and his college course partly by 
teaching, and graduated, having maintain- 
ed a fair standing, in 1806, being then 30 
years of age. For 2 years he was the pre- 
ceptor of the Addison County Grammar 
School, and then he began the study of 
theology with the Rev. Asa Burton, D. D., 
of Thetford, Vt. Later, his studies were 
directed by the Rev. Timothy Dwight, 
D. D., of New Haven, Conn., and he was 
licensed to preach in 1808. In June of 
that year his services were engaged by the 
newly formed Congregational society in 
Montpelier, and after 12 months he was 
invited to settle as their pastor, at a salary 
of " $350 for the first year, $375 for the sec- 
ond, $400, together with the use of a con- 
venient parsonage, annually, after the 
second year." His ordination took place 
Aug. 16, 1809; sermon by the Rev. Asa 
Burton, D. D., of Thetford ; charge by the 
Rev. Stephen Fuller, of Vershire, and right 
hand of fellowship by the Rev. Calvin 
Noble, of Chelsea. His labor in this 
place having continued more than a score 
of years, he was dismissed Dec. 22, 1830 
— a step which seemed inevitable to the 
council which consented to it, in view of 
the withdrawal of support by members who 
were offended by Mr. Wright's course in 
regard to Free Masonry. 

The early years of his ministry were 
very fruitful to the church and the com- 
munity generally. "The church received 
additions at almost every communion till 
the time of my ordination," he says. 
The band of seventeen who were consti- 
tuted a church, July 20, 1808, became 
seventy by the fall of 1810. "In two 
short years, the testimony is universal," 
says the Rev. Dr. Lord, " a great change 

passed over the society In 

family after family, the worship of the true 
Jehovah was established, and morning and 
evening sacrifice was regularly offered in the 
name of Jesus. Men of unbelieving and 



skeptical sentiments became impressed and 
sobered. Young men of dissipated habits 
became industrious and devout. The 
streets no longer echoed with ribaldry and 
profaneness ; social life and intercourse 
were greatly refined and improved ; . . . 
and it seemed as if the placid and benefi- 
cent spirit of Christianity had descended to 
hover over and to dwell in a place once so 
troubled and distracted." 

In the 4 years, from 1816 to 1820, 142 
persons were received into the church. 
Indeed, "at no time in the history of Mr. 
Wright's ministry, was there any remark- 
able moral sterility. The influences of 
divine grace and truth were steady and 
effective. The special times of religious 
interest were not followed by drought and 
reaction." And the records show that 428 
persons were welcomed to the fellowship 
of the organization during Mr. Wright's 
pastorate. 

His labors were not limited to his own 
flock, nor confined within the boundaries 
of his own parish. His missionary activ- 
ity was very great, and wherever oppor- 
tunity offered, he held religious meetings 
to the limit of his strength, whether in 
churches, dwellings, school-houses, or 
barns. He was a leader in the councils of 
his denomination in the State, and was 
often sent as a delegate to ecclesiastical 
gatherings beyond its borders. 

Theologically, he was conservative. ■ 
" New lights " in religious doctrine were 
to him false lights. But he was in advance 
of most of his associates in reformatory 
work. Very early did he enlist against in- 
temperance, endeavoring to stem the evil 
tide. The cause of the slave readily won 
his sympathy and his advocacy. The ed- 
ucation of the young commanded much of 
his thought ; the great Anti-Masonic con- 
troversy aroused his interest. And in all 
these matters he " conferred not with flesh 
and blood " as to the course to pursue. 
He closed his ears against the suggestion 
of prudential considerations. He only 
asked, "What is right? What is the 
path of duty ? " and, when conscience gave 
answer, heeded her voice alone. He may 
have erred ; if so, his was not the error of 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a cool time-server and trimmer, a slirewd 
calculator for self; it was the error of one 
whose whole being thrilled with devotion 
to God and man, of one whose excess was 
ever on the side of conscientiousness and 
philanthropy. 

As Mr. Wright had, during his pastorate 
in Montpelier, eked out his small salary by 
occasionally acting as a tutor, so, after his 
dismissal, he had for some time charge of 
the instruction of a class of boys at his 
house, preaching meanwhile, as opportu- 
nity offered, in churches readily accessi- 
ble from this village. He was regularly 
engaged for quite a while to fill the pulpit 
in East Montpelier. 

In 1836, he was settled in Hardwick, in 
this State, remaining there till early in 
1 840, when failing health led him to return 
to Montpelier, where he died of consump- 
tion, Apr. 16, at his former residence, then 
occupied by his daughter, Mrs. J. W. 
Howes. His body was placed in the 
graveyard on Elm street, but on the open- 
ing of Green Mount Cemetery, it was re- 
moved thither. 

His widow, «^^ Charlotte Clapp Whitney, 
ofRoyalton, survived him 19 years. They 
were married in April, 181 1, and had 6 
children, four of whom lived to maturity, 
and were married — Jonathan Edwards, 
married Fanny Wyman Houghton, of Mont- 
pelier ; Charlotte Whitney, married James 
H. Howe, of Troy, N. Y. ; Julia, married 
Joseph W. Howes, of Montpelier ; and 
Eliza Maria, married Ferrand F. Merrill, 
of Montpelier. Of these four children, 
only Mrs. Howes survives at the present 
date. Descendants of all the others are 
living, however. 

Although Mr. Wright's literary training 
began late, he was a man of no mean at- 
tainments as a scholar, and held high rank 
among his contemporaries. He was rec- 
ognized as possessing a sound judgment, 
and his counsel and advice were often 
sought. 

He was from 18 19 till his decease a 
member of the corporation of Middlebury 
College. While engaged in teaching, he 
published an arithmetic entitled, "The 
Federal Compendium ;" and at various 



times quite a number of his sermons were 
printed ; not only obituary discourses, but 
also others — as an " Election Sermon" in 
1 8 10, a sermon before the Middlebury 
College Charitable Society in 18 14, and in 
the latter part of his life, two sermons, 
which he entitled, "The Devil in the 
Nineteenth Century," and which were 
called forth by certain extravagances com- 
mitted, under the name of religion, in 
Hardwick. [The " New Lights," see ac- 
count of in vol I, page 329, of this work. — 
Ed.] 

In person, Mr. Wright was under the 
average height, of slight figure, with keen 
brown eyes. Though described as "ap- 
parently deficient in physical powers," he 
was quick in all his movements, vigorous 
and energetic in action, and intrepid in 
the face of danger. Pre-eminent as a 
pastor, he was persuasive and successful 
as a preacher, a leader among philanthro- 
pists, stainless in private life, and ever 
alive to the material, as well as the spirit- 
ual, interests of the people whose servant 
he made himself "for Jesus' sake." 

J. E. w. 

After the close of Mr. Wright's ministry 
there was an interval of 9 months before 
the church was supplied with another 
pastor, and when Mr. Hopkins' 3^ succeed- 
ing years' pastorate closed. Rev. Mr. 
Burchard, the noted revivalist, took the 
vacant pulpit for a 40 days' protracted 
meeting, of which, says the Rev. Dr. 
Lord, in his fiftieth anniversary sermon, 
" Good was accomplished at a tremendous 

cost Of course, after such an 

exciting preacher, the church found it diffi- 
cult to settle down to the regular ministra- 
tions of the word, or to find a pastor who 
would unite their suffrages. For a year 
thereafter, the society was afilicted with 17 
candidates, a sufficient number to have 
furnished a half dozen superior ministers." 

At length a call was given to Rev. Buel 
W. Smith, who accepted it, and labored 
here 4 years, as long as his health would 
permit. 

Mr. Gridley was pastor for the next 5 
years, during which the only important 




druj.k^ 



MONTPELIER. 



391 



event was the dismissal of several members 
to the Ej^iscopal church, of which says Mr. 
Lord : 

Including one, for a long time a faithful 
and efficient co-laborer with us, a super- 
intendent of the Sunday-school, and the 
not infrequent lay reader of sermons to 
this congregagation ; a gerftleman of edu- 
cation and piety, who became the first 
rector of that church in this village. It is 
not inappropriate to say that while we 
greet the success and prosperity of that 
society, and rejoice in its present health- 
ful activity and enlargement, and recog- 
nize it, in its methods and ways, as an ef- 
ficient agent of Christ's Kingdom, we 
take peculiar satisfaction and pleasure in 
the remembrance that many of the prin- 
ciples and persons, which have given to 
it such animation and efficiency, were be- 
gotten and nurtured under the shadow of 
these walls. And it is almost with a ma- 
ternal sentiment that we contemplate its 
origin, while with fraternal salutation we 
bid it to-day God speed in the work in 
which we are united, of raising this whole 
community to the level of the Gospel. 

Mr. Lord succeeded to Rev. Mr. Grid- 
ley in the pastorate, of which he says : 

I have already, on a former occasion, 
adverted to the records of my own min- 
istry among you ; yet still, the occasion 
would seem to require some notice of its 
events. I came here in a time of division 
and controversy. With the dreams of 
youth and inexperience, I entered upon 
the hard toil of the ministry, in a disunited 
church, divided not in principle, not in 
vital sentiment, but in local policy and 
about persons. The records of the church 
from that day to this are not mere statis- 
tics and notes and catalogues to me, but a 
life, a labor, a struggle, full of fears and 
apprehensions, and encouragements, and 
joys and hopes. I will only say that God 
has blessed an unworthy and feeble min- 
istry, and thank Him for the vast mercies 
that have followed the course of our rela- 
tionship. The short period of 11 years 
has been filled with changes. I preach in 
the same house, but not to the same audi- 
ence that listened to my first sermon. 
There have been 80 removals and 63 deaths 
in the society ; in the church, 70 dismis- 
sions and 43 deaths since I began my work 
with you, a considerable increase in the 
society and 80 baptisms. 

The admissions during Mr. Wright's 
pastorate, 428 ; during that of Mr. Hop- 
kins, 48 ; that of Rev. Buel W. Smith, 137 ; 
that of Mr. Gridley, 21 ; and of Rev. Mr. 
Lord, 139, to 1876, when the Manual of 



Bethany Church was published, which in- 
cluded his pastorate, less the last year ; 
making to that date, 1,126 received to 
membership. 

Deacons. — The deacons given in this 
Manual who have served the church to 1876 
are — Sylvanus Baldwin, George Worthing- 
ton, Salvin Collins, Alfred Pitkin, E. P. 
Walton, William Howes, Jeduthan Loom- 
is, John Wood, Norman Rublee, Constant 
W. Storrs, F. F. Merrill, E. P. Walton, 
Jr., N. P. Brooks, John A. Page, and 
Joseph Poland. 

Chtirdi Clerks. — Samuel Goss, 1808; 
Rev. Chester Wright, 1809 to '30; James 
Spalding, 1831 ; Jeduthan Loomis, 1832; 
Rev. Samuel Hopkins, 1832 to '35 ; Jedu- 
than Loomis, 1S35 ; Rev. Buel W. Smith, 
'^'^THi '38; Lyman Briggs, 1840, '41 ; Rev. 
John Gridley, 1842 to '46; Gustavus H. 
Loomis, 1846, '47 ; Rev. W. H. Lord, D.D., 
1848 to '75 ; Mahlon C. Kinson, 1876 to 
'79; Rev. C. S. Smith, 1880. 

This church is Congregational in polity 
and affiliation, and heartily receives the 
doctrine and order of Christianity as they 
are stated, for substance, in the declara- 
tion of faith and order made by the Boston 
Council of the Congregational Churches of 
the United States in 1865, and adopted by 
the General Convention of Ministers and 
Churches of Vermont in 1874. 

Resuming our extracts from Mr. Lord's 
sermon : 

This church can now give her invitations 
with more earnestness and force than ever 
before. She has a history of 50 years ; she 
has tested the virtue of her everlasting 
foundations ; she has a roll of 924 members, 
of whom 364 are to-day in her earthly com- 
munion, and nearly 300 gone home to that 
happy harbor, 

'■Whose gardens and whose goodly walks 
Continually are green." 

The celestial spirit of peace has never 
long been absent from this society ; joy 
and peace have been the rule. I seem to 
hear the voice of her many choirs, all 
blending this day in grand unison to the 
glory of God. I seem to catch some 
strains of the strange melody of all her 
singers and instruments of music. I listen 
to the solemn dirge for her dead, the sober 
grief of her funeral orations, the sobs of 
her mourners, the songs of her redeemed. 
Again, in long circles of young men and 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



maidens, of strong men and furrowed age, 
her thousand witnesses for Christ seem to 
collect, and stand before her altar and re- 
peat her solemn consecration, and sit 
around the hallowed emblems of her Sav- 
ior's death. Again, I hear their conclud- 
ing triumphant acclaim, the sublime dox- 
ology to the Triune Jehovah, not one voice 
wanting in that imagined song. Again, I 
seem to hear the words of prayer and invi- 
tation, and the voices long or lately hushed 
in death, that used to break the stillness 
of her conference. 

And as the imagination goes into the 
past, to awake into life its history, and to 
kindle its scenes, so does it project itself 
onward, fifty, an hundred years. Then 
another voice than mine shall address an- 
other audience than this, on the centennial 
birthday of the church. Two or three 
that joined it at the last communion may 
hear the discourse. The rest shall have 
fallen asleep. Another organ shall respond 
to the fingers of another player ; another 
choir shall chant the same sublime psalm 
and hymns ; these places left of us shall be 
filled with many more. Eternity will be 
our residence. May its centennial cycle 
find us all, if removed from earth, in that 
City which hath foundations, whose Build- 
er and Maker is God. 

REV. WILLIAM HAYES LORD, D. D. 

BY PISES. BUCKHAM, OF THE VT, UNIVBKSITY. 

From an Address read before the VI. His- 
torical Society , Oct. 14, 1878. 

William H. Lord was the son of Rev. 
Nathan Lord, President of Dartmouth from 
1828, 35 years. William Lord was thus 
brought at four years old into the midst 
of a college circle, and brought up under 
the strong influences of that remarka- 
ble man from whom he inherited some 
of his most characteristic and pronounced 
opinions. He entered his collegiate course 
in his sixteenth year, ranked well in all 
his studies, excelling in language and 
literature, was a Phi Beta Kappa, de- 
livered the Greek poem at Commencement ; 
graduated (1846) atAndover; but was not 
a subtle logician. He could state an opin- 
ion with clearness and force, and present 
it with luminous illustration and persuasive 
appeal, better than he could maintain it in 
the lists against all comers. Shortly after 
finishing his studies, he began to preach 
in Montpelier. He was emphatically a 
preacher ; his diction choice and elegant. 



He abhorred "stump sermons" and "stump 
prayers." One of the incidental benefits of 
attending his ministry was an education in 
good English. His delivery was pleasing, 
dignified, with little gesture. That was true 
in his case, affirmed of almost all orators, 
the spoken word often produced an effect 
which the mere reader cannot account for. 
His preaching was no iteration of common- 
place ideas. Christ, as he conceived and 
preached him, was not the mere leader ot 
a system of truth which could be stated in 
propositions and soon exhausted, but the 
source and channel of a new life which 
flows in upon our old, sin-wasted human- 
ity, reviving, stimulating, glorifying every 
part of it. The distinguishing merit of 
his preaching was a rare and happy com- 
bination of the intensely evangelical with 
the broadly human spirit. Those who 
think only through their feelings, were 
melted by its tenderness. He received 
pressing calls from larger places. After 
refusing one, he said to his congregation, 
" I love to dwell among my own people ; 
but for this sentiment, perhaps principle, 
I might have gone a half score of times. 
. I do not easily change my place 
or opinions. I will not say that I have 
not been tempted, or that I should not 
have found satisfaction in other places that 
might have been mine ; but I have pre- 
ferred to dwell among my own people." 

It would not be correct to infer an un- 
interrupted smoothness. There were oc- 
casions of diff'erence, elements of discord, 
irritation on the part of some of his peo- 
ple, disgust upon his part, such as would 
have sundered any pastoral relation less 
firmly cemented. His opinions — the 
strongly conservative opinions of his father 
on slavery and the relation of the church 
to social reform — were distasteful to a por- 
tion of his congregation. He did not mix 
them up in preaching the Gospel, but what 
he believed, he believed firmly, and he 
was not a man to trim his creed to the 
passing gale. Some of these questions 
are now, thank God, obsolete, and it be- 
longs only to his biographer to insist upon 
the hold he must have had upon the af- 
fections of his people, that amid all the 




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MONTPELIER. 



393 



tria ' and excitements of the times, no one, 
or but few at most, ever thought of part- 
ing with their admired or beloved pastor, 
or would have changed him for the most 
trenchant reformer in the nation. 

Dr. Lord's pulpit was in Montpelier, but 
through the members of the Legislature 
and others whose duties brought them to 
the Capital, he reached a large number of 
the leading men of the State. He was at 
the time of his death the best known of 
any minister in the State, and the most 
widely known out of the State. His pres- 
ence at councils, his services on public oc- 
casions, were highly appreciated. In 1867, 
his Alma Mater conferred on him the de- 
gree of Doctor of Divinity. He did much 
editorial work during his last years for the 
Vermont Chronicle; his articles in the 
Princeton Review, elaborated with more 
care probably than anything else from his 
pen, it would be difficult to match for bril- 
liancy of literary execution in any Amer- 
ican magazine. 

But how shall I speak of him as a friend? 
One of the most remarkable things about 
him was his capacity for friendship. His 
friends were from all classes of society ; 
from all religious denominations ; from all 
vocations ; but all were the select men of 
their class. One who for many years en- 
joyed the closest intimacy with him, and 
whom, among all his friends, I think Mr. 
Lord would himself have chosen to speak 
of him on this point. Rev. Frederick W. 
Shelton, Episcopal clergyman, writes of 
him : 

He was the anima; dimidium mece — he 
was the half of my soul. Open-hearted, 
open-handed, liberal as the day, nothing 
sordid or narrow-minded entered into the 
texture of his soul. To know a man as I 
knew him, is in most cases to dissolve the 
charm of companionship, yet, I can say of 
him, he was one of whom I never wearied, 
whose conversation was always fresh, fruit- 
ful, suggestive. He grew in my estima- 
tion, and perpetually became a stronger 
man. An intercourse of 12 years was 
broken never by the slightest coldness or 
doubtful act on his part, and I do declare 
that 1 could never find in him or with him 
any fault at all. 

If these seem almost romantic expres- 
sions of attachment between man and man, 



I venture they would be endorsed by East- 
man, if alive, Gregory Smith, Stewart, 
Phelps, and a long list of men in whom he 
inspired a love for himself like that of Jon- 
athan for David. 

But in 1868, his system begun to show 
signs of breaking down. He took a trip 
to Europe, and partly recovered. He in- 
tensely enjoyed it, but far from his family, 
Bethany church, the hope of a life-time, 
taking shape in stone and mortar, he could 
not wait full recovery ; took a run through 
Europe, and hastened home ; preached 
with wonted vigor ; saw Bethany church 
completed — fit memorial, though he knew 
it not, of his own service for Him in whose 
honor it was built. He continued for 8 
years more to preach to his people ; never, 
they say, with such solemnity and power 
as these last years, while to the eyes of 
his friends, visibly breaking down ; not so 
much ageing — his mental powers showed 
no signs of decay — as giving way to some 
hidden destroyer. A terrible calamity, re- 
sulting in the death of a little daughter, 
[see accidental deaths, page 332,] was more 
than his constitution, undermined, could 
bear. He died, in his 54th year, the 30th 
of his pastorate. Mar. 18, 1877. 

[For a list of Mr. Lord's publications, 
see Bibliography of Montpelier, on page 
316, and a notice of him as a benefactor 
and President oi the Vermont Historical 
Society.] 

Rev. Mr. Lord married, at Andover, 
Mass., June i, 1848, Harriet Adams Aiken, 
daughter of John Aiken, Esq. Mrs. Lord 
was born in Manchester, Vt. They had 
6 children, all born in Montpelier. The 
family of Dr. Lord, now living, are — Mrs. 
Lord, tarrying with her aged and infirm 
mother in Andover, Mass. ; William A., a 
lawyer in Montpelier; Mary E., wife of 
William R. Burleigh, Esq., resides at 
Great Falls, N. H. ; Sarah A., wife of 
Rev. M. D. Kneeland, resides at Water- 
loo, N. Y. ; Jane A., wife of George W. 
Sargent, M. D., resides at Skaneateles, 
N. Y. ; Charles H., student at Great Falls, 
N. H. 



5° 



394 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SABBATH SCHOOL RECORD. 

FROM MK. JOSEPH W. HOWES. 

Letter of Mr. Howes to Mr. Poland. 
Montreal, Jan. 7, 1862. 
Dear Sir : — In complying with your re- 
quest for statistics of your Sabbath-school, 
I have been quite at loss to know what you 
most desired. Were I to give you the 
many interesting facts and incidents con- 
nected with a superintendency of some 12 
years, as a teacher of 5 years, and my 
childhood and early youth as a scholar, it 
would require moi^e time than you could 
devote to read or listen to. Nor could 
these facts be of deep interest to the ma- 
jority of the present school. I have, rather, 
selected some facts connected with its 
earliest history, which are quite meagre, 
and some general items to a later date, 
from which you can select such as you 
deem desirable. It may not be uninter- 
esting to your church to know to whom 
they are indebted for such labors of love 
as performed by the teachers of the Brick 
Church Sunday-school, many of whom are 
now reaping the reward of those labors in 
that land where their works do follow 
them. 

From an Address to the Brick Church 
Sunday School, Jan. i, 1843. 

The first effort made in this place for 
the religious instruction of the youth and 
children, was by the first pastor, probably 
in the summer of 1808. The first meetings 
were held in the hall of the first Academy, 
built on Main street, on Saturday after- 
noons. The lessons was the Assembly's 
Catechism. Questions were proposed by 
the pastor, who was the only teacher, and 
the answers repeated by the scholars, and 
full explanations of the answers. It is 
said such proficiency was made by many, 
they were able to repeat all the answers 
and comprehend their meaning. The few 
who at first gave attendance, soon had the 
pleasure of seeing with them most of the 
youth connected with families of the 
church. How long this plan was pursued, 
is not certain. Nothing more definite is 
known until 18 13, when the pastor was ac- 
customed to meet persons of all ages Sun- 
day, at 5 o'clock, p. M., in Jefferson Hall, 
one of the large rooms in the first State 
House, used for holding the county and 
other courts and for religious meetings. 
The Bible was the subject of study, sub- 



jects proposed and answered from Scrip- 
ture. 

In 1S16, three Sabbath-schools were or- 
ganized in the village, conducted by teach- 
ers under a supervisory committee. One 
was held in the school-house, near where 
the Methodist chapel now stands, con- 
ducted by Deacon Worthington, Dr. J. 
Crosby and Joseph Howes ; another in the 
Academy, conducted by Messrs. Walton, 
Goss and others ; a third, in the dancing- 
hall of the hotel, kept by Mrs. Hutchins, 
and afterwards by Jona. Shephard, con- 
ducted by Deacon Baldwin, J. Barnard, 
and, I think, H. Y. Barnes. These schools, 
held in the morning of the Sabbath, at 
their close would march with their teach- 
ers to the State House, to attend the meet- 
ing there. They were discontinued in the 
winter. 

In 1817, there was an increased interest 
in the Sabbath-school, a revival having 
called many into the church and schools 
who were of efficient aid. Each scholar, 
for every ten verses recited without mis- 
take, received a small blue ticket, with 
printed verse of Scripture, value one mill ; 
ten of the blue were exchanged for a red 
one, value one cent. Some learned so 
many verses, there was not time to hear 
them all. At close of the summer term 
this year there was a public examination of 
all the schools in the old State House, 
conducted by the pastor, when each class 
recited some passage of Scripture or a 
hymn, and the red tickets were all paid for 
in books. 

In the summer of 18 19, schools and places 
were the same, except the third, which 
was removed to the building once stand- 
ing opposite the Brick Church, conducted 
by H. Y. Barnes, Daniel Baldwin and J. 
Barnard. In this school one or two schol- 
ars committed from three to six hundred 
verses every week. The teachers were 
surprised how this was done, as they had 
to labor through the week. " They car- 
ried their Bibles into the field with them, 
and learned while they worked." A school 
was held a short time in the school-house 
near the late Samuel Abbott's ; Supt. not; 
remembered. 



MONTPELIER. 



395 



While the schools were well sustained 
in the village, a number of young men 
organized schools in the adjacent districts ; 
one in the school-house near Mr. Warren's, 
in Middlesex ; another, in the then Brooks 
district ; one in the (old) center of the 
town. 

In 1820, a church was completed, and 
here the different schools met, under the 
supervision of a committee. 

In 1821 or '2, through the influence of a 
Mr. Osgood, of Montreal, whose life was 
devoted to doing good, the first library 
was obtained, and a Sunday-school so- 
ciety formed. Rev. C. Wright, president ; 
Joseph Howes, librarian ; with a board of 
managers, and the school was held after 
the afternoon service, and from this time 
the school was continued through the win- 
ter. The first library, after being well 
read, was presented to the Sabbath-school 
in Worcester, and a new one purchased. 

Of the next 5 years little can be said. It 
was a season of great declension in religion. 
Nov. 1826, Rev. J. C. Southmayd was 
chosen superintendent, and Jos. Howes, 
librarian. Mr. Southmayd was the first 
superintendent of the school, and this the 
first record of anything concerning this 
school to be found upon the records of 
this church. 

About this time a precious revival of 
religion commenced in this place, and 
continued through the autumn and winter, 
which gave a new impulse to the school, 
and many who had before left at the ages 
of 12 and 14, with the impression they 
were too old to attend, returned, desiring 
to learn the way of God more perfectly. 
Nor were there wanting those ready to 
engage earnestly in the good work of 
teaching. Eternity alone can reveal the 
blessed results of that revival upon this 
school, this church and this community. 

In 1827, there were 25 teachers ; 24 in 
1828. There was a Bible class for adults, 
held a short time by the pastor and super- 
intendent on Sabbath evenings, embracing 
a large number of the congregation ; sub- 
ject, the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. 

The earliest record of teachers and 



scholars I have seen is dated 1831, and 
were : William Howes, C. W. Storrs, 
Edward Taplin, Abial P. Atherton, E. P. 
Walton, Norman Rublee, Samuel Goss, 
J. W. Howes, J. S. Walton, C. L. Knapp, 
John Wood, N. D. Dewey, Misses South- 
mayd, M. A. Washburn, Samantha Wash- 
burn, Harriet H. Washburn, R. Emily 
Washburn, Emily Bradshaw, Sophia Wat- 

rous, Scoville, A. Howes, Frances 

Hand, Rebecca Hunt, Harriet Walton, 
Eliza Kimball. 

April, 1832, Gen. E. P. Walton, super- 
intendent; the school roll, 170; teachers, 
24. An infant class was formed. Miss 
Eliza Kimball, (Mrs. Field,) teacher, 
which met at the same hour of the school 
in the vestry. 

The first regular teachers' meetings 
commenced this year, through the instru- 
mentality of an excellent young man at- 
tending our Academy, from Royalton, 
N. Wright Dewey, who many years since 
went to his reward. 

This year, or about this time, the monthly 
concert, which has since been so regularly 
observed, was established. From this 
time to 1836, no record of the school is to 
be found ; but it is the impression it was 
well sustained. 1836, Gen. Walton was 
superintendent; Samuel Goss and J. W. 
Howes, assistants. Owing to the ill 
health of Mr. Walton and the resignation 
of Mr. Goss, the duty devolved upon Mr. 
Howes. 

1837, the teachers were : A. S. Pitkin, 
Charles Spalding, Geo. P. Walton, Fran- 
cis Stebbins, E. P. Walton, Jr., J. W. 
Howes, Mrs. B. W. Smith, Mrs. Oakes, 

Misses Harriet Wilder, Atherton, 

Lucy Nye, Frances Perrin, Eunice Vail, 
Augusta Merrill, Eliza Spalding. Mr. Pit- 
kin and Geo. P. Walton, not living. There 
was an average attendance of 100 scholars, 
and efforts were made to increase the num- 
ber. Every family was visited, parents be- 
came interested, and 2 or 3 Bible classes 
formed, one of them being taught by the 
pastor. Rev. B. W. Smith, who ever took 
a lively interest in the school. The re- 
ports of those who visited at this time were 



396 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



very interesting. Many of the scholars 
were enjoying the Way of Life. 

1838, G. B. Mansur was appointed as- 
sistant superintendent, which office he held 
while connected with this church, as well 
as teacher. It was ascertained during the 
II previous years, 75 members of the 
school had united with the church, four of 
them young men, preparing for the min- 
istry. The school resolved to educate a 
young lad in Ceylon, for which to pay $20 
per annum for 5 years, which was done. 
22 united with the church this year by 
profession, 10 being members of the 
school. 

1839, the total number of scholars was 
205; average, 120; conversions, 9: teach- 
ers, 25. 1840, total number of scholars, 
175; average, 114; teachers, 23; no con- 
versions. 1841, teachers, G. H. Loomis, 
Jos. Prentiss, G. W. Scott, B. F. Goss, 
B. B. Dimmock, G. B. Mansur, Misses 
Harriet Hunt, Mary Vail, Fanny Water- 
man, Mary Smith, Harriet Doty, Mrs. 
Elias Hall, Misses Charity Loomis, Em- 
eline Lewis, Nancy Perry, A. Phinney, 
Eliza M. Wright, Fanny Lewis, Sophia Wil- 
liams, Redfield, Eliza Harvey ; schol- 
ars, 204; average attendance, 118 ; 6 con- 
versions. 1842, total number of scholars, 
219; average, 129; conversions, 7. 1843 
to '48, most of the time attendance good. 
Numbers of our most promising youth de- 
ceased, most having pleasing evidence 
they had entered into that rest that re- 
maineth. 1843, teachers, Francis C. Keith, 
Jos. Pitkin, Mrs. Isaac Worcester, Misses 
R. Burton, M. Camp, Mr. J. H. Morse; 
1844, Misses Rebecca Loomis, Eliza B. 
Rublee, Mr. Ralph Kilbourn, C. W. Bad- 
ger, John Barker, Misses Harriet Bowen, 
Clarissa Clark, Mr. Wm. Storrs. Messrs. 
Morse, Kilbourne, Barker, and Miss Clark, 
have died. 

1848, Mr. Merrill was appointed super- 
intendent, which office he held until 1851. 
[I am not quite sure of this ; it is possible 
that Dea. Storrs officiated a part of this 
time.] 

185 1, resuming the superintendency, I 
found the school in a prosperous condi- 
dition — 230 scholars, the largest number 



ever known, with 31 teachers. The spirit 
that searcheth hearts was in our midst. 
Numbers listened, attracted to follow the 
heavenly voice. My connection with the 
school ceased in May of this fruitful year. 
Sunday-School Siiperititendents. — Mr. J . 
W. Howes was succeeded by Mr. F. F. 
Merrill, whose last year was 1858 ; Joseph 
Poland served in 1859, '60, '61 ; Chas. W. 
Willard, 1862; H. D. Hopkins, 1863, 
187 1, inclusive ; D. G. Kemp, 1872, '73. 
'74; A. G. Stone, 1875, '76; Hiram Carl- 
ton, 1877 to the present time. 

THE DEDICATION OF BETHANY CHURCH, 
OCT. 15, 1868. 

Exercises : — Organ Voluntary; Invocation, 
Rev. W. S. Hazen; Scripture, Rev. E. 
/. Carpenter ; Anthem ; Prayer, Rev. J. 
Copeland. 

DEDICATION HYMN. 
BY BEV. JOHN KING LOED, Brother of the Pastor. 
When God the prUnal light unsealed, 

And bound in spheres its golden bars, 
Tlirough all the glowing vault there pealed 
The chorus of the morning stars. 

When Christ was born, those notes again 
Bang througii the sapphire-sprinkled space; 

Judea's hill-sides caught the strain, 
And earth gave to Heaven the praise. 

And when the promised age of gold 
Sees fairer lands and brighter skies 

Spring from the ruins of the old, 
Still louder shall the anthem rise. 

Meanwhile, along these walls where now 

Our first glad sacrifice we bring. 
That song shall echo till we bow 

To sing with angels near the King. 

SERMON. 
BY REV. W. H. LORD, D. D., Pastor. 

" I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor 
slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a 
place for the Lord, an habitation for the 
mighty God of Jacob." — Psalm 132 :4, 5. 

This is Solomon's record of the vow of 
his father David. It was the natural ex- 
pression of that tender piety, of that de- 
votion to the name and honor of God, 
which illumines the whole character of the 
son of Jesse, and which raises him, in 
spite of his stupendous sins and deep falls, 
to a sublime height of moral excellence. 
All other things made way in his mind to 
the glorious purpose of finding a habita- 
tion for God. He was a king, and perils 
environed his throne. He was a states- 



MONTPELIER. 



397 



man, and his people needed the help of a 
generous government. He was a poet, 
and -the sacred inspiration of his harp 
thrilled the heart of his nation, as it has of 
all nations since. He was a warrior, and 
a councillor, and oft must have longed to 
lay aside the armor of battle and woo the 
refreshment of rest. But all other duties, 
and all other desires, were dwarfed in his 
fervid soul by one imperious obligation. 
What were politics, statesmanship, war, 
letters, nay, his own flesh and blood to 
him, while God had no worthy habitation 
in Israel? What was it to him that he 
could point to a royal palace, and rooms 
of state, and golden furniture, and Tyrian 
hangings, while Jehovah had no palace 
yet built for Him, where He could hold 
His court and receive the homage of His 
subjects. While Israel dwelt in tents, 
they had another for their tabernacle. 
But when they had an imperial city, and 
dwelt in ceiled houses, marble and gold 
were not too rich or beautitul for their 
shrine. Nothing else was safe unless 
God's house was built. The temple was 
the citadel of the nation. David's sword 
would be sharper, his scepter mightier, his 
lyre sweeter, if all were reckoned of less 
import than the task of finding a temple 
for the Lord. The vow of the king of 
Israel is of much larger range than its 
original historical application. We can- 
not confine our thought to the narrow 
range of long past Jewish history, when 
the passage before us has been brightened 
by the light which falls upon it from Beth- 
lehem and Calvary. This expression say^ 
in effect, that within the soul itself, God's 
presence, honor and truth must first be 
secured. To find a place for the Lord 
within the heart, is at once our high priv- 
ilege and obligation. To enthrone God at 
the summit of thought ; to enshrine Him 
in the sanctuary of love ; to lay open to 
Him the hidden springs of the will ; to de- 
tain Him within the chamber of the soul ; 
this is to build for Him a palace more 
beautiful, more glorious, than any made 
with stone or decorated with gold ; and 
this is to win from Him a presence of light 
and power more resplendent than the she- 



kinah of the temple of Jerusalem. The 
christian soul is the true temple of the 
Godhead, when it is cleansed by the blood 
of Christ ; when it is filled with the graces 
of the spirit ; when it is enriched with the 
tracery and ornaments of the divine word. 
When it is thronged with holy and adoring 
thoughts, as His servants and courtiers 
casting their tributes at his feet, then it is 
brightened with a light and beauty so 
shining, that God may indeed be said to 
be glorified in man, and to have found in 
him His true habitation and rest. 

But another application of these words 
will, I doubt not, have been anticipated 
by those who are gathered within these 
walls on this day of high and thankful joy. 
May we not say that this noble pile itself 
is the product of a resolution such as was 
that of the king of Israel. By the per- 
mission and love of the Infinite God, we 
are to-day realizing long cherished hopes 
— long dreamt dreams. To-day is com- 
pleted the prayer of years. Difiiculties 
have been surmounted, and results achiev- 
ed, for which we are indebted to the good- 
ness of God. We behold the end and re- 
ward of much sacrifice, of large and genial 
hearts, of wise and unconquerable wills, 
of cultivated and solid intelligence. All 
that could be won by our zeal, and intel- 
ligence and devotion has been secured. 
Our eyes behold that which is in very deed 
a worthy place for the temple of the Lord 
— an habitation for the Mighty God of 
Jacob. David had to bequeath his un- 
realized intention to his son and successor ; 
but the most of us who began to build, 
have been spared to witness the fulfilment 
of our hope, and the justification of our 
wisdom and foresight. And if one who is 
not a stranger to the impulses and motives 
which have swayed the minds of those who 
have labored for this result, may be per- 
mitted to interpret the sagacious and gen- 
erous intelligence which has given this 
noble structure to our State and our 
church, I would unhesitatingly say, that to 
promote our dear Redeemer's glory has 
been its first, its master motive. To raise 
a monument, (however unworthy our best 
must be of Him,) to His glory who died 



398 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



for us ; to oifer at His feet a measure of 
that wealth which he has placed at our 
disposal ; to thank Him thus visibly, thus 
palpably, for His grace to us ; to make a 
good foundation for a better work for Him 
— this was, this is, the object of all. Even 
if nought else came of this gratitude ; even 
if such thankfulness were refracted upon 
ourselves in no new blessings, this grateful 
adoration, this love of the Son of God, is 
the motive which has found so beautiful, 
so splendid, an expression in a building, 
which, from to-day and henceforth, is ded- 
icated to the glory and service of Jesus 
Christ. If aught else of pride or ostenta- 
tion mingles with this, may He who de- 
serves all we have, forgive and cleanse the 
foul unrighteousness. 

It is true that since Christ was crucified, 
the Father seeketh such to worship Him as 
worship in spirit and tiojth. Mount Mo- 
riah and Mount Gerizim are not essential 
to worship. He who dwelleth in a temple 
made without hands, needs not a temple 
made with hands. The whole earth has 
now become a house of prayer and the 
gate of Heaven, for the Son of God hath 
dwelt in it and consecrated it by His 
presence. And yet a house of worship 
does not invade the spirituality of worship. 
It may rather enhance and intensify it. No 
more is the closet a place for one Christian, 
than the church is the place for many 
Christians. And Christ fills both with His 
presence, and loves both the dwelling of a 
beautiful and holy soul, and the habitation 
of a beautiful and sacred house. He who 
hath made all things beautiful, loves beau- 
tiful things and beautiful places. 

Repulsiveness of form is not necessarily 
united with spirituality of life and purity of 
faith, and the autonomy of the local church 
under Christ does not imply that it ought 
to dwell in a barn. And when the beauty 
of the temple expresses both the abun- 
dance of christian wealth, and the fervor 
of christian love ; when it is the exponent 
of ability and affection, then I see no 
reason why God should not love it as He 
did the tabernacle of old — more than all 
the dwellings of His people. I see no 
reason why He should not love to come 



into it and make the place of His feet glo- 
rious. 

I have thought it not inappropriate to 
this occasion, to ask your attention to the 
uses of the material temple ; the moral and 
spiritual purpose of such a house as that in 
which we are assemhled to-day ; and why 
we should build it, and why we should 
love it ! 

I. To begin with its lowest uses, itwill 
be in the first place an intellectual land- 
mark, cultivating the best thought and the 
best taste. 

As it towers in conspicuous beauty high 
above the surrounding buildings, it is a 
natural expression in solid stone of an in- 
tellectual truth. May we not say that it 
illustrates, on a small scale, Bishop Butler's 
argument upon the necessity for a visible 
church? It is a silent, but most eloquent, 
preacher of the first and highest of all 
truths. It embodies and visibly perpet- 
uates the institutions of Christianity. A 
visible church is a standing memorial of 
the duty we owe to our Creator, and by the 
form of religion ever before our eyes, 
serves to remind us of the reality. And 
the more impressive and beautiful the 
form, the more easily will the transition be 
to the true character and glory of the ob- 
ject of worship. Throughout the civilized 
world, each of the temples of Christendom 
bears a voiceless but effective testimony 
for Christ. No thoughtful man ever looks 
at it from without, even if he never enters 
it as a worshipper, but he asks himself: 
" What does this building represent? Why 
is it here ? Is it the monument of an ex- 
tinct sentiment, or of a hving conviction? 
Is it the ornamented sepulcher of religious 
faith, or the powerful instrument of a 
springing and advancing life ? " Thus the 
material building suggests a line of thought, 
backward and forward. It is a history, or 
a prophecy. Its dim aisles, and vaulted 
corridors and arched ceilings, its columns 
hewn into transparent strength, and its 
roof painted with the colors of the iris, 
have a message to men which they can but 
hear. It is a message of warning, or a 
message of hope. 

There is a city of the old world whose 



MONTPELIER. 



399 



palaces and squares are now falling into 
the sea, out of which she rose. Never did 
earthly city have a more beautiful shrine. 
It was at once a type of the redeemed 
church of God, and an illuminated scroll of 
His written word. Neither gold nor crystal 
was spared in its building, and it was 
adorned with all manner of precious stones. 
The skill and the treasures of the East 
gilded every letter and illumined every 
page, till " the temple shone from afar 
like the star of the Magi." And as I 
walked along the alleys of that strange 
city, or floated upon its liquid streets, and 
remembered how she had thrown off all 
shame and restraint, and had become filled 
with the madness of the whole earth, the 
falling frescoes of gold, and the sinkmg 
columns of marble of her great cathedral, 
seemed to utter in the dead ear of Venice, 
" Know thou that for all these things God 
will bring thee into judgment." Her sin 
was done in the face of the House of God, 
burning with the letters of His law. And 
the building, now shored up from its 
watery grave by huge timbers, has a his- 
tory, in which one who sees it, must read 
both the triumphs and the corruptions of 
Christianity. 

There were no material churches, or 
scarcely any, in the early ages of persecu- 
tion. When the church dared to come 
forth from the catacombs and live in pub- 
lic, she had already triumphed — her places 
of worship were the symbols of victory. 
And do they not now speak to our reason 
and our hearts, and to our imaginations, 
somewhat as of old? What means the 
house of christian assembly, but that God 
delighteth still in the communion of His 
saints? What means the tapering spire, 
but that our hopes are beyond the sky to 
which it points? What means the cross 
which rises from the eastern porch, but 
that the atoning blood which flowed on 
calvary, warrants these hopes in sinners, 
such as we? What means the declaration 
traced in the centime of yon orbed window, 
but that our peace, comfort and salvation 
are centered in the triune Godhead ? What 
means the lamb pencilled over organ and 
choir, but that all our praise is due unto 



Him who hath loved us and washed us 
from our sins in his blood ? What means 
that open Bible, translucent with the 
light of Heaven, and shedding its beams 
down upon the head of the preacher, 
save that God's word is the source of His 
wisdom, and the hiding-place of His power ? 
What mean these inscriptions on the walls, 
over arch, aisle and door, except, not that 
Rome has a monopoly of Scripture or of 
Heaven, but that the Son of God is the 
impregnable foundation of the Christian 
Church, and faith in Him the only way of 
entering His kingdom and glory? And 
what signify these colors, which cling so 
fondly to the instructed eye, and bind the 
very senses to the chariot wheels of ce- 
lestial meditation, save that God Himself 
would be worshipped in the beauty of ho- 
liness ? There are very few of us appre- 
ciate the nobleness and sacredness of color. 
It is not a subordinate beauty. It is not a 
mere source of sensual pleasure. He who 
says so, speaks carelessly. What would 
the world be if the blue were taken from 
the sky, and the gold from stars and suns, 
and the silver from the moon, and the ver- 
dure from the leaves, and the crimson from 
the blood of man, and the flush from the 
cheek, the radiance from the eye, and the 
whole earth were clothed in an ashen gray? 
Should we not then know what we owe to 
color? The fact is, that of all God's gifts 
to the sight of man, color is the holiest, 
the most beautiful and divine. The great 
architect of the world has employed colors 
in His creation as the accompaniment of 
all that is purest and most precious. He 
has laid the foundations of His temple in 
jasper and sapphire, and garnished its 
blue dome with stars of light. We shall 
not worship Him in less hohness, if we 
worship Him in more beauty than our 
fathers knew. Even as we gaze upon the 
outline of the chief buildings which have 
been reared for Christ, our thoughts must 
be insensibly affected. In the training of 
the soul we must subordinate the senses to 
the service of religion. And the beauty of 
the church is not a poor teacher, for the 
eye cannot choose but see, and it will sug- 
gest to the imagination, to the heart of 



400 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



many a man, the supremacy, the great- 
ness, the solitary magnificence of God. 

There are many tendencies of thought 
in our day that sei"ve to obscure this primal 
truth. Men are wont to merge Jehovah in 
the work of His hands, or to deny the ex- 
istence of His Son. The great questions 
which are debated around us, touch not 
simply the person of Jesus Christ, but the 
existence of God himself. Skeptical in- 
fluences are being constantly infiltrated 
into the thought of society, into the 
minds of the young, and into the life of 
the world. 

Now this church takes such debated and 
assailed truths, and a great deal else, for 
granted. It stands to the minds of the 
very youth that play and wander under its 
shadow, in the place of an argument. It 
represents in a visible, material form the 
settled faith of the church. It lends new 
charm to that faith. It tacitly forces the 
truth of God's majestic separation from, 
and infinite superiority to. His creatures, 
fairly in upon the intelligence of a child. 
It does more. It forces in upon his con- 
viction, also, the nearness of God to man, 
and the love which He bears to us. 

This is God's house, separate from the 
whirl of the streets, from the passion of 
the hour, from the jostle of life. It stands 
alone among other buildings, unlike them 
all, more massive, more imposing, more 
elegant. But its doors are open. The 
mighty noise of its music swells through 
its arches. Its floor is moistened by the 
tears of love and penitence. The King 
Himself holds court in it, and His wor- 
shippers throng His presence, and carry 
away His bounty. So its silent and me- 
lodious eloquence is ever more of man's 
distance from God, of God's nearness to 
man. Will God in very deed dwell with 
man? The temple of prayer answers the 
question as no argument can. Some of 
us may remember when our minds were 
first opening in a world of thought, and 
groping their way in the twilight toward a 
deeper and higher knowledge. Into this 
mental confusion, how would not a mate- 
rial symbol of the truth have helped to in- 
troduce the welcome reign of light and 



order? Tell a child that revealed reHgion 
is the highest of all truths, that all other 
truth leads up to it, or radiates from it, 
and he will faintly, if at all, guess your 
meaning. He has not yet climbed high 
enough to get your idea. But throw your 
doctrine into a concrete form, so that his 
eye, and ear and imagination shall be 
taken captive ; let it speak to him from the 
timbers and beams of the house, from the 
colors of its walls and ceilings, from the 
stones of its foundations and structure, 
from the music of its organ, as well as 
from the lips of the preacher, and you 
shall speedily make your way to his thought 
and to his heart, and give him a lasting 
form and impress. . He may not be con- 
scious of the powers at work upon him, 
or the result achieved within him. He will 
receive the moulding influence as the tree 
drinks in its verdure, as the flower absorbs 
its loveliest tints from the air and sunlight, 
but it will form his character and his habit, 
and give him a lifelong loyalty to the truth 
he has received. As the years pass over 
him, and full of good service, with the 
peace of his God and Savior in his soul, 
he feels that he is sinking towards his 
grave, he will look back, perchance, to this 
church as the first instructor of his im- 
mortal spirit. Here was mapped out the 
truth which came from Heaven, and which 
can alone redeem a sinful or sustain a 
dying man. He will then remember how 
in the home of his youth, when all naked 
statement of truth would have been lost 
upon him, there was one building among 
many, noblest in its proportions, richest in 
its ornamentation, which pointed to a 
truth, the knowledge and love of which was 
life eternal. And his gratitude, multiplied 
by the gratitude of others, from genera- 
tion to generation, will justify the wisdom 
of those builders, who would not suffer their 
eyes to sleep, nor their eyelids to slumber, 
nor the temples of their heads to take any 
rest, until they had found a temple of the 
Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob. 
He, and such as he, till the last stone is 
not left upon another, will bless those who 
thus set forth, in language which all could 
understand, the preciousness, the unap- 



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401 



preached preciousness of our divine Re- 
deemer's gospel. 

2. A second use of the material temple 
is the culture of reverence. Reverence is 
not merely a virtue, to find its exercise 
when we go to church. It ought to be 
the habit of the soul. Reverence is the 
recognition of greatness. It is the soul 
seeing something higher, better, nobler 
than itself. Woe to him who has no en- 
thusiasm, no passionate love for persons, 
services or institutions which represent 
God, and who, therefore, has no rever- 
ence ; who believes that there is no great- 
ness before which it should be his happi- 
ness to lie prostrate, and towards which 
he may not aspire. Nothing is more cer- 
tain than the intellectual and moral deg- 
radation of him who never feels veneration 
or love. The sneer which he lavishes on 
all around, reacts on his own moral life. 
The insolence which marks his address is 
traced in every line of his face. He whose 
motto is "Nil admirari;" who sees no 
good in what others respect ; who never 
looks through the clear crystal lens of gen- 
erous appreciation on a beauty or a great- 
ness that is not his own, will sooner or 
later win the indignation or the compassion 
of his fellow men. 

So deeply did one semi-infidel feel this 
to be true, that he is said to have declared, 
that if God did not exist, it would be nec- 
essary to invent Him for the use of the 
educator of the human mind. It is only 
the sight of God which creates reverence. 
Hence the church alone is the school of 
reverence. The church of Christ alone 
brings God home to the human soul. Na- 
ture knows not God. For a moment it 
seems to detect Him in the starry heav- 
ens, or in the stormy sea ; or in the fra- 
grant freshness of the summer air ; or in 
the calm brilliancy of a perfect landscape. 
But it only admires. It has no heart for 
reverence, because it has no heart for ad- 
oration. It banishes God behind a sys- 
tem of laws. 

But the Gospel, on the other hand, is 
the religion of Immanuel, God with us. 
He is with us in His Providence, in His 
power, in His wisdom, in His love. He 



is with us in His advent, in His tempta- 
tion ; in His ministry, in His passion ; in 
His resurrection, in His sacraments. Ever 
since the incarnation, the " tabernacle of 
God is with men." The Shekinah has 
rent the veil of the temple, and come forth 
among us. We know that He is not far 
from any one of us. We express this 
knowledge when we speak of Him ; when 
we keep His Word ; when we enter the 
place of His assembly. It is in the vis- 
ible, material church we learn reverence 
by precept and example. The silence, 
which is only broken that man may speak 
of God, or to God ; the adoring attitudes 
of devout worshippers ; the chant which 
raises the soul above the world ; the con- 
fession which opens upon it, through 
flashes of moral light, the true sight of the 
Most Holy ; these things suggest, day by 
day, year by year, a sympathetic attitude 
of the spirit. They succeed, at last, in 
persuading us to bend before Him who is 
the object and explanation of what is going 
on around us. They cry out, as if with 
one voice, to the soul, and the voice does 
not die away, " Oh, come, let us worship 
and fall down and kneel before the Lord 
our Maker." And thus a constant attend- 
ant at the church learns an inward habit, 
which is the safeguard of his intellect, the 
charm and lusti"e of his social life, the 
aroma of his character and intercourse, 
and the final deliverance and redemption 
of his soul. Very few lovers of the church 
and of church-going, find their way down 
to death. Their path is a shining one. 
They learn at last the value of the blood of 
atonement ; the glory of the Savior, and a 
hearty recognition of His supreme beauty. 
The profound yearnings of the spirit, 
which bring them within the house of God, 
are at length satisfied. The message of 
light and pardon, repeated week by week, 
is at last heard. Men may murmur about 
the dullness of the sermon ; but for every 
soul that is alive to the terrible mysterious- 
ness of life and death, and who resorts to 
the place where it may find God and come 
even to His seat, there is a freshness and 
perpetual interest in the Gospel message. 
He who seeks its repetition will learn the 



51 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



secret of its power, and find the peace 
which it brings. "It was here," some will 
say, of this very church," " it was here, O 
my Lord and my God, that I learned to 
know and love Thee, and found out my 
own misery, and felt the grace and sweet- 
ness of thy pity and thy pardon. It was 
here I learned the awfulness and blessed- 
ness of life, the greatness of eternity." 
And many a redeemed soul will sing here- 
after, " Lord Jesus, in this, Thy temple, I 
told Thee my sins and my sorrows, was 
washed in Thy blood, and saw Thy glory 
face to face." 

3. Another use of the material temple, 
is to assist the culture of the conscience. 
The moral sense learns and grows by dis- 
cipline. Ever since Christ drove the 
money-changers out of the house of prayer, 
the conscience has had new light upon the 
sacredness of places of worship and the 
duties of religion. Doubtless the con- 
science is roused and trained by association 
as well as by authority. It is informed and 
invigorated by every opportunity for good 
or for evil. There are seasons in every 
man's life when he finds himself face to 
face with forms of evil, upon resistance to 
which his whole eternity depends. For 
many a falterer this church may strike the 
trembling balance in his favor. The strug- 
gle, of which his soul is the scene, may 
here be laid bare before the all Holy and 
Merciful. The temptation to lust, or cru- 
elty, or avarice, or selfishness, or coward- 
ice of soul, may be exorcised, or, at least, 
lose half its force in the scenes and ser- 
vices of this building. When all has 
seemed to be lost, and the darkness of sin 
has well nigh settled down upon the heart, 
then God here turns himself again, and 
looks down from Heaven, and beholds and 
visits in mercy. There are, indeed, those 
to whose conscience the church says noth- 
ing. But with the great majority it is not 
so. Its services, its ministers, nay, the 
very lines and beauties of its architecture, 
are destined to be intertwined with the 
deep secrets of many a spirit, and to have 
their place in the checkered history of 
thought and hope, of fear and passion, of 
suffering and joy, which will be revealed by 



the light of another world. And among 
the spiritual mysteries which will here- 
after be known as belonging to these walls, 
not the least will be their silent contribu- 
tion to the growth of the moral sense. 

4. Nor shall it be without its effect in 
shaping the aims and unfolding the pur- 
poses of many a life. This life it teaches 
us is not a game of chance, or a decree of 
fate, the sport of events, or the result of 
fixed necessity. Each man is instructed 
by it and in it, that he is to hallow his 
earthly life by a religious principle. It 
stands as a perpetual memorial of God and 
of human responsibility in the very centre 
and heart of secular business and strife ; 
an unchangeable teacher of man's obliga- 
tion to make his life a single tribute to 
God's glory. And this church, in itself, 
in its services, is destined to have a large 
influence upon men's purposes in life ; is 
destined to brace their wills to the right, 
to promote their obedience to the truth, to 
open their hearts to a larger destiny than 
would have been possible without it. In 
the very proportion of its inspiring and im- 
pressive beauty, it is to become a helper of 
our souls in all good. Here our hearts 
will be opened, and kept open. The very 
place that is filled with fragrant perfume of 
the spicery that has been poured on Christ's 
head, will assist the soul to a better life. 
Creatures of association as we are, here 
our wills will be directed and strengthened ; 
here our whole inward life will get a unity 
and force, which will tell both in time and 
eternity. Here provision may be made for 
the dark days that are coming, "for in the 
time of trouble He shall hide me in His 
tabernacle ; yea, in the secret place of His 
dwelling shall He hide me, and set me upon 
a Rock." 

In dedicating this church, we do not 
gratify a mere artistic or aesthetic senti- 
ment. We do not inaugurate a monu- 
ment, which the economy of common 
sense, or the demand of Christian love, 
might deem superfluous. For this church, 
in all its lofty beauty, is a hymn of praise 
to the Son of God, and embodies and 
gives shape to the essential features of the 
Christian work and life. The ministries 



MONTPELIER. 



403 



and associations, the very roof and win- 
dows, the very tower and buttresses of this 
building, are destined to mould practically 
the daily life of those who are here to learn 
to face the battle of life as men and Chris- 
tians should face it. And here, too, many 
a modest flower will catch a Divine inspi- 
ration, and blossom into lovely and fra- 
grant beauty, and shed its incense of 
praise, until it shall be transferred to a 
more glorious temple, to bloom there love- 
lier and forever. Such a church, we trust, 
will do more than promote the intellectual 
and moral growth of those who worship in 
it, of the community around it. It will do 
more than cultivate taste and art. It will 
open men's hearts to God. It will help 
them toward Christ. It will teach them 
the rare graces of Christianity. It is the 
product of self-denial. It will be its teacher 
too. This church is no mere offering of 
that which has cost nothing. It is the 
gift of love, and love lives by sacrifice. 
Love is not the desire to have. It is the 
passion to give. And we trust that this 
church will be to us a means of grace in 
this respect, and perpetually teach us that 
all the best things of life come by our sac- 
rifices, and that our proudest, divinest sat- 
isfaction will arise in the future from our 
most generous offerings to the service, 
work, and glory of God. This house will 
show us, so long as it stands, that our best 
riches, our richest feelings and delights 
come from our largest gifts to God. Learn 
we this, if nothing else to-day, that joy 
comes by giving to Christ. It is more 
blessed to give than to receive. And thus 
this building will have manifold influences 
upon our souls. Hereafter we shall know 
how these lines of beauty, on which our 
eyes now rest with tranquil pleasure or cu- 
rious admiration, have been graven deep 
in many a memory, and have linked for- 
ever many a soul's inmost life with the eye 
and hand of the Creator. 

5. Another use of such a material edi- 
fice as this, is to render more attractive the 
system and polity of faith and worship 
with which it is connected. It will add a 
charm to the Congregational order and 
service. There is no reason why the ex- 



cellent order of our New England fathers 
should not make all the warm sentiments 
of our nature tributary to its growth. 
None, why its beams and timbers should 
not breathe the very odors of the cedars of 
Lebanon. None, why its garments should 
not smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia 
out of the ivory palaces. It is the church 
of our fathers, the old homestead and 
sanctuary of our hearts, full of rich mem- 
ories, of dear associations, of priceless 
legacies of faith and hope and patience 
from those who have left the earthly con- 
gregation and gone above the stars. This 
simple, beautiful and cathoHc polity is the 
very daughter of the King. She has 
trusted so much to her intrinsic and im- 
perial grace as to laugh at outward adorn- 
ing. She has been so beautiful and glo- 
rious within, that her friends have dreamed 
not of her exterior robing and drapery. 
But she is all glorious within, and why 
should not her clothing be of wrought gold. 
In her places of assembly the saints have 
sat and worshipped, and why should not 
her gates be jasper, her walls chalcedony, 
and her arches and ceilings traced with 
the colors of the rainbow. Within her 
sanctuary, millions without number have 
learned the new song, and why should not 
the frescoed arches of her roof resound with 
the anthem of the organ. It will not do 
altogether to despise the moral uses of 
material beauty. It will not do for a church 
to be beneath the intelligence, the taste 
and the wealth of a community. We may 
make art our master and we may make it 
our servant. We have too much abjured 
it as either. We may now give to it its 
proper place, as a helper and minister in 
our great and noble work. The day is 
past for Israel to dwell in tents or in barns. 
When she needs to do it, she may, nor 
will she lose the ark and the covenant and 
the shekinah. But when she needs not to 
do it, she must exchange her tabernacle 
for a temple ; for even Christ demands 
what we can give Him, and He who is 
worshipped in spirit and in truth, would 
have the worship of His house conform to 
our taste and wealth and love. The es- 
sence of Puritanism was not hatred of 



404 



VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



beauty, but love of Christ ; and wherever 
love of Christ may prompt to a more beau- 
tiful temple, the spirit of the fathers will 
linger, and Elijah's robe may fall upon 
Elisha's shoulders. The prophet of fire 
may make way for the Prophet of Peace. 
Our church has fought a noble battle for 
Christ under a leader nobler than itself; 
nor need it now be weary of its work, nor 
fear to adapt its usages and forms to the 
exigencies of future conflicts. So long as 
it keeps the old spirit, it may not hesitate 
to avail itself of new formal attractions. 

After Christ had gone into the heavens, 
and the old temple of Mount Moriah had 
perished, and the arch of Constantine was 
built, the temples that had been construct- 
ed for the service of divided and local gods 
were pressed into the service of the One 
God. Every form and .symbol, it was be- 
lieved, which belonged to the old world, 
might be claimed as the spoil and heritage 
of that which succeeded it. But one and 
another form which had pressed into its 
service the roughest stone, the richest 
marble and the rarest art, could as little 
resist the idolatrous tendencies of the 
heart as Solomon's temple had done. All 
came at last to feed the earth-born tastes 
which they had boasted they could subdue 
and sanctify. 

Then the idea grew up that such tem- 
ples stifled the Spirit ; that art was a dan- 
gerous ally of devotion ; that the most 
ugly building was the one that God was 
most likely to inhabit; that the upright and 
pure soul was his only true temple. They 
were very beautiful and true words, and 
pointed to high truths, just as the towers 
and minarets of the old temples pointed to 
them ; but they are just as little able to 
reach and preserve them. Hardness, se- 
verity, dogmatism, could hide itself where 
there seemed to be only the utmost sim- 
plicity and barrenness of form. But both 
were false. Each doctrine is unscriptural 
and fatal. The one gave religion bound 
as a captive into the hands of art, and 
made its services fantastical, sensuous and 
corrupt. The other gives God's beautiful 
universe up to the devil, as his rightful 
possession, and makes him the monopolist 



of all that attracts and charms our bodily 
sense. The one bound the invisible under 
the dominion of the visible. The other 
tramples the life out of the material and 
visible. We do wisely, then, as our fath- 
ers would have done had they had the war- 
fare of our day on their hands, when we 
aim to make all that is artistic and all that 
is beautiful, bring their tributes and lay 
them at the feet of Christ ; we should ex- 
clude nothing that makes our polity more 
attractive and effective. While we do not 
doubt that its essential glory is the pres- 
ence of Christ in its service, we shall not 
be likely to exalt any form of outward 
beauty above its intrinsic worth. 
. Nor is our Congregational system un- 
worthy that it should avail itself of all the 
helps and ministries of beauty. A gener- 
ous, practical catholicity may well dwell in 
a palace. A church that does not assume 
to declare its own organization as com- 
mensurate with the Church of God, which 
allows of diversity of ceremony and un- 
essential form, might well have a royal 
tabernacle. If we believed in augury and 
signs, we might easily translate into a 
happy omen the gentle inclination of 
obeisance which the cross on yon Roman 
tower has been making for the year that is 
past, to Bethany church. For why should 
not the least denominational, sectarian, ex- 
clusive and arrogant of all the churches, 
receive, like Joseph's sheaf, the homage of 
all its brethren? 

We love this Congregational polity. In 
it the life takes precedence of the form, and 
we would irradiate with its life a beautiful 
form. Nor would we refuse our fellowship 
to those who have the same spirit, but a 
narrower and contracted form. We have 
no Shibboleth to utter. We have no rit- 
ualistic bed on which to stretch or shorten 
the human spirit. We have no old judaistic 
skins in which to pour the new wine of the 
Gospel. We give to every church, to 
every man, the largest possible liberty. In 
the midst of a sisterhood of Christian de- 
nominations, we boast that we are not de- 
nominational. We call each Christian 
brother — we call every living church a sis- 
ter church. It is not a word fellowship ; 



MONTPELIER. 



405 



we can welcome all to our congregation, to 
our ordinances, to our table. We love 
this freedom of church, a freedom to give 
as well as to receive — to give the hospital- 
ity of our pulpits, our sacraments and our 
charities. 

We give an earnest protest against sec- 
tarian exclusiveness, and ask only that a 
man should love our Lord Jesus Christ in 
order to our communion. We hold our- 
selves at liberty to love a Pascal and 
Fenelon, a Tillotson and Beveridge, a 
Calvin and Luther, a Williams and Wesley. 
And when we see some good brethren of 
other churches put into the strait-jacket of 
their own creeds or ritual, and kept from a 
hospitality and a charity which Christ re- 
quires, and their own hearts intensely de- 
sire, by their ecclesiastical order, I rejoice 
that we are under no such bondage, and 
under no sad necessity to prove that the 
blood of the Son of God only runs in the 
veins of our own denomination. And why 
should not an unsectarian church, the 
oldest, most numerous and most inde- 
pendent in New England, by far ; rich in 
members, influence, position and history ; 
rich in the records of the living and in the 
rolls of her dead ; with no necessity of 
pleading for additions to her numbers with 
that resistless earnestness with which a 
hungry man cries for bread, and with a 
disposition to give bread to all that per- 
ish, why should not such a church have 
suitable dwellings for its sanctuaries? Why 
should not the garments of such a broad 
and catholic polity be of Tyrian dyes, and 
its habitation be fashioned after the simil- 
itude of a palace ? And we have reason to 
bless God for the generous Christian en- 
terprise and cultivated Christian taste 
which are coming to be shown in the mem- 
bers of our faith and order in the erection 
of their churches. 

Finally, a noble material temple, such as 
this, is prophetic. It suggests and fore- 
shadows a future history. We cannot but 
have been struck, as we entered it this 
morning, with a building so simple in its 
plan, yet so ornate and splendid in its de- 
tail ; so lavishly decorated, and yet so en- 
tirely useful and practical ; such a beautiful 



specimen of the taste and art of our time, 
and yet so wholly subservient to an end be- 
yond. I should misinterpret the spirit 
that has raised these walls, if I should bid 
you mark only the wealth of form and 
color that meets your eyes, or ask you to 
contrast it with the primitive models of 
our puritan architecture. We, at least, 
who have done something towards raising 
this temple of God, may feel that its beauties 
should enrich us with lessons of deeper 
and more practical value than can attach 
to anything which can be measured by the 
eye or sense. Its real interest to us, lies 
in its future and in its results. To us, and 
to our children, it may be indeed, for gen- 
erations, a Bethany ; the home of Christ 
and his friends ; a place of wondrous mir- 
acles and benedictions ; the scene of large 
growths of spiritual character, that shall 
rival the cedars of Lebanon or the palm 
trees of Olivet. It will be a dear house- 
hold name which shall be embalmed in 
thoughts and feelings as fragrant as cluster 
about the old Bethany of the Son of God. 
The hopes and dreams of the past are 
crystalized into stone. We shall admire 
it more and more, love it more and more, 
as it becomes associated with all that is 
sacred and tender in our spiritual histories. 
Slowly but surely it will be the nucleus and 
habitation of a family of Christ which shall 
be ever forming, and ever separating and 
re-forming in the skies. We shall count 
no cost it has brought, no sacrifice we have 
made, for we have sown seed here that 
shall bear successive harvests of light and 
peace and joy while the world stands. We 
have broken the alabaster box on the head 
of our Savior, and who shall say that it 
shall have no memorial in the future? It 
will foster a large generosity, and be at 
once the proof and the helper of benefi- 
cence in the cause of Christ. It will wit- 
ness the vows, the prayers and the tears ot 
our posterity, and its manifest presence 
will bring them the blessings they seek. 
To thousands of eyes and imaginations it 
will sing of the glory of the upper temple ; 
that glory which eye hath not seen, but 
which the eye shall yet see and be satis- 
fied. It will help our thoughts upward in 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their flights, and earthly architecture will 
be the symbol to us of the heavenly, the 
divine pattern of that which is in the king- 
dom of God. We have laid these stones 
and spread these arches and traced these 
colors, not as a show of veneration, not to 
put our love on exhibition, not to assure 
men that we believe in Christ, and can 
prove our faith on so magnificent a scale ; 
but the building itself is a part of ourcom- 
munion.with Heaven. It is an invocation 
of trust. It is a sentence of praise. It is 
a hymn we sing, a prayer we offer. It 
stands in a line with the Stone of Bethel, 
with the Shekinah of the tabernacle, with 
the temple on Mount Moriah, "with the 
synagogue of Nazareth, with the upper 
chamber where the bread from heaven was 
the food and the blood of Christ was the 
wme, and with the room at Jerusalem, 
where the tongues of fire preached at the 
dedication of Christendom, and the Holy 
Spirit inaugurated the visible church for 
the nations." 

And if any object that all this richness 
is needless, we say more, that it prefigures 
to our dull sense a wider and grander glory 
than we see. It is a mortal means to an 
immortal end. It lifts our gross under- 
standing. It images a beauty that tran- 
scends it. It is the hinder part of the 
glory that is inconceivable. It is the gate 
of Heaven and the vestibule of the Holy 
of Holies. It signifies more than we can 
at once receive. It is a stray fragment of 
the upper temple, a Gloria in Excelsis, 
amid the loud din and stir of the world 
around it. And each sweet melody or 
prolonged harmony of the princely organ 
is but a foretaste of that music whose won- 
drous noise fills the wide spaces of Heaven. 
Here we stand but on the threshold of 
mu.sic. The infinite combinations of the 
two thousand pipes of this instrument can 
never be made by the most skillful mortal 
player. The loftiest art can never com- 
pass a tithe of its harmonies. There is no 
sound without its significance, no organ 
without its antitype. And when this in- 
strument accompanies the simplest hymn 
which comes from the lips of childhood, or 
some grand old hallelujah chant of Asaph, 



or prayer of David's, or pours forth its 
melodious strains like the rolling of a river 
or the rushing of a tide, I know it is a 
faint, yet but the faintest type of that surg- 
ing flood of sound which shall fill the 
heavens when the redeemed and the angels 
shall open the seven-fold chorus of halle- 
lujahs and harping symphonies. The 
solemn grandeur, or plaintive melody, or 
jubilant exultation of its manifold combi- 
nations, are a feeble prophecy of what that 
music will be when the voice of the whole 
church of God, the twelve-fold chorus of 
Israel's ransomed, shall join with all the 
trumpets and harps sounding on the other 
side, in the unimagined crescendo and glo- 
rious dechachord of Eternity. Thus we 
read the future in the present, and the 
temple of to-day is a prophecy of that wor- 
ship and that temple, 

"When all the halls of Zion 
For aye shall be complete. 
And in the land of beauty 
All things of beauty meet. 

Where tears are ever banished 
And smiles have no alloy. 
With jasper glow thy bulwarks. 

Thy courts with emeralds blaze. 
The sardius and the topaz 
Unite in thee their rays; 
Thine ageless walls are bonded 

With amethyst unpriced. 
Thy Saints build up its fabric. 
And the Comer Stone is Christ." 

And now what wait we for ? What re- 
mains but that you should perfect your 
work? If this building is to be all and 
more than we pray or think ; if it is to be 
the habitation of God and the fountain of 
nameless blessings to you and to your 
children to the last generation ; if He who 
dwells in the highest Heavens is to make 
it His tabernacle, and in very deed dwell 
with us, and vouchsafe His spiritual pres- 
ence, power and glory in His temple, I now 
call upon you to offer to Him this build- 
ing, and dedicate it to His sole service, 
and to the honor and praise of His dear 
Son. 

[The keys were here presented, and the 
building offered for dedication, by D. Taft, 
Esq.] 

Acceptance and Dedication, 

By Prof. M. H. Buckham. 



MONTPELIER. 



407 



We receive this building at your hands. 
I ask you now to rise and stand upon your 
feet, as we offer it as our gift to Almighty 
God, and dedicate it to the Father, the 
Son and the Holy Ghost. With one ac- 
cord let us consecrate it to the Master's 
glory, to Christ and the Church. And as 
the dedication of the church is vain with- 
out the solemn consecration of the wor- 
shippers too, I call upon you all to dedi- 
cate yourselves to the service of God. 
To Him may your souls be dedicated. 
To Him may your bodies be dedicated. 
To Him may your spirits be dedicated. 
And that He may graciously accept this 
solemn act, I call upon you all now to pray. 

Anthem. 

Benediction, By Rev. L. Tenney. 

Missionaries : — Mrs. Sarah Coleman, 
married Erastus Dean of Salisbury, and 
went from this Church to the Cherokee 
Mission about 40 or 50 years since, Mrs. 
Emeline (Bradshaw) Dodge, and Mrs. 
Coleman, who married Freder'k Ellsworth. 
Samuel Mosely from this place went to 
the Choctaw Mission, and Mrs. Lucinda 
(Washburn) Wright, who married a mis- 
sionary not from this State. 

ART AND NATURE — VERMONT IN SUMMER. 

We have no quarrel with art. It is the 
province of man's genius. It is the realm 
of his skill and intelligence. But we have 
a greater love for nature. It is the prov- 
ince of God's genius, the realm of his in- 
finite intelligence and power. He never 
paints. He creates. The glory and sweet- 
ness and marvels of life are the effects of 
His handiwork. In perpetual change in har- 
mony with invariable law He finds the se- 
cret and hiding of His power. There are 
some galleries of art that are especially in- 
teresting. The Louvre ravishes the inexpe- 
rienced eye. But the Dresden and Floren- 
tine halls never weary the cultivated vis- 
ion and the instructed taste. Men travel 
across the sea, time and again, to look 
upon these triumphs of human genius. 
There are bright pictures in other gal- 
leries worth the price of an European 
tour to look at but once. The mar- 
riage of St. Catherine, and the infant Sa- 



viour in the Vatican, haunts the mem- 
ory like an imperishable dream. A few 
great paintings in certain salons stand 
out from all the rest like the face of Denner 
in the Imperial collection at Vienna; or a 
few unsurpassed art collections attract the 
attention of all tourists, like the Academy 
of St. Luke in Rome. And it is the same in 
nature. A few regions God has made more 
beautiful than others. His hand has fash- 
ioned some dreams or symbols of heaven 
in certain landscapes of earth. And we 
have always thought that the Almighty in- 
tended, when He formed the hills of Ver- 
mont, and shook out the green drapery of 
the forests over their sloping shoulders, 
and made them fall in folds like the robe 
of a king along their sides, to give us a dim 
picture of the new creation and the celes- 
tial realm. Italy is a land of rarer sunsets 
and deeper sky, of haunting songs and 
grander memories ; Switzerland is a region 
of more towering sublimity and unapproach- 
able grandeur, but in all the galleries of 
God, there is none that so shows the ex- 
quisite genius of creative art ; the blending 
of all that is beautiful and attractive, with 
nothing to terrify the eye ; the mingling of 
much of the material glory, both of the 
earth and the heavens, with so little to ap- 
pall the sense. Vermont in summer is the 
Almighty's noblest gallery of divine art. 
We never traverse its valleys or climb its 
hills, in this sweetest of all months ; we 
never lie down on the banks where the wild 
thyme blows, or under the shade of the 
balsam or the fir ; we never trace the 
mountain streams and watch for the silver 
flashes which tempt the silent, gentle 
angler, who "handles his worm tenderly," 
to throw his fly ; we never penetrate the 
secret places in the heart of the hills, or 
watch the pleasant wooing which is always 
going on in shady places between the rip- 
pHng waters and the ash, the beech and 
the willow, which bend to kiss them as 
they pass, without a grateful sense of the 
riches of God, and an irrepressible wish to 
share them with our friends whose sense 
of beauty is mainly nurtured at human 
sources. — Rev. Mr. Lord in the Vermont 
Watchman. 



4o8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



"THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH." 
INDEPENDENT. 

BY REV. J. EDWAUD WRIGHT. 

It seems appropriate to introduce a 
sketch of this society, with some account 
of Unitarian and Universalist work done 
in Montpelier before 1864. "In an ac- 
count of the religious condition of the town 
previous to 181 1, the late Rev. Chester 
Wright stated that previous to 1800, there 
had rarely been any preaching except by 
the Methodists ; that the increased popula- 
tion from 1800 was divided into various 
sects, the largest number professing Uni- 
versalism." Among the prominent men 
among the first settlers who avowed them- 
selves Universalists were Gen. Pearley 
Davis and his brother Hezekiah, Capt. 
Stephen Foster, Mr. Arthur Daggett, Es- 
quire Sibley, and Capt. Isaac Putnam. 
Rev. Paul Dean, who was the Universalist 
minister in Barre in 1808, and for some 
years thereafter, preached occasionally in 
Montpelier, as did other ministers of that 
sect from time to time. Universalists par- 
ticipated, under the leadership of Gen. 
Davis, in building the Union meeting- 
house, at the Center of the town, at an 
early date. Later, they eflfected a sep- 
arate organization, and built a substantial 
brick house of worship at the East village, 
and later still, the same society, while con- 
tinuing to use the brick house, built an- 
other, of wood, at the North village. " The 
following list of Universalist preachers in 
Montpelier, has been gathered from Wal- 
ton's Register : 1833, John M. Currier; 
1834, John M. Austin ; 1835, B. H. Fuller, 
J. Wright; 1836, J. Wright; 1837, '38, 
John Gregory; 1839, J. Wright, J. Boy- 
den ; i840-'66, Eli Ballou ; 1867, '70, J. O. 
Skinner; 187 1, Eli Ballou." 

But it is not to be understood that all 
of these ministers were engaged in preach- 
ing in Montpelier during the years set 
against their names. No doubt all re- 
sided here, and some of them preached 
within the limits of the old town of Mont- 
pelier, but some were employed elsewhere. 

For some 17 years preceding 1830, little 
or nothing was done to sustain Universal- 
ism in this town ; but about the year 1831, 



a society was organized in what is now 
Montpelier, prominent in which were such 
men as Wooster Sprague, (who started 
the enterprise,) Simeon S. Post, Dr. J. Y. 
Dewey, Richard W. Hyde, Alfred Wain- 
wright, Araunah Waterman, Mahlon Cot- 
trill, Edward Brown, Joel Goldsbury, and 
General Shubael Flint. The Rev. John 
M. Austin served as pastor of this society 
forsome3 years, when he was called to Dan- 
vers, Mass. The meetings were held in 
the old State House, near the present Pa- 
vilion. After Mr. Austin left, the society 
had no regular meetings ; but occasionally 
a meeting was held by them in the Mason- 
ic Hall, the Rev. John E. Palmer of Barre, 
and the Rev. Rus.sell Streeter, and others, 
occupying the desk from time to time, until 
1840, when Rev. Eli Ballou bought "The 
Christian Repository," and removed from 
Stowe to Montpelier to edit and publish it. 
He preached a part of the time for several 
months after coming to town, in Masonic 
Hall, but found himself too much octupied 
otherwise, to justify his continuing the ef- 
fort. In 1 85 1, he obtained the assistance 
of Rev. John S. Lee, (now Prof, in Canton 
Theological School) ; a new society, called 
"The Liberal Christian Church," was or- 
ganized ; and meetings were regularly held 
for 2 years in the "Free Church," (now 
" Capital Hall,") the first year by Messrs. 
Ballou and Lee, alternately, the second 
year by Mr. Ballou alone. But the dis- 
couragements proved too great to be over- 
come, and another long period of inaction 
followed. 

Very few Unitarian ministers had ever 
been heard in Montpelier ; and only occa- 
sionally had an avowed Spiritualist given 
a lecture, or a " seance." Among the for- 
mer the Rev G. W. Burnap, D. D., of 
Baltimore, Md., (whose sister was the 
mother of our honored townsmen, Charles 
and George Reed), the Rev. A. A. Liver- 
more of Keene, N. H., the Rev. Chas. 
Brooks of Hingham, Mass., and the Rev. 
Mr. Ingersoll of Burlington, preached here 
at different times. 

But in October of 1864, Mr. Charles A. 
Allen, a graduate of Harvard College in 
1858, and of Meadville Theological School 



MONTPELIER. 



409 



in 1864, began, in the spirit of a missiona- 
ry, to hold meetings in Montpelier, to 
which ' ' liberal christians" of whatever de- 
nomination, were especially invited. The 
congregations met first in "Village Hall," 
but soon permission was obtained, — (not 
without opposition however), — to occupy 
the Court House ; and for more than a 
year the meetings were held there. The 
number who assembled, hardly more than 
a dozen at first, rapidly increased. A so- 
ciety was formed in Dec. 1864, under the 
title of "The Montpelier Independent 
Meeting House Society." In March of the 
next year Mr. Allen was ordained in the 
" Brick Church," Rev. R. P. Stebbins, 
D. D., preaching the sermon. The society 
soon proceeded to build a house of worship 
on the north-west corner of Main and 
School streets, which was dedicated Jan. 
25, 1866, under the name of " The Church 
of the Messiah," Rev. F. Frothingham 
preaching the sermon. The cost of the 
site, the building, and the organ was about 
$20,000. 

"The Covenant of Christian Fellowship 
in the Church of the Messiah," adopted 
May 19, 1867, reads as follows: "We 
write our names to this Covenant in the 
faith and fellowship of Christian disciples ; 
trusting in God our Father in heaven, ac- 
cepting the Gospel of Christ as our sover- 
eign law, and resolving, by the help ot 
God, to live in honesty and charity with 
all men, and in Christian faithfulness with 
one another." 

Among those active in the organization 
of this society were Richard W. Hyde, 
Col. Levi Boutwell, Hon. W. G. Ferrin, 
Joel Foster, Jr., Hon. Nelson A. Chase, 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin, Hon. Charles Reed, 
George W. Reed, Dr. G. N. Brigham, H. 
S. Loomis, L. B. Huntington, Rev. Dr. 
EH Ballou, Albert Johonnott, George Wat- 
son, W. F. Braman, Hon. J. A. Wing, 
and, in most cases the wives of these gen- 
tlemen. 

While the society was yet occupying the 
Court House, they organized a Sunday 
school, which has been at various dates 
under the superintendence of the pastors, 
and Hon. Charles Reed, Hon. N. A. 



Chase, Messrs. Geo. W. Wing, Joel Fos- 
ter, Jr., Albert Johonnott, and Fred Blan- 
chard. Its library contains [1881] over 
500 bound volumes, besides pamphlets. 
The teachers and scholars on its roll have 
together numbered for several years about 
140, though the attendance has only occa- 
sionally exceeded 100. The number of 
families connected with the society through 
some or all of their members is over 200. 

Mr. Allen's pastorate continued about 5 
years. In the fall of 1869, he obtained 
leave of absence for a trip to Europe, and 
the Rev. J. Edward Wright, a native of 
Montpelier, was engaged to supply his 
place for a year. While away, Mr. Allen 
tendered his resignation, which was ac- 
cepted, and Mr. Wright became the pas- 
tor, and yet continues in that position. 

The society has never been embarrassed 
by any considerable debt ; and, altho' com- 
posite in its membership, comprising Uni- 
tarians, Universalists, some Spiritualists, 
and not a few formerly associated yith dif- 
ferent "orthodox" denominations, has 
throughout its existence enjoyed remarka- 
ble harmony, and almost uninterrupted 
prosperity. Too much praise can not be 
given to Mr. Allen for the hopefulness and 
zeal with which he, unsummoned, began 
the enterprise, and for the energy, and 
tact, and persistence, and untiring activity 
with which he labored, gathering the peo- 
ple .together, uniting them with a common 
purpose, inspiring them with the convic- 
tion that they could build a church, and 
communicating to them his own spirit of 
faithfulness and self-sacrificing devotion. 

THE CHRISTIAN REPOSITORY. 

In 1833 Rev. John M. Austin, then pas- 
tor of a Universalist Society in Montpelier 
village, and Rev. B. H. Fuller, bought 
"The Universalist Watchman and Chris- 
tian Repository," of Rev. William Bell, 
who had published it a few years in Wood- 
stock, and changed the place of publication 
to Montpelier. Mr. Austin dissolved his 
connection with the paper in a short time, 
on his removal to Danvers, Mass., but Mr. 
Fuller continued the publication two or 
three years, when he sold half his interest 



52 



410 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to Rev. John Moore of Lebanon, N. H. 
The paper was removed to Lebanon, and 
published there a year or two by Messrs. 
Moore and Fuller. Then, about the year 
1838, Rev. Joseph Wright became the pro- 
prietor, and Montpelier was again made 
the place of publication. Rev. John E. 
Palmer and others co-operating with Mr. 
Wright in the work. 

In January, 1840, Rev. Eli Ballou, then 
of Stowe, purchased the paper and contin- 
ued its publication regularly as a weekly 
journal during 30 years, or until May, 1870, 
when he sold it to the •' Boston Universal- 
ist Publishing House," and thus the paper 
was merged in " The Universalist," known 
at the present date as "The Christian 
Leader." 




CHRIST CHURCH, MONTPELIER, VT. 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CHRIST CHURCH. 

BY HIKAM ATKINS, ESQ. 

The first confirmation in Montpelierwas 
in 1839, when Bishop Hopkins visited the 
Capital, and administered that apostolic 
rite in the meeting-house of the Metho- 
dists, to Mrs. S. P. Redfield, Mrs. J. M. 
Richardson and Hon. Isaac F. Redfield ; 
the first of these being at that time the 
only person in Montpelier reared in the 
Church. 



In 1840, Christ Church Parish was im- 
perfectly organized, and reported to the 
Diocesan Convention in September by Mr. 
George B. Manser, a candidate for holy 
orders, there being four confirmations that 
year. In 1841 the first parish meeting was 
held, and George B. Manser, Isaac F. 
Redfield, J. Y. Dewey, S. P. Redfield, 
A. C. Pierce, H. N. Baylies, and Daniel 
Baldwin, were elected vestrymen. S. P. 
Redfield served 15 years, until 1858, and 
Dr. J. Y. Dewey from 1841 until 187 1, ex- 
cept from 1866 to '68, when he was at his 
own request excused from service. During 
Dr. Dewey's last two years of service he 
was senior warden. 

In 1842 the parish was represented in Di- 
ocesan Convention by George B. Manser, 
a lay delegate. Sept. 21, 1842, Mr. Manser 
was made a deacon, and took charge of 
the parish. During this year it was fully 
organized, and the work of building a 
church, on the site now occupied by the 
"Riverside" building, set about, the funds 
being raised by subscription and sale of 
pews. Dec. 29, 1842, the church was con- 
secrated, and regular service commenced 
Jan. 15, 1843. June 7, Mr. Manser was 
advanced to the priesthood, and became 
Rector. The Diocesan Convention met in 
Montpelier, Sept. 20, 1843, ^^d Hon. 
Isaac F. Redfield represented the parish as 
lay delegate, being the first regular del- 
egate. In 1845, the first contribution for 
church work outside was made by the 
parish — $12.70, the sum not being so im- 
portant as the spirit of the gift was signifi- 
cant. In 1846 the ladies of the parish 
raised $100 for a bell. 

In 1848, Mr. Manser resigned his charge, 
the place being temporarily filled by Rev. 
F. W. Shelton, who officiated for Mr. 
Manser 8 months, from Oct. 1847, to June, 

1848. The following September, Mr. 
Manser returned, but finally resigned in 

1849, and Jan. 18, 1850, the Rev. E. F. 
Putnam became rector. During this year 
the bell in the tower of the present church 
was procured, at a cost of $250. In 1849, 
Hon. Timothy P. Redfield was elected a 
vestryman, and has served continuously to 
the present, having been senior and junior 



MONTPELIER. 



411 



warden several years, lay delegate to the 
Diocesan Convention, and lay delegate to 
represent the Diocese in the General Con- 
vention. In 1850, Hon. Charles Dewey 
was chosen a vestryman, and has held the 
position almost continuously until the 
present time, and he is now senior warden. 
In 1850, the parish had increased in num- 
bers enough to entitle it to two lay del- 
egates in the Diocesan Convention, and 
Messrs. T. P. Redfield and Chas. Dewey 
were the first who went there together. 
This year, Hon. S. B. Colby was chosen 
one of the vestry, and remained a member 
of it until the election of 1864, when he 
was not re-elected, having removed to 
Washington, D. C, to assume the duties 
of Register of the Treasury, which position 
he filled until his decease in 1867. 

In 1852, the debt was reported reduced, 
and extinguished in 1865. The first Sun- 
day in June, 1854, the Rev. E. F. Putnam, 
who was a much-loved rector of the par- 
ish, died at St. Albans, having been com- 
pelled by ill health to previously resign his 
rectorship, and upon the parish records is 
spread a sincere and warm testimonial of 
the high esteem and true affection felt for 
him. Nearly 30 years have elapsed since 
his departure, but his memory is still green 
in the hearts of the people then here. The 
day of Mr. Putnam's decease. Rev. F. W. 
Shelton became rector, and remained as 
such until the spring of 1866, when he re- 
signed. 

Aug. 3, 1866, Rev. Daniel Crane Roberts 
was elected rector, and the same month 
assumed the duties of the position. Mr. 
Roberts' resignation was accepted May 8, 
1869, and Rev. Wm. J. Harris, D. D., 
was chosen rector Aug. 30, 1869. Dr. 
Harris resigned late in 1870, and Rev. 
Andrew Hull, D. D., was elected rector 
March 20, 1871. Dr. Hull was rector of 
the parish until the summer of 1879, when 
his resignation of May 12, 1879, took ef- 
fect. Oct. 13, 1879, Rev. Howard Fremont 
Hill, of Concord, N. H., the present incum- 
bent, was elected rector. 

Of the seven rectors, the first three are 
dead. In the sermon of Dr. Shelton, 
which follows this sketch. Dr. Manser and 



Rev. Mr. Putnam are spoken of as their 
good work deserved, and the memory of 
Dr. Shelton is delightful to all who knew 
that good man. 

The first recorded baptism is that of 
Berkeley Baldwin, infant son of Dr. F. W. 
McDowell, though 12 baptisms had been 
previously reported. The first recorded 
marriage is that of Mr. James T. Thurston 
and Miss Fanny Witherell. The first 
marriage by Mr. Shelton was that of Mr. 
Charles Dewey and Miss Betsey Tarbox, 
May 3, 1848. 

Among the earlier vestrymen we find 
the names of R. S. Howard, afterwards 
rector at Woodstock, Homer W. Heaton, 
Esq., C. W. Bancroft, George Langdon, 
E. P. Scribner and others. But those 
most closely identified with the parish in 
this relation are S. P. Redfield, who served 
from 1843 to '58, and was junior warden in 
1844, and senior warden from 1845 to '52 ; 
J. W. Ellis, who has been vestryman most 
of the time since 1845, ^^'^ many years 
junior warden or senior warden ; Stoddard 
B. Colby, vestryman in 1848 and junior 
warden from that time until 1850, and 
again in '58 ; and Hon. Roderick Richard- 
son, now of Boston, who was a vestryman 
and senior warden. 

The present vestry consists of Hon. 
Timothy P. Redfield, Charles Dewey, J. 
W. Ellis, Fred E. Smith, Hiram Atkins, 
Edward Dewey, L. P. Gleason, Geo. E. 
Taplin, and H. N. Taplin, Jr. Mr. I. P. 
Dana was elected a vestryman in 1879 and 
re-elected in 1880 and 1881, but is not 
now a member of the vestry, having re- 
signed when he removed from the Parish. 

Mr. Smith, who is now junior warden, 
was first chosen vestryman in 1864; Mr. 
Atkins in 1868; Mr. Edward Dewey in 
1871 ; Mr. L. P. Gleason in 1876; Mr. G. 
E. Taplin in 1876; Mr. Dana and Mr. 
H. N. Taplin, Jr., in 1879. 

Mr. Truman C. Phinney was chosen ves- 
tryman in 1853, and held the position till 
he declined further service j he was also 
for several years junior warden. 

In 1866, the parish voted to erect anew 
church, and efficient measures were at 
once taken. Liberal subscriptions were 



412 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



made by the leading men of the parish, 
seconded in their liberalit}' by those less 
wealthy. The S. B. Colby estate, on State 
street, opposite the Court House, was se- 
cured, and the work commenced. The 
church was consecrated June 2, 1868. 
(See introductory view.) 

The ground plan includes nave and 
aisles, chancel, organ chamber and sac- 
risty, the tower being engaged in the north- 
ern end of the east aisle. Exterior, 108 
by 55 feet; tower and spire, 100 feet; in- 
terior — nave, 22 feet wide, separated by 
two colonnades from the two aisles, each 
1 1 feet wide ; chancel 1 7 feet wide by 
23 deep ; whole exterior, except roof 
and clerestory, light-colored Barre and 
Berlin granite ; aisle walls without but- 
tresses ; clerestory, timber slatted outside. 
The north front is the most imposing part 
of the exterior. The tower is of three 
stages, a single leaf-door in the lowest, 
two long, narrow, glazed lights in the 
second, three equal belfry windows in the 
third; the belfry stage, a plain square; 
below, double buttresses at the angles, 
running into a massive blocking of the wall 
at the base, which gives an effect of sin- 
gular strength and solidity. A similar 
character is given to the buttress on the 
opposite angle of the north end. The 
tower is surmounted by a broach spire, 
crowned with a well-carved finial, all stone 
to the top. The main doorway is of two 
leaves, in the middle of the north end, with 
jamb shafts and mould arch. In the gable 
is a round window, with three spherical 
triangles containing three bold trefoils, 
the interspaces being filled with quatre- 
foils and smaller openings. The coped 
gable is covered with a very bold, large, 
plain cross of stone — the only cross on 
the exterior. On entering the interior, the 
effect of loftiness is far in advance of one's 
expectations from seeing the exterior alone. 
The nave and aisles are of five bays ; the 
chancel of two ; the apparent length of the 
nave, increased by an arch at the north 
end, like and opposite the bold and well- 
marked chancel arch. The columns are 
four shafts in clusters, with mouldings be- 
tween, the arches resting on them corre- 



spondingly moulded. The aisle windows 
are single lights in each bay. The chancel 
arch is well worked ; chancel-rail and wain- 
scot, altar — which stands out from the 
wall — in black walnut ; seats in the nave, 
doors, etc., black ash and black walnut, in 
their natural tmts. 

The organ chamber, on the west, opens 
by a narrow arch in the church, and by a 
broader one into the nave ; the organ is a 
fine and powerful instrument. The roof is 
ceiled in three coats, the centre one being 
the narrowest. The framing of the prin- 
cipals shows within, with braces and span- 
drils of open tracery ; and similar braces 
run longtitudinally along the purlines, from 
principal to principal, these timberings 
adorned with color, the whole ceiling other- 
wise a light blue. The windows are filled 
with stained glass, the altar window, the 
largest, having three lights under atraceried 
head ; the central, widest light, the full- 
length figure of our Lord blessing the 
chalice. The evangelistic symbols and 
other emblems fill the side lights and head 
of the window ; clerestory windows of 
chancel, nave and northern rose window, 
pattern glass of rich colors ; aisle windows 
all with borders of colors, each an em- 
blem in the head, otherwise filled with 
stencilled quarries ; font near the sacristy 
door, Vermont marble. 

The architect was J. J. R. Randall, of 
Rutland ; the builder, P. Trow, of Mont- 
pelier. The painting was done by N. 
Osgood Snow, of Montpelier. The marble 
for the font was the gift of Hon. Pitt W. 
Hyde, and the beautiful and appropriate 
design was from the pencil of, and fur- 
nished by. Rev. John Henry Hopkins. 
The cost of the church was over $30,000 ; 
the only subscriptions received from out- 
side the parish were : In New York, 
George Bradshaw, $1,000 ; M. M. Kellogg, 
$500; George R. Thompson, $150; E. S. 
Jaffrey, $75. In Philadelphia, Jay and 
H. D. Cooke, $400. In Washington City, 
from Charles Knapp, $200. In Burling- 
ton, from V. P. Noyes, $100. No small 
part of the credit due for the perfectness 
with which the work was completed be- 
longs of right to Judge Richardson and 



MONTPELIER. 



413 



his associates of the building committee, 
Col. Fred E. Smith and the late Carlos 
Bancroft, Esq. The last of the building 
debt was extinguished some years since. 

In 1843, there were 15 communicants; 
in 1863, 68; in 1868, "j^ . The statistics 
for 1881 show: Families, 86, comprising 
266 individuals ; individuals not included 
in families, 30; total, 296; baptisms for 
the year, 16; confirmations, 6; communi- 
cants, 129 — males 44, females 85 ; Sunday- 
school teachers, 6; pupils, 67. 

The following sermon, by Dr. Shelton, 
preached Sept. 3, 1865, is inserted, as his- 
torically valuable in that it shows well 
what manner of men were the three de- 
ceased rectors of this church : 

Sermon by Dr. Shelton, 1865. 

" Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts : 

look down from heaven, and behold, and visit 

this vine. So will not we go back from thee : 

quicken us, and we will call upon thy name." 

Ps. 80: 14, 18. 

A few words will suffice to explain the 
allusion contained in the above passage. 
The kingdom of Israel is spoken of under 
the similitude of a vine which was of God's 
own planting. It had taken root, and 
flouri-shed abundantly, put forth its lively 
shoots, green leaves and blossoms and 
borne its ripe fruit. But it was subject to 
vicissitudes, as of wind and weather, and 
evil elements, sometimes its branches were 
lopped off, not by the careful pruning 
hand, but by the act of violence, yet the 
root was strong, and hearty, full of life 
blood, ready to spring up with greater vig- 
or than before. The Jewish people were 
not like some rough, rank offshoot, but 
chosen of God himself as a peculiar race 
to whom he would manifest his peculiar fa- 
vor, they were a choice vine in the wilder- 
ness, growing up under the golden sun- 
shine and dews of Heaven. 

Under the same similitude Christ al- 
ludes to himself. "I am the vine. Ye 
are the branches." He was the main 
stock, the root, the source of life, and sus- 
tenance and vigor. His disciples every 
where were but so many parts and mem- 
bers of the same. After the Jewish church 
had fulfilled its mission, the root still ex- 



isted, though all the former branches were 
razed to the ground. The Saviour in his 
Divine nature was the root of David, even 
as in his generation, he was according to 
human genealogy, David's offspring. The 
primitive christian church, from this im- 
planted ineradicable root sprang up like a 
tender vine. In its incipient growth, in 
its subsequent stages, up to the present 
time, it has been subject to every vicissi- 
tude of the outer elements ; but the good 
Father has been the husbandman and has 
ever watched over it, and he has promised 
that he will do so with a kindly care. The 
rank reeds and vegetation of the world 
have tried to choke it in its dwindled es- 
tate, to draw away its sustenance, pressing 
upon it, overtopping it, and casting it in 
their baleful shade, but deep down and 
fixed the vital germ has remained, and 
only gathered strength. The enemy has 
sowed tares all around it, hoping if they 
would not extract the life, that the origi- 
nal plant would be torn up in the effort to 
exterminate the thick tares. But the man- 
date went forth to the husbandman to do 
not that, but the plant could grow and 
flourish still amid the elements of evil, 
until the harvest time. Sometimes the 
sword of violence was applied, or the fires 
raged so as to destroy apparently nearly 
every branch, and budding offshoot, and 
all which remained above the ground. 
The destruction thus far was permitted 
only that the future exuberance, and fruit- 
age, of the vine might be greater. The 
sword could not lop any closer ; — the fire 
with its devouring breath could not pene- 
trate any deeper. It is the very province 
of Christ, illustrated by his own brillant 
career, to bring up life out of death, and a 
resurrection of glory out of dust and ashes. 
Now the branches of the original plant are 
over all the earth, though still liable to be 
broken ofT by storms, and to be left bleed- 
ing. The church was small among elements 
which were apparently great ; it was weak 
among those which were apparently 
mighty. It is elsewhere in scripture lik- 
ened to the minutest of seeds . ' ' The king- 
dom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard 
seed, which a man took and sowed in his 



414 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



field, which indeed is the least of all seeds, 
but when it is grown, it is the greatest 
among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that 
the birds of the air come and lodge in the 
branches thereof." {Matt. xiii. : 31.) 

Every body of believers wherever found, 
every organized church, every distinct 
collection of disciples in which Christ's 
ministry is maintained, to whom His Gospel 
is preached and His sacraments are admin- 
istered, may still be likened to a vine, which 
the great husbandman himself has caused 
to be planted in such a ground, or in such 
a locality, and has committed to his ser- 
vants to watch over it, and however small it 
may be at the start, however it may be 
liable to dangers or vicissitudes, however 
imperfect may be the culture, if it be a 
true offshoot of Christ, it must flourish, be- 
cause it draws its life blood from the very 
source of life. This little body of disciples, 
this church established in our very midst, 
which not only professes the pure doctrines, 
but is named by the very name of Christ, 
is a vine, — even yet in its incipient growth, 
but planted by the hand of faith — which 
has already borne some fruit, and under 
the fostering smiles of the Divine favor, it 
is hoped and believed that it will do so far 
more abundantly. It has experienced its 
struggles, its trials, its changes, its difficul- 
ties, its retardments in a soil originally un- 
congenial to it in some of its inherent char- 
acteristics, and to its peculiar form. I 
propose now to refer to the phases of its 
history thus far, to look back upon it from 
its original start, to gather up a few facts 
and statistics from its scanty memorials, 
that we may see what have been the deal- 
ings of God with it in its hitherto humble 
career, and what may be its hopes and 
promise for the future. If such a contem- 
plation, in a sketch however feebly drawn, 
shall serve to strengthen the bonds of at- 
tachment with you who are members of this 
Church of Christ, to awaken a renewed in- 
terest in its welfare, to stimulate your ef- 
forts to promote its future growth, to ani- 
mate your zeal, to confirm your courage, 
and to keep you ever more firmly knit to- 
gether in one body, in the unity of the Spirit 
and in the bond of Peace, then whatever 



may occur to one who has so long ministered 
imperfectly among you, this labor will not 
be in vain. And that it may not be, is my 
humble and .sincere prayer. 

On the 8th of Sept., in the year of our 
Lord 1840, a number of inhabitants of this 
town associated themselves together for 
the purpose of supporting the ministry of 
the Gospel and maintaining public worship 
in conformity with the constitution and 
canons of the Protestant Episcopal church 
in the Diocese of Vermont, and they adopt- 
ed, received, and promised, entire con- 
formity to the aforesaid constitution and 
canons. The document whereby they 
thus associated themselves together, is 
signed by Isaac F. Redfield, Julius Y. 
Dewey, Geo. B. Manser, H. N. Baylies, 
J. W. Ellis, Geo. Langdon, C. W. Ban- 
croft, Wm. Upham, Charles Dewey, and 
some others who, altho' not closely iden- 
tified with the society, gave it their good 
will, their influence, and pecuniary sup- 
port. On Easter Monday, Anno Domini 
1841, the church was fully organized under 
the title and designation of Christ Church 
and a vestry elected, Geo. B. Manser be- 
ing senior and Isaac F. Redfield junior 
warden. Soon after a lot was secured, the 
present church edifice was erected, and on 
the 29th day of December, A. D. 1842, it 
was at the request of the wardens and ves- 
try duly consecrated to the worship of 
Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. John 
Henry Hopkins D. D., Bishop of the 
Diocese, according to the rites, usages and 
services of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the United States, and about that time, 
or shortly after, the Rev. Geo. B. Manser 
entered upon his duties as the first Rector. 
In this connection he continued uninterrupt- 
edly until the fall of 1847, being then ab- 
sent for a few months at the South, acting 
as assistant Rector to the Rev. Dr. Hanks 
in the city of New Orleans, and the Rev. 
F. W. Shelton of the Diocese of New 
York, who had recently received, orders, 
was invited to supply his place until his 
return, which occured in the spring or 
summer of the year following, 1848. On 
July 16 of the same year, having received 
a call to another field, Mr. Manser tendered 



MONTPELIER. 



415 



his resignation to the wardens and vestry, 
who passed a resolution conveying to him 
their ' unfeigned thanks for his faithful care 
and useful labors,' assuring him at the same 
time of their ' friendly confidence and sin- 
cere regard.' As I had the happiness of a 
personal acquaintance with him during my 
first brief residence in this place, and was 
for some time a guest under his roof, and 
after an interval of some years was again 
frequently associated with him in kindly 
intercourse, it affords me a melancholy 
satisfaction in this place to recall your first 
excellent Rector to remembrance, and to 
pay to his worth a passing tribute. To a 
man of his innate modesty and sensibility 
his position was sufficiently trying in being 
the first to officiate here, and in entering 
upon, to him, a strange and untried field. 
He had heretofore been an active member 
of the Congregational society, and as a 
warmly religious man had been identified 
with the same, and entered zealously into 
the performance of whatever appeared 
conducive to the cause of Christ. Educa- 
ted, moreover, to the profession of the 
law, he had more or less to do with the 
conflicting claims of persons in this vicin- 
ity. His views witli regard to the consti- 
tution of the church having undergone a 
change, and his convictions becoming at 
last fixed, he voluntarily relinquished a pro- 
fession which would yield him a much bet- 
ter support, and under such circumstan- 
ces, entered the ministry of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, and became your first 
Rector. His position was more difficult, 
and the embarrassments wherewith he had 
to contend were greater than those of any 
who succeeded him. With what patience 
he bore his burdens, and with what fideli- 
ty he performed his work, can be attested 
by many who now hear me. They knew 
well the tenderness of his feelings, his 
warm sympathies and affections, the right- 
nessofhis intentions, the disinterested- 
ness and purity of his heart. They knew 
where to find him in the dark hour of ca- 
lamity, and he proved at all times a genial 
and warm hearted friend. He made 
worldly sacrifices for the cause of the 
church, and his name and memory and 



example are now cherished in grateful re- 
membrance. Shortly after his retirement 
from this parish, he was called to the Rec- 
torship of St. Peter's church at Benning- 
ton, where he likewise performed a good 
work, modestly pursuing his course, and 
while yet in the vigor of life with the pros- 
pect still of many ye^s of usefulness, he 
was smitten with disease, and full of faith 
and hope and joy, expired on the 17th day 
of November, 1862. Resolutions of affec- 
tion, regret and of tender sympathy with 
his family were passed by the vestries 
of St. Peter's at Bennington, and of Christ 
Church Montpelier, as well as by the con- 
vention of the Diocese, of which he was 
for many years and up to the time of his 
decease, the efficient secretary. How long 
an interval elapsed after the departure of 
the Rev. Mr. Manser from this parish before 
the vacancy was supplied does not appear 
on the records, but the Rev. Edward F. 
Putnam was as early as June, 1850, acting 
as its rector, and in this connection he 
continued to within a few months of his 
death, which occurred at St. Albans, on 
the first Sunday in June, 1854. By a sin- 
gular coincidence, on that same day this 
church was re-opened after an intermission 
of its regular sevices for some time, and he 
who now addresses you, entered upon his 
duties as Rector. Thus the worship of 
this church was again renewed at the very 
hour when the soul of this excellent man 
was entering into the glories of heaven. 
It was not my happiness to be personally 
acquainted with him, but with regard to 
his christian devotion, the warmth of his 
sympathies and the excellence and amiabil- 
ity of his character, there is but one senti- 
ment among the members of this parish. 
He was not only a sincere christian, but 
on principle and conviction a strict and 
decided churchman. Though, as I have 
been informed, not brillant as a preacher, 
he was efficient, active, and zealous in the 
work of the parish, and his memory like- 
wise will long be gratefully cherished by 
this people. 

For myself, I am but the third rector 
since the foundation of this parish, both of 
the former ones having already entered 



4i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



into their rest. Nearly the wl\ole of the 
time which has elapsed since my entering 
into orders has been passed in your midst. 
I stand not here at this time to record its 
varied experience, its phases of personal 
joy and sorrow. I have shared with you 
alike in the seasons of pleasure and of bit- 
terness. The friendships which I have 
formed here will be cherished during my 
life. I can only regret that I have accom- 
plished so little, but I shall drop a few 
tears on this vine, and pray that with 
better tending its branch may be green 
and vigorous forever. 

It may be interesting to you to hear a 
few statistics, after which I shall suggest 
what occurs to me as suitable to be said, 
at your present state of progress, and if I 
can think of anything which would tend to 
your future good, will venture to speak 
boldly. 

The early records, as is very apt to be 
the case in the first struggling origin of a 
parish, are deficient. They have no doubt 
been made, but the papers have been lost 
or mislaid. There are no transcripts of 
either deaths, baptisms or confirmations, 
although there must have been many. 
There are those of marriages only. Con- 
sequently, I cannot present the sum total 
which ought to be rendered. The defi- 
ciency as to mere numbers could be sup- 
plied, if I had at hand a full file of journals 
of the Convention, of which several copies 
for reference ought to be on hand, at least 
with the rector and wardens. That I have 
not saved them carefully, is my own fault, 
which must here be acknowledged. That 
in accurate business habits I am decidedly 
deficient, those who have known me as 
long as you have, will bear me witness, — 
I have got no head for them. 

During the incumbency of the Rev. Mr. 
Manser, 20 couples were united by him in 
the bonds of holy matrimony. Deaths, 
baptisms and confirmations, as I have said, 
are not recorded. 

By the Rev. Mr. Putnam, 9 couples were 
united in the bonds of holy matrimony, 43 
persons were baptized, and during his 
term of office 17 were confirmed by the 
Bishop. 



During my own rectorship there have 
been 31 marriages, 67 baptisms, and 50 
confirmations. 

Thus, altogether, since the foundation 
of the parish, 60 couples have been mar- 
ried according to the rites of the church. 
There have been, so far as the records in- 
form us, 107 baptisms and 67 confirma- 
tions. 

This record I quote, not to rejoice in its 
fulness, not to glory ip the fruits, but 
simply to tell the truth in its meagreness. 
Perhaps more work might have been done, 
and more ought to have been done. These 
are only the beginnings and first fruits. If 
only thus few have been baptized and con- 
firmed in the most holy faith, yet these re- 
sults are not unimportant. God only knows 
what blessed influences may spring from 
these few persons if they only lead the 
rest of their lives according to such a be- 
ginning. Not a single rite has been per- 
formed of which it is possible for us to 
estimate the multiplied and diversified in- 
fluences. What can be more beautiful 
and impressive than the marriage service 
according to the ritual of the Episcopal 
Church ? Who can go away without tears 
from the quiet altar, or fail to feel the 
holy benediction which is bestowed on the 
heads of the young couples, and can they, 
however thoughtless, have ever gone away, 
and the particular form in which this cer- 
emony was celebrated, according to the 
church, have had no eff"ect upon their 
after lives? Will nothing proceed from 
the acts of those who have brought their 
children in faith to the baptismal altar ; and 
when you have witnessed the beautiful rite 
of confirmation, and have heard the pa- 
triarchal benediction pronounced therein, 
have you considered that this, notwith- 
standing its temporary impressions, was 
but a mere empty show ? Let me tell you 
that feeble as are the human agencies, 
little as we can boast, few as are the nu- 
merical results which we can show, there 
is not an act which has been seriously and 
reverently performed in this church, during 
these two score years, which will not work 
with a never-ending, and still widening in- 
fluence. Those who have kneeled with 



MONTPELIER. 



417 



you at this altar in times gone by are scat- 
tered everywhere. They are thousands of 
miles away, but they remember what was 
done here, and they are inspired thereby 
with pleasant thoughts and sweet afifec- 
tions, and away off" in the wide prairie, 
or some remote wilderness, they go and 
plant an offshoot of the little vine which 
they have helped to nurture here; and 
that, too, will grow, and leave out, and 
blossom, and bear fruit abundantly. 

But let us further review our course thus 
far. This church, in the aggregation of 
its first members, consisted of a mere nu- 
cleus. It was so very small and weak as 
hardly to excite in the minds of others not 
attached to it, the apprehension that it 
would encroach unduly. Those.first mem- 
bers were not men of great wealth. The 
most of them had not been educated or 
brought up in the Episcopal Church. Col- 
lected around them there were a few others 
who lent countenance and material sup- 
port. Some came from mere personal re- 
gard for those who have in turn adminis- 
tered to you ; some from a sentiment of 
predilection for the mild, genial, liberal 
and uncensorious spirit of the Episcopal 
Church ; others from a true admiration of 
her forms of prayer and liturgic worship. 
They were drawn by all these causes rather 
than by a particular perception or regard for 
her apostolic constitution or distinctive 
principles. It was not a homogeneous 
society. Many who had a distinct faith of 
their own, differing in important particulars 
from our confessed standard of doctrine, 
very kindly, and with a very liberal spirit, 
notwithstanding this difference, gave of 
their rneans and do to this day. And I 
take this occasion to say, that if some few 
of them, not many it is tobe hoped, should 
go out from this fold, where they can find 
those precise shades of doctrine which 
they profess to hold, we should be, in turn 
to them as individuals, well wishers, and 
rather remember their kind offices in the 
past than feel inclined to censure them for 
what they may choose to do, and have a 
right to do in the future. For myself, 
they will have my personal esteem and re- 
gard. The smallness' of your numbers was 



then the first drawback, but that was pre- 
cisely the same as attached to the first 
origin of Christianity itself. Outside of 
the pale there was, as was to be expected, 
the usual amount of prejudice and mis- 
apprehension on the part of those from 
whom we diff'er in constitution and gov- 
ernment, rather than in essential Chris- 
tian doctrine. This might have been 
greater had not your first rectors been men 
of placable temper and of good judgment. 
A rash, zealous, impracticable churchman 
might have destroyed this new project in 
the embryo. 

In the book of your records there is fre- 
quent allusion to a church debt unliquidated, 
and discussion of means and steps to be 
taken to wipe it out, for no society can 
make satisfactory progress with an over- 
hanging debt. Such was the condition of 
things in 1854, when I first entered upon 
the duties of rector. Of the remaining 
matters it is now more difficult and delicate 
for me to speak, yet you will expect that 
something should be said. The society 
was then small ; it is so still, for it is yet 
comparatively in its infancy, and those 
who have gone before me, as well as my- 
self, have been only pioneers. The best 
years of my life and the best fruits of my 
education have been given here, with very 
imperfect results for the present, but when 
better men shall come after me, they will 
reap. The past will«not have been in vain. 
For eleven years I have administered in 
this parish, and though neither very strong 
or very robust, have been kept from this 
desk but one Sunday by sickness. It 
might be alleged, and no doubt justly, 
that it might have been possible for me to 
have advanced the cause of the society 
with more onset and vigor. You have had 
the best opportunity, by the longest ac- 
quaintance with me, to know those im- 
perfections which are bound up in my very 
nature. At the same time I trust it will 
not be considered indelicate if I refer to 
some of the general principles which I 
have endeavored to follow out in the di- 
rection of this parish. Here there is, we 
may say, a comparatively fixed population 
with regard to numbers — not otherwise, 



53 



4i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



for our young people are drained off when 
they might be of service to us, and go to 
contribute their energies to the develop- 
ment of the mighty West. There is no 
surplus population as in some teeming, 
overflowing town, where an active, bustling 
minister could go forth into the streets and 
alleys and gather a flock. The ground had 
been pre-occupied by religious bodies, with 
their prescriptive limits well defined, and a 
mere proselyting spirit would, it seems to 
me, have accomplished little in attempting 
to cross these bounds, nor have I directly 
or knowingly interfered with any one's 
rights, or wounded any in their preposses- 
sions or prejudices. Spasmodic move- 
ments of any kind have not been tried, 
but the quiet, regular routine of the church 
in the regular administration of the ser- 
vices and sacraments, on all the principal 
appointed days throughout the year, wheth- 
er fasts or festivals, has been trusted to 
work its slow, steady, but ultimately sure, 
results. With thin numbers, and an in- 
clement season nearly half the year — mem- 
bers of the parish living at far distances — 
I have not attempted to carry out the cathe- 
dral system of the church to any greater ex- 
tent ; firstly, because in agiven time I am on- 
ly capable of accomplishing a given amount 
of intellectual work, and secondly, be- 
cause, in my judgment, our present circum- 
stances did not seem to warrant it. While 
no great stickler for minute forms, nice in- 
terpretation, and slavish adherence to ru- 
brics, or to whatever, according to my own 
common sense, I regard of small moment 
compared with weightier matters, I have 
endeavored to conform to the general sys- 
tem of the church in all its essential par- 
ticulars — but that I should stand up here 
and assert that I have performed my full 
duty, God forbid. Outside of official min- 
istrations it has been my endeavor to keep 
the members of this flock together by the 
cords of kindly fellowship, in the unity of 
spirit and in the bonds of peace ; to assuage 
differences and to heal wounds. Of the 
sacred ties which have connected me to 
many in a place, where, notwithstanding 
my mistakes or faults, there has been ac- 
corded to me so long an almost unequalled 



kindly sentiment, I do not propose to speak 
now. In consequence of new movements, 
you have reached a phase which will call 
for the exercise of your best judgment, and 
I would desire to state correctly the posi- 
tion in which the parish now stands. The 
church debt, which had been an incubus 
from the foundation, has been cleared away. 
There is not, to my knowledge, a cent of it 
remaining. This is not due to my activi- 
ties, but to those of others, yet it is a 
source of gratitude to me that it has been 
done in my time. You have an organ of 
the finest tone and most perfect workman- 
ship, and the constancy and effect with 
which the attractive musical services of the 
church have been maintained, has been 
extraordinary for a parish of limited extent 
and means, and is known and acknowledg- 
ed throughout the State. In the Capital, 
where many resort, it is of the utmost im- 
portance that the Episcopal services should 
be rendered as perfectly as means will 
permit, in all their parts. 

With regard to numbers at present, of 
those directly or indirectly, from principle 
or from preference, attached to this church, 
there are more than enough, when fully 
brought together, to fill all these seats. 
You have, infact, sufficient strength for the 
day and generation — only comparative 
weakness. The root is firmly implanted 
in the ground. It cannot be torn up — by 
the grace of God — no, never. You who 
have stood by when that germ was sown, 
may live to rejoice in the luxuriant foliage 
and fruitage of the vine. But you must 
give to it a more assiduous culture. There 
must be more corps (fesprit — above all, 
more ardent affection for the ciuse of 
Christ, as well as for this church of Christ 
— more perfect co-operation, unity of pur- 
pose and brotherly love. Perhaps with 
even a little interval of flagging despond- 
ency, the slow work of years might be un- 
done. Stand together with more decision 
than you have done before, and you are 
stronger than you ever have been. 

An edifice, strong, substantial, beautiful 
in architectural proportions, will be built 
at some time after I am gone. I should 
have accounted it an honor, had you 



MONTPELIER. 



419 



chosen to accord it, not to a stranger, but 
to me, who have spent here the best portion 
of my life, to see, at least, the incipience 
of that undertaking. But perhaps at some 
future day when I shall come here, my 
eyes may be greeted by the tapering spire, 
surnwunted by the cross, and my ears 
charmed by the sound of musical chimes 
on the clear mountain air, upon some 
golden Sunday or on some festive holiday. 

Present or absent, my thoughts shall 
often recur to these courts endeared to me, 
not only by mournful, but by all pleasing 
and delightful associations, and I shall hope 
to join with you in the same prayers which 
we have repeated to-day, and to have my 
soul uplifted by the same sacred melodies. 

It will be a great trial of my life to part 
with you, and I trust that I can say with 
the Psalmist David, when he expressed his 
joy at being called on to go up to the 
sanctuary, and when he extolled the Holy 
City — " Peace be within thy walls, and 
prosperity within thy palaces. For my 
brethren and companions' sakes, I will now 
say, Peace be within thee." 

REV. FREDERICK W. SHELTON, LL. D. 

BY H. A. HUSE. 

Frederick W. Shelton was born in Ja- 
maica, Long Island, in 1814, and died at 
Carthage Landing, N. Y., June 20, 1881. 
He was the son of Nathan Shelton, an 
eminent physician. His preparation for 
college was at the Jamaica Institute, and 
he graduated from the College of New 
Jersey, Princeton, and from the General 
Theological Seminary. He was ordained 
in 1847, and was rector successively in 
Huntington, L. I. ; Fishkill, N. Y. ; Mont- 
pelier ; and Carthage Landing, (Low Point,) 
Dutchess County, N. Y. He for some 
months in 1848 officiated in Montpelier in 
the absence of Mr. Manser, and was rector 
of Christ Church from 185410 1866. Dr. 
Shelton went from here to Carthage Land- 
ing, where he remained rector till his 
death. His home at Carthage Landing 
was beautifully situated on the banks of 
the Hudson, and his situation there was 
one well suited to a man of thoughtful and 
genial temperament. 



He left a widow and two sons. Mrs. 
Shelton, who now lives in Carthage Land- 
ing, was Rebecca R. S. Conkling, daugh- 
ter of David S. Conkling, (a brother of 
Judge Alfred Conkling,) who married Isa- 
bella Fletcher, a daughter of Col. Fletcher 
of the British Army, who was a descend- 
ant of Fletcher, the dramatist. Of the six 
children of Dr. and Mrs. Shelton, four are 
dead. The two oldest, born in New York 
city, died of scarlet fever in Montpelier the 
second year after they came here ; a baby, 
8 months old, also died in Montpelier. 
The second year after they went to Car- 
thage Landing, a boy of thirteen died. 
The two youngest sons are now living, and 
are in business in Omaha. The older of 
them graduated at Trinity College, Hart- 
ford, in 1879. 

Dr. Shelton was a man of marked influ- 
ence on the parishes of which he had 
charge, and this, though he had, and none 
knew it better than he, but little of what 
is known as executive or business ability in 
his make-up. His preaching was of the 
best, and his own life was, in its Christian 
graces, a model. 

Dr. Shelton's writing, whether in ser- 
mon or in book, had many charms for all 
who heard or read. In an article in the 
"Churchman" of July 23, 1881, is found 
the following : 

One might say that Dr. Shelton's literary 
faculty amounted almost, if not absolutely, 
to genius. His invention was fertile and 
various, his fancy delicate, and his hiimor 
ever fresh and delightful. His mind was 
of the same type with Washington Irving's, 
although it was marked by a mystical force 
and teiidency, evinced by the romance and 
allegory it gave birth to, which the elder 
and greater writer has not exhibited. While 
a collegian he became a contributor to the 
Knickerbocker Magazine, then and for 
many years afterward the chief organ of 
American periodical literature. Before 
he came of age, Bartlett & Melford pub- 
lished for him a satire in rhyme entitled, 
'* Trollopiad ; or, Travelling Gentleman in 
America," annotated with sketches of the 
series of foreign travellers whose flippant 
descriptions of the land of freedom once 
provoked the ire of our native writers. 
Besides many papers buried under the 
covers of divers magazines, he published 
"Gold Mania," 1850; "The Use and 
Abuse of Reason," 1850, and other minor 



420 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



works, and " Salander and the Dragon — a 
romance," 1851 ; "The Rector of St. Bar- 
dolphs," 1853, (second edition, 1856) ; "Up 
the River," 1853; " Chrystalline ; or. The 
Heiress of Fall Down Castle — a romance," 
1854; "Peeps from the Belfry; or. The 
Parish Sketch Book," 1855, (second edi- 
tion, 1856.) Latterly he has spent much 
time and labor upon a translation of sev- 
eral of the " Dialogues of Plato," and it is 
believed that his manuscript is ready for 
the press. It should also be said that his 
sermons were characteristic compositions, 
original in thought, brightened often by 
unconscious strokes of humor and quicken- 
ed by touches of genuine pathos. 

Among the resolutions passed by the 
clergy present at the funeral of Dr. Shel- 
ton, was one in which they said, " we bear 
our willing and grateful testimony to the 
delightful personal character of our dear 
friend, to the exquisite charm of his con- 
versation, to his genial hospitality, to the 
high principle which singularly distinguish- 
ed him, and to the sweetness, humility and 
devotion of his Christian life and walk." 

Two weeks after his death, a committee, 
consisting of Charles Dewey, Fred E. 
Smith, J. W. Ellis and T. C. Phinney, for 
the wardens, vestry and parish of Christ 
Church, said in a letter to Mrs. Shelton, of 
which a copy is spread upon the parish 
records : 

We remember the loyal service which he 
did for Christ while Rector in this Parish. 
We recall how he faithfully ministered the 
sacraments of life. We think of the in- 
stnaptions which his lips gave and his walk 
enforced. We review the memory of his 
presence when joy was warm and fresh in 
our homes, and when sorrow brooded 
heavily upon us. We think of him as the 
genial friend who was with us, and whom 
we rejoiced to have with us. We call up 
the past relations which he bore in this 
community as a man and citizen. And al- 
though we have but recently learned the 
story of his declining health from his own 
lips, and felt, with him, that his life could 
not be protracted very long, the news of 
his going away has come to us to awaken a 
host of memories which we cannot name, 
but only suggest. We desire to assure you 
that at this hour our prayers and thoughts 
are with you, and that we are only repre- 
sentatives of many in whom the recent 
tidings have revived many fond recollec- 
tions of that one who has gone on but a 
little while before. 



From several unpublished poems of Mr. 
Shelton, which, with the historical sermon, 
were kindly sent to us by Mrs. Shelton 
to select from, we give : — 

THE SKEPTIC TO HIS SOUL. 

" Aniraula, vagula, blandula, 
Hospes coinesque corporis, 
Qua nunc abibis in loca, 
Pallidula, riKida, nudula. 
Nee, ut soles, dabis jocos?" 

Invisible onel little elfl 

Who makest uiy bosom tliy home, 
Hid away In the midst of myself, 

I have asked thee, like Hadrian of Rome, 
Have implored with a passionate cry, 
With a tear of affection, a sigh. 

Come, tell me a part or the whole, 
What is it, what is it to die? 
But never a word in reply. 

Oh I'syche, my Darling, my Soul! 

Say, is it not due to mj' love, 

Thou close-nestling one, winged-dove. 

Since thou hast been with me from birth, 
Though thou earnest down from above. 

And I am a clod of the earth? 
Near, near as my tremulous heart. 

Why far, far away as the pole. 
Guest of mine that thou wilt not impart. 
Nor tell thy poor friend what thou art. 
In a voice or as soft as a breatli 
As it slips from the chill lips of death, 

Or loud as the thunders tliat roll. 
While I stand with expectance and wait. 
Like a beggar for crumbs at a gate. 

Oh Psyche, my Darling, my Soul I 

Forever I count thee within 

The retreat of thy innermost shrine. 
But enwrapt in a body of sin 

Shrink as if from a presence divine. 
And vain are my struggles to win 

What no art of the living e'er stole. 
The key of the mystery dread. 

And rifle it from thy control. 
Thou giv'st it alone to the dead. 
As lie lies in his cold, narrow bed. 

Oh Psyche, my Darling, my Soul ! 

Thus I con thy enigma, my wife, 

One more blind than the Sphinx could propose. 
That we, fondly wedded through life. 

Should be only acquaint at its close. 
Ah! cause of contention and strife! 
That thou wilt not breathe in my ear 

What is writ on tliy mystical scroll, 
But keep'st it away from thy dear 
As if it were something to fear. 

Oh Psyche, my Darling, my Soul! 

In the twilight of groves I have stood. 

In the shadow of solitudes vast. 
Where nothing of earth could intrude, 
To question my soul as I would 

And wring out the secret at last. 

But the night, it is coming on fast. 
When thou slialt be winging thy flight 

Toward the rivers of crystal that roll 

Through the regions of beauty, thy goal; 
I shall know what thou knowest, aright, 
1 shall go where thou goest ihat night. 

Oh Psyche, my Darling, my Soul! 



MONTPELIER. 



421 



EXTRACTS 

From a Poem entitled "The Sirens," delivered be- 
fore tlie Literary Societies of Norwich 
University, Aug. 17, 1865. 

Ye who embarlt as with the risen sun. 
On the rude sea, life's voyage just begun, 
Ev'n as tlie East the rosy day-dawn streaks 
With purple light of youth upon your cheeks, 

Ponder the story well. 
Whatever shore you reach, wherever you may dwell! 

When ye approach the realm 
Of weird enchantment, steady hold the helm. 
For soon the Siren strain 
Will visit you again. 
Impalpable and fine. 
As if it were divine, 
Sweet as it was of yore. 
Beguiling evermore. 
Lure you to ruin on the rock-bound coast. 
Where all your precious argosy is lost. 

Hence ye delusive joys! 
Stop, stop your listening ears with wax, ray boys! 
Or mixed with silvery voice&Jyon may hark 

The sea dogs bark! 
Lo! Sylla and Charybdis on each side 

Are yawning wide! 
With strong determination bind yourselves. 
Nor own the fetters ot perfidious elves. 
When the wild nymph of Pleasure from her lair 
Spreads her white arms an(f makes her bosom bare. 
And beckons as she shakes her flowing locks 
To woo, and lure you to the perilous rocks. 
Fly from the promise of Elysian joys. 
Cling to your oars for life, and pull, my boys! 

Wberc dwells not soul-destroying witchery ? 
Whither we fly- 
To try her subtle arts 
On these fond, beating hearts, 
With necromantic spell 
To lead thro' Error's portals down to hell — 
W atching our frail barques as we glide apace. 
On to eternal glory or disgrace. 
Around her may be amaranthine bloom. 
Flowers of loveliest hue and sweet perfume. 
And she is sometime beautiful; her wand 
Holds, like a goddess, in her milk-white hand: 
Beams a fond welcome from her starry eyes. 
And all the waste is changed to Paradise. 
Ye mariners! ye red-lipped, rosy youth. 
Oh! list the music of celestial truth; 
For Duty is the polar star to guide 
To home, to Heaven, in spite of wind or tide. 
Should folly tempt you with its base alloys. 
Cling to your oars for life, and pull, my boys! 
Regard Ulysses in his golden prime. 
And reign like him upon a throne sublime. 

Even vice may have a face 

Of bright, potential charm, 
A soft, bewildering grace 

To mitigate alarm. 
Of flowers she weaves her chain 

To bind the victim up. 
Love-philtres for the brain 
Are mingled in her cup. 
She with fleet and gay advances, 
Song and viol, mazy dances. 
Glancing smiles with each emotion. 
Like the sunbeams on the oceani 
Woos you from the path of glory. 
Beckoning from her promontory. 
See thro' the flimsy gauze, and spurn her joys. 
Cling to your oars for life, and pull, my boys! 



Where dwells the craven coward on these hills? 
Oft glittering with their diadems of snow. — 

The air is fraught with freedom, and the rills 
Leap forth, and chant its pa;an as they go. 

The pulses bt-at. the heart with rapture thrills 
At the all-beautiful, majestic scene. 
Mountains on mountains piled, sweet vales between. 
It Is the clime where stalwart men have birth, 
FuU-panoplled as from the very earth. 
When the war-bugle sounds the first alarms 
Peak back to sun-lit peak clamors, to arms! to arras! 

Once when the tide of battle raved. 
And rolled o'er many a blood-stained wreck. 

And the Star-Spangled banner waved 
Beneath the old Chapultepec; 

When Mexic legions numbered strong. 
And gleamed on high their pennon 'd spears, 

A horseman bore the word along. 
Where stood the bold Green-Mountaineers, 

" Help from Vermont, upon the right! 
Our ranks are reeling and unsteady! "' 

Then rose the wild shriek of delfght 

From those who never quailed in fight, 
"Aye, aye, VEnMONTis heady!" 

Onward they dashed upon the foes. 
As loose the mountain torrents break. 

And swift the starry banner rose 
Above the old Chapultepec. 
Then ever let tte watchword fly 
From rank to rank to rank, from earth to sky. 
And Echo catch the glad reply- 
Vermont is ready! 

SOLDIER BOY TO HIS GREEN MOUNTAIN 
MARY. 
Oh, bweet is the breath of the morning 
And sparkling the dew on the lawn. 
When fresh is the summer's adorning. 

And the winter is over and gone. 
But my Mary is purer and sweeter. 

And bright as the day-star of Truth, 
When waking or dreaming I meet her, 
In the light and the freshness of youth. 
She has cheered on her soldier to duty. 

Though afar from the scenes of his toll. 
From htr home by the river of beauty. 
On the banks of the charming Lamoille. 

Oh. sweet is the carol of blrdllngs. 

When the forests are budding in May, 
When the bobolink sings in the meadow. 

And Robin replies on the spray; 
But in silence and gloom of midwinter, 

In battle with treason and wrong. 
One thought on the face of my Mary 
Steals Into ray heart like a song. 
So she cheers on her soldier to duty. 

Though afar from the scenes of his toll, 
From her home by the river of beauty. 
On the banks of the charming Lamoille. 

Oh, dear is the home of my childhood. 

Each valley, and mountain and lea. 

But vain without love is the wild wood, 

Without love In the land of the free. 
When the flag floats from ocean to ocean. 

And the din of the battle is o'er, 
I will fly on the wings of devotion. 
And part with my Mary no more. 
Then she'll welcome her soldier from duty 

To her arms from the scenes of his toll. 
By her own lov'd river of beauty 
On the banks of the charming Lamoille. 



422 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 




CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE, MONTPELIER, VT. 



CATHOLIC HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. 

Contimted from page 289. 

Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan, a priest of 
the Diocese of Cork, Ireland, was sent by 
Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, to Burlington 
in the month of July, 1830. From this 
time till 1851, he must have occasionally 
visited the Catholics of Montpelier, but no 
records exist of his laboring amongst them. 
Father O'Callaghan died at Holyoke, 
Mass., in the year 1861. About the year 
1850, Rev. H. Drolet, a Canadian priest, 
was sent to reside at Montpelier. He 
lived here till the fall of 1854, when he re- 
turned to Canada, where he died. He it 
was who bought the old Court House, 
which was used as a church until the erec- 
tion of the present edifice by Father Druon. 
After the departure of Father Drolet, the 
Montpelier Catholic congregation was at- 
tended by the Oblate Fathers from Bur- 
lington until November, 1856, when Very 
Rev. Z. Druon became pastor af the Cath- 
olic congregation, and officiated here as 
such until July 15, 1864, when he was re- 
placed by Rev. Joseph Duglue. 

-J* Louis, Bp. of Burlington. 



ST. Augustine's. 
Rev. Z. Druon, while in charge of this 
parish, built in 1859 the present church, 
dedicated to St. Augustine, and purchased 
a church burying-ground. Father Duglue 
made some improvement on the church and 
house for the priest, and built a good 
school building on a lot adjoining the 
church, whieh commands a fine view of 
the village and State House grounds. This 
institution was given in charge to ladies 
from St. Joseph's, Barlington, who have a 
large and flourishing school here. 

Rev. Z. Druon, V. G. 

O'Callaghan, Rev. Jeremiah. A Crit- 
ical Review of Mr. J. K. Converse's 
Calvinistic Sermon ; also, of the Errone- 
ous proposition of Two Innovators, by 
the Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan, R. C. 
Priest, Burlington, Vt. Burlington: 
Printed for the Author, 1834. 16 mo. 
p. 58. 

— Usury, Funds and Banks ; also, fore- 
stalling Traffic and Monopoly ; likewise 
Pew Rent and Grave Tax ; together with 
Burking and Dissecting ; as well as the 
Galilean Liberties, are all repugnant to 
the Divine and Ecclesiastical Laws and 
Destructive to Civil Society. To which 
is prefixed a Narrative of the Author's 
Controversy with Bishop Coppinger, 



MONTPELIER. 



423 



and of his sufferings for justice's sake, 
by the Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan, 
Roman Catholic Priest. Burlington : 
Printed for the Author, 1834. 8 vo. p. 
380. 
— The Creation and Offspring of the Prot- 
estant Church ; also the Vagaries and 
Heresies of John Henry Hopkins, Prot- 
estant Bishop ; and of other False Teach- 
ers. To which is added a Treatise on 
the Holy Scriptures, Priesthood and 
Matrimony. By Jeremiah O'Callaghan, 
Roman Catholic Priest. Burlington: 
Printed for the Author, 1837. 12 mo. 
p. 328. 
— Exposure of the Vermont Banking, by 
the Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan, Roman 
Catholic Priest. Burlington: Free Press 
Print. 8 vo. p. 32. 
— Atheism of Brownson's Review — Unity 
and Trinity of God — Divinity and Hu- 
manity of Christ Jesus — Banks and 
Paper Money. Burlington, Vt., 1852. 
R. C. 8 vo. pp. 306, (2.) 
— The Hedge round about the Vineyard, 
Dressed up. 1844. 12 mo. p. 360. 
Father O'Callaghan labored at Burling- 
ton with much success from 1830 to 1852. 

— Gilmari's Bibliography of Vt, 

The books of Father O'Callaghan, that 
we have examined, have considerable pith. 
The, attack on Brownson's Review was 
during his transformation, before he had 
come up to the Catholic standard. His 
biography (Brownson's) belongs to our 
next volume, or Windsor Co. 

Between the visits of Reverend Father 
O'Callaghan and Father Drolet, was the 
missionary labors of Rev. John Daly for a 
time, his field reaching from Canada to 
Brattleboro. We have not learned more of 
him. 

REV. H. DROLET, 

the first resident priestat Montpelier, must 
have come here to reside, we think, as 
early as 1850, as we learn by a letter of 
Gen. Clarke, Secretary to the Senate, who 
was here at the time, that the old Court 
House that Father Drolet purchased, as 
the Bishop states, was used as a church in 
the fall of 1850, and we find Father Drolet, 
or the General for him — the General took 
charge of the matter — succeeding in " bor- 
rowing ground " of the Legislature for the 
society to build a vestry on in the rear of 
the old Court House, then used as a 



church, (or to the left hand,) the site, we 
understand, of the present church. 

From a letter of Gen. D. W. C. Clarke 
to his wife, Nov. 3, 1850 : 

I attended mass at Montpelier, Friday 
morning, (All Saints,) stealing quietly 
away from my seat in the Senate Chamber 
for that purpose. The poor Catholics 
looked upon me with surprise as I knelt 
among them, and declined the offer of a 
" better place." I rather like, you know, 
to kneel right among the most humble, and 
God knows I delong there. Mass was cel- 
ebrated in the new church the Catholics 
are finishing off, (it was formerly the Court 
House,) within a dozen rods of the State 
House. The interior is wholly unfinished, 
but it did seem to me, like 
worshipping God " in His holy temple." 

Acts of iS so. No. 87 — Resolution grant- 
ing license to a religious society to occupy 
a piece of the land of the State near the 
State House : 

Resolved, by the Senate and House of 
Representatives, That the Sergeant-at- 
Arms is authorized to permit the Religious 
Society who are fitting up and repairing 
the old Court House, on the east side of 
the public grounds, for the purpose of re- 
ligious worship, to occupy so much land 
belonging to the State as may be necessary 
for the erection of a vestry room in the 
rear of said building ; provided, however, 
this resolution may be revoked at any 
time, by joint resolution of the two houses 
of the Legislature. 

The above resolution was adopted Nov. 
13, 1850. 

The General, and his friends in the 
Senate and in the House, having got the 
loan of the land, it eventuated soon after 
in the purchase of it. 

Father Drolet was born in the city of 
Quebec, Canada, and died in the Parish of 
St. Jude, Diocese of St. Hyacinth, be- 
tween the years 1861 and 1863. 

Rev. Father B. Maloney and Father 
Coopman, Oblates, attended Montpelier 
from Jan. 1856 to Nov. 1856. 

REV. ZEPHYRINUS DRUON, V. G., 

was born Mar. 14, 1830, at Vendin le Vieil 
Pas de Calais, and ordained priest, July 3, 
1853, at Beauvais, France. He studied 
for the priesthood in the Grand Seminary 
of Arras ; came to this country in August, 
1850, with Bishop Rappe ; continued his 
theological studies in Cleveland, O., and 



424 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



finished them at Paris in the Seminary of 
St. Sulpice ; went back to Cleveland ; was 
curate at the cathedral there 4 months ; 
came to Vermont, January, 1854; was the 
residing priest of Bennington, i year ; of 
East Rutland, 2 years ; of Montpelier, 8 or 
9 years ; finally of St. Albans, 16 years to 
the present. He was very much honored 
and esteemed in Montpelier. He has been 
called, and undoubtedly is, the most schol- 
arly, piquant and solid preacher and writer 
of the Catholic clergy in the State. He 
received his appointment as Vicar General 
in 1864, or at the end of the year 1863. 

REV. JOSEPH DUGLUE 

was born Sept. 3, 1834, at Carentoir, 
Morbihan, France. He studied for the 
priesthood in the Grand Seminary of 
Vannes, came to this country in September, 
1855, with Bishop de Goesbriand, and 
continued his theological studies in the 
Grand Seminary at St. Sulpice, at Balti- 
more, Maryland, and was ordained priest 
at Burlington, Feb. 4, 1857. He was first 
sent to Middlebury, then, in i860, he was 
called to the cathedral. At the end of the 
year 1862, he was appointed to Fairfield, 
where he remained until July, 1864, when 
he was appointed to Montpelier. In 1877, 
he went to France, on account of ill health, 
and was absent one year. On his return, 
he was sent to Waterbury, where he was 
three months, when, in January, 1879, he 
was replaced at Montpelier, where he is 
now pastor, of whom we may say, to quote 
the words of a priest. Father McLaughlin, 
of Brandon, in his silver jubilee discourse, 
"Father Duglue, the Priest at the Capital, 
if it would not be savoring of a joke, 
I should say is a capital Priest." 

The interior of St. Augustine's is 
very plain for a Catholic church. The 
building is small, and the church will only 
seat about 950. There are two side aisles, 
but no centre aisle. The windows have 
only a partial coloring of red glass in the 
top. Between the windows, in simple 
black wood frames, the stations of the 
cross run along the walls, as in every Cath- 
olic chapel — the representative via doloro- 
sa — the path of dolor from Pilate's hall to 



the Tomb in the Garden. The chancel, 
too, is poor in art — very poor — only the 
little side altars in the foreground at the 
right and left, of the Blessed Virgin and 
St. Joseph; in the main chancel, a very 
plain wood altar, the figure of St. Augus- 
tine in the wall-niche over behind ; two 
Sacred Heart pictures on the wall beside. 
The oldest church in Christendom is plant- 
ed on the Capital Hill in almost as poor a 
state as the Cave at Bethlehem. The re- 
ligion of Rome has not been long intro- 
duced in this county. There are but three 
other Catholic churches in the whole 
county, yet. One might expect to find a 
handsome church at the Capital — a church 
more suitable to the place — an edifice sec- 
ond to none in the State in magnitude and 
decoration. Feeling particularly the want 
thereof on this honorable and beautiful 
hillside, still the poor congregation go in 
and out, a look very well content in their 
faces — a respectable throng every Sun- 
day and holiday. The motherly church 
adapts herself sweetly to all peoples and all 
conditions, in the grandeurs of the cathe- 
dral, in the poorest mission chapel, ever to 
the Catholic his true Alma Mater. 

The Catholic cemetery of St. Augustine's, 
which is a little above Main street, in Clay 
Hill district, the land for which was bought 
of Thomas Reed and Charles Clark, Dec. 
1857, was not deeded or inclosed and 
blessed by the Bishop until i860. The 
first grave made therein was that of Ed- 
ward Cadieu, a young child of Theophile 
Cadieu. About an acre adjoining was 
bought of George Jacobs, Nov. 1879, ^"^ 
blessed by Rev. Joseph Duglue, Septem- 
ber 5, 1880. 

ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL, 

of which Father Druon speaks as com- 
manding a fine view upon the hillside, is 
situated a little to the east of the church of 
St. Augustine. Outwardly, the ample 
white building, with a cross on its roof, 
attracts the eye from the street ; within, it 
is pleasantly and comfortably furnished. 
Five ladies reside at the institution, and 
have a school of some over 170 pupils. It 
has been put down 200. Father Duglue 



MONTPELIER. 



42s 



thinks " it will average 170 daily attend- 
ance and some over." The Young Ladies 
Sodality of B. V. M. of this congregation 
is always presided over by one of the la- 
dies of St. IVIichaePs, and is the best ap- 
pearing Sodality of Catholic young ladies 
that we know of in the State. 

We learn since the above was in print 
that the old Court House was bought of 
J. Barnard Langdon in 1850; also by a 
letter of Father Drolet to Bishop Fitzpat- 
rick of Boston, work was first commenced 
on remodeling the old Court House into a 
Church, July, 1850. 

Moreover that Father Duglue has had 
the honor to say mass at Barre, Sunday, 
Nov. 13, 1 88 1, supposed to be the first 
Catholic service ever held at that place. 



THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF MONTPELIER. 

FUKNISHED BY THE PASTOlt. 

[Tlie first pari of the following Historical Sketch of 
this church was writlen by Col. H. D. Hopkins 
about the time of the dedication of their l)ouse of 
worship, and published in a Montpelier paper Feb. 

6, 187o.] 

"The church was organized in June, 1865, 
with 14 members, only five of whom were 
males. Hon. Joseph Rowell — since de- 
ceased — and Philip Hill, Esq., were chosen 
Deacons pro tern, and the Rev. Rufus 
Smith, who was agentfor the denomination 
within the State, was chosen Clerk. Mr. 
Smith also supplied the pulpit of the con- 
gregation on the Sabbath — sometimes by 
occupying it himself, and sometimes by 
arrangement with other clergymen in the 
vicinity. The first Sunday services of this 
young church were in Village Hall. 

October, 1865, a call was given to Rev. 
H. D. Hodge to become pastor, who declin- 
ed. February following a call was given to 
Rev. N. P. Foster, M. D., of Burlington, 
and he accepted, but did not enter upon the 
pastorate until October of the same year. 
Up to this time 1 1 persons were added to 
the church, four of whom entered by profes- 
sion of faith. Dr. Foster remained with 
the church till April, 1869, during which 
time, as would appear by the results, he 
labored faithfully and well for the growth 
of the church and the success of the Re- 
deemer's Kingdom. While he was pastor, 
17 persons were added to the church. The 



little organization of 1865 had in less than 
four years more than tripled its member- 
ship. 

The second pastor was Rev. William 
Fitz, who began his labors in September, 
1869, and closed them in November, 1871. 
He was a faithful minister, a pleasant, 
companionable man, an able preacher, and 
was highly esteemed outside the denomi- 
nation, as well as in. The church received 
21 members during his pastorate of a little 
more than 2 years. The third and present 
pastor, the Rev. N. Newton Glazier, began 
his labors in January of last year, and the 
friends of the Society and congregation 
can wish them nothing better in the line 
of human ministries, we are sure, than that 
he may long remain with them. A young 
man, a growing and a good man, he seems 
specially fitted to lead on this people in their 
work in the world. 9 persons were added 
to the church in the first year of his minis- 
try. This brings a partial history of this 
organization down to the present time, 
(Feb., 1873,) 58 members having been 
added to the 14 who originally united to 
form it. Two persons — one of them the 
Hon. Joseph Rowell, one of the founders 
of this church, and long an ardent friend 
and supporter of the denomination, — have 
died from among its members, and by re- 
movals it has suffered further depletion, so 
that its present number is 57. In July, 
1869, the church elected as its deacons, 
E. E. Andrews and E. S. Hibbard. In 
August of 1865, a Sunday School in con- 
nection with the church was organized, 
over which Mr. Hibbard was chosen Su- 
perintendant, and he still holds the office, 
(Feb., 1873) laboring with true christian 
zeal to make it successful in its work. 

We have stated that this people began 
worship in Village Hall. Remaining there 
a few months, they removed to Freeman 
Hall — the apartment now occupied by the 
Temple of Honor; and then on the 12th 
of November, they removed to the Court 
House. Here they remained till January 
of 1868, when they were ordered by the 
Assistant Judges of the County, against the 
remonstrance of nearly all the lawyers of 
the County, and many prominent citizens 



54 



426 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Montpelier, to vacate the premises, and 
it was done. Though they had been la- 
boring to the ultimate erection of a place 
of worship for their use, and were slowly 
gathering subscriptions for the purpose, 
it was the action of the court, the sending 
of them adrift, houseless as they were, 
which perhaps gave them the nerve neces- 
sary for such an undertaking ; and conse- 
quently they made ready, and on the 23d 
of March, ground was broken for the foun- 
dation of their new and beatiful church edi- 
fice. During the summer work upon it was 
pushed forward with all possible vigor, and 
in November they were enabled to enter 
the basement, though at first it lacked win- 
dows. It is worthy of mention that from 
June, 1865, to this time they worshipped 
in no less than 16 different rooms. It was 
therefore no wonder if on entering premi- 
ses they could call their own, though not 
the most inviting^ and comfortable, they 
felt to " thank God and take courage." 

The New Church edifice stands at the 
corner of School and St. Paul streets, 
fronting on the former. It is of wood, 
gothic in style, and of good proportions. 
It was built from plans and specifications 
generously furnished to the society without 
expense by A. M. Burnham, Esq., archi- 
tect, and speaks well for his good taste as 
a builder. The size of the main building 
is 46 by 75 feet, the auditorium is 44 by 
61 feet, 26 feet high, with sloping ceilings, 
and will seat comfortably 400 persons. 
The choir gallery, which is only slightly el- 
evated and standing in the front end of 
the building, is finished with heavy rail 
and balustrades of black walnut. The or- 
gan loft, and the recess for the pulpit — the 
latter in the opposite end of the building — 
are finished with triple gothic arches and 
scroll corbets for pendants. The chancel 
is 10 by 30 feet, and contains robing-room 
aud baptismal font. It is reached both by 
stairs leading from the vestry below, and 
by steps from the auditorium. The base- 
ment is ID feet high, and divided in a 
most desirable manner into vestibule, class- 
room, kitchen for sociables, etc. The 
spire and bell tower are situated in the left 
hand front corner, and are heavily mount- 



ed with gable and offset buttresses and 
bracketed clock-faces. The handsome spire 
rises to 140 feet, and on the right hand 
rises another tower of smaller proportions, 
finished with double cornice, with buttres- 
ses ending in turrets and finials. The en- 
trance to the church is by doors in the 
towers, the larger 7 by 13 feet. The ves- 
try is reached both by a side door from 
St. Paul street and by stairs leading down 
from the vestibule. The basement is fin- 
ished (externally) with rustic block-work, 
projecting ten inches from the main build- 
ing, which forms a pedestal for buttresses 
to rest upon between the windows of the 
main auditory. The windows of the audi- 
torium are pointed gothic, with heavy 
stools aud corbets, and are set with figured 
glass of extremely pretty pattern. The 
pews are similar to those of Bethany 
Church, (of which Col. Hopkins is a loved 
and honored member,) heavy black wal- 
nut frames, with black ash panels. The pul- 
pit, which is little more than a desk for the 
Bible, is of new design, and is constructed 
of black and French walnut. The chan- 
cel is supplied with three massive chairs, of 
a style well fitted for the purpose. The 
walls and ceilings are frescoed in modern 
Persian arches, laid in colors attractive and 
beautiful. The slips are cushioned, and a 
carpet of modern figure and colors covers 
the floor of the chancel, auditorium and 
singers' gallery. The cost of the church 
was about $17,000. It is an ornament to 
the town, and a credit to the enterprise 
and self-denial of those by whose labors 
and calculations it has been reared. 

The dedication was on Jan. 29, 1873, at 
2 o'clock, in the presence of a crowded 
and interested audience. First, anthem, 
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!" 
Invocation and reading of Scripture, by 
Rev. Wm. Fitz, the selection relating 
chiefly to God's House, its delights and 
uses ; prayer, by Rev. Mr. Morrow, of the 
Methodist church ; "All hail the power of 
Jesus' name," by choir and congregation ; 
sermon by Rev. Mr. Glazier, pastor ; text, 
"We preach Christ crucified ;" an able ef- 
fort, delivered with much earnestness. 
After the sermon, chant, " I will lift up 



MONTPELIER. 



427 



mine eyes unto the hills, from whence 
Cometh my help;" prayer of dedication, 
by Rev. Mr. Smith, of St. Albans, and the 
benediction. The services seemed to im- 
press all persons present as appropriate and 
interesting, and must have been especially 
so to the little company of believers whose 
earthly temple this house henceforth is 
to be." 

Col. Hopkins, a few weeks later, in an- 
other article wrote : " The Baptist church 
is the only place in town where the build- 
ing and the organization occupying it bear 
the same name. It is characteristic of 
these people, we believe, that they fling 
their colors to the breeze. Coming to their 
beautiful church, you are made to feel that 
you are welcome. Their pastor. Rev. Mr. 
Glazier, will impress you as a man of char- 
acter, ability and earnestness. His pulpit 
efforts will not suffer in comparison with 
those of older and more notable men. 
The audience is at present small, but it is 
the confident expectation of the few that 
their numbers shall yearly increase. They 
are well united and commendably devoted 
to work." 

Mr. Glazier closed his pastorate on the 
last day of June, 1878, exactly six years 
and six months from its beginning. Dur- 
ing his pastorate fifty-eight members were 
received into the church, two of them being 
baptised by Mr. Glazier on the first Sun- 
day after his pastorate closed. He is a 
man of most lovable and forbearing spirit. 
His public discourse is rich and spiritual, 
and Biblical in doctrine. His private con- 
versation is elevating and remarkably en- 
tertaining. His departure from his people 
was like the parting from the old home of 
a son or a brother. After a lapse of three 
years, his discourses still linger forcefully 
in the minds of the people to whom he 
ministered, and the influence of his sweet 
temper and godly life abides as a benedic- 
tion, not only upon his devoted parishion- 
ers, but also upon the pastor who succeeds 
him. He is now the pastor of the strong 
Baptist church in South Abington, Mass. 

Rev. Henry A. Rogers, at present min- 
istering to the church, became its pastor 
Oct. 3, 1878, ordained by the church to 



the Gospel ministry, Nov. 7, following. 
The efforts of the church during the first 
3 years of his pastorate have been in the 
line of more perfect discipline and organiza- 
tion. Distinct departments of church work 
have been organized in the interest of 
foreign missions, home missions, the Ver- 
mont Baptist State Convention, music, 
education, parish gatherings, parish visit- 
ing, temperance and Sunday-schools. 

The Sunday-schools have been a marked 
feature in the history of the work of the 
church during this period. The school in 
the church has been making a gradual gain 
in numbers, and, we think, in efficiency, 
under the superintendencyof H. B. Wood- 
ward, H. J. Andrews and Ives Batchelder, 
successively, and now of Jas. H. Burpee. 
The services of the first three of these su- 
perintendents were lost to the church by 
their removal from the vicinity. 

A mission school was organized, three 
miles distant, at Wrightsville, Nov. 27, 
1878, S. S. Towner, superintendent. Upon 
his removal to Lynn, Mass., M. C. Whitney 
was appointed by the church as superin- 
tendent, Sept. 4, 1879. At the annual 
meeting of the school district in March, 
1 88 1, on motion of P. C. Wright, the dis- 
trict passed a vote that their school-house 
should not be used for the purpose of a 
Sunday-school. From this time, accord- 
ingly, the school was of necessity dis- 
continued. 

A second mission Sunday-school was 
organized in East Montpelier, distant five 
miles, in the school-house of district No. 
II, May 4, 1879, Samuel L. LilHe, su- 
perintendent. Sept. 4, 1879, he resigned, 
being about to go away, and George W. 
Sanders was appointed in his place, and is 
present superintendent. 

A third mission school was begun at 
Montpelier Center, distant 3 miles. May 
25, 1879, F.R.Spalding, superintendent. 
He also resigned Sept. 4, 1879, to go else- 
where, and Jno. W. Smith was elected by 
the church to the superintendency, which 
office he still fills. 

It was voted at the district school meet- 
ing. Mar. 30, 1880, that the school-house 
in which the services had been held should 



428 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



be closed against them. But a neighbor, 
Mr. West Ormsbee, who had not before 
attended the school, opened his commo- 
dious hall, and the school immediately 
doubled in number. 

At a called meeting, July 20, 1881, of 
district No. 6, Montpelier, 2 miles from 
town, and immediately adjoining the 
Wrightsville district, by vote of the meet- 
ing, their house was put at the disposal of 
the Baptist pastor for Sunday-school ser- 
vice on Sunday afternoons. Accordingly, 
a school was organized on the following 
Sunday, July 24. Mr. E. K. Dexter was 
subsequently appointed to superintend it. 
None of these schools has omitted a single 
session, winter or summer, since they were 
organized. They are all supplied by the 
church with circulating libraries, and books 
from which to learn and sing sacred song. 

There have been ;i;i added to the church 
during this time. The church has now 97 
members, (Oct. i88i,)but only aboutone- 
half are resident members, that is, live 
within 4 or 5 miles of the church. But 
none of the non-resident members reside 
in the immediate vicinity of any other reg- 
ular Baptist church. The whole number 
of members belonging to the church since 
its beginning is 155. 

• Henry A. Rogers, Pastor. 

ORGANISTS AND MUSICIANS. 
BY A. A. HADLKY, Organist. 

Among the principal musicians who have 
been teachers and organists in Montpelier 
are : 

S. B. Whitney, teacher and organist in 
1862 — for about 4 years here — who has 
since made himself famous in Boston as an 
organist and conductor. 

About this time, or before, was Mr. H. 
Irving Proctor, who taught successfully, 
and is now at Des Moines, Iowa. 

I think, following Mr. Whitney, was Mr. 
Irving Emerson, who played at the old 
Brick Church 3 years, and also taught ; 
now located at Hartford, Ct., organist and 
superintendent of music in public schools. 

In 1868, the now famous H. Clarence 
Eddy, from Massachusetts, played the 



organ at Bethany church for 2^ years ; 
afterwards he studied abroad several years, 
and is now located in Chicago as director 
of the Hershey music school, and is con- 
sidered one of the greatest of living organ- 
ists. 

Following him, at the Bethany church, 
as organist, was Mr. W. A. Briggs, who 
is a fine organist, and somewhat noted as a 
composer. 

Mr. W. A. Wheaton, who teaches at 
" Goddard," Barre, beside being a success- 
ful teacher, isalsoorganistat the Unitarian 
church, Montpelier. 

Mr. Horace H. Scribxer, who has 
also taught here several years, is pres- 
ent organist at the Episcopal church, and 
is liked by all as an accompanist on the 
organ and piano. 

Mr. A. A. Hadley, who has studied 
some time at Boston, has charge of the 
musical department in the "Vermont Con- 
ference Seminary and Female College," at 
Montpelier, and is organist at Trinity 
M. E. Church, this village. 

Mr. Andrew J. Phillips was chorister 
several years, ending in 1879, at Bethany 
church, and teacher of vocal music. He 
married while here a daughter of Judge 
Redfield, and has a brother at present 
here, Mr. Wm. E. Phillips, a photograph 
artist with Mr. Harlow. 

Mr. Fred W. Bancroft, a resident and 
native of Montpelier., present chorister at 
Christ Church, has a good deal of local 
reputation as a fine tenor singer. 

Among the ladies, Ellen Nye, beside 
being a good teacher, is the finest pianist 
in this vicinity. * 

Mrs. Briggs, who sang at the time Mr. 
Phillips was chorister at Bethany, and for 
several years, is distinguished as a very 
fine soprano, and now sings at Boston. 

Miss Cheney, also a very fine soprano, 
sang several years at the Unitarian church 
here. She now sings at Burlington. 

Among other sopranos are Josie Roleau 
and Mrs. Wheatley, much liked, and of 
the altos. Miss Mary Phinney and Miss 
Clara Dewey deserve special notice. 



MONTPELIER. 



429 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

From Thompson's History of Montpelier. 
COLONEL JACOB DAVIS. 

Colonel Jacob Davis, the first perma- 
nent settler of Montpelier, and emphati- 
cally the chief of its founders, was born in 
Oxford, Mass., in 1739. ^^'^ descendants 
have preserved no memorials of his youth, 
and only know he received no advantages 
of education except from the common 
schools of the times. In 1754, the part of 
the town, in which his father's family re- 
sided,, was set oft" from Oxford, and incor- 
porated by the name of Charlton. Here 
he lived until he removed to Vermont. 
He married Rebecca Davis, of the same 
town, a second cousin, and an intelligent, 
amiable and every way estimable young 
lady. Mr. Davis must have been a man 
of considerable property and standing in 
his town ; and he probably passed through 
all the lower grades of military office in the 
militia of his county, and became widely 
known as an active patriot in the cause of 
the American Revolution ; for in 1 776, we 
find him acting under a ColonePs commis- 
sion of one of the regiments of the Massa- 
chusetts detached or drafted militia, subject 
to the call of Congress or the Commander- 
in-Chief, whenever the occasion might re- 
quire. How much he was in active service 
is not known ; but the traditions of his 
family make him to have been with his 
command in the little army of Washington 
in the memorable crossing of the Delaware 
to attack the Hessians at Trenton in De- 
cember, 1776. He was .subsequently un- 
der contract to carry, and so did, the Unit- 
ed States mail over one of the mail routes 
in his part of Massachusetts for some years. 
A few years after there was an old Jew en- 
gaged in traffic, who owned a large house, 
or ware-house, in the neighboring town of 
Leicester ; Colonel Davis, and another gen- 
tleman of the vicinity, purchased this 
building, had it fitted up, and a select high 
school put in operation. This was the 
small beginning of the afterwards well 
known Leicester Academy, founded in 
1 774 ; and that Colonel Davis was consid- 
ered one of its founders is shown by the 



fact, since his death, his family have re- 
ceived a letter asking for his portrait that 
it might be placed in the Academy build- 
ing, with that of the other founders of 
that institution. 

Early in the year 1780, he had turned 
his attention to the purchase of wild lands 
in the new State of Vermont ; and was 
among the most active in procuring the 
granting and chartering of the township, 
which he caused to be named Montpelier, 
at the October session of the Legislature 
of Vermont in that year. From that time 
to the commencement of the meetings of 
the proprietors in the winter of 1786, which 
he attended. Colonel Davis appears to 
have been energetically engaged in his pri- 
vate business, at Charlton, or in public en- 
terprises, like the one above mentioned. 
But ffom this year, and perhaps the year 
before, he was obviously employed in dis- 
posing of his quite handsome property in 
Massachusetts, and arranging for removal 
to his newly elected home in Vermont. 
In the winter of 1787, after having made, 
during the previous summer and fall, sev- 
eral journeys into the State to attend the 
meetings of the proprietors, commence the 
survey of the new township, in whicii he 
had secured three rights, or about 1000 
acres, and make selection of pitches for 
the occupation of himself and sons, he re- 
moved his family to Brookfield, then the 
nearest settled town to Montpelier ; and 
early in the following spring, still leaving 
his wife and daughters at Brookfield, till a 
comfortable home could be provided for 
them, he came with his sons and a hired 
man to make his opening in the dark for- 
ests of Montpelier. His career for the 
next 12 or 15 years, involved, to a remark- 
able degree, the history of the town.. 

Near the year 1800, he became involved 
in several large and vexatious lawsuits, 
growing out of disputed land titles or the 
sales of lands he had effected through his 
agencies under foreign landholders. In 
one of these, for want of his ability to 
make legal proof of payments that the dis- 
tant proprietors had received, a large judg- 
ment was obtained in the United States 
Circuit Court against him, which was con- 



43° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



sidered by himself, his family and friends, 
so unjust that he, with their concurrence, 
resolved never to pay it. And in pursu- 
ance of this determination, he conveyed to 
his sons and sons-in-law the principal part 
of his attachable property, and, removing 
his family to Burlington, so as to be within 
the limits of Chittenden county jail-yard, 
invited the service of the execution taken 
out against him on his own person. 
Here in Burlington, he led a quiet life for 
over a dozen years, during which frequent 
offers of compromises were made him by 
the plaintiffs in the suit, which he steadily 
rejected till the winter of 1814, when they 
made an offer so nearly amounting to a re- 
linquishment of their whole claim, and so 
virtually involving an admission of its in- 
justice, that he accepted it, and the whole 
matter in dispute was amicably settled. 
But before he became prepared to remove, 
as he was about to do, to his beloved Mont- 
pelier, he was attacked by an acute disease 
which terminated his life April 9, 1814. 
His remains were brought to Montpelier 
for interment, and a broad tomb-stone 
marking the place where they repose may 
now be found in the old village grave-yard. 
In person. Col. Davis was 6 feet high, 
broad-shouldered, compactly formed and 
well proportioned, with unusually large 
bones and muscles. His face was round 
favored, and handsomely featured, and his 
whole appearance dignified and command- 
ing. His great physical powers are in- 
stanced in his ability to slash an acre of 
forest land in a day. Let one other suffice. 
Old Mr. Levi Humphrey, one of the first 
settlers, who died in this town, August, 
1859, aged 93 years, told us, about a fort- 
night before his death, he well-remembered 
being one day at Col. Davis' log house, 
when the latter requested two of his strong- 
est hired men to go into the yard and 
bring in, for a back-log for their long open 
fire-place, a cut of green maple 4 feet long 
or more and nearly 2 feet in diameter. In 
compliance, they each took hold of an end, 
but reported they were unable to bring it 
in, and were preparing to roll it up to the 
door with handspikes, when the Colonel, 
havmg noticed their failure to take up the 



log, came out, motioned them aside, and 
grasping the ends with his long arms, lift- 
ed and marched into the house with it, and 
threw it on to the fire, pleasantly remark- 
ing to them as he did so, that " they did 
not appear to be any great things at log- 
lifting." But Col. Davis' physical powers 
were of small account in the comparison 
with the other strong traits of the man, 
his enterprise, energy, judgment and far- 
reaching sagacity ; but even they were not 
all the good qualities of his character ; no 
needy man ever went empty-handed from 
his door ; he ever gave employment of 
some kind to all who asked for it ; and so 
well he rewarded all his employees, that no 
reasonable man in the whole settlement 
was ever heard to complain of the amount 
of wages he paid, or any unfair conduct in 
his dealings. 

[In addition, Mr. Gilman gives : Charl- 
ton, the birth place of Col. Davis, adjoins 
Leicester on the north. Hon. Emory 
Washburn, in his history ot Leicester, 
states that the academy in that town, one 
of the oldest in the state, "owes its founda- 
tion to the generosity and public spirit of 
Col. Jacob Davis, and Col. Ebenezer Crafts, 
whose munificence was suitably acknowl- 
edged in the Act of Incorporation. They 
purchased the commodious dwelling house, 
then recently occupied by Aaron Lopez, 
and its appendages, together with an acre 
of land, which they conveyed to the Trus- 
tees of Leicester Academy, in consideration 
of the regard they bear to virtue and learn- 
ing, which they consider greatly conducive 
to the welfare of the community. The 
value of this estate was $1716, and was 
situated directly in front of the present 
Academy buildings. The liberality of 
these gentlemen, one of them (Davis) res- 
ident of Charlton, and the other (Crafts) 
of Sturbridge, deserves the gratitude of pos- 
terity." Col. Davis owned a valuable es- 
tate in Charlton, adjacent to that of his 
brother, Ebenezer Davis. Col. Nathan- 
iel, Gen. Parley, and Hezekiah Davis, 
three brothers, early settlers in Montpelier, 
were sons of Ebenezer Davis of Charlton, 
and nephews of Col. Jacob Davis, not 
cousins, as stated by Thompson.] 



MONTPELIER. 



431 



REBECCA DAVIS. 

The efficient help-meet of the energetic 
man, whose life and character we have but 
too briefly sketched, was born in Oxford, 
Mass., in 1743; married about the year 
1765, and died Feb. 25, 1823. She lies 
buried by the side of her husband in this 
village, where she peacefully passed the last 
as well as the middle portion of her useful 
and exemplary life. She early united with 
the Congregational Church after it was es- 
tablished in this village, and had long been 
considered a Christian in works, as well 
as faith, which would have well wan-anted 
an earlier public profession of religion. 
Unusually comely in person, with a sweet 
smile ever on her lips, kind in disposition, 
intelligent and discreet, she was the never 
failing friend ofthe needy and distressed, the 
judicious adviser of the young, and the uni- 
versal object of the love and respect of all 
classes of the people of the settlement. Of 
the more than half score of her cotempora- 
ries in this town of whom we have made 
inquiries respecting her, all most cordially 
united in affirming, in substance, what we 
will only quote as the warmly expressed 
words of one of them; "Mrs. Colonel 
Davis was one of, the best, the very best, 
women in the whole world !" She was a 
mother in the early Montpelier Israel, and 
she has left behind her a name bright with 
blessed memories. 

HON. DAVID WING, JR., 

was born in Rochester, Mass., June 24, 
1766; removed with his father and family 
to Montpelier about 1790, and settled 
down with them on a farm adjoining what 
is now known as the old Clark Stevens 
place, in the east part of the town. He 
had doubtless received a rather superior 
common school education', though the ed- 
ucational accomplishments, which he al- 
most at once exhibited after coming into the 
Settlement, were probably mainly the fruits 
of his native taste and scholarship, which 
is strikingly conspicuous in all the memo- 
rials, social or civil, that he has left behind 
him. He taught the second school of the 
town, which was opened, it is believed, in 
the same year in which he became one of 



its inhabitants. Within about 2 years 
after his arrival, he was elected town clerk, 
and during the next dozen years the offices 
of town agent, town representative, judge 
of the county court and secretary of state, 
seem to have been crowded upon him in 
regular and rapid succession. As an ev- 
idence of his great popularity among his 
townsmen, maybe cited, that while he was 
holding the office of side judge, and chief 
judge of the county court — ten-fold the 
best office held by any other inhabitant of 
the town — he was elected the town repre- 
sentative 4 years previous to his election 
as secretary of state ; and not content with 
that, for the several years during that 
time, they threw their entire vote for him 
as state treasurer. Considering the jeal- 
ousies usually existing among the numbers 
found in every town who believe them- 
selves qualified for office, and who gen- 
erally raise a clamor against bestowing an 
office on a man who is already holding 
another good office, perhaps nothing could 
be adduced, which shows so strongly, the 
personal regard in which David Wing was 
universally held by his almost idolizing 
townsmen. 

In 1792, he married Hannah, second 
daughter of Col. Jacob Davis, a young 
lady of many personal attractions and 
much moral excellence. They had eight 
children, whose names show the classical 
tastes of the father, and estimation in 
which the different noted personages of 
history were held by him : Debby Daphne, 
Christopher Columbus, Algernon Sidney, 
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Maria Theresa, 
David Davis, Caroline Augusta and Max- 
imus Fabius. The two first daughters 
died in infancy ; the other children arrived 
at maturity, and took highly respectable 
positions in society, though only one of 
them appears to have fully inherited the 
tastes and native scholarship of their 
father— the Rev. Marcus T. C. Wing. 

In person. Judge Wing was of medium 
height, of a good form, fine head, shapely 
features and an animated countenance, all 
made the more attractive and winning by 
the dignified affability of his manners. As 
an instance of the quickness of his per- 



432 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ceptions, his ready business capacities and 

the versatile character of his talents, sev- 
eral of his yet surviving cotemporaries 
have named to us the fact, of which they 
were frequently cognizant, that he would 
correctly and rapidly draw up any kind of 
document, report, despatch or legal in- 
strument in writing, and at the same time 
maintain a connected and lively conversa- 
tion with those around him. 

He was elected secretary of state in the 
fall of 1802, and while still holding the 
office, and in the midst of his usefulness 
and high promise, was suddenly swept 
away by a malignant fever, Sept. 13, 1806. 
Rarely has a death occurred in this sec- 
tion of the State which produced so pro- 
found a sensation in community, and it 
was mourned as a great loss, not only to 
the town but to the whole State. 

[Marcus Tullius Cicero Wing, son of 
David Wing, Jr., born Oct. 17, 1798; 
graduated at Middlebury in the Class of 
1820; read medicine in Montpelier, 1820- 
1821 ; was teacher in Maryland, 1821- 
24 ; studied at the Episcopal Theological 
Seminary in Alexandria, Va., 6^ years; 
was tutor in Kenyon College, O., 1826-29 ; 
Rector of an Episcopal church in Board- 
man, O., 1829-31 ; editor of the Gambier 
Observer, and treasurer and general agent 
of Kenyon College, several years, since 
which he has been Professor of Ecclesiasti- 
cal History in the Episcopal Theological 
Seminary of Ohio at Gambier. He has re- 
ceived the degree of D. D. (1853.) 

— Pearson Calalogxie. 
ELDER ZIBA V^OODWORTH, 

a man whose character was marked by 
many peculiar qualities, whose life was 
checkered by many peculiar events, was 
born Apr. 1769, in Bozrah, Ct., and was a 
connection of the gallant Col. Ledyard, 
who married his aunt, and his two broth- 
ers, Joseph and Asahel Woodworth, Ziba, 
the younger, but 17, became soldiers in 
Col. Ledyard's regiment ; when that re- 
vengeful devil incarnate, Benedict Arnold, 
led the British against New London, and 
utterly desolated it with fire and sword, 
Ziba and his brother Asahel were, with 



their brave uncle in command, in Fort 
Griswold, on the Groton side of the 
Thames, Joseph being with another de- 
tachment some miles distant, but hasten- 
ing on to the rescue. While the infamous 
Arnold was devastating New London, he 
sent out a detachment of several hundred 
British troops, under Col. Eyre, to carry 
Fort Griswold. The resistance of Col. 
Ledyard was gallant but unavailing. Part 
of the works were dilapidated, and the 
British, after being kept at bay about an 
hour, and suffering the temporary loss of 
their Colonel, who was badly wounded, 
^nd the loss of their second in command. 
Major Montgomery, who, with many of 
the soldiers, was killed, poured into the 
Fort in overwhelming numbers, under the 
lead of the third officer in rank, the vin- 
dictive and brutal Major Broomfield. Col. 
Ledyard surrendered the Fort, and, while 
presenting his sword, hilt first, to the 
British commander, was murderously run 
through the body by his own weapon. 
Thereupon the British commenced an in- 
discriminate butchery of the Americans. 
Among the first, Ziba and his brother 
Asahel were prostrated — Asahel by a 
bullet, shattering the bones of his knee ; 
Ziba by a head-wound, which rendered him 
insensible. They had not yet done enough 
for the desperately wounded Ziba ; one of 
them made a heavy lunge with a bayonet 
into his bowels ; the wound, though, owing 
to the strength and thickness of the new 
tow shirt he had on, not proving mortal, 
and another struck him senseless with the 
butt of a musket on the head. The mas- 
sacre was intended to be universal. [As 
this account had from the lips of Uncle 
Ziba in his lifetime appears to violate his- 
tory, it will be contended by some that he 
mistook some other British officer there 
slain for the murderer of Ledyard.] After 
all had, or were supposed to have, received 
their death wounds, the British, in their 
wanton ferocity, dragged out a dozen or so 
of those who exhibited the most signs of 
life, piled them into a detached cart, and 
sent it rolling down a steep bank till it 
struck a large apple tree, by which it was 
stove to .pieces in the shock, and made a 



MONTPELIER. 



433 



sudden end of its groaning victims. Most 
of these particulars were had from the lips 
of Ziba Woodworth. 

After a long, distressing sickness, Ziba 
recovered, except in the use of his knee, 
and in a few years, came with his two 
brothers, and perhaps other members of 
his family, to settle in Montpelier. His 
first pitch was made on the lot lying about 
I mile east of the village, which he soon 
sold to James Hawkins, and purchased 
another on the Branch, about i^ mile above 
the village, where he resided till his death, 
Nov. 27, 1826. 

He married and lived some years with 
his wife in Connecticut, when they were 
divorced, and soon after coming here, he 
married Lucy Palmer, from Canaan, N.H. 
Their children, 5, all but their son John, 
who is still living, (i860,) died in child- 
hood. 

He came into Montpelier about 1790, 
was present at its organization and its first 
town clerk. Ever after coming here, he 
was accounted a religious man of the Free 
Will Baptist persuasion. In about 1800, 
he began to exhort in public meetings, and 
in January, 1806, was licensed and or- 
dained at a quarterly meeting of Free Will 
Baptists held at Danville. He did not, 
however, preach statedly anywhere, but 
mostly confining himself to his farm, di- 
vided his spare time between politics and 
religion, and became as ardent a partisan 
as he was a Christian. 

Elder Woodworth was of small stature, 
limping in gate, but of wonderfully an- 
imated manner, and his heart seemed ever 
absolutely overflowing with the gushing 
of benevolenee. Once, learning a poor 
man from his neighborhood, who had 
moved to Ohio, had fallen sick and died 
there, leaving two or three unprotected 
children, he left his business, journeyed 
all the way to Ohio, at his own ejcpense, 
in a single, wagon, and brought all the 
children home with him. And still Uncle 
Ziba had enough faults to mingle with his 
virtues, to make him sometime the subject 
of doubtful remarks among the less char- 
itable of the community. He was quite 
energetic in all he did or said, and the 

55. 



ardor of his temperament often led him 
into some extravagance of speech or action. 
But, take him all in all, he was a man of 
the kindest of impulses, a hearty friend, a 
charitable opponent, a good neighbor and 
a good citizen. 

DOCTOR EDVi^ARD LAMB, 

born in Leicester, Mass., 1771, had not the 
advantages of a full public education, but 
studied at the academy, growing up in 
that town, in which the classics were be- 
ginning to be taught several years, and af- 
ter that added a respectable knowledge of 
Latin and Greek, and entered as a medical 
student with Dr. Fiskeof Sturbridge, con- 
tinuing with him until he had attended a 
course of medical lectures in Boston and 
Cambridge, when, at the age of about 24, 
he removed to Montpelier, where his elder 
brother, Colonel Earned Lamb, had some 
years preceded him, and settled in his pro- 
fession. In 1803 he married Polly Wither- 
ell of Montpelier, who died in 1822, leaving 
no issue. He was constable and collector 
of the town from 1799, ^^^ years; town 
representative in 1804, 14, 15 ; and what 
should be esteemed a still greater honor, 
was one of the Presidential electors when 
Gen. Harrison was run in 1836. 

Although not much of a public speaker, 
he acquitted himself well in his public star 
tions, for he was a man of rare good sense, 
unusually extensive practical information, 
and had a wonderful memory he had stored 
with a vast fund of all sorts of knowledge 
and learning. 

We know of but two public performances 
of his, not connected with the above named 
offices — one the delivery of an original ora- 
tion at the first celebration of the fourth of 
July ever held in Montpelier, in 1806, the 
other his valuable address on the " Science 
of Medicine," delivered before the Ver- 
mont Medical Society some 15 years later. 

But it was in his profession he was best 
known to the public, and that more favor- 
ably and extensively than often falls to the 
lot of a local physician. His opinions 
among his professional brethen, in this 
section of the State, were widely sought 
and respected. In a knowledge of the 



434 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



technicalities of medical science he scarce- 
ly had a superior. In all the ordinary dis- 
eases, his skill was equal to that of other 
good physicians — in fevers it was such as 
to place him with the very ablest practition- 
ers of Vermont. The estimation in which 
his skill was held, in this respect, by his 
professional brethren, is sufficiently attest- 
ed, that during the general and fatal prev- 
alence of malignant fevers in 1813 and 14, 
he had at one time no less than 14 sick 
physicians under his immediate care in this 
part of the State. 

During the run of the spotted fever, in 
this vicinity, Dr. Lamb had the chief care 
of 70 cases, and lost but three. His prac- 
tice in his own town, was, at least 40 years, 
as full as it was successful ; while for diffi- 
cult cases his attendance was sought in all 
the surrounding country. 

He had some unfortunate deficiences. 
In all his own pecuniary affairs, he was 
singularly remiss. More than half the 
time, it is believed, he made no charges 
for his services at all. He rarely dunned 
any man ; and if he did, it was when he 
happened to be hard pressed for money to 
keep up his unusally plain and cheap way 
of living. Then often he would go to some 
abundantly responsible customer, owing 
him honestly, perhaps, $50, ask for $15 or 
5f2o, and on receiving it, hand back a re- 
ceipt, in full of the whole account. In fact, 
he was one of the most unselfish men in 
the world, and could not be brought to care 
any more for money, except for supplying 
his absolute present wants, than so much 
dirt beneath his feet. And in all his ex- 
tensive practice among all classes of com- 
munity, it probably never once entered his 
head to make the least distinction between 
the richest and poorest, in the promptitude 
and faithfulness of his attendance. And 
the consequence, while his just and honest 
earnings would have made him, well man- 
aged, worth $50,000, he died worth scarce- 
ly one hundredth of that amount. He 
was everybody's servant, and everybody's 
friend but his own ; and being at last 
seized with one of the ten thousand fevers 
he had so successfully managed in others, 
he at once predicted its end but too cor- 



rectly, and in a few days passed peacefuly 
away, Nov. 4, 1845, aged about 74, uni- 
versally regretted and respected. 

Personally, he was of medium height, 
rather stocky, moderate in his motions, 
slightly limping in gait in consequence of 
a fever sore on one of his legs in his youth, 
and very neglectful in all matters of dress 
and outward appearance, — all which were 
at once forgotten, when one confronted his 
massive and noble head, manly features, 
pleasant blue eye, and thoughtful, impres- 
sive countenance ; and socially, he was one 
of the most kindly and agreeable men, full 
of instructive remarks, generally aptly illus- 
trated by the fund of piquant and amusing 
anecdotes which, in the course of his vari- 
ous reading and experience, he had treas- 
ured in his remarkable memory. 

If ever a people owed a great and une- 
quivocal debt of gratitude to any one man, 
the people of Montpelier and vicinity rest 
under such an obligation to Dr. Lamb. 

COL. JAMES H. LANGDON, 

the successful merchant of Montpelier, was 
born in Farmington, Conn., Mar. 3, 1783. 
When a youth he entered the store of 
Gen. Abner Forbes, then the leading mer- 
chant of Windsor, Vt., to acquire a knowl- 
edge of the mercantile profession, which 
he had determined to make the business of 
his life. And such was the progress he 
made and the confidence he inspired, and 
tact and good judgment he displayed in all 
the details of trade, and more important 
transactions of business coming within the 
scope of his action, that his employer. 
Gen. Forbes, before he reached the age of 
21, took him into partnership, and estab- 
lished him at the head of a branch store 
in the village of Montpelier, in 1803. For 
the next half dozen years he continued to 
do business under the firm of Langdon & 
Forbeg ; when justly believing he had ac- 
cumulated capital enough and friends 
enough in this place to warrant the move- 
ment, he bought out Gen. Forbes' interest 
in the store, and thenceforward conducted 
the business in his own name, and entirely 
on his own responsibility. 

From this time, alone or in company 




(^/fmZ4^A^^.-^e^Z^>^t^^'^ 




>0v V0^ 




^ 



i'^iMy ^^,j^.^r^,f^^ 



MONTPELIER. 



435 



with different partners, the first and longest 
continued being the systematic and clear- 
headed John Barnard, who was prematurely 
cut down by an acute disease in 1822 ; and 
the next, the Hon. John Spalding, still 
surviving, [since deceased.] From this 
time, for the next 20 years, Col. Langdon 
seemed to be wafted forward on one un- 
varied tide of prosperity and success, and 
great public benefits grew out of his com- 
mercial career, as he was instrumental in 
reforming the irregularities of trade, which 
up to his day custom had sanctioned, and 
in placing it on a just and honorable basis ; 
and while thus conferring untold benefits 
on his town by what he did, and by the 
force of his salutary examples, he so con- 
ducted his dealings as well to deserve all 
the remarkable success which attended 
him. But we need not here enlarge on his 
noble characteristics as a merchant ; we 
shall rather confine the remainder of our 
sketch to that which particularly marked 
him as a man and a citizen, .and gave him 
that strong hold on public feeling, and that 
high place in the public estimation, which 
he retained through life. 

In 1809, Col. Langdon married Miss 
Nabby Robbins, of Lexington, Mass., a 
union from which sprang five children, 
Amon, who died in childhood, John B., 
James R., George, and Caira R. Langdon. 
[John Barnard and George Langdon have 
died; James Robbins and Caira R., now 
Mrs. Nicholas, are still living.] 

Col. Langdon ever manifested a proper 
interest, and often took an active part in 
the public affairs and official business of 
the town, having at various times filled 
with acceptance its most important offices. 
He also entered, and was rapidly promoted, 
in the military line, till he gained the title 
by which he is here designated. In the 
year 1828, having removed over the river 
to his beautiful meadows within the bor- 
ders of Berlin, he was elected with unusual 
unanimity by the people of that town, as 
their representative in the Legislature ; and 
in the following year re-elected to the office 
still more unanimously ; and by the appli- 
cation of his excellent judgment and great 
practical knowledge in the business of 



legislation, he well justified the choice of 
his constituents. In 1828, he was elected, 
on the retirement of the Hon. Elijah Paine, 
the first to hold the office. President of the 
Bank of Montpelier, which responsible 
office he continued to hold to the time of 
Jiis death. 

Inperson,Col. Langdon was well formed, 
and his features were all shapely and hand- 
some ; while his countenance was lighted 
up by one of the most kindly and winning 
smiles that ever enlivened the human face. 
Nor did his countenance belie his heart, 
inherently sincere, sympathetic and hu- 
mane. And, while in all the movements 
and enterprises of public benevolence, his 
liberality was commensurate with his means, 
in private charities and individual assist- 
ance, he went, as he wished, far beyond 
what was ever generally made known to 
the public ; for he was extremely averse to 
making any parade of his benefactions, 
and his favors were very generally con- 
ferred under injunctions of .secrecy. And 
thus it was, that the extent of his private 
charities and pecuniary assistance to the 
distressed and those laboring under busi- 
ness embarrassments, were never known 
except through the irrepressible outgush- 
ings of gratitude from the lips of those 
whom he had relieved. 

His lenity and forbearance towards all 
who were indebted to him were remark- 
able ; and, to the credit of human nature 
be it said, as remarkable was the gratitude 
of those thus favored, and their determin- 
ation that he should never be the loser by 
the kindness he had conferred. After he 
had retired from business, expecting to be 
much absent, he placed his demands, over 
$100,000, in the charge of a confidential 
agent, who was an attorney, strictly en- 
joining him to sue nobody and distress 
nobody, but use all kindly, and charge 
him for all the expense and trouble in- 
curred in the collections. And though 
this great amount of miscellaneous de- 
mands remained in the hands of that at- 
torney for nearly three years, and though a 
large number of the debtors failed during 
that time, yet in all that period never was 
[ a single dollar lost out of the whole col- 



436 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lection. On the eve of their failures, or 
when they had any fears of faikire, the 
debtors would come privately to the agent, 
and, with the remark, that " Col.Langdon 
had been too good to them to be injured," 
voluntarily placed in his hands the fullest 
securities they had in their power to offer. 
Within one week after such transactions, 
perhaps these debtors would fail ; sheriffs 
would be scouring the country for prop- 
erty, and almost every creditor would 
.suffer loss except Col. Langdon. He, to 
the wonder of all, was always found secure. 
The last characteristic incident of his 
life occurred when he was on his death 
bed. Finding his end drawing near, he 
sent for his attorney, and ordered him to 
make a life lease to an old revolutionary 
soldier of the farm he occupied, but of 
which the Colonel held a mortgage for 
more than its value. This was the last 
business transaction of his life. He died 
Jan. 7, 1831. As he was the idol of the 
people when he lived, so at his death he 
was lamented by more friends in the com- 
munity at large than falls to the lot of but 
few to have numbered among their real 
mourners. 

HON. JEDUTHAN LOOMIS 

was born in Tolland, Conn., Jan. 5, 1779. 
After receiving a fair academical education, 
he studied law with Hon. Oramel Hinck- 
ley, of Thetford, Vt. ; was admitted to the 
bar there, and came to Montpelier and es- 
tablished himself about 1805. 

Mar. II, 1807, he married Hannah, 
daughter of Col. and Judge Oramel Hinck- 
ley, of Thetford, who died suddenly, Dec. 
24, 1813, leaving no issue. Oct. 10, 1814, 
he married Miss Charity Scott, of Peacham, 
who died June 13, 1821, leaving 2 sons, 
Gustavus H., the late Dr. Loomis, and 
Chauncey. Oct. 8, 1822, he married Miss 
Sophia Brigham, of Salem, Mass., who 
died in 1855, leaving Charity, — Mrs. Dana, 
of Woodstock, — now deceased ; Mrs. Jo- 
seph Prentiss, of Winona, Minn., and 
Charles Loomis, Esq., now deceased. 
Judge Loomis died Nov. 12, 1843. 

In 1814, Mr. Loomis was appointed 
Register of Probate for the District of 



Washington, but held the office only one 

year. 

In 1820, he was elected the Judge of 
Probate for this district, and had the un- 
usual honor of receiving ten successive 
elections, the greatest number of elections 
of any other man in this County being five, 
given to the Hon. Salvin Collins. 

From 1807, up to his death, there is 
scarcely a year in which he did not receive, 
and well and faithfully execute, some one 
of the trusts or offices of the town. And 
the last 20 years of his life he was, besides 
being an efficient friend of the common 
schools, always a laboring trustee, often 
the head prudential committee, and always 
the treasurer, and chief pillar of Wash. Co. 
Gram. School. In the latter capacity, for 
which, and for being so long the admitted 
model Judge of Probate of all this part of 
the State, he was mostly known to the 
public abroad. 

There was once extant an old book 
called "The Minute Philosopher." We 
mention the name, because so suggestive 
of the character of Judge Loomis. He 
was a very carefully reasoning man, and 
carried his philosophy into all the minutia 
of business. Any of the little trusts or 
commissions growing out of a town, school 
district, highway district, or neighbor- 
hood or family affairs, which the more am- 
bitious or selfish would disdain to accept, 
or, if they did, only half execute, he would 
cheerfully accept, and always execute with 
the most scrupulous care. Indeed, he 
seemed to consider it his duty to do every- 
thing asked of him, if, in performing it, he 
thought he could benefit his fellow-men 
individually, or the public at large. It 
was so with him in his profession, so in 
the church of which he vvas an officer, and 
it was so everywhere. 

Being a tall, dark-complexioned man, of 
formal manners, with a grave and rather 
austere countenance, he might be taken by 
the unacquainted for a man with few sen- 
sibilities ; but break through the apparent 
atmosphere of repulsion, and approach 
him, and you would find him as affection- 
ate as a brother. 

Being extremely strict in all moral and 



MONTPELIER. 



437 



religious observances, and seemingly rather 
set in his opinions, he might sometimes 
be taken for a bigot ; but get at his real 
views and feelings, and you would find 
him absolutely liberal, and willing to make 
all the allowance for errors which the 
largest charity might demand. 

A man of legal knowledge, ordinary 
good judgment, and of known good mo- 
tives, who is willing to perform the duties 
of every small needful office, as well as 
great one, and who is ever ready to act 
the part of adviser, assistant and friend, 
in adjusting town difficulties and neigh- 
borhood dissensions, is always a great 
blessing to a village community, and such 
was Judge Jeduthan Loom is. More than 
will ever be justly appreciated, probably, 
is Montpelier village indebted to him for 
his untiring and self-sacrificing e.xertions 
to advance her best interests. 

HON. TIMOTHY MERRILL. 

Emphatically a public man, was born in 
Farmington, Conn., Mar. 26, 1781, where, 
having received little more than a common 
school education, when becoming of age, 
he shouldered his pack, and travelled on 
foot to Bennington, Vt., where his older 
brother, Hon. Orsamus C. Merrill, had 
some years before established himself in 
the legal profession. Here he studied law ; 
was admitted to the bar, and commenced 
practice in partnership with the after- 
wards noted Robert Temple, in Rutland. 
But not feeling very well satisfied with his 
situation, dissolved with Temple in less 
than a year, and removed to Montpelier in 
1809, and established himself alone in his 
profession. In 1812, he married Clara, 
daughter of Dr. Fassett, of Bennington. 
They had 5 children — a son who died in 
infancy ; Ferrand F. Merrill, our late well- 
known fellow citizen; Edwin S. Merrill, 
of Winchendon, Mass., formerly post- 
master of Montpelier ; Clara Augusta, who 
died in 1842, and Timothy R. Merrill, our 
present town clerk. 

In 1811-12, Mr. Merrill was the town 
representative of Montpelier. In 181 1, 
was elected the first State's Attorney of 
the new County of Jefferson, and in 181 5 
to the same office, the name of the county 



being now changed to that of Washington, 
which office he held through seven succes- 
sive elections, eight in all ; two more than 
ever received in that office by any other 
man in the county, Dennison Smith hav- 
ing received but si.\. In 181 5, he was 
elected Engrossing Clerk of the General 
Assembly, and received seven successive 
elections to that office. In 1822, he was 
elected Clerk of the House of Representa- 
tives, and received nine successive elec- 
tions to that office. In 183 1, he was 
elected Secretary of State, which office he 
retained till his death, having received in it 
five successive elections. 

In his profession, Mr. Merrill took a 
very fair rank, and was sustained by as 
fair a patronage. But his public employ- 
ments required too much of his time and 
attention to permit him to reach the posi- 
tion in his profession to which his admitted 
talents would have otherwise doubtless 
raised him. He was ever considered, how- 
ever, a safe legal adviser ; and in his ap- 
peals to juries, as well as in his addresses 
to public assemblies, he often warmed up 
into genuine eloquence, the effect of which 
was heightened by one of the most clear- 
toned and melodious voices which it was 
ever the good fortune of a public man to 
possess ; and yet with such a fair profes- 
sional business to bring him money, be- 
sides his receipts from his public offices, 
he died worth bift little property, and what 
added pertinency to the fact, his family 
ever dressed and lived, for their position, 
with great plainness and frugality ; but he 
never charged anything for advice, though 
his office was thronged by those seeking 
it ; being naturally a peace man and very 
conscientious, he would advise three men 
out of lawsuits where he would one into 
them. He never charged for his legal 
services much more than half what was 
usually charged by other lawyers of the 
same standing, and what he did charge he 
would, in any event, often remit a part 
from, and if his client was unsuccessful, be 
quite likely to give in nearly the whole of 
it. 

In person, he was below the medium 
height, but had a fine head, good features 



438 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and a very intelligent and prepossessing 
countenance. He was one of the most 
affectionate of husbands and fathers, one 
of the most agreeable of neighbors, and 
one of the most correct and enlightened of 
citizens — honored be his memory. 

HON. FERRAND F. MERRILL, 

son of Hon. Timothy, of whom, to a most 
singular extent, the public history of the 
father was the history of the son. Like 
the father, and for about the same number 
of years, though at a much younger age, 
the son was Clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives. Like the father, was the son 
at once transferred from the clerkship to 
the office of Secretary of State, to be 
therein retained, we believe, exactly the 
same number of years during which the 
former lived to hold the office. Like the 
father, the son was State's Attorney for 
Washington County, though, through the 
altered rules of rotation, not so long ; and, 
like the father, was the son, for the now 
customary term, the representative of 
Montpelier in the legislature. 

By his education, by his readiness in all 
matters in form, acquired under his fath- 
er's trainings, advantages of personal ap- 
pearance, and great courtesy of manners, 
he was unusually fitted to do well and ap- 
pear well in public life, and was an accom- 
plished and popular officer. In the legis- 
lature he became a prominent member, 
and in the difficult position in which he 
found himself placed, in the keenly con- 
tested question relative to the removal of 
the seat of government from Montpelier, 
he displayed an ability and tact which met 
the full approval of his constituents, and 
which, had he consented to be again a 
candidate, would have ensured him further 
elections. 

In private life he was blameless, in all 
his social relations much esteemed. In 
the furtherance of the interests of religion, 
morals and education, he took a conspic- 
uous part, and, in fine, he began to be 
looked upon as one of the most capable and 
useful of our citizens, when he died of apo- 
plexy. May 2, 1859, in the meridian of his 
usefulness, and when his prospects for pro- 
fessional eminence were the brightest. 



HON. ARAUNAH W^ATERMAN 

was born in Norwich, Conn., Nov. 8, 1778. 
He sprang from good Revolutionary stock, 
his father having been at first a subaltern 
officer, and then commissary, in the con- 
tinental army, and his uncles either officers 
or soldiers. His advantages for education 
were 6 months schooling before the age of 
12. At about 13, he was apprenticed to a 
carpenter of his town, and served till 21, 
working steadily by day, and studying at 
night by the light of pine knots, to make 
up the deficiences of his education. Soon 
after acquiring his trade, was recommend- 
ed as a master mechanic to Gen. Pinkney, 
of South Carolina, who was wishing to 
build somewhat extensively on his several 
large plantations, was accepted, and the 
first year devoted himself to the superin- 
tendency of erecting the various structures 
contemplated, among which was a fine 
summer house on Sullivan's Island, and 
the next year, having by his capacity and 
integrity gained the fullest confidence of 
Gen. Pinkney, who was appointed U. S. 
Minister to England, was made steward 
and chief supervisor over all the General's 
estates. After leaving Gen. Pinkney's em- 
ployment, he returned to Connecticut, but 
in 1801 or 1802, came to Vermont with his 
brothers, the present Judges Joseph and 
Thomas Waterman, and other brothers 
and sisters, and with them settled in 
Johnson. In 1804, he married Rebecca, 
daughter of Oliver Noyes, of Hydepark, 
and sister of the Hon. David P. Noyes, by 
whom he had several children, among 
whom is the Hon. Vernon W. Waterman, of 
Morristown. His wife dying in 181 2, in 
something over a year afterward, he mar- 
ried Mehitable Dodge, of New Boston, 
N. H., now deceased, but long known 
among us as a most estimable woman, by 
whom he had 7 children, two of whom, 
daughters, are still living on the old home- 
stead in Montpelier. After residing in 
Johnson about a dozen years, engaged in 
farming, constructing the machinery re- 
quired about the different mills of that 
brisk village, and particularly by the card- 
ing and clothing works with which he be- 
came connected, he removed to Mont- 



MONTPELIER. 



439 



pelier about the beginning of 1 8 14, and 
purchased the farm and a portion of the 
water privilege, lying on the west bank of 
the North Branch, above and around the 
falls, on the borders of this village. Here, 
besides carrying on his farm , he soon en- 
gaged in erecting, improving and carrying 
on carding and clothing works, and before 
many years, in connection with Seth 
Persons, erected and put in operation the 
comparatively extensive woolen factory, 
which was burned March, 1826, and at the 
burning of which he came near losing his 
life. After this, he mainly employed him- 
self in improving his farm, which, with his 
house, soon brought considerably within 
the village by its gradual extension in that 
direction, he continued to occupy until his 
death, coming, at the age of 80, to close 
his unusually varied, active and laborious 
life, Jan. 31, 1859. 

In 1821, ''22, ''23, '26, Mr, Waterman was 
elected town representative of Montpelier. 
When the new State Senate was estab- 
lished, in 1836, Mr. Waterman was tri- 
umphantly elected as one of the two first 
senators of Washington County, and on the 
following year, as triumphantly re-elected 
to complete the senatorial term, which, in 
what is called the Tzvo Year Rule, had 
been previously adopted. In 1840, he was 
elected by the legislature to the office of 
Judge of the County Court, which office, 
however, being unsought and unexpected 
by him, he declined to accept. As a rep- 
resentative and senator, he never spoke 
for the sake of talking, and never except 
to support some measure which he be- 
lieved calculated for the public good, or to 
subserve some cherished political interest ; 
and then his extensive practical knowledge 
and accurate political information enabled 
him to speak with effect. 

We find Mr. Waterman's name on our 
town records often associated with ,the 
most important of our town offices. But 
he was not much known in these, because, 
doubtless, he was almost constantly in 
higher posts attracting a more general no- 
tice. Being esteemed the best surveyor in 
this section of the country, he was, after 
our old surveyor. Gen. Davis, began to 



retire from the field, much employed on 
difficult surveys of land plots, disputed 
lines, and laying out of new public roads, 
and about 1830, when, on the completion 
of the great canal in New York, the feasi- 
bility of canals across this State began to 
be agitated, he was appointed, under an 
appropriation from the general govern- 
ment, to conduct a survey for a canal from 
Burlington up the valley of the Winooski, 
and over the heights to Wells River, run- 
ning into the Connecticut. This he ac- 
complished, and, in doing it, was the first 
man to ascertain the altitude of Montpel- 
ier above Lake Champlain, and the alti- 
tude of Kettle Pond, on the eastern border 
of Marshfield, the lowest summit level of 
the heights between Montpelier and Con- 
necticut river. And in proof of the accu- 
racy of his survey, as imperfect as were 
his instruments, may be cited the fact, 
that when the surveys of the Central rail- 
road were perfected, it was found that the 
engineers, with their greatly more perfect 
instruments, and their everyway better 
equipments and means, had made the level 
of the top of the dam across the river at 
Montpelier to vary but between 3 and 4 feet 
from the altitude recorded in Mr. Wa- 
terman's survey made a dozen years be- 
fore. 

Mr. Waterman was active in improving 
our common schools, and for many years 
one of the most efficient of the trustees of 
our Academy. And in despite of the mul- 
tiplicity of his cares, found time to keep 
himself posted in matters of general science 
and Hterature. He was probably the most 
reliable geologist in Montpelier. In a 
knowledge of the principles of mechanics 
and their practical applications, he had few 
superiors anywhere. His knowledge of 
history was extensive, and of our national 
politics singularly ample and accurate. 
The late Jonathan Southmayd, 12 years 
preceptor of our Academy, was in the 
habit of often conferring with Mr. Water- 
man in the solution of difficult problems in 
the higher branches of mathematics, me- 
chanics and other sciences, and once re- 
marked, he had never met a man, not ed- 
ucated in a college, who could compare 



440 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



with him in the extent of his general and 
the accuracy of his scientific knowledge. 

As a citizen, man and neighbor, his use- 
fulness and practical benevolence were 
universally admitted, and the assistance 
he was frequently rendering others, through 
their bad returns for the favors conferred, 
kept down to a simple competence what 
would othewise have been a handsome 
property for the inheritance of his family. 

Among those of an active life, a man's 
capacities and character are best accurately 
measured by what he accomplishes. By 
this rule, what Mr. Waterman accomplish- 
ed would place him far above the level of 
ordinary men. In the first place he made 
himself — no common achievement where 
such a man is made, and made under such 
disadvantages ; and then he achieved for 
himself, for his family and for the public, 
all that we have related of him. Let all 
that stand as the simple record of his life. 
What cause have his friends to ask for a 
better monument to his memory? 

HON. CYRUS WARE, 

son of Jonathan Ware, of Wrentham, 
Mass., was born May 8, 1769. His father 
died when he was but 3 years of age, but 
he continued with his family and attended 
the common schools of the place till nearly 
14, when he went to Hartford, Vt., to 
learn the blacksmith's trade, in the shop 
of a Mr. BiUings, who had married his 
sister, and worked faithfully at the trade 
till 2 1 ; and then, with what knowledge he 
had contrived to pick up by reading during 
his apprenticeship, he went to studying 
law with Hon. Charles Marsh, of Wood- 
stock, and after a year or two, went to 
Royalton and completed the prescribed 
course of legal studies with Jacob Smith, 
Esq., and was here admitted to the bar in 
1799, and the same year came to Mont- 
pelier, and opened an ofl5ce in this village. 
His capacities appear to have early attract- 
ed the attention of his townsmen; for 
within about one year after he came into 
town, we find him figuring in town offices, 
in some one of which he was retained until 
the September State election, 1805, when 
he represented Montpelier in the General 
Assembly, and did so acceptably acquit 



himself, his constituents gave him five an- 
nual successive elections, a number never 
exceeded in the case of any Montpelier 
representative, and never equalled except 
in the case of Col. Davis. While still rep- 
resentative, he was in 1808 made chief 
Judge of Caledonia County Court, and re- 
ceived three successive elections, being 
continued in that office until the organiza- 
tion of the new County of Jefferson, which, 
on account of his residence within it, made 
him ineligible to any further elections to 
the bench of Caledonia County. In addi- 
tion, he was annually appointed what is 
called the law and trial justice of the peace 
for the last forty years of his life, doing, 
through a large portion of that period, the 
greater share of the justice business of the 
place, and making its profits the main 
means of his livelihood. 

There can be no doubt Judge Ware, at 
the time he was the Judge of the Caledonia 
County Court and the representative of 
Montpelier, and for many years afterwards, 
was one of the most influential men in the 
State. That his rulings and decisions 
while judge met the approbation of the 
bar and the people, is shown by his being 
annually elected to the bench as long as 
he was eligible, at the instance of the 
people of the county where his judicial 
ministrations were best known. As town 
representative, he secured to his town, by 
his talents and skillful management, the 
location of the seat of government and its 
untold advantages. The late Hon. John 
Mattocks, who was an active participant in 
what was called the "first State House 
struggle," was afterwards heard by more 
than one person to declare, however 
strongly right and policy demanded the 
location of the seat of government here at 
the centre of the State, yet so keen was 
the rivalry for the honor by the older vil- 
lages of the State, it would never have 
been conferred on Montpelier, but for the 
unwearied exertions and exceedingly skill- 
ful management of its representative, Judge 
Ware. 

For the last twenty years of his life, 
through improvidence in his affairs and the 
growing expenses of a large family, but 



MONTPELIER. 



441 



not through personal vices, he appears to 
have sunk into comparative poverty, and 
into the public neglect that too often ac- 
companies it. But even in his lowest state 
of poverty, he was the philosopher. 

" I hope you don't call fiie poor," he 
would say to those who attempted to com- 
miserate him. " I consider it settled that 
a white child is worth two negro children, 
which are held at $500 apiece, and as fast 
as I had children born, I put them down 
on my inventory at $1,000 each, till my 
estate reached the handsome amount ot 
$6,000, and, thank Heaven, I have the 
same property yet on hand." 

In structure of mind, thought, words and 
ways. Judge Ware was probably the most 
perfectly original character we ever had in 
Montpelier. And his shrewd observations 
and quaint and witty sayings were, in his 
day, more quoted than those of any other 
man in all this section of the country. 
Clear, discriminating and patient in in- 
vestigating all important cases, which he 
conducted by a silent process of mind, yet 
the result was generally made known in 
terms and phrases which nobody else would 
think of using. His brain was singularly 
creative, and it seemed to be his greatest 
recreation to indulge in its half-serious, 
half-sportive frolics. We have it from a 
lady of this village, when a small girl, she 
and her mate used to resort to his house 
night after night, to hear him improvise an 
original novel, which, for their gratifica- 
tion, he would begin one evening, take up 
the ne.xt where he left it, and so carry it 
on, in good keeping, through a succession 
of hearings, till it was finished, making 
probably a more instructive and amusing 
tale than many that have been published. 

Judge Ware married Patty, daughter of 
Gardner Wheeler, Esq., of Barre, May 26, 
1803, who survived him. They had 6 
children — Gardner W., deceased; Patty 
Militiah, wife of Samuel Caldwell, of St. 
Johns, Canada East; Cyrus Leonard, of 
the vicinity of New York ; Henry, of Ohio ; 
George, of parts unknown ; Mary, wife of 
Joel Foster, Jr., and Louisa. 

Judge Ware died at Montpelier, Feb. 17, 
1849, aged nearly 80. 

56 



CAPTAIN TIMOTHY HUBBARD. 

To be numbered with those who, by 
their business capacities and energy of 
character, contributed most to the wealth 
and prosperity of Montpelier, were three 
brothers, Timothy, Roger and Chester 
Hubbard, who came here before or about 
the beginning of the present century. 
They were all enterprising, clear headed 
men, and, while they remained in trade, 
successful merchants, especially Chester 
Hubbard, who confined himself exclusively 
to trade, and died in 1832, leaving, though 
then only in middle life, a very handsome 
property. As the elder more particularly 
identified himself with the public offices 
and institutions of the town, and more 
largely attracted public attention, we have 
selected him as their representative. 

Timothy Hubbard was born near the 
city of Hartford, Conn., Aug. 17, 1776, 
lived with his father and worked on a farm 
till 21, getting all the education he ever 
had at the common school. After contin- 
uing to work on his father's farm, on stipu- 
lated wages, probably, about 4 years after 
he was of age, he came, in 1799, to Mont- 
pelier, established himself in trade with 
Wyllis I» Cadwell, Esq., a connection of 
the Lymans of Hartford, Conn, and Hart- 
ford, Vt. In 1801, he married Lucy, the 
third daughter of Colonel Jacob Davis, a 
very estimable woman. In 1803, he dis- 
solved his connection with Mr. Cadwell, 
and went into partnership in trade with 
his brother-in-law, the Hon. David Wing. 
After the death of Judge Wing, in 1806, 
he associated with him his brother, Roger 
Hubbard, till about 181 6, when he ceased 
to be any further engaged in mercantile 
affairs, and employed himself in supervis- 
ing the cultivation of his different valuable 
farms in Berlin, and particularly the one 
on the borders of Montpelier Village, 
which he soon made his homestead for 
the remainder of his life. 

In 1 8 10, he was elected Captain of the 
fine military company, called the Gover- 
nor's Guards, of which Isaac Putnam was 
the first captain; and though he was 
taken almost from the ranks, he soon 
showed himself to be one of the best mili. 



442 



♦VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tary officers that ever paraded a company 
in the streets of Montpelier ; and when 
the news of the invasion of Plattsburgh, 
in September, 1814, reached Montpelier, 
he sallied, cane in hand, into the streets, 
summoned a drummer and fifer to his side, 
and with them marched the streets all day, 
beating up volunteers, to start for the 
scene of action, and before night, he had 
enlisted three-fourths of his fellow citizens, 
who chose him Captain by acclamation. 
Being now at the head of perhaps the 
largest and best company of all the Ver- 
mont Plattsburgh volunteers, with the 
staunch Joseph Howes for his second in 
command, he gave his orders for the next 
day ; and at an early hour, the next morn- 
ing, they were all seen pouring along, in 
hot haste, for the seat of war, by night 
were in Burlington, the next day embark- 
ing on sloops, crowding all sail for Platts- 
burgh, but did not arrive in season to take 
their place in the line of battle. 

Captain Hubbard was often chosen to fill 
town offices, especially if there happened to 
be pending any financial difficulty, growing- 
out of conflicting interests, which others 
were unwilling to touch, which he always 
straightened without fear or favor to clique 
or party ; often at the expense of another 
election, though when another such diffi- 
culty occurred they were all for calling him 
back again ; when in his singularly frank, 
independent way, he would give them to 
understand, it was all the same with him, 
whether they elected him or not, but if 
they did, they might depend on it, he 
should not fear to do his duty. And there 
can be little doubt, had he kept down this 
marked trait of character, or played even 
a little of the demagogue, we should have 
seen him in higher civil offices. 

Captain Hubbard was sometimes harsh 
in rebuking the faults of others, or in de- 
fending himself, when he unexpectedly 
met opposition in the path of what he con- 
sidered his right and duty ; but he seemed 
to give no lasting oifense ; for the oftended 
knew as soon as he found himself in the 
wrong, he would be the first to rectify it. 
He was liberal to the poor and all educa- 
tional, religious and benevolent objects. 



When, in what had been called the Barre 
street school district, was built a new school 
house, some twenty years ago, [now some 
forty,] the Captain bought and caused to be 
hung in the cupola of this school building, 
a valuable new bell. And the district 
thereupon, at a regular meeting, unani- 
mously voted that their school house should 
thereafter be called ' ' Hubbard Street School 
House,''^ and the street on which it stood 
be changed from Barre Street to Hitbbard 
Street. And this is still the only name 
that can be legitimately applied to it. 

Captain Hubbard's business and finan- 
cial talents, and trustworthiness for all, 
not excepting even the most important 
posts, were widely admitted in his day, 
and can hereafter always be made to ap- 
pear on public records, the records of the 
numerous estates, of which he was the effi- 
cient administrator, and the records of the 
Bank of Montpelier which, for years, he 
skilfully managed in the capacity of its 
president. 

About the age of fifty he reached a point 
which few wealthy men ever reach, the 
point when he thought he had property 
enough, and that he had better be bestow- 
ing it where it would do the most good. 
Accordingly he began giving i.t to the most 
needy of the numerous circle of his rela- 
tives, and continued 'the good work, till a 
full third of his estate had been bestowed 
on them. His first wife dying in 1839, '""^ 
married Anner May, who survived him. 
He died Oct. 28, 1850. He has no de- 
scendants. 

GENERAL EZEKIEL P. WALTON. 

In the incipient stages of the growth of 
every country village there are nearly always 
two different personages who occupy the 
largest space in the thoughts of the people 
— the Minister and the Editor. And in 
proportion as these are faithful, intelligent 
and able, so, to an almost unappreciable 
extent, will be its moral, social and intel- 
lectual advancement. It was the good for- 
tune of Montpelier, for the first twenty 
years after the place could fairly lay claim 
to the dignity of a village, to have the 
right kind of a man for her Minister, and 




f/"^^:^ 



MONTPELIER. 



443 



the right kind of a man for an Editor, in 
the persons of Chester Wright and Ezekiel 
P. Walton. 

Ezekiel Parker Walton was born in 
the year 1789, in Canterbury, N. H., in 
which town his father, George Walton, 
formerly resided, but frofn which he at 
length removed to Peacham, Vt. There 
was a good academy at Peacham, and 
young Walton, previous to reaching the 
age of fifteen, attended it a few terms, 
studying the ordinary English branches, 
and completing all the school education he 
ever received. 

There was, at this time, a small newspa- 
per, of Federal politics, published at Peach- 
am by Mr. Samuel Goss, a practical print- 
er and Editor of his own paper, which was 
called the Greeti Mo2iiitain Patriot. Into 
this establishment the boy Walton often 
found his way, and at length began to feel so 
much interest in the business he saw going 
on that he offered himself as an apprentice 
to the trade ; and Mr. Goss, as he has re- 
cently told us, so liked the looks of the 
bright little fellow that he concluded to 
take him in that capacity, and in despite of 
the opinions of others, who believed that 
little could ever be made of him. As Mr. 
Goss had predicted, however, the boy 
turned out a well behaved, faithful appren- 
tice, and made good proficiency in his 
trade. After serving three years at his 
trade in Peacham, he came, in 1807, to 
Montpelier, with Mr. Goss, who bought 
out the Vei'mont Prentrsor, a paper estab- 
lished here the year previous by Rev. Clark 
Brown, and changed the name to that of 
the Vermont Watchman. Here he served 
out the remainder of his apprenticeship, 
which expired in 18 10; when, being of le- 
gal age, he, in company with Mark Goss, 
a fellow apprentice in the office, bought 
out Mr. Samuel Goss ; and the paper was 
then, for the next half dozen years, con- 
ducted by the firm of Walton & Goss, Mr. 
Walton discharging the chief duties of ed- 
itor. In 1 8 16, Mr. Mark Goss went out 
of the establishment, and Mr. Walton be- 
came its sole proprietor and editor, and so 
continued nearly twenty years ; when, as 
his sons became of age, he took them into 



partnership, and the business, to which 
book-selling and paper-making were at 
length added, was conducted in the name 
of E. P. Walton & Sons until 1853, during 
which he wholly gave up the proprietor- 
ship of the newspaper to his oldest son, 
the present Hon. Eliakim Persons Walton. 
Though the editorship had been entrusted 
to this son for many years previous to 
1853, General Walton continued to assist 
in editing and writing for certain depart- 
ments of the paper, even into the last year 
of his life. 

At an early period he passed rapidly 
along the line of military promotion till he 
reached the rank of Major General, when 
he threw these kinds of honors aside and 
thought no more of them. Mr. Walton 
was never an office seeker, nor was oiifice, 
as much as was due to him as a man and 
a politician, nor half as much as was due 
to him from his party, ever bestowed 
on him. He was, however, several times 
the candidate of his party for town Repre- 
sentative, but never when that party hap- 
pened to be in the majority. In 1827, he 
was elected one of the Council of Censors, 
and served with credit to himself and elec- 
tors, among a board of the most distin- 
guished men in the State, Judges B. 
Turner, D. Kellogg and S. S. Phelps be- 
ing included among the number. In the 
Presidential election of 1852, he was elect- 
ed one of the Electoral College for Ver- 
mont, when the vote of the State was 
thrown for General Scott. In 1854, he 
was nominated as candidate for the office 
of Governor of Vermont by a large mass 
State Convention, and could the people 
have had their way, would have been tri- 
umphantly elected. 

But out of an ardent desire to consoli- 
date the political sentiments of the people 
in one controlling organization, as well as 
out of high personal regard for the ven- 
erable Chief Justice, Stephen Royce, who 
had been previously named for the execu- 
tive chair by a Convention of the Whig 
party. General Walton cheerfully yielded 
his place on the ticket. The name of Judge 
Royce was substituted by the State Com- 
mittee, and he was heartily supported by 



444 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the people ; and thus was organized the 
present Republican party of the State. 
For that organization a large measure of 
credit is due to Gen. Walton. 

We have named the circumstances con- 
nected with Mr. Walton's nomination to 
the office of .governor, for the double pur- 
pose of showing the remarkable lack of 
even well-warranted assumptions in the 
man, and his patriotic readiness to submit 
to any personal sacrifice which he was led 
to suppose public good required him to 
make, as well as of showing how his party, 
while so generally admitting his qualifica- 
tions for office, and the merit of his ser- 
vices in their behalf, so strangely over- 
looked him, when they so often had the 
power to reward and honor him. That he 
was ever honorable and just in his treat- 
ment towards his political opponents, the 
writer of this sketch, who was for many 
years one of them, can, and here does, 
most cheerfully attest ; and the late Araunah 
Waterman, who was ever a staunch political 
opponent, was often heard frankly to admit 
that "General Walton was both an honor- 
able man and an honest politician." That 
he, in his long, persistent, judicious and 
able editorial labors, was eminently instru- 
mental in establishing the ascendency of 
his party and keeping it in power, is a fact 
too well known to be questioned. Prob- 
ably, indeed, that man has never lived in 
Vermont who did so much toward build- 
ing up the old Whig party of the State, 
and its successor, the Republican party, 
which he lived to see become, from the 
minority in which he found it, one of the 
most overwhelming majorities ever re- 
corded in the history of party warfare. 
But while it was his lot to do so, and see 
all this, it was his lot also to be often com- 
pelled, like many another political editor, 
"to make brick without straw," or, in 
other words, manufacture great men out of 
small patterns, who, when made, carried 
their heads so high as generally to entirely 
overlook their political creator. 

Mr. Walton's style of writing was, for 
his advantages, unusually correct, and un- 
usually well calculated for enforcing his 
sentiments and enlisting the sympathy of 



his readers. During the first years of his 
residence in Montpelier, he, in company 
with other young aspirants of the village, 
got up an associadon for mutual improve- 
ment in knowledge and literature, called 
the " Franklin Society." In this society, 
in which theme writing was a leading ex- 
ercise, he probably made much progress in 
forming his style, which was evidently 
modelled on that of Dr. Franklin, so gen- 
erally the great oracle of the printer boy. 
The bon homtfie of "Poor Richard," how- 
ever, can never be successfully imitated by 
a man without a good heart. But Mr. 
Walton had that heart, and. through the 
force of finely-blended, emotional and in- 
tellectual qualities of his heart, he grad- 
ually formed a style of his own, which, 
with the vein of good common sense that 
pervaded it, gave him rank with the most 
pleasing and instructive of our editorial 
writers. As before intimated, he continued 
to write for his old paper to the last, and 
in so doing, besides his instructive articles 
on farming and domestic economy, he 
wrote and pubhshed in the li'atc/i/naii,th.& 
year before his death, sixteen numbers on 
the events of the Olden Times in the Valley 
of the Winooski, over the signature of 
Oliver Old-School, which deserve to be re- 
published in pamphlet, for public reading 
and preservation. 

In the political world. Gen. Walton was 
ever a person to be consulted ; among men 
he was always a man ; in the church an 
influential officer ; in the social circle a 
dignified, but a very courteous and kindly 
companion, and in his family an exemplary 
husband and father. His integrity, whether 
in business or politics, appears never to 
have been doubted, by either friend or foe ; 
his general intellectual capacity was al- 
ways conceded, and his frank and generous 
disposition known to the utmost limits of 
his extensive personal acquaintance. 

Apr. 28, 181 1, Mr. Walton married Miss 
Prussia, daughter of Eliakim D. Persons, 
of Montpelier, by whom he had 8 children 
— Eliakim P., 6 years in Congress ; Harriet 
Newell, wife of Hon. H. R. Wing, a 
lawyer of standing at Glen's Falls, N. Y. ; 
George Parker, a very promising young 






M:<^//tc. V/^^/to^ , 



MONTPELIER. 



445 



man, who died at the age of about 24 
years, at New Orleans ; Nathaniel Porter, 
for some years the accountant of the firm 
of E. P. Walton & Sons; Chauncey, now 
deceased; Samuel M., the book-binder in 
Montpelier ; Ezekiel Dodge, who died at 
the age of about 25 years, at Philadelphia : 
and Mary, wife of George Dewey, a mer- 
chant of New York city. 

In his religious character, Mr. Walton 
was an earnest, frank, sincere Christian, 
always warm and generous in the utter- 
ance and support of his principles. He 
combined the wisdom of the serpent, the 
boldness of the lion and the harmlessness 
of the dove, in his whole Christian course ; 
was a devoted member and an honorable 
office bearer in the Congregational church 
for many years. His piety irradiated his 
household, his secular cares and his place 
of business. Everywhere, at all times, he 
was the admirable type of a Christian gen- 
tleman. In the Conference, in the Sabbath- 
school, in the support of charitable and 
religious institutions, none smpassed and 
few equalled him. The young men in his 
office felt his influence very strongly. Of 
the many who graduated from his office, 
and came to fill afterwards, with honor, 
public stations in the councils of the State 
and in the halls of Congress, and in the 
courts of justice, twelve have been mem- 
bers of churches, and two have become 
useful and respected ministers of the Gospel. 
And none could bear higher testimony to 
the invariable and elevated religious char- 
acter of Mr. Walton than they. 

Gen. Walton died Nov. 27, 1855, leav- 
ing, as might be expected from one of his 
liberal views, not much property, indeed, 
but that " good name " which is better than 
riches. 

MRS. PRUSSIA PERSONS WALTON, 

widow of the late Gen. Ezekiel P.Walton, 
daughter of Eliakim D. Persons, died at 
her home Saturday, June 22, 1878, aged 86 ; 
the oldest resident at her death in the 
town ot Montpelier. The IVatc/uiian ?,?Lys, : 
The long life of this " elect lady," though 
filled with unusual cares and responsibili- 
ties, was nevertheless rendered beautiful 
by her naturally exuberant spirits, her 



tender regard for all her fellow-beings, and 
her unfaltering trust in Him in whom she 
believed. Her kindly heart and her dili- 
gent hands were busy to the last in works 
of charity and mercy, and few are the 
dwellings among us but contain some 
dainty token of affection wrought by her 
deft fingers. The blessing of the whole 
community rested upon her as she ex- 
changed the imperfect joys of earth for the 
perfect bliss of Heaven. 

DR. JAMES SPALDING, 

who for 40 years was a successful prac- 
ticing physician of Montpelier village and 
vicinity, died at his residence, October, 
1866. The following accurate sketch and 
deserved tribute to his memory appeared 
in the Boston Medical and Surgical Jour- 
nal : [somewhat condensed.] 

"Dr. Spalding was born in Sharon, Vt., 
Mar. 20, 1792. His father, Dea. Reuben 
Spalding, was one of the earliest settlers 
in the State, whose life was not more re- 
markable for his toils, privations and 
energy, as a pioneer in a new country, 
than for his unbending integrity, and for 
the best qualities of the Old New England 
Puritanism. James was the third son of 
12 children, all of whom reached maturity 
and were settled in life with families. At 
the age of seven he received a small wound 
in the knee joint, which confined him for 
more than 6 months, attended with ex- 
treme suffering. By the skill of Dr. 
Nathan Smith, of Hanover, the limb was 
at length healed, leaving the knee par- 
tially anchylosed, however, to recover from 
which required years. While thus con- 
fined, probably from estimation of Dr. 
Smith, which estimation was retained 
through life, he decided to be a physician 
and surgeon. He never attended a high 
school or academy, but he acquired a good 
common school education, besides storing 
his mind with much general knowledge 
and that mental discipline which so highly 
distinguished him in after life. He com- 
menced study at the age of 17 with Dr. 
Eber Carpenter, of Alstead, N. H., stip- 
ulating the expenses of his education should 
be defrayed by his practicing one year with 
the Doctor after he had graduated. He 
applied himself with uncommon assiduity 



446 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to his medical studies, taking, at the same 
time, private lessons in Greek and Latin. 
At 20 years he graduated at the Dartmouth 
Medical Institution, having heard the lec- 
tures from Smith and Perkins. 

While a student, his opportunities for 
practice were very extensive ; the spotted 
fever prevailed generally throughout New 
England. This epidemic was truly appal- 
ling in Alsteadand the neighl^oring towns. 
Dr. Spalding brought his discriminating 
mind to the subject with all the close ob- 
servation of a veteran in the science, and 
arrived at the same conclusions as to its 
pathology and treatment as others who 
stood the most eminent in the profession. 
His position was very embarrassing, being 
called the " boy physician," havingtomeet 
veterans in the profession for whom he 
entertained an exalted opinion. Modesty 
would hardly permit him to differ from 
them, yet he had so studied this epidemic, 
in most cases his views and treatment were, 
adopted. 

After practicing 2 years in Alstead with 
Dr. Carpenter, he commenced business in 
Claremont, but having friends in Mont- 
pelier, was induced to remove to this place. 
Though but a boy, he had seen much 
practice, and performed many surgical op- 
erations, and it required but a short time 
for him to gain general confidence as a 
physician, and more especially as a sur- 
geon, which he retained without abatement 
through life. His fixed purpose was im- 
provement in his profession ; he never en- 
gaged in any other business or sought any 
political preferment. Others may have 
done more under other circumstances, yet 
by his example, integrity, industry, com- 
munications for the medical journals, and 
dissertations before the County and State 
Medical Societies, from time to time, it may 
be said, he added something to the gen- 
eral stock of knowledge in his profession, 
and that as a surgeon he was successful 
above most others. His particular trait of 
mind was a sound judgment, based upon a 
careful, discriminating examination of all 
the evidence which gave in each individual 
case its peculiar characteristic. Well in- 
formed in books and the general principles 



of his profession, having an e.xtensive in- 
tercourse with his medical brethren, he 
was well prepared to impart to others the 
results of his extensive experience. He 
was an original thinker, not only in his 
medical and surgical practice, but in other 
departments. It was a maxim with him 
that there should be no guess-work in his 
profession, more especially in surgery. In 
consultations, due respect was paid to the 
opinions of his professional brethren, but 
still he would suffer his judgment to be in- 
fluenced only as the evidence in the case 
affected his own mind, never evading re- 
sponsibility, and always governed by his 
own independent conclusions, and for this 
reason he was much sought for in con- 
sultations. He retained through life the 
confidence and respect of his professional 
brethren, and while differing from others 
in his diagnosis and treatment of disease, 
he succeeded in leaving the coiifidence of 
patient and friends in the attending physi- 
cian unabated, discharging his duty to his 
patients without injury to the feelings or 
reputation of any one. It being the settled 
maxim of his life, that strict integrity is the 
true and only policy which should govern 
every man who desires his own interest or 
that of others, he never sought to appro- 
priate to himself what justly belonged to 
them. 

For more than 40 years he was an active 
member of the Vermont State Medical 
Society, and, through it, labored to ad- 
vance the best interests of the profession 
he so much loved, and became acquainted 
with most of the distinguished physicians 
of the State, among whom he had many 
personal friends. In 1819, he was elected 
secretary, which office he held for over 20 
years. In 1842, he was chairman of a 
committee to draft a petition for a geolog- 
ical survey of the State. He was vice 
president of the Medical Society in 1843, 
treasurer in 1844, chairman of the com- 
mittee on the History of the Society in 
1845. He read a thesis in 1846, "On Na- 
ture as manifested in Disease and Health," 
which was highly commended. He was 
elected president in 1846, '7, '8, and de- 
livered a dissertation on "Typhus Fever" 



MONTPELIER. 



447 



in 1848, which was published by a vote of 
the society. He was elected a correspond- 
ing secretary in 1850, and librarian in 
1854, which office he held until his death. 
He was also a member of the Board of 
Fellows of the Vermont Academy of Med- 
icine, besides holding many offices con- 
nected with science, literature, temper- 
ance, etc. But few men in the country 
have seen such an amount of disease and 
so carefully observed the peculiarities of 
the various epidemics occurring for nearly 
half a century ; and it is to be regretted 
that so little is left on record of his exten- 
sive observations and experience both as a 
physician and surgeon. In private life he 
was a man of much amenity of manners, of 
great worth and purity of character, en- 
larged benevolence and of high-minded 
purposes in all that goes to make the en- 
lightened Christian and good citizen. 

In 1820, he married Miss Eliza Reed, of 
Montpelier. They raised 6 children — 
James R., an editor in the city of New 
York; William C, a distinguished physi- 
cian of Watertown, Wis. ; Martha E., died 
at 18 ; Jane, who married Dr. Warner of 
Weathersfield, Conn. ; George B., a cler- 
gyman and Doctor of Divinity, of Dover, 
N. H., and editor of the New Hatnpshire 
Journal; and Isabella, wife of Mr. Louns- 
bury, of Hartford, Ct. 

Mrs. Spalding, a woman of many vir- 
tues, died in 1854, and about 2 years after, 
Dr. Spalding married Mrs. Dodd, a daugh- 
ter of the late Wyllys Lyman, of Hartford, 
Vt., who died in 1857. 

HON. SAMUEL PRENTISS 

was born in Stonington, Ct., Mar. 31, 
1782 ; his family, of a pure English and 
Puritan stock, are traceable as far back 
as 13 1 8, through official records which 
show the reputable positions occupied by 
branches of the family, till they came to 
New England, where the lineage at once 
took stock among the best in the colonies. 
In direct descent he was the 6th from his 
first American, but English-born, ancestor, 
Capt. Thomas Prentiss, born in England 
about 1620, became a resident of Newton, 
Mass., 1752, was a noted cavalry officer in 
the King PhiHp war, and died 1710, leav- 



ing Thomas Prentiss, Jr., father of Samuel 
Prentiss, ist, father of Samuel, 2d, who 
was a colonel in the Revolutionary Army, 
and father of Samuel, 3d, a physician and 
surgeon in the army, and the father of 
Judge Samuel Prentiss, of Montpelier. 
The whole stock of the Prentiss family 
was good, but this branch was particularly 
so, both physically and intellectually. 
Col. Prentiss, of Revolutionary memory, 6 
feet high, weighing over 200 pounds, with- 
out corpulency, was one of the best built, 
most muscular men of the times ; and the 
different members of the family descend- 
ing from him, for the last two or three gen- 
erations, of which those now living have 
been cognizant, will be remembered to 
have been, with a rare uniformity, well- 
formed, shapely and good-looking, possess- 
ing an unusual intellectual capacity and 
power. 

When Samuel was about a year old, he 
removed with his family from Stonington, 
Ct.. to Worcester, Mass., and from thence 
in about 3 years to Northfield, Mass., 
where his father. Dr. Prentiss, continued 
the successful practice of his profession in 
1818, the son being kept in his earlier 
boyhood at the common schools, and 
while yet young, put into classical studies 
with the Rev. Samuel C. Allen, minister 
of the town, and at about 19, entered as a 
law student in the office of Samuel Vose, 
Esq., of the same town. He did not 
complete the course of legal studies there, 
but with that object, passed over into the 
neighboring village of Brattleboro, and 
entered the office of John W. Blake, Esq., 
from whence, Dec. 1802, he wasadmitted to 
the bar several months before his majority. 

In view of what Mr. Prentiss afterward 
became, all will understand he studied the 
elementary principles of the law before his 
admission to the Bar ; but few, perhaps, 
are aware how close and extensive in the 
meantime had been his study of the great 
masters of English literature, how careful 
the cultivation of his taste, and how much 
his proficiency in the formation of that 
style, which subsequently so peculiarly 
stamped all his mental efforts, whether of 
writing or speaking, with unvarying strength 



448 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and neatness of expression. We recollect 
of having once met with a series of literary 
miscellany written by him, probably when 
he was a law student, published first in a 
newspaper in consecutive numbers, and 
afterwards republished by some one in 
pamphlet form, which were all alike marked 
by neatness of style and beauty of senti- 
ment, and which, though only intended, 
doubtless, for mere off-hand sketches, 
would have favorably compared with our 
best magazine literature. 

Early in the year 1803, he came into 
this part of the State, and opened an office 
in the new, but promising village of Mont- 
peHer, which was to be everafter his home, 
and the central point of the field of the 
splendid professional success which he was 
destined to achieve. 

His legal attainments, the genius he dis- 
played in developing them, the skill he 
manifested in the management of his 
cases, and his peculiarly smooth and happy 
manner as a speaker, appear almost im- 
mediately, after he commenced practice 
here, to have attracted attention, and given 
him a distinguished place in the estimation 
of all the people of the surrounding coun- 
try as a young man of unusual promise. 
But he knew better than to repose on 
laurels of this kind ; that not to advance in 
his profession, was virtually to recede ; 
that he could make no real progress with- 
out exploring the great field of jurispru- 
dence, within whose portals he had only 
just entered ; in other words, not without 
devoting himself to study, careful, close 
and unremitting ; and commenced a course, 
which, passing beyond the applications of 
all his own special ca.ses, was as extended 
as the principles of the law itself, when re- 
garded no less as a science than a system 
of technicalities, and this course for the 
next twenty years, while all the time in 
active employ as a practitioner, he pur- 
sued with an assiduity and perseverance 
rarely ever witnessed among lawyers who, 
like him, have already reached the higher 
ranks of their profession. 

Such a course of legal research, con- 
ducted by a mind of the discrimination 
and power of analysis, which characterized 



that of Mr. Prentiss, could not long re- 
main unattended by fruits. We find the 
legislature of his State, as early as 1822, 
proffering him, with singular unanimity, a 
seat as one of the associate justices on the 
bench of the Supreme Court, which honor 
he declined, but in 1824 and '25, consent- 
ed to serve his town as their representative 
in the General Assembly, and having been 
triumphantly elected, soon gave unmis- 
takable earnest of those abilities as a leg- 
islator and a statesman, which were after- 
wards so conspicuously displayed in the 
broader field of the council chamber of the 
nation. At the session of the legislature of 
1825, he was elected first associate justice 
of the Supreme Court so unanimously, and 
with so many private solicitations for his 
acceptance, he did not longer decline a 
membership in our State tribunal, and 
went upon the bench, where so scrupulously 
and ably he executed the duties of his post 
the next 4 years, that by almost common 
consent he was elected in 1829, Chief Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and 
in 1830, a member of the United States' 
Senate, and- was re-elected in 1836 a 
second term to the Senate, and before his 
term of service had quite expired was nom- 
inated by the President, and without the 
usual reference of his case to a committee, 
unanimously confirmed, as the Judge of 
United States' District Court of this State, 
in place of Hon. Elijah Paine, then just 
deceased. This quiet, though highly re- 
sponsible office, whose duties were to be 
discharged so near home, he, in his de- 
clining health, preferred to a seat on the 
bench of the Supreme Court of the United 
States, which it was more than intimated 
from high quarters he might soon obtain. 
He therefore accepted the post, which he 
continued to hold till his death, Jan. 15, 
1857. 

Such was the brilliant official career of 
the Hon. Samuel Prentiss for the last 34 
years of his life ; he never passed an hour 
without bearing the responsibilities of some 
important public trust, and was never re- 
moved from one except to be promoted to 
a higher one, till he had reached the high- 
est but one within the gift of the American 



MONTPELIER. 



449 



people ; and as a senator, he won an en- 
viable and enduring reputation in a body 
embracing almost all the intellectual giants 
in that highest period of American states- 
manship. Among the beneficent meas- 
ures, of which he was the originator and 
successful advocate, was the law, still in 
force, for the suppression of duelling in 
the District of Columbia. His speeches in 
support ot that measure have taken rank 
among the best specimens of senatorial el- 
oquence. His speech against the bank- 
rupt law of 1840 was pronounced by John 
C. Calhoun to have been the clearest and 
most unanswerable of any, on a debatable 
question, which he had heard for years. 
His stand on this occasion attracted the 
more public notice, from the fact that he 
had the independence to contest the pas- 
sage of the bill, in opposition, with only 
one exception, to the whole body of his 
party. And there can be but little doubt 
that his argument, which was felt to stand 
still unanswered, had much to do with the 
repeal of that unfortunate law, a few years 
afterwards. 

Judge Prentiss was obviously held in the 
highest estimation in the Senate, alike for 
the purity and worth of his private, and 
the rare ability of his senatorial character. 
His equal and confidential relations with 
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster were at 
that day well known ; while his sterling 
talents and civic virtues were admitted and 
admired by all, who, as we were often told 
at the time, cheerfully joined his more 
particular associates in conceding him to 
be the best lawyer in the Senate. 

It is in his character as a jurist, however, 
that Mr. Prentiss will be longest remem- 
bered. It is, perhaps, sufficient praise for 
him to say, that not one of that series of 
able and lucid decisions, which he had 
made while on the bench of our Supreme 
Court, has ever been overruled by any suc- 
ceeding tribunal in this State, nor, as far 
as we are apprized, by that of any other, 
though those decisions are, to this time, 
being frequently quoted in the courts of 
probably nearly every State in the Union. 
With the legal profession, facts of this kind 
involve probably the best evidence of high 



judicial accomplishment which could pos- 
sibly be adduced. With those out of that 
profession, the opinions of other great and 
learned men respecting the one in ques- 
tion, might be, perhaps, more palpably 
conclusive. And to meet the understand- 
ings of both these classes, therefore, we 
will close our remarks on this part of our 
subject by mentioning a curious legal co- 
incidence, which, while it involved an.im- 
portant decision, was the means of draw- 
ing forth a high compliment from the lips 
of one of the most distinguished of all our 
American jurists : 

Some time during Judge Prentiss' Chief 
Justiceship of this State, Sir Charles Bell, 
of the Common Bench of England, made, 
in an important case, a decision whicnwas 
wholly new law in that country ; and it was 
afterwards discovered, when the reports of 
the year, on both sides of the water, were 
published, that Judge Prentiss had, not 
only in the same year, but in the same 
week or fortnight, made, in one oi our im- 
portant suits, precisely the same decision, 
which was also then new law here, arriving 
at his conclusion by a process strikingly 
similar to that of the English justice. 
This remarkable coincidence, involving 
the origin of then new, but now well- 
established points of law, and involving, 
at the same time, an inference so flattering 
to our Chief Justice, at once attracted the 
notice of the celebrated Chancellor Kent, 
of New York, who, soon after, falling in 
company with several of our most noted 
Vermonters, cited this singular instance in 
compliment to the Vermont Chief Justice, 
and after remarking that there was no 
possibility that either the American or 
English justice could be apprised of the 
other's views on the point in question, 
wound up by the voluntary tribute : 

"Judge Story, the only man to be 
thought of in the comparison, is certainly 
a very learned and able man ; but I cannot 
help regarding Judge Prentiss as the best 
jurist in New England." 

Perhaps there is nothing about which 
there is more misconception among men 
generally than in what constitutes a really 
great intellect. Most people are prone to 



57 



45° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



be looking for some bold and startling 
thoughts, or some brilliant or learned dis- 
play of language, in a man, to make good 
in him their preconceived notions of in- 
tellectual greatness. And should they see 
him take up a subject in a simple, natural 
manner, analyze it, reject all the fictitious, 
retain all the real, arrange the elements, 
and, thus clearly proceeding, at length 
reach the only just and safe conclusion of 
which the case admits, they would, per- 
haps, feel a sort of disappointment in not 
having seen any of the imposing mental 
machinery brought into play, which they 
supposed would be required to produce the 
result. Demagogues might indeed make 
use of such machinery, but a truly great 
man, never. For it is that very simplicity 
and clearness of mental operations which 
can only make an intellect efficient, safe 
and great. Grasp of thought, penetration 
and power of analysis, are the expressions 
generally used in describing a mind of the 
character of that of Judge Prentiss. But 
they hardly bring us to a realization of the 
extremely simple and natural intellectual 
process, through which he moved on, self- 
poised, step by step, with so much ease 
and certainty to the impregnable legal po- 
sitions where he was content only to rest. 
And to have fully realized this, we should 
have listened to one of his plain but lu- 
minous decisions, on a case before sup- 
posed to be involved in almost insuperable 
doubts and perplexities — perceived how, 
at first, he carefully gathered up all that 
could have any bearing on the subject in 
hand ; how he then began to scatter light 
upon the seemingly dark and tangled mass ; 
and then, how, segregating all the irrele- 
vant and extraneous, and assorting the 
rest, he conducted our minds to what at 
length we could not fail to see to be the 
truth and reality of the case. That Judge 
Prentiss possessed, besides his profound 
knowledge of the law as a science, a finely- 
balanced and superior intellect is unques- 
tionable ; and that it became so, in the ex- 
ercise of those peculiar traits we have been 
attempting to describe, need, it appears to 
us, to be scarcely less doubted. 



In person, Judge Prentiss was nearly 6 
feet high, well-formed, with an unusually 
expansive forehead, shapely features and a 
clear and pleasant countenance, all made 
the more imposing and agreeable by the 
affable and courtly bearing of the old school 
gentleman. 

In his domestic system, he was a rigid 
economist, but ever gave liberally when- 
ever the object conmanded his approba- 
tion. Let a single instance suffice for il- 
lustration : Some years before his death, 
his minister lost an only cow ; and the fact 
coming to his ears, he ordered his man to 
drive, the next morning, one of the cows 
he then possessed, to the stable of the 
minister. But strangely enough, the cow 
selected for the gift died that night. He 
was not thus to be defeated, however, in 
his kind purpose ; for hearing that the 
minister had engaged a new cow, at a 
given price, he at once sent him the amount 
in money required to pay for it. 

Judge Prentiss has gone ; but the people 
of the town, which had the honor to be his 
home, will cherish his memory as long as 
they are capable of appreciating true ex- 
cellence, and be but too proud to tell the 
stranger that he was one of their towns- 
men. 

At the October session of the United 
States District Court, following the death 
of Judge Prentiss, after a suitable annouce- 
ment by the district attorney, and the de- 
livery in court of eloquent tributes to the 
character of the deceased, by the Hon. 
Solomon Foot, and the Hon. David A. 
Smalley, the new judge, the following pre- 
amble and resolutions were entertained, 
and ordered to be placed upon the records 
of the court, as "an enduring evidence of 
the high veneration in which his memory 
was held by the Bar " : 

Whereas, the Hon. Samuel Prentiss, 
late Judge of the District Court of the 
United States for the District of Vermont, 
having departed this life within the present 
year, and the members of this Bar and the 
officers of this Court entertaining the high- 
est veneration for his memory, the most 
profound respect for his great ability, 
learning, experience and uprightness as a 
Judge, and cherishing for his many public 



MONTPELIER. 



451 



and private virtues the most lively and af- 
fectionate recollection, therefore, 

Resolved, That his uniformly unosten- 
tatious and gentlemanly deportment, his 
assiduous discharge of his official duties, 
his high sense of justice, his unbending 
integrity, and the exalted dignity and pur- 
ity of his public and private character, 
furnish the highest evidence of his intrin- 
sic worth, and of his great personal merit. 

Resolved, That the District Attorney, 
as Chairman of this meeting of the Bar, 
communicate to the family of the deceased 
a copy of these proceedings, with an assur- 
ance of the sincere condolence of tlie mem- 
bers of the Bar and the officers of this 
Court, on account of this great and irrep- 
arable bereavement. 

Resolved, That in behalf of the Bar and 
the officers of this Court, the Honorable 
the Presiding Judge thereof be, and he is 
hereby, respectfully requested to order the 
foregoing preamble and resolutions to be 
entered on the minutes of the Court. 

MRS. LUCRETIA PRENTISS, 

daughter of the late Edward Houghton, 
Esq., of Northfield, Mass., was born Mar. 
6, 1786, and received a good English edu- 
cation for the times. She married Samuel 
Prentiss, Esq., in 1804, and settled down 
with him for life in the village of Mont- 
pelier. Here she became the mother of 12 
children, George Houghton, Samuel Blake, 
Edward Houghton, John Holmes, Charles 
Williams, Henry Francis, Frederick James, 
Theodore, Joseph Addison, Augustus, Lu- 
cretia and James Prentiss. 

(ieorge H. Prentiss died soon after ar- 
riving at maturity and settling down in his 
profession, which, like that of all the rest 
of the brothers who reached manhood, was 
that of the law. Augustus, and Lucretia, 
the only daughter, died in infancy. 

The cares, labors and responsibilities of 
the wife are generally, to a great extent, 
mingled with those of the husband. Much 
less than usual, however, were they so in 
the case of Mrs. Prentiss. In consequence 
of the close occupation of the time of her 
husband in his crowding legal engagements 
when at home, and his frequent and long- 
continued absences from home in the dis- 
charge of his professional or official duties, 
almost the whole care and management of 
his young and numerous family devolved 



on her. And those who know what un- 
ceasing care and vigilance, and what blend- 
ing of kindness, discretion and firmness, 
are required to restrain and check, without 
loss of influence, and train up with the 
rightful moral guidance, a family of boys 
of active temperaments, of fertile intellects 
and ambitious dispositions, so that they 
all be brought safely into manhood, will 
appreciate the delicacy and magnitude of 
her trust, and be ready to award her the 
just meed of praise for discharging it, as 
she confessedly did, with such unusual faith- 
fulness and with such unusual success. 
Mrs. Prentiss died at Montpelier, June 15, 
1855, in her 70th year. 

It would be difficult to say too much in 
praise of the character of this rare woman. 
She was one of earth's angels. In her do- 
mestic and social virtues ; in the industry 
that caused her "to work willingly with her 
hands;" in " the law of kindness" that 
prompted her benevolence, and the wis- 
dom that so judiciously and impartially 
dispensed it ; together with all the other of 
those clustered excellencies that went to 
constitute the character of the model woman 
of the wise man — in all these Mrs. Prentiss 
had scarce a peer among us, scarce a su- 
perior anywhere. She did everything for 
her family, and lived to see her husband 
become known as he " sat among the Elders 
of the land," and her nine surviving sons, 
all of established characters, and present- 
ing an aggregate of capacity and good re- 
pute unequalled, perhaps, by that of any 
other family in the State, and all praising 
her in their lives. These were her works, 
but not all her works. The heart-works 
of the good neighbor, of the good and 
lowly Christian, and the hand-works that 
looked to the benefit and elevation of so- 
ciety at large, were by her all done, and 
all the better done for being performed 
so unobtrusively, so cheerfully and so un- 
selfishly. 

D. p. T. 

oil, many a spirit walks the world unheeded. 
That, when its veil of sadness is laid down, 

Shall soar aloft with pinions unimpeded, 
Wearing its glory like a starry crown. 

—Julia Wallace, 



452 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE HON. JOSEPH REED, 

Born in Westford, Mass. Mar. 13, 1766, 
when about 12 years of age left Westford, 
to live with his uncle in Plymouth, N. H., 
for about 6 years, receiving only the advan- 
tages of a common school education, and 
at 18 commenced and served a 3 years' ap- 
prenticeship to the carpenter's trade, with 
James Sargeant, of Plymouth, after which 
he worked one year for his master for $150, 
and then continued at his trade nearly 5 
years in the vicinity, when he relinquished 
for good his trade and entered the store of 
Mr. Mower Russell in Plymouth, but soon 
removed to Thetford, Vt., where in 1803 
he opened a store. In June 1804, he mar- 
ried first. He had no children by this mar- 
riage. In 1812, he married second, Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Rev. Jacob Burnap D. 
D. of Merrimac, N. H., by whom he had 
2 sons, Charles and George W. In 18 14, 
15, 16, Mr. Reed was elected town repre- 
sentative of Thetford and received 5 more 
elections in the next 7 years. In 181 8, 
19, he was elected one of the Judges of 
Orange County Court. Having been very 
successful in trade in Thetford and closed 
up business there, he removed to Montpe- 
lier in 1827. In 1830, 31, 32, he was elect- 
ed Judge of probate for the district of 
Washington County, and in 1834, was 
chosen one of the Council of Censors to 
revise the constitution of the State, and 
in 1840, one of the presidential elec- 
tors who threw the vote of Vermont for 
General Harrison, and he was county 
treasurer for almost the last 30 years of 
his life. His second wife, who shared his 
cares and his fortunes through nearly the 
most active period of his life, and who was 
the mother of his children, died and he 
married her sister. Miss Lucy Burnap, for 
his third wife, who dying soon after, he 
married his fourth wife. Miss Frances M. 
Cotton, daughter of the Hon. John H. 
Cotton of Windsor, who, with a daughter, 
still survives him. 

Judge Reed at his death, Feb. 6, 1859, 
left a handsome fortune, and, what is far 
better, a character which his descendants 
may be proud to contemplate. Of him, 
his personal peculiarities and general char- 



acter, it was said, in a tribute from a dis- 
criminate source, which appeared in one 
of our jDublic journals at the time of his 
death, — " He was a gentleman of the Old 
School, precise and methodical in his hab- 
its : of noble presence and demeanor ; hon- 
est and sincere in all his dealings ; reserved 
and prudent in his speech, sagacious and 
comprehensive in his views, of resolute 
and unflinching perseverance, and wise 
and ample generosity." 

This single sentence finely embodies 
the whole of his general character, yet 
some of its peculiar traits may be more 
definitely told. Among which was beside 
his unbending integrity his particular and 
nice conscientiouness. But the way in 
which Judge Reed eflfected the most good, 
and for which, doubtless, he will be the 
longest, and by the largest number remem- 
bered, was assisting indigent, but promis- 
ing young men in obtaining an education. 
When, in about middle life, he found he 
had accumulated a property which aiforded 
a yearly surplus over the economical sup- 
port of his family, and the probable ex- 
pense of educating his children, he, as he 
once told a friend, began to feel it his duty 
to bestow at least a good portion of that 
surplus on objects calculated for public 
good. And distrusting the wisdom of 
many of the schemes of benevolence in 
vogue, on which others were bestowing 
their charities, he for some time cast about 
him for a system by which to bestow his 
money so that it might conduce to the 
most benefit to individuals, and through 
them to society at large. And he soon 
settled on loaning to any poor young man, 
showing promise of usefulness, such sums 
of money as he should need to carry him 
through College, without requiring any se- 
curity for the payment of the amounts ad- 
vanced, and leaving the payment a wholly 
voluntary matter with the beneficiary. And 
having made known his intentions, and 
finding no lack of applications, he at once 
put his system in practice, and nobly per- 
severed in keeping it up to the last year 
of his life, and till the number of young 
men educated through his means amount- 
ed to more than twenty, among whom are 



MONTPELIER. 



453 



to be found some of the most eminent men 
of the country, ornamenting the learned 
professions, or adding dignity to the offi- 
cial positions to which their merits have 
raised them. 

Other wealthy men may have been as 
benevolent, others as patriotic, in bestow- 
ing money for temporary purposes, but few 
can boast of having originated, and so 
persistently maintained, for so long a pe- 
iod, a system of benevolence so wise and 
noble, of such wide spread, happy influen- 
ces which have flowed from the one which 
stands associated with the memory of the 
late Joseph Reed. 

HEZEKIAH HUTCHINS REED, 

was born at Hamstead, N. H., May 26, 
1795, and came with his father. Captain 
Thomas Reed, and family to Montpelier 
in 1804. From 1804 to about 1812, he 
for the greater part of the time, attended 
the academy in Montpelier, and made 
such proficiency, and exhibited jjromise 
of so much executive talent, at 16, he suc- 
sessfully taught one of the largest and most 
forward winter schools in his town, and 
soon after went to Fort Atkinson, N. Y., 
and became a clerk in the store of Mr. 
Gove, while the American Army was win- 
tering there in 1813. When the army re- 
treated southward, he followed it to Pitts- 
burgh, where it took its final stand, and 
remained with it in the capacity of sutler 
till the battle of Plattsburgh, September, 
1814, at which he was present. The fol- 
lowing winter he taught school in Grand 
Isle County ; after which he commenced 
the study of the law in the office of the 
Hon. Dan Carpenter of Waterbury ; the 
spring of 18 19, was admitted to the Bar, 
and, during the following summer, went 
West and settled for practice in Troy, 
Ohio ; remained about 5 years, collected 
in his earnings, and invested them in 
flour, which he put on board one of the 
flat boats of the Ohio, and sailed down to 
Natches, sold it, and with the proceeds in 
his pocket, returned on horse-back through 
Tennessee, Kentucky and Pennsylvania to 
Philadelphia, and then by other convey- 
ance to his old home in Montpelier^ 



where he went into partnership with his 
brother, Thomas Reed, Esq., who had al- 
ready opened a law office in the village. 
This partnership lasted about 20 years, 
and was attended throughout with unusual 
pecuniary success. The Messrs. Reed did 
a very large business, mostly in collecting 
and in honorable speculations, acting as 
advocates in the courts but little more than 
in the management of their own cases. 
They invested largely in the stock of the 
first and second Bank of Montpelier, and 
bought out nearly all the stock of the old 
Winooski Turnpike, which they eventuallv 
sold out at a good bargain to the Vermont 
Central Railroad Company. They also 
became extensive land owners in this and 
several of the Western States, and their 
purchases of this character all turned out, 
in the aggregate, very profitable invest- 
ments. 

Mr. Reed was elected, by general ticket, 
a member of our Council of Censors in 
1 841 ; was one of the delegates of Ver- 
mont to the National Convention which 
nominated Gen. Winfield Scott for Pres- 
ident, and was for many years considered 
one of the most influential politicians in 
the State. In 185 1, 52, he was by a large 
majority elected representative of Montpe- 
lier in the legislature, and on the establish- 
ment of the Vermont Bank, in 1849, was 
chosen its first president and retained in 
the office till his death. 

Mr. Reed was an unusually energetic, 
stirring business man ; but business and 
money-making were evidently not the only 
objects of his life. He was ever public 
spirited, entering into, and often leading 
in, all enterprises designed for the public 
good and the social, religious and educa- 
tional interests of his town, with his usual 
zeal and energy ; and was always quite 
ready to help on all such movements by 
liberal subscriptions. He perhaps should 
be considered the foremost in bringing 
about our present Union School. He gave 
$1000 towards the building to be erected 
on its establishment. He died suddenly, 
and almost in the prime of his life, of in- 
flammation of the lungs, while on a jour- 
ney to the West, June 15, 1856, and now 



454 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



sleeps in our new Green Mount Cemetery, 
which he took so much pride in planning 
and ornamenting. 

THE HONORABLE WILLIAM UPHAM, 

son of Captain Samuel Upham, was born 
in Leicester, Mass., Aug. 5, 1792. In 
1802, his father and family removed to 
Vermont, and settled on a farm near the 
Centre of Montpelier, where, from 10 to 
about 15 years of age, he worked on the 
farm, only attending the winter schools of 
the common school district in which he 
resided ; when he met with an accident, 
which apparently gave a new turn to his 
destinies for life : — while engaged about 
a cider mill, his hand so caught in the ma- 
chinery, and all the fingers of the right 
hand, were so crushed that they had to be 
amputated even with the palm. This, un- 
fitting him for manual labor, led his father 
to consent to what had before been his 
wish, the commencement of a course of 
education, preparatory to the study of the 
law. Accordingly he attended the old 
academy, at Montpelier, a few terms, and 
then, with the late Reverend William Per- 
rin of Berlin for a fellow student, pursued 
the study of Latin and Greek, about one 
year, with the Reverend James Hobart of 
Berlin. In 1808, he entered the ofiice of 
the Hon. Samuel Prentiss, in Montpelier, 
as a law student ; and, after pursuing his 
legal studies there about three years, he 
was admitted to the bar, and soon went in- 
to partnership in the practice of the law 
with the Hon. Nicholas Baylies. After 
continuing in partnership with Mr. Baylies 
a few years, he opened an office alone in 
Montpelier ; and from that time, until his 
election to the United States Senate, he, 
either alone or with temporary partners, 
continued in the constant and successful 
practice of his profession, the business of 
which was always more than ample enough 
to require his whole time and attention. 
For the firsi thirty years of his professional 
career, Mr. Upham, with the exception of 
only one instance, steadily declined the 
many profers of his friends for his promo- 
tion to civil office, though his opportunities 
for holding such offices included the chance 



for a seat on the bench of our Supreme 
Court. The excepted instance was in- 
volved in his consent to run as candidate 
for town representative, in 1827; when, 
though the majority of his party was a 
matter of much doubt, he was triumphant- 
ly elected. In 1828, he was re-elected, 
and in 1830, received a third election, 
serving throug all the three terms to the 
entire satisfaction of his constituents, and 
therein exhibiting talents as a public de- 
bator which gave him a high position in 
the Legislature. In the presidential cam- 
paign, 1840, he, for the first time, took an 
active part in politics, and, to use a mod- 
ern phrase, stumped nearly the whole 
State, making himself everywhere known 
to the people by the peculiar traits of his 
popular eloquence, and by doing efficient 
political service in favor of the election of 
General Harrison. In 1841, he was elect- 
ed to a seat in the United States Senate ; 
and in 1847, was re-elected to the same 
distinguished office, and died, at Washing- 
ton, before the completion of his last term, 
Jan. 14, 1853. 

In his professional career, to which the 
main energies of his life were devoted, he 
became widely known as one of the best 
advocates in the State. He was, indeed, 
what might be called a natural lawyer, and 
the practice of his profession seemed to 
amount to almost a passion with him ; and, 
even in his youth, even before he com- 
menced his legal studies, he would often, 
it was said, leap up from his dreamain his 
bed, and go to pleading some imaginary 
law case. And, what he determined to be, 
that, he became, one of the most success- 
ful jury lawyers to be found in any country. 
Never hesitating for word, and fluent 
almost beyond example, the style of his 
speaking was rapid, thoroughly earnest, 
and often highly impassioned, and so mag- 
netic was that earnestness and seeming 
confidence in his case, and so skilfully 
wrought up were his arguments, that bad 
indeed must have been his side of the 
question, if he did not command the sym- 
pathies and convictions of a good part, if 
not all, of the jury. 

As a statesman it ill befits us to judge 



MONTPELIER. 



455 



him, while those, who spoke by more 
authority, and from better opportunities, 
have so well and fully done so. At the 
time the customary resolutions, on the 
occasion of his death, were introduced in 
Congress, Senator Foot, in his obituary 
address, said of him : 

" His impaired health, for some years 
past, has restrained him from participating 
so generally and so actively in the discus- 
sions of this body, as his inclination might 
otherwise have induced him to do, or his 
ability as a public debator might perhaps 
have demanded of him. Nevertheless his 
speeches on several important and excit- 
ing public questions, have the peculiar im- 
press of his earnestness, his research, his 
ability and his patriotic devotion to the 
best interests of his country. A striking 
example is furnished of his fidelity to the 
trust committed to him, and his constant 
and patient attention to his public duties 
here, in the fact, which I had from his own 
mouth, that during the ten years of his 
service in this body, he never absented 
himself from the City of Washington for a 
single day, while Congress was in session, 
and never failed, while the condition of his 
health would permit, of daily occupying 
his seat in the Senate." 

Senator Seward said : 

"William Upham was of Vermont: a 
consistent exponent of her institutions. 
He was a man of strong and vigorous judg- 
ment, which acted always by a process of 
sound, inductive reasoning, and his com- 
peers here will bear witness that he was 
equal to the varied and vast responsibilities 
of the Senatorial trust. He was a plain, 
unas.suming, unostentatious man. He nev- 
er spoke for display, but always for con- 
viction. He was an honest and just man. 
He had gotten nothing by fraud or guile ; 
and so he lived without any fear' of losing 
whatever of fortune or position he had 
attained. No gate was so strong, no lock 
so fast and firm, as the watch he kept 
against the approach of corruption, or even 
undue influence or persuasion. His na- 
tional policy was the increase of industry, 
the cultivation of peace, and the patronage 



of improvement. He adopted his opinions 
without regard to their popularity, and 
never stifled his convictions of truth, nor 
suppressed their utterance, through any 
fear or favor, or of faction ; but he was, on 
the contrary, consistent and constant 

As pilot well expert in perilous wave. 

That to a steadfast starre his c-ourse hath bent." 

Mr. Upham's best known speeches in 
the Senate are his speech on Three Million 
Bill, delivered March i, 1847; on The Ten 
Regimetit Bill, and the Mexican War, de- 
livered Feb. 15, 1848; on the Bill to es- 
tablish Territorial Governments of Oregon, 
New Mexico and California, delivered Ju- 
ly 28, 1848 ; on the Compromise Bill, de- 
livered July I and 2, 1850. 

These were all published in pamphlet 
form, as well as in all the leading political 
papers of the day, and at once received 
the stamp of public approbation as elabo- 
rate and able efforts. But besides these, 
and besides also the numerous written and 
published reports he made during his Con- 
gressional career, as chairman of commit- 
tee on Revolutionary Claims, on the Post 
Office and Post Roads, and of other com- 
mittees, Mr. Upham made many other 
speeches on various subjects, which, 
though less extensively circulated perhaps, 
than those above enumerated, yet received 
almost equal praise from high quarters. 

Of the latter may be cited, as an instance, 
his speech in opposition to the Tariff" bill 
of 1 846 ; and to show the approbation with 
which it was received, at the time, among 
distinguished men, we are permitted to 
copy a characteristic note from Mr. Web- 
ster, which was sent Mr. Upham, the even- 
ing after the speech was delivered, and 
which, after his death, was found among 
his private papers : 

Thursday Eve., July 26, 1846. 

My Dear Sir : — If you could convenient- 
ly call at my house, at eight or nine o'clock 
in the morning, I shoutd be glad to see 
you for five minutes. I wish to take down 
some of your statements respecting the 
market abroad, for our wool. Following 
in your track, my work is to compare the 
value of the foreign and home markets. 
Yours truly, Daniel Webster. 

If I had the honor of being a corre- 
spondent of Mrs. Upham, I should write 



456 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to her to say, that you had made an excel- 
lent speech. The point, of the duty of 
government to fulfil its pledges, so fre- 
quently and solemnly made, was exhibited 
in a very strong light. D. w. 

A friend wrote that the Senator "was 
keenly sensible of the dignity of his office, 
and careful in the discharge of its duties, 
and from his constancy, industry, and in- 
tegrity, he was one of the most useful 
members of the senate." 

MRS. SARAH UPHAM. 

Sarah Keyes, wife of the Hon. Senator, 
was born in Ashford,Conn. She was a sister 
of Mrs. Thomas Brooks of Montpelier, the 
grandmother of Gen. W. T. Brooks, the 
distinguished commander of the Vermont 
Brigade through part of the war of the Re- 
bellion, and while with 'her sister here, 
became acquainted with Mr. Upham, with 
whom, at the early age of 19, she united 
her destinies for life. Many a public man 
has been left to regret that he had not a 
partner who, by her personal attractions, 
wit and conversational powers, was fitted 
to sustain herself in the social circles into 
which his high position brought him. Not 
so Mr. Upham ; his wife, who usually at- 
tended him to Washington, readily and 
gracefully sustained herself among the best 
society congregated at the National Capi- 
tal, and was ever, at home or abroad, the 
cordial, sparkling, intelligent woman, and 
eminently popular. Each successive season 
for years, and after her own family had 
grown up, the young people of Montpelier 
were indebted to her, more than to any 
other lady at the Capital, for her inexclu- 
sive hospitalities, and efibrts that never 
wearied, to promote their happiness and 
culture ; for the numerous pleasant parties 
at which, with the approbation of her lib- 
eral^ vvarm-souled and congenial husband, 
she delighted to gather them at her house, 
within her beautiful home, under her charm- 
ing influence. Her very presence was re- 
fining and a delight. A lady so charitable, 
magnetic and influential is a great gift to 
society. Such was Mrs. Upham, as still 
remembered by numerous friends, and what 
to her surviving daughters is more pre- 
cious, and for the example of women more 
beautiful, she was no less marked and ex- 



cellent in her every-day life of family duties 
and cares and affections — the wise and 
able woman in her own house. The rich- 
est fruit must ripen and fall. After her 
husband died, though of a buoyant disposi- 
tion, and striving hard to bear her loss with 
Christian resignation, she soon began to 
droop, and on the 8th of May, after, 1856, 
followed him to the grave, mourned by 
her children and many friends. The por- 
trait of Mrs. Upham in this volume was 
copied from a painting done shortly after 
her marriage, while that of the Senator 
was taken many years later. e. p. w. 

WILLIAM KEVES UPHAM, 

oldest son of Senator Upham, was born in 
Montpelier, April 3, 18 17, admitted to the 
bar there, and soon thereafter removed to 
Ohio, where he gained a large and lucra- 
tive practice, and ultimately rose to the 
head of his profession in that State, rank- 
ing, wrote a biographer, " with Chase, 
Stanton, Corwin, Vinton, John A. Bing- 
ham, and others." This statement has 
been confirmed to the writer of this note 
by a judge of an Ohio court, in which Mr. 
Upham practiced. He died Mar. 22, 1865, 
and a handsome monument was erected to 
him by the bar of Stark Co., O. e. p. w. 

MAJ. CHARLES C. UPHAM, 

the second son of Senator Upham, was 
born in Montpelier, April 3, 18 19, and was 
educated there. In 1852, he entered the 
U. S. Navy as Paymaster, and by his con- 
duct so far won the confidence of the de- 
partment that he was assigned to duties of 
a confidential character. He died sud- 
denly at Montpelier, June ID, 1868. His 
wife, Mrs. Abbie E.- Upham, did not long 
survive him. e. p. w. 

MRS. GEORGE LANGDON, 

who was Sarah , Sumner, oldest daughter 
of Senator Upham, was born in Mont- 
pelier, and Mary Annette, youngest 
daughter of Senator Upham, resides with 
her. Both of these ladies have inherited 
all the beautiful graces and the remarkable 
characteristics of their mother, and are 
favorites as well in the Capitals of Ver- 
mont and the Nation, as elsewhere. They 
are both still living, [1881.] e. p. w. 




^\\ 



■•%* <^» 



c-y'^?t-'^-<r<>^;^ 




/. 



MONTPELIER. 



4?7 



COL. JONATHAN PECKHAM MILLER 

was born in Randolph, Feb. 24, 1797. His 
father, who died in 1 799, had given him to 
his uncle, Jonathan Peckham, who, dying 
about 1805, appears to have commended 
the boy to the care of Gapt. John Granger, 
of the same town, and with that gen- 
tleman he resided till 1813, when he went 
to Woodstock to learn the tanner's trade. 
He did not remain long there, however, 
before sickness compelled him to return ; 
and his illness settling into protracted 
feeble health, he made Mr. Granger's house 
his home for the next 4 years. But during 
this time the invasion of Plattsburgh by 
the British occurring, and Capt. Lebbeus 
Egerton, of that town, having raised a 
company of volunteers to go to the rescue, 
young Miller, sick or well, determined on 
joining the expedition, which, neverthe- 
less, turned out to be a bloodless one ; for 
the company had not quite time to reach 
the scene of action before the battle was 
over, and the enemy had beat a retreat ; 
when they all returned to Randolph, with 
no other glory than that which arose from 
this good showing of their patriotic inten- 
tions. Whether this incident started in 
Miller a taste for military aifairs, or whether 
he began to feel farming would prove too 
tame an occupation for him, is not fully 
known ; but certain it is, as early as 1817, 
he resolved to change his mode of life, and 
went to Marblehead, Mass., where a com- 
pany of United States troops were sta- 
tioned, and enlisted as a common soldier 
in the army. He continued in the service 
about 2 years, being a part of the time sta- 
tioned on our northern frontier, when, his 
health again failing, he procured a dis- 
charge, and returned to Randolph, where 
he attended the academy of that town, and 
soon began to fit for college. After dili- 
gently prosecuting his studies here till the 
summer of 182 1, he entered Dartmouth 
College ; but, for some reason, left in the 
course of a few weeks, and joined a class, 
of like standing as the one he had been in 
at Dartmouth, in the University of Ver- 
mont. At Burlington College, he steadily 
pursued his studies, advancing with the 
rest of his class, to almost the last year of 

58 



the prescribed course of collegiate require- 
ments, when, May 24, 1824, the college 
buildings accidentally caught fire and were 
totally, consumed, and with them a portion 
of the public library and the private books 
of the students, among which were thosJ 
of Mr. Miller. 

He was now afloat again ; but does not 
appear to have long hesitated in making 
up his mind upon a course of action for 
his immediate future. The struggles of 
Greece for liberty had by this time become 
the theme of every American fireside, and 
the appalling woes her people were suff'er- 
ing from the remorseless cruelties of their 
turbaned oppressors, had already enlisted 
the sympathies of every American heart 
that could feel for anything. As might be 
expected of one of Miller's warm and pat- 
riotic nature, his feelings had been among 
those of the first to be aroused at the re- 
cital of these tales of outrage. But here- 
tofore he had been engaged in the accom- 
plishment of the task before him — the com- 
pletion of his college course. He thought 
it hardly worth his while now, however, at 
his age, to enter a new college for this pur- 
pose, and, if not, his time was on his own 
hands. Why, then, should he not go to 
succor the opi^ressed, as well as other pat- 
riotic Americans who had already sailed 
for Greece, or were intending shortly to do 
so ? With the question, came the decision. 

He knew there was in Boston an asso- 
ciation of wealthy and influential gentle- 
men, styled the Greek Committee, who had 
been selected to receive and appropriate 
contributions for the Greek cause, by pur- 
chasing needed munitions, or by furnish- 
ing the means of transit to those who, 
without such means, were willing to volun- 
teer their personal services in behalf of the 
oppressed. But he must first obtain an 
introduction to them ; and for this purpose 
he went to Gov. Van Ness, at the destruc- 
tion of whose house by fire, a short time 
before, he knew he had performed an im- 
portant and dangerous service in rescuing 
valuable property from the flames. The 
Governor, who never forgot a benefit, wrote 
a letter, not only of introduction, but of 
warm recommendation of Mr. Miller, to 



458 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop, and the 
Hon. Edward Everett, the President and 
Secretary of the Greek Association, who, 
in their turn, gave him letters to the Pres- 
ident and leading members of the Greek 
Government, at Missolonghi, and furnish- 
ed him withal, with over $300, to enable 
him to pay his passage, equip himself with 
a good personal outfit, and have money left 
for exigencies that might arise after he 
had reached his destination ; when he, with 
other American volunteers, sailed for Malta, 
Aug. 21, 1824. After reaching that place, 
and spending a few weeks, and at some 
other of the neighboring islands, he pro- 
ceeded to the fated Missolonghi, and en- 
quired out the house which Lord Byron, 
then very late deceased, had made his 
headquarters, and which had been retained 
for the ordinary meetings of the members 
of the government of Western Greece. 
Here he encountered Dr. Mayer, who was 
a root of the fighting stock of William Tell, 
of Switzerland, and had, for several of the 
last years, been one of the bravest and 
most useful of the European volunteers in 
Greece. Mr. Miller presented his creden- 
tials to the Doctor, and was promised an 
early presentation to members of the gov- 
ernment. He was also invited to take up 
his quarters in that house, and having been 
shown a room where he might take a little 
of the repose he so much needed, he 
wrapped his cloak around him, threw him- 
self down on the floor, and was soon asleep. 
Before long, however, he was awakened by 
the entrance of a man already widely known 
through Europe and America. This was 
Gen. George Jarvis, a son of Benjamin 
Jarvis, of New York, who held a situation 
under the U.S. Government in Germany, 
where the son was born, educated and 
reared to manhood. He entered the Greek 
.service in 1821 , and continued in it through 
the whole of that memorable struggle, 
passing through every grade of military 
office to the rank of brigadier general of 
Lord Byron's brigade, and seeing, prob- 
ably, more'fighting, and undergoing more 
suffering and hardship than any one of all 
the heroes of Greece. He and Mr. Miller 
appear to have almost at once' made the 



discovery that they were congenial spirits, 
and a mutual friendship and respect sprang 
up between them, which soon resulted in 
Mr. Miller's appointment as one of the 
General's staff officers, with tlie rank of 
colonel in the Greek service. 

It is not our purpose to follow Colonel 
Miller through the various hardships he 
endured through tlie next 2 years of that 
wild and bloody conflict, nor enumerate 
those feats of arms which seem so to have 
awakened the admiration of the Greeks, 
and caused him to be known among them 
by the peculiar name of The Aiiiei'ican Dare 
Devil. Let an instance or two, which we 
have had from his own lips, serve as a 
specimen of his many personal risks and 
escapes, as well as of his individual daring. 

On one occasion, when he was stationed 
in command of a small band of soldiers in 
a walled garden, a few miles from Napoli, 
he suddenly discovered the place to be 
surrounded by a force of some thousand 
Turkish troops. Knowing that the instant 
the weakness of his band was discovered 
they would all be sacrificed on the spot. 
Col. Miller at once resolved on the des- 
perate expedient of a sally right into the 
mouth of the lion, and calling on his band 
to follow at his heels, he dashed out into 
the midst of the closely investing foe, 
firing his girdle full of pistols, and slash- 
ing about him with his sword as he went, 
with such fury as to astonish the Turks, 
who supposing, of course, the garden to be 
full of Greeks, about to scatter death 
among them from behind the walls, in- 
stantly became panic struck and fled. 

Another instance of a similar character 
occurred in a different part of the peninsula, 
when Gen. Jarvis and Col. Miller, with a 
small force, being unexpectedly beset by a 
large body of Turkish cavalry, were wholly 
cut off from their companions, and, as 
their only chance of escaping with life, 
were compelled to n.m for a piece of woods 
at the top of a hill a fourth of a mile dis- 
tant. But this only resort came near prov- 
ing a fatal one. A large squad of the 
mounted fiends pursued them, and were all 
within pistol shot, while the woods were 
yet too far distant to be reached by them. 



MONTPELIER. 



459 



They supposed there was but a moment 
more for them in this world ; but they re- 
solved that that moment should not be 
passed unimproved . They suddenly wheel- 
ed round, drew up their pieces, and fired 
directly into the faces of their pursuers, 
who. in surprise at the strange act, came 
to a dead halt, and the next instant turned 
and lied, doubtless believing that they 
would not take such a stand unless there 
lay concealed in the borders of the woods 
a force of their foes, from whom it was 
their wisdom to escape while they could. 

The first of these instances we find in 
substance related in Post s Visits to Greece 
and Constantinople in 1827, and also in 
Dr. Hoive'^s History of Greece, and the 
latter, not before named in history, is 
doubtless an equally veritable incident. 

Besides the many personal encounters 
and skirmishes with the foes of Greece, of 
the character of those just described, Col. 
Miller was an active participant in several 
important engagements, in which his gal- 
lantry appears to have attracted favorable 
notice. Among these we find one hand- 
somely alluded to in the lately published 
volume of '•'^ Travels in Greece and Russia,'"'' 
by Bayard Taylor : 

At the end of the Argive plain is the 
little village of Miles, where Ypsilanti 
gained a splendid victory over the troops 
of Ibrahim Pacha, and Col. Miller greatly 
distinguished himself. 

But the most continuous, the hardest 
and most important of Col. Miller's mil- 
itary services in Greece were in the terri- 
ble twelve months' siege of the ill-fated 
Missolonghi, one of the most wealthy and 
populous towns of the Grecian peninsula. 
We have space only to give a general idea 
of the character of this siege ; and this idea 
will perhaps be the best given by a letter 
from Dr. Mayer, of whom we have before 
spoken, and- who was one of the 130 per- 
sons perishing in the last defense of the 
place, written within three days before his 
death ; and in another letter from Colonel 
Miller himself to Edward Everett, after 
Missolonghi had fallen, and he had es- 
caped with the remnant of the besieged, 
as he has described, out of the city, but 
not out of danger : 



DR. Mayer's letter. 

The labors which we have undergone, 
and a wound I have received in the shoul- 
der, which I am in expectation is one 
which will be my passport to eternity, have 
prevented me till now from bidding you 
my last adieus. We are reduced to teed 
on the most disgusting animals ; we are 
suffering horribly from hunger and thirst. 
Sickness adds much to the calamities that 
overwhelm us. More than 1740 of our 
brothers are dead. More than 100,000 
bombs and balls, thrown by the enemy, 
have destroyed our bastions and our houses. 
We have been terribly distressed by cold, 
and we have suffered great want of food. 
Notwithstanding so many privations, it is 
a great and noble spectacle to witness the 
ardor and devotedness of the garrison. A 
few days more, and these brave men will 
be angelic spirits, who will accuse before 
God the indifference of Christendom for a 
cause which is that of religion. All the 
Albanians who deserted from the standard 
of Reschid Pacha have now rallied under 
that of Ibrahim. In the name of all our 
brave men, among whom are Noto Bot- 
zaris, Travellas, Papodia Mautopolas, 
and myself, whom the government has ap- 
pointed generals to a body of its troops, 
I announce to you the resolution, sworn to 
before Heaven, to defend, footbyfoot, the 
land of Missolonghi, and bury ourselves, 
without listening to any capitulation, under 
the ruins of this city. History will render 
us justice ; posterity will weep over our 
misfortunes. I am proud to think that the 
blood of a Swiss, of a child of William 
Tell, is about to mingle with that of the 
heroes of Greece. May the relation of 
the siege of Missolonghi, which I have 
written, survive me. I have made sev- 
eral copies of it. Cause this letter, dear 
S , to be inserted in some public jour- 
nal. 

This beautiful and touching letter to a 
friend has been preserved in the History 
of Greece. Col. Miller's letter, which was 
also embodied in the same history, is as 
follows : 

Napoli de Romania, ? 
May 3, 1826. \ 

Edward Everett : 

Honored and Dear Friend: — It is with 
emotions not to be expressed, that I now 
attempt to give an account of the fall of 
Missolonghi, and the heart-rending situation 
of ill-fated Greece. Missolonghi fell into 
the hands of the Turks, eight days since, 
after a gallant defense of eleven months 
and a half. When we take into consider- 
ation the means of its defense, and the 



460 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



overwhelming numbers that approached it 
by sea and land, there cannot be a doubt 
but that its resistance rivals anything of 
the kind either in ancient or modern times. 
The particulars of its fall are enough to 
draw tears from the most obdurate and un- 
feeling heart, and will bring into action 
the energies of the Christian world, if, in- 
deed, such a world can be said to exist. 
Pardon me, my dear sir ; the agonies of 
my mind cause the expression ; for who 
can believe, that, in an age like this, if 
there are Christians, infidels should be al- 
lowed to butcher an entire population? 

Missolonghi contained over 8,000 in- 
habitants at the time of its surrender, or 
rather of its destruction. There were no 
more than 3,000 capable of bearing arms ; 
the rest were women and children. We 
were reduced to the last extremity for pro- 
visions, having eaten all the mules and 
horses which were in the place, when the 
gloomy inhabitants were cheered by the 
arrival of the Greek fleet ; but alas ! the 
gallant Mianlis found the Turkish force 
too strong for his little Squadron. After 
sustaining considerable loss in three at- 
tempts to break through the Turkish fleet, 
he retired. The inhabitants of Missolonghi 
were now driven to desperation. They 
knew of the unhappy fate of those who had 
been taken at Aurtolico, and of the out- 
rages the Arabs would commit if the place 
should capitulate. They took a horrid but 
glorious resolution of blowing into the air 
their wives, daughters and sons. I call it 
glorious, because the women desired it ; 
and there was no possible way of prevent- 
ing the Arabs from committing outrages 
upon the women and boys, if they once 
should get them into their power. They 
all assembled at the old Turkish Seraglio. 
Their husbands and brothers, after laying 
a train of powder, embraced them for the 
last time, then giving them matches, left 
them to set fire to the train. The men 
then prepared themselves for cutting their 
way through the Turkish camp, sword in 
hand. And out of the 3,000, only 1,000 
are said to have escaped. 

There is the greatest sorrow here, women 
beating their breasts, and asking every 
Frank they meet, " if all the Christian 
world has forsaken them?" I must close 
this hasty scrawl, for my heart is too full 
to write more. I lost all my articles of 
European clothing at Missolonghi. But 
this is nothing. If I am happy enough to 
escape, I shall go to Smyrna. 

My regards to Mrs. Everett. I am 
thankful it is not for her to endure the dis- 
tress of the fair, but ill-fated daughters of 
Greece. 

I am, dear sir, with due respect, your 
humble servant, J. P. Miller. 



This was the last of all systematic re- 
sistance the poor Greeks were able to 
make ; and they remained in their desolated 
country, a subdued, but not conquered 
people, till the Christian nations having 
been aroused, the naval victory at Navarino 
secured the independence of their country. 
But the people, in the meanwhile, were in 
a starving condition ; and Col. Miller, after 
lingering there till fall, came here to the 
United States to arouse his countrymen to 
the work of contributing for supplying of 
their wants. Arriving here in November, 
he lectured through most of the Northern 
and Middle States with that object ; but in 
Feb. 1827, while thus engaged, he was 
appointed by the N. Y. Greek Committee 
to the agency of going to Greece and /Su- 
perintending the distribution among the 
suffering inhabitants of that country of a 
cargo of provisions that had been already 
collected for them. He went, was gone 
about a year, and discharged his duty to 
the full satisfaction of the friends of Greece 
here, as the proofs, published with his 
journal by the Harpers of New York, after 
his return, abundantly make manifest. 
The aggregate value of the provisions and 
clothing distributed by him in Greece was 
over $75,000. Yet it was found to be well 
for the beneficiaries that he could act both 
in the character of almoner and soldier 
with equal efficiency. For, when he ar- 
rived in Greece, he was beset by sharpers 
and mercenary villains of all kinds, who 
insolently demanded portions of his cargo 
in despite all his judicious rules for dis- 
tribution ; and in one instance a scheme 
was laid to get possession of his whole 
store, and it would probably have been 
successful, as well as the less bold attempts 
of the kind, but for the decisive stand and 
personal intrepidity of Col. Miller, who, 
on such occasions, would throw off" the 
character of the almoner as quick as the 
Quaker did his coat, draw sword and pistols, 
and drive the lying knaves from his pres- 
ence. 

Among the things which were destined 
to become permanent remembrancers of 
Col. Miller's expedition to Greece, was 
the adoption and education of a Greek 



MONTPELIER. 



461 



orphan boy, Lucas Miltiades, who, after 
having received through his childhood and 
youth from the Colonel all the privileges 
and affectionate care and kindness which a 
father could have bestowed, removed West 
soon after reaching his majority. And 
Lucas Miltiades Miller has now become, 
through the advantages thus received, and 
his own capacity, energy and enterprise, 
one of the most respected, wealthy and in- 
fluential citizens of Wisconsin. 

Lucas M. was the younger of two broth- 
ers brought to this country by Col. Miller 
and Dr. Russ, the intimate friend pf the 
former, and one of the most cultivated, 
noble and efficient of all his compatriots in 
the Greek Revolution. 

Another momento was what now should 
be considered an antiquarian relic of great 
interest — nothing less than the veritable 
sword which Lord Bryon wore in his Greek 
campaign. Lord Bryon gave this sword 
to a young Greek named Loukas, a Cap- 
tain in his legion, who afterwards was shot 
dead in a sortie from the Acropolis at Ath- 
ens ; and being found with his sword 
knotted to his wrist, was carried into the 
fortress. When the sword and his clothing 
were sold for the benefit of his sisters by 
the English Consul of Poros, who was re- 
quested to take charge of the effects of the 
deceased. Col. Miller, being present at the 
sale, purchased the sword and brought it 
home on his second return. He loaned it 
to a Mr. Castanis, a native Greek lecturer, 
by whom it was carried back to Greece, 
and for a long time was supposed to be 
lost. But when, a few years since. Col. 
Miller's daughter, who in the meantime 
had grown to womanhood and married Mr. 
Abijah Keith, of Montpelier, visited Greece 
with her husband, and while there receiv- 
ing the flattering attentions of the many 
who called on her in manifestation of their 
gratitude for what her father had once 
done for them, for their relatives and for 
their country, she learned the whereabouts 
of Mr. Castanis and this sword, and soon 
recovered it. And being at the house of 
the now celebrated George Finlay, of 
Athens, known not only as Lord Byron's 
early British associate in Greece, but as 



the learned antiquarian, and historian of 
the different eras of Greece, he at once 
identified the sword, and gave Mr. and 
Mrs. Keith the following certificate, which 
we copy from the original in their posses- 
sion : 

Mr. and Mrs. Keith have just shown me 
the sword which Col. Miller purchased at 
Poros, at the sale of the effects of Captain 
Loukas : — This sword 1 have seen in Lord 
Byron's possession, before he gave it to 
Loukas ; and I was present at Poros when 
it was sold. George Finlay. 

Athens, 17 January, 1853. 

Dr. Russ, who has already been men- 
tioned, and who is still living in New York, 
will also attest to all the material facts 
above presented. 

The identity of this sword, which has an 
Asiatic inscription on the blade, with 
Byron's initial and a crown engraved on 
the hilt, is thus placed beyond a cavil. 

Soon after his second return from Greece, 
Col. Miller came to Montpelier, and took 
up his permanent residence, passed through 
a regular course of legal studies, was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and opened a law office 
in the place in company with Nicholas 
Baylies, Esq. 

In June, 1828, he married the daughter 
of Capt. Jonathan Arms, a capitalist. In 
1830, '31 and '';i;i, he was elected the rep- 
resentative of Berlin, within whose borders 
he was then residing with his father-in-law, 
Capt. Arms. During the session of the 
legislature of 1833, Col. Miller introduced 
the following resolution : 

Whereas, slavery and the slave trade, 
as existing in the District of Columbia, are 
contrary to the broad declaration of our 
Bill of Rights, which declares that liberty 
is the inalienable right of all men ; and 
whereas they are. a national evil, disgrace 
and crime, which ought to be abolished ; 
and whereas the power of legislation for 
that District is with the Congress of these 
United States, therefore. 

Resolved, the Governor and Council con- 
curring herein, that our Senators in Con- 
gress be directed, and representatives in 
Congress be requested, to use their en- 
deavors to effect the abolition of slavery 
and the slave trade in the District of 
Columbia. 

This preamble and resolution, which we 
have copied at large, not only because 



462 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Col. Miller was the mover, but because 
they constituted the first anti-slavery move- 
ment in the legislature of Vermont, were, 
after lying on the table some weeks, called 
up by Mr. Miller, earnestly supported by 
him, and, — that being long before it was 
good policy for leading politicians to sup- 
port anti-slavery resolutions, — opposed by 
Mr. Foot, of Rutland, who moved to dis- 
miss the resolution. The House, how- 
ever, refused to dismiss it, by 20 majority, 
but consented to refer it to the next ses- 
sion, when it was finally dismissed by 1 5 
majority. 

From about this time, however. Colonel 
Miller gave his almost undivided attentions 
and sympathies to the cause of anti- 
slavery, lecturing in all parts of the State, 
and not only bestowing his time and 
labors, but a large amount of money for 
its advancement. And it probably is not 
too much to say that no man ever did as 
much as Col. Miller, in building up the 
anti-slavery party of Vermont, and putting 
it on that onward march and steady in- 
crease, which raised it to a power that 
made it necessary for the dominant party, 
as a matter of self-preservation, to adopt 
its principles and take all its members into 
political fellowship. 

In 1840, Col. Miller, one of the two 
Vermont delegates, attended the World's 
Anti-Slavery Convention, in London, where 
he appears to have been much noticed by 
Daniel O'Connell, Lord Brougham, and 
other leading men of the kingdom, to 
whom he had formerly become known by 
his championship of oppressed Greece. 
He took a prominent part in the debates 
of this celebrated convention. And, in 
glancing over the volume of its proceed- 
ings, published the next year in London, 
we are unable to perceive why his speeches 
do not honorably compare with the major- 
ity of those of the many very able men of 
whom that body was composed. 

As a public speaker. Col. Miller was 
off-hand, bold and earnest, appearing more 
solicitous of bringing out his principles 
with effect, than of draping his thoughts 
with the graces of oratory. And in his 
manners in private life, he exhibited the 



same characteristics by which he was 
known in all his public actions— a fearless 
utterance of his opinions, and a straight- 
forward, unstudied frankness, united with 
a soldierly bearing, which, with the af- 
fectedly refined, was considered as ap- 
proaching the borders of roughness. As 
a citizen, he was public-spirited, without 
vices, and benevolent to a proverb. He 
always had around him half a regiment of 
the poor, or poor tenants, who came not 
to pay him rents, but to obtain additional 
favors ; and the fact that both these classes 
contitiued to throng him throv:gh life is 
sufficient evidence that they never went 
away emptyhanded. He must have given 
away, during his residence in Montpelier, 
in private charities, in the furtherance of 
the anti-slavery cause, and in aidance of 
educational or benevolent institutions, the 
largest part of a handsome fortune, re- 
ceiving in return nothing but the good 
name he carried to his grave. 

He died prematurely, in consequence of 
an accidental injury to his spine, Feb. 17, 
1847, leaving a .wife and one child, the 
daughter to whom we have before alluded, 
Mrs. Abijah Keith ; and he now sleeps on 
the boldest point of yonder Green Mount 
Cemetery, beneath the massive, square, 
rough granite obelisk, so typical, in many 
respects, of his Roman virtues and strong 
traits of character. 

[Sarah Arms, the widow of Col. Miller, 
died in Chicago, Dec. 22, 1864, aged 76. 
Her remains were brought back to Mont- 
pelier, and interred in Green Mount Cem- 
etery, by the side of her renowned and 
honorable husband.] 

Hon. D. p. Thompson. — [For biograph- 
ical sketch of Mr. Thompson, see Berlin, 
page 69 of vol. IV, this work.] 

GEORGE ROBINSON THOMPSON, 

was born at Montpelier, Jan. 3, 1834. 
He was the oldest son of the late Hon. 
Daniel P. Thom.pson. He fitted for col- 
lege at the Washington County Grammar 
School, and entered the LIniversity in 
1849; graduating in 1853. He studied 
law at Montpelier, and was for two years 
clerk of the House of Representatives, and 




/ 



oT^ 



A^.^a^ 



MONTPELIER. 463 

been imposed the grateful duty, not to 
pronounce his euology, but to speak of 
those quahties of mind and heart which 
rendered him so popular with the Court, 
so respected by the public, so dear to us 
all. 

Lucius B. Peck was the son of General 
John Peck, and was born in October, 1802, 
at Waterbury, in this county. He lived 
there until he was nineteen years of age, 
when, having finished a preparatory course, 
he was admitted as a cadet to the Military 
Academy at West Point, July i, 1822, 
where he stayed one year. Although he 
was studious and scholarly, and took a 
high rank in his class, he was compelled 
to resign on account of ill health. His 
resignation was accepted Aug. 15, 1823. 
The following year, having regained his 
health, he entered the office of Hon. Sam- 
uel Prentiss as a student-at-law. 

From those who were his fellow students, 
I learn that here he first began to develop 
those powers of clear discrimination and 
accurate judgment for which he was after- 
wards so much distinguished. 

After about one year spent in laborious 
toil under the guiding hand of Judge Pren- 
tiss, he went into the ofiice of Hon. Deni- 
son Smith of Barre, where he completed 
his studies and was admitted to the bar in 
this county at the September term, 1825. 

He immediately formed a partnership 
with Mr. Smith, who, at this time, was ad- 
vanced in years, and with a large practice. 
The duties that this connection imposed 
upon Mr. Peck were arduous, but exceed- 
ingly beneficial. He felt these responsi- 
bilities and labored like a Hercules to be 
equal to them. His modesty of manner 
excited sympathy, and his clearness of 
mind challenged attention. While the old 
clients of Mr. Smith at first naturally 
doubted his untried hand, acquaintance 
soon begot familiarity, and familiarity con- 
fidence, and in a few years, we find Mr. 
Peck in the full tide of successful practice 
in Orange and Washington counties. 

So great was the confidence of the pub- 
lic, that at this early age, soon after he 
commenced practice, he was sent to the 
Legislature as the representative of Barre. 



removed in 1856 to New York to practice 
his profession, where he acquired a good 
position. Mr. Thompson was a man of 
fine literary attainments and very social 
tastes. On the night of Feb. 6, 1871, on 
his -way to Albany to argue a case before 
the Court of Appeals, he was instantly 
killed by a disaster to the train at New 
Hamburgh, N. Y. Mr. Thompson mar- 
ried a daughter of the late Dr. T. C. Tap- 
lin, of Montpelier, and -left two children. 

Daniel G. Thompson, youngest son 
of the late Hon. D. P. Thompson, is now 
practising law in New York city, being the 
junior member of the legal firm of Jordan, 
Stiles & Thompson, the senior of which 
is Hon. Edward Jordan, late Solicitor of 
the Treasury. 

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHIES. 

HON. LUCIUS B. PECK, 

Lawyer and Member of Congress, and forty years a 
resident of Montpelier. 

ADDRESS OF B. F. FIFIELD, Esq., 

By request of the Bar, read before the assembled 
^Court,—His Honor, Asnhel Peck, presiding. 

May IT PLEASE THE CoURT : 

On the 28th day of December last, in a 
neighboring state, amid the friendless as- 
sociations of a strange city, Hon. Lucius 
B. Peck died of paralysis, in the 65th 
year of his age. On the 29th his remains 
were brought to his old home in Montpe- 
lier, and on the 30th, at the Pavilion Ho- 
tel, they were viewed with sorrow and re- 
gret by his old friends and fellow towns- 
men. On the 31st, at 4 o'clock, P. M., we 
attended his funeral in a body ; we heard 
pronounced the touching and impressive 
words of the Episcopal burial service ; we 
listened to the solemn chant of anthems 
breathing forth in melodious numbers 
consolation to the living and blessings up- 
on the dead, and as the lingering twilight 
of the departing year faded away in the 
west, we silently and mournfully followed 
the remains of him whom we respected and 
loved, and deposited them within the cold 
walls of the tomb. 

To-night, in pursuance of a time-hon- 
ored custom, we meet to testify our respect 
for our eminent friend, and upon me has 



464 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Though he talked little, he always talked 
well. His deference to the opinions of 
others was always marked, and generally 
he found greater pleasure in being an at- 
tentive listener than a noisy debator. 

About 1827, Mr. Smith died, and soon 
afterwards Mr. Peck removed to Montpe- 
lier, and continued the practice of law here 
from that time till the time of his death. 
From the time Mr. Peck removed to Mont- 
ier his practice was constantly increasing. 
He began to be generally known over the 
State ; in Orange county, he was engaged 
in almost every case. 

Dillingham, Upham and Collamer also 
practiced there, — all men of superior abil- 
ity. Pitted against each other their wits 
were sharpened and the traces always kept 
tight. The sharp retort, the fiery sarcasm, 
the nervous energy of Mr. Upham found 
their match in the cool, deliberate, mental 
power of Mr. Peck ; they were generally 
matched against each other. 

It should be remembered that courts are 
not now what they were then. There were 
no railroads then ; local attachments and 
feelings were stronger than now. The 
county seat was to the county a center to 
which all ejes were turned on court day. 
The hotels were filled, the court-house 
jammed with an interested and partisan 
audience, who were keen to sympathize 
with and applaud any happy hit which 
came from the lawyer who vindicated the 
cause in which they happened to believe. 
Thus emulation was created ; each lawyer 
knew what was expected of him. He stood 
not in representation of his client alone, 
but he stood to vindicate a just cause and 
hurl back all anathemas that trenched upon 
the rectitude of the intentions of his client, 
his witnesses and friends. The opposing 
counsel stood as gladiators, determined to 
win or die. 

Mr. Upham was the senior of Mr. Peck, 
but he had for him a profound respect ; 
after the battle was over they were the best 
of friends. They were wholly dissimilar. 
Mr. Upham was fiery, impetuous and 
headstrong. Mr. Peck was slow, deliber- 
ate and argumentative, but as he proceeded 
the hearers felt that a strong mental pow- 



er was operating to instruct the under- 
standing and convince the mind. 

Mr. Upham's power lay in his extreme 
earnestnesss, his biting denunciations, and 
often his eloquent appeals to the passions 
or prejudices of his hearers. 

Mr. Peck's lay in the candor and fair- 
ness of his statement, and the matchless 
elimination of truth from falsehood. 

These very dissimilarities in their char- 
acters contributed to make them friends, 
and the more that each recognized in the 
other what was wanting in himself. 

There was Dillingham, too, the last of 
them now living, whose emotional counte- 
nance and musical voice, notwithstanding 
the fire of Mr. Upham and the candor of 
Mr. Peck, were very apt to snatch the 
verdict from both if he could only get the 
close of the case. 

It was with such men, and amid such 
surroundings, that Mr. Peck practiced 
from the time he came to Montpelier down 
to about 1845. To hold any position of 
equality with such men, he was obliged to 
labor incessantly. But this he always did 
cheerfully, for he loved his profession. 

About 1830, he married the daughter of 
Ira Day, Esq., of Barre, who was then one 
of the wealthiest and most influential men 
in the State. For a few years they board- 
ed, and then he went into the house which 
he continued to occupy up to the time of 
his wife's death, in 1854. After his mar- 
riage, the charms of domestic life added to 
his happiness, and the years flew swiftly by. 

I have it from his own lips that these 
years from 1830 to 1845 were the pleasant- 
est of his life. And his old friends re- 
member with g^at pleasure the generous 
hospitalities which were so gracefully dis- 
pensed by him and his accomplished wife 
during these years. Happy in his home, 
and successful in his profession, Mr. Peck 
was content, though still aspiring. 

About this time he was retained as gen- 
eral counsel for the Vermont Central Rail- 
road through the influence of Gov. Paine, 
who had a thorough appreciation of his 
safe and reliable legal advice, and from that 
time to the time of his death, he continued 
their counsel. But though overwhelmed 



MONTPELIER. 



46s 



with professional business, Mr. Peck, after 
1845, mingled to some extent in politics. 
From 1847 to 185 1, he represented this 
district in Congress. While there he 
formed many valuable acquaintances, and 
among those of whom he was most accus- 
tomed to speak, were Daniel S. Dickinson 
and Gov. Marcy, for with them in particu- 
lar, he was on intimate and familiar terms. 

His congressional career was satisfactory 
to his constituents. He was respected 
and honored by all who knew him, and in 
all the speeches which he made there is 
the same precision and accuracy for which 
he was noted at home. But I think po- 
litical life was distasteful to him. 

He was essentially a man of habit. His 
profession was the profession of law. He 
had become habituated to the routine of 
that kind of labor, and when he stepped 
into a new arena he felt that he had strayed 
from home, and I think his mind ever 
turned from the dissipations of the fashion- 
able life of Washington with fond regret to 
his quiet home among his friends and the 
green hills of Vermont. Indeed, he has 
told me this in substance, many times, 
and that the greatest mistake of his life 
was in going to Washington at all. Prob- 
"ably, however, when he resumed the prac- 
tice of law on his return from Washington 
in 1852, his reputation received additional 
lustre by reason of his congressional life. 
Since 1852, there have been fewlargesuits 
in the State in which he has not been re- 
tained. 

Mr. Peck was United States District 
Attorney under President Pierce, and was 
once or twice nominated by his party as 
Governor of this State. From 1859 to his 
death, he was president of the Vermont & 
Canada Railroad. 

But his fame rests in his professional 
life. And here it was that he desired to 
have it rest. It was to this that he bent 
his energies ; here was his ambition, and it 
cannot be doubted that at last he stood 
without his peer, princeps inter principes. 
Quintilian tells us that a successful law- 
yer must be a good man. By this I sup- 
pose is meant that he must have a char- 
acter for integrity which will inspire con- 



fidence. Mr. Peck had this in a remark- 
able degree. Everybody believed not only 
in his ability, but also in his honesty. His 
word was law. Hence his opinion was 
sought from far and near. Every client he 
ever had was sure to return in new emer- 
gencies, and, when he again departed, it 
was with renewed and enlarged confidence. 

His kindness and patience in listening to 
the tedious and almost senseless recital of 
imaginary wrongs by moneyless clients is 
also worthy of remark. In the very height 
of his professional reputation, I doubt if 
he ever refused to counsel a client, how- 
ever poor he might be, or however small 
the controversy, and I need hardly say 
in this presence that such controversies 
are sometimes as intricate and difficult of 
solution as they are petty and insignifi- 
cant in magnitude. 

He was seldom if ever angry — never 
abusive. I can safely say that I never 
knew him to speak ill of any person. I do 
not doubt he had his dislikes, but if he had 
he kept them to himself. He had no petty 
jealousy of his brethren at the bar. He 
never believed it necessary to success that 
it should be built upon the ruins of his 
fellows. " With malice toward none and 
charity for all," his ambition was to rise by 
his own merit, and give others the same 
opportunity. 

His courtesy, too, to the younger mem- 
bers of the bar has become proverbial. 
For many years his position has been com- 
manding ; his opinion was therefore sought 
by those younger than himself. Who of 
us does not remeinber his forbearance and 
patience ? 

Mr. Peck was slow in forming his 
opinions. Every loop-hole in a question 
was revolved over and over in his mind 
before any definite conclusion was an- 
nounced. A leading though homely maxim 
with him was, " Be sure you are right, and 
then go ahead !" He believed in the ad- 
vice of Polonius to his son : 

Beware 
Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being tn. 
Bear It, that the opposer may beware of thee. 

He was peaceful in his habits, and for 
many years past has been more inclined to 



59 



466 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



advise settlements than to bring suits. 
His friends were few, but as a general rule 
very select. These he bound to his heart 
with hooks of steel. In this connection I 
cannot refrain from speaking of his reti- 
cence. By those who did not know him 
well, this has been taken for coldness. But 
it was very far from that. 

Mr. Peck was one of the most sensitive 
men I ever knew ; hence he was never ob- 
trusive. His sensibilities were delicate, 
and his apparent reserve was the result of 
a retiring modesty, rather than coldness of 
heart. He was, on the contrary, I confi- 
dently affirm, one of the kindest-hearted 
men I ever knew. If he did a favor, it 
was quite as apt to be behind your back as 
to your face. If he bestowed charity it 
was with no ostentation. If done at all, it 
was because it was proper and right ; no* 
because it might or might not be talked 
about. 

I have already alluded to the force of 
habit upon him. When once the wheels 
were in the groove, it was difficult to get 
him out of it. I remember well when we 
moved into our new office, about i860. 
Many a time have I known him to pass by 
to the old office, and never discover his 
error until he had got to the stairway or 
the door. It was many months before he 
felt at home in our new quarters, and I 
believe his old sign never came down from 
over the old office until within two years. 

Mr. Peck never pressed a debtor ; I 
never knew him to dun one, even. But, 
while he never troubled others, he was al- 
ways prompt in his engagements, and they 
were fulfilled with no quibbling, no mis- 
understandings. In short, he had a 
homely, old-fashioned honesty, and he was 
particularly attracted towards one who had 
the same. His dealings with other mem- 
bers of the bar were of the same character ; 
he was open, frank, straightforward, and 
he was never found in any diffi^rent position 
to-day from what he was yesterday. Hence 
his word was a bond. 

He delighted in the practice of the law, 
not so much in the contentions of the 
forum, as in the law as a science. His 
mind, whether in or out of court, was ever 



dwelling upon it ; he thought of nothing 
else, cared for nothing else. Here was his 
heart, and here was he also. He had a 
mind and temperament peculiarly adapted 
to the scientific investigation of legal prin- 
ciples. For his mind, being active and 
strong, gave him great power of analysis, 
and his temperament being slow and cau- 
tious, no conclusion was announced until 
the analysis was complete. His chief ex- 
cellence consisted in his power to separate 
and distinguish things essential from things 
of circumstance, and here he himself could 
only be his parallel. . His clear discrimina- 
tion easily penetrated the small clap-trap 
with which some lawyers attempt to con- 
ceal, rather than elucidate the trutli, and 
having a clear understanding himself, he 
' could make it clear to others also. 

Mr. Peck was not a man of great gen- 
eral learning, or high scholarly culture ; 
his reading was generally, though not al- 
ways, confined to the leather-bound vol- 
umes of our office ; there he revelled in 
perfect contentment. And as each new 
volume was issued, he drank from the clear 
fountains of the law, and renewed again 
his acquaintance with old and familiar 
principles as applied to new cases. 

He never indulged in satire 'or sarcasm ;• 
at most, it could only be called a pleasant- 
ry. His kindness of heart forbid that he 
should wound the feelings of others. 

He never ventured upon flights of im- 
agination or sketches of fancy. He con- 
sidered them as but small aids in the elu- 
cidation of truth, and when these arts were 
opposed to him, they faded away into the 
thin air of nothingness as he exposed their 
worthlessness. For want of these arts it 
has sometimes been said that he was not a 
great jury advocate. If by this is meant 
he was not brilliant in his conceptions, 
and swift and rapid in that kind of imagery 
which captivates the fancy and pushes the 
mind momentarily from its true balance, I 
agree to it, but if the art of good advocacy 
consists in convincing the understanding 
and riveting the mind upon the vital and 
centralizing points of a case, then, I think, 
he was a great jury advocate, and his great 
success in this regard is the best proof of 



MONTPELIER. 



467 



the truth of it. It should always be re- 
membered that after the advocacy is over, 
comes the rigid, unbending charge of the 
court. The minds of the jury quickly re- 
gain their equanimity, and return to the 
pivotal points in the case. 

But however this may be, his pre- 
eminence in the Supreme Court for more 
than twenty years has never been ques- 
tioned. It was remarked by Chief Justice 
Redfield, many years since, that he was 
the model lawyer of the State, and one of 
the most scholarly and appreciative of our 
present judges has often said that no man 
helped the court like Mr. Peck. The ex- 
pression is peculiarly appropriate ; for, to 
help the court implies ability and willing- 
ness on his part, and confidence and trust 
on theirs. When Mr. Peck arose, he 
stood, not the friend of his client alone, 
but also the friend of the court. Instantly 
they would lean forward to catch the meas- 
ured tones of his voice, as principle after 
principle was announced, constituting an 
unbroken chain of logical deduction, never 
diverging or diffuse, but ever aiming at a 
given result, and when the conclusion was 
reached, he always sat down. There was 
no repetition, no tautology. 

His appearance here was always quiet ; 
his style of address conversational. With 
great deference on his part, he and the 
court seemed to be conferring together. 
He was recognized their equal, and he 
never abused the high compliment. Hence 
the weight of his character gave great force 
to his arguments. He was a man of few 
words, but they were spoken with great 
precision and measured accuracy. 

■ In recent years I think he has not been 
accustomed to rely upon cases to any great 
extent. When a cause was to be argued, 
his first question was, what is right? and 
he never would fail to find some legal prin- 
ciple which would adapt itself to his view 
of the case. He never believed law was a 
code for the advancement of legalized 
trickery, but that in its proper administra- 
tion, it was co-extensive with the highest 
morality, and productive of the purest jus- 
tice. 

With such a head and such a heart, Mr. 



Peck practiced for 40 years in the courts of 
this State. True to his clients, true to the 
court, loved by the bar and respected by 
the public, he leaves behind him a reputa- 
tion whose lustre will illumine these altars 
of justice so long as the votaries of the law 
shall study it as a science, or practice it 
with fidelity. The future law student will 
find our reports full of the imprints of his 
masterly mind, and will read with uncea.s- 
ing delight those pages in which legal 
principles have been so moulded under his 
guiding hand as to adapt themselves justly 
to the ever-varying and changing circum- 
stances of life. 

The barbarous conception of the poet, 
that 

The evil tliat men do, lives after tliera; 
The good is oft interred with their bones, 

will find no verification in his case. 

His gentleness, his courtesy, and the 
noble qualities of his heart will be remem- 
bered by all of us who are living, and the 
monuments of his learning, spread all over 
our jurisprudence, will be remembered by 
those who come after us. 

But, may it please the court, he is gone 
from us now ; his labors are over, his des- 
tiny accomplished. Placidly and calmly 
he has laid off the armor of life. The 
armor was battered and worn ; it had been 
through many a battle, for he had fought a 
good fight. Truthfully and appropriately 
may we apostrophize it. 

Bruised pieces go 
Ye iiave been nobly borne I 

Mr. Peck, said the Hon. Timothy P. 
Redfield on this occasion, was the veteran 
leader of this bar, and for more than a 
quarter of a century had stood among the 
foremost of his profession in the State. 

He was also a model in courtesy and ur- 
banity in court. He loved and honored, 
but never, by a professional act, degraded 
the profession ; and his kindness and cour- 
tesy were extended alike to his brethren 
and the court. As a mere lawyer, it is not 
probable this bar will soon find again so 
perfect a model. 

He was in attendance upon the last ses- 
sion of this court, in his usual health. At 



468 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the General Term of the Supreme Court, 
in November, he had the responsible care 
of a large number of important cases, and 
it was observed that he exhibited more 
than his accustomed elasticity and vigor. 
A few days afterwards, while upon profes- 
sional business in the city of Lowell, Mass., 
he was suddenly stricken, and lingered, with 
the windows of his intellect darkened, until 
the 28th of December, when the light went 
out. 

[Of the resolutions on his death, passed 
by the bar, we most admire :] 

Resolved, That we respected him for a 
modesty that never assumed, and a cour- 
tesy that never gave offense ; we loved him 
for his honesty ; we admired him for his 
learning ; and that in all these character- 
istics, so happily united, he has left us a 
rare example. 

STODDARD BENHAM COLBY. 

BY HON. T. P. REDFIELD. 

Stoddard Colby was the second son of 
Capt. Nehemiah Colby, born at Derby, 
Orleans County, Jan. 18 16. 

In 1829, he began fitting for college in 
the office of the late Judge Redfield, who 
had then commenced the practice of the 
law, in the little village of Derby Center, 
in which Capt. Colby was the chief citizen 
and actor. 

Stoddard was an easy and ready scholar, 
and acquired language, especially, and its 
use, with great facility. Judge Redfield, 
fresh from college attainment, undulled by 
professional labors, was to young Colby a 
thorough teacher in the Greek and Latin 
languages. Colby entered the freshman 
class of Dartmouth College in the fall of 
1832, and, in due course, graduated in the 
summer of 1836. He was among the few 
best scholars in the class ; was, without 
question, elected one of the Phi Bela Kappa 
members from his class, which comprise 
the best recitation scholars, not exceeding 
one-third of the whole number in the class. 
He was a good recitation scholar in all de- 
partments ; but his special gifts were in 
the languages ; and as a ready writer and 
debater, he was among the best. After 
his graduation, he studied law in the office 
of the late Senator Upham, at Montpelier, 
and was admitted to the bar in Orleans 



County, at the December term, 1838, and 
entered upon the practice of his profession 
at his old home in Derby Center. He was 
elected representative from the town of 
Derby in the year 1841, on the democratic 
ticket, although a large majority of the 
voters of Derby were, at that time, Whigs ; 
which shows that personally, Mr. Colby 
was highly esteemed by the citizens of his 
native town. 

He practiced his profession at Derby 
with all the success in business that could 
be expected in the limited sphere in which 
he necessarily moved in that place. The 
first case he argued in the County Court 
was in behalf of his uncle. Dr. Moses F. 
Colby, in the famous suit, Nelson v. Colby, 
for malpractice as a surgeon in treating 
the fracture of the neck of the thigh bone 
of the plaintiff's wife. The theory of the 
plaintiff's case was that Dr. Colby had 
needlessly confined his patient in splints, 
till her health gave way, and she became 
insane, in consequence of the treatment, 
when, in fact, there had been no fracture. 
The surgeons of the plaintiff claimed that 
such a fracture could seldom be united, by 
a bony union, in persons of the patient's 
age ; and if so, with shortened limb, and 
imperfect motion, and that in Mrs. Nelson's 
case, there was no shortening of the limb ; 
"and perfect symmetry of motion." 

Mattocks, Cushman, Bell, and the late 
Judge Smalley, giants in those days, were 
all engaged, and took part in the trial, and 
young Colby opened the argument to the 
jury, in the defence. By the argument he 
established a reputation as a good advocate, 
which followed and adhered to him for 
more than 20 years of his professional prac- 
tice in this State. He always used choice 
and beautiful language ; was facile in illus- 
tration, and in figures of speech, and ever 
ready in wit and sarcasm. His client after 
three jury trials was cast in that first suit ; 
and while the suit was pending on excep- 
tions, and petition for new trial in the Su- 
preme court, Mrs. Nelson died, and it was 
then ascertained that the limb had been 
fractured, and the fragments had united in 
a perfect bony union ; and the plaintiff dis- 
continued his case from the docket. 



MONTPELIER. 



469 



Mr. Colby removed to Montpelier in 
1846, and soon after formed a law partner- 
ship with the late Lucius B. Peck. The 
law firm of Peck & Colby was then a lead- 
ing firm in the important legal business of 
the State, and continued so till 1863, when 
it was dissolved, and Mr. Colby was made 
Register of the Treasury, and removed to 
Washington. He continued to hold this 
position in the Treasury until his death, in 
the fall of 1867. He died at Haverhill, 
N. H., and was buried in the beautiful 
cemetery on the highlands, near Haverhill 
Corner. 

Mr. Colby was twice married. His first 
wife was Miss Harriet E. Proctor, the 
eldest sister of Gov. Proctor. She per- 
ished on the ill-fated steamer, Henry Clay, 
which was burned on the Hudson River. 
He afterwards married Miss Ellen Hunt, 
who survives him. By the first marriage 
he had four children, two of whom sur- 
vive ; and by the second marriage, two 
children. 

He will be remembered by his intimate 
friends and acquaintances for his genial 
wit and fertile resource in conversation, 
and the rich-garnered treasury of story and 
anecdote. 

But his reputation as a public man must 
rest, mainly, upon the character won in 
the varied and various tilts in the legal 
tournament, during the practice of a quar- 
ter of a century at the bar of Vermont. 
In that tournament, he was conceded to 
be one of the most brilliant advocates at 
the bar of his native State. He had no 
evil habit — no tarnish upon his good name ; 
was for many years a consistent member of 
the Protestant Episcopal church ; and died, 
seemingly, before his work was finished, 
at the age of 52. 

SAMUEL GOSS, 

our most venerable citizen, said the Watch- 
man, in a notice of his death, one who for 
his age, character, and fidelity as the ruler 
of his house, well-deserved the title of pa- 
triarch, died at Montpelier, Sabbath morn- 
ing, — Aug. 19, 1866 — in his 90th year. 
He was born in Hollis, N. H.,Nov. 1776; 
served an apprenticeship as printer with 



Amos Farley and Rev. Leonard Worces- 
ter in the office of " Isiah Thomas, the 
father of printers," at Worcester, Mass., 
entering the office at the age of 15, and at 
21, (says Col. Hopkins in a notice of Mr. 
Goss in the Boston Journal,) he went to 
Boston and purchased a second-hand press 
and other printing materials, to set up 
business for himself. Setting his face 
toward Vermont, he arrived with his 
scanty outfit at Peacham, on the 24th of 
Jan. 1798, and for want of better accom- 
modations, established his office in asmall 
school-house, a building scarcely large 
enough, as he used to say, to seat 20 chil- 
dren, and 8 days afterwards, issued the 
first number of the Green Moiaiiahi Pat- 
7-iot, a paper which he edited and published 
9 years, in company with Mr. Farley — firm 
Farley & Goss — when he removed his print- 
office to Montpelier," [see Walton, page 
291,] and commenced the Vermont Watch- 
man. Selling the Watchman in 18 10, to 
the late Gen. E. P. Walton and Mark Goss, 
(a younger brother,) both of whom were 
apprentices to Farley & Goss, he engaged 
in paper-making, which he continued for 
many years at Montpelier. Ardent in 
temperament, clear and strong in con- 
victions of duty, everything entered into 
he prosecuted with energy and zeal. In 
the church and Sabbath-school no one was 
more earnest and faithful. We think he 
has served more years in the Sabbath- 
school than anybody within our knowledge, 
unless it was his friend and brother in the 
church, the late Col. Asahel Washburn. 
Next best he loved his country, and from 
youth till he had reached almost a century 
of years, George Washington was his 
model of a statesman, with his announce- 
ment of whose death in his paper, appear- 
ed from his pen : 

AN ODE, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF 

GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

DEC. II, 1799. 

Why do these niournlul accents flow. 

Why drops the unavailing tear, 
What dire event, what fatal blow. 
Which thus excites a pang severe? 
In sad responses eolioes througli the skies, 
Columbia's Parent, Friend and Savior dies! 



470 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



'Tis true, alas I too true, we mourn 

The exit of our Hero Chief; 
While on celestial pinions borne 
He soars aloft o'er pain and grief; 
Yet grateful millions will their loss deplore. 
Tin time's extinct, and virtue is no more. 

In him those charms that bind the heart. 

And tranquilize the Iniman mind, 
Beam'd sweet effulgence thro' tliat part, 
Which now is to the toml) consign'd. 
In scenes of joy, in days of gloomy strife. 
Benign and calm the Hero pass'd through life. 
No monarch on liis shining throne 
Can, justly, equal honors claim ; 
His modest worth resplendent shone, 
Unrivall'd on the lists of fame. 
Nor lives the man, with griet Columbia cries. 
So good, so kind, so temp'rate and so wise. 
O, could Ci)lumbia's deepest groan, 
Re-anlmate his slumb'ring clay. 
No longer would affliction's moan 
Pervade a realm so lately gay. 
But prayers, nor tears, nor virtuous deeds could save. 
Nor magic arts can raise him from tlie grave. 
Then cease to mourn the great uian's fate. 

Let Heaven's superior will be done; 
And future heroes imitate 

Tlie matchless deeds of Washington; 
Who once our troops to splendid vict'ry led, 
Establislied peace, but now, alas, is dead. 

Mr. Goss was a contributor to the Poets 
and Poetry of Vermont, revised edition. 

During the years of the rebellion, his 
heart was with his country. It was a 
habit with him to visit the old "Watch- 
man" office, ever to him an endeared spot, 
twice a day to get the latest war news. 
" On one of his last visits, he submitted a 
patriotic poem," says the editor, "which 
was to have been published, but he took 
it back to make some changes in it, doubt- 
less, forgot it ; we now regret its lo.ss." 
We think, perhaps, we have found the 
poem. The following, contributed by his 
daughter, was among his last, it not his 
last, poetical efforts : 

fugitive's DIRECTORY — Impromptu. 

BY SAMUEL GOSS. 

Old Gov. Wise is all in a foam 
Because his blacic cattle to Northern States roam, 
And bids us poor Yankees to seud them all back. 
Without e'en a bloodhound to scent out their track. 
But humanity says, no, let them rest here a wliile. 
And tlielr fears of re-capture in slumbers beguile. 
But when tliey re.-olve to quit the straw as their bed, 
Just stuff their old pockets with dried beef and bread. 
And bid them go forward alone, in the night. 
With the star in the north as their guide and their 

light. 
To degree 45 near the line of the State, 
And the beautiful plain of Canada East, 
Wliere prudence suggests a permanent stand. 
Quite removed from the lash of the slave-driver's hand. 
And here let them rest, and effectually prove, 
The obvious fact— a pleasant remove. 



Samuel Goss was one of the first per- 
sons with whom the Editor of the Gazetteer 
became acquainted in Montpelier. We 
have of him a special remembrance, and 
for him — as he was then in his fine, ripe 
old age — a special reverence. The few 
last years of his life he suffered much, it 
is recorded of him, from the infirmities of 
age, and prayed for patience to wait his 
change, and went gladly to his rest. He 
was buried with Masonic honors, from the 
residence of his son-in-law, Hon. O. H. 
Smith, in Green Mount Cemetery, in 
the spot selected by himself, almost side 
by side with his ancient colleague and 
pupil, Farley and Walton. 

For 60 years he had been a worthy and 
prominent citizen of the place. " His life 
has extended over three generations of 
men," . . said the Rev. Dr. Lord in 
his funeral discourse, "and he was ever 
one of the first in all excellent enterprises 
and institutions, and one of the last to 
withdraw his hand. He began life for 
himself in Peacham, about the close of the 
last century. He established in that place 
a paper which he published and edited, 
doing all the work with his own hands for 
several years. He was a nervous and vig- 
orous prose writer, and often enriched his 
columns with poetic effusions of no mean 
merit. When he removed to this town, it 
was in its infancy. He brought with him 
his press and his paper, and the developed 
energies of a confident, earnest, self- 
reliant Christian man. He conducted his 
paper, as its early copies will show, with a 
marked ability. He held a sharp and 
trenchant pen, never forgetful of Christian 
principles and Christian charity, however, 
but the faithful index of a clear, acute, 

active and intense perception 

Long after he was 70 years of age, he was 
wont to labor with his hands through the 
whole day, and in the evening give him- 
self to some Christian work, or while away 
time with his book or his pen. But how- 
ever much he was interested in all public 
affairs, I think he most of all delighted in 
the welfare and upholding of the church. 
He was one of the seventeen who organ- 
ized and constituted the first Consfregational 



MONTPELIER. 



471 



church in this town. He was the first 
clerk, and its records were kept by his 
hand and attested by his name. No name, 
unless it be the pastor's, appears there so 
often as his. There was no trying duty 
of his profession he ever sought to avoid, 
and no fitting and beneficent work he did 
not eagerly perform. ... A teacher 
in the Sabbath-school for 35 years, his 
name was always fragrant in it like ointment 
poured forth." 

Of the 17 original members of the Con- 
gregational church, he was the last sur- 
vivor but one. 

Samuel Goss was the son of John and 
Catherine (Conant) Goss, the second of 
10 children, the eldest being John, Jr. 
Samuel Goss married, June, 1803, Mary 
French, born Oct. 1784; children: Wm. 
A., Benjamin F., Mary, Mary W., Eliza, 
Samuel P., Lydia French, Lucy A., John, 
and Samuel French. Mrs. Goss died Oct. 
27, 1 861. Of the children, only two are 
living, Mrs. O. H. Smith, of Montpelier, 
and Samuel F. Goss.'of Chicago. 

Benjamin Franklin Goss, son of 
Samuel, born in Peacham, 1806, brought 
to Montpelier in 1808, was brought up in 
this town, and prepared for business in the 
store of Roger Hubbard, (now deceased.) 
He went from here to Northfield, and was 
several years in successful business con- 
nection with Gov. Paine ; from thence to 
Waterbury, Brandon and Vergennes, where 
as elsewhere, he was an energetic man of 
business, and zealous in benevolent and 
religious enterprises. He died in Ver- 
gennes in 1878. His disease, of the 
brain, had the peculiarity to bring out viv- 
idly, almost to the exclusion of his bodily 
suiTerings, his early boyhood, the lessons 
of his parents and the Sabbath-school. 
Hour after hour, he would repeat from the 
Scriptures and hymna of youth, at the 
same time recognizing every attention. 
He was exceedingly courteous and grateful 
to his attendants during his long 5 months' 
illness, withal as vivacious and cheerful as 
in his most fortunate days. It was sad to 
see mind and body slowly, but surely 
wasting away, but comforting to see he 
recognized no sorrow, He was buried in 



the family lot in Montpelier Green Mount 
Cemetery. 

Mrs. Lucy A. (Goss) Cobb, the young- 
est daughter of Samuel Goss, died in Kal- 
amazoo, Mich., 1879, of whom the local 
paper speaks as a most estimable woman. 

HON. ORAMEL HOPKINS SMITH 

was born in Thetford, Oct. 1798, came to 
Montpelier about 1830; studied law in the 
office of Judge Prentiss, admitted to the 
Bar in 1825, and remained in Judge Pren- 
tiss' office 2 years after. In his earlier 
professional years, he repeatedly served 
as assistant clerk in the House of Repre- 
sentatives ; was State's attorney 3 years, 
ending in 1844; justice of the peace 25 
successive years ; 40 years a constant at- 
tendant upon the services of the Congre- 
gational church in this village, and during 
a quarter of a century led its choir. Of 
his professional ability, the fact that his 
name appears in the court records for 25 
years preceding i860, as counsel in nearly 
all the cases of those days, is conclusive 
proof. 

July, i860, at White River Junction, 
arising at midnight in the hotel, without a 
light, to take a train north, he stumbled 
against a piece of furniture and fell, strik- 
ing a wardrobe on the back of his neck. 
Every physical power from his neck down- 
wards was instantly paralyzed, but his vocal 
organs and every faculty of the mind re- 
mained in active play. To Dr. Dixi 
Crosby's remark that he had about one 
chance in one hundred for recovery, he 
promptly replied, " I'll take that chance!" 
In the course of a year, his will power and 
wonderful vitality so far triumphed, he re- 
sumed practice in his office as a counsellor, 
though his right side remained perma- 
nently paralyzed, and for 18 years longer, 
under difficulties that would have appalled 
a less resolute man, plied his profession 
with energy and industry. Late at night, 
the light shining from his office window, 
on the second floor of the building at the 
corner of Main and State streets, frequently 
told of the old painstaking faithfulness 
triumphing over his infirmities. 

He was one of the organizers of the 



472 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Montpelier Gaslight Company, and an 
officer in it several years ; his was the sec- 
ond house in Montpelier piped for burning 
gas. He also in its early days devoted 
much time to the affairs of the Vermont 
Central R. R., losing, like many others of 
the early friends of that road, many thou- 
sand dollars. For several of his last years, 
from age and infirmities, he was not able 
to attend to business, and died at his home 
at the " Riverside," in 1881, in his 83d 
year. He was the oldest surviving mem- 
ber of the Washington County Bar except 
Hon. Paul Dillingham, of Waterbury. 

He married, in 1830, Mary Warner, 
daughter of Samuel Goss. They had 4 
children: Chas. F., who was graduated 
at Dartmouth in 1854; studied law in his 
father's office ; removed to Michigan, and 
died at the age of 31 ; another son, who 
died in infancy ; and two daughters, both 
married and live in Montpelier — Ellen J., 
wife of C. J. Gleason, and Lucy A., wife 
of Chas. A. Reed. 

The widow of Mr. Smith still resides at 
the "Riverside," Nov. 1881. 

Mr. Smith was also an honored member 
of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M. 
The following is from the record book of 

the Lodge : 

^ 



JJV MJEMORIAM. 

§ra. 0nitncl ^Pi>hins ^mifh, 

Born in Tlietford, Vt., Oct. i6, 1798; 

Died at Montpelier, Vt. , January 23d, 1881 ; 

Aged 82 yrs., 3 mos. and 4 days. 

Affiliated with Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M. 
Dec. 12, 1S53. 

Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Vt. 

Treasurer of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, 

From December 4, 1S54, to December, 1857. 



" Awaiting the sound of the gavel 
in the East." 



[From Obituary in the VeriDont Watchman.] 
COL. THOMAS REED 

was born at Hamstead, N. H., Mar. 29, 
1793. He was a son of Capt. Thomas 
Reed, and came with his father to Montpe- 
lier in 1804, where he resided until his de- 
cease. He was by profession a lawyer, 
and at his decease the oldest attorney in 
the court in this County ; though for many 



years prior to the first stroke of his disease 
— some five years prior to his death, 
and from which he never rallied — he had 
not been an active practitioner at the bar. 
For the last 20 years, his active labor 
was mainly as a farmer, a pursuit in which 
he took much delight, and which he thor- 
oughly understood, as indeed, he under- 
stood everything which he undertook to 
do. During the last 5 years he was 
an invalid, and for 3 years was with- 
drawn from all business, the .slow progress 
of his disease undermining a naturally vig- 
orous constitution until April 18, 1864, 
when another shock of paralysis rendered 
him unconscious, and he remained in that 
state until he quietly passed away on the 
19th. 

For more than 40 years he was one of 
the leading citizens of our town. 

His early life was, in many respects, a 
.severe struggle with adverse circumstances. 
He held himself not at all obliged to for- 
tune or the favor of any one, for the success 
he achieved, and he became austere, almost 
combative in his manner. He despised all 
shams. Humbugs stood no chance under 
the severe scrutiny of his eye and the 
arrows of his searching interrogation. 
His sagacity was seldom at fault. Few of 
his ventures failed of returning with profit. 
He exacted of others what he was always 
ready to yield to them, equal and exact 
justice. No deserving charity, no worthy 
enterprise ever sought his aid in vain. 
Many hearts have been warmed by unob- 
trusive gifts from his hand, for which he 
would not patiently listen to thanks. 

He had a capacious intellect. His mind 
was as stalwart and vigorous as his body, 
and he never allowed either to become en- 
ervated by idleness. His reading was va- 
ried and thorough. There were few sub- 
jects with which the general scholar is fa- 
miliar that he had not searched. He never 
forgot anything of value to him, whether 
he had found it in books, or in observa- 
tion, which with him was never .superficial, 
but always critical and complete. He be- 
lieved what was worth knowing at all was 
worth knowing well. His learning was ac- 
curate and full, his opinions well matured, 



MONTPELIER. 



473 



deliberate and precise. We have regarded 
Mr. Reed as mentally one of the strongest 
men in the State, and if he had early had the 
advantages of a complete educatio*i, and 
had given his great force of character and 
strength of will to intellectual pursuits, he 
would undoubtedly have reached the first 
rank among the intellects of Vermont, if 
not of New Ehgland. 

He was one of the strongest, most hon- 
est and most worthy citizens of Montpe- 
lier. He belonged to a generation which 
is now nearly gone, the men whose energy, 
strong will, business activity, commer- 
cial sagacity, integrity and generous enter- 
prise, have made our town what it is. Of 
his cotemporaries, many have gone before, 
and few remained to attend at his funeral. 
Well will it be for us all, if we, like Mr. 
Reed, do our work well, and leave a fra- 
grant memory to be cherished by those 
who shall one day take our places. 

Addition by E. P. Walton. 

The foregoing just tribute to Col. Reed, 
appeared in the Green Mountain Freeman, 
and was doubtless from the pen of the late 
Hon. Daniel P. -Thompson. It should be 
added, that as a banker for many years 
Col. Reed was at the head of the financiers 
of the State, an acknowledged authority, 
from which there was no appeal ; and as a 
writer on political questions, he was caus- 
tic in controversy, sure of his facts, and 
powerful in argument. On the record of 
the old bank of Montpelier will be found 
a very able and conclusive argument 
against the free banking act, which grew 
out of the party clamor of " Smilie and 
bank reform" ; but the following extracts 
of a letter to Stephen Foster, Esq., of Der- 
by Line, written Dec. 6, 1855, are given 
as evidence of Col. Reed's wisdom and 
prudence as a banker : 

" Keep in mind always that if you have 
good security for all your loans your bank 
can't fail, nor the stockholders fail to get 
good dividends. 

" When a man comes by other banks to 
yours for a loan, you may know that he has 
borrowed as much as he is entitled to from 
his capital or that he is discredited at home . 

60 



" Keep in mind the fact that many men 
are made great and rich by distance, and 
you may be sure that if any go by other 
banks to do business at yours, that they go 
there because they are obliged to, and not 
from love. 

"If a man asks you for a loan whom 
you don't know to be responsible, the only 
safe way is to consider him good for noth- 
ing and take security accordingly. Chari- 
table presumption and banking presump- 
tion in regard to men are entirely differ- 
ent : the charitable presumption in regard 
to a man that you don't personally know 
about, is always that he is good and rich ; 
but the banking presumption is that he is 
good for nothing — and the cashier who does 
not act by this rule will first or last, if not 
constantly, be a loser by his error. 

"Have no dealings with a stranger in 
buying drafts or checks of him unless he 
can refer you to some responsible man in 
the neighborhood as to his character. 

" Never take a draft of anybody without 
its being first accepted, unless it is other- 
wise secured than by the drawer's name — 
and never do so if you know the drawer to 
be good, for how do you know he will ac- 
cept? Many buyers of produce, wool, &c., 
will often present such drafts, and if the 
cashier takes them, he has no security but 
the drawer, and he is often a stranger. 
Many banks have lost by such careless- 
ness. 

"In fine, pay out no money but on se- 
curity of more than one name — and never 
'regard as security an endorser or under- 
signer who is connected with the principal 
as partner, or one who must fail if the prin- 
cipal does. 

" Banks, being allowed to take only six 
per cent, can't afford to lose anythmg, and 
therefore it is expected by their customers 
that perfect security will be required — and 
if any one objects to this, there is a double 
reason why you should require it of him. 
Many men, who are known to be good, 
think they should not be asked to give se- 
curity for what they want to borrow — but 
such can have no difficulty to find se- 
curity, and they should be required to find 
it, otherwise you will find it difficult to get 



474 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



security of those who are more doubtful, 
and be subject to the charge of partiality. 
Security, Security, Security, that is the 
main thing — and mind always to have the 
security taken before you let the money go. 
It is scarcely ever got afterwards." 

Mr. Reed was commissioned Colonel of 
Vermont militia Aug. il, 1825, by Gov. 
Van Ness ; and honorably discharged June 
27, 1827, by Gov. Butler. 

The late Daniel Baldwin, shortly before 
his death, said to the writer ot this note, 
that he regarded Col. Reed as being, intel- 
lectually, the strongest man that Montpelier 
has had. Mr. Reed was certainly pre-em- 
inent in his chosen role as banker, but not 
superior to many others in other profes- 
sions. It is doubtless true, however, that 
if he had adhered to the profession of the 
law, and limited himself as counsellor in 
the supreme court and cases in chancery, 
he would have reached a very high rank. 
The severity of his manner and speech un- 
fitted him for a jury trial. He always 
won by honest force, if he did win, and 
not by suavity or trickery. 

CAPT. ISAAC RICKER. 
[From infoiniation I'liniislud liy the family.] 

Isaac Ricker wasborninDover, N. H., 
Christmas day, 1784. Here his early years 
were passed, and from Dover he enlisted 
in the old N. E. 4th Reg. Infantry, U. S. 
A., in 181 1, and was in the service all 
through "the last war with Great Britain," 
as the old soldiers of 18 12, I have noticed, 
in speaking of it, almost invariably style 
the war of 1812, '14, with England. He 
was under Col. Boyd, and the regiment 
was called the best in the United States at 
that time. He was also under Harrison 
when he took command at Cincinnati. 
Boyd's regiment was with Gen. Harrison 
when he won his brightest laurels. Capt. 
Ricker was there, and led his company 
in to the battle of Tipj^ecanoe. 

His weight being 200 at this time, tall 
and massive, he was an imposing looking 
and bold officer. 

The Indians surprised them, as is well 
known, that night. He was in Hull's army 
when he surrendered at Detroit his brave 



soldiers to the English, and he, like all the 
rest of Hull's infamously sacrificed men, 
suffered more in his imprisonment, follow- 
ing thereupon, than has ever been written. 
He was 7 years in the United States ser- 
vice, and never got scratch, wound or pen- 
sion, though his widow, a second wife, has 
had one for about 2 years past. After the 
war he was, for about 2 years, a recruiting 
officer of the U. S. A. 

He came to Montpelier in 18 17, and set-, 
tied on the site where is now the residence, 
store and shop of his son, Rufus Ricker, 
merchant tailor. State street, just opposite 
the post-office. He was deputy sheriff of 
the County and constable some years. 
Capt. Ricker was a staunch Democrat. 
" He fought too many years for the whole 
country to be anything else," says his son. 

We were told by an old native citizen of 
this County, at Burlington, the other day 
— Mr. Leonard Johonnott — that Captain 
Ricker and Senator Upham were particular 
friends ; that he always worked enthusi- 
astically and efficiently in any election for 
Upham. "Why," said his old Barre 
neighbor, "any history of Montpelier vil- 
lage of 50 years ago, witKout Capt. Isaac 
Ricker, would be no history at all." He 
cared little for town offices, or political 
honors for himself, but was all alive and 
energetic for his friends. And yet says 
one who knew him best in Montpelier, 
"he was a man who did not usually talk 
much ; he had been under military tactics 
too long ; but a prompt man when he did 
take hold, and acted with so much integrity 
as a sheriff, and so kindly, he was uncom- 
monly respected and trusted by those he 
took into custody." 

Captain Ricker married, first, Nancy 
Dame, of Rochester, N. H. She had 7 
children, of whom Rufus R. Ricker, Fran- 
cis Derancis Ricker and Mrs. Priscilla 
Holmes, widow of Edwin C. Holmes, are 
now living here. Another son, George P. 
Ricker, was for many years engaged in busi- 
ness in town, and died from accident, 
in August, 185 1. His first wife dying, he 
married, about 1828, Loramie W. Hart, of 
Burlington, who survived him, and still 
lives in Montpelier. She had two children : 





" 4 



\ 1 



<py Gt'T^-ry-*^ ^3 



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MONTPELIER. 



475 



Harrison Hart Wright, now living in San 
Francisco, a '49er, one of the pioneers ot 
that State, born in Montpelier ; and a son 
of 12 years, who died of typhus. Capt. 
Ricker died July i6, 1837, and is buried 
in Green Mount Cemetery. 

THOMAS NEEDHAM 

was born in Salem, Mass., Nov. 1785 ; re- 
moved to Mount Vernon, N. H., in 1812, 
where he married, that year, Eleanor 
Dodge, and they came to Montpelier in 
18 19, where they resided the remainder of 
their days. Mr. Needham wasa cooperby 
trade, which vocation he followed through 
life. He was a man of brain, a great 
reader, and kept himself thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the affairs of the country. 
Politically, he was a Democrat, an ardent 
worker and earnest supporter of his party, 
which was in a majority in town in his 
day. For 25 years he wielded an influence 
in town, either at town or State elections, 
far greater than any other man. He 
never, however, aspired for office. Re- 
peatedly, he was asked by his party to ac- 
cept of their nomination of him as their 
candidate for town representative, which 
was equivalent to an election, but always 
refused to accept of it. Of town offices, 
he was for several years a justice of peace, 
selectman, and overseer of the poor ; the 
poor being bounteously cared for under 
his management. He also held the office 
of first jail commissioner many years. In 
all of the offices held by him, he was faith- 
ful to their trust. He died June 12, 1872, 
in his 87th year, leaving 2 sons, Algernon 
Sydney, for many years a sea captain, now 
residing in Montpelier, and Daniel, resid- 
ing in Barre. His wife, Eleanor D., died 
Oct. 9, 1880, in her 93d year. C. B. 

THE OLD VILLAGE SEXTON. 

[From ol)itiiarv bv Hon. Joseph Poland and 
Col". H. V. Hopkins.] 

Aaron Bancroft was born in Wood 
End, now within the present limits of 
Boston, Mass., Feb. 2, 1784. He wasone 
of a family of 12 children, and a son of 
Samuel Bancroft, who was a brother of 
the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bancroft, of Worcester, 
Mass., father of George Bancroft, the his- 



torian ; being a direct descendant of Thos. 
Bancroft, a Puritan, who landed in Boston 
in 1632. 

Aaron, the subject of our sketch, was 
married in 1804, to Anna Foster, of Wood 
End, and removed to Montpelier in 1813. 
He began work at his mechanical trade, 
that of a shoemaker, which he followed 
uninterruptedly until he was 84 years of 
age, when, by an accidental fall, he re- 
ceived injuries which disabled him from 
further service. In 18 13, the year he came 
to town, the old Elm Street Cemetery was 
opened, and he was soon after made its 
sexton, the duties of which office he faith- 
fully performed for nearly 50 years, until 
July, 1857, when the new cemetery, Green 
Mount, was occupied, having been dedi- 
cated the previous year. What a tale of 
mortality could the old se.xton tell : 

" Nigh to a grave tliat was newly made, 
Leaned a Sexton old on his earth-worn spade; 
His work was done, and he paused to wait 
The funeral train through the open gate. 
A relic of by-gone days was he, 
And his locks were wliite as the foamy sea; 
And thes,e words came from his lips so thin, 
' I gather them in, I gather them in.' 

" I gather them in lor man and boy ; 
Year after year of grief and joy ; 
I've builded the houses tliat lie around 
In every nook of this burial ground; 
Mother and daughter, fatlier and son, 
Come to my solitude, one by one,— 
But come tliey stranger, or come they kin, — 
I gather them in, I gather tliera in. 

" Many are witli me, but still I'm alone, 
I'm king of the dead— and I make my throne 
On a monument slab of marble cold, 
And my sceptre of rule is the spade I hold. 
Conid they from cottage, or come they from hall, 
Mankind are my subjects— all, all, all! 
Let them loiter in pleasure, or toilfuUy spin — 
I gather them in, I gather tliem in. 

" I gather them in — and their final rest 
Is here, down here, in the earth's dark breast I ' 
And tlie Sexton ceased, for the funeral train 
Wound mutely o'er tliat solemn plain ; 
And I said to my heart. When time is told, 
A mightier voice tlian tliat Sexton's old 
Will sound o'er tlie last trump's dreadful din — 
'I gatlierthem in, I gather them in! '" 

In 18 19, when the old brick church was 
erected, he was made its sexton, in which 
capacity he officiated for two score of 
years. In "form and feature" he was 
the exact representation of his office, gray, 
bowed, kind, slow-spoken and courteous. 
In his earlier day, he possessed great phys- 
ical strength and muscle even up to the 



4/6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



age of 50 ; he repeatedly bore off the palm 
in wrestling matches and foot-races. He 
was also endowed with a remarkable mem- 
ory, which he retained to the last. To him 
we are indebted for the record of the vital 
statistics of the town, making a list of 
about a thousand deaths, which he kept 
for 46 years, until 1857, since which time 
the State law has required the registration 
of all deaths by the district clerk. 

In 1804, Mr. Bancroft and his wife united 
with the Congregational church, of which 
they remained faithful members till their 
death. Mrs. Bancroft died in Oct. 1865, 
aged 82; and Mr. Bancroft, Mar. 26, 1872, 
aged 88 years. That he was a sincere 
Christian, no one ever doubted who knew 
him, for his daily life gave uniform testi- 
mony to the genuineness of his profession. 
His Bible was his daily food, even upon 
his dying bed, and he found great comfort 
in the songs of Zion, which he always 
dearly loved, until the summons came. 
Artless and as trustful as a child, faithful to 
all his trusts, cheerful under .the worst 
trials, a peacemaker everywhere, pure in 
heart and exemplary in life, Aaron Bancroft 
may well be said to have lived and died an 
honest man. 

He reared a family of 5 sons and 3 
daughters : Aaron, Sarah, Henry, Mary, Ed- 
ward C, Daniel Foster, Eliza and Charles 
E ; two more died in infancy. All now are 
deceased but two, Daniel Foster, now re- 
siding in New York city, and Mrs. Mary 
Rogers, in Cabot. The sons all learned 
various mechanical trades, which they fol- 
lowed through life, all being superior work- 
men at their several trades. 

CAPT. LEMUEL BROOKS, 

born in Connecticut in 1767, married 
Rhoda Barber, of Simsbury, Ct., and came 
to Montpelier in January, 1798. He was 
present and cast his vote in the first town 
meeting held in Montpelier. He first set- 
tled in the part now called East Montpelier, 
where he lived for 40 years, when he re- 
moved to Montpelier village, where he 
died in 1846, during the session of the 
Legislature here, aged 79 years, and was 
buried in the old Elm Street Cemetery. 



He is remembered by his descendants as a 
large man, almost of heroic size, a kind 
old gentleman, fond of a joke and of his 
grandchildren. He and his wife lived 
happily together 48 years. They had no 
sons, but a family of 5 daughters, four of 
whom married : Mary, A. Sidney Wing, of 
Montpelier ; Rhoda, General Humphrey ; 
Amanda, another Mr. Humphrey ; Fanny, 
Loomis Palmer. 

MRS. RHODA BROOKS. 

Rhoda Barber, born in Simsbury, Ct., 
Nov. 17, 1798, immediately after her mar- 
riage with Lemuel Brooks, Jan. 1798, came 
to Montpelier. There were but two framed 
houses at that time, and the frame of an- 
other, in the old town of Montpelier, com- 
prising the present Montpelier and East 
Montpelier. The frame was that of the 
Cadwell house, still standingat the head of 
State street, that became and continued for 
many years to be the most spacious and ele- 
gant private dwelling in town, and the quar- 
ters of successive governors of the State. 
When Mrs. Brooks first saw the frame, it 
was surrounded by the stumps and trunks 
of trees that had been cut down to open a 
site for the building. Mrs. Brooks went 
to the farm of her husband, now in East 
Montpelier, where they remained till their 
removal to this village in 1838. After the 
death of Mr. Brooks, she resided with her 
son-in-law, Loomis Palmer, until her death, 
Dec. 21, 1873, aged 85 years. 

Mrs. Brooks was large and elegant in 
person, of perhaps the finest English type 
of beauty; dignified in her manners, genial 
in her temper, and of great intelligence. 
Mr. Thompson was largely indebted to her 
for material for his history of Montpelier. 

A lady of a well-ordered life, whose 
Christian faith was illustrated by hospital- 
ity and charity ; whose end was more than 
beautiful. Awaking without sickness on 
the morning of the anniversary of her hus- 
band's birth, she calmly told her daughter 
that she was going, and entered at once 
upon the way from earth to Heaven. 

THOMAS BROOKS, 

brother of Lemuel, settled in Montpelier 
not far from the time that his brother did. 



i-j^Ss^ ^*^^ 




K 



\\ 



'f^^~i^L-'isi^^/^^k-^ 'i 



^^fyCc^rc-T^ 



MONTPELIER. 



477 



Children of Thomas and Roxa Brooks : 
Delorma, Lemuel, Keyes, Mary, Melanc- 
thon, Sarah, Lorenzo, Joseph, Harriet, 
Thomas, Roxa. 

JONATHAN SHEPARD. 

One afceranotherthe now thinly scattered 
band of our first settlers are all fast passing 
away. Of the earliest pioneer settlers of 
Montpelier, Jonathan Shepard went to his 
long rest July 26, 1863. He was born in 
Haverhill, Mass., June 31, 1772, and at 
the age of 21, came to Montpelier, where, 
for the first two or three years, he was in 
the employment of the first settler. Col. 
Jacob Davis, being constantly engaged 
with others of the ColonePs band of hardy 
laborers in clearing up the lands now con- 
stituting the site of our flourishing village. 
After a few years, he married a Miss Bur- 
dick, of Waitsfield, who died of spotted 
fever in 18 10, and a few years subsequently, 
he married the widow of Wm. Hutchins, 
many years since deceased. His first 
"pitch" was on the lands afterwards 
known as the Silloway farm, near Henry 
Nutt's. Soon selling this, however, he 
purchased the well-known valuable farm 
lying around the mouth of Dog river, 
which he held till a few years ago, when it 
passed into the hands of his son, George 
C. Shepard, Esq. While carrying on this 
farm, he became the occupant of the 
Hutchins\ or Farmers' inn, which, to the 
very general acceptance of the public, he 
kept for nearly 30 years. 

Mr. Shepard was never known as an 
office-holder ; for, though often offered 
them, he uniformly declined all offices. 
He was a man of much decision of char- 
acter — of great energy, of fine business ca- 
pacities, and from the first has been among 
our most active and enterprising citizens, 
and by these qualities, he accumulated a 
very handsome property ; and what is 
better, he was an honest man, ever re- 
garding his word as sacred. — Obit. 

HON. JOSEPH HOWES AND WIFE. 

Joseph Howes, born in Lebanon, Conn., 
March 28, 1783, died in Montpelier, April 
26, 1863. He was descended from one of 
the early puritans who settled in Plymouth 



County, Mass. Judge Howes came to 
Montpelier with his wife in 1808, both re- 
mained there during their lives, and both 
were among the members of the First Con- 
gregational church, now commonly known 
as Bethany church, at its organization in 
1810, of which they were ever faithful and 
highly-honored members. Judge Howes 
was intelligent, decided and immovable in 
his religious and political opinions. Be- 
ginning as a Jeffersonian Republican, he, 
with the most of that party in Vermont, 
supported John Quincy Adams for presi- 
dent in 1824, and after Gen. Jackson's 
election in 1828, adhered successively to 
the National Republican, Whig, and the 
modern Republican parties. He was pat- 
riotic, served nearly two years on the 
frontier as adjutant in the war of 181 2-' 15, 
and served so well that a commission in 
the regular army was offered him, which 
he declined on account of the pressing 
needs of his young family. In Sept. 1814, 
however, he started for Plattsburgh as 
second lieutenant in the volunteer Mont- 
pelier company, a roll of which, in his 
hand-writing, has been found among his 
papers. He represented Montpelier in 
the Legislature of 1813, and while holding 
that office, left for military service on the 
frontier; was also a Judge of Washington 
County Court, 1819 to 1827; and served 
several years as surveyor of public build- 
ings, his duty being to i^rovide for sweep- 
ing, heating and lighting the State House, 
and furnish stationery for both Houses. 
His bill for these services in the session of 
37 days in 1825 was $68.71, $3 of which 
only was for his personal service — less 
than $2 per day for all, which is less than 
the daily pay now of a page. He was also 
long engaged in the most responsible town 
offices, — moderator, selectman, overseer, 
and magistrate. He was thoroughly con- 
scientious in the discharge of all his public 
and private duties — severely just as against 
himself, and severely censorious of all 
wrong ; but he was also generous to those 
who had wronged him. 

PattyWilder, daughter of Abel Wilder, 
of Norwich, and grand-daughter of Lieut. 
Gov. Elisha Payne, of Lebanon, N. H., 



478 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was born in 1786, married Judge Howes in 

1808, and died January 20, 1871. While 
her husband was of a severe type, she was 
gentle, mild, charitable, and these mingled 
qualities made a household of obedient and 
affectionate children, of whom there were 
nine, to wit: William, born April 21, 

1809, went to Prescott, Wis., about 30 
years ago, became mayor of the town, and 
was judge of probate for his district sev- 
eral years, and until his death ; Almira, 
widow of Lieut. Gov. David M. Camp, of 
Derby; Joseph Wilder, born Nov. 5, 1812, 
was a merchant and sheriff of this county 
in 1849: [for more, see ante, pages 394- 
396.] George, born Nov. 14, 1814, was a 
merchant, cashier of the Bank of Mont- 
pelier from 1841 to 1858, and State treas- 
urer 1847 to '53 ; Sarah Sophia, born July 
27, 1 817, married E. P. Walton, Jr., June 
6, 1836, and died Sept. 3, 1880; Solon, 
born Aug. 6, 18 19, died in early manhood ; 
Martha is widow of Rev. Calvin Pease, 
Professor and President in the University 
of Vermont, and at his death pastor of a 
Presbyterian church in Rochester, N. Y. ; 
Henry, born March 7th, 1826, died in 
childhood ; and last, Henry, born Apr. 30, 
1829, was for some years a cashier, and 
since 1865 has been employed in the Na- 
tional Treasury and Interior Departments. 

Judge Howes was a blacksmith, and I 
have a very tine engraving of the interior 
of a blacksmith's shop, which I have al- 
ways called ///y 7w/A coat of arms. E p. w. 

DR. JULIUS YEMANS DEWEY. 
[Extracts from an obituary b Dr. Suniiur Putnaiii.] 

Julius Yemans Dewey was born in 
Berlin, Aug. 22, 1801 ; his father, Simeon 
Dewey, being among the first to settle in 
that town, coming from Hanover, N. H., 
nearly 100 years ago. Juhus was one of a 
family of 8 children, and very active when 
a lad, not only working upon the farm, 
but traveling about the country, both on 
foot and on horseback, as an assistant 
drover. But in his nineteenth summer, 
one-half day's work, which consisted in 
loading and pitching 17 loads of hay, de- 
termined his choice of a profession, from 
the fact that for a long time afterward he 



was sick with pain and inflammation in 
the hepatic region, from which, however, 
he finally recovered, and outlived all the 
members of his father's family. Having 
acquired a good preliminary education at 
the Wash. Co. Gram. School, he studied 
medicine with Dr. Lamb., a celebrated 
practitioner in those days, resident at 
Montpelier, and in 1823, received his de- 
gree from the medical department of the 
Vermont University, and commenced prac- 
tice at Montpelier. In consequence of his 
activity, intelligence and skill, he soon ac- 
quired a large professional business, and 
June 9, 1825, married Miss Mary Perrin, 
daughter of Zachariah Perrin, of Berlin. 
The fruit of this union was 18 years of 
happy domestic life and 4 children : Chas. 
and Edward Dewey, of Montpelier, Geo. 
Dewey, of the U. S. Navy, and Mrs. Dr. 
Geo. P. Greeley, of Nashua, N. H. Fur- 
thermore, these years were crowned with 
professional and financial success, but all 
too soon, the faithful wife and mother was 
called from her earthly home, and the circle 
thus painfully broken, remained severed 
about 2 years, when it became restored by 
a second marriage with Mrs. Susan L. 
Tarbox, of Randolph, an estimable lady, 
who brought with her an excellent daugh- 
ter, now the wife of his oldest son, which 
arrangement proved very happy in all re- 
spects. 

Though brought up in a family the heads 
of which were rigidly Puritan, Dr. Dewey 
chose the Protestant Episcopal church, in 
which he was long a faithful office-bearer, 
a liberal supporter and an influential ad- 
viser, especially against the modern fash- 
ions which find no countenance except in 
the Roman churches. In politics, he was 
ardent and intelligent, and to him, per- 
haps, quite as much as any other one, is to 
be ascribed the defeat of the anti-masonic 
Gov. Palmer in 1835, and the subsequent 
success of the Whig and Republican par- 
ties in Vermont ; yet he was never an 
office-seeker, but acted simply upon his 
convictions of what was best for the State 
and the nation. 

In 1850, Dr. Dewey, with others, or- 




-fl-'''**i 







W'a ^' 




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-. ^i2?fe 



MONTPELIER. 



479 



ganized the National Life Insurance Com- 
pany of IVIontpelier, and soon became its 
president and chief manager, and so re- 
mained until his death. Under his auspi- 
cious management, in 27 years, the com- 
pany has acquired a large number of 
policy-holders, presenting a record of suc- 
cess unequalled, and worthy the confidence 
and patronage of those who desire at death 
to doubly ensure, if possible, a legacy to 
their families. Indeed, amid the financial 
ruin and distress prevalent, this noble 
monument of his provident care and in- 
dustry affords relief to many a worthy 
debtor, and stands against the invasion of 
want as a bulwark to many a widowed and 
orphaned home. 

In 1854, being deprived by death of a 
second wife, at 53 years of age, apparently 
in the prime of life, and by nature strongly 
inclined to make the best of life and its 
blessings, especially the endearments and 
comforts of home, he fortunately married 
Mrs. Susan E. Lilley, of Worcester, Mass., 
a beautiful and excellent woman, who also 
brought with her a beautiful daughter, now 
the wife of his second son, and for the last 
20 years made his home a paradise, until 
his final departure shrouds it in mourning, 
(1876.) 

During his last years, his relations as 
husband, parent and grand-parent were 
eminently happy. I have heard him re- 
mark that few men had been so unfortunate 
as himself in the loss of excellent wives, 
and that no man could have been more 
fortunate in replacing them. He was very 
strongly attached to home and its endear- 
ments — his wife, children and grand- 
children, and they always received from 
him the kindest attention, care and pro- 
vision ; and, in return, he received from 
them, and carried with him at his depart- 
ure, their utmost love, confidence and re- 
spect. 

Dr. Dewey was eminently a strong, self- 
made man, — a person who thought care- 
fully, intelligently and broadly ; conse- 
quently, every enterprise to which he put 
his hands, proved a success. Education, 
the church, all forms of public welfare — 



town, state and national, as the found- 
ation and defense of home, social order, 
progress and wealth, were near and dear 
to his heart, and always received his cor- 
dial support. During a long and active 
life, his ability and integrity reached and 
maintained the highest standard. Socially, 
he was friendly, open and cheerful. 

On the 2oth of May, 1876, he partook of 
a hearty dinner, over-exercised, and be- 
came much excited in discussion. Imme- 
diately, symptoms of disturbed digestion 
began, and a bad night followed, the pulse 
soon falling to 28 or 30 per minute. This 
state continued until the morning of the 
29th, at 3 : 30 o'clock, when, in full con- 
sciousness, in the 76th year of his age, the 
heart instantly ceased to beat, the counte- 
nance flushed, soon became full and dusky, 
efforts at respiration ceased almost imme- 
diately, consciousness was gone, and the 
paleness of death .settled over the features. 

"Soul, thought, will, ideatiou— 
All, so quickly severed 
Fi'oru their loved abode — 
O, who may or e'er can, 
The mystery of life. 
Of death, illume, unveil. 
To the mourning circle 
Left beliind?" 

MEDICAL MEN OF MONTPELIER. 

BV DIl. SUMNER PUTNAM. 

FREDERICK W. ADAMS 

was born in Pawlet, in 1786, and his lit- 
erary remains show him to have been ed- 
ucated. He studied medicine with Dr, 
Oliver Harmon, of Pawlet, attended med- 
ical lectures at Dartmouth College, and 
began practice in Fairfield before he grad- 
uated. Remaining there some time, he 
moved to Cambridge, and from Cambridge 
to Barton in 18 14, and in 1822, returned 
to Dartmouth, and received his diploma. 
He continued to practice in Barton and 
vicinity till 1836, where he acquired great 
reputation as a physician and surgeon, 
being called at times a distance of 50 miles 
to perform capital operations. He was 
also the first, or one of the first, to call 
attention to the American hellebore or 
veratrum viride in practice. In the winter 
of 1835 and 1836, he attended medical lec- 
tures at Philadelphia, with a view of set- 



48o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tling in Montpelier, which he did in 1836, 
his name and reputation soon following, if 
it had not already preceded him. 

Located at Montpelier, he was at first 
shunned by many on account of his re- 
puted skepticism ; but being a large, gen- 
tlemanly appearing man, of dignified pres- 
ence, destined to excite attention and 
command respect or fear anywhere, he soon 
became a leading practitioner in the town 
and surrounding country. 

Dr. Adams was a man of literary taste, 
and having long been esteemed an infidel 
or atheist, he, in 1843, at the request of 
friends, published a book entitled " The- 
ological Criticism," which entitles him to 
rank with Paine and Ingersoll in their esti- 
mate of the Bible, the church and the 
clergy. But only as respects these points 
did his skeptical philosophy seem to touch 
his heart, as the following may tend to 
show : When he first came here, a lead- 
ing church felt it a duty to circulate papers 
asking its members to sign their names 
promising not to employ him profession- 
ally. After a time, the same men, one a 
deacon, who circulated the first paper, 
came to him with a subscription paper to 
help repair the church, to which appeal 
he replied, " God forbid that he should so 
misapply his money. He much preferred 
to give it to the poor and needy whom he 
knew." 

All of those formerly acquainted with 
him here, with whom I have conversed, 
declare the Doctor to have been a very 
benevolent, generous, honorable, kind- 
hearted man. Says one, "He lived more 
practical Christianity daily, than any other 
man in town." When a poor man asked 
him for his bill, he would say, "How 
much money have you?" " O, not much !" 
would be the reply. "How many children 
have you?" " Four or five," as the case 
might be. "Well, then, you will want all 
the money you have, and more too ; here, 
take this," handing out five dollars, per- 
haps. Also, every now and then he would 
buy a web of calico, cotton cloth, or what- 
ever he thought might be needed, and 
slyly hand it in at the back door of the 
poor. On the other hand, of the usurious 



rich, he would take a good bill, but no 
more than professional, saying to himself, 
if I get the money, I shall give some of it 
to the needy, and that they will not do if 
they keep if. A lady, whose family phy- 
sician he had been, said, "do not have it 
go into his biography that he was an in- 
fidel, for he was not. See the lines he 
composed on the death of my daughter," 
handing me the long-preserved lines, full 
of beautiful sentiment : 

O, God I forgive us the distrust 

Deep agony liatli wrouglit. 
Of dispensation doubtless Just, 

With liidden mercies I'rauglit. 

But when an idol is removed, 
Although from earth to Heaven, 

Our hearts rebel, that one so loved 
Should have been lent, not given. 

O, hard, and harder yet to bear 

The cross we now sustain ; 
While memory will not forbear 

To ambrotype our pain. 

We own that we should be resigned, 

And put in God our trust; 
Yet human selfishness is blind. 

Nor sees that God is just. 

Hence, we should solemnly invoke 

The Faith too seldom giv'n, 
That sees this mercy in the stroke, 

A soul transferred to Heaven. 

It is said that he and Dr. Shelton, Rector 
of the Episcopal church in this place at 
that time, were on particularly good terms, 
often joking and bantering each other — 
Shelton often inviting Dr. A. to attend 
church, while he would as often contempt- 
uously decline to so misspend his time. 
But Dr. S. having prepared a sermon for 
him, continued to invite him tochurch, and 
at last he came, when the usher seated him 
well up in front. Dr. S. now took from 
the drawer his long-prepared sermon, on 
the text, "The fool hath said in his heart, 
there is no God," and delivered from his 
pulpit a powerful discourse, which Dr. A. 
seemed to take pretty much to himself, 
meanwhile, sitting uneasily in his seat, and 
sweating profusely. The old Doctor had 
a good mind to be mad, but then he con- 
cluded to blow it oiT. 

Dr. Adams was a musician, and also 
made violins, which are said to have chal- 
lenged the admiration of Ole Bull. Ole 
Bull called on him when here, and he and 
the Doctor had some music. 



^^i^^'^-^; 




^^^///TTTXTL^/f- (^MC'f^^n^^^^ , 



MONTPELIER. 



He was twice married, and a daughter 
of his now resides in Barton. He died 
Dec. 17, 1858, of pneumonia, aged 72, 
with a clear intellect, and when asked if 
he died as he had lived, answered, " If 
there is a Christian's God, I am not afraid 
to trust myself in his hands." 

Abridged from memoir in Transactions of the 
Vermont Medical Society. 

DR. C. B. CHANDLER 

was born Apr. 24, 1796, at Chester. Dur- 
ing his minority, he resided at the home of 
his father upon the farm, and acquired at 
the common school and Chester Academy 
sufficient education to become a successful 
teacher. 

He read medicine with Dr. Bowen, at- 
tended lectures at Woodstock, and after, 
at Brown University, R. I. ; where he grad- 
uated, and commenced practice in Tun- 
bridge in 1823. About the same time, he 
married Miss Nancy Atherton, of Balti- 
more, by whom he had two sons, who are 
now alive, and one of whom succeeded 
him in business in this town, and is now 
in full practice. In 1837, his first wife 
died. After this he married Miss Amanda 
Chapman, of Tunbridge, who died in 1841, 
His third marriage was to Mrs. F. A. C. 
Harvey, of Cabot, who survived him. 

Having practiced his profession suc- 
cessfully 33 years in Tunbridge, he came 
to Montpelier, and bought out Dr. Orrin 
Smith, and soon acquired a good practice, 
showing himself, in the 10 years which he 
resided here, to be a careful, judicious 
physician, a good surgeon, a friendly, gen- 
erous, and strictly honorable man. With- 
out sickness, warning or premonition, he 
died instantly, Jan. 8, 1867, in his 71st 
year, while unharnessing his horse after a 
long ride ; it was supposed of apoplexy, as 
several of the family had died from that 
cause. 

The high estimation in which he was 
held in every respect may be inferred from 
the following extract from a daily paper 
published in Montpelier at the time of his 
death. " He removed," says the editor of 
the Freevian, "to Montpelier in 1856, 
where for his high reputation as a skillful 
surgeon and physician, and his excellences 

61 



as a citizen, ever ready and zealous in 
every good work, he was highly esteemed. 
Though far advanced in years, he seemed 
to be physically and intellectually vigorous, 
and to the last was actively engaged in his 
profession. His death is, therefore, a se- 
vere loss to his family, to the medical pro- 
fession, and to the community. They 
find consolation in the remembrance that 
his life had been one of great usefulness, 
founded upon his firm conviction of the 
genuineness of practical Christianity. Ir- 
reproachable in all his relations in life, 
invaluable as a friend, of most excellent 
example as a citizen, and performing with 
scrupulous fidelity and with untiring labor 
every prompting of the warmest and kind- 
est heart, he was in all his life the truest 
type of the upright, benevolent, beneficent 
man. Others have left us more noted, 
perhaps, for talents and high position be- 
fore the public, but never one more missed 
and mourned than is-, and long will be, 
this worthy, active, and intelligent Chris- 
tian physician. 

Ever humane and self-sacrificing, he as 
cheerfully bestowed his professional aid on 
the poor, when he never asked or expected 
pay, as on the wealthy and influential ; 
and it has been this noble trait, in addi- 
tion to his fine social qualities, his entire 
sincerity and sterling worth as a man, 
which has so widely endeared hiin to all 
classes of people in this region of country. 
He once told a friend that he wanted no 
higher fame, and no better reward, than to 
have it thought and said at his death, that 
he sincerely endeavored to do all the good 
he could, and to be a kind and honest 



DR. C. M. RUBLEE. 

Chauncey Moore Rublee, son of Luman 
and Mrs. Luman (Burbank) Rublee, was 
born at Montpelier, Nov. 25, 1823. At 
fourteen, he left the Academy in this place, 
and became a clerk in the drug store of 
E. H. Prentiss, and, after 2 years' service, 
began the study of medicine with Dr. 
Charles Clark ; attended medical lectures, 
and graduated at Woodstock, after three 
years' study. In Dec. 1848, he sailed for 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Paris, and writes to his friends of the pas- 
sage : "We had but two storms, and I 
assure you I never wish to witness another. 
I wished myself in Vermont. When I saw 
the noble ship in which I was about tosail, 
lying at the dock, it did not seem possible 
for it to be blown about by the wind, but 
after getting out to sea, I realized what the 
wind and waves could do, and then the 
ship appeared to me as it was — a mere 
egg-shell dancing upon the water. On 
reaching Paris, I hired a room, furnished 
with everything necessar)', and a foiiine, 
as they are called here, to take care of it, 
for which I pay $6 per month, and I get 
my food where I please. I devote con- 
siderable of my time at present, to learn- 
ing to speak French, and am able to talk a 
little." Again: " In the fore part of the 
day, I am either at the lying-in hospital 
with Paul Dubois, or in the surgeons' hos- 
pital with Velpeau ; in the fever hospital 
with Louis, or at the venereal hospital 
with Ricord. Paul Dubois is considered 
the most able man in his hospital in Paris. 
I had a letter of introduction to him. He 
received me very kindly, and offered me 
any assistance he could render. He speaks 
English very well." 

In the same letter he writes of the Rev- 
olution of 1848 : " The Frenchmen have 
accomplished a great work, drove Louis 
Phillip from his throne, . . . and pro- 
claimed France a Republic, in the presence 
of 700,000 people." Of the Socialist In- 
surrection which followed in June, he wrote 
Aug. 6 : " Several pieces of cannon were 
stationed near the street where I live, and 
it was one continual roar. After each shot, 
a load of wounded would be carried by my 
window. Of 400 in one command, all 
killed but 30. Next morning I went to the 
dead house where the killed were deposit- 
ed before burial — a sad picture — fathers 
and mothers after their sons, sisters for 
their brothers, and when they found them, 
it would seem as if they would die with 
sorrow." 

On returning to Montpelier, he began 
practice, and soon married Miss Sarah E. 
Clark, daughter of Dr. Charles Clark. In 
1855, he moved to Boston, to engage in 



city practice, but before long his health 
began to fail ; it never had been strong, 
and while at Boston he bled at the lungs 
two or three times, which induced him to 
return to Montpelier, where he continued 
to do office business, making a specialty 
of diseases of the eye and ear, and surgi- 
cal cases. In the winter of i860, he .spent 
3 months in Paris, by which his health 
was improved. 

He had one son, Chas. C. Rublee, M. D. 
Dr. C. M. Rublee was a clear-headed, en- 
ergetic, honorable man, a good physician 
and surgeon, and accumulated property 
from the practice of his profession, though 
his body was weak and infirm. He kept 
office hours 5 years after he was unable to 
walk any considerable distance, seldom, 
or never, mentioning his own sufferings 
and infirmities. During the last month of 
his life he was confined to his room, his 
cough becoming worse, prostration rapidly 
increased, and death came to his rehef 
Jan. 26, 1870, 

DR. W. H. H. RICHARDSON, 

son of Samuel and Martha Richardson, 
was born in Orange, Vt., in 1824, and died 
of cerebral apoplexy, in Winona, Minn., 
June 5, '74. At an early age, having shown 
an aptitude for learning, he was fitted for 
college at Thetford Academy, and entered 
Dartmouth, where he remained to the end 
of his junior year ; on account of ill health 
he was obliged to omit the senior year; 
but left college with a good reputation for 
scholarship and moral character. 

After regaining his health, he com- 
menced the study of medicine in the office 
of Dr. Taplin, of Corinth, Vt., and at- 
tended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., grad- 
uating in 1849. Subsequently, he grad- 
uated at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, New York city, and entered 
Bellevue Hospital, where he remained one 
year as house physician. 

In Oct. 1850, he married Miss Cynthia 
P. Stewart, and in 185 1, commenced the 
practice of his profession in East Mont- 
pelier, removing to Montpelier in 1856, 
where for 1 1 years he enjoyed a large and 
lucrative practice. By rigid economy and 



-=^1^1^ 



%\t 



"r^ 




^>^^^^^^^^. 




MONTPELIER. 



483 



close attention to business, lie acquired a 
very respectable competence. 

In 1866, becoming tired of riding over 
the adjacent hills at all hours of the day 
and night, realizing, as only a physician 
can, the magnitude of the burden as age 
advances, which many times is a thank- 
less task, he determined to remove to a 
more densely populated country, and, after 
traveling through the Western States, he 
purchased a residence in the beautiful city 
of Winona, Minn., on the westerly bank 
of the great Mississippi, where, surround- 
ed by his family, possessed of urbanity and 
great good sense, he enjoyed the confidence 
and respect of his neighbors and towns- 
people and the profession to which he be- 
longed, as well as that of those who sought 
his counsel and advice. 

CAPT. NATHAN JEWETT 

was born in Hopkinton, N. H., March 
8, 1767, and died in Montpelier Dec. 
29, 1861, in his 95th year. About the 
time Vermont declared her independence, 
■ the church in Connecticut, which ruled that 
State, commenced a persecution of the 
brethren who preferred the Cambridge 
Platform, which drove several clergymen 
and many excellent men into other states. 
Several of the fugitives came to Vermont 
and New Hampshire and settled in or near 
the Connecticut river valley, and among 
these was the Hon. Elisha Payne, who was 
very influential in effecting the two unions 
of New Hampshire towns with Vermont, 
and for a time held the offices of Lieut. 
Governor and Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of Vermont, though residing in what 
is now Lebanon, N. H. 

Capt.Jewett commended himself to Gov. 
Payne so well that he won the Governor's 
daughter Ruth, born at Plainfield, Conn., 
July 9, 1770, and married her Dec. 10, 
1793, at Lebanon. From this marriage 
came the son, whose notice follows, and 
two daughters who were long ornaments 
in the society of Montpelier : Julia Jew- 
ett, widow first of Chester Hubbard, a 
successful merchant, and last of Hon. Au- 
gustine Clarke, who was State Treasurer; 
and Eliza S. Jewett, widow of the Hon. 



William R. Shafter, of Townshend. Mrs. 
Clarke died June i, 1881, at the age of 
87 years. Mrs. Shafter is still living. 

Capt.Jewett came to Montpelier in 1807, 
and resided there until his death, always 
highly respected for perfect probity, and 
generosity beyond his means in behalf of 
the best interests of the community. I 
remember him as a well formed man 
and dignified and gentlemanly in his 
demeanor — qualities which contributed 
to his election to the captaincy of the 
Washington Artillery. This company was 
specially incorporated as the Governor's 
guard, consisted of picked men, and was 
entirely independent of other military 
organizations. The dignity of a Cap- 
taincy in such a company was equal to that 
of a Major General of the militia. Inc'eed, 
on election day the Captain was quite as 
great in the eyes of the customary crowd 
as His Excellency the Governor, His Hon- 
or the Lieut. Governor, the Honorable 
Council, and the General Assembly. 

COL. ELISHA PAYNE JEWETT 

was born in Lebanon, N. H., June 5th, 
1 80 1, and married Miss Julia Kellogg 
Field, daughter of the late Hon. Charles 
K. Field of Brattleboro, Jan. 15, 1861. 
He was tiie only son of Nathan and Ruth 
Payne Jewett, and he has an only daughter 
who bears her grand-mother Jewett's 
name. 

Col. Jewett at 15 years was apprenticed 
to the late Hon. Daniel Baldwin as a clerk 
in the mercantile business, and after ser- 
vice for six years he engaged in trade for 
himself successfully, in the firms of Hub- 
bard & Jewett and Jewett, Howes & Co. 
On retiring from that business he was in- 
terested in the construction of a portion of 
the Vermont Central Railroad, and of the 
Great Western from Suspension Bridge to 
Hamilton, Ontario. 

Later he engaged in agriculture, pur- 
chasing the beautiful farm on the Winooski, 
in the south-west corner of the town, on 
which the first settlement was made. He 
has greatly improved that farm and other 
lands in his possession. It is however 
for Col. Jewett's active exertions, by his 



484 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



personal influence and very generous con- 
tributions for tlie good of liis town, to 
churclies, State houses, and other things 
touching the interests of his neighbors, 
that he will long have "a name to live." 

His integrity and reputation as a finan- 
cier are fully attested by the offices he has 
held. He was a bank director in Montpe- 
lier for 42 years ; president of the State 
Bank (Montpelier) 6 years ; State Treas- 
urer — 1846 and 7, and town representative 
in 1855. He was also Presidential Elec- 
tor at large in 1872. Some of the services 
of Col. Jewett, in getting up the Vermont 
Central Railroad, have been already no- 
ticed in the history of Montpelier, but one 
incident remains to be recorded. The 
Vermont Central Railroad never could 
have been built without a connecting road 
in New Hampshire, and the dominant par- 
ty in that State was hostile to railroads. 
A committee of Central men, of which 
Col. Jewett was one, was therefore sent to 
Concord to wait upon the legislature and 
secure a charter. A scheme was arranged 
by Franklin Pierce, soon afterwards Presi- 
dent, Judge Upham and others, to have 
charters granted on condition that no rail- 
roads should be built except on the con- 
sent of a board of commissioners, who of 
course would be of the dominant party. 
Col. Jewett therefore ensconced himself at 
the Democratic head-quarters and soon 
prevailed upon an influential anti-railroad 
man to accept the office of cotnmissioner, and 
the charter was granted. Soon after- 
wards Col. Jewett assisted in Gov. Paine's 
flank movement in favor of the Fitchburgh 
line, when the Railroad Commissioners 
hastened to approve the charter of the 
Northern N. H. Railroad Company. 

Col. Jewett derives his military title from 
having been, with Gov. Charles Paine, on 
the staiFof Maj. Gen. Ezekiel P. Walton. 

E. p. w. 

SAMUEL WELLS. 

If intelligent and successful devotion to 
the highest interests of a community for 
the best portion of a more than average 
life entitles one to grateful mention when 
the record of that community is made up, 



then surely does the subject of this sketch 
deserve a no mean place upon the roll of 
honor of Montpelier. 

Samuel Wells was born in Milton, 
Chittenden County, Vt., Sept. 23, 1822. 
His father, William Wells, was a respected 
farmer of that town, and a veteran of the 
War of 1812, having served five years as a 
non-commissioned officer. The record 
says : "He was in the expedition which 
invaded Canada under Gen. Scott, and 
participated in the battles of Chippewa, 
French's Mills, and the siege and capture 
of Fort Erie. He was also one of the sur- 
vivors of the memorable charge at Lundy's 
Lane, under Col. Miller, when two-thirds 
of the attacking force was cut down." 

Samuel was the eldest of seven children, 
five of whom died in childhood. With no 
educational advantages in early life but 
the common schools of that day, these 
were so prized and utilized as to enable 
the farmer boy himself to become a suc- 
cessful teacher at the early age of 18. Sub- 
sequently he entered the law office of Hon. 
A. G. Whittemore, of Milton, where he 
not only completed his course of legal 
studies, but, better still, became so thor- 
oughly imbued with the high-toned pro- 
fessional practice and honorable business 
habits of the distinguished gentleman with 
whom he studied, as to furnish him a model 
in all his subsequent life. While studying 
law he also acquired a knowledge of prac- 
tical surveying, which was of great service 
to him in after years. 

After admission to the bar in Chittenden 
County, Mr. Wells opened an office in 
Bakersfield, Franklin County, where he 
practiced his profession for some two years. 
During this period he interested himself in 
the subject of fire insurance, and finally 
became impressed with the advisability of 
the farmers of the State eftecting insurance 
by themselves, and thus avoiding liability 
for the more hazardous classes of fire 
risks. Accordingly, in October, 1849, he 
came to Montpelier, and after enlisting 
other parties, an application was made to 
the legislature, then in session, for an act 
to incorporate the Fanners' Mutual Fire 
Insarattce Company. The application was 




^^rX^/.^^?*^/ 




MONTPELIER. 



485 



strenuously opposed in various quarters, 
but finally prevailed, and on the day suc- 
ceeding its passage the company was or- 
ganized. At this organization Mr. Wells 
was chosen Treasurer and also a Director 
of the company, both of which positions he 
continued to hold by unanimous annual 
elections for 28 years, and until the day of 
his death. With a single exception, there 
was not another instance of like service in 
the history of the company. With that 
exception, not one of the original Directors 
remained in office, and ten out of the fifteen 
had long before passed away. 

With his company organized, Mr. Wells 
entered at once upon the discharge of his 
official duties with all the ardor of his na- 
ture, and in an almost incredibly brief 
period of time the " Farmers' Mutual" 
became one of the established and honored 
institutions of the State. It was both the 
pride and monument of all his after life. 
Its management led him to visit all sec- 
tions of the State, and he thus became 
more generally and favorably known than 
falls to the lot of most of our public men. 
Of the three thousand losses which the com- 
pany sustained prior to his death, he 
doubtless personally adjusted more than 
one-half, and no party ever had reason to 
accuse him of injustice or trickery. Of all 
the moneys which he recieved and dis- 
bursed as treasurer of the company — 
amounting to nearly a million of dollars — 
not a single dollar was ever misappropriat- 
ed to his personal advantage or diverted 
from its legitimate use. 

But fidelity to these public trusts by no 
means circumscribed or measured the ex- 
tent and value of his services to the im- 
mediate community in which he lived. 
With a generous spirit, and a ready and 
skillful hand, he welcomed all the broad 
and varied duties of the good citizen. 
His own limited advantages for early edu- 
cation led him to devise liberal things for 
the youth of later generations. The long 
and bitter struggle which finally resulted 
in the establishment of Montpelier's ex- 
cellent Union School, was inaugurated by 
Mr. Wells and three or four associates. 



and the almost endless and delicate labor 
required to supersede the time-honored 
district system by the infinitely better plan 
of miion and gradation, with all the legis- 
lation needful to render it complete and 
harmonious, devolved more largely upon 
him than upon any other one individual. 
And for several years after the new system 
was adopted he afforded it the benefit of 
his aid and counsel as a member of the 
prudential committee. The same is true 
of the excellent Fire Department, which 
has been maintained during the last 25 
years. An entire re-organization was ef- 
fected, improved engines purchased, new 
companies formed and equipped, and a 
new departure in discipline and efficiency 
taken, largely through his instrumentality. 
For several years he held the responsible 
position of chief engineer, and was a lead- 
ing actor in this department long after 
failing health warned him to desist. 

In 1870, in consultation with others, he 
procured the chartering of the Montpelier 
Savings Bank and Trust Company, of 
which he was one of the corporators — an 
institution now, (1881,) with more than 
half a milhon dollars of deposits and cap- 
ital. In 1874 he obtained the charter of 
the Union Mutual Fire Instirance Com- 
pa7iy, with a view of providing insurance in 
home companies for such classes of prop- 
erty as could not be insured in the Farm- 
ers' Company, and which had hitherto 
been compelled to seek accommodation 
largely outside of the State. In this com- 
pany he was an active director until his 
death. 

In 1872 he became impressed with the 
absolute need of a better water supply for 
the village, and with such aid as he could 
commanjl, secured the consideration of the 
subject at the annual village meeting of 
that year, which resulted in the appoint- 
ment of a committee to examine and re- 
port upon the desirability of the general 
project, and the comparative merits of the 
several sources of supply. Mr. Wells was 
chairman of that committee, and much 
time and labor were expended in the ex- 
amination of localities, analysis of waters, 
survey of routes, and estimates of the cost 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of material and construction — all of which 
was submitted in an exhaustive printed re- 
port at the annual village meeting of 1873. 
That report strongly recommended that 
the supply be taken from Berlin Pond 
brook, and that the work be undertaken at 
once ; and the reasons given for that re- 
commendation have never been contro- 
verted. When the village finally decides 
to meet this imperative necessity — and it 
is believed that that time is in the very 
near future — it will be found that the work 
is all plainly mapped out in Mr. Wells' 
report of 1873. 

Charters for the Montpelier Matuifacticr- 
ingCompafiyzndi also the Pioneer Manufac- 
turing Co7npany, were prepared and their 
enactment procured by him, the establish- 
ment of which have added largely to the 
population and industrial interests of the 
town ; and if all the benefits anticipated 
therefrom have not been realized, it is 
solely because the monied men of the 
place persistently withheld their pecuniary 
aid and fostering care. Mr. Wells also 
actively aided in the work of securing the 
Wells River railroad, and expended no 
little time and labor in efforts to secure other, 
in some respects better, connecting railway 
lines. He was principally instrumental in 
the purchase and fitting up of Village Hall, 
which has ever since not only supplied an 
essential need, but proved a source of no 
small profit to the village ; also the Town 
Farm, where our poor, whom we "always 
have with us," find a comfortable asylum. 
And while acting as one of the "Fathers 
of the town," which he did for several 
years, it is far within the truth to say that 
more was accomplished by way of opening 
new streets, improving old ones, extending 
and repairing sidewalks, providing suitable 
drainage, and improving the external and 
sanitary condition of the village, than was 
ever effected' in the same length of time be- 
fore or since. These, and nameless kin- 
dred enterprises, show the creating, shap- 
ing and fostering hand of Mr. Wells, and 
generations yet to come will share the ben- 
efits of his generous and self-denying 
labors. Nor did he shrink from assuming 
his full proportion of the burdens of these 



public improvements, for the records of 
each one will testify to an outlay of time, 
labor and money which furnish the best 
possible guaranty of good faith, and which 
show a degree of liberality entirely dispro- 
portioned to his means. And while the 
more conservative portion of the commu- 
nity looked upon some of his enterprises as 
visionary and impracticable, time is rapidly 
demonstrating that his only misfortune was 
to be but a tithe as far in advance of the 
times as his critics were in the rear. 

Though the general practice of the law 
was abandoned on coming to Montpelier, 
Mr. Wells nevertheless retained his con- 
nection with the bar, making a specialty 
of insurance law and practice. He was in- 
dustrious and thorough in the preparation 
of his cases, and sought for the solid 
ground of equity, which he regarded as the 
very essence of law. Some points of in- 
surance law of the first importance became 
permanently settled through his instru- 
mentality. 

In politics Mr. Wells was an unwaver- 
ing Democrat, thoroughly imbued with 
the principles of the schools of Jefferson 
and Jackson. He was unskilled in the 
party tactics of modern times, and might 
well have said, with Addison : 

" Believe who will the artful shams— not I." 

However, he followed the fortunes of 
his party, and the esteem in which he was 
held by his associates is well certified by 
his having been made at different elections 
their candidate for Congress, State Treas- 
urer and Presidential elector, and also 
chosen a member of the State Committee 
and chairman of the District Committee. 
He was also made a candidate for various 
county offices. His party being uniformly 
in the minority, however, he received no 
elections to office save such as were con- 
ferred by his political opponents ; but in 
such esteem was he held that for many 
years he was chosen a selectman, town 
agent and justice of the peace. 

The leading traits of Mr. Wells' char- 
acter were well stated by one of the local 
papers at the time of his decease : 

" Montpelier had no better citizen than 
Samuel Wells. Honest in all his convic- 







\m^\ 



■"s._ 



\ 




MONTPELIER. 



487 



tions and actions ; public-spirited and lib- 
eral in all projects for the general good ; 
favoring all improvements that promised 
to enhance the prosperity of the town ; 
very generous in aiding all objects of char- 
ity ; ever ready to assist those who were 
trying to assist themselves ; careful in form- 
ing opinions, and then courageous in avow- 
ing and standing by them ; a considerate 
and kind-hearted man, a true friend, an 
excellent neighbor, an affectionate husband 
and father, he was one of those whose true 
worth will be more and more realized as 
time develops what was lost when he was 
taken. His proudest monument will be 
that all are fully justified in speaking well 
of him, and that he was really an honest 
man — "the noblest work of God." Than 
this, no higher eulogy can be given any 
man." 

Though not a communicant, Mr. Wells 
was a habitual attendant and liberal sup- 
porter of Bethany church. For many 
years he served upon its prudential com- 
mittee, and had the custody, as surveyor, 
of its church edifice. 

In Sept. 1854, Mr. Wells was married 
to Mary P. Leslie, of Newbury, who, to- 
gether with two daughters, survives him, 
a son having died in childhood. 

Jan. 31, 1878, before completing his 57th 
year, Mr. Wells died — prematurely, as the 
record runs and as the world judges ; but 

" We live in deeds, not years ; in tlioughts, not breatlis ; 
In feelings, not in figures on a dial. 

He most lives 

Who tliinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." 

Judged by this standard. 



"The hand of the reaper 
Sought the ears that were hoary." 



J- 



HON. JOHN SPALDING, 

son of Reuben Spalding of Sharon, born 
1790, died April 26, 1S70, in his 8ist year. 
He came to Montpelier in 18 13, and en- 
tered into trade for himself, and afterwards 
was a partner in the firms of Chester Hub- 
bard & Spalding, Langdon & Spalding, 
Langdon, Spalding & Co., and John & 
Charles Spalding, retiring from mercantile 
employments in 1840, after which he spent 
much of his time in agricultural pursuits. 
He married a daughter of Hon. Salvin 
Collins, who bore him two sons and three 
daughters, John and Eliza now [1881] 
only surviving. Judge Spalding was a 



large and good looking man, of a kind 
disposition, and exxessively affectionate to 
his children. His integrity was undoubt- 
ed, and so earned for him the responsible 
offices which he held. He was some time 
Director and President of the old Bank of 
Montpelier, and also President of the Ver- 
mont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 
Judge of Washington County Court 1840, 
and State Treasurer 1841 to 1846. 

MAJ. RICHARD W. HYDE 

was born in Lebanon, N. H., Oct. 11, 
1801, died in Montpelier Nov. 13, 1865. 
He came of good stock, which contributed 
many good men to this State, Lieut. Elihu 
Hyde having served as representative for 
Lebanon in our Legislature 1781, under 
the second union with New Hampshire 
towns, and been commissioned as a mag- 
istrate. Maj. Hyde came to MontpeHer in 
1828, and lived thereuntil his death. The 
following account of his business life, and 
beautiful tribute to his character, from the 
pen of the late Hon. C. W. Willard, writ- 
ten in Nov. 1865, will make the best biog- 
raphy of this worthy man. 

" Some 35 years ago Major Hyde came to 
Montpelier and embarked in mercantile 
business, which he followed without inter- 
ruption and with well-merited success up 
to the time of his death — at which time he 
was senior partner of the firm of Hyde, 
Foster & Co., a house of the first respecta- 
bility and prosperity. The gradual but 
steady success which attended the busi- 
ness life of Mr. Hyde through, all those 
years which brought vicissitudes to perhaps 
most of his cotemporaries, was the result 
of no tricks of trade or hazardous specula- 
tion ; but the legitimate fruit of enlighten- 
ed judgment and honorable dealing. And 
his example in this respect, now bequeathed 
to the junior members of the firm, is a rich 
legacy in itself, and a sure harbinger of 
success if properly followed. 

" But Mr. Hyde's business habits in no 
degree rendered him indifferent or narrow- 
minded in respect to the best interests of 
our community. No man among us more 
heartily seconded all enlightened plans to 
promote the material interests and pros- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



parity of the town — to improve our schools 
— to build and support our churches — to 
meet the calls of general benevolence and 
charity, and especially to supply the neces- 
sities of the poor. 

" In his political associations Mr. Hyde 
was a life-long democrat ; but with him 
democracy meant patriotism, and he re- 
fused to follow any banner but the flag 
of his country. And during the late war 
no man in the community labored more 
earnestly or contributed more freely than 
he to furnish men and means for bearing 
that loved banner onward to victory and 
peace. Thank God that he lived to see 
the desire of his heart granted ! 

"Mr. Hyde himself was no stranger to 
bereavement. Death had repeatedly vis- 
ited his family, and stirred to their very 
depths the deep fountains of his nature. 
But his great, loving heart, so susceptible 
of grief, turned as if by superior attraction 
to the still greater and more loving heart 
of the Father of us all ; and here he found, 
not only consolation in his grief, but a firm 
foundation for his religious creed, in the 
confident belief that the Infinite God, who 
desires the salvation of all, will bring them 
in His own good time and manner to the 
joys of His heavenly home. 

"The home of Mr. Hyde was proverbially 
the abode of hospitality and good cheer. 
Here all ages and conditions found a com- 
panion and friend. Here the benevolence 
and geniality of his nature were fully de- 
veloped, and from this central .sun influen- 
ces of love and good will radiated through 
all the community. To his beloved fami- 
ly the loss is unspeakable — inconceivable. 
We offer no word of consolation, for vain 
is the help of man. The profound respect 
and sympathy of the community was appro- 
priately manifested on the occasion of the 
funeral, by the closing of our places of 
business, and the attendance of a large 
concourse of people to mingle their tears 
with the bereaved, and testify their grief 
that the manly form, the pleasant smile 
and the cheering voice of our departed 
friend would be seen and heard among us 
no more forever. 



" As we conveyed the mortal remains of 
our departed brother to their chosen rest- 
ing-place in our beautiful Cemetery, toward 
the close of a pleasant autumn day, with 
the partially-veiled sun sinking tranquilly 
to his rest, and committed "earth to earth 
and dust to dust," commending his spirit 
to Him who is the Resurrection and the 
Life, — we could but inwardly exclaim — 

" Be thy virtues with the living. 
And thy spirit ours," 

Maj. Hyde first engaged in the bakery 
business as junior member in the firm of 
Cross & Hyde, and this was followed by 
the large mercantile business above allud- 
ed to. He left, surviving, a son, Edward 
D. Hyde, who has succeeded to his fath- 
er's business, and two daughters — all borne 
to him by Sarah L., youngest daughter of 
the late Jacob F. Dodge of Montpelier. 

JAMES T. THURSTON. 

BY nOX. C. W. WILLAKD. 

The death of James Tottingham Thurs- 
ton, long a resident of Montpelier, de- 
mands of the public journalist more than 
the mere mention of his decease ; and per- 
haps here, even more than ordinarily hap- 
pens with men of equal worth, because he 
never by any ostentation of virtue seemed 
to challenge commendation, is it proper 
that we should recognize the value of a 
life singularly industrious, honest and tem- 
perate, successful in its connection with 
business interests and public concerns, dear 
to those who had the pleasure of his friend- 
ship, and made happy by the love of those 
who enjoyed the affection of his home. 

Mr. Thurston was the son of Moses 
Thurston and Hannah Bolton Thurston, 
and was born in Cambridge, Vt., Feb. 19, 
18 1 8. His father was a farmer, and the 
education of which the son had the bene- 
fit at home was only such as a youth of 
quickness of intellect could obtain in the 
common schools of the town, at a time 
when such schools could hardly be called 
institutions of learning, but only served to 
give boys an acquaintance with the rudi- 
ments of knowledge. He came to Mont- 
pelier when he was 15 years of age, living 
with his brother-in-law, Henry W. Sabin, 
and serving part of the time as his clerk, 



MONTPELIER. 



4^9 



attending for two or three years the dis- 
trict school during the winter months, 
and possibly a term or two at the academy. 
His after life, however, served to show 
how little the fitness for responsible po- 
sitions and ability to do well everything 
that a prominent business man and citizen 
has to do, depends upon the learning of 
the schools. In 1838, he was employed 
as clerk in the Vermont Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company, where he performed his 
work so satisfactorily, that in 1842 he was 
made treasurer of the company. This 
position he occupied — with the exception 
of a period of 14 months in 1850-51, when 
he acted as secretary of the National Life 
Insurance Company — for 32 years. At 
the time he was made treasurer, Daniel 
Baldwin was president of the company, 
and such men as Joseph Reed, Joseph 
Howes, John Spalding and George Worth- 
ington were active directors. The com- 
pany then, though well established, was 
doing a small business in comparison with 
what it afterwards commanded, and no 
small share of its subsequent success is 
due to the faithful and intelligent labors of 
its treasurer. In 1874, Mr. Thurston was 
made president, succeeding Mr. Baldwin, 
who had held the office 34 years. In 1877, 
he resigned the office on account of his in- 
creasing infirmity, which made even its 
lightest duties a severe tax upon his 
strength. 

Mr. Thurston was, besides his connec- 
tion with the Fire Insurance Company, a 
director of the National Life Insurance 
Company from 1852, until his death, and 
for nearly the whole time a trusted and 
continually-consulted member of its finan- 
cial committee. He was also a director of 
the First National Bank of Montpelier 
from its organization, and his acquaintance 
with men and affairs and his prudent judg- 
ment made him a valuable officer. He was 
at different times clerk, selectman and 
lister of Montpelier, and latterly for many 
years a favorite presiding officer in town 
and public meetings. 

In politics Mr. Thurston was, until 1861, 
a democrat, and associated with such dem- 

62 



ocrats as Paul Dillingham, Daniel Bald- 
win, Chas. G. Eastman, T. P. Redfield, 
Charles Reed, John A. Page, Stephen 
Thomas and W. H. H. Bingham. He was 
the candidate of that party for state treas- 
urer from 1856 to i860. Since the com- 
mencement of the rebellion in 1861, he has 
acted and voted with the republican party. 
He was not, however, either as democrat 
or republican, a zealous partisan, but al- 
ways held his opinions of public men and 
measures subject to his intelligent estimate 
of their real worth without much respect 
for their party labels. 

Mr. Thurston united with the Congrega- 
tional church in Montpelier, where he had 
formerly worshipped, in 1858, was a mem- 
ber of its communion at his decease, and 
a regular attendant upon its services when 
his health permitted. His religion was a 
matter of judgment rather than of emotion, 
a belief in the present value of an upright 
life rather than in the saving power of 
ecstatic states of mind or unreasoning faith 
in creeds — in short, an intelligent, con- 
sistent, exemplary, practical Christianity, 
a Christianity that believes the road to 
Heaven should be traveled not on Sundays 
alone, but on other days in the week as 
well. 

In 1843, Mr. Thurston was married to 
Fanny W. Witherell, of Montpelier, who 
died in 1865, leaving one son, John B. 
Thurston, now a respected citizen of 
Montpelier. Afterward, Mr. Thurston 
married Mrs. Sevira J. Currier, of Mont- 
pelier, who survives him. His home was 
a delight to him and to those under its 
roof, a place to which he always turned 
with fondness and longing when away, a 
home now darkened by the shadow of 
death. 

It may justly be said of Mr. Thurston's 
life that it was calm and steady, flowing 
like the current of a river that, between 
even banks, keeps its quiet course to the 
sea. He was a conservative rather than a 
reformer, but conservative more in action 
than in thought, as often happens with 
men of a temper seldom stirred by the 
heats of passion or emotion ; but no gen- 
uine reform that commended itself to the 



490 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



sober judgment ever lacked his sympathy 
or support. Rev. Mr. Hincks, in remarks 
at the funeral service, said that Mr. 
Thurston was not aggressive in his re- 
ligion ; and he might have said with equal 
justice that he did not belong to the ag- 
gressive type of man. He was not of the 
men who found states and conquer king- 
doms, but of the other equally valuable 
men who hold fast the progress already 
made, yet never refuse to advance when 
new ideas open the way. He had a lively 
sense of humor, a rare appreciation of the 
ridiculous, was a keen observer of men, en- 
joyed a good story and told one exceeding- 
ly well, and was genial and witty as well as 
philosophic and thoughtful in conversa- 
tion. He was quick to see the force of logic, 
just and intelligent in his estimate of his 
associates and the men of his time, always- 
giving countenance and aid to every work 
that met his approval, liberal in contribu- 
tions to all benevolent objects, ready to 
aid with his labor and his purse every en- 
terprise that contributed to the growth, 
the reputation and the influence of his 
town, faithful to his many friends, and not 
unjust to his few enemies. He had a ju- 
dicial temper of mind, that peculiar excel- 
lence which commands respect rather in 
the long run than in moments of excitement 
and the heat of controversy, that calmness 
that not seldom frets impatient minds be- 
cause it does not jump with their conclu- 
sions and run with their speed, but which 
always proves its worth and vindicates 
itself as time wears on. He loved life, and 
had joy in living. In his long struggle 
with disease, he would gladly have wel- 
comed returning health, for the delight he 
always found in seeing the faces and hear- 
ing the voices of his friends, for his love 
for the sweet pleasures which nature in a 
hundred ways offered to him, and for the 
sense of being a part of a living, moving 
world. Yet he met his death patiently, 
without vain regrets, mourning most of all 
that with those he loved so well he should 
no more from our breezy hills look out on 
the fair pictures that summer and autumn 
spread over our mountains and along our 
valleys, nor hear the "various language" 



which nature addresses to him who, in 
love of her, "holds communion with her 
visible forms." 

The writer of this notice cannot forbear 
adding to this imperfect sketch an expres- 
sion of his own high esteem for Mr. 
Thurston, and his sense of personal sorrow 
at his death. An acquaintance for more 
than a score of years, much of the time 
familiar and friendly, had revealed many 
of his excellent qualities of mind and 
heart, but three months spent last winter 
with him in a far-away, sunny valley of 
the Ozark mountains, and the daily de- 
lights of a cordial, frank, confiding com- 
panionship, ripened this friendship of so 
many years into a warm personal attach- 
ment that will ever be a treasured memory 
to him who survives. 

From the Resolutions passed by the Vt. 
Mutual Fire Ins. Co. after his death, we 
give: 

Be it resolved, we deeply feel and mourn 
the loss of James T. Thurston, our true 
friend and associate, whose upright de- 
portment, integrity of character, good 
judgment and usefulness as a citizen en- 
deared him to all, especially to us who 
knew him so well. May his many virtues 
be ever cherished by us, and be an exam- 
ple for those that follow him. May we re- 
member in the words so often quoted by 
him, " 'Tis not all of life to live, nor all ot 
death to die." 

And from the resolutions passed by the 
National Life Insurance Co: 

Resolved, that we sincerely mourn and 
profoundly regret the death of our friend 
and associate, James T. Thurston, whose 
quick perception, great caution, sound 
judgment, unblemished character, and per- 
fect integrity, together with other credit- 
able qualities of his head and heart, have 
endeared him to us for many years. His 
many virtues will be long remembered by 
us the survivors. ''May he rest in peace.'"' 

JOSEPH W. WHEELOCK. 

[From .an article by Hou. CuAiiLES W. Willard in 

the Green Moiuilain Freeman of Marcli 1, J87fi.] 

Joseph Wilson Wheelock, who died at 
his home in Berlin, Feb. 23, 1876, was 
born in Eden. His father, Martin Whee- 
lock, had 5 sons and 2 daughters. Joseph 
had a common school education, and when 



MONTPELIER. 



491 



about 18 entered the office of the SL Al- 
bans Messenger, learned the printer's 
trade; remained till Aug., 1847; then 
worked at his trade in the office of the 
Green Mountain Gazette, at Bradford about 
5 years, and came, Feb., 1852, to Montpe- 
lier, as foreman into the office of the 
Green Mountain Freeman, of which the 
late Hon. D. P. Thompson was proprietor 
and editor, and remained in charge of that 
office, as foreman, during the proprietor- 
ship of Judge Thompson, and that of S. S. 
Boyce, and from April, 1861, to Jan., 1869, 
while Mr. Willard owned the paper. Mr. 
Boyce, during his ownership of the Free- 
tnan, purchased the subscription list, and 
became the publisher of the Vermont 
Christian Messenger, and the Messenger 
has been published at the Freeman office 
since that time. Jah., 1869, Mr. Whee- 
lock became a half owner of the Freeman 
and Messenger subscription list and print- 
ing establishment, and from that time had 
the entire management of the business of 
the office, and the practical management 
of the papers until Jan., 1873. when he 
purchased Mr. Willard's remaining inter- 
est in the business, and became and re- 
mained managing editor and proprietor 
until his decease. 

Mr. Wheelock's active life was in the 
printing office, and was identified with his 
craft. Few men have had a busier life, or 
one into which more work has been crowd- 
ed. For many years subject to an infirmi- 
ty which made office work often painful, 
he never shirked any of the responsibili- 
ties of his position, but often insisted, 
against the remonstrance of his employers 
on undertaking work that could only be 
done by giving his own labor at unusual 
hours. In that respect, he always held his 
personal comfort subordinate to his devo- 
tion to the business in hand. He seemed 
more solicitous to make his service for 
others profitable, than to spare himself, 
and when he became owner of the print- 
ing establishment, almost for the first 
time began to take an occasional rest from 
the exacting duties of the office ; yet never, 
until compelled to keep away by his final 



illness, quite surrendered an immediate 
supervision, as in the former days when, 
as foreman, no detail of the work escaped 
his notice, and his hand was ready at the 
case, at the make-up, or at the press, as 
the exigency might require. 

He seemed to have no ambitions out- 
side of his profession ; yet he had, un- 
doubtedly, the aspiration of the true men 
of his profession to become the owner and 
manager of an influential newspaper, and 
he deservedly reached that position. But, 
unfortunately, his strength was then too 
much broken by the gathering forces of 
the disease that he had fought against so 
stoutly for years, to admit of his doing for 
the papers he managed, what he would 
otherwise have clone. He appeared to an- 
ticipate this, and hesitated as to the pur- 
chase of Mr. Willard's half of the paper, 
because he feared his health was gradually 
but surely failing him, and finally made 
the venture rather to establish his sons in 
business than on his own account. With 
the valuable acquaintance with public men 
and public affairs which his long connec- 
tion with a newspaper at the Capital of 
the State gave him, and with the higher 
education as an editor, which an intelligent 
man gets in a printing office better than 
anywhere else, Mr. Wheelock was as well 
fitted to be the manager of a leading Ver- 
mont newspaper as any person in the 
State ; but the printing department drew 
him quite too much away from the edito- 
rial room for • his own reputation as a 
writer and editor. While Mr. Willard was 
editor of the Freeman, Mr. Wheelock 
wrote many articles for which others got 
undeserved credit, some of them having 
been copied as widely and with as much 
appreciation as anything ever written for 
the Freeman. His style as a writer was 
clear, graceful in turn of expression, and 
forcible and pointed enough to leave no 
doubt of his meaning, a compliment that 
cannot always be paid to editorials in 
either country or city newspapers. He 
had, moreover, what his readers will call 
to mind, a vein of wit and humor in idea 
and expression, which made some of his 



492 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



descriptive articles highly enjoyable, and 
established for him a reputation among his 
contemporaries as one who had few equals 
and no superiors in that really difficult, 
yet very popular kind of newspaper writ- 
ing. If he had devoted himself, as he was 
often advised, more to editing his paper 
and less to printing it, he would have 
achieved a reputation second to that of 
no editor in the State, and would very 
likely have prolonged a life in a large de- 
gree useful to his friends and to the public. 

Mr. Wheelock's residence, for most of 
the time he was connected with the Free- 
tnan, was just on the south side of the 
Winooski river in Berlin. He was for a 
long time clerk and treasurer of that town, 
and represented it two years in the legis- 
lature. He was one of the most trusted 
advisers of the authorities of the town, was 
ever solicitous for its interests, and, ap- 
parently without effort to become so, was 
influential in all town matters. In the 
politics of the town and of the county his 
judgment and advice were always prudent 
and wise, and wene listened to and followed 
as often and as far as those of any other 
man. A robust common sense, a quick 
understanding of men, a plain and direct 
method of dealing with men and meas- 
ures, a faithfulness and integrity in his 
associations which made others believe in 
him and trust him, were the elements of 
character which gave him strength with 
his fellows, and won for him the good 
name which he enjoyed and merited, but 
he was almost bashful in his modesty, and 
was best known for the really strong man 
he was by his intimates and those who 
sought his advice. * * * fhe strug- 
gle and the pain, as well as the joy 
and hope, of life for him are over, while 
yet he was scarcely past the prime of his 
years ; but he performed each day the duty 
the day brought with it ; and what better 
epitaph can the longest life win for its 
close ? 

Mr. Wheelock married Laura E. Phil- 
lips, who survives him, and he leaves two 
sons and a daughter trained to his own 
calling. * * * 



HON. CHARLES W. WILLARD. 
BY II. A. HUSE. 

[From the Green Mountain Freeman of Wednesday, 
Juiu' 9, 1880.] 

Mr. Willard died Monday night, at twen- 
ty-five minutes after twelve. Sunday he 
was about his room, as he has never failed 
of being for years, though his hold on life 
has been so slender, but began failing, 
and from that time sank rapidly. His 
mind had all its native clearness till within 
three or four hours before his death, when 
he became unconscious. 

Charles Wesley Willard was the son of 
Josiah Willard and Abigail (Carpenter) 
Willard, and was born in Lyndon, June i8, 
1827. He graduated at Dartmouth college 
in 185 1, and soon after leaving college, 
came to Montpelier, where he studied law 
in the office of Peck & Colby, and was ad- 
mitted to the Washington County Bar in 
1853. He became a partner of Ferrand F. 
Merrill for a time after his admission. 

In 1855, '56, he was secretary of state, 
and after that declined a re-election. In 
i860, '61, he was a member of the senate 
for this county. In the latter year, he 
became editor and proprietor of the Free- 
ffian, and so remained until 1873. About 
1865, he for a time was in Milwaukee, 
Wis., in the editorial chair of the Sentinel. 
And during his later years his pen has not 
been idle, as some of the leading journals 
of the country could say. The columns of 
this paper have also been favored now and 
then by good doctrine and wise words 
over his well-known initials. 

In 1868, Mr. Willard was elected to 
congress, and represented this district 
from Mar. 4, 1869, to Mar. 4, 1875. He was 
laborious in legislation, as in all things, 
and his congressional work told on his 
constitution, and since his retirement he 
has been in very delicate health. Visits 
to Colorado and elsewhere failed to re- 
establish his health. But he was not a 
man to give up or rust out, and last year 
he accepted an appointment as one of the 
commissioners to revise the statutes. Col. 
Veazey, the other commissioner, having 
gone upon the bench, the burden of the 
work fell upon Mr. Willard. He took it. 




O^Oj-Zc/-^^^^^^.^ 



MONTPELIER. 



493 



and the work was done and well done — 
the copy all prepared, and about three- 
fourths of it put to press under his super- 
vision — before he was taken away. He 
liked to work ; like any good workman he 
knew he could do good work, and we re- 
joice to know that the activities of the 
past year cheered his last days with the 
thought and knowledge that he was yet 
doing a man's work among men. 

Of Mr. Willard's home life here in 
Montpelier, among his neighbors and 
friends, we need not speak. He was known 
of his townsmen, and many more had per- 
sonal knowledge of his straightforward kind- 
ness than the casual observer of his re- 
served ways would ever suspect. He was 
a member of the Bethany Congregational 
church. In 1855, he married Miss Emily 
Doane, daughter of Hezekiah H. Reed. 
Mrs. Willard has left with her four chil- 
dren : Miss Mary, Ashton R. (who grad- 
uated at Dartmouth last year), Eliza May, 
and Charles Wesley. Mr. Willard leaves 
a. brother, A. J. Willard, of St. Johns- 
bury, and a sister, Mrs. Hannah Flint, of 
Concord, N. H., surviving him. 

To say the things that should be said of 
Mr. Willard, we are not able. To say the 
truth, and not to say that which to those 
who did not know him might seem to 
come from affection instead of judgment, 
from the heart and not from the head, is 
a hard task. But the people of Vermont, 
and especially those who for so many years 
knew through the columns of this paper 
Mr. Willard's every day thoughts, will 
make no mistake in this matter. They 
will know that when it is said he was the 
" first citizen of the State," the words are 
words of truth and soberness, and not 
those of over-zealous friendship. 

He had their well-deserved esteem, con- 
fidence, and indeed affection. The quali- 
ties that gave the.se to him were not those 
of the " magnetic " order. He captivated 
by no studied arts, by no assumed effu- 
siveness of manner, but rather in spite of 
the total lack of those too common attri- 
butes. He was refined, scholarly ; in 
manner as in mind, he was the gentleman. 

Mr. Willard had this good judgment of 



his fellow-citizens, and with it their affec- 
tion, as any one may find who will go 
among the people of the State in the vil- 
lages and on the farms, because of the 
honesty of his purpose and of his act, be- 
cause of his fearlessness in maintaining 
what he thought was right and because of 
the strength which was in his fearless blow. 
A private citizen in after years, and hold- 
ing to life by the lightest thread, he was 
looked to for counsel by those in the full 
strength of manhood, and honored by a 
following of his thought which fails to come 
to mo.st of those in high places. Hislater 
life taught well the lesson that "the post 
of honor is the private station." 

To give even the briefest history of Mr. 
Willard's work would require much time 
and labor. To give even what he did 
while in congress the merest mention 
would require time and space and study 
that are not at command. He was a care- 
ful legislator, and one whose counsel bore 
fruit in the halls of legislation when given. 

When he spoke, he spoke for effect on 
legislation, and that, at times, he was 
overborne was because he stood up against 
friend and foe when he thought what they 
wanted was wrong. Had he always thought 
with his party, had he always consented 
to costly schemes which fellow-members 
urged, instead of always standing for 
what he believed was right, and trying to 
head off unnecessary appropriations, he 
might have been more popular in con- 
gress — he could not have been more useful. 
But he did as he did, and he did well. 
For it is better to have lived as he lived, 
to leave as he left a good name, that will 
for many a year be held as the synonym of 
that which is pure, right and devoid of 
fear or shadow of turning — a name that 
represents an ideal manhood — than to have 
had continuance in or accession of public 
station. His life was an honor to his 
State and a good to those who knew him. 

MAHLON COTTRILL, 

in every sense of the word a Vermonter, 
was born in Bridport in 1797, his life 
thus dating back almost to the birth of the 
State. He came to Montpelier in 1826, 



494 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and went into the employ of Watson Jones, 
who was then running a line of stages be- 
tween Montpelier and Burlington. Atthat 
time the line between Montpelier and 
Royalton was opened by Ira Day, of 
Barre, and Samuel Blodgett, of Royalton. 
Day and Cottrill soon bought out Jones, 
and together established what became the 
great central stage route through the 
State, and the main thoroughfare for travel 
between Montreal and Boston, and con- 
tinued such until the advent of railroads 
in this part of the State. He was an ex- 
tensive mail contractor, favorably known 
at the Post-office Department at Washing- 
ton. While engaged in the stage busi- 
ness, he purchased the Pavilion hotel at 
Montpelier, which he kept until 1856, 
when he sold it to Col. Boutwell. Mr. 
Cottrill then purchased the residence next 
east of the Pavilion, which he owned at 
the time of his decease, and where he re- 
sided until 1861, when he, in company 
with other gentlemen, contracted to carry 
the United States mail from Kansas City 
to Santa Fe. He was at Kansas City, 
Mo., in the active superintendence of this 
line of stages, when he was attacked by a 
remittant fever, which terminated fatally, 
Oct. 1864. 

He married in 1822, Catherine Couch of 
Bath, N. H., a lady possessing in a remark- 
able degree the administrative abiUty which 
made her celebrated as a hostess, to which 
she added a frankness and heartiness of 
manner, which seemed to have no dis- 
guises, to despise pretence, and to be open 
as the day. She died at Montpelier in 
1861. 

Mr. Cottrill was a successful man, and a 
person of superior common sense. What- 
ever he did, he did well, and had not much 
patience with one whose work was not done 
thoroughly and on time, and yet, never 
hurrying, never appearing anxious or ex- 
cited — a reticent, self-reliant man. 

As host of the Pavilion he was best 
known, both in and out of the State, far 
and wide, as the prince of landlords, and 
whose hotel was the traveler's as well as 
the sojourner's home. He seemed like a 
gentleman of the olden time, stately, yet 



not even cold in aspect, of unruffled tem- 
per and wonderful self-possession. He 
made for the Pavilion a most excellent 
character, and he got for himself, by his 
connection with it, a respect wider than 
the State, and eminently deserved. 

In Montpelier he was much esteemed. 
Almost the whole of his active life was 
passed here, and he was identified with all 
the interests which have aided to make the 
town what it is. His means, which his 
business sagacity and ability enabled him 
to accumulate, were spent liberally. He 
gave generously, but without ostentation, 
to every deserving charity, and to all ben- 
evolent and religious institutions ; and he 
was a ready helper of all public improve- 

JTlCntS. —Watchman Obituary. 

Jed. p. C. Cottrill, son of Mahlon 
Cottrill, born in Montpelier, graduated at 
Burlington College in 1857. He now 
lives in Milwaukee ; his profession, the 
law. Of him the Milwaukee News says, 
"he confessedly stands among the fore- 
most at the bar of Milwaukee County." 
And he was "at the 13th annual communi- 
cation of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons 
of Wisconsin, June 9, 1874, elected Grand 
Master." The productions from his pen, 
in the reports of the committee on foreign 
correspondence of the Grand Chapter of 
Wisconsin, are among the ablest and best 
in American Masonic literature. 

The other children of Mr. Cottrill are 
William, a famous hotel-keeper in the 
west ; George, a lawyer in New York city ; 
Lyman and Charles. 

COL. LEVI BOUTWELL 

was born in Barre, Feb. 5, 1802. He was 
early in life thrown upon his own resources, 
and thus acquired self-reliance, energy 
and perseverance. Having learned the 
spinner's trade, he followed it in Hartland 
and afterwards in StraiTord. Then going 
to Thetford, he bought an interest in a 
carding and cloth-dressing establishment, 
the buildings of which were swept away by 
a great freshet in 1828, leaving him penni- 
less. 'From 1830 to 1837, he was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in West Fairlee. 
Meeting with poor success he tried hotel 





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MONTPELIER. 



495 



keeping, first in Lebanon, N. H., later in 
Chelsea, where he remained 5 years. He 
came to Montpelier in 1846, and leased 
the Union House, which stood on ground 
now occupied by the Church of the Mes- 
siah. Ten years later he became proprie- 
tor of the Pavilion, and for about 12 years 
served as its landlord. Then he rented it 
to others ; but it remained in his posses- 
sion till his death, March 27, 1874. 

His first wife was Miss Jerusha Peabody 
of Reading, by whom he had three children, 
two of whom are now living, — Harry Syl- 
vester, and Elizabeth Jane, the wife of 
Hon. T. R. Merrill. His second wife, 
married a short time before he came to 
Montpelier, was Miss Eliza Burbank, a 
sister of the late Silas Burbank of this 
place. She is yet living. 

For nearly a generation Col. Boutwell 
was actively and prominently identified 
with the interests of Montpelier. His po- 
sition as landlord of the leading hotel 
brought him into contact with large num- 
bers of influential men ; and his physical 
and mental characteristics were so striking 
that those who met him once were not 
likely to forget him. For almost half a 
century he was connected with the Mason- 
ic Order, and he held many positions of 
honor in that fraternity. From his youth 
he was an outspoken Universalist, although 
not trained in that faith ; and after having 
for many years assisted in the maintenance 
of churches not of his choice, he rejoiced 
in the opportunity of joining with others 
in organizing the Church of the Messiah, 
in Montpelier, of which he continued to 
be, during the rest of his life, one of its 
most enthusiastic and generous supporters. 
Goddard Seminary, in Barre, was largely 
indebted to his munificence. The Ver- 
mont Conference Seminary in Montpelier 
came in for a share of his benefactions. 
His hopefulness and energy, and resolu- 
tion, did much to make the Wells River 
Railroad an a.ssured fact. He was a man 
of remarkable force, both mental and phys- 
ical ; he belonged to the class of inspiring 
men, men who communicate their own 
strength to others; he was a man " born 
to command," a fact recognized in his elec- 



tion to the colonelcy of a regiment of mili- 
tia. In him we saw that paradox in hu- 
manity, a young old man, whose three 
score and twelve years strove in vain to 
quench the fire of his youth ; for, though 
for a year he had been somewhat enfee- 
bled, still he kept about his business till 
within some two weeks of his death, and 
did not take his bed till his last day. 

He was a man in whom there was no 
lukewarmness ; he was always either cold 
or hot, — a hearty hater and an ardent lov- 
er, a man of impulse, intensity, impetuos- 
ity, a man of head-long self-forgetting 
generosity, a quick-responding friend of 
the poor and needy, always vulnerable in 
his sympathies, a hater of cant, and shams, 
knaveries and deceptions, quick-witted 
and keen ; often coarse of speech, but 
kind of heart ; as one said of him, "made 
up rough side out;" — a man whose deed 
was frequently better than his word. In 
truth his word sometimes repelled men. 
He was often more forcible than polite, 
and no doubtfulness of mind, or fear of 
man ever led him to stop the current of 
his vehement speech till he could substi- 
tute a smooth phrase for the rough one 
that was on his tongue's tip. But those 
who knew him well discerned the man 
through the man7ier, and honored the rug- 
ged honesty, the bluff benevolence, the 
thorough-going truthfulness, the unawed 
independence, and the deep tenderness, 
too, which characterized him. 

GOV. ASAHEL PECK, A. M., LL. D. 

He was descended from Joseph Peck, 
who was in the twenty-first generation 
from John Peck of Bolton, Yorkshire 
county, England. Thus the genealogy 
of the Pecks has been traced as far back 
as, and probably farther than, that of any 
other Vermont family. Joseph Peck, the 
American ancestor of the subject of our 
notice, came from Hingham, England, to 
Hingham, Mass., in 1638. Asahel, third 
son of Squire Peck and Elizabeth Goddard, 
was born at Royalston, Mass., in Sept., 
1803, and brought by his parents about 
1 806 to Montpelier, who settled in what is 
known as East Montpelier. Receiving 



496 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the discipline of a farm until he was of 
age, the benefit of the common school, 
and fitting for college at Washington 
County Grammar School, he entered the 
University of Vermont, but in his senior 
term left college for a course of study in 
the French language in Canada. The 
incipient eminent judge and governor en- 
tered then upon the study of the law with 
his oldest brother, Nahum Peck, of Hines- 
burgh. Asahel Peck's name as attorney, 
at Hinesburgh, appears in Walton's Reg- 
ister for 1833, when he was thirty years of 
age. In that year he removed to Burling- 
ton, where all his professional life was 
spent. Doubtless his progress at the bar 
was slow, as he was not a man to push his 
way, but to honestly win it by merit. In- 
deed, a characteristic of him is that he was 
slow in everything, but in the end he was 
almost always sure to be right, and that he 
regarded as the only point worth gaining. 
He was a thorough and patient student, 
and a conscientious lawyer and judge. 
Possessing a tenacious memory, he held 
all that he had secured in years of study, 
and could instantly bring his great store 
of learning to bear upon any legal question 
presented to him. Touching his abilities 
as a lawyer, we cite an incident that oc- 
curred several years ago : The late Rufus 
Choate, who will be remembered as one 
of the most eloquent and eminent lawyers 
of Massachusetts, met Mr. Peck as an an- 
tagonist at the trial of an important case, 
and at its conclusion Mr. Choate was so 
astonished to find such a lawyer m Ver- 
mont, that he went to Mr. Peck and urged 
him vehemently to remove to Boston, as- 
suring him that he would win fame and 
fortune. No inducement, however, could 
move Mr. Peck ; having once made up his 
mind, nothing could change it. Burling- 
ton he had selected as the place to practice 
his profession, and Burlington it must and 
should be, and was. Of his reputation as 
a lawyer and judge, an eminent member 
of the bar declares that no man in New 
England since Judge Story has equalled 
Judge Peck in his knowledge of the com- 
mon law of England and the law of equity. 
As Governor, we can bear testimony that 



he was one of the very best that Vermont 
has ever had — thoroughly independent, 
prudent in every act, and carefully in- 
specting the minutest detail of everything 
presented for his official approval. Mr. 
Peck was a judge of the Circuit Court 
from 1851 until it ceased in Dec, 1857, 
and of the Supreme Court from i860 until 
1874, when, it being understood that he 
had retired from the bench to a farm in 
Jericho, to renew the employments of his 
youth, he was elected Governor for the 
term 1874-1876. He was never married. 
Since leaving the executive chair, he has 
been often employed as counsel in impor- 
tant cases ; and doubtless, had his life 
been spared, would for some years more 
have shown himself as a grand master of 
the law. In speaking of the probable ac- 
tion of the Republican state convention of 
1874, at which Judge Peck was nominated 
for Governor, the Watchman spoke of 
him in the following terms, which his 
course while in the gubernatorial chair 
fully vindicates : "The State would be 
honored by his selection for it. So long 
as Vermont designates such men as he is 
for its highest offices, it is not liable to 
the old Tory reproach against Republican 
government, which condemned republics 
' not because the people elected their offi- 
cers, but because they elected unworthy 
and ignoble men to office.' He would be 
a worthy successor in the executive chair 
of Moses Robinson, Galusha, Palmer, 
Tichenor, Skinner, Williams, Van Ness, 
Royce and Hall, who were his predecss- 
eors on the bench. His name will evi- 
dently harmonize the diverse interests of 
the Republican party, and will reconcile 
all differences. It is not merely unobjec- 
tionable. It is in every respect honorable 
and fit to be made. His nomination 
would be followed by a triumphant elec- 
tion." 

Gov. Peck was a citizen of Montpelier 
185s to 1875, 'iii'i fi'°"'' that time resided 
on his farm in Jericho, where he died May 
18, 1879. E. p. w. 

[IiiserteJ by request. J 

Hon. E. P. Walton : Dear Sir — I 
thank you for the interest you are taking 



r 




< ^ 



1 - \. 



\ 




MONTPELIER. 



497 



for the memory of my late brother, Gov. 
Peck. And withal you will recollect that 
he had A. M. added or prefi.xed to his 
name by the University of Vermont, and 
LL. D. by Middlebury College, and which 
is written on his $700 granite monument 
at Hinesburgh, and whose attachment to 
the people of Montpelier was never abated 
or withdrawn. Youvs Truly, 

Nahum Peck. 

carlos bancroft. 

[From the obituaries in the Argus and the Watchman 
at the time of his deatli.] 

Mr. Bancroft, who contributed much to 
make the town of Montpelier everywhere 
honored and honorable in business and fi- 
nancial circles, was born in Plainfield, this 
county, Mar. 20, 1809. At three years of 
age he lost both of his parents, and was 
brought up by Arthur Daggett of East 
Montpelier. He went to Massachusetts at 
16 years and learned the stone-cutter's 
trade ; worked in the Navy Yard at Charles- 
town ; went to Norfolk, Va. Navy Yard and 
worked for a time, and returned to Mont- 
pelier. He engaged with his brother, 
Watrous, on the stone work of the second 
state house, afterward burned. Much of 
that exceptionally fine work, which was 
so much admired, was wrought by his 
hand. After this, he formed a part- 
nership with Geo. P. Ricker, and after 
the death of Mr. Ricker with E. C. 
Holmes, terminating after 25 years by the 
death of Mr. Holmes in 1870. The firm 
has since been C. Bancroft Qr' Son — 
Arthur D., the oldest son, being the part- 
ner. In 1839, Mr. Bancroft married a 
daughter of Col. Cyrus Johnson of Ber- 
lin, who was the mother of his children, 
and died Sept. 15, 1856. Feb. 3, 1858, 
he married Margaret Wallace, widow of 
John McLean, Esq., of Cabot, and sister of 
Dr. M. P. Wallace, who survives him. Of 
his 6 children but one survived, Frederick 
W. ; of the others, but two reached the 
age of maturity, his daughter Jennie, who 
married a Mr. Scott and died about two 
years after her marriage, and his oldest 
son, Arthur D. 

From his youth up, Carlos Bancroft was 
one of the leaders of the Democratic party 
here. Besides repeatedly filling various 
town offices, selectman, &c., he had, for 

(>2. 



many years, been an acting director and 
vice-president of the Farmers' Insurance 
Co., and a director of the Montpelier Na- 
tional Bank ; both were benefited largely by 
his prudent counsel and sound judgment. 
Though entirely successful in business, he 
never accumulated a dollar but by honora- 
ble dealing. His word was never called in 
question, and his opinion in matters of bus- 
iness generally put an end to all contro- 
versy. He was one of the building com- 
mittee of Christ Church, where he attended 
worship. In one word, as a citizen, neigh- 
bor, and friend, he was a man of large 
worth. 

He died of the insidious, slow old-fash- 
ioned consumption ; so insidious that none 
suspected the familiar face of one so uni- 
versally known and respected would be so 
soon removed from our thoroughfares and 
business places. Monday evening, he re- 
tired apparently in his usual health, for 
the last few months not his former robust 
health, a state of increasing feebleness, but 
which did not debar him from attention to 
his business. Early the next morning, he 
had a coughing fit in which he ruptured a 
blood-vessel ; hemorrhage ensued and be- 
fore the physician could be summoned he 
was dead. Age 67, Oct. 24, 1876. 

Arthur Daggett Bancroft, .son of 
Carlos, who had all the traits of his father, 
inherited consumption and died at 2)7 ■ He 
was one of the selectmen of the town, much 
esteemed by his townsmen in life, and left 
a very handsome estate. He married Ju- 
liette, daughter of Algernon S. Camp, form- 
erly of Montpelier, now of Chicago. They 
had children, who with his widow reside 
at Montpelier. 

watrous family in montpelier. 
Some sixty years ago Erastus Watrous, 
the hatter, lived on Main street, a very 
intelligent man, who worked quietly 
away at his trade many years, died Dec. 
16, 1828, aged 54, and was buried in Elm 
street cemetery. 

Mrs. Erastus Watrous was a lady of 
much natural talent, and handsome per- 
sonal appearance. At the visit of Gen. La- 
fayette to Montpelier, in 1825, she was 



498 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



selected and made the welcome address to 
the French general in behalf of the ladies 
of Montpelier. She died July 4, 1832, 
aged 40. 

Charles Watrous, a son of the hat- 
ter, born in Montpelier, graduated at 
Middlebury in the class of 1817. He read 
theology in Montpelier for a year after, 
and then learned the printer's trade of 
Walton ; but soon after went South, where 
he taught for a short time, and then relin- 
quishing teaching, worked at his trade for 
short intervals in different States. He at 
length became deranged, or partially so. 
While insane, he wrote and published in 
Troy, N. Y., a book on the craft and dan- 
gers of masonry. — For title of his work 
.see Montpelier bibliography by Gilman, 
page — . Soon after the issue of his book, 
he returned to Montpelier, where he stayed 
only a few months, and went to Concord, 
N. H., where he died, about 1835, by his 
own hand. 

Erastus B., sonof Erastus, Sen., astir- 
ring character, went to New Me.xico and 
became immensely rich. He is supposed to 
be still living. 

Sophia Watrous, daughter of the hat- 
ter, was born in Montpelier, and resided 
here till her marriage with Mr. Bemis, 
when she removed to Northfield. where 
she resided the last twenty years or more 
of her life. She embraced the Spiritualist 
belief some years before her death. She 
and her husband have both been deceased 
some years, now, and are buried at North- 
field. Before her marriage, while she re- 
sided at Montpelier, she published a small 
volume of her poems, which had the honor 
at least of being the first volume of poems 
written and published in the county. From 
Mrs. Sophia Watrous Bemis' little book, 
" The Gift," and the prettiest lines, we 
think, she ever wrote, a mortuary poem : 

THE IMBECILE. 

Child of misfortune, few liave sliared 

Sucli love as was tliiue own; 
And all along thy rayless path 
• A guiding star. It slioue. 
Aflfectlon changeless in excess 

When love and pity meet; 
And find on earth a resting place, 

A mother's breast the seat. 



It asks no aid of outn-ard charms 

Nor e'en the light of mind; 
It then becomes a holy thing; 

But few the pearl can find. 

Such love was thine, and eatth is poor 

The precious gift to buy; 
It wolte with thy young dawning life 

And caught thy dying sigh. 

And tender lives thy cherished thought 

■Within that mother's breast; 
Affliction marked tliy course on eartli, 
Heaven guard thy peaceful rest. 

The imbecile was her brother. We are 
told the family were all odd or singular in 
their ways ; yet streaked with talent. 

They are all gone and have left no de- 
scendants but Erastus B. ed. 

HON. GEORGE WORTHINGTON, 

a native of Connecticut, came to Mont- 
pelier at an early day, married the youngest 
daughter of Col. Jacob Davis, and engaged 
in the hatting business with Erastus 
Watrous. He became a prominent man ; 
was high sheriff in 18 14, representative, 
1819, councillor, 1827 to 1831, and judge 
of probate, 1840. Retiring from the hat- 
ting business to agriculture, on the farm 
now largely occupied by State, High and 
Middlesex streets, and residing in the 
present dwelling of Charles A. Reed, he 
was largely employed in the settlement of 
estates. He was a deacon of the First 
Congregational [Bethany] church from 
Feb. 7, 1 812, for about half a century, 
when he removed to Irasburgh, where he 
died, and also his two sons, JohnandHon. 
George, Jr., who was representative and 
senator from Orleans County. 

REV. ELISHA BROWN. 

formerly a member of the New Hampshire 
Conference, was born in Gloucester, R. I., 
May 14, 1802, anddiedin Montpelier, Feb. 
II, 1 88 1, in his 79th year. When about 
ten years old. his father moved to Sutton, 
Vt., where he lived until he was about 
thirty years of age. Early converted, in 
default of any Methodist society in his im- 
mediate community, he was for a season a 
member of the Freewill Baptist com- 
munion. His religious views, however, 
being Methodistic, of the most pronounced 
type, he subsequently connected himself 
with the Methodist church, and after spend- 
ing several vears in teaching, entered the 



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MONTPELIER. 



499 



itinerant ministry of that denomination, 
joining the New Hampshire Conference at 
a time when it included all the territory of 
Vermont east of the Green Mountains. 

During the earlier period of his ministry 
he preached at Greensboro, Troy, West- 
field, Walden, Cabot and East St. Johns- 
bury, touching, meantime, the top and 
bottom of the toils and trials, joys and 
triumphs, of the itinerancy in very difficult 
fields at that early day. About forty years 
ago he moved, with his family, to New- 
bury, to give his children the benefit of 
the old Newbury Seminary. During his 
residence of fifteen years, or more, at that 
place, he supplied several churches in the 
vicinity of Newbury, also devoting much 
time to teaching. In the year 1855 he re- 
moved to Montpelier, and for several years 
supplied churches at East Montpelier, 
Wright's Mills and Berlin. He was the 
" stated supply " of the latter charge, in- 
deed, for nine consecutive years, during 
much of that time occupying, with his ven- 
erable mother, the old parsonage, and per- 
forming most acceptably all the duties of 
the pastorate. During the past ten or 
twelve years he has spent many months, 
from time to time, in the family of his son- 
in-law, the writer, and will be well re- 
membered at Monson, Brookfield, Danvers, 
and especially at Milford — supplying with 
great acceptance, during the writer's pas- 
torate at the latter place, the adjacent 
Mendon charge for the space of one year. 
For the last four or five years of his life, 
"in age and feebleness extreme," he 
" halted feebly to the tomb,"' tenderly cher- 
ished and cared for in the home of his son, 
Col A. C. Brown, Montpelier. 

Of the life, gifts and activities of Father 
Brown, much might be said. He was 
an instructive, sensible, and sympathetic 
preacher, and a most successful pastor. 
Very tall , and large and massive physically, 
his personal appearance, with his flowing, 
patriarchal beard, was very impressive. 
Exemplary in all his walk and character, 
and always ready for every good work in 
the interest of religion and humanity, being 
particularly ardent and active on temper- 
ance lines, he commanded the universal 



and affectionate esteem of all classes of 
citizens in the several communities where 
he labored. No teacher, or preacher, per- 
haps, was ever more fondly regarded or 
tendedy remembered. Hence his ser- 
vices to preside at weddings and on funeral 
occasions were in constant requisition. 
The aged were wont to seek his companion- 
ship, while the young and those in middle 
life looked to him for counsel ; and even 
little children always had a glad word and 
a pleasant smile for Father Brown, cheer- 
ing his last days by gifts of flowers, not 
more fresh and fragrant than the innocence 
and love of their sweet young lives that 
prompted these gifts. He warmly appre- 
ciated and very gratefully remembered all 
the kind and thoughtful attentions of 
neighbors and friends during his declining 
years. 

Though his life of nearly fourscore years 
brought to him his full share of burden- 
bearing, and responsibility, and physical 
suffering, and sorrow, he never wavered 
in his convictions, or shrank from any post 
of duty when dearly presented to him. 
Not only so, but endowed by nature with 
a fine vein of humor, his strong religious 
trust conspired with his very genial tem- 
perament to enable him, in the midst of 
all his troubles and sorrows, to maintain 
an untroubled serenity and cheerfulness. 
He was one of the sunniest and most 
kindly of men. Father B. was a great 
Bible reader, having, in the course of his 
life, read the Sacred Volume through scores 
of times. His favorite text, and one which 
in his later days he has been often heard, 
and with great fervor, to repeat, was : "I 
have been young, and now am old, yet 
have I never seen the righteous forsaken, 
nor his seed begging bread." — Ps. 37 : 2^. 
Over a quarter of a century ago Mr. 
Brown buried the companion of his youth. 
Three out of five children survive him. In 
the weakness of his last days he was con- 
stantly "waiting and watching" for the 
moment that should announce his happy 
release. Very quietly at last, as if he had 
laid him down to sleep, he entered into 
his final rest. Rev. N. Fellows, his pastor, 
on the occasion of his funeral, which was 



500 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



very largely attended, gave a very compre- 
hensive, appropriate and impressive review 
of Mr. Brown's life and character, earnestly 
recommending to the church of which he 
was a member, and to all who knew him, 
to follow the example of his consecrated 
life. R. H. H. 

Mr. Brown was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and had taken the several de- 
grees up to and including the Knights 
Templar. He was a member of Aurora 
Lodge, No. 22, from the records of which 
we take the followins: : 



IN MEMORIAM. 

BRO. ELISHA BROWN, 

Born in Gloucester, R. I., May 14, 1802, 

Died at Montpelier, Vt. , February nth, 188: 

Aged 7S years and 9 months. 

Took his degrees in Aurora Lodge, No. 22, 
as follows : 
Initiated Feb. 8th, 1S69. 

Passed Feb. 15th, 1869. 

Raised Feb. 22d, 1869. 



Chaplain of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, 
From December 13, 1869, to April 15, 1S7S. 



' Summoned from labor to refreshment. 



MAJ. A. L. CARLTON. 

Alfred Lathrop Carlton was born in 
Morristown, Lamoille County, in 1829. 
His father, Benjamin Franklin, and mother, 
Betsey Lathrop, a cousin of Daniel Web- 
ster, were married in Waterbury in 1826. 
Mr. Carlton was the eldest of four sons, 
of whom but one survives. His mother is 
still living, being 84 years of age. He ob- 
tained an excellent education, and was for 
some years a teacher. In 1854, he married 
Margaret, eldest daughter of Hon. Clark 
Fisk, of Eden, and removed to Montpelier, 
where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
which he steadily and succe.ssfully followed 
until the day of his death, with the ex- 
ception of a few years' absence in obeying 
the call of his country. 

In the summer of 1862, Mr. Carlton en- 
listed in the Eleventh Regiment, in camp 
at Brattleboro, and was soon commissioned 
by Gov. Holbrook as quartermaster of the 
regiment. This regiment, it will be re- 
membered, was for some time employed 
in the defenses of Washington. While 



thus engaged, Lieut. Carlton was promoted 
to the responsible position of commissary 
of subsistence, with the rank of captain. 
E.xceedingly capable and faithful as an 
officer, his field of duty was rapidly en- 
larged, until the immense work of furnish- 
ing supplies and cattle to the Army of the 
Potomac fell upon his shoulders. 

In a single trip to Western Pennsylvania, 
for the purchase of cattle, he took out half 
a million of dollars, and drew on govern- 
ment for another half million. To dis- 
charge promptly and efficiently the duties 
of his position, he required the assistance 
of from one hundred to two hundred faith- 
ful men, and often a detailed escort of as 
many more in taking herds to the front, 
and yet, so well organized was his depart- 
ment, so systematically conducted, and so 
well kept constantly in hand, that he 
might defy even the exigencies of war to 
find his account in an unsettled or unsat- 
isfactory condition. Indeed, so enviable 
was his reputation as an officer, that when 
Senator Collamer, through whose kindness 
he received his promotion, inquired at the 
headquarters in Washington after the 
standing of his appointee, the reply was, * 
"He is a model officer. His capacity, 
integrity, efficiency and invariable habit of 
closing up his affairs every day, are worthy 
of all praise." Mr. Carlton was also de- 
tailed for similar service in New York 
city, and at some southern points, being 
retained in service nearly a year after the 
general mustering out took place. Many 
were the bribes he refused during these 
years, saying, " I rather go home with a 
clear conscience." He was twice very 
dangerously ill ; once with his regiment, 
and again at Aquia Creek. As an attesta- 
tion of his honorable record as an officer, 
he was made Major by brevet before leav- 
ing the service, and that without any 
agency or knowledge on his part. 

Like hundreds of thousands of his asso- 
ciates, Mr. Carlton returned from the field 
of strife to assume the avocations and re- 
sponsibilities of a good citizen. Soon 
after his return, he made a public pro- 
fession of his faith in Christ, which he had 
long cherished, and united with Bethany 





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MONTPELIER. 



501 



church. From that time he was an active 
and influential member, holding various 
positions of honor and trust in both the 
church and society, and particularly in the 
Sabbath-school. He was a man of deep 
convictions and strong prejudices, and he 
would far sooner endure a sharp contro- 
versy than yield a point which he believed 
to be right. His natural frankness and 
freedom of speech was augmented by an 
instructive and overwhelming detestation 
of hypocrisy and duplicity. He was an 
earnest worker in temperance and all moral 
reforms. The same qualities which con- 
stituted his superiority as an officer in the 
army, marked his discharge of the various 
official trusts committed to him both in the 
church and community. Capacity, in- 
tegrity, system and promptness in under- 
taking and completing a given duty, were 
his prominent traits. He was a strong 
power for good in the community in which 
he lived. He died in Montpelier, May 29, 
1874. 

ROBERT HARVEY WHITTIER 

was the son of John Whittier and Sally 
Edgerton, of Cabot, was born in that 
town June 16, 1822, and died at Montpe- 
lier Feb. 13, 1879. At the age of 21 years 
he came to Montpelier, under the friendly 
agency of the late Schuyler Phelps, Esq., 
of Berlin, and entered the service of the 
late William S. Smitb, who for many years 
conducted a meat market in this village. 
After spending three or four years in this 
position, he went for a brief period to Bos- 
ton, and then returned to Vermont and 
opened a meat market in St. Johnsbury. 
After the expiration of about a year, and 
upon the death of Mr. Phelps, the friend 
and patron of his youth, Mr. Whittier was 
married to his daughter, Susan C, and re- 
moved to the Phelps homestead, in Berlin, 
where he remained for seven or eight years. 
In 1858, he came to Montpelier and bought 
out the old and popular meat market of 
the late William B. Hubbard, "on the 
corner," which business he successfully 
and honorably conducted until the day of 
his death. The character of his business 
was such as to bring him a very extended 



acquaintance, and his proverbially genial 
nature and buoyant spirits made friends 
of all who knew him — insomuch that the 
business men of the town are few who 
were so extensively known or whose death 
would be so seriously felt. In the death 
of Mr. Whittier the community has lost a 
public spirited citizen, whose shoulders 
were always ready for his share of the bur- 
dens ; the poor a generous friend, the ex- 
tent of whose quiet charities will never be 
revealed in time ; the church of his choice 
a habitual attendant, and appreciative lis- 
tener and a ready and cheerful supporter ; 
his family the kindest of husbands and 
fathers. Mr. Whittier leaves a widow and 
son, who share the heartiest sympathy of 
the entire community. The funeral was 
observed on Saturday, Rev. Mr. Hincks, 
of Bethany church, officiating. A large 
concourse of people were in attendance, as 
were the Masonic fraternity in a body. 

— Watchman. 
THE DODGE FAMILY. 

In 181 1 two brothers, Jared and Thomas 
Dodge, who were born in New Hamp- 
shire, came from Barre to this town. 
Jared, the eldest of the two, early be- 
came a member of the Congregational 
church, and was a devoted member until 
his death. He married Naomi Olcutt, of 
Keene, N. H., and reared a family of 6 
sons and 3 daughters, another daughter 
dying in infancy. Mary, the eldest, mar- 
ried for her first husband a Mr. Wallace, 
and for her second, William Storrs, for 
many years a merchant in town, who died 
in March, 1870. She was a Spartan 
mother, for she gave her two only sons to 
the late war, who were both sacrificed upon 
the altar of their country. (See the town 
military record.) Of the other daughters, 
Angelina and Abigail died when in their 
teens. Almira married, and is yet living. 
Of the sons, Theodore A., the eldest, was 
a very eccentric man. When the rebellion 
broke out, he offered his services to his 
country, but for age and disability was re- 
jected. We give an extract frorh one of 
his poetic effusions, to the tune, " Scots 
wha hae wi' Wallace bled" : 



so: 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THK VEKMONT VOLUNTKER. 

Who for Freedom's cause and law. 
Freedom's swoiit of Justice draw. 
For the liopo that sajjcs saw, 
" Let hlui follow nio." 

By the blood our fitthers shed, 
Reekliijr In a gory bed. 
By till' ftreat Iiiiniorlal dead. 
On to victory I 

Be this Freedom's eaU to earth, 
Mindless of whate'cr their birth, 
I. el all people shout It forth. 
Rouse the world to arms! 

Here hath Freedom's sun arose. 
On the hearth-stone 'mid its foes. 
Flashing brlxht on ceaseless blows. 
Conflict and alarms. 

Blades are crossed and red with gore, 
Let us rise as those of yore. 
From the mountain and the shore. 
And relight their brands. 

Heroes sleepinfi 'ueath the sod. 
Shall time waken unto God, 
When 'tis only His the rod. 
Then shall right abide. 

He died in 1879, aged 65. Eleazerwent 
to California at an early day, where he yet 
resides. Oilman B. has been for many 
years janitor of Bethany church. 

Richard S. is the veteran of two wars. 
(See town military record of Mexican War 
and Rebellion.) At the battle of Chepul- 
tepec, Mexico, he was complimented by 
his officers for bravery in the storming of 
the fort. He was the first man to scale 
the walls, and when handing down the 
enemy's flag, received a bayonet wound in 
the face, which scar he carries to this day, 
as he does also several others received in 
action. When a boy he was dubbed with 
the title of " Shack," which he is familiarly 
known by to this day. To give all of the 
narrow escapes which he has passed through 
would fill a volume. He was never ' ' dared " 
but what he made the "attempt," I'egard- 
less of the result. The other two, Wm. 
and Joel, also reside in town. Jared died 
Mar. I. 1S59, in his 82d year, and his wife 
in Aug. 1877, in her 92d year. 

Thomas married twice ; had 4 children 
by his first marriage — i son and 3 daugh- 
ters, — Job Dodge, the son, died a year 
since, in Illinois, leaving a large estate ; — 
his second wife was Abby S. (Cady) Grant, 
by whom he had two daughters. He was 
for several years a partner with Silas C. 



French, in the boot and shoe business. 
He died March 31, 1867, aged 78. His 
wife is now living, at the age of 79. He is 
credited as being the author of the quota- 
tion of ".-^ long pull, a s/n>fii^ piiU, atui a 
pull altogether.'^'' We are informed that the 
late U. S. Senator Jacob Collamer being 
informed of this, asked him for his pic- 
ture, which upon receiving, had a portrait 
painted from it, and placed it in the Na- 
tional Art Gallery at Washington, D. C. 

GEORGE LAXGDON, 

fourth son of Col. James H. Langdon, was 
born in Montpelierin 18 15, and died there 
Nov. 10, 1870, aged 55 years. Educated 
in the schools of Montpelier, and having 
received a handsome patrimony, he early 
in life married Miss Sarah .Sumner, oldest 
daughter of Senator William Upham. Mrs. 
Langdon inherited the remarkable graces 
of her mother, and from the moment Mr. 
and Mrs. Langdon established themselves 
in a home, their gracious hospitality at 
orice attracted the best society, not only 
of Montpelier but of the State, and from 
other States. Mrs. Langdon had the ad- 
vantage of experiences in the best society 
in the national capital, and thus with her 
qualities was admirably fitted to shine so- 
cially. But it was not in polite society 
alone that Mr. Langdon was distinguished. 
He had a genial and generous heart, and 
knew the blessedness of giving to the poor. 
The late Rev. Dr. Lord wrote of him as 
follows : 

There are few of the prominent public 
men of Vermont who will not recall his 
genial presence and his modest and gener- 
ous courtesy and kindness. Placed by 
inherited wealth above the necessity of 
toil, and beyond anxiety, he has made the 
pleasant amenities and courtesies and hos- 
pitalities of life his business. He was as 
kind to the poor as he was hospitable to 
his own class associates. We have known 
him to drive in a cold, stormy day in win- 
ter, six miles, to carry to a desolate and 
aged widow, whose situation accidentally 
became known to him, a load of provisions ■ 
suited to her necessities. His heart was 
ever overflowing with neighborly kindness, 
and his hand ever quick to assist in any of 
the troubles of those around him. Few 
men will be more missed from our social 
life. 




Si- \ 



\ " "^w.. 



^^T^ CL- ^^^X^^^^<-^ 



MONTPELIER. 



503 



■ The tidings of his death will carry sor- 
row to many hearts, and few who knew 
him will not give the tribute of a warm 
and honest tear- to his memory. The 
places that knew him will miss his accus- 
tomed face, and will mourn for one of their 
most gentle and welcome visitants, and his 
many friends and associates will never for- 
get that presence, now made sacred by 
death, which always brought with it a most 
agreeable and genial atmosphere. 

MRS. JAMES R. LANGDON. 

[A brief of her funeral sermon by Dr. 
Lord, as the sweetest description that 
could be given, from this the sweetest of 
his printed sermons. We regret we have 
not space for the beautiful discourse en- 
tire. — Ed.] 

"She hath done wJiat she could.''' — Mark 
14 : 3. It is a beautiful tribute to an af- 
fectionate woman. It was the simple ac- 
ceptance by the Son of God of a humble 
and fragrant nature which had bloomed out 
in hearty love for her Divine Lord. 
In this memorial service for one who has 
been the companion of " honorable women 
not a few " in this church and community, 
I may with propriety select these blessed 
words of our Saviour as most accurately 
descriptive of her character and work in 
life. I love not to lose from my sight the 
faces of my dear friends and parishioners. 
I love not to bid farewell to those endeared 
to me by a long and gentle ministration of 
kindness and help ; but if I must, . . 
it is with delight I may think and speak of 
them in such words as were consecrated by 
our Saviour to be the perpetual memorial 

of those noble women who, how- 
ever reserved and quiet and domestic, . . 
have yet in their place . . . earned for 
themselves, by their sweet and patient de- 
votion, the generous applause of the Son 
of God : "they have done what they could." 

What is the work of women in 
this world as sei'vants of the blessed Jesus? 
Have they influence peculiarly their own? 

If they are unfaithful is any one 
else able to take their place, and make our 
societies, our homes, our churches more 
and more like Heaven? . . . When I 
lookupon such pure, gentle, unostentatious 
women as Mrs. Langdon was ; upon those 
beautiful, honorable Christian women, not 
a few, who have lived among us, 
I cannot doubt how such questions will 
have their answer. Such women as have 
lived in this village as Christian mothers, 
wives and sisters, . . . whose names 
are embalmed with the spices of their own 
modesty and purity and love, with the fra- 



grance of their own faith and charities, 
give us some idea of the saintly work 
which Christ has given to women to do in 
this world, and of their surprising fitness 
to do it ; both to soften its asperities, to 
subdue its roughest and worst characters, 
and to carry the self-sacrificing ministry of 
the Son of Man into all of our human 
abodes. ... I love to think that our 
Saviour places the seal of his benison . . 
on the qualities of spiritual sincerity and 
gentleness ; on the possible graces of a 
quiet Christian life ; on the offerings of 
self-denying love. She hath done what 
she could. She hath adorned her station 
with the precious graces of tenderness and 
love. This is the central and most de- 
cisive test of the excellence of all char- 
acter, especially of those whose lives seem, 
but seem only, to be confined to a nar- 
rower sphere than pertains to manly life, 
secluded within the walls of domestic care 
and duty and love. . . . We all know 
how great loveliness and sweetness there 
are in personal offices of love. We are 
familiar with the . . . supremacy of 
personal relationship and bonds. The per- 
sonality of aifection just suits itself to our 
natural wants. A religion that did not 
provide for the exercise of the domestic 
and personal offices of love would lack 
hold on our human sympathies, and Christ 
has blessed the sex with which his incar- 
nated human life was alone positively affil- 
iated and related, by bestowing a peculiar 
honor upon the quiet duties of personal 
love. . . . The kindness which watches 
over our earliest steps, the voice which di- 
rects our first prayers and songs, ' the love 
which surrounds home with the charms of 
a regained Paradise, and fills the air of 
the household with the scent of violets and 
lilies, and with the perfume of personal 
service to the sick, the dying and the dead : 
these are the qualities and offices that 
meet the full benediction of Christ's word.' 
Our Saviour had a very blessed personal 
relation with many noble women when he 
was here. His personal influence on the 
womanly hearts around him can be clearly 
traced as His work went on. She whom 
all the generations will call blessed, who is 
the only human medium of the assumption 
of our nature by the Infinite God, gave 
Him his first caress and received his last 
words of human love. What a wonderful 
relation ! In which her heart glowed with 
incomparable love, adding the sacredness 
of a religious feeling to the wealth of a 
mother's affection ; in which his heart beat 
with an unwonted pulse, adding the ten- 
derness of human dependence, gratitude 
and trust, to the sentiments of celestial 
pity and love. Sacred type of all blessed 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



maternal and filial love ; which is ever di- 
vested of all the usual qualities of human 
passion and selfishness, and blends every- 
thing that is best and purest in the human 
with everything that is sweetest and holiest 
in the Divine. What her happiness must 
have been in the more than thirty years in 
which she had Him to herself as a deep 
wellspring of delight, watching over Him, 
waiting on Him, beholding His glory and 
believing that glad, prophetic hymn which 
her own lips had sung before He was born, 
as to "how her soul rejoiced in God her 
Saviour." And what a happiness there 
must have been in his long troubled heart 
for her sake, we have some glimpses in 
the words which broke from his dying lips 
to the dearest disciple and the legacy He 
gives to the beloved John, " Son, behold 
thy mother." The domestic life of Christ 
is veiled, but if that veil were lifted, doubt- 
less we should see how much his pure 
heart was strengthened by a ministry more 
sympathetic than that of the angels, how 
much a woman's hand soothed his spirit, 
and a mother's love solaced and helped his 
sorrows. We should see some of the 
blessed interchanges between the human 
mother and the Divine Son. 

But not from her alone did He have the 
ministry of personal kindness. A few 
devoted, grateful women waited upon Him 
all through his journeys. They gave him 
their enthusiastic sympathy in his work 
until the close of his life, and when He 
finished his suffering career on the cross, 
" Many women were there beholding and 
ministering unto Him." . . . Blessed 
were those daughters of Jerusalem, . . . 
who bewailed their King as he trod the 
wine-press alone. But did these women 
alone have the honor? The service of 
Christ was not their monopoly. They 
were the first fruits ; they were examples 
. . . not to be envied ; but to be imi- 
tated, by all their sisters who desire to 
know the unspeakable joy of Christian ser- 
vice, and they have been imitated. Faith 
works by love, . . . and its power 
has not failed since "Holy women," . 
in all the relations of life, in the lowly 
offices of Christian ministration, have filled 
the houses which they adorned as wives, 
mothers and sisters, with the outpoured 
fragrance of the graces of Christ, . . . 
and refreshed the hearts that trusted in 
them. Many sons have crowned their 
heads with blessings. Their husbands 
have praised them in the gates of the city. 
They have made the deserts of this rough 
and arid life green as the land of Elim, 
and woven their precious golden threads 
through the whole fabric of society till it 
has brightened with the warmest and deep- 



est colors. Eternity alone can measurfe 
the influence of a virtuous woman ; a true- 
hearted daughter ; a loving sister ; a faith- 
ful wife; a devoted mother. Her price is 
above rubies. The heart of her husband 
safely trusts in her. She stretcheth her 
hand to the poor 

I need not say the memories I cherish 
of Mrs. Langdon have colored and im- 
pressed all these thoughts which I have 
spoken to-day. . . . She was a Chris- 
tian wife and mother, who consecrated her 
life to her holy domestic mission. . . 
She made her home fragrant with the per- 
fume of piety and love The 

thanks of the poor she has blessed ; the 
tributes of the sick she has visited ; the 
sweetness of the charities she has bestowed 
throng to make the fading light of her 
evening tranquil and beautiful. 

Mrs. Langdon has resided here 38 years. 
She was the daughter of Mr. Charles 
Bowen, of Middlebury, whose life has not 
been unknown to us, and who, at his great 
age, remains to mourn over his daughter, 
and to look for the welcome she will give 
him to his long looked for home. She 
was married Dec. 22, 1836. Not long 
after, she united with the church whose 
welfare she has never for a moment for- 
gotten. . . . To those who die in the 
Lord, death is only the gate ; its iron side 
turned toward us, its golden side turned 
the other way. w. h. l. 

Mrs. Langdon was LucyPomeroy Bowen, 
born Sept. 29, 18 14, at Northfield, Mass., 
and died Aug. i, 1873. Her children were : 
Lucy Robbins, born Apr. 10, 1841 ; Har- 
riet Frances, February 2, 1845 ; Elizabeth 
Whitcomb, Apr. 6, 1847 ; James Henry, 
Apr. 9, 1851. 

THE GEORGE W. BAILEY FAMILY. 

I think no couple have ever contributed to 
Montpelier more stalwart, energetic, suc- 
cessful and popular men than did the late 
Hon. Geo. W. Bailey and his wife, a sis- 
ter of Hon. Abel K. Warren of Berlin. 
They were both natives of Berlin, but 
spent most of their active life in Elmore, 
where their children were born, but, until 
the senior Bailey's death, resided in Mid- 
dlesex, on the border of Montpelier. 

George W. Bailey, Jr., was the first 
to depart, in early manhood. He had 
adopted the law as his profession, was 
Secretary of State for four years, which at- 
tested his fidelity in that office, married 
Georgiana, daughter of the late Col. Thom- 



MONTPELIER. 



505 



as Reed, but was soon stricken down by 
consumption, dying inMontpelier, July 13, 
1864. 

Charles W. Bailey was one of the 
firm of Bailey Brothers, active and shrewd 
business men of Montpelier, engaged main- 
ly in furnishing horses, cattle and sheep to 
Boston markets, where his attendance was 
regular, and by his fine personal presence 
and bluff but genial manners he was a fa- 
vorite. While attending personally to the 
care of sheep on a freight train at Essex 
Junction, he was instantly killed, Sept. 
23, 1876. More than a thousand people 
honored him, when his remains were 
brought to Montpelier to be borne to his 
home. Mr. Bailey left a widow, two sons 
and a daughter. His age was 45- 

J. Warren Bailey, the oldest of the 
brothers, was also a member- of the firm 
for several years, and was also largely em- 
ployed in civil offices in the town, in which, 
as in his own business, he was very effi- 
cient. He died of a brief illness, April 
21, 1880, aged 56. He left a widow and 
two daughters. 

The Boston Jo7iriial said : 

He was a brother of T. O. Bailey of the 
Pavilion, a member of the firm of Bailey, 
Bullock & Co., commission merchants, 
Chicago, and of V. W. Bullock & Co., 
Burlington, Iowa, grain dealers. Mr. Bai- 
ley was in the grain business at Montpelier, 
a Director in the savings bank, and has 
held several town offices. He was univer- 
sally liked and was very liberal in the use 
of his large property. He was the eldest 
of six brothers, three of whom now survive 
him, and was widely known. 

The Watchman <Sr» State yoiirnal said : 
Born in Elmore May i, 1824, he was 
near the completion of his 56th year. 
About 25 years ago he came to Montpelier 
and engaged with John Peck in a general 
produce business in the store west of the 
"arch." The following year Mr. Peck 
withdrew, and the firm of Bailey Brothers 
was formed by the admission of Charles 
Bailey, — a partnership that was destined 
to achieve a widespread reputation for the 
extent and fearlessness of its operations 
and the combination of business acumen 
and high sense of commercial honor it 
displayed. In 1846, the brothers gave up 
the store and confined their operations to 
a general live-stock business. At the dis- 
solution of the partnership in 1872, each 

64 



continued to employ in distinct operations 
the comfortable fortunes their united ef- 
forts had secured. Five years ago Mr. 
Bailey engaged with V .W. Bullock, Esq., 
in the grain business at Burlington, Iowa, 
and about a year ago his operations in that 
direction led to the formation of the firm 
of Bailey, Bullock & Co., in Chicago, his 
brother, E. W. Bailey, Esq., of Montpe- 
lier, moving to Chicago to assume the act- 
ive management of the business of this 
company. In 1855, Mr. Bailey was mar- 
ried to Miss Harriet Guyer of Wolcott, who 
survives him with the daughters, Misses 
Ella and Clara. The funeral was largely 
attended on Saturday, the citizens, repre- 
senting every class of the community, form- 
ing an honorary escort to the cemetery. 
The funeral services were conducted by 
Rev. J. H. Hincks, assisted by Rev. N. 
Fellows of Trinity church. Among the 
mourning relatives was the venerable 
mother of the deceased, now verging on 
four score years, who has survived to fol- 
low to the grave the three eldest of her six 
sons, each dying under peculiarly afflicting 
circumstances. Mr. Bailey was distin- 
guished for the native keenness and pre- 
cision of his judgment in business trans- 
actions. It was eminently speculative, 
but tempered with an element of caution, 
that taught him to shun hazardous ventures. 
In this community and among his former 
associates his bluff ways and ready humor 
will be greatly missed ; and his name will 
long survive in local anecdotes, illustrating 
his readiness at repartee and power of pun- 
gent expression. In the loss of their nat- 
ural guardian and protector, the widow and 
daughters will have the unfeigned sympa- 
thy of this community, which will also ex- 
tend to the aged mother, and to the sur- 
viving sister and brothers the assurance of 
its participation in their sorrow. 

A fact but little known is that Warren 
and Charles Bailey furnished the United 
States with horses for a regiment in the 
war for the Union. It was a gift worthy 
of millionaires, but they were not that, 
though wealthy, patriotic and generous. 

Both Warren and Charles also very large- 
ly aided their brother, 

Theron O. Bailey, in constructing and 
furnishing the Pavilion, which has won 
rank among the very best hotels in New 
England, has made himself thereby widely 
famous. 

The other brothers are Doct. James, 
residing in Ticonderoga, N. Y., and Ed- 
ward, who while retaining his business 



$o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



interests in Montpelier, is largely engaged 
in the western states. A sister and the 
aged mother still reside in Elmore, e.p.w. 

CHARLES GAMAGE EASTMAN, 

born at Fryeburgh, Me., was brought to 
Barnard, the home of his father, at an early 
age, where amid the rural scenes of a town 
beautiful in mountain scenery, his early 
years were mostly passed. 

"His mother, Rebecca Gamage of Frye- 
burgh, was a woman beautiful in mind, 
person and affections," in all which the 
son strongly resembled his mother. 

Born to dependence, chiefly upon his 
own resources, Charles Gamage worked 
his way through the district schools and 
neighboring academies up to college, com- 
pleting his preparation at the academy in 
Meriden, N. H. ; he entered Burlington 
College, the University of Vermont, when 
about i8 years of age. Here he wrote for 
the old Burlington Sentinel first, and suc- 
ceeding to the admiration of his party — 
he was a Democrat from his earliest years ; 
" always a Democrat and never anything 
but a Democrat " — he soon was contribu- 
ting to the other Democratic papers of the 
State. His articles for the newspapers 
winning immediate appreciation most flat- 
tering to a young author, his mind was 
soon turned to the after profession of his 
life, that of an editor, which he left college 
before graduating to adopt. 

His first enterprise in opening his pro- 
fession was the starting of a small journal 
in the interest of the Democratic party at 
Johnson, Lamoille Co., which obtained 
considerable attention, and was regarded 
a credit to the young editor, but not prov- 
ing a money success, was relinquished, and 
in, 1840, the no way discouraged editor 
established himself at Woodstock, the 
county town of old Windsor, and inaugu- 
rated "■ The Spirit of the Age,''^ and his 
journal at once assumed a high position 
among the Democratic organs of the 
State. The earnest, skillful editor, still in 
flush of early manhood, confident of the 
strength of his principles, entered like an 
athlete the newspaper arena, giving battle 
with vigor in all the political contests on 



the tapis, and consequently soon became 
"a leader in the councils of his party 
throughout the State," and duly " a prom- 
inent director of its policy in national 
affairs." 

In 1846, he sold out The Spirit 0/ the 
Age at Woodstock, and came to Mont- 
pelier and bought out the Vermont Patriot, 
of which he continued the editor and pub- 
lisher for the remainder of his life. At the 
same time that he established himself in 
Montpelier, he established for himself also, 
a home — how happily, he himself teaches 
in .song. He married a daughter of Dr. 
John D. Powers of Woodstock, Mrs. 
Susan S. Havens, whose fairest praise is 
in that song from their domestic hearth : 

I touch my liarp for one to me 

Of all the world most dear, 
Whose heart is like the golden slieaves 

That crown the ripened year; 
Whose cheek is fairer than the sky 

When 't blushes into morn. 
Whose voice was in the summer night 

Of silver streamlets born ;— 

To one whose eye the brightest star 

Might for a sister own. 
Upon wliose lip tlie honey-bee 

Might build lier waxen throne; 
Whose breatli is like tlie air that woos 

The buds in April liours, 
Tliat stirs within the dreamy heart 

A sense of opening flowers. 

I touch my harp for one to me 

Of all the world most dear. 
Whose heart is like the clustering vine 

Tliat crowns the ripened year; 
Whose love is like the living springs 

The mountain travellers taste. 
That stormy winter cannot chill. 

Nor thirsty summer waste. 

They had 2 sons and one daughter, all 
born in Montpelier. 

Eastman to his sleeping child : 

SWEETLY SHE SLEEPS. 
Sweetly she sleeps I her cheek so fair 

Soft on the pillow pressed. 
Sweetly, see! while her Saxon hair 

Watches Iier heaving breast. 
H\ish! all low, thou moving breeze. 

Breathe tlirougU her curtain white; 
Golden birds, on the maple trees. 

Let her sleep while her dreams are light. 
Sweetly she sleeps, her cheek so fair 

Soft on her white arm pressed. 
Sweetly, seel and her childish care 

Flies from her quiet rest. 
Hush I the earliest rays of light 

Their wings in the blue sea dip. 
Let her sleep, sweet child, with her dreams so 
bright. 

And the smile that bewilders her lip. 





'i^^--0^>n^-i^oiyiA) 



MONTPELIER. 



507 



Mr. Eastman continued to prosper in his 
newspaper and political affairs. His paper 
was the leading Democratic organ of the 
State. We quote from the George R. 
Thompson and Gilman biography, prefac- 
ing the last volume of his poems (1880.) 

It is as the conductor of this journal 
that he is the most widely remembered 
among politicians ; and he managed it with 
an ability and faithfulness that secured it a 
reputation and influence seldom possess- 
ed by a country newspaper. His writings 
in this paper were in accordance with the 
character of the man, — direct, incisive, and 
earnest. He never hesitated to say what- 
ever was true, if it were proper to be said ; 
and in his exposures of the errors or frauds 
of his opponents he employed intellectual 
weapons of the sharjDest and most cutting 
kind. His arguments were convincing, his 
logic clear, and his convictions were stamp- 
ed with truth. His paper was not in any 
way pre-eminent as a literary one. It 
might be supposed, judging from his al- 
most idolatrous love of literary pursuits, 
that his journal would have been more 
prominent in that respect ; but he never 
seemed ambitious to make it so. These 
inclinations were gratified in another way. 
Though a member of a political party never 
in the ascendancy in Vermont, he occupied 
many influential official positions. He was 
a leading member of the Democratic Na- 
tional Conventions of 1848, '52, '56 and 
'60, and at the time of his death was a 
prominent member of the National Demo- 
cratic Committee. 

In 1852, '53, he was a senator of Wash- 
ington County; "a laborious and useful 
one," and twice candidate of his party for 
a member of Congress, and postmaster of 
Montpelier about 6 years. 

In person, he was inclined to be large — 
not too large, — very handsomely formed, 
with open, magnetic, beautiful counte- 
nance, that drew almost at will hosts of 
friends to his cordial heart. The idol of his 
party, he had a multitude of friends, also 
out of it. True to a poet nature, abstract- 
ed, rapt, fitful, sombre at times, even ; now 
and then November, — probably, at a De- 
cember tide — the height of the weird, when 
he traced that "scene in a Vermont win- 
ter," that " fearful night in the winter time, 
as cold as it ever can be" — when "the 
moon is full but the wings of the furious 
blast dash out her light." 



" All day had the snows come down — all day," 

" The fence was lost and the wall of stone." 

" ou the mouutain peak 

How the old trees writhe and shriek ." 

" Such a night as this to be found abroad." 
The "shivering dog" "by the road." 
" See him crouch and growl " "and shut his 
eyes with a dismal howl." " And old man 
from the town to-night," that "lost the 
travelled way." " The midnight past," 
" the moon looks out," the Morgan mare 
" that at last o'er a log had floundered 
down," the old traveller " in coat and buf- 
falo," stark and stiff in his sleigh in the 
snow-piled mountain hollow ! 

But an occasional mood ; he had the heart 
of June inhis nature — the spirit of spring 
in his spirit — whose verse oftener trailed 
over,one line blossoming into another, like 
a trailing arbutus in May woods. The old 
liked him. He was so genial ; young men 
and women liked him ; little children loved 
him. Long by those who were children in 
Montpelier in his time, will " his contagious 
laugh be remembered," and the charm- 
ing hilarity with which he would push 
forward their innocent sports. It is said 
of him that no young man ever sought en- 
couragement from him in vain. He had 
wide and generous views of life, an ample 
charity for thoughtlessness or " repented 
erring." As the head of a family, we may 
quote the words of Dr. Lord to his mourn- 
ing family at his funeral : 

You will remember him first and longest 
for what he was to you personally, — for 
what he was in his domestic and social re- 
lations. You will not forget the kindness 
of his heart, the amenity and cheerfulness 
of his. manners, the liveliness of fancy and 
wit with which he cheered the household. 
. . . You will not lose the recollection 
of his kind words, of his considerate atten- 
tions, of his fatherly acts and affections. 
You will remember the melody of his flute 
as it led the voices of his children in their 
songs and hymns ; the written prayers, 
which I am told he composed for them, to 
be used morning and evening in their devo- 
tions. And so long as love has a place in 
your hearts, this household will not cease 
to have a shrine where his memory shall 
be kept green and sacred. 

The favorite of his party, as a politician, 
a lovely family and society man, it is still 



5o8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



as a poet that Eastman has been the widest 
known and his memory will be most peren- 
nial. Fluent in composing, laborious in 
revision — from his college days, or a little 
before, he wrote and pruned, and pruned 
and rewrought, and pruned again, refining 
and changing almost ad infinitum till the 
day of his death. The result : " As a lyri- 
cal poet there is no American writer who 
can be called his superior." He was the 
first American poet named with praise in the 
Edinhirgh Review ; the old Scotchman, 
wary of American poets, broke through the 
ice and praised Eastman handsomely over 
20 years since, while he yet lived to catch 
the beautiful over-the-ocean-glow coming 
from the fire he had kindled. Facile, agree- 
able, amusing, as a poet, but not confident. 
Strange ! Did he not know his own pow- 
ers? It seems he did not; — "sensitive 
and doubtful as to their reception " — when 
his poems were committed to the press, 
when his book appeared and was winning 
golden laurels, " almost sorry he had pub- 
lished it." The writer remembers to have 
heard him say, he had made up his mind, 
he believed, to never publish any poem 
until it had been written seven years and 
he had revised it every year. 

Mr. Eastman brought out his first vol- 
ume of poems in 1848; from which he 
contributed with manifold retouchings, to 
the poems, ten pages to Miss Hemenway's 
First Edition of the Poets and Poetry of 
Vermont in 1858, including: "A Picture." 

The farmer sat in his easy chair 
Smoliiug his pipe of clay—, 

Eastman's " Dirge " : 

"Softly! 

She is lying 

Wltli lier lips apart; 
Softly I 

She is dying 

Of a broken heart." 

"I see her not" — "Uncle Jerry," and 
other pieces ; and in the same work, revised 
and enlarged, "A scene in the Vermont 
Winter," specially for the volume, and 
other poems ; as many pages in this sec- 
ond volume as in the first. 

Mr. Eastman's health began steadily to 
fail from May, i860. " An obstinate and 
painful disease burdened his spirit and 
wasted his frame." Never man needed 



rest more ; " but his pride and sympathies 
were enlisted in the business of his party," 
and too faithful to the complicated respon- 
sibilities identified with and accumulated 
upon him, he unwisely, but most unsel- 
fishly, (says Mr. Thompson in his sketch), 
made secondary his own interest of health 
and life. " But he was at home in the 
bosom of his family when his eyes closed 
to the scenes he loved so well ; and his 
last moments, painless and calm, were 
brightened by the love of family and 
friends, and cheered with the substantial 
hope of eternal happiness and joy." He 
died at his residence in Montpelier, Sept. 
16, i860. 

Mary Avery Eastman, the last and 
only living descendant, was born in Mont- 
pelier, in 1849. She married, 1S72, Eldin 
J. Hartshorn, son of Hon. John W. Harts- 
horn of this State, and now resides at 
Emmetsburg, Iowa, where her husband is 
practicing his profession of the law ; has 
been State Senator, &c. 

John G. Eastman, eldest son of Chas. 
G., died in Montpelier in his 20th year. 
May 30, 1870. 

Edward S., second son of Charles G., 
died in Montpelier in his 19th year, Oct. 
2, 1875. 

Mrs. Eastman, for several years after 
her husband's decease, until after the 
death of her two sons, continued to reside 
at Montpelier, spending a part of each 
year with her daughter at the West ; but 
within a few years has again taken up her 
residence in Woodstock. 

To the first and sweetest of our Poets — 
pre-eminently our State bard, we must — we 
could not satisfy Montpelier otherwise, nor 
yet ourself, though crowding to a close — 
make space for yet a cluster from his poems 
to lay at the foot of his biography at the 
Capital : 

the first settler. 

His hair is white as the winter snow, 
His years are many, as you may know, — 

Some eighty-two or three; 
Yet a hale old man, still strong and stout. 
And able when "tis fair to go out 

His friends in the street to see; 
And all who see his face still pray 
That for many a long and quiet day 

He may live, by the Lord's mercy. 



MONTPELIER. 



509 



He came to the State when the town was new. 
When the lordly pine and the hemlock grew 

In the place where the court house stands; 
When the stunted ash and the alder black, 
The slender fir and the tamarack. 

Stood thick on the meadow lands; 
And the brook, that now so feebly flows. 
Covered the soil where the farmer hoes 

The corn with his hardy hands. 

He built in the town the first log hut; 
And he is the man, they say, wlio cut 

The first old forest oak ; 
His axe was the first, with its echoes rude. 
To startle the ear of the solitude, 

With its steady and rapid stroke. 
From his high log-heap through the trees arose, 
First, on the hills, mid the winter snows. 

The fire and the curling smoke. 

On the land he cleared the first hard year. 
When he trapped the beaver and shot the deer. 

Swings the sign of the great hotel; 
By the path where he drove his ox to drink 
The mill-dam roars and the hammers clink. 

And the factory rings its bell. 
And where the main street comes up from the south 
Was the road he " blazed " from the river's mouth. 

As the books of the town will tell. 

In the village, here, where the trees are seen. 
Circling 'round the beautiful Green, 

He planted his hills of corn ; 
And there, where you see that long brick row, 
Swelling with silk and calico, 

Stood the hut he built one morn; 
Old Central street was his pasture lane. 
And down by the church he will put his cane 

On the 5pot where his boys were born. 

For many an hour I have heard him tell 
Of the time, he says, he remembers well, 

When high on the rock he stood. 
And nothing met his wandering eye 
■ Above, but the clouds and the broad blue sky. 

And below, the waving wood; 
And how, at night, the wolf would howl 
Round his huge log fire, and the panther growl. 

And the black fox bark by the road. 

He looks with pride on the village grown 
So large on the land that he used to own; 

And still as he sees the wall 
Of huge blocks built, in less than the time 
It took, when he was fresh in his prime. 

To gather his crops in the fall ; 
He thinks, with the work that, somehow, he 
Is identified, and must oversee 

And superintend it all. 

His hair is white as the winter snow. 

And his years are many, as you may know,— 

Some eighty-two or three; 
Yet all who see his face will pray. 
For many a long and quiet day 

By the Lord's good grace, that he 
May be left in the land, still hale and stout, 
And able still when 'tis fair, to go out 

His friends in the street to see. 

THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 

He who has still left of his two hands but one. 

With that let him grapple a sword; 
And he who has two, let him handle a gun; 

And forward, boys! forward! the word. 



The murmuring sound of the fierce battle-tide 

Already resounds from afar; 
Forward, boys! forward, on every side. 

For Vermont and her glittering star! 

Who lingers behind when the word has passed down 

That the enemy swarm o'er the line? 
When he knows in the heart of a North border town 

Their glittering bayonets shine V 
Push on to the North; the fierce battle-tide 

Already resounds from afar; 
Push on to the North from every side. 

For Vermont and her glittering star! 

Forward! the State that was first in the fight 

When Allen and Warner were here. 
Should not be the last now to strike for the right. 

Should never be found in tlie rear! 
Then, on to the North! the fierce battle-tide 

Already resounds from afar; 
Push on to the North from every side. 

For Vermont and her glittering star! 

Hark! booms from the lake, and resounds from the 
land. 

The roar of the conflict. Push on 1 
Push on to the North! on every hand 

Our boys to the rescue have gone; 
Forward! the State that was first in the fight 

When Allen and Warner were here. 
Should not be the last now to strike for the right. 

Should never be found in the rear. 

OF LOVE AND WINE. 

Of love and wine old poets sung, 

Old poets rich and rare,— 
Of wine with red and ruby heart. 

And love with golden hair; 
Of wine that winged the poet's thought. 

And woke the slumbering lyre; 
Of love that through the poet's line 

Ran like a flash of fire. 

But wine, when those old poets sung 

Its praises long ago. 
Was something subtler than the bards 

Of modern ages know; — 
Ay, wine was wine when Teian girls. 

Flushed with the rosy dew. 
To old Auacreon's fiery strains 

Through wanton dances flew. 

And love, when those old poets sung 

Its praises long ago. 
Was something warmer than the bards 

Of modern ages know ; — 
Ay, love was love when Teian girls. 

Flushed with the melting fire. 
With roses crowned Anacreon's brow. 

With kisses paid his lyre. 

PURER THAN SNOW. 

Purer than snow 

Is a girl I know; 
Purer than snow is she; 

Her heart is light. 

And her cheek is bright,— 
Ah ! who do you think she can be ? 

/know very well. 

But I never shall tell, 
'Twould spoil all the fun, you see; 

Her eye is blue; 

And her lip, like dew. 
And red as a mulberry. 



510 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE APPLE BLOSSOM. 

Here's an apple blossom, Mary ; 

See how delicate and fair! 
Here's an apple blossom, Mary ; 

Let me weave it in your hair I 

Ah! thy hair is raven, Mary, 
And the curls are thick and bright; 

And this apple blossom, Mary, 
Is so beautifully white! 

There! the apple blossom, Mary, 
Looks so sweet among your curls! 

And the apple blossom, Mary, 
Crowns the sweetest of the girls. 

But the apple blossom. Mary, 

You must have a little care 
Not to tell your mother, Mary, 

That /wove it in your hair! 

HON. RAWSEL R. KEITH, 

oldest son of Hon. Chapin Keith, born in 
Uxbridge, Mass., Nov. 21, 1790, died in 
Montpelier Oct. 25, 1874. Coming to 
Barre with his father in 1793, he remained 
there until 1817, when he came to Mont- 
pelier as deputy sheriff, and held that office 
and the shrievalty until 1831. He was 
Judge of Probate 1833 to 36, and long a di- 
rector and finally president of the Bank of 
Montpelier, retiring voluntarily from these 
positions. He was a man of firmness and 
integrity, and highly esteemed by his fel- 
low citizens. He married Mary T. Wheel- 
er of Barre, who bore him 2 sons; R. D. 
W. Keith, now of Chicago, and Alonzo T. 
Keith, now of Montpelier. 

LUTHER NEWCOMB, ESQ. 

UY H. A. HU8E. 

Luther Newcomb, for many years the 
county clerk of Washington County, was 
born in Derby, Apr. 10, 1826, and died 
from Bright's disease, at his home in Mont- 
pelier, Jan. 2, 1876. His father was Dr. 
Luther Newcomb, whose wife was Lucretia 
Martin. Dr. Newcomb was the first phy- 
sician to locate in that part of northern 
Vermont, and was eminent in his profes- 
sion ; among his students was Dr. Colby, the 
father of Stoddard B. Colby. Dr. New- 
comb died when Luther was 5 years old, 
and the boy remained with his mother 6 
years after his father's death. 

The family was intimate with Hon. Isaac 
F. Redfield, and when Luther was 11 years 
old, he came to Montpelier and became the 
same as a member of Judge Redfield's 



family. He studied under the direction of 
the Judge and entered Wash. Co. Gram- 
mar School, where he pursued his studies 
until prepared to enter college. He then 
read law under the direction of Judge Red- 
field, and was for a time a student in the 
office of O. H. Smith, Esq. Though fit- 
ted for admission to the bar, he did not 
apply for it, but receiving an appoint- 
ment in the customs service he was 2 years 
a revenue officer on Lake Champlain. 

Jan. I, 1849, he was appointed Deputy 
Clerk of Wash. Co. Court under Shubael 
Wheeler. He was in Dec, 1857, appoint- 
ed Clerk and held the position during the 
rest of hislife. He was a model officer, and 
had not only the respect and affection of 
the Washington County bar and the court, 
but as the general term of the Supreme 
Court was held here, that of members of 
the bar of the whole State. 

Mr. Newcomb married June 25, 1857, 
Amanda Thomas, only daughter of Gen. 
Stephen Thomas. His wife and 3 sons, 
Charles, Luther, and Stephen T., survive 
him. 

Mr. J. W. Wheelock, who died the 
month after Mr. Newcomb, on the death 
of the latter wrote for his paper, from his 
own sick bed, a few words concerning his 
old friend, and among them were the fol- 
lowing : 

He was in many respects a remarkable 
man. Beneath a business-like and, to the 
casual observer, almost stern exterior, was 
hidden a heart tender as that of a woman, 
and one ever prompting him to those kindly 
thoughts and acts which so ennoble and 
exalt human nature. Unobtrusive, and 
apparently concerned only about the proper 
performance of his duties as clerk of the 
court, he yet possessed so comprehensive 
and discriminating powers of mind that he 
took in almost intuitively the bearings and 
consequences of matters brought before 
him ; and many a sentence of crisp brevity 
has contained, as in a nut-shell, the law 
and wisdom of it, and the decision at 
which the learned judge arrives after a 
most elaborate and exhaustive review. 
. . . He was always ready to aid and 
encourage the inexperienced or timid, and 
many a success has been achieved through 
a timely word of advice and aid from him. 
He was judicious as a counsellor, valuable 



MONTPELIER. 



5ir 



and safe as an adviser, and faithful, even 
unto death, in his friendships. 

The funeral of Mr. Newcomb was in the 
Court House, Rev. J. E. Wright conduct- 
ing the services? and Hon. Charles W. 
Willard making an address. Mr. Willard 
in his address spoke not only as the rep-, 
resentative of the bar, but, indeed, as the 
nearest friend, and said that the friend- 
ship of Luther Newcomb had been tJie 
friendship of his manhood and his life. 

CHARLES CLARK, M. D., 

son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Perry) Clark, 
was born in what is now known as East 
Montpelier, Jan. 31, 1800. His parents 
were among the early settlers of the town, 
and had come from Rochester, Mass. It 
is claimed by some members of the Clark 
family still residing in Rochester, that they 
are descended from Thomas Clark, mate 
on the Mayflower, who returned on the 
brig Anne, and settled in the Plymouth 
colony in 1623. One of the oldest stones 
in the cemetery at Plymouth bears the 
name of Nathaniel Clark, who died in 17 14, 
at 74. 

Charles was the second son in a family 
of 6 children. An injury of his left knee, 
in his fourth year, caused its amputation 
3 years after. This was before the day of 
anaesthetics. As illustrative of the spirit 
of the boy, when the surgeon. Dr. Nathan 
Smith of Hanover, propo.sed to bind him, 
as was usual in such cases, the child re- 
fused, placed himself on the table, sub- 
mitted to the painful operation without the 
quivering of a muscle, without a word or 
any sign of pain. 

His father died when he was but 10 
years of age, and from that time on, with 
an indomitable courage characteristic of 
his whole life, he supported himself by his 
own labor. 

The record of the next 20 years is astory 
of trials and privations, which a less brave 
spirit would not have overcome. His ed- 
ucational advantages were limited to the 
common school and a few terms in the 
Washington County Grammar School. He 
studied his profession with Dr. Edward 
Lamb, of Montpelier, and as early as 1819, 



attended lectures at Castleton Medical 
College. He began the practice of med- 
icine with Dr. N. C. King, of North Mont- 
pelier, in 1 82 1, and removed to Calais 
2 years later, where he purchased a small 
farm of 20 acres, and set up for himself. 
He was soon after married to Clarissa 
Boyden, daughter of Darius Boyden, Esq., 
of Montpelier, where he resided 14 years. 
In speaking of these early days he used to 
say, "Medical practice in these days of 
warm wraps and nice robes is quite another 
thing from my experience in the dead of 
winter on hor.seback, or at best in a bare 
sleigh, with insufficient clothing." 

In 1837, he removed to Montpelier, pur- 
chasing the Boyden homestead, where he 
resided for 12 years, securing an extensive 
practice not only in Montpelier, but in 
surrounding towns, winning public confi- 
dence and affection wherever known. 

In 1849, he moved into the village of 
Montpelier, both for the better education 
of his children and the more convenient 
practice of his profession, in which he con- 
tinued actively engaged till 1865, when he 
met with an accident resulting in a severe 
and protracted illness, from which he never 
wholly recovered. After this, he retired 
from general practice, retaining only office 
and consultation business. In 1868, he 
was again severely injuredby being thrown 
from his carriage. From this he had par- 
tially recovered, when a year later he was 
stricken with paralysis. With patient en- 
durance he lingered through 5 years more 
of suffering and prostration till his death, 
June 21, 1874. 

Dr. Clark was a man of more than or- 
dinary natural gifts, or he would never have 
accomplished what he did — left poor in 
this world's goods, crippled by his physical 
infirmity, and with but very limited op- 
portunities of education. In person he 
was 6 feet of stature and fine presence and 
great physical endurance. He was re- 
markable for his keen observation of men 
and things, and was rarely mistaken in his 
judgment. His genial manners, generous 
sympathies, and fund of anecdote, made 
him always welcome at the bedside of his 
patients, and contributed not a little to his 



512 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



success. He was thoroughly devoted to 
his profession, kept himself well informed 
of the progress of the science through 
standard medical journals, and was always 
ready to accept and try new methods. But 
his own experience and observation served 
him better than books. He compounded 
his medicines with little regard to received 
formulas, and more from his judgment in 
each particular case. Those best ac- 
quainted with him, greatly regret that he 
did not write out for the benefit of the 
profession the results of his large and 
varied experience. 

As a man and a citizen, it is not too 
much to say that he was universally es- 
teemed — a man of public spirit, interested 
in every movement and enterprise that 
looked to the welfare of society. Though 
not a professor of religion till late in life, 
he started and superintended a Sabbath- 
school during his short residence at North 
Montpelier, was one of the earliest and 
staunchest advocates of temperance, and 
was always urging improvements in meth- 
ods and opportunities of education. He 
spared no self-denial and sacrifice to give 
his own children advantages which were 
denied to himself, and in the same gen- 
erous spirit sought the welfare of others. 
He was for 12 years president of the board 
of trustees and chairman of the prudential 
committee of the Washington County 
Grammar School, and for many years treas- 
urer of the Vermont Medical Society, of 
which he was an active member. He was 
too much given to his own special work to 
engage in political life, yet he yielded to 
the wishes of his friends, and served as 
representative of Montpelier in the Legis- 
lature in 1846, '47. He was not a public 
speaker, as he felt the need of proper 
culture for this, but was esteemed as a very 
useful working man on committees. His 
judgment was always valued in practical 
questions of politics. One incident, how- 
ever, he was wont to recall with a good 
deal of satisfaction in later years. A bill 
for a license law was being pushed through 
the legislature, and was likely to pass, 
greatly to the regret of friends of tem- 



perance. Just at the last moment when 
an amendment was possible. Dr. Clark 
rose to his place without previous con- 
sultation with others, presented a brief 
amendment, urged it home with a few 
chosen words, and secured its prompt 
passage by the House. A leading politi- 
cian who had been interested in carrying 
the measure, rushed across the hall at 
once, and said to him with much excite- 
ment, "Your amendment has killed the 
bill." "Just what I intended," was the 
reply. He was warmly congratulated by 
friends of temperance at once and for 
years after on the defeat of a measure 
which he felt would have been attended 
with serious injury to the best interests of 
the State. 

The following tribute was rendered him 
by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lord: "His 
life began with suffering, it clo.sed in suf- 
fering, but its long intermediate years were 
filled with hard work, with brave labors, 
irradiated by a warm, genial spirit, by de- 
votion to the best interests of his fellow- 
men, with zeal for education, good morals 
and religion, by professional skill, fidelity 
and enthusiasm. He received, as he em- 
inently merited, the respect, confidence 
and love of all who knew him." 

— From the Family. 
DEA. CONSTANT W. STORKS 

was born in Royal ton in 1801, came to 
Montpelier in 1822, and from that time 
until his death was engaged in merchan- 
dise — more than half a century. In 1831, 
he became a member of the First Congre- 
gational Church, and in 1835 was elected 
one of its deacons — an office which he tried 
to magnify as long as he lived. For 22 
years he was treasurer of the Vermont Do- 
mestic Missionary Society. He was great- 
ly interested in religious matters, and la- 
bored incessantly in season and out of 
season. Early in life he married a daugh- 
ter of Wyllis I. Cad well, who bore him two 
sons and a daughter, the beautiful daughter 
dying when about to reach maturity. The 
widow and son survive. Dea. Storrs died 
Mar. 23, 1872. E. p. w. 




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MONTPELIER. 



SI3 



HON. CHARLES REED. 

BY REV. J. EDWAKD WUIGHT. 

Charles Reed was born in Thetford, 
Nov. 24, 1814, and died in Montpelier, 
after a sickness of less than three days, 
Mar. 7, 1873. He was the oldest child of 
Hon. Joseph Reed, and his second wife, 
Elizabeth Burnap, daughter of Rev. Jacob 
Burnap, of Merrimac, N. H., and sister 
of the scholarly Unitarian minister long 
settled in Baltimore, Md., Rev. George 
W. Burnap, D. D. Montpelier was Mr. 
Reed's home from 1827, when his father 
came here to reside. He pursued his pre- 
paratory studies at the Washington County 
Grammar School, entered Dartmouth Col- 
lege, and graduated in 1835. Among his 
classmates and intimate friends there was 
the late Governor Peter T. Washburn. 
He studied law in Montpelier, in the office 
of Hon. William Upham, and afterwards 
for 2 years in the Dane Law School, Har- 
vard University, where he received the de- 
gree of LL.B. in 1839. He was admit- 
ted to the Washington County Bar in 
1838, and in Sept., 1839, formed a partner- 
ship with Hon. Homer W. Heaton, which 
continued for a third of a century without 
change in the location of the office, being 
only dissolved by Mr. Reed's death. He 
married Emily Eliza, eldest daughter of 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin of Montpelier, June 
5, 1842, by whom he had five children; 
two of whom, Elizabeth Burnap, wife of 
Col. J. H. Lucia of Vergennes, and Maria 
G., with their mother, survived him. 
(Mrs. Lucia died, leaving husband and 3 
children, Jan. 5, 1881.) 

From time to time Mr. Reed's fellow 
citizens honored themselves in honoring 
him with positions of trust. He was cho- 
sen justice ot the peace for a number of 
years ; was elected state's attorney in 1847, 
and again in 1848, and was appointed reg- 
ister of probate in the latter year, — per- 
forming the duties of the office by deputy. 
For some 5 years he was one of the select- 
men of Montpelier. In 1858, he was cho- 
sen trustee and librarian of the State libra- 
ry, and also a member of the Vt. Historical 
Society, in whose work he was deeply in- 
terested, serving as one of its curators, and 

65 



publishing committee, and also as its li- 
brarian. He represented Montpelier in 
the Legislatures of 1862 and 1863, and for 
the three following years occupied a seat 
in the Senate chamber. While in the 
Senate, he interested himself ardently in 
the institution of the Vermont Reform 
School, now located in Vergennes, and be- 
came chairman of its first board of trustees, 
which position he retained till his death. 
At the establishment of Green Mount Cem- 
tery in Montpelier, Mr. Reed was chosen 
one of its commissioners, and was re- 
elected to that trust, which he had held 
for many years, on the last day of his 
active business life. He was one of the 
four far-sighted men who advocated and 
secured that change in the school system 
of Montpelier, which brought the Washing- 
ton County Grammar School and the district 
schools into harmonious relations under 
the same board of management and in the 
same building ; and he was repeatedly 
elected chairman of the united committees. 
In 1869, he was chosen a member of the 
Council of Censors, and in that capacity 
advocated extending the right of suffrage 
to women. Politically he was a democrat 
in early life, but from the breaking out of 
the rebellion, he took sides with the repub- 
lican party. His last illness was occasion- 
ed by a cold taken in the chilly air of the 
unwarmed State Library, while he was in- 
vestigating some historical topic. This 
was increased by exposure a few days later, 
at the March meeting, which his interest in 
Temperance Reform led him to attend ; 
and thus were developed, in a constitution 
originally strong, but weakened by over- 
work, the pleuro-pneumonia and conges- 
tion which ended his earthly career. 

Mr. Reed was, first of all, a man of 
ititegrity. This appeared in his business 
relations with others, and won for him 
their utmost confidence ; and it was shown 
also in his faithfulness to his own convic- 
tions. He never seemed to stop to ask if 
the course contemplated would gain for 
him profit and applause or involve loss and 
unpopularity. Among those of a different 
faith, he adhered steadfastly to the Unita- 
rian views with which he was imbued in 



514 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



his childhood ; and, when opportunity of- 
fered, entered zealously into the work of 
establishing in Montpelier a church that 
should represent what he thought to be 
the truth in religious doctrine. He was 
among the foremost in the organization of 
the Church of the Messiah, and was inde- 
fatigable in laboring to promote its inter- 
ests. He acted with like decision, energy, 
and straight-forwardness in regard to the 
Temperance agitation, and the Woman 
Suffrage Reform. 

He was also a man of marked public 
spirit. With private cares that were by no 
means small, he undertook a great variety 
and amount of work for the general wel- 
fare — work for which he received little or 
no remuneration, direct or indirect. The 
value of the services he rendered to his 
town and State, in his devotion to educa- 
tional interests, the Reform School, the 
State Library, and the Historical Society, 
cannot be estimated in money, and can be 
appreciated in its full e.xtent by very few. 
Rarely, indeed, does any philanthropist 
contribute so freely from his purse to char- 
itable objects, as did Mr. Reed lavish from 
the wealth of his time, and physical and 
mental strength, for the public good. 

Further, he was ever loyal to his native 
State. In the words of another, "'As a 
Vermonter, believing in Vermont and the 
genuine Vermont character, deeply inter- 
ested in the past history of the State, and 
its present prosperity, Mr. Reed will be 
much missed. He was one of the no- 
blest and truest of loyal Vermonters. 
As an officer of the State Historical So- 
ciety he rendered invaluable service in 
getting up and putting in form for pres- 
ervation much of the early history. . . . 
The State has not another — if we except 
those who have been associated with him 
in this work, Hons. Hiland Hall and E. P. 
Walton — to fill his place." 

In his chosen profession, Mr. Reed 
reached a proud eminence, (yet singularly 
without pride,) and gained a handsome 
property. H. A. Huse, Esq., a fellow- 
member of the bar, at one time his assist- 
ant, and later his successor in the charge 
of the State Library, said of him, in a 



memorial sketch read before the Vermont 
Historical Society, "Charles Reed was a 
true lawyer, taking pride in his profession, 
and loving the law as a science wherein 
reason has her most perfect work, and be- 
cause his knowledge of it enabled him to be 
truly a counsellor to those in trouble. 
Grounded by severe study in the founda- 
tion principles, his directness and the im- 
patience with which he viewed worthless 
and irrelevant matter made him a good 
pleader. His papers always gave him a 

standing in court Mr Reed, 

on trial of a case, presented clearly to 
court or jury the facts proved and the law 
applicable to them. This was done not by 
the use of rounded periods, impassioned 
gesture, or appeal to the emotional nature. 
His imagination supplied him neither with 
facts not in the case, nor with the coloring 
and magnifying power which often distorts 
things from their true relation, and gives 
what is unimportant undue prominence. 
But it was, I think, in the court of chan- 
cery, and perhaps still more in the supreme 
court, that Mr. Reed showed the qualities 
most clearly that stamped him as one of 
the leaders of the bar. In the court of 
last resort the premises were fixed and un- 
changing, and from them he worked most 
unerringly to the conclusion. The brief 
method of statement, the condensed argu- 
ment, had there their true sphere and al- 
ways their due weight. While it was not 
given to him to charm by silvery speech, 
it was given him to convince by the close- 
ness of his logic. The clear-cut intellect, 
trained by careful study, made him in- 
valuable as a legislator. During his term 
of service the laws passed received more 
careful scrutiny, and were more carefully 
framed from the very fact of his presence ; 
and much of the intelligible legislation of 
the last few years owes its shape to his 
skill, as well since as during his occupancy 
of a seat in the law-making body. 

" In yet another direction was his ability 
as a lawyer called into activity. Before 
1858, the State Library was a mass of leg- 
islative documents without form, and void 
of any use. A few law reports were inter- 
mingled, and formed a stock from which 




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MONTPELIER. 



515 



impecunious and conscience-lacking men 
plundered at will. To make this one of 
the best libraries in the Union in the De- 
partment of American Law, without large 
expense to the State, was a labor of years 
with Mr. Reed. His success, with the 
means at his command, has, I am sure, 
not been paralleled. The bar and bench 
of the county and State owe a great debt 
to him for the thoroughness of the work." 

Charles Reed was no courtier, nor 
trimmer. He could not cajole, he could 
not flatter, he could not fawn and curry 
favor. His sincerity appeared often as 
bluntness, and sometimes gave offence. 
But those who were acquainted with him 
had in their minds an ever ready explana- 
tion of his occasional roughness of speech 
and manner, in the knowledge that they 
were dealing with an upright, downright 
honest man, who, under an exterior some- 
what hard, carried a heart throbbing with 
devotion to the welfare of all, a man of 
Roman firmness, and of Jacksonian wil- 
lingness to assume the responsibility in an 
emergency ; a man whose record, whether 
public or private, had always been sin- 
gularly free from stain ; a man whose very 
presence strengthened the worthy pur- 
poses of the timid and hesitating about 
him, a man whose 

. , . '■ Daily prayer, far better nnderstood 
In acts than words, was simply doing good.'''' 

JAMES G. FRENCH, 

son of Micah French, of Barre, was born 
in Peru, N. Y., in 1824, and died in Mont- 
pelier, suddenly, Aug. 8, 1878. Employed 
for a while as a clerk, he opened a clothing 
store in Montpelier, in which he was quite 
successful. He was postmaster 8 years 
under President Lincoln, and subsequently 
entered into the construction of the Mont- 
pelier & Wells River Railroad. He was 
also very energetic, and even daring, in 
real estate operations, and to him, more 
than to any one man, Montpelier owes the 
construction of its spacious and elegant 
stores. Mr. French married a daughter of 
the late JoelGoldsbury, of Barre, and she, 
with an only daughter, Mrs. W. T. Dewey, 
survive him. 



LUTHER CROSS, 

born in Swanzey, N. H., 1802, established 
himself in mercantile business in Mont- 
pelier in 1827. In the same year he mar- 
ried Miss Polly M. Day, of Woodstock, 
who bore him four children : Gustavus 
T., who died March 13, 1867, aged 33 
years ; Luther Burnell, now of Montpelier ; 
Royal D., now in the West; and Lucia D., 
now wife of Marcus A. Farwell, of Chicago. 
Mr. Cross was interested in politics, and 
personally very popular ; hence he was 
often the Whig candidate for represent- 
ative in the old town of Montpelier, and 
always received more than his party vote ; 
but the town was so strongly Democratic 
that success was impossible. He was, 
however, a magistrate many years in suc- 
cession, and by the Legislature was re- 
peatedly elected sergeant-at-arms. He 
built three brick dwellings, which were 
the best in Montpelier in his day, and two 
of them are the best of the brick houses 
now. The three are the two houses on 
State street now occupied by Hons. John 
A. Page and B. F. Fifield, and the Cross 
homestead on Elm street. He also built 
the " Willard block " on Main, at the head 
of State street. He died, suddenly. Mar. 
9, 1873, aged 71 years. 

CHARLES AND TIMOTHY CROSS 

came to Montpelier about the time of the 
advent of Richard W. Hyde, and with him 
started the first bakery in town. 

Chas. H. Cross was born in Tilton, 
N. H., Feb. 13, 1812, and his wife was 
born an hour or two before him. He 
is highly esteemed, a staunch Methodist, 
and a liberal contributor to that church 
and its educational institution on Seminary 
Hill. He is still engaged in a large bakery 
and confectionary business with his eldest 
and well-known son, L. Bart. Cross. 

Timothy Cross died some years ago. 
His house was destroyed in the last great 
fire, and his widow and children removed 
to Cambridgeport, Mass. 

[To Charles Cross the Methodist church 
are also indebted chiefly for the fine wood 
engraving of their church building.— ed.] 



Si6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



DANIEL BALDWIN 

(BY REV. .T. EDWAllD WRIGHT.) 

Was born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, 
and died in Montpelier, Aug. 3, 188 1. He 
was the youngest of the seven children of 
Daniel and Hannah (Havens) Baldwin. 
His mother was a daughter of Robert 
Havens, of Royalton, whose house was 
the first entered by the Indians when 
Royalton was burned. He was orphaned 
before he was two years old, and the des- 
titute brood was scattered. He came to 
Montpelier in 1806, and remained till he 
was of age under the guardianship of his 
older brother, Sylvanus, a man of prom- 
inence and marked ability. With him he 
learned the carpenter's trade, availing him- 
self also of some brief opportunities for 
attending school ; but, from the time of 
attaining his majority for many years, he 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits, with 
gratifying success. He relinquished these 
in 1848, to devote himself more exclu- 
sively to his duties as president of the 
Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which 
he was the original projector, and in which 
he took the first policy, March 31, 1828. 
He was president of this Company from 
1 84 1 to 1874, and regarded with a well- 
grounded satisfaction the remarkable pros- 
perity and growth of the Company during 
his administration. While cautious and 
conservative, he was eminently progressive 
both early and late in life. In 1827, he led 
in the effort to establish salt works in 
Montpelier. "He was called again and 
again into the direction of the Bank of 
Montpelier and the Montpelier National 
Bank, and was a director in the latter at 
the time of his decease. He was among 
the first to advocate and further the build- 
ing of the Vermont Central Railroad, and 
agitated the subject from 1830 until the 

desired end was attained He 

was also one of the first board of directors 
of the Vermont Central, but retained that 
position only a year, having always stren- 
uously maintained, in opposition to the 
Northfield interest which prevailed, that 
the route should be by way of the Wil- 
liamstown Gulf. As long ago as 1850, he 
was one of a committee of eight, of which 



the Hon. J. A. Wing was chairman, who 
raised a subscription, and procured at con- 
siderable expense to themselves a survey 
of a route for a railroad from Montpelier 
to Wells River." * He was also one of the 
originators and the general manager, dur- 
ing the early years of its existence, of the 
Montpelier (Jaslight Co. " He was town 
treasurer in 1828, and then again for 11 

consecutive years from 1835 

From 1837 to 1847 he was trustee of the 
' Surplus Fund.' For many years from 
and after 1837, he was the chief engineer 
of the fire department. During the years 
1846 and 1847, he occupied tlie bench as 
associate judge of the Washington County 
Court, but from 1850 on, wath the excep- 
tion of one year's service as lister, he uni- 
formly avoided public oflSce."* In early 
life he held high position in the Masonic 
Order. "He was connected with the 
Vermont Colonization Society during all 
its active existence, a large part of the 
time as its treasurer, and then as its pres- 
ident." * In politics he was a democrat — 
during the rebellion a " war democrat," 
voting more than once for the republican 
candidate — and in religion he was em- 
phatically a '■'■liberal Christian," avowing 
deep interest in " Spiritualism," but con- 
tributing generously to churches of various 
creeds, and joining most heartily with 
Unitarians and Universalists in the organ- 
ization and support of the Montpelier 
Independent Meeting-House Society, of 
whose board of trustees he was chairman 
from the establishment of the board in 
1866 to the day of his death. In his will 
he manifested his undying interest in 
Montpelier, by bequeathing $2,000, to be 
used under certain conditions in securing 
a suitable water supply for the village. 

He married, in 1820, Emily Wheelock, 
grand-daughter of the first president of 
Dartmouth College. She died in 1872. 
A son and four daughters were born to 
them, all of whom reached maturity and 
were married ; but only two, the first and 
second daughters, Mrs. Charles Reed and 
Mrs. Marcus D. Gilman, have survived 
their parents. The society of their six 
grand-child ren was a delight to Judge 

* Memorial Sermon by Rev. J. Edward Wright. 




^jyayrt^c<^ y^ cc/c/^^/^y^ 



MONTPELIER. 



517 



Baldwin during the last summer of his 
life. 

He was a man extensively known in the 
State, and universally esteemed for his 
probity, his sound judgment, his public 
spirit and his benevolence. Deliberate in 
planning and moderate in moving, he was 
yet positive in his decisions and energetic 
in his actions. A man of a peculiarly 
placid and even temper, and sustained by 
a Christian trust, he bore earth's trials 
with great calmness, and his declining 
years furnished the community an im- 
pressive illustration of what it is to " grow 
old beautifully." Though not free from 
all the infirmities which commonly attend 
old age, he was wonderfully vigorous in 
mind and body, and found life enjoyable 
down to his last day ; when suddenly his 
powers all collapsed, and with a brief 
struggle he passed on, leaving an honored 
name and a blessed memory. It is rare 
that a life is more entirely successful in both 
ts material and moral aspects, j. E. w. 

[Lucia L., wife of W. C. D. Grannis, of 
Chicago, and daughter of Hon. Daniel 
Baldwin, died in Chicago, aged 28.] 

From the records of Aurora Lodge, No. 
22, F. & A. M., we take the following: 
^ 



IJff MEMORIAM. 

BRO. DANIEL BALDWIN, 

Born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, 

Died at Montpelier, Vt., August 3, 188 1 ; 

Aged 8g years and 13 days. 

Initiated in Aurora Lodge, No. 9, at Montpelier, 

January 3, 1814 ; 

Passed January 31, 1814; 

Raised in Columbian Lodge, Boston, Mass., 

May 14, 1S14. 

Affiliated with Aurora Lodge, No. 22, 

July II, 1881. 

Bro. Baldwin was an old time Mason, one of 
those who passed through the fiery trials of the 
anti-masonic period, and that he was unyielding 
in his devotion to the fraternity is evinced by the 
fact that he and Wor. Bro. Joseph Howes op- 
posed to the bitter end the surrender of the char- 
ter of old Aurora Lodge, No. 9. In this, how- 
ever, he was unsuccessful, and the Lodge suc- 
cumbed to what was probably inevitable, and it 
was voted, Sept. 19, 1S34, to surrender the charter. 

He successively filled all the offices of the Lodge 
from that of Tyler to Worshipful Master, to which 
latter office he was elected June 26, 1S20. 

He was also a prominent officer in King .Solo- 
mon R. A. Chapter, No. 5, and a member of 
Montpelier Council, R. & S. M. 

Bro. Baldwin was a just and upright Mason, 
ever generous and liberal in dispensing Masonic 
charity, and was always ready to whisper good 
counsel in the ear of a brother. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

0/ the Vermont Mutual Fire insurance 
Company. 
At the first meeting of the directors of 
the Vt. Mu. Fire Ins. Co. after the death 
of Mr. Baldwin, Aug. 3, 1881, the Presi- 
dent offered the following resolutions, 
which were unanimously adopted : 

Resolved. That we have learned with 
profound regret of the death of Hon. Dan- 
iel Baldwin, so long connected with this 
Company, and identified with the best in- 
terests of the town for three fourths of a 
century. We duly appreciate his eminent 
services as an officer of this company, and 
his usefulness as a citizen. 

Resolved, That we extend to his family 
the sympathy of this Board in the loss of 
one who has so long been a kind friend 
and able counselor. 

And a committee was chosen to prepare 
a memorial address to be read at the An- 
nual Meeting of the Company, which was 
prepared and read by Dr. Hiram A. Cut- 
ting, of Lunenburgh. 

" The Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company " is a name so familiar to every 
Vermonter, in fact, so woven into the af- 
fairs and interests of the people of this 
State, that when its originator, Daniel 
Baldwin, died upon the 3d day of August, 
in his 90th year, it sent a thrill of sorrow 
through the hearts of thousands. It was 
his foresight which planned a system of 
insurance that recommended itself for its 
cheapness, and won for itself golden opin- 
ions, supplying, as it did, the unfortunate 
with means to reconstruct their homes 
promptly when the fire-fiend had swept 
them away. Rightly has it been said of 
this company, " That it has clothed the 
naked, fed the hungry and supplied the 
destitute," and just was the sorrow for the 
departed man, for he was both the father 
and patron of this most beneficial associa- 
tion in our State. It was a happy inspi- 
ration which induced George Bliss, a can- 
vasser for the Springfield Fire and Marine 
Insurance Company, about the year 1818, 
to call upon Daniel Baldwin, who was tem- 
porarily stopping in Boston, for the pur- 
pose of soliciting his insurance. Mr. 
Baldwin was at that time a prosperous 
young merchant. He investigated the 



5i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



subject carefully, was pleased with the idea, 
had his property insured, and accepted the 
agency of the company for this section, 
which he retained for 2 years, receiving 
premiums to the amount of over $4,000, 
with only $2,000 in losses. It was during 
this period that the idea of cheaper insur- 
ance, based upon the mutual plan, sug- 
gested itself to Mr. Baldwin. He coun- 
seled with a number of the business men 
of that day, but could get little encourage- 
ment from any, with the exception of 
Thomas Reed, Jr., James H. Langdon, 
Joshua Y. Vail, and Chester Hubbard. 
With these coadjutors, at a second trial, 
Nov. 10, 1827, the Vermont Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company was chartered; yet 
not without great opposition. The mem- 
ber from Middlebury, one of its opposers, 
moved an amendment of the bill, granting 
a charter, requiring the company to pay 
6 per cent, of the profits into the State 
treasury annually. This shows that that 
member of our Legislature, at least, knew 
little of mutual insurance. 

Under this grant the company was or- 
ganized, Jan. 21, 1828. As Daniel Bald- 
win originated the charter, he was elected 
president of the meeting, but declined, 
and J. H. Langdon was elected in his 
stead. There were but six persons pres- 
ent. A board of directors was chosen, and 
that' board, of which Hon. Mr. Baldwin 
was an active member, elected Chapin 
Keith of Barre, president, J. Y. Vail, sec- 
retary, and George Worthington treasurer, 
both of Montpelier. Their first policy was 
issued in March, 1828, to Daniel Baldwin. 

In October, 1828, the directors rej^orted 
186 policies issued, and that the company 
was gaining in strength and popularity. A 
small beginning, truly, for a company that 
now issues between 5,000 and 6,000 poli- 
cies annually. 

Mr. Keith was succeeded at the end of 
the year by Israel P. Dana of Danville, as 
president, who held the office until 1838, 
to be followed by John Spalding of Mont- 
pelier, who held the office until 184 1, when 
the subject of this sketch was elected, 
holding office as president for ;i;i years. 
During this time, he administered the af- 



fairs of the corporation as its head. He 
had around him trusty men, tried and true ; 
yet he has probably traveled more miles 
on insurance business, and talked insurance 
with more persons than any other 50 men 
in the State. His heart and soul were in 
the work, and with him that meant success. 
He understood the principles and rules of 
insurance as few ever do. He adjusted 
equitable rates for various classes of prop- 
erty with a truly wonderful precision. His 
devotion to the duties of his office were 
both conscientious and enthusiastic. As 
an adjustor, he was almost without an 
equal ; while he settled closely and eco- 
nomically for the company, he gained the 
respect and good will of the insured, for 
he was frank and honest, dealing as he 
would have others deal with him. Few, if 
any, ever felt aggrieved, and many were 
the testimonials showered upon him in 
later years, for his honest dealing with 
them, when they through loss were render- 
ed almost powerless to contest the validity 
of their insurance, had they been forced 
so to do. 

The prosperity of the Vermont Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company is the proudest 
testimonial he can have of his zeal and 
well-directed services, and those who par- 
take of the benefits of that organization 
cannot fail to gratefully remember the man, 
who more than any other one has made the 
strong and reliable concern what it is. 
That its progress may be the more evident, 
I would say that the number of policies in 
force in 1831 was 1,869; i" 1841, 12,012; 
in 1851, 11,790; in 1861, 22,237; in 1871, 
27,488; and in 1881, 29,413. Such an in- 
crease in business is without precedent in 
any mutual company in our Union, and 
shows definitely that the true and unwav- 
ering course of all connected with it, has 
gained the confidence of the people, and 
the company is an honor to our State, and 
it is fitting that we should honor the man 
who originated the philanthropic scheme, 
and with untiring zeal pushed it to so 
grand success. 

Age creeps stealthily on us all, and as 
Judge Baldwin felt the pressure upon him, 
and looked with a just pride upon an insti- 




JOHN WOOD 



MONTPELIER. 



519 



tution, almost his own ; and surrounded 
by helpers in the insurance business which 
he had himself educated, he thought that 
they had better allow him to retire ; and 
so after his election as president for the 
31st year, he sent in the following resigna- 
tion, in March, 1871 : 

To the Directors of the Vermont Afiiiual 
Fire Insurance Company : 

Gentlemen : — Owing to infirmities in 
consequence of old age, I do not feel com- 
petent to discharge the duties of president 
of this company as they should be, and 
therefore resign the office, to take place as 
soon as some person shall be elected to fill 
the responsible place I have so long occu- 
pied. D. Baldwin. 

Montpelier, March ist, 1871. 

No action was, however, taken upon 
this, and he was again re-elected in Octo- 
ber. He immediately resigned, but was 
over-persuaded, and consented to serve 
one year more by having a Vice President 
to relieve him of some of the duties which 
now rested quite heavily upon him. James 
T. Thurston was elected Vice President, 
and thus he was continued until Oct. 14, 
1874, when Mr. Thurston was elected 
President ; but Hon. Mr. Baldwin was re- 
tained as director, so that his counsel and 
advice might rightly be available. Judge 
Baldwin, however, soon withdrew almost 
wholly from the office, but still retaining 
his mental faculties in a remarkable de- 
gree up to the day of his death. 

All honor to the departed, and may his 
valuable counsels and noble example live 
with the company ; and his original and 
true principles of insurance be carried out 
by the insurer, and the household word of 
Vermont continue to be the " Old Ver- 
mont Mutual." Let us here to-day, as offi- 
cers of this company, pledge ourselves 
anew to the duties, and thus we may hope 
to retain with our prosperity, which seems 
assured, tVie good will and honor of our 
patrons, that \ve may, in part, share in the 
tributes of praise so justly given to the de- 
parted. 

W. H. H. Bingham, 

L. G. Hinckley, > Com 

Hiram A. Cutting, 



ABRAHAM G. D. TUTHILL 

was born at Oyster Pond, Long Island, 
and in due time chose to become an artist. 
To perfect himself, he spent seven years 
as a pupil of the great painter, Benjamin 
West, in London, and one year in Paris. 
Returning to this country, he spent a few 
years in Montpelier, where a sister resided, 
and where now there are to be found many 
beautiful specimens of his work. His 
artist life was mainly spent at Buflfalo, 
Detroit, and other western cities ; but he 
returned to Montpelier, and died there, 
June 12, 1843, aged 67. 

JOSHUA Y. VAIL 

was one of the very early lawyers of Mont- 
pelier. He served awhile as Preceptor of 
Washington County Grammar School, and 
was County Clerk 1819-1839, 18 years. 
He was also Secretary of the Vermont Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company from the or- 
ganization in 1828 until 1850, and member 
and Secretary of the Council of Censors in 
1820. His wife was a devoted chris- 
tian mother, Mary M., sister of the artist 
Tuthill, and all of her children have been 
well connected. Two of her sons, Solon 
J. Y. and Oscar J., still reside in Montpe- 
lier, and two daughters survive, one at 
Newbury and one in the West — foui' out 
of nine children. Mr. Vail died in 1854, 
in his 70th year; and his wife in 1876, 
aged 90. Both were born on Long Island. 

THE WOOD FAMILY. 

Late in the last century three brothers 
were born in Leominster, Mass., the eldest 
of whom spent half of his life in Mont- 
pelier, and the others much the largest part. 
They were Cyrus, John, and Zenas Wood. 
They were all of Puritan stock, and mem- 
bers of the first Congregational church in 
Montpelier. 

Cyrus Wood settled in Lebanon, N. H., 
about 1809, taking his brother John with 
him, who was then about 20 years of age. 
In 1814, both came to Montpelier and en- 
tered into partnership in the cabinet- 
making business, which was continued 
until the death of Cyrus, Nov. 25, 1840. 

John Wood, born July 20, 1788, mar- 
ried Miss Mary Waterman, of Lebanon, 



520 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



N. H., who was truly a helpmeet for him, 
an industrious, pious and prudent woman. 
Bearing his share in the military burdens 
of his time, he became captain of Wash- 
ington Artillery, which was a high honor. 
But it was in the churches that he was 
most conspicuous. Long a deacon in the 
first Congregational church, -he went to 
the Free church on its organization, and 
ou its dissolution, to the Methodist church. 
In all he was an earnest worker, instant 
and earnest in prayer and exhortation, and 
his pure, honest and loving life attested 
the sincerity of his religious convictions. 
He died Jan. 14, 1872, in his 84th year, 
leaving a son and daughter, the son being 
Thomas W. Wood, the now highly dis- 
tinguished artist. 

Zenas Wood, born Jan. i, 1793, came 
to Montpelier at a somewhat later date, 
and engaged in the stove and tin-ware 
business, in which he was quite success- 
ful. He had all the excellent character- 
istics of his brother John, but was some- 
what less demonstrative. He sympathized 
keenly with the sick and suffering, as the 
writer of this note had occasion to know 
by personal experience. Mr. Wood was 
a prudent business man, and for some 
years was a director in the old Bank of 
Montpelier. In the last great fire here 
his real estate was destroyed, and he went, 
a lone and sad man, to his affectionate 
daughters in St. Johnsbury, where he died 
Oct. 29, 1876, in his 84th year. e. p. w. 

For notice of Thomas W. Wood, see 
post. 

THE COTTRILL FAMILY — Corrections. 

Mahlon Cottrill, born in Bridport, Vt., 
Aug. 29, 1797 ; died in Kansas City, Mo., 
Oct. 20, 1864. 

Catherine Smith Couch, his wife, born 
in Landaft", N. H., April i, 1792; died in 
Montpelier, April 28, 1861. 

Their children were : William H., born 
June 6, 1823, now a very popular hotel- 
keeper at Appleton, Wis. Lyman Hawley, 
born May 16, 1825, and died in Oregon, 
Nov., 1877. Charles Edward Huntington, 
born July 11, 1826; died Feb. 3, 1833. 
George Washington, born May 18, 1828 ; 
now a lawyer in N. Y. City. Henry Clay, 
born June 26, 1830; died Feb. 12, 1833. 
Jedd Philo C, born Apr. 15, 1832; now a 
lawyer in Milwaukee, Wis. Charles Mah- 
lon, born Oct. 20, 1834; now in Milwau- 
kee, Wis., and a prosperous man. 



commissioned officers — MONTPELIER. 

Col. Nathan Lord, Jr., commissioned 
colonel of the 6th Vt. regt., Sept. 16, 1861 ; 
resigned Dec. 16, 1862. Now resides in 
Cleaveland, Ohio. 

Col. Francis V. Randall, commis- 
sioned capt. of Co. F. 2d regt.. May 25, 
1 86 1, promoted col. of the 13th regt., 
Sept. 24, 1862: mustered out of service 
July 21, 1863; enlisted and commissioned 
col. of the 17th regt. Feb. 10, 1864; mus- 
tered out of service July 17, 1865 ; remov- 
ed from Montpelier to Brookfield in 1877. 

Col. Perley P. Pitkin, commissioned 
quartermaster of the 2d regt. June 6, 1861 ; 
promoted captain and assistant quarter- 
master of U. S. vols. Apr. 3, 1862, and 
subsequently to the rank of colonel and 
quartermaster of the depot department of 
the army of the Potomac ; was chosen 
quartermaster general of Vt. after the close 
of the war, which office he held several 
years, and has since remained a resident 
of Montpelier. 

Lieut. -Col. Edward M. Brown, adj. 
5 regt. Sept. 16, 1861 ; promoted lieut.-col. 
of the 8th regt., Jan. 9, 1862 ; resigned 
Dec. 23, 1863. Col. Brown now resides 
in Bismarck, Dakota, receiving the appoint- 
ment of U. S. land agent, and removing 
thenre in 1873. 

Lieut. -Col. Andrew C. Brown, com- 
missioned lieut.-col. of the 13th regt., 
Aug. 25, 1862 ; resigned May 5, 1863, and 
continues to reside in Montpelier. 

Lieut. -Col. John H. Edson, commis- 
sioned lieut.-col. of the loth regt. Aug. 
27, 1862; resigned Oct. 16, 1862; resides 
elsewhere. 

Maj. John D. Bartlett, commissioned 
capt. of Co. C, 1st regt., Vt. cav., Oct. 
14, 1861 ; promoted to major Nov. 18, 
1861 ; resigned Apr. 25, 1862; removed 
to Ma.ss. in 1870. 

Maj. James S. Peck, comniissioned 
2d lieut. of Co. I. 13th reirt., Aug. 25, 
1862; promoted to adj't, Jan. 1863; mus- 
tered out July 21, 1863 ; enlisted as private 
in Co. E. 17 regt., Dec. 3, 1863; commis- 
sioned adj't. of the regt. Apr. 12, 1864; 
promoted mai'or July 10, 1865; mustered 





^ .^-'^j 




3^^^y3; 



MRS. MAHLON COTTRILL. 



MONTPELIER. 



52i 



out July 25, 1865 ; was chosen adjH. and 
inspector-gen. of the State in 187 1, hold- 
ing the office ten years, receiving re-elec- 
tion, and resigning in 188 1, receiving the 
appointment of postmaster of this town in 
April, 1 88 1. 

Adj't. J. Monroe Poland, commission- 
ed adjutant of the 15th regt. Oct. 2, 1862 ; 
mustered out of service Aug. 5, 1863, and 
continues to reside in town. 

Capt. William T. Burnham, commis- 
sioned captain of Co. H.2d regt.. May 23, 
1861 ; resigned Oct. 25, 1861 ; died in 
Montpelier, June 20, 1862. 

Capt. Horace H. Crossman, commis- 
sioned 2d lieut. of Co. F. 2d regt.. May 
20, 1 861 ; promoted ist lieut. Jan. 24, 
1862; capt. Oct. I, 1862; honorably dis- 
charged Oct. 30, 1863, for wounds receiv- 
ed in battle, necessitating the amputation 
of his leg. He died in Washington, D. 
C, a few years after. 

Capt. Dayton P. Clark enlisted as 
private in Co. F. 2d regt. May 7, 1861 ; 
promoted to sergt. June 20, 1861 ; com- 
missioned 1st lieut. Jan. 29, 1862; pro- 
moted to capt. Nov. 3, 1863; was acting 
adjutant of the regt. for some months, and 
at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12, 
1864, was in command of the regt. ; mus- 
tered out of service June 29, 1864, and 
continues to reside in Montpelier. 

Capt. Joseph P. Aikens enlisted from 
Barnard as private in Co. D4th regt. Aug. 
28, 1861, receiving promotions to corp. 
and sergt. ; re-enlisted from Montpeher 
Dec. 15, 1863; commissioned ist lieut. of 
Co. C. May 6, 1864; promoted capt. Aug. 
9, 1864; wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct. 
19, 1864, and honorably discharged Mar. 
8, 1865, for wounds received. 

Capt. Charles H. Anson, enlisted and 
appointed to quartermaster-serg. of the 
nth regt. Sept. i, 1862; commissioned 2d 
lieut. of Co. E. Aug. 11, 1863; promoted 
to 1st lieut. Dec. 28, 1863, and to captain 
Apr. 2, 1865, for gallantry in the assault 
on Petersburgh, Va. ; mustered out of ser- 
vice June 24, 1865 ; now resides in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., where he is engaged in 
business. 

Capt. James Rice enlisted Aug. 24, 

66 



1 86 1, as leader of the 5th regt. band; dis- 
charged April II, 1862 ; enlisted in Co. F. 
nth regt., and commissioned as capt. Aug. 
12, 1862; honorably discharged for disa- 
bility, Apr. 28, 1865 ; now a resident of 
Pueblo, New Mexico, where he removed to 
soon after the war, and has held the office 
of mayor of that city since his residence 
there for some years. 

Capt. George S. Robinson of Mont- 
pelier, as a credit from Berlin, commis- 
sioned 1st lieut. of Co.C. 13th regt., Aug. 
29, 1862 ; resigned Feb. 16, 1863 ; enlisted 
and commissioned capt. of Co. E. 17th 
regt., Apr. 12, 1864; wounded April 12, 
1865 ; mustered out June 14, 1865, and 
continues to reside in Montpelier. 

Capt. Alfred L. Carlton, commis- 
sioned regt. quartermaster of the i ith regt. 
Aug. 14. 1862 ; promoted to 2d lieut. of 
Co. C. Dec. 12, 1862; to captain and com- 
missary of subsistence of U. S. vols.. Mar. 
II, 1863; mustered out in 1865; died in 
Montpelier, May 29, 1874. 

Capt. John W. Clark, commissioned 
quartermaster of the 6th regt. Sept. 28, 
1 861 ; promoted to capt. and assist, quar/- 
termasterof theU. S. vols., Apr. 11, 1864; 
resigned Dec. 7, 1864; appointed post- 
master of Montpelier, Mar. 1869, holding 
the office 12 years, retiring July i, 1881. 

Capt. Fred E. Smith, commissioned 
as quartermaster of the 8th regt., Nov. 23, 
1861 ; honorably discharged Nov. 30, 1863, 
and continues to reside in Montpelier. 

Capt. Edward Dewey, commissioned 
quartermaster of the 8th regt., Jan. 12, 
1864; promoted capt. and assist, quarter- 
master of U. S. vols., Feb. 11, 1865, and 
continues to reside in Montpelier. 

O. M. Nelson A. Taylor, commis- 
sioned quartermaster of the 13th regt., 
Nov. 28, 1862; mustered out July 21, '63; 
residence Nov. i, 188 1, Council Bluifs, la. 

Surgeon Charles M. Chandler, com- 
missioned assist, surgeon of the 6th regt., 
Oct. 10, 1861 ; promoted to surgeon Oct. 
^9, 1861 ; resigned Oct. 7, 1863, and re- 
sumed his practice in Montpelier, where he 
continues to reside. 

1st Lieut. Walter A. Phillips, com- 
missioned 1st lieut. Co. F. 2d regt.. May 



522 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



21, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 31, 1861 ; en- 
listed as a credit from Calais, as private 
of Co. H. 13th regt., Aug., 1862; pro- 
moted Corp. and sergt., and com. as ist 
lieut., June 4, 1863; mustered out July 21, 
1863 ; enlisted and com. as 2d lieut. of 3d 
battery, Dec. 12, 1863; promotec] to ist 
lieut. Jan. 2, 1864, honorably discharged 
Feb. 3, 1865, for disability, and now re- 
sides in Peoria, 111., where he is engaged 
in business. 

1st LiEur. Russell T. Chamberlain, 
enlisted as private in Co. G. 4th regt., 
Aug. 27, 1861 ; promoted corp. March 3, 
1862; re-enlisted; promoted sergt. June 
10, 1864; regt'l com. sergt., Jan. i, 1865; 
2d lieut. Co. A. Feb. 27, 1865 ; ist lieut. 
June 4, 1865 ; mustered out July 13, 1865 ; 
was taken prisoner, and in confinement 
several months ; he now resides in Oregon. 

1st Lieut. Charles C. Spalding, 
commissioned sergt. -maj. of the 5th regt., 
Sept. 16, 1861 ; promoted to ist lieut. of 
Co. D. Nov. 5, 1861 ; honorably discharg- 
ed for disability Oct. 10, 1862; died in 
Boston, Jan. 19, 1877. 

1st Lieut. George H. Hatch, regt'l 
com. sergt. Oct. 15, 1861, of the 6th regt. ; 
promoted 2d lieut. of Co. H. Oct. 22; 
1862; 1st lieut. May 4, 1863; mustered 
out of service Oct. 28, 1863"; now resides 
in Nashua, N. H. 

1st Lieut. Henry C. Abbott, enlisted 
Nov. 9, 1 861, as private in Co. C. 8th regt ; 
promoted ist lieut. in 2d Louisiana regt. 
Sept. I, 1862. 

ist Lieut. William B. Burbank, en- 
listed in Co. E. 17th regt. ; com. 2d lieut. 
April 9, 1864; promoted ist lieut. Aug. 

22, 1864; mustered out of service July 25, 
1865 ; died in Montpelier, Nov. 5, 1870. 

1st Lieut. James C. Lamb, enhsted as 
private in Co. E. 17th regt., Dec. 23, '63 ; 
promoted quartermaster sergt. Oct. 17 '64; 
1st lieut. Co. B. July i, '65 ; mustered out 
July 14, '65 ; died in Montpelier, March 
18, 1869. 

ist Lieut. George D. Howard, com- 
missioned 1st lieut. Co. M. frontier cavalry, 
Jan. 3, 1865 ) resigned Mar. i6, '65 ; now 
resides elsewhere. 

1st Lieut. Frank Anson, enlisted as a 



credit from Halifax as private in Co. E. 
nth regt., Jan. 5, 1864; regtlcom. sergt. 
Jan. 17, 1864; regt'l quartermaster sergt. 
Sept. I, 1864; promoted 2d lieut. Co. A. 
May 13, 1865; 1st lieut. May 23, 1865; 
mustered out of service Aug. 25, 1S65 ; 
now resides in Milwaukee, Wis., where he 
is engaged in business. 

1st Lieut. Ezra Stetson, commission- 
ed 1st lieut. Co. B. lothregt., Aug. 4, '62; 
killed at Cold Harbor, June i, 1864. 

1st Lieut. Edward J. Stickney, en- 
listed as private of Co. B. July 30, 1862; 
promoted corp. Mar. 27, 1864 ; sergt. Sept. 
I, 1864; 2d lieut. Dec. 19, 1S64; ist lieut. 
March 22, 1865; mustered out July 21, 
1865; died in Montpelier,. Jan. 12, 1875. 

1st Lieut. Charles W. Clark, ap- 
pointed as regt'l com. sergt. nth regt., 
Sept. I, 1862; promoted 2d lieut. Co. G. 
March 29, 1863; ist lieut. Nov. 2, 1863; 
mustered out of service June 24, 1865 ; re- 
sides at present in Montpelier. 

ist Lieut. John R. Willson, enlisted 
as private of Co. 1. i ith Vt. July 15, 1862 ; 
promoted corp. Jan. i, 1864; sergt. Sept. 
22,1864; 2d lieut. Dec. 2, 1864; wounded 
March 27, 1865 ; promoted ist lieut. June 
1865, mustered out of service June 24, '65 ; 
and now resides in Maiden, Mass. 

1st. Lieut. Albert Clark, enlisted as 
private in Co. I. 13th regt. Aug. 25, 1862; 
promoted sergt. Oct. 10,1862; ist lieut. 
Co. G. Jan. 22, 1863; mustered out July 
21, 1863; now resides in Boston, Mass. 

1st Lieut. Samuel F. Prentiss, enlist- 
ed as private in Co. I.Aug. 25, 1862; 
promoted ist lieut. Feb. 23, 1863; muster- 
ed out July 21, 1863; now resides in New 
York city, where he is successfully engaged 
in the practice of law. 

2d Lieut. Charles W. Randall, ap- 
pointed sergt. maj. of the 13th regt. Oct. 10, 
1862 ; promoted 2d lieut. Co. G. Jan. '63 ; 
mustered out July 21, '63; enlisted and 
com. 2d lieut. of Co. C. 17th regt., Feb. 
23, '64 ; honorably discharged for disabil- 
ity March 9, 1865 ; died in Montpelier Oct. 
20, 1868. 

2d Lieut. James B. Riker, enlisted 
Dec. 31, 1 861, as private in ist battery; 
quartermaster sergt. Sept. 20, 1862 ; pro- 



MOrvfTPELIER. 



523 



moted sergt.-maj. Sept. 1863^ 2d lieut. 
April 4, 1864; mustered out of service 
Aug. 10, 1864; now resides in New York. 

2d Lieut. Eben Taplin, enlisted as 
private in 3d battery, Dec. 16, 1863; pro- 
moted Corp. Jan. i, 1864; wounded Aug. 
8, '64; promoted Aug. 23, 1864, quarter- 
master sergt. ; 2d lieut. Feb. 28, 1865 ; 
mustered out June 15, 1865; now resides 
in Burlington, Vt. c. de f. Bancroft. 

Dec. I, 1881. 

MILITARY NECROLOGY. 

Soldiers who have died in to^vn since the war. 

rSet military talilc, pp. 34-.'-a49.) 

Thos. C. Alexander, Nov. 27, '69, age 
39, 13th reg. 

Sam'l. Andrews, Aug. 27,70, age 25, 2d 
Vt. bat. 

Lieut. Chas. E. Bancroft, Feb. i, '79. 
age 49, Co. I, 13th reg. (Waterbury.) 

Lieut. Wm. B. Burbank, Nov. 5, '70, age 
33, 17th reg. 

Capt. Wm. T. Burnham, June 20, '62, 
age 51, 2d reg. 

Maj. Alfred L. Carlton, May 29, '74. age 
45, I ith reg. 

John S. Collins, Nov. 27, '67, age 30, 
F. C. cav. 

L. M. Collins, Dec. 8, '71. age 26, 17th 
reg. (East Montpelier.) 

Solomon Dodge, Dec. 11, ''64, age 39, 
Ohio reg. 

Lorenzo Dow, Dec. i, '69, age 25, 2d 
Vt. bat. (Berlin.) 

William Dow, Sept. 18, '71. age 33, 2d 
Vt. bat. (Berlin.) 

Olin French, Sept. 29, '68, age 28, ist 
cav. reg. (Bar re.) 

John C. Hackett, Oct. 13, '75, age 56, 
6th reg. (Berlin.) 

Orlena Hoyt, June 30, "78, age 72,5th reg. 

Timothy Hornbrook, Dec. 24, '74, age 
32, 2d reg. (Berlin.) 

John W. Ladd, Dec. 4, '70. age 34, 13th 

Lieut. James C. Lamb, Mar. 16, '69, 
age 38, 13th and 17th reg. 

Lieut. Chas. S. Loomis, Dec. 8, '68, .age 
38, on Gen. McPherson's staff. 

Peter Lemoine, Apr. 3, '67, age 22, ist 
Vt. bat. (Plainfield.) 



Chas. W. Randall, Oct. 20, '68, age 22, 
13th and 17th reg. 

Benj. Spinard, May 2i,'79> age 39, nth 
reg. (Albany, Vt.) 

Louis Seymour, Dec. 29, '72, age 39, 
Co, M, 1st Vt. cav. 

Lieut. Edward J. Stickney, Jan. 12, '75, 
age 30, loth reg. 

Andrew St. John, Jan. 5, '']'], age 57, 
17th reg. 

Cyril Wheeler, Mar. 18, '76, age 47, 2d 
reg. (East Montpelier.) 

Alfred Whitney, July 30, "76, age 48, 
I Ith reg. (Berlin.) 

Surgeon Jas. B. Woodward, Oct. 4, '79, 
age 55. (Kansas reg.) 

Edwin C. Cummins, Feb. 27, '73, age 
34, 4th reg. (East Montpelier.) 

Montpelier soldiers who have died elsewhere 
since the war. 

Jerome E. Ballou, Jan. 25, '75, age 32, 
13th reg., at Cincinnati. 

Henry M. Bradley, Nov. 12, '65, age 24, 
loth reg., at Williston. 

Curtis A. Coburn, Nov. 7, '66, age 25, 
loth reg., at New Orleans. 

Capt. Horace F. Crossman, 2d reg., 
at Washington, D. C. 

Franklin S. French, ist cav., at Chicago. 

Alfred Girard, 17th reg., at Coaticook, 
Que., Apr. 9, 1875. 

Frank J. Brunell, in 1864. 

Wm. Guinan, Nov. 6, '74, age 44, 2d 
and 17th reg., at Springfield, Mass. 

David Goodwin, Feb. 27, '''j},, age 33, 
5th reg., at Hartford, Conn. 

Thos. H. McCaulley, Mar. 26, '67, age 
24, 2d reg., at Hanover, N. H. 

Chas. D. Swasey, died June, '65, age 
31, 13th reg., at Minneapolis, Minn. 

George S. Severance, 3d reg., killed in 
railroad accident in Illinois, 1869. 

Curtis H. Seaver, June 29, '72, age 32, 
13th reg., at Richmond, Vt. 

Robert Patterson, Dec. 27, '74, age 57, 
loth reg., at Fitchburg, Mass. 

Hiram D. Sinclair, Aug. 25, '71, age 58, 
8th reg. 

Lieut. Chas. C. Spalding, Jan. 19, '''j'j, 
age 50, 5th reg., at Boston. 

Peter Tebo, ist cav., died in Plainfield 
a few years since. c. de f. b. 



524 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



GREEN MOUNT CEMETERY. 

Revolutionary War. — Elder Ziba Wood- 
worth died in 1826, aged 66. Eliakim D. 
Persons died in 1846, aged 81. 

War of 1812. — George W. Bailey, Sr., 
died in 1868, aged 70. William Bennett 
in 1878, aged 85. Darius Boyden, 1850, 
aged 85. Abel Carter in 1869, aged 83. 
Col. Parley Davis, '48, aged 82. Jacob F. 
Dodge in 1838, aged 56. Amos Farley in 
1836, aged 59. Lieut. Joseph Howes in 
1863, aged 80. Abijah Howard in 1840, 
aged 62. Capt. Timothy Hubbard in 1840, 
aged 66. Roger Hubbard in 1848, aged 
65. Azro Loomis in 1831. Jonathan P. 
Miller in 1847, aged 50. Lieut. Thomas 
Reed in 1864, aged 71. Capt. Isaac Rick- 
er in 1837, aged 53. Jonathan Shepard in 
1863, aged 91. Cyrus Ware in 1849, aged 
80. Araunah Waterman in 1859, aged 80. 
Daniel Wilson in 1875, aged 70. 

War of the Rebellion. — ist Lieut. Chas. 
E. Bancroft, Jerome E. Ballou. 

Henry Black, member of 2d Maine regt., 
died at Sloan hospital, Montpelier July 
9, 1864. Capt. Lucius H. Bostwick, Co. 
F 13th Vt. regt., died June 4, '63, age 25. 

Capt. William T. Burnham, Lieut. Wm. 
B. Burbank, Maj. Alfred L. Carlton, John 
S. Collins, Luther M. Collins, Wm. Dow. 

Surgeon Elihu Foster, surgeon of the 
7th regt., died in Hydepark, Jan. 9, 1867. 
John Fisk, iith regt., died in Hydepark, 
Oct. 4, 1863. 

John C. Hackett, Thomas Hand, 2d Vt. 
regt., died at Sloan Hospital, Jan. 8, 1865. 

John W. Ladd, Lieut. James C. Lamb, 
Lieut. Charles S. Loomis. 

Vernon L. Loomis, member Co. H 3d. 
regt., died Feb. 3, 1863, aged 19 years. 
Arthur M. Pearson, member Co. F 2d regt., 
died in Berlin, Sept. 15, 1876, age 40. 
Philander A. Preston, Co. C ist cav., 'ied 
in Florence, S. C, Jan. 20, 1865, age 31. 
Harlan P. Sargent, Co. I 9th Vt., died at 
Fortress Monroe, Nov. 30, 1863, ^g^ 25. 

Lieut. Charles C. Spalding, Lieut. Ed- 
ward J. Stickney, Charles D. Swasey. 

Wallace H. Whitney, Co. M rst cav., 
died at Sloan hospital, Montpelier, Jan. 
27, 1865. Alfred Whitney. 



ELM STREET CEMETERY. 

Revolutionary War. — Col Jacob Davis 
died Feb., 1814, age 75. Aaron Griswold 
died in 1847, age 95. Luther King died 
in 1842, age 88. 

H^ar of 18 1 2. — Stukeley Angell died in 
1S70, age J 2,. David Barton in 1839, "^b^ 
57 ; Silas Burbank in 1847, age 78. Joseph 
Buzzell in 1833, age 68. Simeon Cum- 
mins in 1836, aged 55. Thomas Hazard 
in 1856, aged 75. Capt. Eben Morse in 
1858, age 85. Samuel Mead in 1827, age 
40. Iram Nye in 18 — , age — . Ira Owen 
in 1836, age 48. George Rich in 1834, 
age 48. Diah Richardson in 1866, age 72. 
Harry Richardson in 1862, age 70. 

War of Rebellion, j86i. — Selden B. 
Harran, Co F 2d regt., died at George- 
town, D. C, Nov. I4,.i86i,age 20. Sergt. 
Omri S. Atherton, Co. C 17th regt., died 
Nov. 6, 1864, age 23. Sergt. Thomas 
McCaulIey. 

CENTER CEMETERY. 

War of 1812. — ^James Arbuckle died in 
1844, age 61. Moses Parmenter in 1860, 
age 85. Benjamin Phinney In 1831, age 
61. Nathaniel Proctor in 1866, age 88-. 
Josiah Wing in 1849, aged jt,. John 
Young in 1876, age 89. 

Mexican U'ar. — Capt. George W. Estes 
of the navy died in 1871, aged 60. 

War of i86i. — Samuel Andrews, Ed- 
win C. Cummins. Lorenzo D. Cutler, Co. 
C 13th regt., died July 24, 1863, age 21. 
Lorenzo Dow. Andrew H. Emerson, Co. 
E 17th regt., died July 27, 1864, aged 18. 
Albert N. Mann, Co. I 9th regt., died 
Sept. 8, 1872, age 28. Orvis Ormsbee, 
Co. G 4th regt., died in Virginia, Jan. 19, 

1862, age 21. Hiram D. Sinclair. Wil- 
lard Snow, Co. C 13th regt., died July 19, 

1863, age 23. Cyril Wheeler. Lemuel B. 
Wing, 2d Co. Sharpshooters, died in 1867, 
age 22. 

CATHOLIC CEMETERY. 

War of 1861.— William Blair, Co. I 
13th regt., died in Berlin, June 7, 1873, 
age 28. Walter Burke, Co. H 13th regt., 
died at Wolfs Run Shoals, March 4, 1863, 
age 23. Frank Lanier, Co. C nth regt., 
died in Berlin. Abraham Leazer, Co. C 



MONTPELIER. 



52s 



13th regt., died in Virginia, March j6, '63, 
aged 45. Rock Lemwin, Co. E .17th regt., 
March 11, 1864, age 43. Peter Lemoine, 
Erank Sanchargrin, died at Sloan hos- 
pital, Montpelier, in 1864. Louis Sey- 
mour. Joseph Shontell, 3d Battery, died 
in Washington, D. C, March 13, 1864, 
age 19. Andrew St. John, Peter Tebo. 

ON STATE AKSENAL GROUNDS. 

Sevnnary Hill. — William Whitney, 3d 
regt., died at Sloan hospital, Jan. 27,1865, 
age 27. 

Momiments in Green Mount Cemetery of 
those buried elsewhere. — Charles W. Storrs, 
Co. K 7th regt., died of wounds at Mobile, 
Ala., April 10, 1865, age 23. Gilman D. 
Storrs, Co. B loth regt., killed at Orange 
Grove, Nov. 27, 1863, age 20. Oscar 
Maxham, Co. E 8th regt., died at Salis- 
bury, N. C, Feb. II, 1864, age 27. Or- 
rin Maxham, Co. E 8th regt., died in 
Louisiana, Feb. 6, 1863, age 23. 

Eliphalet Bryant, nth U. S. A. regu- 
lars, died in Richmond, Va. 

May, 1 88 1, there were 28 headstones 
furnished by the government, and erected 
for the soldiers buried in the diiTerent cem- 
eteries of Montpelier. 

BURIED IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES. 

James M. Carr, loth regt. Co B. John 
H. Brown, 3d Battery. Ezekiel S. Wal- 
dron, loth regt. Co B, City Point. 

Tuffield Cay hue, loth regt. Co. B, Cold 
Harbor, Va. Joseph Ladue, 4th regt. Co. 
G, Culpepper Court House. 

Robert Brooks, loth regt. Co. B, Dan- 
ville, Va. 

Felix H. Kennedy, loth regt. Co. B. 
Benjamin F. Taylor, 2d regt. Co. F, Cy- 
press Hill, N. Y. 

Benjamin N. Wright, 13 regt. Co. L 
Gettysburgh, Penn. 

James E. Thayer, 8th regt. Co. E, Chale- 
mette, near New Orleans. 

Sydney A. Gilman, 4th regt. Co. G, 
Andersonville, Ga. 

Charles Storrs, 7th regt, Co. K, Mo- 
bile, Ala. 

Roswell Franklin, 3d regt. Co. H. Allen 
Greeley, loth regt. Co. B, Alexandria, Va. 

Harris Buxton, nth regt. Co. H. Har- 
mon O. Kent, 4th regt. Co. G. Albert J. 
Ayer, loth regt. Co. B, Asylum, Washing- 
ton, D. C. C. DE F. B. 



ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF MONTPE- 
LIER SOLDIERS. 

The first man to offer his services to his 
country from Montpelier was Robert J. 
Coffey, who at the age of 19 years enlisted 
in Co. F, 1st Vt. regt., .which was mus- 
tered into service May 2, 1861. Five 
more boys from the town responded to the 
call and enlisted in the same company 
within a^few hours after. On being mus- 
tered out with the regiment, Aug. 15, 
1861, Sergt. Coffey enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, 
in Co. K, 4th regiment. At the battle of 
Banks' Ford, Va., May 2, 1863, one inci- 
dent occurred, it being the next day after 
the 6th Army Corps had charged and 
captured Mary's Heights. During the 
battle, Co. K, 4th regiment was deployed 
as skirmishers. After making a charge 
and capturing a number of prisoners, and 
withdrawing back towards the rear, ist 
Lieut. Chas. Carter who was in the command 
of the company, shouted " come on boys ; 
we will get more of them yet." Sergt. 
Coffey went forward with the lieutenant a 
short distance, when spying a rebel taking 
aim at the lieutenant from behind a tree, 
he fired, the ball taking effect in the rebel's 
arm, when he advanced and gave himself 
up a prisoner, and was sent to the rear. 
They then advanced to the brow of a small 
hill. The bullets coming thick, they 
crawled behind an old tree-top for protec- 
tion. Sergt. Coffey reloaded his rifle here, 
an Enfield, and as they were rising up to 
take their departure, — things getting a 
little warm there — w^ien they were front- 
ed by three rebels, an officer and two men, 
who upon the demand made by the serg- 
geant and lieutenant, surrendered and 
threw down their arms. As Lieut. Carter 
started with the prisoners to the rear, 
Sergt. Coffey heard the clanking of a sword, 
and ran around the tree-top, and was met 
by a large, fine looking rebel officer. The 
reply to the demand of .surrender made by 
Sergt. Coffey was a blow across the ser- 
geant's bayonet from the sword of the offi- 
cer, which was parried off. As the rebel 
drew his revolver to fire, the sergeant dis- 
charged his rifle at him from a position of 
charge bayonets. The officer fell dead, 



526 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



being shot through the head. At this mo- 
ment Lieut. Carter called on Sergt. Coffey to 
come back with him. As the sergeant 
started to go, he saw a rebel captain and 
six men just below him, which was on the 
bank of a small stream. At this moment, 
when the captain was giving an order to 
his men, the sergeant pointed his empty 
rifle into his face and ordered him to sur- 
render. The captain thinkirig that they 
were surrounded exclaimed, " don'tshoot," 
and ordered his men, who were in the rear 
of him several feet, to surrender. The cap- 
tain gave himself up ; the other six men 
came upon the bank, five of them privates, 
all armed with Enfield rifles, and the 
other, a lieutenant, also well armed. 
Dropping their guns, the sergeant threw 
them into the stream below. As tliey ad- 
vanced towards where the captain stood, 
the lieutenant says to the captain, "what 
are we a doing here? he is all alone." 
The sergeant pointed his rifle into the lieu- 
tenant's face and cocked it, and told him 
to march on. As they advanced a squad 
of Co. A boys, who were forming a skir- 
mish line on the right, came in sight ; the 
sergeant called on them for assistance, as 
they were but a few rods off"; which call 
they responded to by coming. Taking 
the swords from the captain and lieutenant, 
the sergeant marched them in the direction 
of his regiment, which had just formed a 
Hne of battle on a little rise of ground sev- 
eral rods in the rear. The sergeant deliv- 
ered them over to Col. Stoughton in the 
presence of the regiment. The colonel 
directed him to take them to the rear and 
deliver them to the prevost guard. On 
their way the rebel captain informed Sergt. 
Coff'ey that his name was Carpenter, and 
that he was captain of a company in the 
2 1 St North Carolina regiment, thai the 
lieutenant belonged to the same regiment, 
and also that the officer whom he killed, 
was a major of the same regiment. The 
five privates belonged to the 8th Louisiana 
regiment. There being no vacancy for 
promotion at that time, Sergt. Coffey was 
detailed with si.x other deserving men to 
go to Vermont and assist in making out 
the draft. Six days after he rejoined his 



regiment ; he was wounded at Fairfax 
Court house, Va., in such a manner as to 
further disable him for service in the war. 
The above narration is authenticated by 
several comrades of his regiment as a true 
narrative. 

In addition to this narrative might be 
added many more of the daring deeds per- 
formed by Montpelier "boys" in the army. 
Among them that performed by private 
Wallace W. Noyes of Co. F, 2d regiment, 
who received special mention from the 
commanding officer at the battle of Spott- 
sylvania, May 12, 1864. He mounted the 
enemy's breast works and fired some 30 
rifles down into the enemy in rapid succes- 
sion, they being loaded and passed up to 
him by his comrades from below ; the bul- 
lets passing like rain above him, but he 
escaped unhurt, although a bullet passed 
through his cap and was knocked off; he 
was afterwards severely wounded, but re- 
covered, and now resides in Montpelier. 

Another deed which is credited in history 
from his commanding officer, was by Cor- 
poral William L. Washburn of the 3d Vt. 
battery, at the engagement before Peters- 
burgh, Va., in April, 1865. At one stage 
in the engagement, the severe firing from 
the enemy's guns compelled the 3d battery 
boys to leave their guns and retire behind 
some breast-works in the rear. Corp. 
Washburn remained by his gun, a 12 
pounder, and loaded and fired alone, that 
the battery might not be silenced. There 
he continued until the " boys" returned to 
the guns. He escaped without a scratch. 

NOTES AND NECROLOGY. 

Samuel Abbott, engaged in the jewelry 
business for many years in town, died May 
4, 1861, aged 70. 

Aaron Bancroft, Jr., an excellent me 
chanic at several trades, and in early life 
engaged in the jewelry business, was a 
great "wag," always full of jokes. He 
was commissioned captain of a militia 
company in town, which office he held 
several years from 1833. He died March 
23, 1869, aged 60 years. 

Chas. E. Bancroft, for some years engag- 
ed in the stove and tin business in this 



MONTPELIER. 



527 



town ; was a man of mechanical genius, 
having taken out several patents, principal- 
ly on tinman's tools. He died Feb. i, 1879, 
aged 49, leaving one son, Chas. De F., 
and one daughter, Alice D. 

Cornelius Watrous Bancroft, (see biog- 
raphy of Carlos Bancroft,) was engaged 
many years in the mercantile business ; an 
excellent business man and citizen, diedr 
Jan. 22, 1856, aged 48, leaving a son, 
Howard, now residing in Columbus, O. 

Arthur D. Bancroft died April 11, 1881, 
aged 37, (see biog. page 497.) 

James Boyden came about 1830; was 
for some years engaged in preaching the 
Universalist faith, but giving this up, fol- 
lowed his trade, that of cabinet maker, 
until his death, Jan. 22, 1875, aged "]"] . 

Milton Brown, Esq., son of Amasa 
Brown, was born April, 1801, in Winch- 
endon, Mass. ; came to Montpelier with 
his father in 1807, resided in Worcester, 
representing that town 7 years in the legis- 
lature, and removing to Montpelier, was 
high sheriff several years. He died July 3, 
1853, aged 54. 

Geo. P. Blake, a merchant, died sud- 
denly, Aug. I, 1854, aged 51. 

Silas Burbank, a native of Montpelier, 
for many years successfully engaged in 
business in town, died Aug. 14, 1872, aged 
65 years. 

Hon. Augustine Clark, who had held 
the office of state treasurer while a resi- 
dent of this town, but was for many years 
previous a resident of Danville, holding 
many offices in that town and county, died 
June 17, 1841, aged 59. 

Wyllys I. Cadwell, who came to this 
town in 1799, and was successfully en- 
gaged in business, died in 1823, aged 
about 45. 

Wm. W. Cadwell, son of Wyllys I., for 
many years engaged in business, and also 
holding various town offices — ^justice of 
peace, overseer of the poor — died Dec. 17, 
1877, aged 78. 

Col. Abel Carter, a leading citizen of 
this town, born in Lancaster, Mass., died 
Jan. 9, 1869, aged 83, in Lowell, Mass. 

Lyman G. Camp, who came about 1830, 
was a contractor and builder, and Wash- 



ington County jailor many years. He died 
May 15, 1879, aged 84, leaving 5 daughters 
and 3 sons. 

Zebina C. Camp came in 1820; was a 
contractor and builder of railroads, held the 
office of sergeant-at-arms of the State for 
several years, and the town office of road 
commissioner many years ; died Jan. 3, 
1 88 1, aged 76. 

Geo. W. Collamer represented the town 
in the Legislature ; was extensively en- 
gaged in manufacturing, and accumulated 
a large property ; died October 15, 1865, 
aged 62. 

Jacob Davis, Jr., son of Col. Jacob 
Davis, the first settler of the town, who 
came with his father at the age of 19 years, 
died May 4, 185 1, aged 83. 

Thomas Davis, who was the youngest 
son of Col. Davis, was 17 at the time of 
its settlement. He was the builder and 
owner of the first Pavilion, and died Dec. 
17, 1864, aged 95 years. 

Anson Davis, son of Thomas, held va- 
rious town offices, and was some years 
sheriff; died Sept. 11, 1880, aged 71, leav- 
ing one son, James, residing in New York 
city. 

Simeon Dewey, one of the first settlers 
of the town of Berlin, but for the last 20 
years of his life residing in this village with 
his .son. Dr. Julius Y. Dewey, died Jan. 1 1 , 
1863, aged 92. 

Osman Dewey, son of Simeon, a worthy 
citizen, died Feb. 5, 1863, aged 68 years, 
leaving four sons, Frank, now a wealthy 
merchant of Boston ; DenLson, Simeon and 
Orville, of Montpelier; two daughters, 
Mrs. John W. Clark, of this village, and 
Mrs. H. L Proctor, residing in Iowa. 

Amos Farley, a member of Montpelier 
Co. at Plattsburgh, in 181 2, and for many 
years foreman of the Watchman office, 
died Feb. 5, 1836, aged 59. 

Gen. Shubael B. Flint was Brig. Gen. of 
the State militia several years, was engaged 
in the harness business some years, and 
died Dec. 18, 1856, aged 57. 

Stephen Freeman, engaged in the jew- 
elry business in town from 1864 until death, 
was an excellent citizen ; died Apr. 13, 
1872, aged 54. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Silas C. French, for many years engaged 
in the boot and shoe business in town, 
died Aug. 28, 1863, aged 79. 

Geo. P. Foster, for 15 years proprietor 
of the Union House, from 1865, an en- 
ergetic citizen, died Jan. i, 1881, aged 48, 
leaving one son, Chas. O. Foster. 

Fernando C. Oilman, a son of Jehial 
Oilman, born in Montpelier, was engaged 
many years in the manufacturing of car- 
riages in town, until his death, Nov. 26, 
1880, aged 56, leaving one son, Septimus 
C, now residing in Boston. 

David Oray, one of the early citizens of 
Montpelier, a member of Montpelier Co. 
at Plattsburgh, died Nov. 16, 1865, aged 
83. Two sons, men of property, William 
and David R., reside in town. 

John Oray came to Montpelier with his 
father in 1^4, at the age of 8 years ; was 
a farmer, and accumulated a large prop- 
erty, in speculations, being an active busi- 
ness man. He died in the village, Dec. 
14, 1877, aged 91. 

Nehemiah Harvey came here in 1810; 
was a partner of Silas C. French in the 
shoe business many years, and died April 
22, 1869, aged 75. His two sons, Howard 
died in the West, and Alonzo K. in Mont- 
pelier. 

Robert Hargin, born in Ireland, came to 
Montpelier in 1832, was many years con- 
nected with the old Pavilion in Cottrill's 
day ; was constable of the town several 
years, and an active member of the Meth- 
odist church, died Aug. 17, 1878, aged 64. 

Chester W. Houghton, proprietor many 
years of the old Union House, also en- 
gaged several years in the tin business, 
died May 26, 1826, aged 47. 

Abijah Howard came in an early day, 
held various town offices, was a much- 
respected citizen, a member of the Mont- 
pelier Co. at the battle of Plattsburgh, and 
died Dec. 30, 1840, aged 62. 

Edwin C. Holmes came to Montpelier 
in 1826, when a boy; became a successful 
merchant; was a partner of Carlos Ban- 
croft about 20 years ; married a daughter 
of Capt. Isaac Riker; died May 17, 1871, 
aged 59, leaving a son, Edwin C, now re- 



siding in Texas, and a"daughter, Helen, 
wife of Oeo. Howes. 

Roger Hubbard, a brother of Captain 
Timothy Hubbard, came at an early day, 
and was engaged in business many years. 
He was a member of the Montpelier Co. 
at Plattsburgh, and died Nov. 1848, aged 
65, leaving three sons, Erastus, Oustavus 
and Oeorge, the two former residing in 
town, and a daughter, Fanny, who married 
Martin Kellogg, and resides in New York. 

Chester Hubbard, another brother of 
Capt. Timothy, also came at an early day ; 
was a successful business man, and died 
Aug. 27, 1832, aged 44, leaving one son, 
Timothy J., and a daughter, who married 
Anderson D. Dieter, a merchant of New 
Orleans, since a resident of Montpelier, 
and now deceased. 

Timothy J. Hubbard, who accumulated 
a handsome property in real estate specu- 
lations, died Nov. 7, 1880, aged 57. 

William B. Hubbard came herein 1830, 
accumulated a large property in business, 
and died Nov. 21, 1871, aged 70 years, 
leaving one son, Wm. E., residing in town. 
Two daughters, Mrs. Oeo. Wilder and 
Mrs. Kinsman, are both deceased. 

John Barnard Langdon, eldest son of 
Col. James H. Langdon, engaged in busi- 
ness in early life, died July 2, 1868, aged 
57, leaving one son, John B. Jr., now of 
Montpelier. 

Azro Loomis, merchant, of an early 
date, died in 1831. Left one son, Hora- 
tio S., of this town. 

Edwin C. Lewis, a boot and shoe mer- 
chant, died May 13, 1867, aged 57 years. 

Joel Mead came to Montpelier at an 
early day, and married Lucy, sister of Col. 
James H. Langdon ; was engaged in busi- 
ness ; on the loth of March, 1838, was 
drowned by the breaking of the ice when 
crossing Lake Champlain, aged 53 years. 
He left four sons, Almon A., of this town, 
James and Joel, now in the West, and 
Lucius, deceased, and a daughter, who 
married Harry S. Boutwell, of this town. 
His widow is yet living, aged 92. 

Levi Pierce, druggist and apothecary, a 
worthy young man, died at the age of 36, 



MONTPELIER. 



529 



Jan. 19, 1864, leaving two sons, Clarence 
C. and John C. 

Addison L. Paige, for many years in the 
livery business, and also held the office of 
sheriff, died April 4, 1865, aged 55. 

Loomis Palmer came in 1829, was en- 
gaged in business several years, and died 
Apr. 9, 1875, aged 63. 

Dea. Alfred Pitkin, who was engaged in 
trade many years from about 1820, died 
Oct. 26, 1855, aged 64. His only son, 
Alfred Jr., died Oct. 8, 1846, aged 22. 

Orrin Pitkin, engaged in the meat busi- 
ness for about 50 years, from 1820, died 
April 25, 1879, aged 76. His youngest son 
Charles C, died in Montpelier, Sept. 11, 
1872, aged 19. 

Nathaniel Proctor came at an early day, 
was a member of the Montpelier Co. at 
the battle of Plattsburgh, and died Mar 31, 
1866, aged 88. 

Dr. Chas. R. Pell, an excellent citizen, 
who opened a dental office in town in 1871, 
died Mar. 4, 1881, aged 35, leaving four 
sons all in their teens. 

Luther Poland, father of the Hons. Luke 
P. and Joseph Poland, came in 1850; was 
engaged in lumbering, and died June 16, 
1880, aged 90. 

Luman Rublee came in 18 1 8, was en- 
gaged in the hat manufacturing business 
many years, and died May 12, 1879, aged 
86. (See biography ofDr. C. M. Rublee.) 

Barnabas Snow, an esteemed resident 
of the town, born in Montpelier, ■ 1797, 
died June 30, 1873 ; married a sister of Car- 
los Bancroft, by whom he had 3 daughters, 
Mrs. N. C. Tabor, Mrs. Luther Cree, of 
Montpelier, and Mrs. Watson of Mass. 

Philip Sprague, son of the Hon. Wooster 
Sprague, who was president of the horti- 
cultural society of Boston, died Aug. 6, 
1874, aged 44. 

Isaiah Silver, for many years a leading 
merchant in town, died May 5, 1865, aged 
74, leaving five sons, George, William, 
Albert, Charles E., and Henry D., a 
sergt. of Co. F of ist U. S. artillery, who 
had the honor of planting the American 
flag on the bloody hill of Cerro Gordo, in 
the Mexican war. He died at San Juan 
de Ulloa, Mexico, June 7, 1848. 

67 



William S. Smith came in 1841 ; was en- 
gaged in the produce business until his 
death. Mar. 19, 1870, aged 62, leaving one 
son, Carlos L., and two daughters, one, 
now wife ofWm. O. Standish, all of Mont- 
pelier. 

Peter G. Smith, colored, came to Mont- 
pelier in 1832, and opened hair-dressing 
rooms, which business he continued in 
until death ; was a citizen of the highest 
character, respected by all of his towns- 
men. He died Dec. 7, 1878, aged 71. 

Wm. S. Storrs came in 1823, was en- 
gaged in business many years, and died 
Mar. 5, 1870, aged 65. His two sons 
were killed in the Rebellion. (See war 
record, page 350.) 

Josiah Town came in 1810, and com- 
njenced business, which he continued until 
his death, March 30, 1826, aged 49, leav- 
ing two sons, Josiah, who died Sept. 20, 
1832, aged 31, and Ira S., a jeweler of 
this village. 

Preston Trow came in 1830, was en- 
gaged in house building, and accumulated 
a handsome property. He died Oct. i, 
1879, aged 69. 

Dr. B. O. Tyler came to Montpelier in 
1852, and engaged in the druggist busi- 
ness for some years; died May 21, 1878, 
aged 80. 

Elisha Town, an inventor of consider- 
able note, taking out several patents, 
died Apr, 12, 1844, aged 63, leaving 
five sons. Snow, Samuel, Benjamin, Bar- 
nard, and a physician residing in Marsh- 
field. The first four, whose ages are from 
60 to 76, all reside in town, within a few 
rods of where they were born, each being 
a few rods from each other. 

John Taplin, Esq., one of the first and 
leading settlers of the town of Berlin, 
(see Berlin,) but residing the last years of 
his life in Montpelier with his children, 
was married twice. By his first wife he 
had 12 children; by his second, 9, all but 
one living — that being accidentally scalded 
in infancy — to maturity, marrying, and 
settling down as the heads of families, thus 
furnishing an instance of family fruitful- 
ness and health which perhaps never had a 



53° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



parallel in the State of Vermont. He died 
Nov. 1835, aged 87. 

Jackson A. Vail. Esq., son of Joshua Y. 
Vail, represented the town in the Legisla- 
ture, (see Washington Co. Bar,) and died 
Apr. 16, 1871, aged 56. 

Col. Asahel Washburn, a highly esteem- 
ed citizen, being the originator of Sunday- 
schools in Vermont, died Apr. 9, 1856, 
aged 84. 

Gamaliel Washburn, for upwards of 30 
years a worthy resident of Montpelier, and 
for several holding the office of sheriiF and 
jailor, was a Mason of the highest degrees 
in the Masonic order. He died Dec; 28, 
1868, aged 66, leaving three sons. Miles, 
now of Boston; Geo. C, a physician of 
Waterbury; and Justus W. F., of Mont- 
pelier; and two daughters, Mrs. D. S. 
Wheatley, of this town, and Mrs. Emory 
Bailey, of Boston. 

Chas. Wood, son of Cyrus Wood, en- 
gaged in the tin business several years, 
and died Feb. 5, 1864, aged 54, leaving one 
son, Charles E. 

Jonathan E. Wright, a most esteemed 
citizen, son of Rev. Chester Wright, was 
several years engaged in business in town, 
removed to Boston, where he continued 
in business about 20 years, and returned to 
Montpelier, where he died, May 9, 1872, 
aged 61, leaving one son. Rev. J. Edward 
Wright, pastor of the Church of the 
Messiah, Fanny, a daughter, having de- 
ceased some years since. 

ADDITIONAL CITIZENS' NECROLOGY. 

1857 Abbott, Christopher 29 

1875 Abbott, Timothy 49 

1880 Ainsworth, Nathaniel D 52 

1827 Bacon, Samuel 27 

1 838 Bancroft, Henry 24 

1848 Bancroft, Azro 29 

1845 Bancier, Ambrosie Jr. 24 

1847 Bancier, Ambrosie 67 

1862 Bancier, Louis 52 

1834 Baldwin, Edward 33 

1839 Barton, David 57 

1867 Bickford, Ebenezer 57 

1875 Bixby, Luther 59 

1837 Bigelow, Silas yj 

1880 Bisconers, John 45 

1877 Benway, Eli 59 

1872 Belair, Edward 55 

1878 Braley, Andrew J 50 

1 853 Bryant, Jeremiah 56 



870 
846 

828 
866 

874 
844 



874 
874 
833 
874 
880 
828 
830 

833 
836 
836 
866 

844 
881 
862 
842 
873 
839 
868 
872 
874 
831 
875 
852 
859 

849 
867 
852 
^53 
837 
841 

875 
828 
854 
865 
865. 

84s 
854 
863 
864 
878 
841 
861 
838 

879 
866 

834 
842 

853 
835 
843 
848 

875 
871 
872 
844 
847 



Bryant, Henry 32 

Brooks, Zolates 22 

Brooks, Lorenzo D 23 

Brockway, Abner 49 

Brown, Josiah L 64 

Brown, Stewart 65 

Broody, Mathew 22 

Buckley, Francis .... 56 

Burnham, Lewis 68 

Buswell, George M 51 

Buzzel, Joseph 68 

Butterfly, Napoleon 19 

Buck, Dana 62 

Cam])bell, Henry 49 

Campbell, David iS 

Carr, Samuel 40 

Carrigan, John 48 

Caravan, John 27 

Carpenter, David 59 

Cartemarche, David 45 

Carson, Thomas 31 

Chase, Austin 22 

Clark. Ira 24 

Clark, Bradley M 54 

Cleaves, Charles R. . . . 45 

Clifford, Thomas 62 

Clough, Moses 56 

Coffey, Richard 23 

Collins, Salvin 62 

Cowdry, Daniel 64 

Conners, James 54 

Cree, George 

Crosby, Nicholas 62 

Cross, Gustavus 34 

Cross, Albert A 36 

Culver, John W ^^i 

Cutler, Miles 40 

Cutler, Prentiss 33 

Cutler, Timothy B 66 

Cutler, Jonathan 56 

Culver, D.W 38 

Currier, John O 41 

Cutting, Israel 68 

Day, Benjamin .- . . . 24 

Darling, Joseph 38 

Dewey, Osman 68 

Dewey, Samuel 45 

Dieter, Anderson D 53 

Doty, H 38 

Doty, John 65 

Dodge, Jacob F 56 

Dodge, Theodore A 65 

Ducharme, Francis 46 

Dugar, Horace 25 

Dumas, Joseph 49 

Dumas, Edward 26 

Dunning, Mr 31 

Eaton, Leonard 42 

Emerson, Orin 45 

Edgerly, Albert W, 27 

Estis, Capt. Geo. W 60 

Fales, Chas. H 22 

Foster, Deacon 44 

Foster, Douglas 47 



MONTPELIER. 



531 



1868 Fish, Orville E 21 

1878 Finn, John 33 

1879 Frasier, Daniel 32 

1S31 French, Henry 28 

1S50 Fuller, David 64 

1826 Gaylord, Thomas 67 

1871 Gauthier, James 25 

1842 Gilman, J. D • 29 

185 1 Gilman, Jehial 60 

1865 Gireaux, John B 68 

1877 Gerard, Peter 19 

1877 Gerard, Joseph 18 

1877 Gary, Ephraim 67 

1877 Gary, William H 30 

1841 Gravlin, Peter 54 

1857 Gravlin, Joseph 28 

1841 Gleason, Dr. Jacob 34 

1839 Greenough, Ira 34 

1842 Green, Wesley 21 

1869 Gould, Rodney 55 

1875 Gould, Lorenzo D 48 

1878 Gould, Orlando 28 

1 87 1 Gray, James 57 

1875 Gray, William 21 

1875 Gray, Mark W 28 

1866 Guernsey, Madison 57 

1877 Guernsey, Lorenzo D 66 

1847 Guernsey, Mr 47 

1833 Hall, George 35 

1826 Hatch, Timothy 36 

1830 Hatch, Enoch 38 

1840 Hatch, Jeremiah 52 

1843 Hatch, Ira 29 

1842 Hall, Moses E 35 

1843 Hayward, R. B 34 

1871 Harvey, Alonzo K 41 

1867 Harran, John 41 

1873 Hawley, George P 60 

1869 Haskins, Curtis 50 

1880 Hazard, George 64 

1873 Hersey, Heman F 50 

1854 Hersey, Elijah 68 

1853 Heaton, Volnev yj 

1879 Heath, Theron H 18 

1879 Haven, William T 46 

1876 Hibbard, Edwin S 37 

1880 Hines, John N 48 

1869 Hollis, Charles H 46 

1848 Holmes, Ebenezer 85 

1852 Holmes, Barzillai 44 

1844 Hopkins, Nathaniel 55 

1 84 1 Howes, Solon 22 

1880 Houghton, Rev. James C 69 

1836 Houghton, Lucius 36 

1859 Home, William 29 

1859 Howland, James 60 

1853 Hyde, George 22 

1856 Hubbard, Elijah 

1868 Hubbard, Zadock 25 

1851 Hubbard, William L 34 

1845 Hutchins, James 39 

1835 Hutchins, William -^Z 

1 85 1 Hutchins, Orison 39 

1 84 1 Jacques, Thomas 20 



S35 
841 

848 
860 
872 
84S 
840 
863 
867 
881 
828 
846 
854 
855 
856 



863 
869 
873 
873 
872 
842 
828 



871 

873 
880 
872 
835 
849 
B55 
835 
861 

874 
868 

831 

832 

839 
870 
848 
827 
872 

844 
863 
869 
876 
848 
876 
839 
873 
857 
849 

874 
872 

874 
858 
872 

873 
836 

837 
869 

875 



Jenkins, James 33 

Jennings, Solomon 31 

Jones, Watson 57 

Jones, James 40 

Jones, Elmer 21 

Jones, William 18 

Johnson, D. P 28 

Johnson, Willis 63 

Johonnott, Peter 68 

Kane, Moses 48 

Kimball, Jacob F 46 

Kimball, Seth 42 

Kilbourne, Ralph 57 

Kilbourne, Dr. G. H 32 

Kilbourne, Edward R 20 

Kinsman, Newell 63 

Kinsman, John A 

Kinson, William R 56 

Keeler, Andrew 42 

Kent, Hermon G 69 

Ladd, Ezra W 41 

Ladam, Joseph 42 

Lamb, Center 40 

Lamphere, Mr 65 

Lawrence, David 35 

Lawrence, Isaac 63 

Lawrence, Charles 65 

Lease, Gerdin 65 

Leland, James ■ 64 

Lewis, David 65 

Littleton, Samuel 56 

Luce, Hubbard 25 

Lyman, Simeon 45 

Marsh, Lewis 31 

Marsh, William D 41 

Marsh, Ezra 67 

Marsh, Emerson 18 

Marsh, Julian 29 

Marsh, John 35 

Mathieu, Edmund 22 

Mailhot, Eustache 61 

Mathieu, James 80 

Mead, Samuel 40 

Medler, Patrick 62 

McKay, Alba 36 

McCauUy, James 62 

McClure, William F 19 

McCue, John 56 

Mclntire, Timothy 25 

McFarland, James 56 

Miller, Albert 38 

Miller, John 47 

Milliken, Dr. Edward 29 

Morse, Almon C 28 

Mosely, Harmon G 45 

Myers, Leslie 21 

Neveaux, Dieu D 41 

Newton, Jeduthan 38 

Newhall, Joseph.. 42 

O'Niel, Thomas 21 

Owen, Ira 47 

Parker, John 45 

Parker, Josiah L 35 

Parker, TerajMe W 57 



532 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1869 Park, William 63 

1859 Patterson, James 64 

1865 Paine, Richard. 74 

1838 Paddock, James 67 

1877 Pitkin, William L 38 

1846 Pitkin, Alfred 22 

1872 Pitkin, Charles C 20 

1834 Peck, Ichabod * 62 

1851 Peck, Moses 68 

1831 Percival, Thomas 35 

1852 Phinney, Elisha 

1855 Phinney, Jay 26 

1845 Potter, Luther 20 

1856 Prescott, Enoch H 31 

1875 Poland, Charles F 28 

1833 Prentiss, George 24 

1879 Reed, James M 48 

1838 Reynolds, Elisha 52 

1865 Redfield, Frederick 22 

1863 Rice, Thomas P 60 

1876 Rich, George 46 

1862 Richardson, James M 45 

1870 Richardson, Redfield J 21 

1851 Rivers, Paul 60 

i860 Rivers, Felix 35 

1852 Ripley, Franklin 24 

1853 Rowell, Hiram 26 

1867 Robinson, Geo. W 34 

1874 Robinson, Charles C 22 

1875 Robinson, Nelson A 63 

1 840 Saftbrd, Charles 37 

1837 Sanders, Otis 29 

1889 Sargent, John P 35 

1841 Sanborn, Lucius L 32 

1880 Scott, Samuel P 70 

1840 Shepard, Leander 40 

1844 Sherburne, Enoch 18 

1843 Sherburne, Henry 67 

1 87 1 Simonds, George 22 

1830 Slade, Thomas 50 

1865 Smalley, Waters B 48 

1838 Smith, Dr. Hart 33 

1868 Smith, George H 35 

1867 Smith, Leander W y] 

1876 Smith, Alexander 55 

1881 Smith, Walter J .' 19 

1840 Stearns, Lewis 63 

1855 Staples, John W 69 

1868 Sterling, Henry 31 

1848 Stickney, Orin 37 

1853 Stickney, Asa 34 

1830 Stickney, William 55 

1874 St. John, Andrew, Jr 27 

1868 St. Onge, Mitchell 67 

1880 Skinner, Ephraim C 39 

1875 Sullivan, Timothy 64 

1846 Taplin, Guy C 42 

1839 Thombury, Philip 19 

1832 Town, Josiah 31 

1876 True, ZibaR 62 

1881 True, Charles B 35 

1868 Tyler, Lorenzo D 62 

1826 Tuller, Martin 21 

1831 Tuthill, William 60 



852 Wainwright, Alfred 62 

846 Warner, M. D 

850 Walsh, William 42 

851 Wilder, A. W. Sr 57 

846 Washburn, Judah 58 

844 Washburn, Ephraim 45 

840 Walton, Edward 

850 Walton, John 56 

862 Weed, Nathan 41 

843 Whiten, David yj 

849 Whitney, Levi 45 

849 Wheelock, Loomis 42 

849 Witherell, Elijah 32 

862 Wing, David 45 

856 Wing, A. Sidney 61 

867 Wing, Christopher C 33 

856 Wing, Lemuel B 36 

850 Wing, Myron 27 

854 Wing, Melvin 

830 Worcester, William 22 

872 Wright, Jerome 29 

839 York, Chester. .«. 29 

834 Young, James 34 

C. DE F. KAN'CROFT. 

GREEN MOUNT CEMETERY. 

History from : Services at tlie Dedicalion of Green 
Mount Cemetery, Montpelier. Vt.. Sept. 15, 1855. 
Published by order of the Commissioners. Montpe- 
lier: E.P. Walton, Jr., printer, 1855. 

Calvin J. Keith, (see page 47) who 
died in 1853, left a bequest of $1000 in his 
will for "purchasing a suitable place for a 
burying-ground in Montpelier, and inclos- 
ing and planting trees in the same," and 
named Constant W. Storrs with the trust- 
ees of his estate to "lay out the ground into 
lots and dispose of the same at a reasona- 
ble price, reserving a portion to be given 
gratuitously to the poor. The amount re- 
ceived for lots to be used by said trustees in 
improving said ground and in planting the 
same thickly with trees." To the liberality 
and public spirit of this gift, "the town 
responded equally liberal, and at the next 
annual meeting appointed Hezekiah H. 
Reed, James T. Thurston and Stoddard 
B. Colby a committee to act on the behalf 
of the town" with the trustees. The joint 
committee purchased of Isaiah Silver at a 
cost of $2210 about 40 acres, which are 
now inclosed and constitute Green Mount 
Cemetery, work on which was commenced 
in the Autumn of 1854. By act of the 
Legislature that same year, the whole man- 
agement was vested in five commissioners 
to be chosen by the town ; Elisha P. Jew- 
ett, Hezekiah H. Reed, Charles Reed, 



MONTPELIER. 



533 



James T. Thurston and George Langdon 
were elected at the annual March meeting 
1855, the first board of commissioners." 
The town at the same time placing at their 
disposal to defray the expenses of the Cem- 
etery $5000. The grounds were so far 
completed as to be dedicated with the 
usual forms and exercises Sept. 15, 1855. 

Dedication Services. — Chant, written for 
the occasion, by Col. H. D. Hopkins, per- 
formed by the Union Choir Association, 
words, Psalm 90, adapted ; reading of the 
Scriptures by Rev. F. D. Hemmenway : 

Man that is born of a woman is of few 
days and full of trouble. He cometh forth 
as a flower and is cut down — Job. 
And Abraham stood up from before his 
dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, 
saying : I am a stranger and a sojourner 
with you, give me a possession of a burying- 
place, that I may bury my dead. . . 
And the field of Ephron, . . . the 
field and the cave which was therein and 
all the trees that were in the field, that 
were in all the borders round about were 
made sure unto Abraham for a possession 
in the presence of the children of Heth. — 
Genesis. . . Behold I show you a mys- 
tery ; we shall not all sleep, but we shall 
all be changed. In a moment in the twink- 
ling of an eye at the last trump. — isi Co7-. 

Prayer— By Rev. Wm. H. Lord: 
Almighty and most merciful God, the 
Father of our spirits and Framer of our 
bodies : it becometh us to recognize Thee 
at this time, and adore thy glorious Maj- 
esty. Thou hast formed us out of the dust 
of the earth, and passed upon us the irre- 
versible sentence of Thy holiness ; dust 
thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. 
We acknowledge the justice of the decree 
which consigns these earthly tabernacles 
of our spirits to the darkness and silence 
of the grave. And as we contemplate the 
multitudes of successive generations, who 
have all returned to the earth from whence 
they sprang, our hearts are impressed with 
the reality of Thy government over us, 
and with the solemnity of our present con- 
dition and future destiny. And most Holy 
Father, as we are now assembled in this 
place, to consecrate to our own use, and to 
the use of the generations that shall follow 
us, this burial place for the dead, we be- 
seech Thee, that serious thoughts of the 
greatness and majesty of Thine adminis- 
tration, and of our own weakness and frail- 
ty, may take possession of us. Remind 
us, we pray Thee, of our personal relations 
to thy moral law, and to the future before 



us. Let not the ceremony, in which we 
engage, be merely listless and formal ; but 
enlisting our minds and hearts, may it send 
them forth to the contemplation of that 
promised inheritance of Thy people, where 
there is neither death nor the grave, and 
where no funeral monument and no conse- 
crated sepulchre shall ever be seen to indi- 
cate the mortality and to mark the corrup- 
tion of its inhabitants. For however beau- 
tiful and attractive we may make this place 
of sepulture, we yet confess. Great God, 
that it is, in all its parts, significant of our 
transitory and perishing estate, and that its 
various attractions cannot conceal from our 
thoughts the solemn use to which it is de- 
voted, and the still more solemn fact that 
makes its use imperative. We beseech 
Thee, that as often as we visit this spot, it 
may suggest the most serious and salutary 
reflections, and lead to the most earnest 
and holy purposes. And while we may 
here attest our considerate and generous 
affection for the dead, let this common 
home of us all, teach us most impressively 
our duties to the living. As we here dis- 
cover the certain destination to which we 
are all tending, may we learn wisdom to 
guide us amid the various relations of life, 
and find fresh and strong incentives to the 
performance of every duty, and to the cul- 
tivation of every grace. May we look to 
Him, Who, from out of the darkness of 
the grave, has brought life and immortal- 
ity to light, and in His gospel spoken to us 
of a resurrection from the dust of the 
earth. May we here learn to cherish and 
to value the hope of a better life, revealed 
in Thy Word, and to believe heartily in 
Him, Who will soon destroy death and rob 
the grave of its victims. And when we 
commit the bodies of our friends to this 
consecrated earth, may it be with the lively 
and assured hope, that through the blood 
of Jesus Christ, appropriated by fajth, we 
ma)- all be reunited in Thy kingdom of 
blessedness, to go no more out forever. 

Hear this our prayer, and unto Thy 
name. Father, Son and Holy Ghost, be 
everlasting praises ; Amen. 

Address— By Rev. F. W. Shelton : 
We stand upon a hill-side which, almost 
yesterday, lay unreclaimed in its original 
wildness, and now already it begins to 
look like an embellished garden. Art has 
redeemed it from its rude estate, with an 
almost magic transformation. It has its 
winding walks, and will have its shady 
avenues. It is the most choice position in 
this valley, and its natural surface presents 
the charm of great variety. There is no 
stretch of landscape, in this neighborhood, 
around the abodes of the living, which can 
vie in beauty with this Paradise which you 



534 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



now dedicate, as the resting place of your 
beloved dead. And it is easy to predict 
what its aspect will be in a few years, 
when its remaining roughness shall have 
been assuaged ; when every returning sum- 
mer shall bring with it a richer shadow, 
and an added bloom : — when affection 
shall have beautified it in every nook, and 
watered its flowers with tears. 

On this occasion, so fraught with sol- 
emn, yet not unpleasing suggestion, your 
thoughts will naturally recur to one whose 
hand was always open with a generous 
largess, and who devised a portion of his 
wealth for so benevolent an end. The 
heart is cold in death which lately throbbed 
with sympathy for the living, but if no 
chiselled shaft should rise in gratitude upon 
the height to bear the record of his vir- 
tues, this spot shall be his noblest monu- 
ment. Peace to his ashes. 

You, too, have done well, and have re- 
sponded to a true sentiment in consecra- 
ting these acres to a purpose so hallowed. 
Here, indeed, the husbandman shall not 
put in the grain, nor shall the plough-boy 
carol, nor shall the waving corn be seen 
upon these hills. They shall receive the 
germs of a richer harvest in their 
bosom. This land shall not change hands. 
It is the inalienable heritage of the dead 
forever. It is their riches, their right, 
their possession ; — theirs, with all its 
abundant variety of hill and dale, and 
rocks, and flowing water ; — a little dust, 
but it is enough to satisfy the wants of 
many. It will be protected with a jealous 
care, and none will be so rude in instinct 
as to pluck a flower. The winds alone 
shall rifle the buds which grow in this gar- 
den, and the frosts of heaven shall nip 
their heads. The laws which truly guard 
it, are not the statutes inscribed on pillars ; 
they are those which are graven deep in 
human nature : and the sentinels which 
keep tv'atch over the tomb, are the most 
delicate sensibilities of the heart. Thus 
shall it descend as a burial place from gen- 
eration to generation, till it shall become 
so rich and holy with beloved dust, that all 
the treasures upon earth would not wrest 
it from your possession. It is now offered, 
with all its boundaries which lie beneath 
these skies. The deeds will be presented 
by your commissioners. 

•' This fairest spot of hill and glade, 
Wliere blooms tlie flower and waves the tree. 

And silver streams delight the shade, 
We consecrate, O Death, to'Tliee." 

An innate sentiment teaches us to have 
respect to the ashes of the departed. Thus 
when the spark of life is fled, the mourner 
stands long to gaze upon the casket which 
contained the jewel. Tenderly does he 
close the eyes which shall know no more 



"their wonted fires," and imprints a last 
kiss on the lips which Death has sealed. 
, He scatters flowers upon the silent bo.som. 
He enrobes the form of the sleeper in fair 
and white habiliments, and at last in silence 
and in sorrow commits it to the purifying 
mould ; — earth to earth, — ashes to ashes, 
— dust to dust. Nor does he rest con- 
tented when he has put it from his sight 
with the latest ceremonials which decency 
reciuires. He guards the sacred spot from 
each profane intrusion, and there he lin- 
gers long, if he has loved well. 

We find a care for sepulture existing by 
the proof of earliest records. 

"Abraham stood up, and bowed him- 
self to the peopb of the land, even to the 
children of .Heth. And he communed 
with them, saying, 'If it be your mind 
that I should bury my dead out of my 
sight, hear me, and intreat for me to 
Ephon the son of Zohar, that he may give 
me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, 
which is in the end of his field ; for as 
much money as it is worth he shall give it 
me, for a possession of a burial place 
among you.'" — Gen. 23, 7-9. 

All people have exhibited the like trait 
of humanity. The dreamy Turk will leave 
the living crowd which is by the Bosphorus, 
and sit all day beside the graves of his 
kindred. The red man of the forest cher- 
ishes within him the same germ and attri- 
bute of a higher civilization : for as a hard 
fate drives the tribes still onward to the 
" Father of Waters," the last thoughts of 
their hearts is directed towards the spots 
where rest the bones of their fathers. 

He who does violence to such a senti- 
ment, lacks even the refinement of the 
savage. It is the tendency of the age to 
disregard in some things that which the 
past held sacred, and to bear them down in 
a vast development of physical means and 
physical energ)'. That utility is short-sight- 
ed which shall ever trample on the dictates 
of a genuine decency. The pyramids still 
rise sublime, with no better base than the 
sands of the desert ; but we must only 
look for ruins where Mammon builds his 
altars on a dead man's bones. 

When we gaze upon this crowd, in con- 
nection with the object which has brought 
them here, and consider how large a part 
of it shall, at some time or other, be dis- 
solved and mingle with this surrounding 
dust, it awakens a throb of feeling to 
which words cannot do justice. There is 
a poetry, it is true, connected with the cul- 
tivation of rural cemeteries ; but I trust 
that it is something better than the senti- 
mentalism which is without depth and 
vapid. For it is not the charm, which we 
may throw around these melancholy places, 



MONTPKLIER. 



535 



that can deprive death of its sting, or 
soften one shadow on the brow of the 
King of Terrors. It is not that the dark- 
ness of the grave can be mitigated, because 
the outside of it is beautified like a garden, 
nor that the sleeper will rest more softly on 
a bed which is perfumed with violets. It 
will be as cold and hard and dark beneath 
the clod, as if no garlajids were above 
it. But the teachings of a holy faith can 
give a meaning to such adornments, and 
surround them with a tender solace, as the 
emblems of an immortal bloom. 

It is because of the effect which they 
will have upon ourselves, and not for any 
good which they will do the silent sleepers. 
To be occupied in such pious rites, is to 
disengage us a little from the world's in- 
crustations ; to break asunder from the 
bonds of a prevailing selfishness ; to pay 
that which is due to memory, and raise our 
eyes to the halo which invests the future. 
It is to gain strength for ourselves to look 
down fearlessly into the portals of the sol- 
emn tomb ; to pay in thought, and study, 
and reflection, something of what we owe 
to the characters of the good and noble. 
We know that man but poorly, whom we 
have only known when he was living. The 
best may be said only to begin to live when 
the grave has closed upon them. I speak 
not this of their own destiny, but their 
major influence is given forth, only when 
they have ceased to be. It is the memory 
of their lives, more than their very lives, 
which can sink at last into our hearts, 
or fully exhibit their own. They are 
like those things which we might not 
have noticed, if they had not passed 
by. So, the river rolls on over an arid 
landscape, but when its chiefest volume 
has left the banks, then the vegetation 
springs up. It is from the past, the past, 
that we gather all our wisdom, and live a 
thousand years in a day. Thus we see 
that it springs from a refined motive, and 
that its tendency is salutary, when we seek 
to adorn a spot like this. It is to cherish 
the memory of those who have gone before 
us, and to show that love is not an empty 
name. 

" How sleep tlie brave, who sink to rest, 
By all tlieir country's wislies blest! 
When Spring:, with dewy fingers cold. 
Returns to deck their hallowed mould, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod." 

In surveying this spot, and the uses for 
which it is designed, some might be dis- 
posed to inquire — what need of these ex- 
tensive domains ? At a little distance from 
where we are now standing, among these 
wild Green Mountains, there is a humble 
village in the valley. It is full of thrift 
and industry, yet when centuries shall have 



passed away, — from its location by nature, 
it will be only a village still. 

This place shall be a city ; the youngest 
here present may live to see how it shall 
outstrip the other, in the number of its 
inhabitants . There will be no such compact 
masses and ranks of men in yonder streets 
as shall be assembled here. Thus death 
gains upon life in all places, until life shall 
gain the final victory over death. 

On the border of that village there is 
already a cemetery of the dead, but it 
would soon be overcrowded. It clamors al- 
ready for a larger domain. Thus necessity 
itself has coincided with feeling in selecting 
a more ample and eligible place. There 
are many tender and touching associations, 
no doubt, connected with that spot, for its 
consecration is coeval with the settlement 
of this village. How many tears have 
fallen on its hitherto untroubled and quiet 
graves. There the child slumbers, and the 
young man, cut down in the nobility of his 
strength ; there the blossoms of the almond 
tree have fallen ; there the lovely daughter 
has been borne away, when bursting into 
the grace of womanhood, and when 

Consumption, like a worm in tlie bud, 
Preyed on her damask cheek." 

There, truly, are deposited the richest 
treasures which you had on earth. 

But if in love and tenderness you shall 
disturb those ashes, to bring them here, it 
will be only as when one shall rearrange a 
couch, that they may rest more sweetly 
and securely and cjuietly forever. Here 
you will come afterward to smooth their 
narrow bed, to recall their virtues, to re- 
new your vows of constancy, and to say, — 
"My Father! my Mother! my Brother! 
my Sister ! my Child ! forget thee ! — 

NEVER." 

Hither will you come with every chang- 
ing season of the year to renew your pil- 
grimage. Hither, when the winter is past, 
when the rain is over and gone, when the 
flowers appear on the earth, and the time 
of the singing of birds is come, and the 
voice of the turtle is heard in our land ; 
hither, when the autumn dyes the foliage 
with mellow tints and hectic colors ; and 
you will reflect upon it without a pang, and 
you yourselves will covet no better lot than 
at last to lie down with these sleepers. 

Who ever thought these rocks and jagged 
hills, which Nature fashioned in her wild- 
est moods, should so suggest the idea of 
quiet .-* No love of sordid weal could have 
accomplished that which you have this 
day achieved by your aff'ection. Well 
may yon Mount,* which towers sublime, 
remove the blue veil from before his eves. 



' Camel's Hump. 



536 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to gaze on this assembled multidude. 
Here shall the rough rocks be transformed 
to snowy marble ; but if no sculpture mem- 
orized the dead, these glorious hills would 
be a monument. Yon silver stream shall 
chant a constant requiem. What spot 
more silent and select than this among the 
gorgeous scenery of the mountains, where 
Summer paints her richest contrasts, and 
Winter strews her costliest jewelry around 
the realms of Death ! There is an Echo 
here which mocks the ear, but wakes up 
sympathies within the heart. The chaunt- 
ing voices and the rich harmonic chords, 
which just went up into the open sky, re- 
turned in undulations, fainter still to mor- 
tal sense, but never obsolete. Even now 
comes stealing back the soul of wild flowers 
on the soft, Septembral breeze. It is 
Death alone which dies. This is the 
Christian's solace. This shall cheer the 
mourning crowds which wind through yon- 
der gateway, when they come to lay be- 
neath the turf the loved and lost. All who 
are in the grave shall come forth, for this 
corruptible must put on incorruption, and 
this mortal must put on Immortality. 

Presentation of the title deeds by H. H. 
Reed, Esq., in behalf of the commissioners. 

Dedication. — By Rev. Dr. Lord. 

Sir: We receive these Title Deeds as 
representing and describing these beautiful 
and extensive grounds, which have been se- 
lected with so much taste, and enclosed 
and arranged with so great propriety and 
beauty, for the purpose of a burial place 
for our dead. The munificent provision of 
one of our citizens, together with the un- 
usual and noble liberality of the town, in 
furnishing the large means to procure and 
embellish such a spot as this, have been 
equalled only by the energy, the economy 
and discretion with which you have ap- 
plied them. In reaching the close of your 
labors, you have far exceeded our anticipa- 
tions ; and now present to us a lot, in it- 
self, and in all its arrangements, perfectly 
adapted to the use for which it was de- 
signed, and most fit to be consecrated for- 
ever to the purpose of christian sepulture. 

It has ever been the practice, both of 
humanity and of religion, to commemorate 
the dead by material monuments, and to 
regard the spot, which furnished a resting 
place for their bodies, as peculiarly sacred. 
The enclosures wherein the spirit of love 
and mourning has perpetuated, by the 
planted flower, by the rude cross, by the 
simple stone, by the marble shaft, or by 
the magnificent massive monument, some 
traces of the affection of children, of par- 
ents and of friends, and which recall the 
images of youth and beauty, of wisdom and 



goodness, and relate their worth and varied 
excellence ; are ever hallowed in the minds 
of men. We do, then, give utterance to 
the common sentiments of human nature, 
when we comply with your request, ancl 
formally consecrate and set apart, to its de- 
signed and appropriate uses, this Ceme- 
tery. 

We do now, therefore, dedicate all this 
ground, herein described, stretching from 
its rocky battlements on the east to its 
flinty ramparts on the west ; from its lofty 
northern boundary, along down its sloping 
sides ; with its central mounds, its alluvial 
heart, and its interval reaching near to the 
banks of the beautiful river that flows at its 
base ; with all its trees and rocks, its val- 
leys and hills, its springs and ravines ; with 
all its arranged and still unfinished lots ; to 
be a perpetual possession unto us and to 
our children, as a place where we may 
piously bury our dead, and rear over their 
ashes the symbols of our aftection, and 
the mementoes of their worth. We dedi- 
cate it, as a place of reverent and mourn- 
ful, yet sweet recollections, of the departed ; 
of high and solemn contemplation upon 
the uncertainty of human life and its cer- 
tain destiny ; of serious purposes of holy 
living and preparation for death ; of cheer- 
ful and glorious anticipations of that time 
when the graves shall be opened, and the 
dead, both small and great, shall come 
forth 'to the promised resurrection, and re- 
new, amid scenes far brighter than these, 
the holy affections and the pious friend- 
ships of their primeval abode. And while 
we consecrate it to the dead, we commit 
it also to the generous care of the living ; 
with the hope, that it may be preserved in 
its present loveliness ; with the prayer, that 
whenever its turf may be broken, it shall 
be but to receive to its keeping the body 
of one who believes in our Lord and Sa- 
viour Jesus Christ, as the Resurrection and 
the Life. 

Hymn — By Charles G. Eastman. 

This fairest spot of bill and glade. 

Where blooms the flower and waves the tree. 
And silver streams delight the shade, 

We consecrate, O Death, to thee. 

Here all the months the year may know 
Shall watch this " Eden of the Dead," 

To wreathe with flowers or crown with show 
The dreamless sleeper's narrow bed. 

And when above its graves we kneel. 

Resigning to the mouldering urn 
The friends whose silent hearts shall feel 

No balmy summer's glad return ; 

Each marble shaft our hands may rear. 

To mark where dust to dust is given, 
Shall lift its chiselled column, here. 

To point our tearfUl eyes to Heaven. 



MONTPELIER. 



537 



Benediction — By Rev. F. D. Hemmenway. 

Thus was this most beautiful inclosure 
dedicated to Montpelier's dead, just 27 
years ago this fall. The number of inter- 
ments to date, Dec. 24, 1881, is 999, Sim- 
eon Lyman, a merchant, buried Oct. 3, 
1855, aged 45 years, being the first. 

A thousand times the turf has already 
been broken in Green Mount to receive the 
household props of this people, the treas- 
ures of its happy homes. We see on this 
spot how death takes toll. How many 
sleep around the monument of the benefi- 
cent Keith, upon every side, who assisted 
in the beautiful consecration just portray- 
ed : Constant W. Storrs, among the first, 
and all the commissioners, but one, who 
selected and prepared the grounds are here. 
The Pastor who offered the first prayer on 
this .spot — by the side of his little Bessie. 
The Poet who wrote its hymn of beauty, 
the Poet of this cemetery still. Shelton 
of the lovely address, every paragraph like 
a cluster of precious stones, sleeps, also — 
in the bosom of the neighboring State 
upon the West. 

Here are the graves of Thompson, East- 
man, Lord, Samuel Goss, Daniel Baldwin, 
Charles Reed, Samuel Wells and a few 
others whose names are identified with our 
early acquaintance at Montpelier. Most 
of those whose biographies are written in 
this book rest here ; even some buried in 
old Elm Street Cemetery with their old 
sexton, have been brought up and re- 
interred here ; whose histories have been 
so studied, though otherwise unknown, the 
names on the headstones look like old 
friends. It is but our second visit, and 
yet we cannot feel quite like a stranger 
here. What Vermonter could by Thomp- 
son's grave ? by his grave as yet without 
monument or stone ! the author of the 
Green Mountain Boys has built himself his 
own monument more enduring than of 
marble — "Pete Jones" is his monument 
more resonant than brass ;" May Martin," 
a fairer headstone than another could raise. 
It is not doubted this grave will yet have 
the due commemorative stone. Only, we 
miss it here now — " D. P. Thompson" 
was so well known and endeared to the 



people of the State ; in Montpelier so long- 
time and honorable a resident — her pleas- 
ant historian. An early friend to our 
Gazetteer; he was first engaged to write 
for it the chapters of Montpelier History ; 
a few months before his death finding he 
would not be able, wrote " take therefore, 
anything I have ever written for Montpe- 
ler, or for Washington County, or for the 
State, whether printed or in manuscript, 
the whole or in part, as you would if it 
were your own, for I shall not be able to 
do as 1 had intended ; and I would name 
to you the Hon. E. P. Walton, as the man 
the best qualified to aid you and to write 
the history of Montpelier." Having been 
so successful in the history of Montpelier, 
nearing its close, pleasant to-day is the re- 
membrance of his intention — the thought- 
ful kindness of his last letter ; and we shall 
be very happy if we may see, as we may 
if contributed by his friends, his portrait 
stand with his biography in this County 
volume, for which he would, no doubt, have 
written so much and so well, had he lived 
to this day ; and where it may stand in the 
one town which has a prior claim, his own 
beloved Berlin, adjoining Montpelier on 
the pleasant south, where was his father's 
old farm, where he was born, just over the 
river. 

A handsome monumental pile! — worthy 
the Sleeper below. A name in the mar- 
ble, by author, man or woman, never for- 
gotten — the first literary benefactor — the 
handsome and the gracious patron, who 
pruned till they gleamed almost like fresh 
poems, and sent his beautiful contribu- 
tions with words of confidence to your 
first book in press, and when it came 
gave it notice through his newspaper at 
the capital, and sold many copies in his 
old book-store on State Street, and ad- 
vised and contributed to its successor. 
The sight of this beautiful tomb swells our 
heart full ; — glad for as proud of his fame, 
— talented, bland, witty, generous East- 
man ; the vigor, point, beauty and mazy 
grace of his poetry all seem concentrated 
and perpetuated here. 

A granite stone ; the tenant here that 
bluff, iorn-framed, but golden-hearted old 



68 



538 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



landlord at the Pavilion, the first time 
that we were at Montpelier, who declared 
promptly that he had no bill for a 30ung 
woman who had given Vermont the hand- 
somest book ever printed in the State. 
Poor book-makers might hope to live out 
their days were all landlords Col. Bout- 
wells. Peace to the ashes, severely silent, 
of the every-inch-alive, stirring old host. 
His monument is just what it should be — 
granite — large. We would like his stout 
figure in bronze in the grounds of the Pa- 
vilion. We are very glad of his portrait in 
our book. Joint vote of praise from the 
State House, Levi Boutwell did better ; 
bread is better than fame. 

Here ; — Samuel Goss! Farley, Wal- 
ton, his confreres. Father Goss had one 
of tbose countenances it stirs the heart 
agreeably to look into, pleasant as intelli- 
gent, sensible as gracious. Gen. E. P. 
Walton we almost seem to know in his 
son, Hon. E. P. 

The grave of the first lady with whom 
we became acquainted at Montpelier — the 
first wife of Dr. G. N. Brigham, who re- 
sided some 30 years in Montpelier vil- 
lage. Mrs. Brigham was a cheerful, 
active little woman, storing her home 
with the honey of comfort ; but when we 
saw her last the rose of consumption was 
painted on her cheek. Never was her 
cordiality so touching. I could not pass 
her resting-place without pausing. I 
would plant one historical flower on her 
grave. It shall be the poetic hyacinth, 
that sweetest poem, to our thought, from 
the pen of her talented husband, and which 
was inspired by a scene connected with her 
death-bed. 

SONG OF THE HVACINTH. 

One lay with bright eyes looking lor the Christ, 
Anil so near to heaven it seemed that she could hear 
The song olflowers. A purple hyacinth, 
Which from a vase dranlv dew and slied it round 
In fragance, played an Interlude that called 
Her half-flown spirit back. For when her eye 
Was lixed on it, till all her face did smile, 
She handed forth her pale white hand and asked 
That it he given her. We never shall forget 
That smile, the dainty way her fingers toyed 

Among the petals; 

music cadences 

Began, " How sweet!"— 't was even as a child 
Sweet toys and grows aflame with joy. And as 
We gazed and saw the dappled halo glow 



And ripple over all her face, we said 
It is the breaking light of heaven. That night 
She died, the fragrance of the hyacinth 
Upon her fingers, sweetest smile that e'er 
Warme<i human face yet lingering; and her 
Low lullaby a soug of that sweet flower. 
SONG. 
There Is no death, no death, my dearest. 

No death but death of pain ; 
The sleeping ones, my child, are nearest 
To Alden's rapturing strain. 



O, fold thy lids and drop thy sorrow, 

And fleep thee IVee of pain ; 
And when thou wakest on the morrow 

Thou wilt be born again. 

O sleej) the sleep past earth's sad waking. 

This death is nature's rest; 
And in the new morn that Is breaking 

Drift thee unto the blest. 

The grave of Dr. Lord again ; whose 
words were poetry and whose sermons 
poems, though we knew him first histori- 
cally. We had not been at Montpelier for 
several years ; standing at the closed 
doors of the Historical Society, "a private 
session," as there told, — that is a business 
meeting, the annual meeting having closed 
a half day earlier than we had expected, 
Dr. Lord, hearing the name of the woman 
at the door, came down as she was turning 
to leave, and taking both hands — prince of 
a man as he was in manners and courtesy 
— would not suffer, saying as he led her 
within, there was not any closed .session 
to her, or there should not be, and they, 
within, were only all her brothers in the 
same work, as siie who had done more 
than them all, and having led her to a 
seat, so easily and pleasantly introduced 
her, a woman alone with the assembled 
historical gentlemen of the State, felt no 
awkwardness. He inquired if she was a 
member, and, informed " itwas contrary to 
a by-law," by his motion, seconded by Hon. 
Hiland Hall of Bennington, presiding, the 
bar was immediately removed against a 
lady's admission to membership in the So- 
ciety ; pronounced and made obsolete by 
an unanimous vote of welcome to the first 
woman admitted to the State Historical 
Society, in the old State House, and which 
coming at the capital, and thus naturally, 
never having been before asked, or expect- 
ed by the receiver, but which came, when 
introduced by Rev. Dr. Lord — who was 



.MONTPELIER. 



539 



made President of the Society the same 
day — so whole and genially, it wiped away 
in one moment, gracefully, all the exclu- 
siveness of the past. For its being an hon- 
or received in Montpelicr, pardon, the per- 
sonal relation ; as Montpelier is one of the 
few towns of the State which have given us 
more roses than thorns, let us toy with one. 
The resting-place of one of the patri- 
archs of the village. On one of the 
sultriest days of a sultry summer — the op- 
pressive noon — winding out from the street 
of the Capital, down by the river — a vein 
of delicious coolness by the roadside — a 
gentle south breath from over the river, 
brushing softly aside the heated atmos- 
phere that beat down from above — the 
funeral of the man who had lived the most 
years in Montpelier came to Green Mount, 
gradually ascending the hill-side to the 
shade of trees into which the carriages 
wound and stood while the venerable old 
man was laid in the evergreen-lined grave. 
The coffin resting deep down on the mosses 
at the bottom, the breath of the mourners 
and of all the crowd stilled to listen to the 
service ; all hearts touched to sympathy 
with the cool, sweet pulse of nature here, 
we thought, and it seemed the whole crowd 
thought with us, more beautiful is the gar- 
den of the dead than the home of the liv- 
ing ; and a place not to lose its attractions, 
how many will follow, drawn on, attracted 
while they know not how. Where the old 
man and the young man lie down together, 
beautiful encampment-ground ! — to-day, 
and what may it be a hundred years from 
to-day ? The descendants of the people 
of Montpelier no doubt may in a hun- 
dred years make this place more beauti- 
ful thau now. He who may then come 
up to these grounds may find the en- 
trance, upon the south by the river, the 
same as now, but an inclosure extended 
northward and eastward and westward — a 
city of the departed instead of a gar- 
den ; walls in inscriptions, ornamentations, 
mossings. The ponderous gate lettered 
on the iron in bronze " Where the 
Weary are at Rest." Within, near the 
gate where the mourners go by a colossal 
cross from the granite of our mountains, 



in raised letters upon the body — "Jesus 
Christ Died For all." All the streets 
longer — more streets, more graves in all 
the streets, and over every walk and grave, 
the beauty of age in nature. Nature never 
loses in beauty ; — more leaves, more flow- 
ers, more tints, more mosses, richer paint- 
ed rocks. How beautiful the rocks grow 
old ; softened, garnitured with moss, vine 
and flower, more and more every lapsing 
year. Man lives for a hundred years, na- 
ture for a hundred hundred. How beauti- 
ful in marble, too, its visitor may find this 
city, one hundred years more past. 

And on the boldest cliff 
Of these expanded grounds, swelling mountainward — 
If we may look through the haze of future years — 
What statue, grander than living man. 
Stands, counting tlie multitude, slumbering 
So long at his feet— trumpet in hand. 
Waiting to summon up these long sleepers? 

I note the change, as the years ran on 
And art with the people grew, how tlie crevices 
In tills hillside showed, until tills Eden 
Of the dear disparted was so fair and famed. 
The traveller from over the seas called 
It * The Art Garden of the Departed ' 
Of this land ; in every rural recess. 
Scripture history was so put in marble : 
So fair upon the hills and mounds and plains. 
Within tlie dales and rocks and caves and woods 
And lawns, beside tlie river and the rills- 
Beseeming tlie cemeteries of the dead 
In the capital of a State where tlie rocks 
Are marble— the statues of the native sculptors : 

Fair as the white rose growing by tlie grave. 

The Ruler's daugiiter, standing by lier couch, 

Just risen— the dear Master of Life, 

Holding the little damsel by tlie hand. 

Over whose face new breath and beauty breaking. 

Eastward—" in the rocky battlements," tliat cave 
By tall trees, half-embowered. Lazarus statue. 
Or figure, grave-swatlied, coming forth— there I 

Wliere the sun touches first the grave. 
All shrubs and flowers of fragrancy crowding 
To depict tliat garden of the resurrection — 
Jesus Christ and Magdalene standing within. 

Tlie marble sliaft, tlie massive monument. 

The simple stone, shrubbery so surrounding,— tree 

And flower and vine adorning,— eacii did seem. 

As the eye gathered it in, more beautiful : 

The chiseled column— tlie planted flower. 

Rivaled by the pure lilies on the stone,— 

The rose in the foliated marble : 

Tlie oldest stone, most mossed, most beautiful; 

As the ancient rocky rampart, the brown moss 

Clinging to, tlie golden moss, th'gray wand-moss 

In every crumbling fissure, scarlet tipped. 

Most fair country : for ail the people thought 
Affection could not make too fair the Eden 
Of their Dead— deposited in hope. 



540 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF 
LIVING PERSONS. 

TIMOTHY PARKER REDFIELD, 
(BY B. F. FIFIELD, ESQ.) 

the son of Dr. Peleg and Hannah (Parker) 
Redfield, was born at Coventry, Nov. 3, 
18 12. The father w^as born of sturdy 
English stock at Killingworth, Conn., the 
grandson of Capt. Peleg Redfield, who 
bravely fought through the revolutionary 
war. The mother was the daughter of 
Isaac and Bridget (Fletcher) Parker, born 
at Westford, Mass., in Nov., 1785, and 
married at Weathersfield, Vt., in March, 
1803. They removed to Coventry, Vt., 
with two children, in the fall of 1807, and 
raised a family of 6 sons and 6 daughters, 
amid the perils and hardships of frontier 
life. [See Coventry, Vol. II, this work.] 
The subject of this sketch had the usual 
experience of Vermont boys born and 
brought up on a farm, but here were laid 
the rudiments of that industry, self-reli- 
ance, and independence, which have so 
much distinguished him and which is pecu- 
liar to the stock. At Dartmouth College 
he ranked among the first of his class, 
was elected a member of the Phi Beta 
Kappa Society, and graduated with high 
honors in the class of 1836. He imme- 
diately commenced the study of the law in 
the office of his brother, the Hon. Isaac 
F. Redfield, was admitted to the bar in 
Orleans county in 1838, began the practice 
of his profession at Irasburgh, and con- 
tinued it there until his removal to Mont- 
pelier in 1848. He was senator from Or- 
leans county in 1848. He practiced his 
profession at Montpelier from 1848 to 1870, 
when he was elected Judge of the Supreme 
Court, and has received successive elec- 
tions from that time to the present, 1881. 
He was married to Helen W. Grannis of 
Stanstead, Province of Quebec, Feb. 6, 
1840, by which marriage he had 4 children, 
three of whom sleep in Green Mount Cem- 
etery at Montpelier, and the only .surviving 
child, Alice, the wife of Andrew J. Phil- 
lips, now resides at St. Louis, Mo. 

While in the practice of his profession 
at Montpelier, he became widely known 



through the State as one of the most reli- 
able, painstaking and thoroughly well-read 
lawyers in the profession. From 1856, to 
the time of his elevation to the bench he 
was a constant attendant upon the courts 
in Orleans, Caledonia and Washington 
counties, and it is no disparagement to 
others to say that he had no superiors 
either in the 'knowledge of the law, or its 
practical adaptation to the complicated 
affairs of life. His sturdy independence, 
elevated character and fine legal attain- 
ments, commanded respect and admira- 
tion from all who knew him, and a man 
who was once his client was always his 
client. 

In 1870, a vacancy occurred on the su- 
preme court bench. Mr. Redfield had 
always been a democrat in politics, but his 
fitness for the position was so generally ac- 
knowledged that he was elected to the 
place by a legislature overwhelmingly re- 
publican, and against numerous competi- 
tors. His dignified judicial bearing and 
acknowledged impartiality made him at 
once a general favorite with the public, 
the bar and his associates. His fame may 
and will justly rest upon his judicial life. 

His brother, Isaac F. Redfield, occupied 
a seat upon the bench of Vermont for 25 
years, and he left it in i860 only to extend 
his fame and establish it as one of the fore- 
most jurists of the age, whether English or 
American. 

In each of the brothers is found in like 
degree that quality of all others the most 
rare, the judicial temperament, and in each 
is also found the intellectual grasp on the one 
hand and fine sense of justice on the other 
hand which is so essential to the just ad- 
ministration of the law. 

Judge Redfield is an excellent scholar, 
and while his bearing is reserved and dig- 
nified, such as becomes his position, yet 
in social life he is one of the most charming 
of companions. His reminiscences of the 
old bar and his fund of anecdotes are the 
delight of those who enjoy his friendship, 
and will be long remembered by those who 
come after him. He is a member of the 
Episcopal church and a devoted christian, 
not only in profession but also in practice. 





^-^v. 



.^^^^ ^^ 




MONTPELIER. 



541 



In short, Judge Redfield is a model in all 
that constitutes a conscientious, christian 
gentleman, and an able, upright, impartial 
judge. 

To speak thus of his record is but the 
"just meed of praise to acknowledged 
worth," and "to keep the memory of such 
men green is but to strengthen and stimu- 
late public virtue." 

HON. ELIAKIM PERSONS WALTON. 

[From M.D. Gilman's Bibliography of Vermont, now 
in course of preparation.] 

Eliakim Persons Walton was born in 
Montpelier, Feb. 17, 1812, and was the 
first-born son of the late Gen. Ezekiel 
Parker Walton and Prussia Persons. On 
the Walton side the genealogy goes back 
with almost absolute certainty, through 
Ezekiel P.''s father, who was the late Geo. 
Walton, of Peacham, born at New Market, 
N. H., in 1762, and married Mary Parker, 
of New Hampshire, to George Walton, a 
Quaker born in England, in whose house 
at Newcastle, N. H., in June, 1682, oc- 
curred the best authenticated case of witch- 
craft which has ever been recorded in New 
England. See Mather's Magnalia Christi 
Americana, edition of 1820, vol. 2, p. 393, 
and Brewster's Rambles about PortsmoutJi, 
second series, pp. 343-354- On the Persons 
side, all that can be asserted is that Eliakim 
Davis Persons was a native of Long Island, 
and his wife, Rebecca Dodge, was of Mas- 
sachusetts, probably Northfield, who had 
numerous relatives, (one of them inter- 
married with a Houghton, uncle of the 
late Mrs. Samuel Prentiss, of Montpelier,) 
residing near the south-eastern line of 
Vermont. Her father and two of her 
brothers, Asa and John, setded in Barre, 
Vt., and a third, Daniel, in Northern Ver- 
mont. They have numerous descendants 
at this day in Eastern and Western Ver- 
mont, and in the Western States. It was 
and is a race of sterHng virtues. The par- 
ticular subject of this notice was educated 
first by his mother in letters and reading 
the notes of music ; second, by an occa- 
sional attendance at the district school, in 
which he was specially noted for his habit 
of running away on every possible occasion ; 
third, by many terms in Washington 



County Grammar School, in which he was 
fitted for college by one of the best prin- 
cipals that school ever had, the late Jona- 
than C. Southmayd. But the young E. P. 
was not permitted to go to college, and 
thereupon entered the law office of Samuel 
and Samuel B. Prentiss, when Judge Pren- 
tiss was in the United States Senate. 
Here he obtained the elements of the law, 
and moreover an insight into national pol- 
itics, through the books and documents 
received by Judge Prentiss as senator. 
But largely he was educated in his father's 
printing office, and an excellent school 
every printing office is to any boy or girl 
who has obtained the elements of an 
English education, and will improve the 
opportunities of the office. From the time 
the lad was "knee-high to a toad," and 
had to stand in a chair to get up to the 
" case," this boy was put into the office, 
and kept there in vacations from schools. 
Another very useful school was the old 
Montpelier Lyceum, with its written essays 
and extemporaneous debates. In'i826-'7 
he spent a year in Essex, N. Y., and there 
edited and printed his first newspaper, a 
single issue of the Essex County Republican. 
The editors and publishers were away, and 
had suspended publication for a week ; but 
the young and ardent politician could not 
have it so. Without any authority from 
his masters, he got up a paper full of edi- 
torial matter — part of it written and part 
of it composed at the case — and took 
proof-sheets. The question. Shall it be 
printed? was a doubtful one. The proof- 
sheets were thereupon submitted to the 
late Gen. Henry H. Ross, of Essex, then 
a member of Congress, and a zealous 
Adams man. Bringing back the proof- 
sheets, the General came with his face 
beaming with smiles, put both hands on 
the boy's shoulders, and said, "Print it, 
boy! print it ! " From that moment, though 
preferring the law, the business of printer 
and editor seemed to have been ordained 
for him. On becoming of age, in 1833, 
he became a partner with his father in the 
publication of the Ver}iiont Watchman and 
State Gazette. Gen. Walton wrote occa- 
sionally for that paper, but other branches 



542 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of a very extensive business demanded his 
attention, and the newspaper and printing 
department were in the charge of E. P. 
Walton, Jr., as his signature commonly 
was during the life of his father, although 
not correct except when the initials of it 
were given. In 1853, the paper, then the 
Vermont Watchman and State Journal, 
came into his possession exclusively, and 
so continued until the sale to the Messrs. 
Poland, in 1868. 

During all this period the editorship of 
Walton's Vermont Register was in his 
charge, as it still is in all except the Bus- 
iness Directory. The Vermont Capitol, 
1857, consisted mainly of his reports; vol- 
ume two of the collections of the Vermont 
Historical Society was edited by him ; and 
also the eight volumes of the Records of 
the Governor and Council, together with 
documents touching the early history of 
the State. Although an active and zealous 
politician from his youth, and helping many 
men to high offices, he never sought offices 
for himself. Nevertheless in 1853 he was 
elected representative of Montpelier ; and 
in 1856, greatly to his surprise, he was 
called upon by the late Senator Foot, and 
another member of the Vermont delegation 
still living, to become a candidate for 
Congress in the first congressional dis- 
trict, on the grounds that a change was 
absolutely necessary, and that the member 
then to be elected, according to the usual 
courtesy in such cases, should come from 
Washington County. Under the very del- 
icate circumstances of the case, Mr. Walton 
was unwilling to be a candidate, and urged 
the late Ferrand F. Merrill to stand in his 
stead. Mr. Merrill refused, and ultimately 
Mr. Walton was nominated and^ received 
three elections, after which he declined 
further service. In 1870 he was the del- 
egate of Montpelier in the Constitutional 
Convention ; and he was also senator for 
Washington County, 1874 until 1878. 
The honorary degree of Master of Arts has 
been conferred upon Mr. Walton by the 
University of Vermont, and also by Mid- 
dlebury College. He has been president 
of the Publishers' and Editors' Association 
of Vermont from its organization until 



1 88 1, and also of the Vermont Historical 
Society since the Rev. Dr. Lord retired. 
Mr. Walton married, June 6, 1836, Sarah 
Sophia, second daughter of the late Hon. 
Joseph Howes, of Montpelier, who died 
Sept. 3, 1880. 

For a list of Mr. Walton's publications, 
see atite. Bibliography of Montpelier. 

In addition to those referred to there 
are the following printed papers by Mr. 
Walton : 

Oration delivered at Northfield, July 4, 
1837, and printed in the Watchman and 
Journal of July •24, by request of Charles 
Paine, chairman of the committee of ar- 
rangements. 

Remarks on the death of Charles Paine, 
delivered at Northfield, July 29, 1853. 
Printed in the Watch/Jian and Journal oi 
Aug. 4, and also in pamphlet form. 

Speech delivered on the battle-field at 
Hubbardton, July 7, 1859, on the inaugu- 
ration of the battle monument. Printed 
in the Watchman and Journal as an edi- 
torial, and reprinted in pamphlet form at 
Rutland. 

Address on Hon. Nathaniel Chipman, 
delivered on the unveiling of his monu- 
ment at Tinmouth, Oct. 2, 1873. Printed 
in some of the Rutland, Burlington and 
Montpelier newspapers. 

Letter to Hon. Geo. F. Edmunds, Jan. 
1872, with elaborate and carefully prepared 
tables on the apportionment of members 
of Congress on the census of 1870. Print- 
ed by order of the United States Senate. 

The apportionment by the old rule under 
the census of i860 gave Vermont two 
members of the House instead of three. 
Mr. Walton had no personal interest in 
the matter, as his last term in Congress 
was covered by the old apportionment ; but 
he had a deep interest for his native State, 
which he dearly loved and had long tried 
to serve. Both houses had passed a bill 
reducing Vermont to two members, when 
Mr. Walton carefully examined the sub- 
ject, and demonstrated that the bill did 
not fairly observe the national constitu- 
tion and was unjust to eight states. He 
then explained the matter to Senator Col- 
lamer, and under his lead the Senate 




i 




MONTPELIER. 



543 



passed a supplementary bill, and the re- 
sult was that Vermont and the other seven 
states got the additional member. Under 
the census of 1870, precisely the same 
process was repeated. Mr, Walton again 
interfered, and Senators Edmunds of Ver- 
mont and Thurman of Ohio carried an 
amendment to the House bill, which saved 
the suffering states. It is but justice to 
say that Vermont is very largely indebted 
to Mr. Walton for saving her third mem- 
ber of Congress for twenty years. 

HOMER WALLACE HEATON, 

a member of the Washington County Bar, 
and now, and since 1832, a resident of 
Montpelier, was born in the adjoining 
town of Berlin, Aug. 25, 1811. His par- 
ents were Dr. Gershom Heaton and Polly 
Wallace, daughter of Matthew Wallace, 
one of the early settlers of Berlin. 

Mr. Heaton's educational advantages 
were the common school, one year at 
the St. Lawrence Academy of Potsdam, 
N. Y., and two years at the Washington 
County Grammar School at Montpelier, of 
which J. C. Southmayd was the excellent 
principal. 

In Aug. 1832, Mr. Heaton commenced 
the study of the law with Col. Jonathan 
P. Miller and Nicholas Baylies, Jr., of 
Montpelier, and was admitted to the bar 
of the Washington County Court, at the 
Nov. Term, 1835, when he commenced 
practice in company with Colonel Miller, 
and so continued until 1839, when from 
failing health Colonel Miller retired. In 
Sept. 1839, Mr. Heaton and Charles Reed 
entered into partnership for the practice of 
the law, as Heaton & Reed, which was 
continued until the death of Mr. Reed, 
Mar. 7, 1873. (See plate, p. 356.) 

Mr. Heaton was the treasurer of the 
Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 2 
years — 1837 and 1838 ; and was state's 
attorney for Washington County 4 years — 
was elected by the Legislature at the Octo- 
bersessions, 1839 ^^^ 1841, and the an- 
nual Sept. elections in i860 and 1861. 
Upon the retirement of Joshua Y. Vail, a 
long time county clerk, the office was ten- 
dered Mr. Heaton by Judge Isaac F. Red- 



field and the county Judges, which was 
declined. 

July I, 1 84 1, Mr. Heaton married Miss 
Harriet Stearns, daughter of John Stearns, 
of Boston, Mass. She died April 26, 1859, 
at the age of 42 years. Of this marriage 
three sons are now living, Charles H., 
James S., and Homer W. 

Mr. Heaton was the representative of 
the ori ginal town of Montpelier in the 
Legislature, at the October session, 1848, 
when the town was divided, and the towns 
of Montpelier and East Montpelier crea- 
ted. At that session Mr. Heaton was the 
candidate of the Democratic party for 
Speaker ; there being three parties — the 
Whig, Democratic and Free Soil — and 
neither in a majority : there resulted a dead 
lock, which continued through four days' 
session, when the Whig candidate was 
elected on the 46th ballot. 

At this session the National Life Ins. 
Co. was chartered. The bill for that pur- 
pose being referred to a select committee 
of three members — Mr. Heaton being one 
— was reported favorably and passed. Mr. 
Heaton was one of the directors of this 
company and a member of its finance com- 
mittee for several years. He, at the same 
session, introduced a bill for the incorpo- 
ration of the Vermont Bank, which was 
passed, and Mr. Heaton was one of its di- 
rectors during its existence as a State 
Bank, and for 2 years its president. 

Since the organization of the Montpelier 
Savings Bank & Trust Company in 1871, 
Mr. Heaton has been one of its trustees 
and the president. 

In politics, he has always been a Demo- 
crat, having cast his first presidential vote 
for Andrew Jackson at his second election. 

Mr. Heaton was the Democratic candid- 
ate for governor at the annual election in 

1869, and the first biennial election in 

1870. He was the Democratic candidate 
for member of Congress from the first Dis- 
trict at the elections in 1872 and 1874. He 
was a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Baltimore in 1872, when 
Horace Greeley was nominated for Pres- 
ident. He has also been a candidate of 
his party for Presidential Elector. 



544 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JAMES ROBBINS LANGDON, 

third son of Col. James H. and Nabby 
Robbins Langdon, born Oct. 3, 1813, was 
educated in Washington County Grammar 
School, and then from choice entered his 
father's grist-mill, and applied himself to 
learn the miller's trade and the way to 
manage the business of a flouring-mill. 
This was in fact the turning point in his 
business life, but his father did not ap- 
prove, and tempted him to leave the mill 
by offering to furnish capital and share the 
profits with his son in a promising specula- 
tion. At 15, then, the lad started out to 
scour New England and New York, and 
purchase Spanish coin, and sell it in 
Canada at a moderate profit. Persisting 
in this business until Spanish coin be- 
came scarce, he retired with a net profit 
of $3,400, which was divided between 
father and son. Spending a short time at 
Derby Line as a clerk, he, at 17, busied 
himself in settling his father's estate, and, 
after receiving his patrimony, invested 
part of it in a store at Greensboro ; but 
the store and goods were soon burned, 
and then he entered upon his long and 
very successful career as flour merchant 
and manufacturer, in which, by doing an 
immense business at a small profit, he ac- 
cumulated a very large fortune for a coun- 
try merchant. Indeed, it is certain that 
no merchant of Montpelier has ever 
handled property to so great an amount as 
he has done, or with such uniform success. 
His rule has been to keep accurate ac- 
counts of every branch of his business, 
and to understand it all thoroughly, even 
to the smallest detail. Hence, by his sa- 
gacity and this perfect knowledge, success 
was unavoidable. But the profits of this 
large and successful business figure only 
as a part of his present fortune. Mr. 
Langdon has ever been a sagacious, pru- 
dent and fortunate financier. The profits 
of mercantile business have been invested 
in the stock of sound banks, not one of 
which ever failed or proved unfortunate, 
and in United States bonds. At 20 he 
was elected a director in the old Bank of 
Montpelier, and for 48 years he has been 



director, and for many years president, in 
three successive banks in Montpelier. 

In another field, however, Mr. Langdon 
has rendered, and is still rendering, very 
important services : in the Vermont Central 
Railroad, and the succeeding Central Ver- 
montRailroad. In preceding pages, 304-'5, 
Mr. Langdon's work for the Central road 
has been noted, but it is to be added that 
he was a director for the first 2 years. In 
1873, ^^ entered the Central Vermont 
road, and has been made vice president 
and chairman of the finance committee. 
In the last position he assumed a responsi- 
bility which few private citizens are ever 
called to ; but nobody doubts his ability 
and his will to discharge it wisely and well. 

Although Mr. Langdon has opinions of 
his own on the current political questions 
of the day, he has never put himself forward 
as a politician, or a candidate for office. 
There was, however, an unwise and long- 
continued division among the Republicans 
of the town in 1868, which was, by common 
consent, settled by the election of Mr. 
Langdon as representative, and he was re- 
elected in 1869, doing good service, es- 
pecially in financial matters. 

In early life Mr. Langdon was by an ac- 
cident disabled sufficiently to discourage 
most men from personal labors ; but he 
has been content to do, patiently and per- 
sistently, greater work than most thor- 
oughly endowed men, physically, are able 
to accomplish. 

Mr. Langdon has two children : Lucy, 
formerly Mrs. Mansfield, of Nyack, N.Y., 
and now the wife of Mr. Schroeder, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., first superintendent of 
the Astor Library; and Elizabeth W. The 
latter received a shock some years ago, 
which has ever since made her an object of 
the tenderest solicitude and care, and nobly 
is her father doing his part. e. p. w. 

For a notice of Mrs. James R. Langdon, 
see page . 

Hon. Nicholas Baylies resided here 
25 years, 1810-1835, see, also, page 314, 
when he removed from Mcntpelier. We 
regret that we have no further notice of 
the Judge for these pages. 



f\ 




MONTPELIER. 



545 



JOSEPH ADDISON WING, 

son of Josiah and Polly (Gray) Wing, was 
born in the part of this town now known 
as East Montpelier, Dec. 26, 1810. He 
opened a law office one year before his ad- 
mission to the bar, May 13, 1835, inPlain- 
field, this County, where he remained until 
June, 1838, when he removed to Mont- 
pelier village, where he has lived ever 
since. He married, Jan. i, 1840, Samantha 
E. Webster, of Cabot, daughter of Jesse 
Webster, of that town. Mr. Wing has two 
sons, Geo. W., the eldest, a practicing at- 
torney in the same office with himself on 
State street, and John G., his youngest son, 
also a lawyer in his office, and four daugh- 
ters, Florence A., Annette M., Alice M. 
and Elizabeth B. Mr. Wing has for many 
years handled the pen, writing for the 
newspapers, paying to incidents and oc- 
casions of public interest the tribute of his 
verse, and in 1878, brought out a small 
12 mo. vol. of 252 pp., printed in this vil- 
lage, of no little interest to the many friends 
to whom it was thus presented. 

A few extracts from Mr. Wing's book, 
which is the second volume of poems pub- 
lished by a native of the town : 

'• Go forth my little book, devoid of pride; 

Go like tlie brooks that tliroiigh the valleys glide, 

And greener make the verdure by their side; 

Go like the dew that silently doth fall 

When o'er the earth night spreads her sable pall; 

Go you, and zealously mankind entice 

To seek for virtue and to flee from vice." 

EXTRACTS FROM "PLUCK." 

( Without pluck.) 

" See yonder man with downciist look pass by, 
Mark you his face— no fire is in his eye; 
His coat is seedy, and bis hat is old. 
His pockets empty of both bills and gold, 
Silent he passes through the busy throng; 
No friend doth cheer him as he goes along. 
No one is there that old man's hand to clasp 
And warm his lieart with friendship's kindly grasp 
Onward, unnoticed, to liis cot he goes. 
Where from the world be buries all his woes; 
There will he dwell unnoted and unknown 
Till death's cold hand shall claim him as his own." 
( With pluck.) 

"Next view the great Napoleon, 
When in Us zenith glowed his sun ; 

Napoleon wore as sweet a smile 
When banished to fair Elba's isle. 
As when in Russia's northern sky 
He saw his eagles proudly fly." 

69 



WHAT SHALL WE DO ? 

Wliat shall I do ? what shall I do ? 

' Tis trutli I can't decide. 
So many smiling maids I view. 

Which I shall make my bride. 

I can't decide, I can't decide— 

There's Ann, so gay and witty, 
And lovely Sue, the village pride, 

And Mary, young and pretty. 

There's blooming Helen, Fan, and Prue, 

With fairy forms and features. 
And Lydia, Betsey, Esther too, 

All lovely, charming creatures. 

I can't decide, I can't decide, 

' Mid eyes of every hue. 
Prom Melvell's of the glistening black 

To Kate's of melting blue.' 

A WAIL. 

A wail is on the southern air, 

A wail across the sea; 
A rebel wail the breezes bear, 
A wail of woe and fell despair 

Wherever traitors be 

A wail of fear, of want and pain, 

A wail of grief and care; 
It sweeps along eaeh Southern plain, 
'Tls heard from o'er the stormy main 

Prom every traitor there. 

It comes from Georgia's fertile land. 

Where her broad rivers flow, 
Where Sherman's gallant vet 'ran band 
Before Savannah made a stand 

And humbled the proud foe, 

' Tis heard from Charleston's burning halls. 

Which late the world defied, 
And from Columbia's blackened walls, 
Where Sherman's host the foe appals 

And spreads destruction wide. 

It comes from Carolina's shore 

As mourners at the grave ; 
The pride of Wilmington is o 'er 
The stripes and stars forevermore 

Above her towers shall wave. 

It comes from Richmond's crowded street, 

Where Davis reigns in pride : 
Where want and woe you constant meet, 
And starving women oft entreat 

With bread to be supplied. 

But louder still that wail shall be 

That floats along the air. 
Until the starry flag you see 
Float o 'er a land from slavery free 
And find no traitors there. 
April 2, 1865. 

06i< ;— Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Bancroft, Mar. 
16, 1859. 

Upon her silent tomb 

The sweetest flowers shall bloom 

Of early spring ; 
The willow's branch shall wave,' 
And birds around her grave 
Their matins sing. 



546 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



CHARLES G. EASTMAN. 

WEITTEN AT HIS GRAVE IN GKEEN MOUNT 
CEMETERY, MONTPELIER, VT., 1860. 

There is a void in bovver and Iiall 

And ffrief obscures the day, 
A loved one from the circle small 

Hath passed from earth away. 

Death garnered here no whitened sheaf 

Ripe for the sickle keen, 
Be garnered here no bud or leaf 

From Spring's fair flelds so green. 

A noble oak lies prostrate now, 

It fell in all its pride; 
Its trunk was sound and green each bough, 

But still, alas ! it died. 

Ah, Eastman, ever kind and true. 

Lies buried 'neatli this sod ; 
His soul, we trust, in garments new 

Has flown to meet his God. 

He had not reached the noon of life, 

His sun knew no decline; 
His path of life was rendered gay 

By fairest flower and vine. 

His lyre, tliat late the soul could move 

To smiles and tears at will 
And warm the heart to faith and love. 

Is tuneless now and still. 

Now here within this sacred ground 

He rests in deatirh cold sleep. 
And often on this humble mound 

His wife and children weep. 

Bring flowers upon his grave to place, 

And set the trees around; 
He loved the flowers in all their grace — 

He chose this sacred ground. 

Here let him rest where first the sun 

Its morning beams illume. 
And when its glorious race is run 

Last shines on Eastman's tomb. 

NELSON A. CHASE 

was born in Petersham, Mass., Feb. i8, 
1802, and brought to Calais, Vt., in 1804. 
Dec. 13, 1827, he married Clarissa, daugh- 
ter of Gideon Hicks, Esq., town clerk 
of Calais almost time out of mind. Mr. 
Chase was town clerk of Calais 16 years, 
town repreentative 2 years, and delegate to 
two Constitutional Conventions. He re- 
moved to Montpelier in 1836, and has re- 
sided here since, except Sept. 1841 to 
Sept. 1865, when he was again in Calais. 
He has been town clerk of Montpelier 3 
years, Judge of Probate 2 years, Register of 
Probate 20 years, County Commission- 
er 3 years, and is widely known as a 
land-surveyor. He is highly esteemed for 
his capability and honesty. 



HON. RODERICK RICHARDSON 

(BY HON. T. P. UEDFIELD.) i 

Was born at Stafford, Conn., Aug. 7, 1807. 
He was the second son of Roderick and 
Anna (Davis) Richardson ; came to Waits- 
field, Vt., with his parents, when 2 years 
old. When a boy he went into mercantile 
business with his father, and when 17 years 
of age, went to Boston, to do the routine 
duties of a country merchant. It was so 
well done, that he continued to do all that 
important and responsible business while 
thus connected with his father. When of 
full age, he went into business for himself, 
and continued in general and extensive 
business at Waitsfield until he removed to 
Montpelier in 1855. While at Waitsfield, 
he was elected for 5 successive years rep- 
resentative for said town in the legislature 
of the State, and for 4 years senator for 
the County ; also associate judge of the 
County Court for one term, and declined a 
re-election. In all these various and re- 
sponsible public trusts he was vigilant, in- 
fluential and respected. While in the 
legislature, he was efficient in procuring 
the charter of the Vermont Bank at Mont- 
pelier ; was a director of the bank from 
its organization ; was the chosen agent of 
the bank to procure the re-organization, 
under the National Bank System ; was 
president of said bank for several years. 
Thus while at Waitsfield, he became largely 
interested in the public affairs of the County 
and the State, and the local public in- 
terests of Montpelier, and had the full 
confidence of his associates. After he 
came to Montpelier, his interest in all that 
concerned the public weal, not only con- 
tinued, but was enlarged. Schools at 
Montpelier had become neglected, and all 
interest in them, seemingly, supplanted 
by other matters that engrossed public at- 
tention. Judge Richardson, with his ac- 
customed energy, entered upon the plan 
of re-organizing the schools in Montpelier, 
and devoted more than 2 years of gra- 
tuitous, hard labor to the building of the 
new school-house for the graded school. 
And as a consequence of the effort and in- 
terest enlisted at that time, the whole 
school system at Montpelier has become 



m^ 



-% 





W^^/^e^i^ 



c 



c^ 




A^^i^tD 



MONTPELIER. 



547 



revolutionized, and educational interests 
have become cardinal. 

He was a member of the Episcopal 
church, and was active and efficient in all 
the affairs of the diocese. He was three 
times elected from this diocese delegate to 
the National Triennial Conventions in 
New York city and Philadelphia, and one of 
the standing committee continuously until 
his removal to Boston. By his liberality, 
and two years of gratuitous personal labor, 
Christ church, Montpelier, was built. The 
obstacles in his way were many, and to 
the ordinary man, formidable ; but his zeal 
did not flag until the capstone of the spire, 
in solid granite, had crowned his labor. 

He was married to Harriet E. Taylor, 
Feb. 28, 1839. They had 4 sons; 3 of 
whom survive, are married, and in business. 
Mrs. Richardson still survives, and, in 
vigorous health, graces their hospitable 
mansion at Newton Highlands, Mass. 

The subject of this sketch descended 
from vigorous Puritan stock. His ances- 
tor, Amos Richardson, was resident and 
householder on Washington street, Boston, 
just north of the Old South Church, in 
1640; removed to Stonington, Conn., in 
1666, and was there elected representative 
to the General Court, and was the agent 
of Gov. Winthrop for New England. He 
will be remembered, and valued, not for 
any brilliant speech he has made, or for 
any beautiful scrap of poetry he has writ- 
ten ; but as a man of affairs, of keen per- 
ception, and just discrimination, and of 
judgment so well balanced, and of such 
unfaltering energy of character, that in 
whatever he engaged, he enlisted his whole 
soul, and overcame all impediment ; nor 
could subtlety delude or deceive him. In 
whatever undertaking, he is, therefore, 
necessarily, successful. And it will justly 
be said of him, that the world is better 
that he has lived ; and for that he will be 
remembered. 

The graded school system for which Mr. 
Richardson labored so well has been very 
successful in this place ; combined with the 
old Washington County Grammar School, 
they take the children from the a b c up to 



prepared for college ; on the tax of the 
grand list, every citizens's boy or girl may 
have a solid education. 

Mr. Walton gives the first schoolhouse, 
on page 262, — a log-house, the second, a 
year or two after, 1793 or '4, a frame-house 
was " on the road to the hills on the 
Branch Falls, near the spot now occupied 
by the old burying-ground. The school 
in this house was taught by Abel Knapp, 
afterwards Judge Knapp of Berlin. In a 
few years this house was burned, and an- 
other was built near where the Methodist 
chapel now stands." — {Thompson, i860.) 

The act of the incorporation of the 
Washington County Grammar School was 
procured by the Hon. David Wing, Jr. 
Mr. Thompson says in 1800, (a print mis- 
take) . Mr. Walton's date, page 290, is cor- 
rect. The first board of trustees, when 
incorporated, were Col. Jacob Davis, Hon. 
Charles Bulkley, David Wing, Jerahmel 
B. Wheeler and Thomas West, Jr. " In 
1 800-1-2, the school districts in town re- 
ceived a remodelling," and were then ten 
in number, four of which were formed into 
the present Union and Graded School, 
1858-g, leaving 6 districts. 

The number of scholars in town in 1802, 
was about 400 — the present number 1882, 
about 

TOWN TREASURERS. 

Jonathan Cutler, first, 1792, i year; 
after Elnathan Pope, i year; Joseph 
Wing, alternately 29 years ; Joshua Y. 
Vail, I year ; John Barnard, 2 years ; 
Daniel Baldwin, alternately, 12 years; 
H. N. Baylies, i year; Carlos Bancroft, 
2 years ; Timothy Cross, i year; J. A. 
Page, 6 years to 1856; R. Richardson, 
1856-59; George W. Scott in i860. — 
'rho?Hpson . 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Ziba Woodworth, first town clerk, 1791 ; 
Clark Stevens, 1792; David Wing, Jr., 
1793-1807; Joseph Wing, 1807-1835 ; 
Lyman Briggs, 1835-1846; James T. 
Thurston, 1846-1851; Jona. E. Wright, 
1851; W. W. Cadwell, 1852-1855 ; Geo. 
L. Kinsman, 1855 to 1859; Adams Kel- 
logg, 1859. — Tho))ipson. 



548 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SELECTMEN. 

James Hawkins, 1791, '92 ; James Tag- 
gart, Hiram Peck, 1791 ; Benj. I.Wheeler, 
1792, '93, '94, '96-1S02, '11 '12, '14 to '19 ; 
Rufus Wakefield, 1793; Parley Davis, 
1794, '97 to 1801, '02, '03, '08, '23 ; Barna- 
bas Doty, 1794, '95; Jacob Davis, 1795, 
'99; Joseph Woodworth, 1795, 1805 to 
1813, '14; A. Nealey, J. Putman, 1795; 
Elnathan Pope, 1796; David Wing, Jr., 
1797 to 1807; Arthur Daggett, 1801, 02; 
Paul Holbrook, 1803, '04; Clark Stevens, 
1804, ''05, '10; Jerahmel B. Wheeler, 1806 
to '10, '13; Cyrus Ware, 1808; James H. 
Langdon, 181 1, '20, '21, '22, '24; Ziba 
Woodworth, 1812; Jeduthan Loomis, 
1813; Samuel Rich, 1813 ; Salvin Collins, 
1814, '17, '18; Timothy Hubbard, 1815, 
'16, '19, '29; Nathaniel Davis, 1815, '16; 
Nahum Kelton, 18 17 to 1822 '26, ''27, 
'28; Joel Bassett, 1819; Isaac Putnam, 
1820; Aranuah Waterman, 1821, 1830; 
Joseph Howes, 1822, '23, 1825 to 1829, 
'52, '53; Josiah Wing, 1822, 1825 to 
1829, '31 '32; Joseph Wiggins, 1823; 
Thomas Reed, Jr., Andrew Sibley, 1824; 
Samuel Templeton, 1825, 1829, 1830; 
Stephen Foster, 1829; Apollos Metcalf, 
1830; Royal Wheeler, 1831 to '36; Jo- 
seph Reed, 1831, '32; Jared Wheelock, 
1833; Harry Richardson, 1833, '34. '35- 
'36; George Clark, 1834, '35 ; Isaac Gate, 
1836, '37, '48 ; William Billings, 1836, 'yj ; 
Lewis Sibley, Alfred Wainwright. 1837; 
John Gray, Joel Bassett, Alfred Pitkin, 
1838; R. R. Keith, Earned Coburn, Cyrus 
Morse, 1839. 4° i Charles Sibley, Ira S. 
Town, 1841, 42; John Vincent, 1841, '42, 
'43; Thomas Needham, L. A. Hathaway, 
1843, '44; Hiram Sibley, 1844, ''45; John 
J. Willard, Carlos Bancroft, 1845, 46; 
Charles Walling, 1846, '47; George S. 
Hubbard, 1847, '48 ; John I. Putnam, 1847 ; 
S. F.Stevens, 1848; Thomas Reed, 1849; 
C. W. Bancroft, 1849, '5°- '55; C. H. 
Collins, William Howes, 1850; George 
Worthington, 1851 ; John Spalding, 185 1, 
'54; B. F. Wall*er, 185 1; Geo. C. Shep- 
herd, 1852 ; Wm. N. Peck, 1852, '53, '54, 
'56,^57; Henry Nutt, 1853, '54; Charles 
Reed, 1855, '56, '57, '59; A. W. Wilder, 
1855. \_Scc p. 549, 



HON. JOHN A. PAGE 

was born at Haverhill, N. H., June 17, 
1814, son of Gov. John Page and Hannah 
Merrill Page. Receiving an education at 
Haverhill, he at 15 became clerk in a dry 
goods store, and at 17 engaged in a whole- 
sale dry goods store in Portland, Me., and 
was speedily put in charge of the counting- 
room, and made confidential and financial 
clerk. In 1832, in his 19th year, he ac- 
cepted a partnership in a well established 
mercantile firm in Haverhill, N. H. In 
the spring of 1837, his business was closed 
and he intended to go to the West, but he 
accepted the cashiership of the Grafton 
Bank in Haverhill, which he held until the 
expiration of the charter, when he took the 
cashiership of the Caledonia Bank in Dan- 
ville, Vt., and in September, 1848, was 
elected representative of Danville in the 
Legislature. While in that office he was 
prevailed upon by Gov. Erastus Fairbanks 
to become Financial Agent of the Pas- 
sumpsic and Connecticut Rivers Railroad 
Co., and removed to Newbury. In March, 
1849, he accepted the cashiership of the 
" Vermont Bank," and removed to Mont- 
pelier, where he has since resided. This 
brief resume of Mr. Page's experience and 
success as a financier sufficiently shows 
that he is admirably qualified for the posi- 
tions of still higher responsibility, to which 
he was speedily called. In the autumn of 
1853, he was elected State Treasurer by 
the Joint Assembly, there having been no 
election by the people. Mr. Page affilia- 
ted with the Democratic party, as his father 
had long done, and in 1854, he was super- 
seded in the treasurer's office by the first 
treasurer elected by the Republian party. 
On the organization of the First National 
Bank of Montpelier, in 1865, Mr. Page 
was elected a director and president, and 
still holds these positions. In 1866 he was 
elected State Treasurer, and has been sub- 
sequently re-elected at every election. Mr. 
Page has been for several years an active 
member and deacon in Bethany Church, 
and a liberal supporter of it, and of kin- 
dred institutions, such as the Sabbath 
school, Bible Society, Foreign and Domes- 
tic Missionary Societies, &c. e. p. w. 






*^ 








MONTPELIER. 



549 



David W. Wing, 1856, '57 ; R. W. Hyde, 
1858, '59; Ebenezer Scribner, 1858,' 59: 
Joseph Poland, Joel Foster, Jacob Smith, 
i860. — Thompson'' s List. 

TOWN TREASURERS — 1860 TO 1 88 1. 

George W. Scott, i86o-'6i -'62 -'63-64 
_'65- 66-^67- 68-69. L. Bart Cross, 1870 
-'71 -''72 -73. James C. Houghton, Jr., 
i874-'75-'76-'77-'78-'79-'8o-'8i. 

TOWN CLERKS — 1860TO 1 88 I. 

Adams Kellogg, i86o-'6i-'62. W. E. 
Adams, 1863-64-65-66. Nelson A. 
Chase, 1867-68-69. George W. WLng, 
1870-71-72. Timothy R. Merrill, 1873 
- 74- 75- 76-77- 78- 79-'8o- 81 . 

OVERSEERS OF POOR — 1860 TO 1881. 

H. Y. Barnes, i86o-'6i-'62. B. H. 
Snow, i863-''64-'65-'66-''67. Henry Barnes, 
1878, resigned, and Timothy Cross elected 
May 19, 1868, at a special meeting. Wm. 
W. Cadwell, 1869-70-71- Chester Clark, 
1872. Wm. W. Cadwell, 1873-74-75 
'76-77 (died.) Denison Taft filled re- 
mainder of 1 877- ''78 as overseer. Geo. 
S. Hubbard, 1878-79- 8o-'8i. 

SELECTMEN — 1860 TO 1 88 1. 

Joseph Poland, i860; Joel Foster, Jr., 
i860, '61, '62, '65, '81 ; Jacob Smith, i860, 
'61, '62 ; Carlos Bancroft, 1862, '66; Hen- 
ry Nutt, 1863, '64, '66, '67 ; Jas. T. Thurs- 
ton, 1865, '66, '67; Charles Reed, 1861, 
'67 ; Perley P. Pitkin, 1868, '74, '80 ; Sam- 
uel Wells, 1868, '69, '70; Albert Johon- 
nott, 1868, '69, '70, '78, '79, '80 ; H. Bost- 
wick, T. O. Bailey, E. F. Kimball, 1871, 
'72; Joel Foster, Jr., 1873, '81 ; Dennison 
Dewey, 1873; Dennis Lane, Homer W. 
Heaton, 1874, '75, '76, '77; J. Warren 
Bailey, 1874, '75, "76, '■]'], '78; Sumner 
Kimball, 1877, '78; Arthur D. Bancroft, 
1879, '80 ; Willard C. Walker, Clark King, 

1881. T. R, M. 

From the Records. — Town meeting, 
March 29, 1792: Caleb Bennett, sealer of 
leather ; Truman West, pound keeper ; 
David Parsons, tithing man. 

Haywards. — Perley Davis, Isaac Put- 
nam, Lemuel Brooks, Jacob Davis, Jr., 
Edmund Doty. 

Grand Juror. — Nathaniel Parks. 



Sealer oflVeigJdsand Measures. — Jona- 
than Cutler. 

Auditors. — John Templeton. Rufus 
Wakefield, David Wing. 

Town Meeting, March 8th, 1813, John 
Templeton, [firstj Overseer of the Poor. 
T. R. Merrill, Towji Clerk. 
Dec. 1881. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
[THOMPSON TO I860.] 

In 18 14, the first fire company was or- 
ganized in town, the sum of $380 raised by 
subscription among the citizens of the vil- 
lage for the purpose, and an engine and 
hose purchased. In 1835, another com- 
pany was formed, and a second engine 
purchased. And in 1837, a third engine 
was purchased, with about 800 feet of 
hose ; and a third company was organized 
to man it, with a hook and ladder compa- 
ny to act generally. About this time the 
whole fire department was re-organized, 
and placed under the direction of the Hon. 
Daniel Baldwin, who was appointed chief 
engineer. Mr. Baldwin acted in this ca- 
pacity many years, and, at length resign- 
ing the responsible post, was succeeded 
by Carlos Bancroft, who, in 1852, was 
succeeded by Capt. Almon A. Mead, who 
has ever since been the efi^cient chief en- 
gineer of the department. In January, 
i860, "two large Button engines were pur- 
chased," the fire department having been 
re-organized in December, and companies 
organized to manage them. No. 4 engine 
arrived in February, and No. 5 in April. 
The Chief Engineers of the department 
from 1859 were Capt. A. A. Mead, from 
1852 to '66; Samuel Wells 2 years from 
1866; Jas. W. Brock, 2 years to 1870; 
Geo. C. Clark in 1871, and Gen. P. P. 
Pitkin from that date, 10 years, andnow 
continues to hold the ofiice. 

The Foremen of the several companies 
from the same date, are : No. 4, John W. 
Clark, i860, '61, '62; Levi Pierce in 1863, 
who died in January, 1864 ; Denison 
Dewey in 1864; Edwin C. Lewis in 1866, 
who died in 1867; Freeman Bixby, 1867, 
'68; Lewis Wood, 1869, '70, '71, '76; now 
resides in Taunton, Mass. ; Alex. Jan- 



550 



VERMONT HISrORirAI. MAGAZINE. 



^jraw, 1872 to '77 ; Chas. F. Collins, 1877 
to '81, inclusive. No. 5,- — llonry Haines, 
three mos. in iS6o, now resides in Wave- 
lanil. U)\va ; Horace F. (."rossnian, the re- 
niaininj; <■) inontlis of i8()0. lie tlieil in 
\Vasi»int;toii, 1). C".. .ilunit iS(>7. (leo. .S. 
Robinson, 1861, '62; i>li\er K. Dutton in 

1863, now resiiles in (Miio ; Robert J. 
Harj;!!! in iS(>4; tieo. C". C'l.irk. 1865 to 
'71- He died in Holland. Mich.. .Apr. 22, 
1878. Isaac I\I. Wrij^ht. 1871. "72; A. O. 
.Se.ihurv, 1873. '74, '75- "<^^w resides in 
Hoston; John \V. I'aj^e, in 1876, now re- 
sides in Nebraska; Robert J. CoOey. 1877, 
'78, now resides in Richmond, \'t. ; Chas. 
C. Ranisdell, 1879, '80, \Si. 

Hook anil Ladder Co. No. 1 : tIeo. S. 
Hubbard in i860; .Ailanis Kello!;g, 1861, 
'(12 ; now resides in 1 ouisi.ui.i. Is.iac A. 
Lathri>i) in 1863 ; Curtis S. Newcomb, 

1864, '(15. He died in Sprinutield, Ma.ss. 
in 1867. Lewis H. Hnntint^ton, 1866, '67; 
Andrew J. Howe, 1868. '(x) ; John L. Tut- 
tle, 1870, '71 ; Moses K.me, 187J to '80. 
He dietl Oct. -\ 1881. Horace Mills in 
in 1880; Joseph l>. Morse, 1881. 

No. 2 was re-ort;ani/.etl and w;is dis- 
banded in December, 1875. Foremen : 
Lewis Wood, i868; Samuel Wells, 1869; 
he died Jan. 1878; Wn\. l>. Standish, 
1870 ti> '74; Ceo. r. Foster in 1874 — he 
died Jan. 1, iSSi. Charles H. Carter, in 
1875. All the ex-toremen of the compa- 
nies are residiiii; in town at the present 
date — Dec. 24, iS8i, but tiiose ijiven as 
residing elsewhere. 

The tire department of this villatie has 
been eminently successful, and has unques- 
tionably already been instrumental in .sav- 
ing hundreds of thousanils of dollars of 
property. .\nd now, with its :; ens;ines. 
nearly jooo teet ot hose. I.ulders, ami all 
other neeiltul ei|uipn>ents, .uul with its .il- 
most three lunidreil liremen to work anil 
man.ii^e tliein, is probably the best and 
most etlicient tire department in the State. 

There are now three companies in this 
village, otVicered for 1882 as follows : 

//(>(>/: tif.'i/ I iuiiier Company — H. C. 
Lull, torem.ui ; Wm. Cooilwin, 1st assist- 
ant ; John I'ori.d, 2il assistant; M. C. 
Kinson, i leik ; L. Rodney, steward. 



I\/ii^int- Ci>////>t7fn', Av'. 4 — Chas. F. Col- 
lins, foreman; Samuel Luke, 1st assist- 
ant; Fd. Donwoodie, 2d assistant; C. W. 
(iuernsey, clerk and collector; Hiram .At- 
kins, tre.isurer; Otis C. Miles, steward. 

J'.Hi^i/t(' Lotfiptuiy, Ao. 5 — Moses Lear- 
son, toreman ; Janus Cros.sett, ist a.ssist- 
ant; Marcus Lynch, toreman of ho.se; 
Charles D. F. Hancrott, secretary and col- 
lector ; Robert J. Hargin, treasurer; Lu- 
cius .S. (unnlwin, steward. 

The Hook and L.ulder h.is Oo men; 
No. 4, 70 men; No. 5, 75 men. Lhere 
are three other engines that have no com- 
pan\' ; iuit are never needed now as the 
village h.is tour pumps. Tiieron O. Bai- 
ley's steam pump .it the Pavilion, I'dwin 
W. Hailey's iniil-[nimp, w.iter-power, the 
c.ib shop pumj), bv w.iter power .mil the 
Lane Manulacturing Co. i)ump bv water 
power, and these immps are so situateil as 
to be suthcient, with the present companies, 
in all cases of tire that may occur here. 

A ver\ h.uulsome cart, cost about ;?iooo, 
w.is puich.ised tor the Hook .mil Ladder 
Comp.my some 1 -' ye.us since. I'iie tire 
companies are all volunteer companies, 
exempt from poll taxes for tire services ; 
h.ive a gooil business account, and were 
never in better condition than at the 
present. [i". i>i" v. n.J 

r.\l>l>lTlONAI,,] 

UNION Ml'Tli.Vl. KIKK INS. tXK 

Mr. Walton's history of Montpelier was 
written nearly a dozen years .igo, before 
the above-named companv was organized, 
and in hastily making it out that company 
w.is .iicident.ilh omitted. It lonnnenced 
business July 28, 1875, and .-Vug. i, 1881, 
it had #2,716,590.50 insured, with premi- 
um notes to the amount of $163,105.82. 
The otlicers are W. C. Ferrin, Pies., J. 
W. Prock, \'ice Pies., A. C. Prown, .Sec, 
W. !•'. Pi.im.m. Pre. IS. 

iMONi i:k AiuM 1 rio.Msrs. 

The tirst antislavery votes for President 
ever cast in Montpelier, were given to 
James C. Uirney in 1840, and the honor 
belongs to Zenas Wood, John Wood, 
Henry Y. Harnes. He/.eki.ih Ward and 
Joseph Somerby. Phe whole number cast 
in the .St.ite w.is 319. 
[See portrait of Zenas Wood, opposite.] 







1 n ) 



M-. 



ir/ 



MONTPELIER. 



551 



GRADUATES OF MONTPELIER. 

Some of the graduates of Montpelier, to 
which further additions can be made in 
this work, in a supplementary form. From 
President Buckham, of Burlington 
College, we have received the following 
account for this town of 
graduates from the vt. university : 
Library, University of Vt., ? 
Burlington, Nov. 24, 1881. ) 

To President Buckham : 

My Dear Sir. — I beg to hand you below 
the information which 1 understood you to 
desire yesterday, regarding the graduates 
of the University who have entered from 
Montpelier. This list is necessarily very 
imperfect, from the fact that no annual 
catalogues were issued before 1808; and 
the further fact that we possess no copies 
of those of the following years: 1809 to 
1821, 1824 to 1833, 1864 to 1865. 

In 1824, George Washington Houghton 
was graduated ; in 1827, Nicholas Baylies ; 
1838, George Washington Reed; 1840, 
James Reed Spalding; 1844, Carlos Allen 
Sprague ; 1845, Charles Dewey and Na- 
thaniel George Clark ; 1846, James Pren- 
tiss and Jonathan Allen Wainwright ; 1847, 
George Washington Cottrill ; 1848, Edward 
Bingham Chamberlain and Geo. Sennott ; 
1847, Charles Carroll Spalding; 1849, 
Charles Loomis ; 1852, Jedd Philo Clark 
Cottrill; 1853, George Robinson Thomp- 
son; 1856, Charles Colburn Prentiss, Geo. 
Bailey Spalding and Henry Lingan Lamb ; 
1858, Alfred Bowers Thompson; i860, 
James Stevens Peck ; 1861, John Pushee 
Demeritt and John Wright Norton; 1862, 
James Wilson Davis and J. Monroe Poland. 

Besides these, I find record of William 
K. Upham as a sophomore in 1834 and 
Theodore Prentiss in 1839; John Barnard 
and George Bradshaw as juniors in 1840; 
Henry Lee Dodge, a senior in 1845 i Alfred 
Washburn Pitkin, sophomore in 1843; 
Oscar Silver, freshman in 1842; Samuel 
Mosely Walton, sophomore in 1843 ! Tim- 
othy Abbott and Charles Warren Badger, 
freshmen in 1844. 

From East MoHtpelier. — Lewis Earned 
Coburn and Milo Latimer Templeton in 
1859; Salvin Collins Clark, freshmen in 
1854. 



If Montpelier is credited with A. B. 
Thompson, (1858,) I see not why Charles 
Wheeler Thompson, (1854,) should not 
be set down to the same town — though in 
point of fact both of them came from the 
same house on the Berlin side of the 
Winooski river, and C. W. T. called him- 
self of Berlin, as he truly was. So, too, 
J. W. Norton, if I rightly recollect, was 
not really from Montpelier, but from Berlin 
or Middlesex. 

The above is the best showing I can 
make, by reason of our lack of over 30 an- 
nual catalogues. j. e. g. 

(Gov.) Asahel Peck was in college at 
Burlington in his senior term, and Charles 
G. Eastman entered and was for a time 
there, and Dr. Julius Y. Dewey graduated 
at the medical department in 1823. E. P. 
Walton and Hon. S. S. Kelton also, give 
as graduates at this college from Mont- 
pelier : David M. Camp, 1810; Charles 
Strong Smith, and Thomas Davis Strong, 
1848; Charles H. Heath, 1854; Benjamin 
Franklin Fifield, 1855; Charles Daley 
Swazey, 1859, o^ Montpelier, and Geo. B. 
Nichols, now of Chicago ; Henry Dodge, 
now in California; C. A. Sprague now in 

Watertown, Wis. ; Hollister, of 

East Montpelier. 

graduates at middlebury college. 

Class of i?>o6. — Rev. Chester Wright, 
first pastor of Bethany church ; atite, page 
388. 

Class of 1807. — Jona. C. Southmayd. 

Class of 1808. — Joshua Y. Vail. 

Class of 18 1 7. — Charles Watrous, 
page 498. 

(r/rtJ'j<?/'i82o.— Marcus TuLLius Cicero 
Wing, and Daniel P. Thompson. 

Class of 1825. — Asahel C. Washburn. 

GRADUATES AT .DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 

Class of 182s. — Rev. George Barney 
Manser, first pastor of Christ Church ; 
ante, see pages 411, 414, 415. 

Class of 1832. — Charles William 
Prentiss, son of the Hon. Samuel and 
Lucretia (Houghton) Prentiss, was born at 
Montpelier, Oct. 18, 1812. He read law 
and commenced practice at Irasburg ; rep- 
resented it in the Vt. Legislature 2 years ; 
removed his office to Montpelier. He 
married Caroline Kellogg, of Peacham. — 
Alnmni tablet. 



552 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Class of 1835. — Charles Reed, page 
513, whose wife, says the record of Dart- 
mouth, is grand-daughter of President 
Eleazer Wheelock. 

Class of \%T^(i. — Redfield and Colby; 
Stoddard Colby, page 468 ; Judge Redfield, 
page 540. 

Timothy Parker Redfield, A. M., 
the son of Dr. Peleg and Hannah (Parker) 
Redfield, was born at Coventry, Nov, 3, 
181 1. He read law and began practice at 
Irasburg, in 1S37 ; represented it in the 
Vt. Legislature in 1839; was also a State 
senator in 1848; removed that year to 
Montpelier, and there continues, promi- 
nent in his profession. He married Helen 
W., daughter of Maj. William Granniss, 
of Stanstead, P. O., Feb.6, 1840. Isaac 
Redfield, D. C. 1825, is his brother. — 
Alumni tablet. 

Stoddard Benham Colby, A. M., the 
son of Capt. Nehemiahand Melinda (Lar- 
rabee) Colby, was born at Derby, Feb. 3, 
1816. He read law at Lyndon; began 
practice at Derby ; represented it in the 
Legislature of Vt. ; removed to Montpelier, 
and remained until 1864; was State's At- 
torney for Washington Co. in 185 1 and 
1852 ; became register of the U. S. Treas- 
ury in Aug. 1864. He married, ist, Har- 
riet Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. Jabez 
Proctor, of Proctorsville, Feb. 11, 1840; 
2d, Ellen Cornelia, daughter of Caleb Hunt, 
of Haverhill, N. H., July 12, 1855. — Abctn- 
ni tablet. 

Class of \Z\-}y. — Rev. William Hayes 
Lord, pastor of Bethany church, p. 393. 

Class of i?>^7 . — OziAS Cornwall Pit- 
kin, the son of Dea. Alfred and OrphaW. 
Pitkin, was born at Montpelier, May 2, 
1827. He taught at Morrisville 2 years ; 
was head of the high school at Taunton, 
Mass., 5 years ; removed to Chelsea Mass., 
in 1854. He married Caroline M., dau. of 
Wm. Muenscher, of Taunton, Mar. 1852. 
— Aliiiiini tablet. 

Class of\%^\ . — Charles Wesley Wil- 
LARD, page 492. 

Class of 1854. — Charles Franklin 
Smith, the son of Oramel Hopkins and 
Mary (Goss) Smith, was born at Mont- 
pelier, about 1833, and died at Hancock, 
Mich., Apr. 23, 1864, aged 31. He read 
law with his father ; went into practice at 
Chicago, 111., but removed to Hancock, 2 
or 3 years prior to his death. — Ahanni 
tablet. 

Class of 1862. — Chauncey Warriner 
Town, the son of Ira Strong and Frances 



Miretta (Witherell) Town, was born at 
Montpelier, July 4, 1840. He read law, 
and has opened an office in New York city. 
— Alumni tablet. 

Class of iS6'^. — Hiram Augustus H USE, 
the son of Hiram S. and Emily M. (Blod- 
gett) Huse, was born at Randolph, Jan. 
17, 1843; resident lawyer at Montpelier, 
and present librarian of the Vt. St. Hist. 
Society; contributor for Randolph in vol. 
II. this work, and to the present volume. 

Class of 1866. — Chester W. Merrill, 
the son of Ferrand Fassett and Eliza 
Maria (Wright) Merrill, was born at Mont- 
pelier, Apr. 23, 1846. He has been an 
Assistant at the New Ipswich Academy. — 
Ahanni tablet. 

Mr. Merrill is now Librarian of the Cin- 
cinnati Free Public Library. 

Class of 1866. — George Washington 
Wing, the son of Joseph Addison and 
Samantha Elizabeth (Webster) Wing, was 
born at Plainfield, Oct. 22, 1843. — Alumni 
tablet. {See next page} 

Class of 1867. — Howard F. Hill, the 
son of John M 'Clary and Elizabeth Lord 
(Chase) Hill, was born at Concord, N. H., 
July 21, 1846. — Alumni tablet. 

Mr. Hill is now Rector of Christ Church, 
Montpelier. 

THOMAS W. wood, 

only son of the late John Wood, is also a 
son of Montpelier, of whom her people 
are very justly and highly proud. With a 
natural genius for sketching and painting, 
he has persevered until, by his long expe- 
rience and correct taste, he has become 
one of the best realistic and portrait paint- 
ers in the country, and has so commanded 
the admiration and respect of his brother 
artists that he is honored with the office of 
President of an association of artists in 
New York city. Mr. Wood's winter studio 
is in New York city, but his summers are 
generally spent in Vermont, at " Athen- 
wood," an unique and beautiful cottage in 
a mountain gorge, which, however, over- 
looks the village of Montpelier. He is 
not merely a very successful artist, but a 
gentleman who is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. We have hoped to re- 
ceive data for a more detailed notice, but 
are obliged to go to press with this imper- 
fect one. E. p. w. 



MONTPELIER. 



553 



(^Dartmouth Graduates, continued.) 

Herbert Stebbins, now at Andover Theo- 
logical Seminary, John W. Page, WilUam 
A. Lord, Rush P. Barrett and Ashton R. 
Willard of this town, are also Dartmouth 
graduates. 

Amherst College — Class of 1869. — 
D. G. Thompson, Henry K. Field. 

Class of 1870. — John B. Thurston, J. 
Edward Miller. 

Class of i8yi. — J. C. Houghton, Jr., 
John V. Brooks. 

Class of 1876. — Albert A. Redway and 
Osman D. Clark. 

Denison University, (Ohio). — Rev. 
Henry A. Rogers, present pastor of the 
Baptist Church, Montpelier. 

Grand Seminary OF Arras (France). 
Very Rev. Zephyrinus Druon, — page 423. 

Grand Seminary of Vannes, (France.) 
Joseph Duglue, present pastor of St. Au- 
gustine's church, Montpelier, — page 424. 

Harvard College. — Class of 1858, 
Rev. Charles A. Allen, first pastor of the 
Church of the Messiah; Rev. J. Edward 
Wright, present pastor of the same ; class 
of 1878, William Zebina Bennett, Profes- 
sor of Chemistry and Philosophy in Wor- 
cester University, Ohio; and Charles J. 
Hubbard, Romeo G. Brown and Carrol 
King are now coUegiates at Harvard. 

Princeton College, N.J. — Rev. Fred- 
erick W. Shelton, who was rector of Christ 
church . 

Tufts College. — W. L. Warren, 1869. 

Union Theological Seminary, (New 
York city). — Class of 1863, James W. 
Davis . 

Yale College. — Rev. J. H. Hincks 
graduated at this college, A. B., in 1874, 
and at the Theological Seminary S. F. B., 
in 1876; and J. R. Brackett, Principal of 
the High School here has the "P. H. D." 
from Yale, received in 1879. 

The following Montpelier clergymen 
have received the D. D. : Rev. Wm. H. 
Lord, Rev. F. W. Shelton, Rev. Andrew 
Hull, and Rev. Eli Ballou. 



Ladies who have graduated at college : 
Clara Pitkin at Oberlin, Letitia Durant 
at Burlington, or \J. V. M., Emma 
Hoyt at Vassar. 

origin of the christian messenger. 

A recent visit to the rooms of the New 
England Methodist Historical Society in 
Boston, has given us an opportunity to 
find the files of the early issues of the 
" Vermont Christian Messenger," and from 
them we have the following definite infor- 
mation regarding its origin. The first 
number was issued under date of Mar. 12, 
1847, at Newbury, Rev. S. P. Williams 
being the publisher; Rev. Wm. W. Wil- 
lett and Rev. E. J. Scott, editors; N. 
Granger agent, and L. J. Mclndoe printer. 
Mr. Williams (then presiding elder of 
Danville District) retired from the publish- 
ing interest as announced in the issue of 
July 16, 1847, and Messrs. Willett & Scott 
became the proprietors as well as editors. 
On Jan. i, 1848, the "Messenger" was 
removed to Montpelier, and on March 11, 
of the same year. Rev. E.J. Scott became 
the sole proprietor and chief editor, with 
Rev. J. T. Peck, A. M., (now Bishop 
Peck) as the corresponding editor. On 
Sept. 6, 1848, Rev. A. Webster became 
joint proprietor with Mr. Scott, and on 
Mar. 6, 1850, the names of E. J. Scott 
and A. J. Copeland appeared as proprie- 
tors. On Nov. 6, 1850, Mr. Scott was 
announced as sole proprietor, and on Jan. 
I, 185 1, as sole editor also. We have not 
been able to find the files of the succeed- 
ing years to 1 861, and will be very grateful 
for information which will give us access 
to any which may be in existence. 

J. R. Bartlett. 
Barre, Vt., Dec. 30, 1881. 

GOLDEN WEDDINGS. 

Mr. and Mrs. Capt. Joseph Somerby, 
celebrated the first golden wedding in 
Montpelier village many years ago. 

Mr. and Mrs. Worcester Sprague, cele- 
brated their golden wedding Mar. 11, 1878. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nutt, celebrated 
their golden wedding June 18, 1878. All 
of this village. 



70 



554 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE 4TH OF JULY, 1807. 

Well does the writer remember the ap- 
pearance of the village the first time he 
entered it, which was on the fourth of 
July, 1807. State street had then been 
surveyed, but not opened. There had 
been before one bridge across the Branch, 
and that was at the Union House ; but 
even that had been carried away, we think, 
by the flood of the previous sjjring. At 
all events, no bridge was there then. The 
men and women rode through the stream 
on horses, or in carts and wagons, and we 
boys rolled up our trowsers over our knees 
and waded across, not one in ten of us be- 
ing cumbered with either stockings or 
shoes. The point of attraction was the 
new State House grounds, and our way led 
along the old road down the ri\er, under 
the hill, where the back street now ex- 
tends from the Union House to the Cath- 
olic Church. All on our left, after passing 
the Colonel Davis establishment, and one 
or two small houses on the bank to the 
east of it, was a smooth, broad, well-tilled 
meadow, covered with wa\'ing green corn. 
Two lines of stakes running east and west 
could be traced through the midst of the 
meadow. 

" What in the world are all those stakes 
for, setting up .so straight and curious, all 
in a row there ?'' asked one of the older, 
out of town boys. " Those stakes ? Why 
they are to show where we are to have a 
new handsome street from the new State 
House right across the Branch, with a 
fine, elegant new bridge," replied a village 
boy, pricking up with pride at the thought. 
" A street," rejoined the other, " well, I 
wonder wheie they expect to find houses 
to put upon it. It appears to me you vil- 
lage folks are trying to grow grand all at 
once. When you get the new State House 
up, I expect we shan't be able to touch 
you with a rod pole." 

This natural little bout of words among 
the boys of that time, showed two things 
better than a page of elucidation ; — first, 
the extent of the important changes and 
improvements in contemplation for the 
village, and second, the starting points of 
the simultaneous growth of that village 
pride and country jealousy, which, proba- 
bly, are ever in a greater or less degree to 
be found, wherever villages exist, to crow 
and affect superiority, and country towns 
to build up and sustain them. 

When we reached tlie place where the 
then novelty of our national jubilee was to 
be celebrated, we found the exercises of 
the clay were to be performed on the 
ground-work of the new State House, the 
foundation walls of which were all up, the 
sills and flooring timbers framed together, 



and roughly floored over, and the plates 
and some other of the hea\'y upper timbers 
ranged round tlie borders of this ground 
frame-work. Near tlie centre of the area 
thus formed, was erected a broad platform, 
on which was placed a table and several 
chairs for the orator of the day and those 
who assisted in the usual services : while 
around it, on the borders of the whole 
area, were erected bushes, or rather small 
trees, freshly cut and brought from the ad- 
joining woods on the hill, to serve for 
shade for the speaker and audience. The 
orator was Paul Dean, a Universalist min- 
ister, who resided in Boston, but who 
about that time preached for some small 
period in different parts of Montpelier. 

This was the first general public celebra- 
tion of the Fourth of July ever held in 
Montpelier. A small village celebration 
was, however, held the preceding summer, 
in a booth, built in a meadow near the 
Davis mills on the Branch, and Dr. Ed- 
ward Lamb wrote and delivered the ora- 
tion. — Thompson. 

GEN. PERLEY P. PITKIN 
was born in Marshfield, son of Truman 
Pitkin, and grandson of Hon. Stephen of 
Marshfield, and Gen. Parley Davis of 
Montpelier. His father removed to what 
is now East Montpelier, and shortly his 
mother died, leaving three young children. 
Perley P. was brought up under the eye of 
Gen. Davis, married in East Montpelier, 
represented that town 2 years, and resided 
there until the breaking out of the rebell- 
ion. June 6, 1861. he was commissioned 
Quarter Master of the 2d Regt. of Vermont 
Vohmteers, and went to the front. The 
writer of this notice was then in Washing- 
ton, and well remembers the astonishment 
of the red-tape gentlemen of the War De- 
partmentat the promptitude ofO. M. Pitkin 
in the discharge of his duties, and the vim 
with which he demanded supplies. His 
controlling idea was that Vermont bo\s 
musfhe taken care of, and they were, as well 
as an efficient officer could do it. His valu- 
able qualities were soon discovered, and in 
less than a year he was promoted to the 
rank of Captain, and not long after to that 
of Colonel and head of the Depot Depart- 
ment of the army of the Potomac. He re- 
turned to Montpelier, where his family was 
located, and entered into business with 
Dennis Lane and J. W. Brock in the manu- 



MONTPELIER. 



555 



facture of saw-mills, which now have a wide 
reputation ; and this has been developed 
into the Lane Manufacturing Company, 
which now has the largest and most suc- 
cessful business which any manufacturing 
concern in Montpelier has ever had. He 
resigned his colonelcy and was elected 
Quarter-Master General of the State, and 
having charge of the State Arsenal, and 
military supplies far beyond the wants 
of the State, he succeeded in making sales 
to foreign governments, which materially 
aided the State treasury and reduced the 
burden of taxation of the people. He rep- 
resented Montpelier in the legislature 
1874-5, and since his residence has al- 
most constantly been employed in town 
and village offices. e. y. w. 

FIRST ELECTION DAY IN MONTPELIER. 

By the terms of the act, locating the 
seat of government at Montpelier, the 
State House was to be completed by the 
first of September, 1808. It was done; 
and great were the preparations made 
among the villagers, and great tlie antici- 
pations raised among them and through all 
the surrounding community, in view of the 
advent of the new and important day of 
" Election y Streets were cleared of lum- 
ber and rubbish, side-walks prepared of 
plank or gravel, houses painted, new suits 
of clothes purchased, and everything made 
to assume the sprucest appearance. A 
fine artillery company uniformed through- 
out with plumed Bonaparte hats and the 
dress of field officers in all except the epau- 
lette on the privates, was organized from 
among the first citizens of this and the 
neighboring towns, to serve as the gover- 
nor's guard, and be in special attendance 
on Election days. Of this company Isaac 
Putnam, a man nearly six feet high, weigh- 
ing over two hundred pounds, well propor- 
tioned, and as noble in soul as in body, 
had the honor of being chosen the first 
captain, and no one of those present now 
living can fail to recall his fine and com- 
manding military appearance on those oc- 
casions as he stood up between his soldiers 
and the encircling crowd, like Saul among 
the people. An iron six-pounder field 
piece had been procured ; and a thrill of 
excitement ran through the excited hearts 
of all the boys of the community at the 
news, that when the election of State 
officers was declared on Election clay, " a 
cannon, a great cannon, was to be fired in 
Montpelier Hollow !" 

The eventful day at length came, and 



with it two-thirds of the population of all 
the neighboring country, 15 or 20 miles 
around, came pouring into the village. 
But instead of attempting any further gen- 
eral description of the then entire novelties 
of the day and their eftect on the multitude, 
we will, at the risk of the imputation of 
losing our dignity as a historian, again 
have recourse to the reminiscences of our 
boyhood. We were, of course, there on 
that day among the throngs of excited 
boys, congregated from all quarters, to 
witness the various sights and performances 
expected on that important occasion. A 
showy procession had been formed in the 
fore part of the day, led by tlie military in 
all the marching pomp of flying colors and 
rattling drums, and followed by the State 
officers, members of the legislature and a 
concourse of citizens, and the Election 
sermon had been preached by the Rev. 
Sylvanus Haynes, pastor of the Baptist 
Church of Middletown. The House of 
Representatives had been organized by the 
election of Dudley Chase, Esq., of Ran- 
dolph, Speaker; and a canvassing com- 
mittee appointed still earlier in the day and 
put to work in counting the votes for State 
officers. And as the hour of sunset ap- 
proached, and as there had been for some 
hours no public demonstrations to be wit- 
nessed, a great proportion of the crowd 
was scattered all over the village. We 
and a lot of other boys were standing in 
the street somewhere against our present 
Court House, when, sudden as the burst- 
ing of a thunderclap, the whole village 
shook with the explosion of the cannon on 
the State House common. VV^e all instant- 
ly ran at the top of our speed for the spot. 
When we had got about half way there, 
we met a gang of other boys from one of 
the back towns, who, taken by surprise 
and seized with panic at the stunning 
shock, were fleeing for their 4ives in the 
opposite direction ; but gaining a little 
assurance from seeing us rushing toward 
the scene of their fright, one, braver than 
the rest, stopped short, boldly faced about 
and exclaimed, "Hoo! I an't a n'attom 
afraid !" and all now joining in the race, 
we were, in another minute, within a few 
rods of the smoking gun, which had been 
discharged on the announcement of the 
election of Isaac Tichenor as Governor. 
The next moment our attention was at- 
tracted by the voice of Israel P. Dana, 
sherift'of the county, standing on the upper 
terrace of the State House, and loudly pro- 
claiming — "Hear ye! hear ye ! hear ye! 
the Honorable Paul Brigham has been 
elected Lieutenant Governor, in and over 
the State of Vermont, by the suffrages of 
the freemen . God save the people !" Then 



556 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



another discharge of the piece saluted our 
recoiling ears and sent its sharp echoes 
from side to side between the encircling 
hills. Then came the announcement of 
the election of Benjamin Swan as Treas- 
urer, followed by a third gun ; then the 
last announcement of the election of Coun- 
cillors, followed by a fourtli gun ; and then, 
without further official announcements, the 
salute of guns was continued till one for 
each of the states had been fired. 

Such were the performances on the first 
Election day in Montpelier, and such the 
interest and excitement they created among 
the multitude. — Thompson. 

HON. JOSEPH POLAND, 

second son of the late Dea. Luther and 
Nancy (Potter) Poland, was born in 
Underbill, Mar. 14, 181S; removed with 
his father in 1821 to Coifs Gore, now 
Waterville, and worked on a farm till 1835, 
when he came as an apprentice to the 
Montpelier W^atcJmian office, and remain- 
ed until 1839. January i, 1839, l''^ com- 
menced the publication of the Voice of 
Freedofft, but in less than a year sold out 
on account of ill health. In June, 1840, 
he started the Lamoille Whig at Johnson, 
and continued it 3 years. In 1844, he re- 
turned to Montpelier, and established the 
Green Mountain F?-ee)nan, and continued 
it until Dec. 1848. In 1868, in connection 
with his son, J. Monroe, he purchased the 
Watchman and Journal, of which he is 
still in charge. It is probable that no ed- 
itor in Vermont, now in the harness, has 
had Mr. Poland's experience of 25 years in 
connection with the public press. 

Mr. Poland has held numerous public 
offices, the duties of all having been faith- 
fully performed: In 1842, assistant clerk 
of the House of Representatives; 1852-3, 
judge of probate for Washington County ; 
i858-'6o, state Senator; i870-'7i, town 
representative; 1861-68, collector of U. 
S. internal revenue for the first Congres- 
sional District; 1849-1881, secretary and 
director of The Farmers' Mutual Fire In- 
surance Co7Hpatiy — offices which he has 
held ever since the organization of the 
company, and to which he has been an- 
nually elected by unanimous votes. 

Mr. Poland may well be ranked as a 
veteran in the celebrated anti-slavery 



movement which has now become histori- 
cal, having enlisted in 1843, and conducted 
the organ of the party in Vermont, and 
served as chairman of its State Committee, 
for many years ; so that he may now prop- 
erly indulge in the double boast of both 
him that girdeth on the harness and he 
that putteth it off — having lived to see 
American slavery not only forever extin- 
guished by the organic law of the land, but 
remembered only with such detestation 
that history blushes at the record. 

In 1840 Mr. Poland married Mary Ann, 
daughter of the late Joseph Rowell. They 
had 7 children, of whom 5 have died : 
3 in infancy, Clara A., a beautiful 
daughter, in 1865, and Charles F., when 
developing into a promising manhood, in 
1875. Two sons survive, J. Monroe and 
Edward R. Mrs. Poland died in 1862, 
and in 1873 Mr. P. married Miss Julia M. 
Harvey, daughter of James K. Harvey, of 
Barnet, deceased. 

Mr. Poland joined the first Congrega- 
tional (Bethany) church in 1839, "^"^^ ^'^^ 
several years he has been one of its deacons, 
an earnest worker in its Sabbath-school, 
and a promoter of all reformative and 
Christian enterprises. He is favorably 
known in the churches of Vermont, and is 
now publisher of two religious newspapers, 
the Vermont Chronicle and the A'cio Hamp- 
shire Journal. E. P. w. 

OLD PEOPLE OF 1 88 1. 

The oldest man living in town is Dr. 
Nathaniel C. King, born July 19, 1789; 
settled in the north part of the old town in 
1805, and came to the village to reside in 

1875- 

The oldest woman residing in town is 
Mrs. Lucy Mead, born July 2^, 1789; has 
been a resident of the village since 1813. 

The oldest person living in the village, 
and born in the limits of the old town, is 
Orin Cummins, born Feb. 23, 1801. 

The oldest person living in the village, 
born in the limits of the new town, is John 
Q. A. Peck, born in 1808. 

The oldest person living in town and 
born in the village limits, is Snow Town, 
born in 1806. 



J/"^"''*^ 




MONTPELIER. 



557 



The oldest person living in the village, 
and born in the village, is Wm. Nelson 
Peck, born Sept. i8, 1811. 

The oldest resident of the village is Hon. 
Elijah Paine Jewett, who has resided here 
since 1805, and is 80 years of age. 

The oldest French resident of the town 
is Joseph Wood, who came in 1831, and 
is now 85 years of age. 

The oldest Irish resident in town is 
James McLaughlin, who came in 1832, and 
is now 80 years of age. Mr. John Murphy 
came in 1834, and is now 86 years of age. 

WILLIAM W. CADWELL. 

Among the very old and worthy citizens 
of Montpelier was William W. Cadwell, 
who was born in Hatfield, Mass., May 12, 
1799, and in the same year was brought to 
Montpelier by his father, Wyllis I. Cadwell. 
He succeeded his father in trade for many 
years, and on retiring was employed as 
town clerk, magistrate, overseer of the 
poor, &c. He was esteemed as an honest 
man, always having the interests of the 
town at heart. He died suddenly in 1877, 
aged 78 years. 

The above was not written in time to 
appear with the biographies of deceased 
citizens of Montpelier. e. p. w. 

[We had filed and overlooked till now.] 

MRS. GOVERNOR RANSOM, 

a native of Montpelier, and a sister of 
William W. Cadwell, Esq., who died at 
the residence of her son-in-law in Fort 
Scott, Kansas, Nov. 17, 1877. She was 
for many years a resident of Michigan, of 
which state her husband was both gover- 
nor and chief justice. Mrs. Ransom's 
name before marriage was Almira Cadwell. 
The home of the Cadwells was in the old 
house still standing at the head of State 
Street. Mrs. Constant W. Storrs and 
Mrs. Geo. P. Ricker are the only represen- 
tatives of the old family left here, now. 
Almira Cadwell, it is said, was a beautiful 
girl. The old house was considered the 
only house in Montpelier worthy to re- 
ceive Lafayette in, on his visit to the capi- 
tal of the State of the Green Mountain 
Boys, for whom the great French General 
always had a particular admiration. 



MRS. SARAH SPALDING, 

widow of the late Hon. John Spalding, who 
was for many years the treasurer of the 
State of Vermont, died at her home in 
Montpelier Jan. 19, 1874, in her 83d year. 
Mrs. Spalding, a virtuous and excellent 
woman, was a great sufferer for many 
years previous to her death, and an inva- 
lid for over 40 years. A few days before 
her death, she had a second paralytic 
shock, after which she was never able to 
speak. She was the mother of 8 children, 
among whom was 

CHARLES C. SPALDING, 

a graduate of Burlington College, see page 
"Charles Spalding was first civil en- 
gineer for a time. In 1849, when the 
California gold fever broke out, he was 
among the pioneers who sought that auri- 
ferous land, making the passage in a sailing 
vessel around Cape Horn. His success at 
mining was indifferent. Returning home 
via the Pacific coast and the Gulf of Mexi- 
co, he spent about a year in Montpelier, 
when he went to New York and entered 
the service of Harnden & Co. as express 
messenger between New York and Boston. 
Soon going West, he engaged in survey- 
ing and railroad engineering in Ohio, Illi- 
nois and Kentucky. At the time of the 
establishment of Kansas as a territory, he 
was living in one of the border counties 
of Missouri, where he married a Missouri 
lady. He took part in the establishment 
of its territorial government, making pre- 
liminary surveys and encouraging immigra- 
tion by writing special letters to the New 
York Tribune, which attracted no little 
attention in the East. He published a pa- 
per in Lawrence, Kansas, and was elected 
an alderman, and was for a short time 
mayor of the city. He took the democrat- 
ic side on the outbreak of the Kansas war, 
and soon after left the state. He after- 
wards taught school, and at the breaking 
out of the war returned to the East, en- 
listing in the 6th Vermont Regiment, 
served 2 years, came home and started the 
Newport Netvs, at Newport, Vt. This he 
sold, and went to Boston in 1866, and took 
a position on the Boston Post. In 1869, 
he became connected with the Boston 
Herald, and remained with that paper up 
to the time of his decease. He had been 
suffering from a complication of diseases, 
and his death was not unexpected. — Biir- 
lingtoti Free Press. 

He was perhaps best known to the pub- 
lic through the police court column of this 
journal, which he has written almost con- 



5S8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tinuously for several years past. The hu- 
mor, the philo-sophy, the philanthropy, 
which he has there introduced into his 
homilies upon the doings of the criminal 
classes of this Metropolis, have endeared 
him in the hearts of thousands of people 
who knew him not personally, and who 
will regret sincerely his demise. — Rutland 
Herald. 

[See biography of Hon. John Spalding, 
page 487.] 

JAMES REED SPALDING, 

of the class of 1840, died at Dover, N. H., 
early in October, 1872, in the fiftieth year 
of his age. He was a native bf Montpelier, 
and chose journalism as his profession, 
soon after his graduation. He first gained 
reputation as the chief editorial writer of 
the New York Courier and Enquirer, dur- 
ing the last year of its existence. From 
that paper he went to the New York 
World, which he was interested in estab- 
lishing as a religious, rather than a political 
newspaper ; but the experiment soon failed 
in that form, and when Mr. Marble got 
possession of the paper, and turned it into 
a democratic organ, Mr. Spalding left it 
and went upon the Times, where he re- 
mained many years and did his best work. 
His daily leader — generally upon a politi- 
cal subject — was uniformly the best piece 
of writing upon the editorial page, uniting 
vigor with finish, full knowledge of his 
theme, and a statesman's grasp of its rela- 
tions. He had his first attack of paralysis 
before the death of Mr. Raymond, and re- 
tired to the country, but for some months, 
at least, kept up his constant contributions 
to the editorial department of the paper. 
He was a man of high literary attainments 
and was an essayist rather than an editor. 
To a moral character of great purity was 
added the fervor of Christian faith, which 
did not find utterance in noisy declaration, 
but shone luminously in the simplicity of 
his manners, and the consecration of his 
splendid powers to the advocacy of such 
principles as he deemed best calculated to 
benefit mankind. The disease which im- 
paired his powers in later life and eventu- 
ally caused his death was apoplectic paraly- 
sis. One of his finest public eff"orts was 
an oration delivered at the semi-centennial 
celebration of the foundation of this Uni- 
versity, in 1854. — U. I'. M. Obituary. 

Mr. Spalding was brother of Rev. George 
B. Spalding of Dover, N. H., editor of 
the New Hampshire Journal, and son of 
Dr. James Spalding — p. 445. Dr. James 
and Hon. John Spalding, father of Charles 
Carrol, were brothers. 



MARCUS D. OILMAN, 

born in Calais, Jan. 28, 1820, came to 
Montpelier in 1835, and was engaged in 
merchandise there and at Northfield until 
1845, when he started out on a tour in 
search of a favorable place in which to 
locate. This tour embraced the Atlantic 
cities from Boston to Baltimore, and the 
western cities and promising towns to the 
Mississippi river. He was greatly im- 
pressed by Chicago, then a fresh city of 
about 8000 inhabitants, among whom were 
many Vermonters. Having in the mean- 
time married Maria Malleville, daughter of 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin, of Montpelier, he 
left that town in June, 1845, with his wife 
and his few effects, for Chicago, and in less 
than a week after his arrival formed a co- 
partnership with Charles Follansbee for a 
general mercantile business, wholesale and 
retail. At the end of the first year he pur- 
chased the entire stock, and from that 
time, either alone or with different part- 
ners, Mr. Oilman prosecuted his business, 
for most of the time in two wholesale estab- 
lishments — one of dry goods and the other 
of groceries;— and so successfully prosecu- 
ted it, that he was content to retire in 1868, 
when for two years he with his family re- 
sided at Riverside, Newton, Mass., and 
then returned to the old homestead and 
the scenes of their childhood and youth, at 
Montpelier, where their beautiful home 
still is. 

Politically Mr. Oilman has been from 
youth a Democrat, and his familiar ac- 
quaintance with and friendship for " Tlie 
Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas, in- 
spired in him a zeal that has never flagged. 
He has been the candidate of his party for 
Mayor, and also Treasurer of Chicago ; 
and he was tendered the candidacy for 
State Treasurer of Illinois, which he de- 
clined. He was the representative of 
Montpelier, i874-'5, and the only man 
ever elected as a Democrat since the di- 
vision of the old town ; but a Republican 
legislature had so high an appreciation of 
his integrity and business qualities that 
he was elected a Director of the State 
Prison. He was Librarian of the Vermont 
Historical Society, 1874-1881, and has 




N'***;^ 




a^c^^ 




/y&/^^^ 



MONTPELIER. 



559 



rendered the Society and the State inval- 
uable services, and his declination of further 
service is a great loss. His taste is for 
antiquities, history and biography, and his 
private library in these lines is probably 
more extensive and valuable than any- 
other in the State. He is an honorary 
or corresponding member of various his- 
torical and other organizations. He is 
President of the Vermont Numismatical 
Society, and will ere long appear as author 
of a Bibliography of Vennont, which he 
has been industriously preparing for sev- 
eral years. 

Mr. Oilman's political record to this date 
cannot be completed without adding that 
he was chairman of the Vermont delega- 
tion in the National Democratic Conven- 
tion of 1876, and voted for Samuel J. 
Tilden every time. His democracy is cer- 
tainly both unimpeachable and unappeas- 
able. 

For additional notices of Mr. Oilman 
and his family, see atite, pages 155-157. 

E. p. w. 

A soldier's letter — WAR OF '6 1. 

Extract : — Curtis A. Coburn was ap- 
pointed regimental postmaster at Brattle- 
boro, Vt., and also brigade postmaster 
while in camp near Washington ; we all 
liked him much. He was always very 
anxious that we should get our mails 
promptly and daily, if it was to be got at. 
He was transferred to the Signal Corps in 
August last, and was captured by the reb- 
els while on our retreat from Culpepper to 
Bull Run, in October. 

Sergt. Hiram M. Pierce, (in whom I 
feel more particularly interested, he always 
being with the Company,) has been a good 
soldier and done his duty well in every 
spot and place, and by his good conduct 
won the esteem of every member in the 
company ; always cheerful and happy. 
While a detachment of Cos. B, O, and K, 
were doing picket duty at Conrad's Ferry, 
Md., one year ago, he was detailed as act- 
ing quartermaster and also sergt. -major of 
the detachment, and in those positions he 
was found fully competent. By his gal- 
lantry at the battle of Orange Orove, he 
proved himself to be an earnest, brave and 
noble champion to the cause of humanity, 
liberty and his country. In the progess of 
that battle as we were ordered to fix bayo- 
nets and charge, on approaching the rail 
fence he spoke so loud that he was heard 



by every one in the company, " Come on 
Co. B," and was one of the first to climb 
the fence. He had been over but a mo- 
ment when I heard him exclaim — " I am 
wounded, my arm is broken." The next 
time I saw him was at Brandy Station, Va., 
several days afterwards ; as soon as I heard 
that the wounded had arrived, 1 went down 
to see them, and I found Sergt. Pierce; 
he appeared quite glad to see me, as I was 
to see him, but 1 felt very sorry to see him 
with but one arm, (his left arm was taken 
off above the elbow) . He told me that it 
had been very painful, for on account of 
the hasty retreat of the medical corps from 
the field in light marching order, his arm 
was not attended to until two or three days 
after the battle. 

Lieut. Stetson, who had been in com- 
mand of the company most of the time 
since we have been in the service, drew 
my attention at the battle of Orange 
Grove. He stood bravely at his post, re- 
marking "boys, keep cool, and do not 
shoot until you can see something to shoot 
at !" Lieut' Abbott of Co. D, (then act- 
ing as 1st Lieut, of Co. B,) was doing all 
all he could to keep a good line, and also 
to preserve good order in the company. 
After Oilman Storrs was shot, a boy that 
we have missed very much, Lieut. Stetson 
(whom you all know is not very easily 
scared), grasped a musket, and asking the 
boys if they had any ammunition for him, 
I gave him some caps, and some one else 
some cartridges, when he loaded and fired 
as fast as he could, remarking that " he 
hoped that each bullet would do good exe- 
cution, for they had killed his boy Oim." 
Lieut. Abbott came out with us as orderly 
sergeant, and after he was promoted to 2d 
lieut. of Co. D, the company very gener- 
ously presented him a sword, belt and 
shoulder-straps, costing about $50, as 
a testimony of their regard for him. — 
ll'atc/iinan. 

Curtis Coburn, who enlisted from Mont- 
pelier, learned the printer's trade at the 
Repository ofiice, of Mr. Charles H. Sev- 
erance, now of the VVatcfunan office. 
Coburn died in New Orleans ; see page 
523. . Lieutenants Abbott and Stetson, see 
page 522. 

CHARLES W. LYMAN, 

[To whom we find the following tribute 
in the Baltimore Atnerican,^ 

Died, Oct. 10, 1866, in Shelby, Ohio, 
after a short illness, C. W. Lyman, former- 
ly of Montpelier, leaving a young wife, 
child and numerous friends to mourn his 
untimely end. 



560 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He was among the foremost who rallied 
to his country's defense when the tocsin of 
war sounded, serving faithfully and gal- 
lantly as a line officer in the "Wallace 
Zouaves" of Indiana. Subsequently he 
was promoted to a position of great respon- 
sibility in the Southwest, where, for ability, 
integrity and honor, he won the highest 
encomiums from such men as " Grant, 
Sherman and McPherson" — men whom 
the nation loves to honor. As a man and 



a friend he was generous to a fault, and 
few can boast of more sincere friendship 
or warmer admirers. As a father and hus- 
band he was all that love and fidelity could 
make him ; young and full of ambitious 
hopes, he passed from our midst a bright 
example to all who love the generous and 
the good. — Watchman. 

His remains were brought to Montpelier 
and interred in Green Mount. 



CENTRAL VERMONT DEPOT AT MONTPELIER. 

Coming up from 
Montpeher Junction, 
some less than 2 miles 
below, we arrive at 
the Montpelier station 
in about five minutes' 
ride from the Junction. 
The cars stop at the 
new Central depot, 
which the eye strikes 
but a moment before 
landing — almost the 
same instant the State 
House, on the street 
beyond, on higher 
ground, and the prin- 
cipal part of State St. 
running along the river 
side, opens up a pleas- ^ 

ant view of the village of the Green Moun- 
tain Capital on the first approach to it by 
railroad from St. Albans and Burlington 
way. The first railroad depot building, 
which stood upon the same site, was erected 
in 1850 — a brick structure, 150x50 feet, 
creditable for the time, and a beginning; 
but a better building being desired in 
which to receive the Legislature, and more 
suitable to the place, the present commo- 
dious brick depot was erected, being*com- 
pleted September 1880. We have the view 
of the exterior ; the interior is well and 
conveniently finished for the Capital depot ; 
a very wide central hall — wide enough for 
the town representatives of several of the 
smaller counties of the State to walk through 
abreast — gentlemen and ladies' waiting: 




rooms upon the left, baggage room, tel- 



egraph and express offices upon the right. 
The whole building, warmed by steam, 
with all modern conveniences. 

The first train of cars entered Mont- 
pelier, June 20, 1849. The travelling 
public found accommodations a few months 
until the first depot house was built, in a 
freight house, first built, just over the track 
south. 

At this point in our description, failing 
to find exact data to continue, we wrote to 
J. W. Hobart, Gen. Supt. of the Cen. Vt. 
R. R. at St. Albans, that we had the en- 
graving of the depot, were preparing a 
sketch, and asking for such data and in- 
formation as he could give, who has sent 
the following descriptive letter, which, find- 
ing so interesting, we have concluded to 
sive entire : 



MONTPELIER. 



561 



MR. HOBART'S letter. 

St. Albans, Vt., Jan. 2, 18S2. 
Miss Hemenway : 

Madam : — Your tavor of the 3 1 st ult. came 
duly to hand, and I feel much interest in 
the subject of your enquiries. Probably 
there is no one hving who is more fa- 
miliar with the early history of the railroad 
in Montpelier than myself. The advent of 
the cars into that beautiful town occurred 
on the 4th of July, 1S49, and the tirst train 
consisted of ten platform cars, loaded with 
100 bbls. of fiour each, and covered with a 




[Vt. Mutual Fire Ins. Co.'s Building, — Railro 

new white cheese canvas over each car. 
The train was drawn by engine Winooski. 
John Danforth was engineer, and the writer 
of this was the conductor. Later in the 
day, passenger trains ran in charge of the 
same persons, and well do I remember the 
interest manifested and the commotion 
created among the people who came in 
from the surrounding country. There 
being a circus upon the meadow near Mrs. 
Nicholas' house, on the Berlin side, which 
taken together with the usual 4th of July 
as a holiday, the town was packed, and we 
were compelled to send men in advance to 
clear the way for the train. Every build- 
ing from which the cars could be seen was 
covered, every available window occupied, 
the tops of buildings were covered if pos- 
sible, and even the tree-tops were alive 
with people. 

Warner Hine, who was then master of 
transportation, was the acting agent at 
that station during the summer of 1849. 
In the autumn of that year the road was 
completed to Waterbury, and Mr. Hine 

71 



with his force was removed to that station, 
and Mr. J. Edwards Wright was made the 
first permanent station agent at Montpelier, 
where he remained until Aug. 185 1, re- 
signing his position at that time to engage 
in the purchase of wool in Ohio. A. V. H. 
Carpenter, now the General Passenger 
Agent of the Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R., 
succeeded Mr. Wright, and remained in 
that position until June, 1862, at which 
time he was relieved to take another po- 
sition, and J. W. Hobart was enstalled as 
the agent. Up to that time Mr. Hobart 
had been a clerk for both Mr. 
Wright and Mr. Carpenter. 
_ As you are aware, Montpelier 

is at the terminus of a branch 
ofone and one-fourth of a mile 
in length, and up to October of 
that year, all the trains passed 
in and out over the branch. In 
October they discontinued run- 
ning the main line trains into 
Montpelier, but in place estab- 
lished a branch train, consisting 
simply of a small engine, fitted 
up With seats each side of the 
tender. 

This engine was called the 
"Abigail Adams." It was de- 
termined in the course of a very 
few days that it would be im- 
possible to do the business of 
the Capital with the facilities 
then provided. So the Presi- 
dent, Gov. Paine, ordered a 
small car built, as the engine 
had not sufficient capacity to 
AD Square.] handle a large car, except under 
the most favorable circumstan- 
ces. Meantime, however, a large car was 
provided, and when the business required 
it, the car was attached to this miniature 
engine, which in many instances proved 
unequal to the task, and the conductor, 
who was none other than the agent at 
Montpelier, the cars of the branch trains 
having been added to his duties, the 
baggage master, and many times the en- 
gineer, were compelled to push in aiding 
the engine the whole distance, and it was 
not unfrequently the case, that the pas- 
sengers themselves, in response to a re- 
quest, would aid in furnishing power to 
move the train. 

I cannot now give you the name of the 
first engineer of this little engine, but one 
of the engineers who is now there, came 
soon afterwards. (I refer to Mr. James 
Bowers, and I have no doubt he will give 
you the name.) 

In due time the small car was finished, 
and we had less trouble. This car proved 
quite a novelty, it having been finished 
like an omnibus, with seats upon the side. 



562 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



This condition, however, did 
not last long, as it was found 
and admitted by the officers, 
who, by the way, were not 
over and above friendly tn 
Montpelier, that the facilities 
were entirely inadequate ; sc 
a full and quite a respectable 
train was provided, consisting 
ofan engine called the "Flying 
Dutchman," a baggage and a 
first-class passenger car. Soon 
after the management chan<; 
ed from Northfield to St. Al 
bans, and Montpelier \\a- 
evidently improved by th(_ 

change. James Bowers, who 

is still there, was one of the "^^^^ 
engineers who ran the "Flying 
Dutchman." J. W. Hobart 
remained there until March, 
1859, ^"^^ ^^^^ succeeded by 
the present incumbent, S. L. 
Howe, Esq., who was for some time pre- 
vious the assistant of Mr. Hobart. I am 
very nearly as familiar with the history of the 
railroad interest of Montpelier since this 
period, but as it covers a period of about 22 
years, and my time is limited, I leave it for 
others, Mr. Howe and many others in Mont- 
pelier being perfectly familiar with aftairs 
since the above date of 1839. It gives me 
much pleasure to communicate these facts, 
and if they are of any value to you in making 
up the history ot the best town in the 
State. I shall certainly be very well paid. 
I know very well all the gentlemen whose 
portraits you have, and they certainly will 
prove a very valuable accession to your 
history. 

1 intended to have mentioned earlier in 
my letter that our Vice President, Mr. 
James R. Langdon, is perhaps more fa- 
miliar with the history of our road than 
any gentleman in Montpelier. He, I think, 
was one of the original board of directors, 
with Gov. Paine as President. If at any 
time you should desire to make any further 
enquiry, it will give me pleasure to give 
you such information as I may have. 
Hoping you will continue to be as success- 
ful as you have been in the past, in the 
progress and completion of your work, and 
extending the compliments of the season, 
I remain very truly and 

Respectfully yours, 

J. W. Hobart. 

Mr. Bowers gives the engineers : Wm. 
Patterson, James Bowers, Henry Wallace, 
William Greenleaf, Fred Webster, Henry 
Buckley, Ed. Eaustice, Chas. Greenleaf, 
Wm. Dolloff, B. F. Merrill, Williahi Gould, 
Robert Gregg, David Daniels, A. S. Caswell. 




[Pavilion Hotel, opposite Central Vermont Depot.] 

Through the hall of the Central depot 
)ou pass on a broad pavement of brick 
over to State street and the Pavilion hotel, 
from the steps of which you look back and 
have a good view of the depot. The view 
was taken from the steps of the Pavilion. 
It is at the Pavilion the Governors always 
stop during the sessions of the Legislature. 

The baggage masters have been : Z. R. 
True, Gamaliel Washburn, S. E. Bailey, 
C. T. Hobart, H. W. Drew, T. W. Bailey, 
E. W. Thompson, W. H. Pingree, James 
Finn. The station agent was conductor 
on the Branch till the Barre road opened, 
since which T. W. Bailey has been con- 
ductor. S. L. Howe is the present station 
agent. 

Tlie TelegrapJi ami Express Office. — The 
Vermont and Boston Telegraph Company 
was incorporated by the October Session 
of the Legislature, 1848, and a station es- 
tablished at Montpelier in connection with 
an express office of Cheney & Co., of 
Boston, opened in 1849. The express 
office was first kept, until the opening of 
the passenger depot, here, in the Hubbard 
building. Col. H. D. Hopkins was the 
first manager of both the telegraph and 
express office, and for 24 years after — 
Bigelow was the first telegraph operator. 
Mr. H. W. Drew, who succeeded Col. 
Hopkins, is the present express agent and 
manager of the telegraph office ; Mr. A. G. 
Trulan, operator. 



MONTPELIER. 



563 



The next building of like public interest, 
after the Central depot, is the depot of 
the 

MONTPELIER AND WELLS RIVER R. R., 

run under W. A. StowelPs administration 
since this road was opened, Nov. 24, 1873 i 
J. G. Farwell station agent to the present. 
The conductors from here to Wells River 
have been, H. S. Boutwell, son of Colonel 
Levi Boutwell, of Montpelier. George 
Smith, of this village, Henry Whitcomb, 
of Jonesville, Charles Ferrin, of this vil- 
lage, and Eugene Rand, present conductor. 

Siipt. — W. A. Stowell ; Cashier and 
GetCl Passenger Agent, Fred. W. Morse; 
Train Master, Henry W. Whitcomb. 

Engineers and firemen. — John Carter, 
James Hadlock, Charles Field, James 
Boutwell, George Cummings, Geo. Morse, 
Charles Noyes, W. S. Keeler, Herbert 
Lawrence aud Harvey Edgerly. 




[Watchman & Journal Building, State St.] 

ANECDOTES OF LEVI BOUTWELL. 
BY COL. H. D. HOPKINS. 

Col. Boutwell, — there was not in all the 
wide circle of his acquaintance a person 
who had seen another like him. His face 
was singularly expressive. He could look 
savage enough to chill you with fear, or 
kindly enough to inspire the confidence of 



the most doubting and timid. He said in 
his life-time a thousand things which for 
genuine originality and severity were 
worthy of a professional satirist. Many a 
time have we seen in town or village meet- 
ing a prosy debate cut short, and the vote 
reached by one of his brief, gruff speeches, 
as in the meeting of the Wells River rail- 
road company in Jan., 1874. The meet- 
ing was about to ballot for directors, when 
one gentleman suggested that the Board 
should consist of five instead of nine, as 
heretofore. Another suggested seven ; 
still others were on their feet ready to make 
some motion or suggestion, or engage in 
a little speech, when the sturdy old Colonel 
sprang nervously up, and said, " I think, 
Mr. Chairman, we will have it nine. I 
want some to watch, as well as others to 
pray." This speech was the end of the 
debate on that subject. The nine direc- 
tors were immediately ordered, and the 
election made. 

Once he was sitting in the bar-room of 



OOKBINDERY, 





jATESTREEy^ 

BtpeliehVi 



2MC 



[Rialto Elock, State St.] 

the " Pavilion," with his knees well spread 
before that familiar old fireplace, while he 
looked intently on the burning pile before 
him. His face bore a specially stern look. 
Some one came in, and saluted him with, 
" How are you. Colonel ?" His reply was 
as apt as original. " Well," he said : "I 
manage to keep tolerably even tempered, 



564 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 




[WASHINGTON COUNTV COLKT HOUSE, STATE STREET.] 



thank ye ; mad as the devil clear through 
all the time." 

Col. Boutwell was a supporter of the 
"Church of the Messiah" — Unitarian — 
and a faithful attendant upon its services. 
Two or three years ago, in the summer 
season, some little boys of the neighbor- 
hood got in the way of loitering about the 
door and vestibule of the church during 
service hours Sunday evenings. As they 
became familiar, they become also bold 
and somewhat noisy. At length they got 
so curious as to go up and push the door 
to the audience room a little open, and 
look in. Then if somebody in the audi- 
ence changed position a little, so that they 
apprehended danger, they would ' ' cut and 
run " ; but presently, when all was quiet 
again, they would repeat the experiment. 
At length Col. Boutwell became much dis- 
turbed, and felt he could stand the uncivil 
conduct of the lads no longer. So he 
went out to rectify things, and give the 
lads some lessons in morals and good man- < 



ners. The boys left the house by the 
shortest way, and run, some up street, 
some down, and some across. The Col. 
pursued hotly in one direction. Leaving 
his hat in the church, he soon lost also his 
wig. But without stopping to replace that, 
he followed on. At length he closed in 
with one of the intruders, and shaking him 
and cuffing him in a way more frightening 
than damaging, and heading him toward 
the church, he said, " what are you about 
here, you little cuss, you ? Why ain't you 
up in there getting some religion, as you 
ought to be, instead of being out here 
raising the devil in this way ?" 

The Colonel was uncommonly bald, and 
without his heavy dark wig looked not a 
bit like himself. Once he was in the wash 
room of the Pavilion, and for convenience 
in his ablutions had laid his wig aside. 
Presently a young, spruce feeling chap, 
with extremely red hair, came in too. 
Noticing the Colonel's nude head, he in- 
quired, " well. Uncle, why don't you have 



MONTPELIER. 



565 



some hair on your head ?" It was an im- 
pudent question, and the Colonel knew it. 
Looking savagely on the red head of the 
saucy young stranger, he replied, " When 
they made me, and had me all finished ex- 
cept my hair, they told me that they had 
nothing left except red hair. I told them, 
then, 'I gad,' I wouldn't have any. I 
had rather go without. They might save 
that for impudent young popinjays and 
fools." The young inquisitive and joker 
was perfectly willing to drop the subject. 




[AKGU^ t PMUIOT IU ILDINt M \1\ M Ittt 1 J 

PRESIDENT MONROE'S VISIT. 

(From "The ruESiDENT's Touk," By S. Putnam 
Waldo, published at Hartford, Ct., 1819.) 

"At 10 (a. m.) he was met and wel- 
comed by the committee of arrangements, 
at Mr. Stiles', in Berlin. The procession 
was then formed, under direction of the 
marshals, and proceeded to Montpelier. 

A little before 1 1, a discharge of artillery 
announced the near approach of the Chief 
Magistrate of the nation. On entering 
the village, he alighted from his carriage, 
and proceeded with the cavalcade, on 
horseback, to the Academy, through the 
Main street, lined on each side by citizens, 
under direction of Joseph Howes, Esq. 
Returning to the head of State street, the 
President dismounted, was received by the 
' First Light Company,' commanded by 
Lieut. E. P. Walton, and conducted to 
the State House under a national salute 
from the 'Washington Artillery.' 

In front of the State House, between 
three and four hundred masters and misses, 
students of the Academy and members of 
the schools in the village, dressed in a neat 
uniform, each tastefully decorated with 
garlands from the field of nature, were ar- 



ranged in two lines facing each other, in 
perfect order. Previous to the arrival of 
the escort, the two companies of Cavalry, 
with an expedition and regularity which 
did them honor, had placed themselves at 
a proper and convenient distance on the 
left of the juvenile procession. 

The President walked through this assem- 
blage of youth, uncovering his head, and 
bowing as he passed, entered the State 
House under a fanciful arch of evergreens, 
emblematic, we trust, of the duration of 
our liberties, on one side of which were 
these words : ' July 4, 1776 ; ' on the other, 
'Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776.' When in front 
of the house, in the portico of the second 
story, the Hon. James Fisk, chairman of 
the committee of arrangements, in presence 
of the military and a great concourse of 
assembled citizens, delivered the following 
iddress : 
To the President of tJte United States: — 

" Sir : — The citizens of Montpelier and 
Its vicinity have directed their committee 
to present you their respectful salutations, 
and bid you a cordial welcome. 

The infancy of our settlements places our 
progress in the arts and sciences something 
behind most of our sister states ; but we 
shall not be denied some claim in a share 
of that ardent love of liberty, and the rights 
of man, that attachment to the honor and 
mterest of our conntry, which now so dis- 
tinguish the American character ; while the 
fields of Hubbardton, the heights of Wal- 
loomsack, and the plains of Plattsburgh, are 
admitted to witness in our favor. 

Many of those we now represent, ven- 
tured their lives in the Revolutionary con- 
test, and permit us, sir, to say, the value 
of this opportunity is greatly enhanced by 
the consideration, that we now tender our 
respects to one who shared in all the hard- 
ships and dangers of that eventful period, 
which gave liberty and independence to 
our country ; nor are we unmindful that 
from that period until now, every public 
act of your life evinces an unalterable at- 
tachment to the principles for which you 
then contended. 

With such pledges, we feel an unlimited 
confidence, that should your measures 
fulfil your intentions, your administration 
under the guidance of Divine Providence, 
will be as prosperous and happy as its 
commencement is tranquil and promising ; 
and that the honor, the rights and inter- 
ests of the nation will pass from your hands 
unimpaired. JAMES FISK, 

For the Committee. 

" To this address the President made an 
affectionate and appropriate reply, which 
was received with three times three ani- 
mated cheers by the citizens. 



S66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The President then, with his suite, com- 
mittee, marshals and clergy, visited the 
schools in the Representatives'' room, 
which was adorned with maps and globes 
drawn by the scholars ; while the front of 
the gallery and chandelier displayed a 
beautiful variety of vines and ornaments. 
The scholars received him by rising, and 
Mr. Hill, the preceptor of the Academy, 
by saying, ' I present to Your Excellency 
the finest blossoms and fairest flowers that 
our climate produces' — he replied, ' They 
are the finest nature can produce.' After 




CHURCH OF THE .MESSIAH, MAIN STREET 



in.specting the maps and globes, with ap- 
probation, he retired ; was received at the 
door by the ' Washington Artillery,' com- 
manded by Capt. Timothy Hubbard, and 
escorted through a line of citizens extend- 
ing from the State House to the dwelling 
of'^Wyllis I. Cadwell, Esq., where he par- 
took of a cold collation served up with ad- 
mirable taste and elegance. 

The schools then formed a procession, 
preceded by the ' First Light Company,' 
with instrumental music, and moved to the 
Academy. In passing the President's 
quarters they saluted him ; the masters, by 
uncovering their "heads ; the misses, by 
lowering their parasols. 

The President having signified his pleas- 
ure to dispense with the escort of cavalry. 



after taking an aflfectionate leave of the 
committee of arrangements, ascended his 
carriage, and resumed his journey to Bur- 
lington." 

GEORGE W. BARKER. 
BY C-'L. H. D. HOh-KINS. 

Mr. Barker was at one time postmaster 
of Montpelier, and then high sheriff of the 
County, and at the time of his death, a 
well-known railroad contractor at Manito- 
woc, Wis. For many years he was, in 
Vermont, a leading man 
at the Capital, and exert- 
ed a strong influence in 
shaping the action of the 
democratic party, both 
personally and through 
the Vermont Patriot, with 
which he was for a time 
connected. When the Vt. 
Central railroad was build- 
ing, he was one of the 
contractors, and made 
about $xo,ooo — a hand- 
some amount for the time. 
He subsequently took a 
contract on the New York 
end of the Rutland and 
Washington railroad, but 
when a crash came in the 
affairs of that road, he. 
with others, was obliged 
to succumb and go down. 
His loss was a heavy one, 
and involved others than 
himself, notably the late 
Hon. R. R. Keith, who 
.suffered to the amount of 
$15,000. Mr. Barker's next venture was 
at Paineville, Ohio, and would have result- 
ed favorably to him but for the fact that 
the company proved to be insolvent. His 
next move was Manitowoc above named. 
Judge Keith, who knew Mr. Barker better 
than any other man in Montpelier, though 
he lost by him, always had confidence in 
his capacity and integrity. Mr. B. was a 
genial man, a kind neighbor, and especially 
delighted to speak encouraging words to 
young men, and the results of some of his 
endeavors in this line happen to be known 
to the writer of this brief notice. Mr. 



MONTPELIER. 



567 



Barker was a man not to be forgotten. In 
stature,' he was very large, and in manner, 
exceptionally genial. Though a man of 
position and well-formed opinions, he could 
tenaciously maintain his own view of a 
question without wounding the feelings of 
another. Mr. Barker was very fond of 
church music — especially of thefugvie tunes 
in vogue in the early years of the present 
century, and he, Ferrand F. Merrill, Capt. 
A. A. Sweet and Dr. Gustavus H. Loomis, 
all of whom were as fond of that style of 
music as Mr. Barker was, used to have 
many a pleasant sit-down together, re- 
hearsing them, and deploring their de- 
parture from the choirs and the choir re- 
pertories. • Of these four gentlemen, only 
Capt. Sweet is living at this present writ- 
ing, Jan. I 




RESIDE^CE OF GEORGE C. SHEPAUD, MAIN STREET. 



George C. Shepard, youngest son of 
the late Jonathan Shepard, was born in 
Montpelier, Aug. 26, 1820, and has been 
eminently a Montpelier man, not only 
spending his life here, but bringing a wife 
here, who is a grand-daughter of one of 
the earliest citizens of Montpelier, Thomas 
Brooks, and daughter of Joseph Brooks, 
who was a native of Montpelier ; and he 
brought her to a beautiful Montpelier 
home, in the dwelling of the late Hon. 
Samuel Prentiss, which has been remodel- 
ed and improved so as to become as charm- 



ing a home as the town can boast of. Mr. 
Shepard availed himself so well of our 
schools and Academy, that he has been 
able to discharge successfully every public 
duty. He is prominent socially, polit- 
ically and financially. For some years he 
was Director, Vice-President and Presi- 
dent of the old Bank of Montpelier, and 
he has been Director and Vice-President 
of the Montpelier National Bank. He 
represented the town in the Legislatures of 
1862 and '63, and has also represented his 
Congressional District in a National Con- 
vention of the Republican partv. 

E. p. \v. 
COL. ABEL carter, 

who during the last days of his life occu- 
pied the house now owned and occupied by 
Col. Fred E. Smith, oh Elm street, was a 
man to be remembered. 
He was by trade a saddler 
and_ harness-maker, and a 
man of very positive feel- 
ings and opinions, espe- 
cially in politics. As an 
abolitionist, he was out- 
spoken, even to bitterness, 
and delighted to get into 
an argument with a con- 
servative whig, that he 
might ply him with hard 
questions. His hatred of 
slavery, slave-holders and 
their apologists — Northern 
dough-faces, as he delight- 
ed to call them, was most 
intense. He was sheriff of 
Washington Co. from 1833 
to 1837, and held the office 
of Sergeant-at-Arms at the State House 
one year, 1837 to '38. 

Another prominent and well-known cit- 
izen of Montpelier for many years previous 
to 1868, was 

GAMALIEL WASHBURN, 

who occupied a small cottage house on 
Elm street, opposite the old cemetery. 
He was for many years jailor, and also 
janitor in the old Brick Church, and his 
polite attentions to the needs of all wor- 
shipers there, are well remembered. He 
was a prominent Mason, and as such was 



568 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



highly respected. Two lodges of the order 
are named in honor of his memory, one at 
Danville, and another in Montpelier. He 
died in Dec. 1868. h. d. h. 

THE OLD BRICK CHURCH. 

BY COL. H. D. HOPKINS. 

[From a full account of tlie " Old Brick " anil the new 
"Betliany"' clmrcli in files of the Argus .{■ Patriot.^ 

Appreciating the uses of Christian wor- 
ship, the fathers of the town began in 1817 
to discuss the propriety and necessity of a 
house for this purpose. The first act was 
the formins^r of the "Montpelier Meetiny- 




INTERIOK OF BKTHAXV CHURCH. 



house Society, consisting of 62 gentlemen 
at first, and which list embraces, we judge, 
all the then prominent men of Montpelier : 
Samuel Prentiss, Samuel Goss, E. P. Wal- 
ton, Geo. Worthington, Nicholas Baylies, 
Sylvanus Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Holden 
Putnam, Jonathan Shepard, and others. 
In Dec. 1820, the list was augmented by 
25 names more. Of these active men 
none are now living. 

The society at its first meeting, Nov. 4, 
1817, voted to build a house, Sylvanus 
Baldwin, Jeduthan Loomis, Samuel Goss, 
Calvin Winslow and J. H. Langdon to re- 
port a plan ; Lovewell Warren, Joseph 



Wiggins, Joseph Howes "to view the sites 
proposed, ascertain prices and conveniences 
of each." Nov. 12. "committee on plan" 
made their report, not accepted ; were in- 
structed to furnish a plan with steeple or 
cupola. 

Nov. 24th, it was voted the house should 
be for the use of the First Congregational- 
ist Society in Montpelier, under the control 
of the proprietors ; the sale of pews to 
commence at the State House, Nov. 29th ; 
every note for the purchase of a pew should 
be payable to the society, 
and divided into three equal 
annual payments, one-half 
in neat stock or grain, and 
one-half in money ; and the 
house was to be 60x70 feet, 
' ' exclusive of cupola or stee- 
ple," with 122 pews. 

Three lots were sharply 
contested for, one the site 
of the old brick house back 
of Mrs. Hyde's; one the lot 
of Mrs. Joseph Reed, oppo- 
site the State House, and 
the other that on which the 
Brick church was built. They 
had to resort to the ballot, 
taken at the State House, 
Dec. loth, which resulted 
for the Houghton "spot." 
The house cost over $6,000. 
We cannot state when it 
was ready for occupancy, 
but its use was tendered to 
the General Assembly for 
the Election Sermon on the 2d Thursday, 
Oct. 1820, and to the Masonic Society the 
day previous, and Dec. 29th, 105 pews had 
been sold for $7,620, of which Calvin Wins- 
low, the contractor, received $7,000. The 
highest price paid for a pew was $151, by 
Joseph Howes. Richard Wilkins, Jedu- 
than Loomis and Samuel Goss paid $150 
each for a pew ; Chester Houghton, $140 ; 
Jonathan Shepard, $120; Salvin Collins, 
$117. . . . And the old Brick church 
remained the Sabbath home of this society 
for more than 45 years. The last service 
in it was Sunday, May 6, 1866. In a few 
days the walls of the old church and the 



MONTPELIER. 



569 



Masonic hall were leveled to the ground, 
and the present Bethany church occupies 
the site. 

Bethany exterior, 124x72, height of 
nave, 65 feet ; Gothic architecture ; tower 
height, 68 feet, 21x21; chapel, 50x35; 
ridge, 36 feet from ground ; church and 
tower, walls and buttresses, dark red stone : 
arches, mouldings, etc., dark blue stone; 
chapel walls, Burlington stone, almost 
white, with warm flush of rose ; trimmings, 
of dark red stone ; at eastern vestibule, 
with wide corridor and three porches, with 



opens up : Interior divided by columns 
into nave and aisle, with an apsidal chan- 
cel ; church and chancel, deep wainscotted 
in chestnut, with black walnut cap and 
base ; beams of the roof cased in chestnut ; 
ceiling, a clear blue ; walls, a soft stone 
color ; aisle-roof, nave-roof, arches, clere- 
story, spandals pierced with capsed open- 
ings, all highly ornamental ; principal tim- 
bers of the roof, richly moulded ; roof open 
quite to the ridge, 60 feet high from the 
floor of the audience room. The roof of 
the chancel is supported by detached shafts. 




RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH POLAND, SCHOOL STREET. 



tall gables finished with cappings of the 
dark blue stone, terminated with foliated 
crosses ; and in the gable of the centre 
porch, in wall-recess, with pointed arch, 
the great rose-window, rich in tracery and 
stained glass ; from the cornice of the 
belfry rises the spire, enriched with shafted 
windows, canopies, ornamental slating, to 
a finial and cross of gold, 153 feet from 
the ground ; between the side walls of the 
church, arched windows, supported by but- 
tresses, filled with tracery ; roofs of church, 
chapel porches, covered with slating in al- 
ternate bands of plain and shell-work. 
As you enter from the vestibule, thus it 

72 



their moulded bases resting on corbels in 
the angles of the apsis ; carved ribs rising 
from these shafts to the stained glass sky- 
light in the centre ; the chancel is separated 
from the nave by a richly-moulded arch, 
resting on clustered shafts ; windows all 
with arched mouldings, resting on orna- 
mental corbels. 

Choir and organ in the chancel, sepa- 
rated from the pulpit by columns and in- 
terlacing arches. The blue ceiling here 
has crimson and buff borders, panels with 
ornaments in color and panels with me- 
dallions. The walls of the chancel are 
maroon, border of crimson and buff, vine 



57° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of oak leaves in blue ; chancel windows, 
stained glass, bordered in blue, each with 
medallion in crimson ; purple wall below 
each window, border of olive, white and 
green, with two panels with Gothic heads 
and spandrels filled with ornaments. The 
whole coloring of the interior is exceed- 
ingly rich and chaste, over nave and aisles, 
as well as chancel. The compartments 
formed in the blue ceiling by the roof 
timbers, have wide, rich borders — diag- 
onal bands of crimson and bulT. The roof 
timbers are a rich maroon, flecked with 
orange, yellow, and a stellar pattern in 
lighter maroon ; the shields on the ends of 
hammer-beams, a white ground with crim- 
son border and scroll ornaments; "walls 
and columns below, neutral gray ; shafts. 




BAPTIST CHURCH, SCHOOL STREET. 



colors of the stained glass in the whole 
interior, chancel, side walls, clere-story, 
exceedingly beautiful. The chancel win- 
dows and large rose windows are es- 
pecially rich," with a declaration of the 
Most Holy Trinity in the centre light of 
the great rose window. 

Our view represents the Interior of 
this church. For the history of Bethany, 
see Mr. Waltonls paper, page 288 ; also 
396-407. For the historian who writes 
up the history of the next hundred years of 
Montpelier, this handsome edifice of stone 
will remain perfect, as now ; to the old 
which has already passed away, we there- 
fore give the more space and the more care 
to gather up its fragments now, before ir- 
revocably lost. 

The organ is superbly 
pleasing to the eye, har- 
monizes admirably with 
the interior of the church, 
and for general quality of 
tone, and characteristic 
voicing of individual stops, 
^,== we have never heard ex- 

celled : The clarionette 
seems like the veritable 
instrument itself, the obeo 
approximates more nearly 
to the true imitation than 
any stop we have ever 
heard called by its name — 
the Tox Jiumana — people 
hearing it are actually de- 
ceived by it, and look 
around to see who is sing- 
ing. We have many times 
heard it pronounced sec- 
ond to no instrument in 
the country of its size, and 
are not prepared to deny 
the statement. Its first 
concert was the evening 
before the dedication of 
Bethany. 



arch - mouldings of windows and doors 
flecked out with crimson, green, purple 
and flesh color." We are taken with the 
beauty of the coloring, "the effect" of 
which ." is much enhanced by the rich 



AN OLD-TIME SINGING-MASTER, 

Col. H. D. Hopkins, who for 35 years 
knew all that was going on in all the choirs 
around ; knew all the leading singers ; kept 
singing-school ; conducted musical con- 



MONTPELIER. 



571 



ventions, and for 27 years conducted the 
musicin "Brick"and "Bethany" churches, 
and so on ; who knew the leaders in the 
" Old Brick" from the first day to the end, 
and who ought to have been asked for a 
paper on this subject, and would have 
been, had the Compiler been aware of his 
relations to these matters in time. Moses 
E. Cheney, of Barnard, the old popular 
singing-master of the State, says, " Brother 
Hopkins must be remembered when you 
notice the churches, certainly. He has 
done more free labor in Montpelier than 
any other man, and that so well." 

The first transient singing-master that 
ever taught here, says Mr. Hopkins, was 
Joseph Wilder, from Derby, Vt., and the 
early choristers of the Brick church were 
Hon. Joseph Howes, O. H. Smith, Esq., 
several years. Dr. Gustavus Loomis, Chas. 
W. Badger, and Moses E. Chenev, who 




MONTPELIER UNION SCHOOL BUILDING 



led the singing of the old Brick church 
about 1840, for 3 years, and did much to 
inspire the service of song with new life. 
He, also, was the projector and conductor 
of the first musical convention ever held 
in Vermont, and it is believed in America. 
It has been so stated in the public prints, 
and has never been denied. The con- 
vention was held in the old Brick church. 



May, 1839, and was attended by towns- 
people not only, but by clergymen and 
lawyers from all parts of the State. The 
facts relating to this convention should 
not go unmentioned, and the honor of it 
should be placed where it belongs, with 
Moses E. Cheney, the true Vermonterand 
antiquarian. 

John H. Paddock was the first organist 
here. George W. Wilder, who is in busi- 
ness now at the head of State street, an 
esteemed citizen of Montpelier at the pres- 
ent time, was another organist at the old 
Brick, also Miss Hosford and a Mrs. 
Bigelovv ; and John and Zenas Wood were 
leading singers at the " Old Brick" in its 
palmy days, and perhaps others—doubtless. 
Mr. H. assisted at, and reported for all 
the musical conventions held at Montpelier 
for more than 20 years, in which he says, 
in report of the Annual Central Vermont 
Musical Conven- 
tion, held at Wash- 
ington Hall, in this 
village, Jan. '67 — 
four days. Mr. 
Phillips, of St. 
Albans, elicited 
the first hearty 
applause, and Pro- 
fessor N. L. Phil- 
lips, of Barre, the 
man who perhaps 
has taught more 
singers than any 
other in Central 
Vermont, appear- 
ed in a superb solo. 
We are always 
astonished at the 
vigor and force of 
that voice, a grand 
type of what we 
wish all voices might be at sixty. The 
5th and 6th same annual conventions Mr. 
Hopkins directed. 

His first letter to the Boston Journal 
was written in 1859, ^"^^ ^'"^^il the failing 
of his health, in 1875, he was the only 
regular Vermont correspondent of that 
paper. He has also written quite exten- 
sively for the Montpelier and other State 



572 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



papers. For some few years he has been 
too much of an invalid for business labor, 
but occasionally now writes a good article 
for press. We have been indebted on these 
last pages to his present pen and huge old 
scrap-book for several articles. As a speci- 
men of the Colonel's humorous vein, we 
purloin the following : 

TO MY OLD BOOTS. 
BY SOME ONE. 

For three full j'ears, and soinetliing more. 

You've served me a faitliful " pair; " 
I therefore don't wonder that, all things considered. 

You're looking "the worse for the wear." 



SONG OF THE DYING YEAR. 

BY JOSEPHINE M. SWEET. 

In the race that thou hast run, 
In this cycle of the sun. 
Hast thou in life's hattle won? 

What hast thou done? 

What hast thou done? 

When fears shadowed o'crtlie field, 
In temptation didst thou yield? 
Or hast thou in life's battle won? 

What hast thou done ? 

What hast thou done ? 

Hast thou fainted by tlie way, 
' Neath the burden of noon-day ? 
Or hast thou in life's battle won ? 

Wliat hast tliou done ? 

What liast thou done ? 




RESIDENCE OF MR. M. D. OILMAN, BALDWIN ST. 
THE STATE CAPITOL. 



Your "bottoms" and "uppers" were "A number one," 

And fitting so snugly about. 
Have made a good place to keep " a foot in," 

While the damp and the cold you kept out. 

Yes, "A number one I " I wear nothing else; 

Double soles— oak-tanned and French calf. 
Albeit old Crispin, with impertinence, said, 

"You wear number nine and a half." 

'Twas a way you had, much to your credit. 

In parting, permit me to say. 
Of being quite constantly " round under foot," 

And yet, not much in the way. 

In bidding you now a long adieu. 
And remembering the good yon have done, 

I give you permission, if tlie d — 1 don't get you, 
To say that your " soles are your own." 

And if in the place where you finally stop. 
There should chance to be paper and quill. 

Please write me a leUer, and tell me if 
They permit you to " go it boots" still. 



Josephine M. Sweet, a 
native of Montpelier, a 
contributor to the Watch- 
man, Green Mountain 
Freeman, etc, under the 
)iom de plume of " Evan- 
geline," for many years. 

The zephyrs commence 
to come, the poets from 
abroad join to help Mont- 
pelier sons and daughters 
sing — one, [was it the 
Hon. Wm. C. Bradley?] 
It is like his wit, very, and 
of his palmy time, joins 
in a 

LA.MENTATION, 

[Written soon after the 
NEXT DOOR WEST OF ^djo^^i^ent of the Ver- 
mont Legislature, Nov. 
1826.] 

Montpelier mourns— her streets are still, 
Save when tlie street-yarn ladies spin; 

And scarce a stranger's seen at Mann's, 
Or Campbell's, or at Cottrill's Inn. 

The guardians of the people's rights 
Have done their work, gone home to prove il ; 

And let the State-house stand, because 
Barnum and Bailey could not move it. 

But though the building stands secure. 
And long may stand the village boast,' 

Tlie villagers are called to mourn 
The comforts and the friends they've lost. 

Their BuUer''s gone, their Baker, too; 

Their Clarkes have fled as Siri/t as thought; 
Tlieir Barber''s left their chins uushaved, 

And e'en their Poller''s gone to pot. 

Their Walkers nimbly walked away. 
Their Mason ami their Smiths are still ; 

Their Carpenters lay down their tools. 
Their honest Miller loaves his mill. 



MONTPELIER. 



573 



Their skillful Fisher-man lias gone 

With Bates to lure ami Spear to strike; 
Witli him are fled the Finney tribe, 

But more especially the Pike. 
The Swn7i they dearly loved to pick, 

Has flown, with plumage bright as gold; 
Their Buck lias bounded o'er the hills, 

Their playful Lamb has broke liis fold. 

The Noble and the l'oung\\nya gone. 
The Rich have left thera to despair; 

Their Gay, their Best attire is lost, 
And not a Spencer^ s left to wear. 

Their learned Proctor, pious Dean, 
And holy Palmer in the lurch, 

Have left their flocks, and left them, too. 
Without a Temple, Bell or Church. 

And those who loved the mazy dance. 
Enjoy no more the lively Ball; 

Tliey've lost, alas! their pleasure House, 
And miss theii-,riclilv-furnislK'd Hall. 




STATi: CAl'ITOL. 

They once could boast a pleasant Hill. 

Delightful Rhodes, a charming Lane, 
A Warren, Bridge, and Shedd and Barnes, 

That they may never see again. 

Their Forrest and their Woods are felled. 

The Major who their forces led. 
Has broken up his glittering Camp, 

And friendly Scott and French are fled. 

All's lost! the men have lost their Crafts, 
They've lost their Ambler and tlieir Wheeler, 

Have lost their Steele, their Peck, their Rice; 
And, oh! their women have lost their Keeler. 

Yes, all is lost, and those who've gone. 
Have long ere now, perchance, forgot "em ; 

They lost their Solace, lost their Child, 
And lost their Pride, and Hyde, and Bottum.. 

Amos W. Barnum, Vergennes. 

Benjamin F. Bailey, Burlington. 

His Excellency Ezra Butler, Waterbury. 

Samuel S. Baker, Arlington. 

Samuel Clark, Brattleboro ; Jonas Clark, 

Middletown. 
Benjamin Swift, St. Albans. 



David Barber, Hubbardton. 

Abel W. Potter, Pownal. 

Leonard Walker, Springfield; James O. 

Walker, Whiting. 
Leonard Ufa son, Ira. 

Ira Siiiitli, Orwell ; Asahel Smith, Ludlow ; 
Israel H. Smith, Thetford ; Joab Smith, 
Fairfield. 
Luther Carpenter, Orange ; Dan Carpen- 
ter, Waterbury. 
Alexander Miller, Wallingford. 
Nathan v^/V/zt';-, Parkerstown, nowMendon. 
Robert B. Bates, Middlebury, Speaker. 
Spear — no such name in list of the Legis- 
lature in Walton's Register, for 1826. 
Johnson finny, Monkton. 
Ezra Pike, Jr., Vineyard, now Isle LaiMotte. 
Benj. Swan, Woodstock, State Treasurer. 
D. Azro A. Bnck, Chelsea. 
Shubael La?nb, Wells. 

William lYoble. Charlotte. 

Nathan Young, Strafford. 

Moody Rich, Maidstone. 

Dwight Gay, Stockbridgc. 

Thomas Best, Highgate. 

William Spencer, Corinth. 

Jabez /'roctor. Councillor. 

Barnabas Dean, Weathersfield. 

William A. Palmer, Danville. 

Robert Temple, Rutland. 

James Ijell, Walden. 

Charles Church, Hancock. 

Abraham Ball, Athens. 

Alvin House, Montgomery. 

William Hall, Rockingham. 

Jarius Hall, Wilmington, 

Burgess Hall, Shelburne. 

Samuel /////, Greensboro. 

William Rhodes, Richmond. 

Josiah Lane, Wheelock. 

George Warren, F"airhaven. 
John Bridge, Pomfret. 
Jonah Shedd, Peacham. 
Melvin Barnes, Jr., Grand Isle. 
Wells De luirrest, Lemington. 
Nathan U\iod, Vernon; Jonah Wood, 

Sherburne; Ziba Woods, Westford. 
Major Hawley, Manchester. 
David M. Camp, Derby. 
Richard Scott, Stratton. 
Thomas G. French, Brunswick; John 

French, Minehead, now Bloomfield. 
Samuel C. Crafts, Orleans Co. Councillor. 
James Ambler, Jr., Huntington. 
Nathan Wheeler, Grafton. 
William Steele, Sharon. 
John Peck, Washington Co. Councillor. 
Ephraim Rice, Somerset. 
Wolcott H. Keeler, Chittenden. 
Calvin Solace, Bridport. 
Thomas Child, Bakersfield. 
Darius Pride, Williamstown. 
Dana Hyde, Jr., Guilford. 
Nathan Bottum, Shaftsbury. 



574 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Patents, we have not had any paper 
prepared for : Dennis Lane took out a 
patent for improvement in head blocks for 
saw-mills, Sept. 6, 1864 ; Ashbel Stim- 
son, in 1876, for spring-hinges for doors. 

At THE Centennial, Montpelier Man- 
ufacturing Company took the award for 
children's carriages, and F. C. Oilman for 
sulky and buggy. 

SONS AND citizens OF MONTPELIER 
ABROAD. 

We have not yet obtained a satisfactory 
list. We will mention here briefly the 
few not already included in a family no- 
tice in these pages, that have been fur- 
nished to us chiefly by Chas. De F. Ban- 
croft and Mr. Walton, and will be pleased 
if a more extensive list may be givenTor 
the County volume. — Ed. 

L. L. Walbridge, a native of Mont- 
pelier, has been reporter for the Boston 
Journal, and cit)- editor of the St. Louis 
Democrat ; is one of the best short-hand 
writers in the country ; was one of the wit- 
nesses on the impeachment trial of Presi- 
dent Johnson. 

Wm. Pitt Kellock;, present U. S. Sen- 
ator from Louisiana, the son of Rev. Sher- 
man Kellogg, we counted once as a " Mont- 
pelier boy ; " also, Henry C. Nutt, son of 
Henry Nutt. of this town, now President 
of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad ; Joel 
Mead, a wealthy lumber merchant in She- 
boygan, Wis. ; James Mead, his brother, 
a leading banker in Oshkosh, Wis. Their 
aged mother still resides with us; Wm. P. 
Strong, son of the old hotel-keeper here. 
President of the Atchison, Topeka and 
Santa Fe Railroad, a brother of his in 
Faribault, Minn., and another, a prominent 
business man in Beloit, Wis. ; Edwin S. 
Merrill, son ot the late Timothy Merrill, 
in Winchendon, Mass. ; George Silver, 
son of Isaiah Silver, in Tivola, N. Y. ; 
James Davis, son of Anson Davis, and 
great-grandson of Col. Jacob Davis, Pro- 
fessor in an Institution in New York City ; 
Dodge W. Keith, son of Hon. R. W. 
Keith, who gives his father''s portrait to 
the work, a successful merchant in Chicago ; 
Harold Sprague, a merchant in Chicago; 
R. J. Richardson, of Des Moines, Iowa, 



a grain merchant; James and Frank 
Muldoon were born poor boys, now 
successful traders in Wisconsin ; Henry 
L. Lamb, in Troy, inspector of banks, has 
been editor on the Troy Times \ Col. E. 
M. Brown, editor of the New Orleans 
Delta during Butler's administration ; Azel 
Spalding, a member of the Kansas House 
of Representatives in 1861 ; Hon. A. W. 
Spalding, son of Azel, Senator of Jeffer- 
son County, Kansas, in 1862; Fred. T. 
BiCKFORD, who has been Superintendent 
of the U. S. Telegraph Co. at Pittsburg, 
Pa., and Superintendent of the Russian 
Extension Telegraph Co's. line in Siberia, 
now at Washington, D. C, we think ; and 
many others whom the old friends at home 
would be pleased to see enrolled on their 
list of sons and citizens abroad. 



Omission in Mr. Oilman's li.st of Mr. 
Walton's printed papers — an address on 
the death of Stephen A. Douglass in 1863, 
printed by order of Congress, e. p. w. 

Page 365 should read, " we do not give 
sermons when the statements seem suffi- 
cient ; " we sometimes give sermons — his- 
torical ones. 

Page 539, "where the sun touches first 
the grove," not "where the sun touches 
first the grave." Same paper, page 537, 
iron-framed ; not corn-framed. 

Page 478 should read, an obituary by 
Dr. Sumner Putnam. 

Page 424, Theinteriorof St. Augustine's, 
for there are two side aisles, but no centre 
aisle, should read, there are two side aisles 
and a centre aisle, and " Between the win- 
dows, in simple black wood frames, the 
stations," should read instead, in gilt 
frames. In this last mistake we wholly 
exonerate our compositors — it was our own 
mistake, in the press of our cares but too 
carelessly made ; and it should have been 
added, the church has very handsome vest- 
ments and altar adornments, a lovely statue 
of the Blessed Virgin, and upon a Christ- 
mas night or Easter morning appears very 
fresh and beautiful. — Ed. 

Page 530, John W. Culver in 1 833, not '35 . 

Montpelier's Lament, page 572, from old 
scrap-book of Dr. Bradford, of Northfield. 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



575 



EAST MONTPELIER. 

BY HON. S. S KELTON. 

The town of East Montpelier was organ- 
ized Jan. I, 1849, having been set off from 
Montpelier by the Genei^al Assembly at 
their session in 1848, on the petition of 
citizens of Montpelier village. The meet- 
ing for organization was called by Addison 
Peck, a justice of the peace, on the peti- 
tion of 6 freeholders to him directed for 
that purpose. 

The officers elected at this first meeting 
were : Mod. Addison Peck ; town clerk, 
Royal Wheeler; selectmen, Stephen F. 
Stevens, Isaac Gate, J. C. Nichols ; treas., 
A. Peck; overseer of poor, A. Peck; con- 
stable, J. P. W. Vincent. 

The first child born in town, after organ- 
ization, was Clara Davis, daughter of Pear- 
ley and Cynthia Davis, Jan. 19, 1849. 
The first marriage was Rodney G. Bassett 
and L. Amelia Willard, Jan. 21, 1849, by 
Charles Sibley, justice of peace. 

The town is bounded northerly by Cal- 
ais, easterly by Plainfield and a small part 
of Marshfield, southerly by Berlin, from 
which it is separated by the Winooski riv- 
er and a part of Barre, and Westerly by 
Montpelier and Middlesex, and contains 
18,670 acres ; population in 1880, 972 ; 
grand list in 1881, $9,251. 

The township is watered by the Winooski 
river, which runs through the southerly 
corner, and along the southerly boundary, 
by Kingsbury Branch, which, after drain- 
ing the numerous ponds in Woodbury and 
Calais, crosses the northeasterly corner 
of the town, and enters the Winooski ; 
(its name was derived from that of an 
early settler living near the stream,) and 
by numerous small streams, affording 
many excellent mill-sites. The surface of 
the town is uneven, but the soil is good 
and productive, and there is scarcely any 
waste land in town. The prevailing char- 
acter of the rocks is slate and lime, with 
granite boulders scattered in the easterly 
part. Of timber, the sugar maple, beech, 
spruce and hemlock largely predominate, 
with a great variety in less quantity. 

There are some very fine sugar orchards 
in this town ; that of Cyrus Morse num- 



bers 2,750 trees, all supplied with tin tubs, 
the sugar-house and fixtures being fully 
equal to the requirements of so large a 
number of trees. In a good season they 
make io,ooo lbs. of sugar, for which there 
is a ready sale, rendering it one of the best 
industries of a large farm. 

The industries of East Montpelier are 
chiefly, almost exclusively, agricultural ; 
the farms are of medium size, generally 
containing from 75 to 150 acres, some of 
200 to 300, and a few as large as 400 acres, 
devoted to a mixed husbandry, the dairy 
decidedly taking the lead ; some attention 
is given to the rearing of blood stock, — of 
horses, cattle, sheep and swine. 

There are two small villages in town, 

EAST VILLAGE, 

situated on the Winooski, containing a 
meeting-house, school-house, store, tav- 
ern, post-office, established about 1825, a 
grist-mill, saw-mill with planer, two car- 
penters and joiners and blacksmith shop. 

This village has suffered great loss by 
fires; 1817, or thereabouts, a hulling mill 
was burned; 1825, or '26, a blacksmith 
shop ; 1847, the tavern-house, store, two 
barns and all the out buildings, — property 
of John Mellen ; 1852, the Union store 
and goods ; 1859, the blacksmith shop of 
G. W. Lewis; 1868, the store and goods 
of C. H. Stevens, together with the barn 
of C. C. Willard ; 1869, the store of J. C. 
Nichols, with the goods, the property of 
Col. Randall ; also in the immediate neigh- 
borhood, 1857, the house of Norman 
French ; 1866, the house of George Dag- 
gett, one of the best houses ever built in 
town — struck by lightning ; 1871, the barns 
of C. A. Tabor, together with all the farm 
produce, tools, and four horses. 

[Store and tavern since burned. — Ed.] 

NORTH MONTPELIER, 

situated on Kingsbury branch, contains 
a post-office, store, grist-mill, saw-mill, 
woolen-factory, boot and shoe-shop, black- 
smith shop, and the manufacture of musi- 
cal instruments by E. D. & G. G. Nye. 
The water power in this place is very ex- 
cellent. 

There are ten school districts in town, 
each supplied with a good, well-finished 



576 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



school-house, where a school is kept from 
6 to 9 months each year, besides four frac- 
tional districts, where the scholars attend 
school in adjacent towns. 

LIBRARIES. 

In 1794, a circulating library was estab- 
lished at the center of the town, in the 
house of Pearley Davis, — he being librari- 
an, — containing 200 volumes, made up of 
history, travels, biography, and works of 
scientific, philosophic or moral character. 
These books were freely circulated through 
the town for a long period of years. The 
ladies' circulating library was established 
in East village in 1859, containing 223 vols. 
A Sunday school library of 290 vols, in 
1850: one atNorth Montpelierof 160 vols, 
in 1867. In 1 86 1, an agricultural library 
was organized at East village of 116 vols., 
which was burned in C. H. Stevens' store, 
in 1868. 

CHURCH EDIFICES. 

There are four meeting-houses in town ; 
that belonging to the Society of Friends 
was first used as such, in 1802, having 
previously been used as the store of Col. 
Robbins. The Union Meeting-house at 
the center of the town was built in 1823, 
and is also used as a town-house. 

At east village is a Universalist house, 
built in 1833, the Rev. John E. Palmer, 
of Barre, preaching the dedication sermon, 
Jan. 8, 1834. 

At North Montpelier a Univer.salist house 
was built in 1867. This is much the best 
house, in the belfry of which is one of the 
best bells in the vicinity. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

In 1793, there was a religious society of 
Friends organized in the east part of the 
town, who for many years assembled them- 
selves together regularly twice a week, a 
meek and contrite people, under the preach- 
ing of Clark Stevens. It was their custom 
to hold silent meetings, when the spirit of 
the Lord did not move them to speak. 

FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 

There was a Freewill Baptist church 
organized in the east part of the town at 
an early day, and a great awakening in the 
religious cause, under the efficient labors 



of Elder Benjamin Page. They held their 
meetings in barns, dwelling-houses, or 
anywhere where the way was open for 
them. Subsequently there was a church 
organized by the same denomination in 
the north part of the town, under the 
preaching of Elder Paul Holbrook. 

UNIVERSALISTS OF EAST MONTPELIER. 

Two of the most active pioneers of this so- 
ciety were the late Gen. Parley Davis of 
Montpelier Center, and Arthur Daggett, 
who lived and died near the East village. 
These first settlers in town had preaching 
of the faith they cherished, at an early day. 
Rev. William Farwell, Hosea Ballou, Paul 
Dean and John E. Palmer were the first 
ministers. Their society here was organ- 
ized Feb. 8, 1834. The cause prospered 
until there was more of this faith in town 
than any other. The resident pastors of 
"The Universalist Society" were Rev. 
Tracy R. Spencer, R. M. Byram, Simeon 
Goodenough and Lester Warren. Rev. 
Mr. Warren, now living in town, says he 
was employed for this society by Parley 
Davis, Arthur Daggett and others, in May, 
1838. He preached once or twice a month, 
in the Center and at the East village, for 9 
years. And now he has "vesper service" 
in the new church at tlie North village, 
once in two weeks. The meetings are 
well attended, as are also a "course of 
lectures" arranged by "The Prudential 
committee" of "The Lyceum." Rev. E. 
Ballou also preached alternately with Mr. 
W. for several years, until the settlement 
of the late Rev. T. R. Spencer. 

EPISCOPAL METHODISTS. 

Rev. Jesse Lee, who was the pioneer of 
Methodism in New England, first preached 
in this town in 1795, and formed the first 
society. He was succeeded by Rev. Ralph 
Williston, Nicholas Sneathen, Gideon 
Draper, and others. 

Alexander Parker, his wife and two or 
three of their daughters, Enoch Cate and 
wife, Sylvanus Morse and wife, David Per- 
sons and wife, John Stevens and wife, 
Joseph and James Gould and their wives, 
were among the early Methodists of the 
town. 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



sn 



Since the organization of the society 
they have, like most institutions, experi- 
enced at intervals seasons of prosperity 
and decline. 

THE CHRISTIANS. 

There was a society of Christians organ- 
ized in this town a few years since, who 
supported preaching a portion of the time. 

EPIDEMICS. 

Of epidemics, only 4 deserving the name 
have occurred from the first settlement of 
the town to the present day. The first of 
these was the dysentery, which fatally pre- 
vailed in the summer and fall of 1802. 
The second was the typhus fever, which 
prevailed to considerable extent in the 
summer of 1806. The third, that fearful 
disease known by the name of spotted 
fever, which suddenly made its appearance 
in the winter of 1811. In the fall and 
winter of 1813, the typhus fever again very 
fatally prevailed. The number of deaths 
from this disease in the whole (old) town, 
was 78 : much the larger number of which 
were outside the present limits of East 
Montpelier. 

The town is believed to be one of the 
healthiest in the State ; the average num- 
ber of deaths for the last 20 years has been 
17 ; the largest number in 1862, being 29 ; 
the smallest number in 1867, only 7. 

The oldest person living in town is Anna 
Gould, born at Sutton, Mass., Aug. 12, 
1787; came to this town in 1803; is the 
widow of Simeon Gould, who died in 1879, 
aged 98 years, by whom she had 9 chil- 
dren, of whom 7 are now living at this 
writing, (Sept. 1881). Mr. and Mrs. 
Gould's marriage life was 70 years. 

The oldest person who was born in town 
is Mrs. Paulina Davis, widow of the late 
Timothy Davis, and daughter of Clark 
Stevens, born Sept. 15, 1795. (Oct. i,'8i.) 

Mrs. Harriet Goodwin, widow of Hon. 
Israel Goodwin, and daughter of Capt. 
Isaac Putnam, born July 29, 1796. 

The oldest inhabitant of the town is Mrs. 
Sally Vincent, widow of Capt. Isaac Vin- 
cent, anddaughter of Darius Boyden, Esq., 
born at Worcester, Mass., July 4, 1793; 
came to East Montpelier early in 1794, 



and has lived in town continuously since, 
87 years, 7 months. 

The oldest person who ever lived in 
town was Mrs. Molly Gould, who died in 
1851, aged 102 years, i month. Mrs. 
Gould was born at Sutton. Mass., in 1749 ; 
married John Gould of the same town in 
1768; raising a large family of children; 
came to this town in 181 1. 

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

It is by no means certain, who cut the 
first tree, or built the first house. Gen. 
Pearley Davis undoubtedly made the first 
pitch, being two lots of the first division, 
at the center of the town, of which he re- 
ceived a deed from Jacob Davis, May 28, 

1788, the consideration being "eighty 
pounds, lawful money .'''' He made a be- 
ginning soon after, putting up a log-house 
and barn that season, but returned to 
Massachusetts to teach school the following 
winter. He cut and stacked the hay on a 
beaver meadow in the north part of the 
town, (now owned by E. H. Vincent) that 
season, which was mostly drawn to Col. 
Jacob Davis' the following winter, he fall- 
ing short of fodder for his teams, and those 
of new settlers who would stop for a time 
with him on their arrival. 

In June, 1788, John Templeton and 
Solomon Dodge came to East Montpe- 
lier, from Peterboro, N. H., and com- 
menced felling the forest on their respect- 
ive lots, (being adjacent) preparatory to 
establishing their new homes, returning to 
New Hampshire to do their haying, after 
which, they worked the remainder of the 
season, clearing their land, and building 
each a log-house. The following spring, 

1789, in March, they returned with their 
families for a permanent settlement, ac- 
companied by their father-in-law, James 
Taggart. After stopping about three weeks 
with Col. Jacob Davis, they proceeded to 
their new homes, 5 miles distant, the 
snow at this time being 2 feet deep. On 
arriving at Mr. Templeton's house, the 
roof having been covered with bark, a part 
of which had blown off, they found the 
snow nearly as deep inside the house as 
out. This had a decided cool look, but 
there was no backing down, the snow was 



73 



578 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



shoveled out, a fire built, and they spent 
the remainder of their days on that farm, 
which is still owned and occupied by their 
grandson, Austin Templeton. 

Mr. Dodge and wife lived and died on 
their adjacent farm, where their youngest 
daughter still resides, the wife of J. R. 
Young. These were the first families that 
moved into the town of East Montpelier. 

During the first season all their grain 
had to be brought from Brookfield, (getting 
it ground at Williamstown) a distance of 
20 miles, — on a man^s back. 

In the fall of this year, (1789) as their 
first crops were harvested. Col. Davis' mill 
on North Branch was ready to do the grind- 
ing, and save the Brookfield tramp. 

Mrs. Templeton was accustomed to say 
in her later years, that she did not see a 
woman, except her two sisters, (Jenna 
Taggart who lived with her and Mrs. 
Dodge,) for a year, lacking one day, and 
that no family (except as above) lived 
nearer than Col. Jacob Davis", being 5 
miles. Mr. Templeton died May 18, 18 13, 
aged 48 years. 

The third family that moved into town, 
was Jonathan Snow and wife, in March, 
1790, — Mr. Snow having been here and 
made a small beginning the summer be- 
fore, in the east part of the town. They 
stopped several days with Mr. Templeton 
on their way. After living on their land 
two or three years, Mr. Snow sold out to 
his father-in-law, Barnabas Hammett, and 
lived a year or two below Montpelier vil- 
lage, returning to an adjacent lot of his 
first beginning, now owned and occupied 
by his youngest son, Alonzo Snow, where 
he continued to reside. Mr. Snow was born 
at Rochester, Mass , July 12, 1768, mar- 
ried Lydia Hammett Feb. 11, 1790, and 
came to this town by the then express train, 
an ox team ; after rearing a large family, 
died Mar. 31, 1846. 

During 1790, quite a large addition was 
made to the population, for we find that 
March 29, 1791, at the organization of the 
old town, of the 27 voters present, 24 were 
residents of East Montpelier, viz : Benja- 
min I. Wheeler, David Parsons, Pearley 
Davis, Ebenezer Dodge, Solomon Dodge, 



Nathaniel Peck, David Wing, Lemuel 
Brooks, Clark Stevens, Jonathan Snow, 
Hiram Peck, James Taggart, John Tem- 
pleton, Elisha Cummins, Jonathan Cutler, 
Charles McCloud, Isaac Putnam, Nathan- 
iel Davis, Jerahmel Wheeler, Smith Ste- 
vens, Charles Stevens, Edmund Doty, 
Duncan Young. The last survivor of this 
pioneer band, was Elisha Cununins, who 
died Nov. 21, i860, aged 93 years. 

The first child born in town was James 
Dodge, son of Solomon Dodge, Apr. 5, 
1790; the first female child born was Mary 
Templeton, daughter of John Templeton, 
May 3, 1791. The first death was that of 
Betsey Cate, a child of Enoch Cate, 8 
months old. The first resident of East 
Montpelier who was married was Clark 
Stevens, with Huldah Foster of Rochester, 
Mass., Dec. 30, 1792. The first meeting- 
house was a log-house, built by Clark Ste- 
vens and Caleb Bennett, (Friends), on the 
highway near the line of their farms, in 
1793, and used as such till 1802. This is 
believed to be the first meeting-house ever 
built in Washington County. 

Dr. Philip Vincent was the first physi- 
cian who came into town ; he came from 
New Braintree, Mass., in February, 1795, 
and settled where his grandson, Horace 
M. Vincent, now resides; died in 1813, 
aged 54 years. The first merchant was 
Col. David Robbins, who built and began 
trade in what is now the Quaker meeting- 
house, in 1796. The first tavern kept in 
town was by Freeman Snow, opened in 1 798 
or '99, near where George Davis now lives. 
The first saw-mill was built by Pearley 
Davis, on the brook at the N. W. corner 
of lot no. 45, 1st div., in 1792, he having 
bought 2 acres of land for that purpose, of 
Caleb Bennett, for which he paid " three 
pounds, lawful money.'''' 

The first grist-mill was built by Samuel 
Rich, in 1795, on Kingsbury Branch, 
where the mill of M. V. B. Hollister now 
stands. 

SAMUEL RICH 

was born at Sutton, Mass., Feb. 24, 1769. 
He came to this town in 1792; was mar- 
ried to Margaret McCloud Dec. i, 1796. 
Besides doing an extensive farming busi- 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



579 



ness, (owning 700 acres of land) he built 
and run a grist-mill, a saw-mill, acarding- 
machine, a fulling-mill, a brick-yard and 
distillery ; he also kept a tavern for a num- 
ber of years subsequently to 1805. 

In 1805, he built a very nice, large 
dwelling-house, said to have been the best 
house in the County at that time. The 
place was known for a long term of years, 
as Rich's Hollow, so largely did his busi- 
ness predominate over that of all others. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and built the 
large barn (80x32 feet) for Nathaniel Da- 
vis, in 1793, being the first barn of any 
magnitude ever built in this town. He 
died in 1827, leaving 10 sons and daugh- 
ters, one of whom, Jacob Rich Esq., resided 
at the old homestead at the time of his 
death, in 1878. 

BENJAMIN 1. WHEELER. 

Born at Rehoboth, Mass., Sept. 19, 
1766; settled at an early date in Montpe- 
lier, now East Montpelier, on the farm 
where he lived until his death. In the 
spring of 1793, he married Huldah French, 
of Attleboro, Mass. At the organization 
of the town of Montpelier, in 1791, he was 
elected one of the listers and one of the 
highway surveyors, and the same year 
town grand juror. In 1792, he was elect- 
ed selectman, and held that office 16 years 
previous to 1818. He died March 7, 1845. 

JERAHMEL B. WHEELER. 

Born at Rehoboth, Mass. ; settled in 
Montpelier, now East Montpelier, at an 
early date, on the farm where he lived till 
his death. He married Sybil French, of 
Attleboro, Mass. In 1792, he was elected 
first constable, and that year warned the 
first freemen's meeting ever held in that 
town. Afterwards, between 1806 and 
1813, he held the office of selectman 5 
years, and was justice of the peace several 
years. He died in the spring of 1835. 

MAJ. NATHANIEL DAVIS. 

Among the men of business prominence 
in the early history of the town, none were 
more conspicuous than Nathaniel Davis. 
He was born at Oxford, Mass., Nov, 25, 
1769; in 1789, he came to Montpelier and 
purchased a tract of land in the north-east 
part of the town, and commenced a clear- 



ing at once, there being but two families in 
what is now East Montpelier at that time. 
In 1792, having married Miss Dolly Davis 
of his native town, he commenced house- 
keeping, and doing business on a large 
scale. The following year, he built a saw- 
mill on his farm, having turned a brook 
a mile above him to obtain sufficient 
water to run the mill. In addition to 
clearing up his farm very rapidly, in 1793, 
or '94, he built a barn 80x32 feet ; in '95, 
he built a two-story house 42x32 feet, — 
the same being occupied by his son Col. 
Nathaniel Davis, at the time of his death, 
in 1879 ; this is the oldest house in town at 
this writing, 1881. Before the year 1800, 
he built a potash and store, and did an ex- 
tensive and successful mercantile business 
for about 25 years. 

Soon after 1810, Mr. Davis commenced 
what is now the village of East Calais, by 
building at that place, a grist-mill, saw- 
mill, nail factory, a scythe factory, and 
opening a store ; subsequently this prop- 
erty was surrendered to 2 of his daughters, 
having married the Hon. Shubael Wheeler 
and Samuel Rich, Jr. Esq. Another 
daughter, who married N. C. King, Esq., 
was equally as well provided for. 

In 1825, Mr. Davis having closed his 
mercantile business, and disposed of his 
outside property, as above, in connection 
with his son commenced doing a more ex- 
tensive farming business, by buying farm 
after farm, till they were able to sell more 
than 100 head of beef cattle per annum. 

In 1838, they built the large woolen fac- 
tory at North Montpelier, which, in con- 
sequence of an unfortunate partnership, 
entered into at the completion of the build- 
ing, was a very disastrous enterprise. He 
died in 1843, aged 74 years. 

(From Thompson's History of Montpelier.) 
GEN. PEARLEY DAVIS, 

a son of Nathaniel and Sarah Davis, was 
born in Oxford, (in the part afterwards 
becoming Charlton,) Mass., Mar. 31, 1766, 
and, after receiving rather an unusually 
good English education, at the then new 
academy in the neighboring town of Lei- 
cester, including a knowledge of survey- 
ing, he came into town with Col. Davis, 
bringing his set of surveyor's instmments. 



58o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and at once engaging in the original sur- 
veys of the township, first as an assistant 
and finally as a principal surveyor of the 
town and county. 

It was while thus employed, as he once 
told the writer of this sketch, that, coming 
on to the splendid swell of forest land then 
crowning the elevation at the center of the 
town, he was so struck with tlie general 
indications of the soil and the natural 
beauty of the location, as seen beneath the 
growth of stately maples, cumbered with 
little underbrush, that he resolved he would 
here make his pitch, feeling confident that 
this must be the seat of town business, and 
then believing even that it would become 
the site of its most populous village. 

The mistake of Gen. Davis, so far as 
regarded the growing up of mucli of a 
village on the highlands of the town, ap- 
pears to have been quite a common one 
with our early settlers. Impressed at first, 
as he was, with the inviting appearance of 
the higher parts of their respective town- 
ships, when contrasted witli the forbidding 
aspect of the dark and tangled valleys, the 
most able and enterprising of them, for a 
general thing, made their pitches accord- 
ingly, as in the instances of the settlements 
of Randolph, Danville, and dozens of 
other towns in this State. But they soon 
found their anticipated villages slipping 
down into the valleys, to leave them, in 
that respect, high and dry on the hills, 
with the most traveled roads all winding 
along the streams. First, there must be 
mills ; then a place near to shoe horses ; 
then a place for refreshment of both man 
and horse ; and while all this is going on, 
it is a convenience and a saving of time to 
be able to purchase a few family necessa- 
ries ; thence, to meet these calls, first 
comes the blacksmith's shop, then the tav- 
ern, then the store ; and you have the 
neucleus of a continually growing village 
already formed ; while people soon find 
out it is easier going round a hill than over 
it, and build their roads accordingly. 

So far, however, as regarded the seat of 
town business, Gen. Davis' predictions 
were fulfilled ; for he, having pitched on a 
tract of 300 acres of land at the center, 
and built a commodious house, had the 
satisfaction of seeing it the receptacle of 
all town meetings till a public house was 
erected ; and the latter was the place of 
such meetings, either for the whole town 
or his part of it, up to the day of his death. 
At all these town meetings he was always 
an active and influential participator. 
And in looking over the records of the 
town for the first half century of its corpo- 
rate existence, we can scarcely find a page 
on which his name does not appear coup- 



led with some of its most important trusts 
or offices. 

In 1794, he was elected captain of the 
first military company ever organized in 
town ; and before the year had closed he 
was promoted to the office of major of the 
regiment formed from the companies of the 
different towns in this section. In 1798, 
he was elected a colonel of the regiment ; 
and in 1799, he was still further promoted 
to the prominent post of general. In 1799, 
he was also honored by his townsmen 
with a seat in the legislature, and received 
from them 2 elections as their representa- 
tive in the General Assembly. 

In 1794, Gen. Davis married Miss Re- 
becca Peabody, daughter of Col. Stephen 
Peabody of Amherst, N. H., the lady of 
whose medical skill and general usefulness 
we have particularly spoken while treating 
of the incidents and characters of the early 
settlement. From this union sprang 7 
daughters, most of whom lived to connect 
themselves with the best families of this or 
other towns; and one of them, (now 
(deceased,) Mrs. Truman Pitkin, whose 
family occupy the old homestead, was 
the mother of Perley P Pitkin, Esq., the 
present representative of East Montpelier ; 
while of the surviving, one, endowed with 
high gifts of poesy, is the widow of the 
late Hon. S. Pitkin, and another the wife 
of the Hon. Royal Wheeler. 

Gen. Davis, in the expanded benevolence 
of his mind, appeared to take an interest in 
the welfare of all his fellow-men, and par- 
ticularly so of the young, for whose im- 
provement in knowledge he labored earn- 
estly and always. He was one of the most 
active and liberal in establishing a Town Li- 
brary. He was ever anxious to see our com- 
mon schools supplied with competent teach ■ 
ers ; and in subscriptions, and in the educa- 
tion of his daughters, he largely patronized 
our academy. He was one of the most 
pleasant, animated and instructive of com- 
panions, one of the best of neighbors, and 
one of the most public spirited and useful 
of citizens. In short, with his strong, 
massive person, prepossessing face, intelli- 
gent eye, genial and hearty manner, and 
earnest tone of conversation, he was one 
whom the world would unite in calling a 
grand old fellow, and as such he will be 
remembered till the last of the generation 
who knew him shall have followed him to 
the grave. 

He died April 14, 1848, at the age of a 
little over 82 years. His relict, Mrs. Re- 
becca Peabody Davis, died Feb. 5, 1854, 
aged about 83 years and 6 months. 

CLARK STEVENS 
was born in Rochester, Mass., Nov. 15, 
1764. At the age of 18, he was drafted as 



EAST MONTPELTER. 



S8i 



a soldier, and served in that capacity sev- 
eral months during one of the last years 
of the American Revolution. After leav- 
ing the army, he engaged himself as a sea- 
man at the neighboring port of New Bed- 
ford, and spent several years in the ven- 
tures of the ocean. But tlie perils he had 
here encountered in the whaling and coast- 
ing trade, not only revived the religious 
impressions formerly experienced, but led 
him to resolve on the quiet pursuits of 
husbandry, and to remove, with that object 
in view, to the new town of Montpelier in 
Vermont. Accordingly he immigrated in- 
to this town in 1790, in company with 
David Wing, the elder, and his sons, pur- 
chased and at once began to clear up the 
valuable farm near Montpelier East village, 
which has ever since been the family 
homestead. After effecting a considerable 
opening in the wilderness, and building 
the customary log-house and barn, he re- 
turned to the land of his fathers, and, Dec. 
13, 1792, married Miss Huldah Foster of 
his native Rochester; brought her imme- 
diately on and installed her as the mistress 
of his heart and household. 

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Stevens 
appears to have been more deeply than ever 
exercised with his religious convictions ; 
when soon, by the aid of some neighbors 
who, like himself, had previously united 
themselves with the Society of Friends or 
Quakers, he built a log-meeting-house on 
the bank of a little brook a short distance 
to the north-west of his dwelling. And 
here, under his lead, that little band of 
congenial worshipers established in the 
wilderness the first altar for the worship 
of the living God ever erected in Wash- 
ington County. Subsequently this band 
was received into membership with the 
New York Society of Friends, who held 
monthly meetings in Danby, in the south- 
western part of Vermont, which meetings 
were eventually established at Starksboro, 
in this State. Of the latter, he became a 
regular monthly attendant, and in 18 15, 
having, besides being the leader and 
teacher of his Society at home, travelled, 
each year, hundreds of miles to attend 
monthly, quarterly and yearly meetings in 
Vermont, New York, and in the different 
States of New England, and everywhere 
evinced his faithfulness as a laborer, and 
his ability as a religious speaker and teach- 
er, he was publicly acknowledged by the 
Starksboro Association as a regular and 
accepted minister of the gospel. Years 
before this, through his instrumentality, 
and that of his worthy and perhaps most 
energetic fellow-laborer in the cause, the 
late Caleb Bennett, his Society at home 
had been considerably enlarged, and a 



commodious meeting-house erected a half 
mile or more distant from the first primi- 
tive one above mentioned. 

But if Clark Stevens was a man of the 
intelligence and virtue which caused him 
to be placed in such a prominent position 
in his religious connections, why was he 
not, as well as other citizens of his town of 
the same grade of capacity, promoted to 
posts of civil trusts, or other wordly hon- 
ors? It was because, after having been made 
the second town clerk of the town, and 
reluctantly consented to serve in that ca- 
pacity one year — it was simply because he 
ever uniformly declined to accept them. 
Time and again would the town gladly 
have made him their representative in the 
Legislature. But all movements of that 
kind were by him promptly discouraged 
and stopped at the outset. On the organ- 
ization of the new county of Jefferson, in 
such high esteem were his worth and abili- 
ties held by the leading men of the county 
at large that, on their united recommenda- 
tion, he was, without his knowledge or 
consent, appointed by the Legislature to 
the more important and tempting office of 
a judge of the court. But this he also 
promptly declined, and gave the public to 
understand that civil honors had so few 
charms for him that it would thereafter 
be in vain for them to offer them for his 
acceptance. 

Thus, " he had wrought out his work, 
and wrought it well." Thus he lived, and 
thus, at the ripe age of nearly ninety, he 
peacefully passed away, at his old resi- 
dence, on the 2oth of December, 1853, 
with the characteristic words on his lips : 
" I have endeavored to do what I appre- 
hended was required of me. I have nought 
but feelings of love for all mankind ; and 
my hope of salvation is based on the mercy 
of God through his Son Jesus Christ." 

Personally, Clark Stevens was one of 
the finest looking men of his times. Full 
6 feet high, and nobly proportioned, with 
a shapely contour of head and features, 
dark eyes and a sedate, thoughtful counte- 
nance, his presence was unusually impos- 
ing and dignified. He was a prince in 
appearance, but a child in humility. He 
was unquestionably a man of superior in- 
tellect, and that intellect was, in all its 
traits, peculiarly well balanced. But it 
was his great and good heart which shown 
out the most conspicuously through all the 
actions of his long and beneficent life. In 
fine, Clark Stevens, in the truest sense of 
the term, was a great man. D. p. T. 

•' Goodness without greatness 
Is but an empty show; 
But. O, how rich and beautiful! 
When they together xrow." 



582 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ISAAC GRAY 

died in East Montpelier, Oct. 7, 1874, 
aged 97 years, 2 months, 16 days. He 
was the oldest man in the county at the 
time of his death, having resided in the 
town where he died one day over 80 years. 
He was born in Rochester, Mass., July 22, 
1777. John and May Gray, his parents, 
started with their 9 children for Vermont, 
Sept. 14, 1794, and arrived at Caleb Ben- 
nett's, in Montpelier — now East Montpe- 
lier— Oct. 6, following, having been 22 
days on the road, their only means of con- 
veyance of family and goods having been 
an ox-cart drawn by two pairs of oxen. 
Mr. Bennett had come from New Bedford, 
Mass., two or three years earlier, and with 
him Mr. Gray and family, being old ac- 
quaintances, stopped a number of days, as 
did Thomas Allen and family, who had 
traveled with the Grays from the old Bay 
State ; this made a pretty thick-settled 
family, but large houses were not such a 
necessity then as now. 

SAMUEL TEMPLETON, 

born at Peterboro, N. H., Nov. 15, 1788, 
came to East Montpelier in March, 1789. 
He was at the time of his death one 
of the oldest residents of East Montpe- 
lier, — aged 89 years, 7 months, 15 days. 
When the deceased was but 4 months old, 
his father, John Templeton, in company 
with Solomon Dodge, removed to East 
Montpelier from Peterboro, N. H., at that 
time there being no families in that local- 
ity, and but one. Col. Jacob Davis, in the 
then limits of Montpelier. On their arri- 
val here the snow was so deep that they 
were unable to proceed further, and were 
compelled to stop with Col. Davis a week. 
Reaching their new home, they discovered 
that the roofs of the rude shanties which 
they had erected the year previous had 
been blown off, and the snow was as deep 
in their houses as on the ground, they be- 
ing compelled to shovel the snow out, and 
make their beds as best they could. The 
two men had married sisters, named Tag- 
gart, and cleared farms adjoining, that on 
which Sam'l Templeton died being the one 
cleared by his father, while a daughter of 
Mr. Solomon Dodge, Mrs. John R. Young, 



resides on the one which her father clear- 
ed. The deceased was a good, reliable 
citizen, and leaves one son and a daugh- 
ter — Austin Templeton, of East Montpe- 
lier, and Mrs. James M. Howland, of 
Montpelier. Although Mr. Templeton 
had always lived on the same place, yet he 
has resided in four counties and two towns, 
and paid taxes in three counties. 

DR. NATHANIEL CLARK KING, 
[BY DR. SUMNEB PUTNAM.] 

came to Montpelier, now East Montpelier, 
about 181 2. He was born in Rochester, 
Mass., July 19, 1789, being one of five 
brothers, and the third son of Jonathan 
King and Mary Clark King. 

In his boyhood he attended district 
school until fifteen years old, when his 
father gave him his time, and he was to 
provide for himself. He immediately en- 
tered a private school to fit himself for 
teaching, and the study of medicine. He 
studied the languages, Greek and Latin, 
and made such progress that he taught 
school the winter after he was sixteen, and 
began to read medicine in 1808 ; and con- 
tinued to teach, and read, until the fall of 
1811. Having studied, mixed medicines, 
and visited patients more or less with Dr. 
Foster of Rochester for 3 years, he attend- 
ed medical lectures at Hanover, N. H., 
Dr. Nathan Smith being at the head of the 
medical department of Dartmouth College 
at that time. 

He began practice at North Montpelier 
about 18 1 2, having a sister residing in that 
vicinity, and in 18 14, at the call for volun- 
teers he went, as surgeon, with others, to 
Plattsburgh when the British invaded that 
place. In 18 17, he married Miss Fanny, 
second daughter of Maj. Nath. Davis, one 
of the foremost settlers in town, engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. About this time 
his father-in-law Davis offered him a good 
chance to go into trade, which he accept- 
ed, and gradually ceased to visit the sick 
generally, prescribing for and visiting only 
those who were especially anxious for his 
counsel. After years of trade and careful 
investment of savings, he became perhaps 
the wealthiest resident in East Montpelier. 
In 1849 and 1850, he represented the town 




a 



j/'\ y^ "'^^ 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



583 



in the legislature, and for many years did 
a large justice business ; many sought his 
advice in matters important to them, and 
being a well-informed, social man, of large 
acquaintance, many couples formerly ap- 
plied to him to join them in marriage. 

Between 1818 and 1835, six children 
were born to him, only three of whom 
reached maturity, and are living at the 
present time — two of them at Montpelier, 
with one of whom he now resides at the 
age of 92, and until within a few months 
retaining his faculties in a remarkable de- 
gree. Naturallv a man of strong mind, 



capable, honest and conscientious, yet full 
of pleasantry and anecdote, he has endur- 
ed with fortitude and even cheerfulness 
whatever misfortunes came upon him, and 
in the course of a long life has made nu- 
merous friends, many of the younger class 
of whom yet often call to see him, while 
few or none of his earlier associates now 
remain. 

Although his father was an orthodox 
deacon, and his oldest brother a clergy- 
man of the same denomination, views 
broader and more hopeful have ever found 
a place in his heart. 



EAST MONTPELIER LONGEVITY LIST. 



Persons over 80 years of age who have lived and died in East Montpelier. 

Dec. 1st, 1 88 1. 



Nicholas D. Bennett, 83 

Daniel Russell, Sr., 83 

Rebina Davis, 83 

Gen. Parley Davis, 82 

Caleb Bennett, 82 

Esac Howland, 82 

Joseph Gould, 82 

Abial French, 82 

Ezra Bassett, 82 

Jeduthan Doty, 82 

Sarah Wing, 82 

Paul Hathaway, 82 

Cyrus Stoddard, 82 

Abigail Beckley, 82 

Polly Nelson, 82 

Sally Parker, 81 

Betsy Phinney, 81 

Moses Parmenter, 81 

Shubael Short, 81 

Temperance Russell, 81 

Polly Peck, 81 

Lot Hathaway, 2d., 81 

Lot Hathaway, Sr., 80 

Smith Stevens, 80 

Sally Parker, 80 

Jonn Stevens, 80 

David Gould, 80 

Susanna Ellis, 80 

Arthur Daggett, 80 

Eunice Hammett, 80 

Eunice Williams, 80 

David French, 80 

Polly Stoddard, 80 

Nancy Holbrook, 80 

Barnabas Hammett, 80 

Job Macomber, 79 

Nahum Kelton, ygh 

Nathaniel Cutler, 79 

Wm .Templeton, Jr., 79 



Molly Gould, 


102^ 


Lucy Templeton, 


88 


Mrs. Chamberlain, 


lOI 


David Wing, Sr., 


88 


Triphina Shepard, 


99^ 


Mary Stevens, 


88 


Betsy Carroll, 


99 


Sally Merritt, 


88 


Simeon Gould, 


98 


Lucinda Sanders, 


88 


Isaac Gray, 


97h 


Freeman Snow, 


87 


Benjamin Ellis, 


96 


George Clark, 


87 


Elias Metcalf, 


95 


John Upton, 


86 


Bethiah Parker, 


95 


Rebecca Giles, 


86 


Phoebe Dudley, 


95 


Susanna Clark, 


86 


Mary Gould, 


95 


Ruth Bennett, 


86 


Daniel Gould, 


94 


Oliver Merritt, 


86 


Samuel Davis, 


94 


Pauline Davis, 


86 


Rachel Bliss, 


94 


Jesse Bassett, 


86 


Lorane Templeton, 


94 


Huldah Wheeler, 


85 


Isaac Vincent, 


93h 


Hezekiah Tinkham, 


85 


Theophilus Clark, Sr 


. 93-^ 


Edward West, 


85 


Elisha Cummins, 


93 


Reliance Stevens, 


85 


James Foster, 


93 


John Gray, Sr., 


85 


Lucinda Cutler, 


93 


Anna Gray, 


85 


Eunice Vincent, 


92 


Reliance Stevens, 


85 


Polly Waters, 


92 


George Clark, 


85 


Samuel Patterson, 


91 


Ezra Paine, 


85 


Joanna Wakefield, 


91 


Nathaniel Ormsbee, 


84 


Jemima Morse, 


91 


Lovina Tracy, 


84 


Margaret Holmes, 


91 


Timothy Davis, 


84 


Abigail Cutler, 


91 


Annis Tabor, 


84 


Clark Stevens, 


90 


David Daggett, 


84 


Sylvanus Morse, 


90 


Abigail Hathaway, 


84 


John Chase, 


90 


John Putnam, 


84 


Elizabeth Boy den. 


90 


Caty West, 


84 


Edward Clough, 


90 


Sally Parmenter, 


84 


Willard Shepard, 


90 


Sally Ormsbee, 


83 


Reuben Waters, 


90 


Daniel Russell, Sr., 


83 


Harriet Hamblin, 


90 


Jesse Bailey, 


83 


Samuel Templeton, 


89^ 


Elijah McKnight, 


83 


Daniel Bassett, 


89 


John Boyden, 


83 


Ruth Daggett, 


88 


Benajah Putnam, 


83 


Abigail Nash, 


88 


Abigail Lawson, 


83 


William Gray, 


88 







584 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



EAST MONTPELIER LONGEVITY LIST. 

Living in tcnvn Dec. i, 1881. 

BY CHAS. DE F. BANCROFT. 

Anna Gould, 
Polly Gould, 
Sally Vincent, 
Lydia P. Parker, 
Cyrus Morse, 
Belinda Paine, 
Harriet P. Goodwin, 
Polly Richards, 
William Holmes, 
Ann Cummins, 
Harriet Choate, 
Catherine Stevens, 
Mahala Templeton, 
Culver W. Lane, 
Eleanor Norcross, 
Abigail Southgate, 
Theophilus Clark, 
Rodney Cummins, 
Fanny Gray, 
Betsey Gray, 
Hannah Bliss, 
Putnam McKnight, 
Margaret McKnight, 
Polly Hathaway, 
Willard Cutler, 
Ralph W. Warner, 
Amasa Cummings, 

A very remarkable instance of longevity, is, of a Mrs. Betsy Carroll and her three 
daughters of this town. Mrs. Carroll died at the age of 99 years ; one daughter, 
Mrs. Lucinda Cutler at the age of 93 ; the second, Mrs. Abigail Cutler at the age of 
91, and the other now living in town, Mrs. Polly Gould at the age of 90 years. 



94 


Stephen Gould, 


77 


Eunice Parmenter, 


73 


90 


Joseph Richards, 


77 


Polly Gould, 2d, 


72 


89 


Nahum Templeton, 


77 


Marcus B. Hamblin, 


72 


87 


Mirinda Dodge, 


76 


Prentiss M. Shepard, 


72 


85 


Lawson Hammett, 


76 


Freeman N. West, 


72 


85 


Lorenzo D. Gray, 


76 


Hosea Gould, 


72 


85 


Phebe Perry, 


76 


Polly Burno, 


71 


84 


Relief M. Stewart, 


76 


Lucy B. Clark, 


71 


83 


John R. Young, 


76 


Jefferson F. W. Dodge 


.71 


81 


Anna Beckley, 


75 


Joseph Gray, 


71 


81 


Timothy Blake, 


75 


Mary F. Sibley, 


71 


81 


Samuel Davis, 


75 


Alonzo Snow, 


71 


81 


Dulcena Edwards, 


75 


Ann Blake, 


70 


80 


Almira Wheeler, 


75 


Lucius Cummins, 


70 


80 


WMUard Sanders, 


75 


Almira Fleming, 


70 


80 


Edward G. Davis, 


74 


Philura D. Hamblin, 


70 


79 


Samuel Edwards, 


74 


Harriet H. Peck, 


70 


79 


Betsey Harvey, 


74 


Sherlock Peck, 


70 


79 


Aurelia Jacobs, 


74 


William Templeton, 


70 


79 


Abigail Lawson, 


74 


Scjuier Bailey, 


69 


79 


Luther M. Parmenter, 


74 


Mercy E. Clough, 


69 


79 


Betsey M. Sibley, 


74 


Diana Holmes, 


69 


78 


Lydia Young, 


74 


Ezekiel D. Nye, 


69 


78 


Almira Warner, 


74 


Joel Ormsbee, 


69 


n 


Chester S. Guernsey, 


73 


Harriet Stevens, 


69 


77 
77 


Elhanan Norcross, 


73 


Mary B. South wick. 


69 



SUICIDES AND CASUALTIES 

Within the present limits of East Aiontpelier 
from its settlement to Dec. , 1 88 1 . 

BY TEUMAN C. KELTON, TOWN CLERK. 

A little girl, daughter of B. Nash, was 
killed by a falling tree in the east part of 
the town previous to 1800. 

A man by the name of Chamberlin, 
about 21 years of age, was killed by a fall- 
ing tree during the year 1801, near the 
center of the town, and another the follow- 
ing year by the name of Robinson, in the 
north part .of the town. 

The wife of John Cutler hung herself in 
1801. 

The foregoing are taken from D. P. 
Thompson's History of Montpelier. 

A man by the name of Alonzo Kingsley 
was killed by a tree on the farm now owned 
by George H. Chase, about 1800; and 
Daniel Blanchard was killed by a falling 



tree Sept., 1803, near the site of No. 5, or 
four corners school house. 

A child of Jonathan Edwards fell from a 
raft and drowned in the lower pond of N. 
Montpelier, about 1825. 

Charles Plumb was drowned while bath- 
ing, about 1819, just below the Clark Ste- 
vens bridge, aged 16 years. 

Nancy Waugh committed suicide by 
drowning in the brook east of George Da- 
vis' residence, about 1829. 

Elisha Gray, aged about 28, drowned 
or died in a fit occasioned by plunging in 
the water when over-heated, Aug. 19, 
1 83 1. A child of Heman Powers was 
drowned by falling from a raft, at East 
village mill-pond. 

The wife of Henry French committed 
suicide with the razor, near East Village. 
Also a man by the name of Ladd. 

William Stoddard committed suicide by 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



585 



hanging, at the present residence of Aro 
P. Slay ton. 

A child of Theophilus Clark died from 
being scalded by sitting into a pail of hot 
water. 

William Alger died from a gun shot 
wound, (accident) April 5, 1844, on the 
farm now known as the Norcross farm. 

Charles Pitkin died at A. J. Hollister's 
from accidental gun shot wound. 

Dec. 22, 1857, George W. Jacobs died 
from poison by taking a solution of corro- 
sive .sublimate by mistake. 

June 25, i860, Abner Chapman, aged 
13 years, and Herbert L. Nye, aged 7 
years, son of George G. Nye, were drown- 
ed while bathing in the Branch below N. 
Montpelier. 

July 5, 1862. Nathan Parker, aged 72, 
died from being gored by a bull. 

Oct. 31, 1863, Ellison Albee, aged 26, 
fell from a loaded wagon and was run over 
and killed, while at work for Elon O. 
Hammond. 

Feb. 15, 1866, Eustice Morris, aged 53, 
was killed by a falling tree while chopping 
for T. C. Kelton. 

July 13, 1868, ZadockH. Hubbard, aged 
25, died from sun-stroke, while at work for 
Charles A. Tabor. 

Nov. 9, 1873, Pliny P. Pearsons, aged 
34, died from a cut on the head by a circu- 
lar saw, while working under the mill at 
N. Montpelier. 

Nov. 22, 1875, Bessie K. Lord, aged 5, 
daughter of Rev. W. H. Lord, of Montpe- 
lier, was thrown from a carriage and killed 
in the west part of the town. 

Arbiickle murde?'. -r-Hiram W. Arbuckle, 
aged 27, living with his mother at East 
Village, April 13, 1877, shot George Shortt, 
a young man of 16, who was sitting on a 
bench by the stove in the grist-mill. The 
ball striking the breast bone, glanced down 
to the left side. Shortt starting to leave 
by a back door was hit in the arm above 
the elbow by a second ball, after its passing 
through the stove-pipe, he at the same 
time stumbling over some wood on the 
floor. The appearance was that the last 
shot was fatal. Arbuckle immediately left 
the mill and went to the black-smith shop 



of his brother-in-law, George W. Bancroft, 
and shot him twice and then returned back 
near the mill. About that time, Bancroft 
came out of the shop and started for his 
house. Arbuckle seeing him, ran after 
him and chased him round some lumber 
near the road. Bancroft then changed his 
course and ran for the mill, followed by 
Arbuckle, who fired again just as he was 
entering the mill door, he falling dead on 
the floor. Arbuckle then went to his 
home and remained there until the arrival 
of the constable, George Howland, who 
had been sent for about a mile distant, 
when he stepped out at a back door and 
shot himself, falling dead instantly. The 
situation of the mill, shop and house are 
is about like the points of a triangle, 12 
rods apart, and Bancroft's house next to 
the other house. The young man, Shortt, 
strange to say, was not fatally hit, the ball 
of the first shot was taken out on the out- 
side of the left ribs, some 8 or 10 inches 
from where it struck him. At the time of 
the shooting, the miller, Mr. Clifford, and 
two other neighbors were in the mill, and 
no one except Bancroft was in the shop. 
No cause can be assigned for the shooting, 
except an unpleasantness with Shortt, 
growing out of a collision of teams some 
time previous at a ride, and the dissipation 
of Bancroft and treatment to his wife, who 
was the sister of Arbuckle. 

July 18, 1878, Henry R. Campbell fell 
from a load of hay and was killed. 

Dec. 20, 1878, Bert R. Macomber, aged 
17, committed suicide by shooting. 

Nov. 30, 1879, Doct. John H. Peck died 
from over dose of chloroform. 

April 24, 1880, Byron Eastman, aged 
20, was drowned by the upsetting of a 
boat at North Montpelier. 

SYLVANUS SHEPHERD 

is remembered by the citizens of Montpe- 
lier as an odd character about town in its 
early days. His brother, Willard Shep- 
herd, was one of the early settlers of East 
Montpelier, and became an opulent farm- 
er. The old two-story brick house he 
built near the line of East Montpelier and 
Plainfield is occupied by his descendants. 
He was the author of "The Phoenix Chron- 



74 



586 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



icle." The word Phoenix signifies arising 
out of its own ashes. The Bonfire in 
which 450 books were burnt : A view of 
Montpelier and all the country places in 
the State, &c. &c. By Sylvanus Shep- 
herd. Printed for the author. 1825, 8vo. 
pp. 18. — Gilmari's Bibliography. 

THE STEP-MOTHER. 

Lines. wriUen by Clark Stevens in his 8dih year, 
to a lady who was a second wife. 
A step-mother's lot is one that 's hard- 
She need be constant on her guard; 
There are so many minds to please. 
She should be often on her knees, 
To pray for grace her patli to tread. 
And by her Saviour's will be led; 
For what suits one will not another. 
So I do pity the step-mother. 

See biography of Clark Stevens, page 
581. In his old age he often amused him- 
self with rhyming tributes for his friends, 
acrostics largely. This, just given, is 
taken from a quarto blank book, 84 pages, 
all written after he was 85 years of age. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Town Clerk — Royal Wheeler, 1849 to 
1855 inclusive; Austin D. Arms, 1856 to 
1862 inclusive. Truman C. Kelton, 1863 
to the present time — 188 1. 

Treasurer — Addison Peck, 1849, '5°>'Si- 
N. C. King, 1852 to 1861 inclusive. S. 
S. Kelton, 1862 to 1877. T. C. Kelton, 
1877 to the present time — 1881. 

Overseer of the Poor — Addison Peck, 
1849, '5°' '51- Jacob Bennett, 1852 to 
i86q. Addison Peck, i860 to 1865. John 
G. Putnam, 1865-66. John M. Willard, 
1867 to 1875 inclusive. Solon F. Cum- 
mins, 1876 to the present time — 1881. 

\st Selectman — J. C. Nichols, 1845-50, 
'51; Jacob Rich, 1852; Samuel Temple- 
ton, 1853; Lorenzo Gray, 1854; Edson 
Slayton, 1855, '56; Ezekiel D. Nye, 1857 ; 
Hazen Lyford, 1858; Jas. Bennett, 1859; 
Orlando F. Lewis, i860, '61 ; Truman C. 
Kelton, 1862; John C. Tabor, 1863; Jas. 
A. Coburn, 1864; S. S. Kelton, 1865; 
John M. Willard, 1866; J. L. Coburn, 
1867; Thomas B. Stevens, 1868; Squire 
Bailey, 1869; M. D. Willard, 1870, '71 ; 
Clark King, 1872, '^l, '74; E. H. Vin- 
cent, 1875; Eri Morse, 1876; S. W. Hill, 
1877 ; D. H. Patterson, 1878 ; J. C. Paine, 



1879; G. H. Uix, 1880; Orlando Clark, 
1881. 

Representative — N. C. King, 1849, "50; 
J. P. W. Vincent, 1851, '52; James Tem- 
pleton, 1853, '54; Stephen F. Stevens, 
1855,^56; Earned Coburn, 1857, '58; P. 
P. Pitkin, 1859,^60; E. D.Nye, 1861,^62; 
T. C. Kelton, 1863, '64; Prentice M. 
Shepard, 1865, '66; Timothy Davis, 1867, 
'68; J. A. Coburn, 1869, Vo; T. B. Ste- 
vens, 1872, ''']->)\ H. D. Foster, 1874; J. 
L. Coburn, 1876; Austin Templeton, 
1878 ; A. A. Tracy, 1880. 

Represetitatives fro7n East Montpelier be- 
fore division of town — Pearley Davis, 
1799, 1802 ; Nahum Kelton, 1816, '17, '18, 
'20, "29; Wm. Billings, 1834, '35; Royal 
Wheeler, 1838, '39; Addison Peck, 1842, 
'43; Dr. Charles Clark, 1846, '47. 

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTS. 

1849 — Horatio N. Needham, free soil, 
213; Carlos Coolidge, whig, 76; Jonas 
Clark, dem., 21. 

1850 — Lucius B. Peck, dem., 193; 
Charles K. Williams, whig, 85 ; John 
Roberts, free soil, 32. 

1 85 1 — Timothy P. Redfield, free dem., 
146; Chas. K.Williams, whig, 59; John 
Roberts, dem. 24. 

1852 — Lawrence Brainerd, free soil, 107 ; 
John S. Robinson, dem., 81 ; Erastus Fair- 
banks, whig, 65. Presidential, Winfield 
Scott, 37; Franklin Pierce, 47. 

1853 — John S. Robinson, dem., loi ; 
Lawrence Brainerd, free soil, 91 ; Erastus 
Fairbanks, whig, 51. 

1854 — Stephen Royce, whig, 98 ; Merritt , 
Clark, dem., 95; Lawrence Brainerd, free 
soil, 5. 

1855 — Stephen Royce, whig, 163; Mer- 
ritt Clark, dem., 95; Lawrence Brainerd, 
free soil, i . 

1856 — Ryland Fletcher, whig, 168; 
Henry Keyes, dem., 87. Presidential, 
Fremont, 139; Buchanan, 40. 

1857 — Ryland Fletcher, whig, 128; 
Henry Keyes, dem., 93. 

1858 — Hiland Hall, whig, 145; Henry 
Keyes, dem., 92. 

1859 — Hiland Hall, whig, 163 ; John G. 
Saxe, dem., 102. 

i860 — Erastus Fairbanks, whig, 180; 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



587 



John G. Saxe, dem., 87. Presidential, 
Lincoln, 1 13 ; Douglass, 32. 

1861 — Frederick Holbrook,repub., 141 ; 
Andrew Tracy, whig, y2)'i H. B. Smalley, 
dem., 13. 

1862 — Frederick Holbrook, repub., iii. 

1863 — John G. Smith, repub., 161 ; 
Timothy P. Redfield, dem., 62. 

1864 — John G. Smith, repub., 149; 
Timothy P. Redfield, dem., 56. Presi- 
dential, Lincoln, 131 ; McClellan, 25. 

1865 — Paul Dillingham, repub., 122; 
Charles N. Davenport, dem., 49. 

1866 — Paul Dillingham, repub., 129; 
Charles N. Davenport, dem., 41. 

1867 — John B. Page, rep. 176; J. L. 
Edwards, dem., 39. 

1868 — John B. Page, repub., 174; John 
L. Edwards, dem., 51. Presidential, 
Grant, 156; Seymour, 28. 

1869 — Peter T. Washburn, repub., 143 ; 
Homer W. Heaton, dem., 48. 

1870 — John W. Stewart, repub., 129; 
Homer W. Heaton, dem., 41. 

1872 — Julius Converse, repub., 155; 
Abraham B. Gardner, dem., 47. Presi- 
dential, Grant, 107; Greeley, 19. 

War of the 



1874 — Asahel Peck, repub., 77-^ W. 
H. H. Bingham, dem., 41. 

1876 — Horace Fairbanks, repub., 134; 
W. H. H. Bingham, dem., 57. Presiden- 
tial, Hayes, 109; Tilden, t,?,- 

1878 — Redfield Proctor, repub., 145; 
W. H. H. Bingham, dem., 55. 

1880 — Roswell Farnham, repub., 166; 
Edward J. Phelps, dem., 56. Presidential, 
Garfield, 108; Hancock, 17. 

SOLDIERS OF EAST MONTPELIER. 

Soldiers of the Revolution, who lived 
and died in East Montpelier . — Hezekiah 
Tinkham, Edward West, Elias Metcalf, 
John Putnam, Job Macomber, Daniel 
Russell, Sen., Theophilus Clark, Clark 
Stevens, Samuel Southwick, Enoch Gate, 
John Gray, Joshua Sanders. 

Soldiers of the War of 18 12. — Rowland 
Edwards, Enoch Kelton, Nathan Kelton, 
John Gould, John B. Kelton, John Morgan, 
Jasper M. Stoddard, Moses Parmenter. 

Soldiers of the Mexican War. — Daniel 
Cutler, Orange McKay.' 

Rebellion. ' 



COMPILED MAINLY FROM THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S REPORT BY CHARLES DE F. BANCROFT. 
VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS CREDITED PREVIOUS TO CALL FOR 300,000 MEN, OCT. l6, 1S63. 



Discharged Dec. 9, 62. 

Died June 14, 62, in Louisana. 

Discharged May 18, 65. 

Mustered out July 27, 64. 

Credited, but does not appear to have 

entered the service. 
Died May 7, 62. 
Discharged Dec. 17, 61. 
Transferred to U. S. Navy Apr. 1 5, 64 ; 

discharged June 6, 65. 
Mustered out Oct. 28, 64. 
Trans, to V. R. C. ; disch. June 4, 64. 
Deserted July 26, 64. 
Died July 4, 62, of wounds rec'd at Lee's 

Mills. 
Discharged Oct. 10, 62. 
Died at New Orleans, Sept. 3, 62. 
Killed at Fredericksburgh Dec. 13, 62. 
Pro. corp. ; wounded Aug. 21, 64 ; must. 

out June 19, 64. 
Mustered out June 21, 65. 
Discharged Nov. 22, 61. 
Mustered out Nov. 18, 64. 
Captain ; resigned Aug. 14, 61. 
Killed in action May 3, 64. 
Died April 14, 62. 

1st lieut. ; died May 9, 62, Wash'n, D. C. 
Prom. corp. ; discharged Dec. 23, 62. 



Names. 


Age. 


Co. Rej 


t. Enlistment 


Andrews, Gustavus A. 


43 


K 3 


July 10 61 


Bancroft, Charles F. 


18 


I Bat. 


Jan. 18 62 


Bancroft, Daniel P. 


23 


C Cav. 


Aug 28 62 


Bailey, Hiram A. 


19 


H 3 


June I 61 


Beaudreau, Stephen 








Bent, David J. 


20 


G 4 


Aug 30 61 


Burnham, Andrew 


36 


H 2 


do 20 61 


Carley, Charles 




F 6 


do 15 62 


Carley, Henry 


24 


F 6 


Sept 23 61 


Carley, William 


44 


E 8 


Nov 28 61 


Carr, Chester 


26 


I II 


Aug II 62 


Connell, Thomas 


22 


K 3 


July 10 61 


Cummins, Edwin 


22 


G 4 


Aug 27 61 


Cutler, Charles F. 


21 


K 7 


June I 62 


Dearborn, Roswell H. 


-3 


G 4 


Aug 29 61 


Dillon, William 2d., 


iS 


F 6 


do 15 62 


Field, Reuben R. 


24 


B Cav 


do do do 


Gero, Geoige 


28 


K 3 


July ID 61 


Gray, William C. 


22 


C Cav 


Sept 13 61 


Hammond, Elon O. 


45 


K 3 


June 1661 


Hargin, Ira J. 


18 


F 2 


Aug 14 62 


Hill, Amasa 


29 


K 3 


July 10 61 


Hill, Henrv H. 


21 


G 4 


Sept 21 61 


Hill, Joseph P. 


20 


E 3 


June I 61 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 


Age. 


Co. 


Regt. Enlistment 


Rowland, Hiram B. 


42 


G 


3 


June 15 61 


Joslyn, Triffley 


21 


G 


4 


Sept 3 61 


Lapiere, Cypren 


21 


F 


2 


Feb 24 62 


Lapiere, Joseph 


21 


F 


2 


do 5 62 


Lawrence, Stephen D. 


28 


F 


2 


Aug 14 62 


Mann, Albert N. 


21 


I 


9 


May 23 62 


Maxham, George 


38 


E 


8 


Dec 8 61 


Mitchell, John 


18 


K 


3 


July 10 61 


Morse, Joseph Jr., 


29 


H 


'7 


Aug 20 61 


Morris, Joseph 


18 


C Cav 


Aug 14 61 


Muckler, Henry 


28 


G 


4 


do 27 6r 


Ormsbee, Elhanan W. 


24 


G 


4 


Aug 30 61 


Ormsbee, Mansaur A. 


28 


F 




May 7 61 


Ormsbee, Orvis 


20 


G 


4 


Aug 30 61 


Persons, Charles E. 


20 


G 


4 


Aug 27 61 


Persons, Levi A. 


24 


G 


4 


do do do 


Persons, Phineas C. 


~3 


F 


6 


Feb 25 62 


Pitkin Perley P. 


35 




2 


June 20 61 


Prescott, Dexter S. 


22 


G 


4 


Aug 22 61 


Putnam, Isaac A. 


24 


G 


4 


do 24 61 


Sanders, Charles A. 


29 


G 


4 


Aug 24 61 


Seymour, Isaac 


44 


I 


9 


June 2362 


Shorey, Theodore 


19 


F 


2 


May 7 61 



Silloway, Seth P. 
Sinnott, William 

Slayton, Austin C. 
Smith, James H. 
Snow, Oscar D. 
Southwick, George W. 
Stevens, William B. 

Steward, Dexter G. 
Templeton, Charles A. 
Thibeault, Antoine 
Trow, George E. 
Washburn, William L. 
Wheeler. Cyril 
Willey, Alonzo D. 
Wemes, James 

Barnet, Lucius H. 
Carson, Charles H. 
Coburn, Lewis L. 
Cutler, Lorenzo D. 
Flint, Norris W. 
Genait, Victor 
Hill, Horace L. 
Howland, William H. 
Laws on, William E. 
Lewis, William H. 
Martin, Henry H. 
Nye, Alanson 
Ormsbee, Hosea B. 
Ormsbee, William H. 
Pierce, George 
Pratt, Azro A. 
Slayton, Rufus H. 
Snow, Willard C. 
Stoddard, Francis F. 
Templeton, Albert C. 
Tucker, Marcus F. 
Wakefield, Christopher H. 
Wakefield, Henry 
Wakefield, William H. 



39 1st Bat Dec 7 61 
44 I 2 Aug 27 62 

21 K 3 July 10 61 
19 F 6 Oct 2 61 
19 H 3 June I 61 
32 1st Bat June 16 62 
23 G 4 Aug 22 61 



24 
19 

18 
20 
18 

33 
24 

38 



July ID 61 
Oct 7 61 
Aug 28 62 
Aug 20 62 
do 28 61 
do 20 62 
July 10 61 
Apr 5 62 



Discharged Jan. 21, 63. 

W'd at Wilderness ; must out Sept. 30, 64. 

Trans, to V. R. .C, Apr. 20, 65 ; must. 

out July 20, 65. 
Discharged Sept. 13, 62. 
Rejected by Brigade Surgeon. 
Discharged Nov. 5, 62. 
Promoted corp. ; re-enlisted June 5, 64. 
Deserted Jan. 21, 62. 
Mustered out Sept 13, 64. 
Discharged Nov. 26, 62. 
Discharged April 19, 62. 
Killed at the Wilderness May 5, 64. 
Discharged Jan. 14, 63. 
Died Jan. 19, 62, at Camp Griffin, Va. 
Mustered out Sept. 30, 64. 
Sergeant ; discharged Apr. 17, 62. 
Discharged July 31, 62. 
Quartermaster ; pro. capt. and assist. 

quartermaster U. S. A., April 13. 62. 
Discharged Nov. 10, 62. 
1st sergt. ; prom. 2d lieut. Co. H, Jan. 

19, 62 ; 1st lieut. Co. C, Oct. 20, 63 ; 

killed at the Wilderness May 5, 64. 
Discharged April 4, 62. 
Discharged Feb. 20, 63. 
Prom. Corp. ; sergt. ; re-enlisted ; must. 

out July 15, 65. 
Discharged April 30, 64. 
Discharged May 18, 63, for wounds rec'd 

at Fredericksburgh. 
Mustered out July 27, 64. 
Discharged Oct. 30, 64. 
Died Oct. 14, 61. 
Mustered out August 10, 64. 
Pro. serg't ; died of wounds rec. at Cold 

Harbor, June 12, 64. 
Discharged Sept. 17, 62. 
Corporal ; died Oct. 17, 62. 
Died at White Oak Church, Dec. 24, 62. 
Mustered out Sept, 12, 64. 
Discharged Feb. 17, 63. [18, 63. 

Wounded at Fredericksburgh ; dis. May 
Killed at Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, 62. 
Discharged July 8, 63. 



VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS. 



C 13 Aug 29 62 Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do . do do 

do do Captain ; mustered out July 21, 63. 

do do Serg't ; died at Brattleboro, July 24, 63. 

do Aug 29 61 Mustered out July 21, 63. 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do Wd. July 3, 63 ; must. out. July 21, 63. 

do do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

H 13 do do 

C 13 do Wounded July 3, 63 ; died July 19, 63. 

do do Pro. corp ; must, out July 21, 63. 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do do 

do do Mustered out July 21, 63. 



EAST MONTPELIER. 



589 



CREDITS FOR 

Names. 
Ainsworth, Eugene D. 

Barton, Geo. M. 
Batcheider, John D. 
Burnhani, Edwin 

Carson, Charles H. 
Clark, Isaac 

Collins, Luther M. 
Goodell, Lewis 
Gove, George D. 
Rowland, Arthur L. 
Howland, William H. 

Jackson, Marcus N. 
Langdon, John C. 
Mason, Gilman 
Mason, Joseph 
O'Neil, Daniel 
Pierce, Dgvid 
Roscoe, Curtis W. 
Sanders, Charles A. 
Thomas, William W. 
Wakefield, Henry 
Washburn, Ira A. 



Francis, Edgar A. 
Jangraw, Francis 
Morris, Joseph 
Morris, Francis 
Dana, Alpheus T. 
Lewis, William H. 
Potter, Robert 
Rowe, Joseph 
Skiddy, Lawrence 
Stevens, Henry A. 
Hoyt, Enoch S. 



3 YEARS, UNDER CALL OF OCT. 1 7, 1863, FOR 300,000 MEN. 
Age Co. Regt. Enlistment. Remarks. 



18 III Nov 23 63 



Holmes, Ira 
Maxham, George 

Aldrich, Levi II. 

Gray, George S. 
Ripley, William C. 

Bigelow, John B. 
Giovanni, Don 



Benjamin, David 
Bliss, George E. 
Buzzell, George W. 
Cummins, Luther 
Davis, George 
Davis, Nathaniel Jr., 
Davis, Oscar L. 
Edwards, Samuel Jr. 



17 



31 

18 
19 

17 
iS 

23 



18 
18 

44 
20 

19 

27 

19 

18 



18 



3 Bat 
I II 
I II 

E17 
I [I 

H17 
I II 

3 Bat 
E17 

E 17 

I II 
3 Bat 
I II 
I II 

B 5 
K Cav Jan 
Hii Dec 
3 Bat 
I II 
E17 
I II 



Dec 26 63 

Nov 21 63 

do 23 63 

Sept 14 63 
Nov 29 63 

do 963 
do 23 63 
Dec 23 63 
Sept 21 63 
do 14 63 



Nov 23 63 

Oct 3063 

Dec 4 63 

Nov 27 63 

do 24 63 

I 64 

263 

Aug 5 64 

Dec 23 63 

Sept 15 63 

Dec 28 63 



Wd. at Cold Harbor, June i, 64; dis. 

Apr. 27, 65. 
Pro. corp ; mustered out June 15, 65. 
Died at Ft. Slocum, D. C, Feb. 27, 64. 
Wd. at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19. 64; pro. 

corp ; must, out July 17, 65. 
Corp ; killed at Wilderness, May 6, 64. 
Died June 6, 64, of wounds received at 

Cold Harbor. 
Mustered out July 14, 65. 

do June 29, 65. 

do June 15, 65. 

Deserted from hospital in 65. 
Corporal. Died May 10, 64, of wounds 

received May 6, 64. 
Mustered out Aug. 25, 65. 

do May 13, 65. 

Discharged Apr. 15, 64. 

do [65. 

Trans, to V. R. C. Apr. 64 ; dis. June 15, 
Killed in action March i, 64. [22, 64. 

Corp ; died at Andersonville prison, Sept. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 
Discharged Jan. 31, 65. 
Died at Salisb. prison, N.C., Feb. 20, 65. 
Mustered out Aug. 5, 65. 



VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE YEAR. 



D 2 
21 3 Bat 
20 do 

19 do 

20 K 7 

21 Ft Cav Jan 
19 E 8 Feb 



Aug 20 64 

do 17 64 

do 

do 

Feb I 65 

365 
o 65 



24 3 Bat Aug 18 64 
33 D 7 Feb 13 65 
19 Ft Cav Jan 3 65 
V. R. C. Feb 17 65 



Mustered out June 19, 65. 

do do 15, 65. 

do do 

do do 

do Jan. 31, 66. 

do June 27, 65. 

do do 28, 65. 

do do 25, 65. 

do Feb. 13, 66. 

do June 27, 65. 
Died Oct. i, 65. 



VOLUNTEERS RE-ENLISTED FOR THREE YEARS. 



24 E 8 

41 do June 5 64 



First en. a credit to town of Woodbury. 

Deserted May 28, 64. 
Wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19,64; 
must, out July 17, 65. 



DRAFTED MEN WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE. 

24 K 3 July 13 63 Wounded at Cold Harbor 



64; 



C 2 
D 2 



June 3, 

des. Oct. I, 64. 
Killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. 
Wd. May 5, 64, and Sept. 19, 64 ; pro. 

corp. Oct. 31, 64; serg't. Feb. 7, 65; 

must, out July 15, 65. 

SUBSTITUTES FURNISHED BY DRAFTED MEN. 

48 B C July 24 63 Substitute for John H. Peck; must, out 
June 26, 65. 
do Substitute for Darwin A. Stewart ; des. 

before assignment to Co. or Reg't. 

DRAFTED MEN WHO PAID COMMUTATION. 



do 
do 



Foster, Edwin H. 
Gould, Henry M. 
Gould, John M. 
Hollister, Martin V. 
Holmes, Henry C. 
Ordway, Edward, 
Parmenter, Marcus 



Pierce, Aaron 
Seabury, Edward T. 
Smith, Willard G. 
B. Stevens, Thomas B. 

Templeton, Austin 
Templeton, H. H. 
Wasson, David H. 



59° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



RECAPITULATION. 

Volunteers for 3 years 86 

Volunteers for i year s 12 

Volunteers for 9 months 24 

Drafted men who entered service 3 

Furnished substitute 2 

Paid commutation , 22 

Mustered out at expiration of time of service, or the close of the war 64 

Discharged for disability 30 

Killed in battle 8 

Died of wounds received in action 6 

Died of disease contracted in service 11 

Died in Rebel prisons 2 

Deserted 6 



ROLL OF HONOR. 



Name. 

Bancroft, Charles F. 
Batchelder, John D. 
Bent, David J. 
Carson, Charles H. 
Clark, Isaac 
Cornell, Thomas 
Cutler, Charles F. 
Cutler, Lorenzo D. 
Dearborn, Rosvvell H. 
Gray, George S. 
Hargin, Ira J. 
Hill, Amasa 

Hill, Henry H. ist lieut. 
Howland, William H. 
Hoyt, Enoch S. 
Ormsbee, Elhanan W. 
Ormsbee, Or vis 
Pierce, David 
Putnarn, Isaac A. ist lieut. 
Roscoe, Curtis W. 
Snow, Oscar D. 
Snow, Willard C. 
Stevens, William B. 
Templeton, Charles A. 
Thibeault, Antoine 
Wakefield, Henry 
Willey, Alonzo D. 



D;ite of deatli. 

June 14, 1862. 
Feb. 27, 1864. 
May 7, 1862. 
May 5, 1864. 
June 6, 1864. 
July 4, 1862. 
Sept. 3, 1862. 
July 24, 1863. 
Dec. 13, 1862. 
May 5, 1864. 
May 5, 1864. 
April 14, 1862. 
May 9, 1862. 
May 10, 1864. 
Oct. 3, 1865. 
May 5, 1864. 
Jan. 19, 1862. 
Mar. I, 1864. 
May 5, 1864. 
Sept. 22, 1864. 
Oct. 14, 1861. 
July 19, 1863. 
June 12, 1864. 
Oct. 17, 1862. 
Dec. 24, 1862. 
Feb. 20, 1865. 
April 16, 1862. 



ERRATA. 

[OF MR. WALTON.] 

Page 329, Miranda C. Storrs should be 
Maria Cadwell Storrs. 

Page 357, William H. Upham should 
be William Keyes Upham. e. p. w. 

Page 299, soldiers furnished by the town 
given as 236, quota 189, should be 336, 
and a quota of 289 to fill. 

[OF C. DE F. BANCU >FT.] 

Page 331, Willie Kelly, aged 11 years, 
killed by a sweep on Barre street, in 1869. 



Page 331, a W^illey child killed on Main 
street; run over, age 6, 1870. 

Page 331, Michael McMahon killed, 
should read, aged 30 years. 

Page 231, William Mousier, not William 
Monsier. 

Page 332, D. K. Bennett, Aug. 3, not 
Aug. 8. 

On page 348 should be added the names 
of Edward Ordway, Edward Seabury and 
Willard G. Smith to the list of drafted 
men from Montpelier as having paid com- 
mutation. They are erroneously given in 
the Adjutant General's printed report of 
1864, as credits from East Montpelier. 

Page 345, '6, Frank V. Randall, Jr., 
enlisted Jan. i, 1863, at the age of 11 years ; 
a credit from this town as a musician in 
Co. F, 13th Reg't., and mustered out of 
service July 21, '63; enlisted Jan. 5, '64, 
as musician in Co. E, 17th Reg't. ; mus- 
tered out July, '65. 

Page 342, Ansel H. Howard, aged 18 
years, enlisted Aug. 20, '61, in Co. H, 2d 
Reg't. ; promoted corporal ; re-enlisted 
from Montpelier, Dec. 21, '63; promoted 
sergeant ; mustered out of service July 
I5,'65. 

Page 345, William Goodwin, enlisted 
Aug. 25, 1862, at the age of 24, in Co. I, 
13th Regt. Mustered out with the regi- 
ment July 21, 1863. 

Page 524, Center Cemetery should read 
Cutler Cemetery, 

Page 530, James Conners' age should be 
24, not 54. 

Additional. — Mrs. Rhoda Brooks, page 
476, the date of her birth should be 1788, 

J. A. Wing, p. 545 ; birth Oct., not 
Dec. 26, 1 810, remained in Plainfield 58. 

Page 289, Drolette, should be Drolet. 



COMMEMORATION. 



PORTRAITS AND DONORS. 



Clark Stevens of East Montpelier, old town clerk and Quaker minister — first 
preacher in old Montpelier. Donated by Hon. S. S. Kelton, historian of East 
Montpelier, and Thomas B. Stevens, grandson of Clark Stevens. 

Gen. Parley Davis of East Montpelier, iirst general surveyor of Washino-ton 
County. Donated by his grandson, Benjamin I. Wheeler of East Montpelier. 

Gen. Ezekiel P. Walton. By Hon. E. P. Walton. 

Mrs. Prussia Persons Walton. By Mrs. Harriet N. Wing of Glens Falls, N. Y. 

Hon. E. P. Walton. By Hon. E. P. Walton. 

Col. James H. Langdon, Mrs. James H. Langdon, James R. Langdon. By 
James R. Langdon. 

George Langdon. By Mrs. Geo. Langdon. 
Dr. Julius Y. Dewey. By Hon. Charles and Edward Dewey. 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin. By Mr. and Mrs. Marcus D. Gilman. 
Hon. Charles Reed. By Mrs. Charles Reed. 
Hon. Charles W. Willard. By Mrs. Charles W. Willard. 
Senator William Upham, Mrs. William Upham. By Mrs. George Langdon. 
Hon. Samuel Prentiss. By Joseph A. Prentiss, Esq., Winona, Minn. 
Rev. William H. Lord. By Ladies of Bethany Church. 
Rev. Frederick W. Shelton. By Episcopal Church Society. 
Rev. Chester Wright. By Rev. J. Edward Wright. 
Capt. Nathan Jewett, Col. Elisha P. Jewett. By Col. E. P. Jewett. 
John Wood, Thomas W. Wood. By Thos. W. Wood. 
Judge Timothy P. Redfield. By Hon. T. P. Redfield. 
Hon. Homer W. Heaton. By Hon. Homer W. Heaton. 
Joseph A. Wing, Esq. By J. A. Wing, E.sq. 
Gen. Perley P. Pitkin. By Gen. P. P. Pitkin. 

Hon. Lucius B. Peck. By his daughter, Mrs. Anna M. Mallary, Towanda, Penn. 
Hon. Stoddard B. Colby. By his daughter, Mrs. Col. Carey, Washington, D. C. 
Charles G. Eastman. By Mrs. Charles G. Eastman. 
Jonathan Shepard. By George C. Shepard. 
Gov. Asahel Peck. By Nahum Peck of Hinesburgh. 
Hon. Rawsel R. Keith. By Dodge W. Keith of Chicago. 

Mahlon Cottrill, Mrs. Mahlon Cottrill. By Jedd P. Cottrill, Esq., Milwaukee. 
Col. Levi Boutwell. By Mrs. Levi Boutwell and H. S. Boutwell. 
Dr. Nathaniel C. King of East Montpelier, Dr. Sumner Putnam of Montpelier. 
By Dr. Sumner Putnam. 

Carlos Bancroft. By Mrs. Carlos Bancroft. 

Aaron Bancroft. By Chas. De F. Bancroft and two old citizens. 

Zenas Wood. By his daughters at St. Johnsbury. 

Richard W. Hyde. By Mrs. R. W. Hyde and family. 



592 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

Hon. John A. Page. By Hon. J. A.Page. 

Hon. Joseph Poland. By Hon. J. Poland. 

Charles W. Bailey. By Mrs. Chas. W. Bailey. 

J. Warren Bailey. By Mrs. J. W. Bailey. 

Major Alfred L. Carleton. By Mrs. A. L. Carleton. 

Rev. Elisha Brown. By Col. A. C. Brown. 

Luther Cross. By Luther B. Cross. 

Robert H. Whittier. By Mrs. R. H. Whittier. 

Dea. Constant W. Storrs. By Mrs. C. W. Storrs. 

Marcus D. Gilman. By M. D. Gilman. 

Hiram Atkins. By H. Atkins. 

Hon. Roderick Richardson. By Hon. R. Richardson. 

Dr. Charles Clark. By the family. 

WOOD ENGRAVINGS SPECIALLY FOR THIS WORK. 

Lorenzo Dow and Peggy, and Bridgman. By L. J. Bridgman. 

Church of St. Augustine. From the Catholic Society. 

Trinity M. E. Church. By the Society — Mrs. Laura A. McDermid, solicitor. 

Church of the Messiah. By the Unitarian Society, through John G. Wing, Esq. 

Baptist Church. By Society and friends, through John W. Smith. 

Central Vermont Depot. From Can. Vt. R. R. Co., St. Albans. 

Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Building. From the Company. 

Residence of Marcus D. Gilman. From Mr. Gilman. 

Washington County Court House. By the Montpelier lawyers, through Hiram 

Carleton, Esq. 
Residence of George C. Shepard. From Mr. Shepard. 
Riverside House. From C. J. Gleason, Esq. 

Plates before engraved. — Christ Church — By favor of Mr. Atkins of the Argu.s. 
Bethany Church, The State House, Pavilion, &c. The Interior of Christ 
Church, Bethany, and Trinity M. E., subscriptions commenced for. 

Note to the Portraits. — Those of Col. Langdon and wife, and Gen. Walton 
and wife, were painted by Tuthill, (a pupil of Benjamin West) ; tho.se of Mahlon 
Cottrill and wife, by Mason, and all when the parties were so young, their portraits 
will be recognized by only a few persons. The same is true to some extent of the 
portraits of Gen. Parley Davis and Mrs. LTpham. The signature of Prussia Walton 
was writren at the age of 82. 

FINIS. 

Montpelier, thou hast won my heart 

By all thy generous ways ; 
It is my joy, my pride, thy noble men, 

Thy matrons beauteous in their days — 
To praise. 

And I would write thy happy name 

On the historic page. 
In letters as of gold, to hand 

Down to the future age — 

Montpelier. 

Abby Maria Hemenway 



MORETOWN. 



593 



MORETOWN. 

[Compiled from tlie newspaper records and papers 
contributed.] 

"The township was chartered June 7, 
1763, the grant to contain 6 square miles 
to be divided into 71 shares ; one-eighth to 
each of the 64 proprietoirs ; each drawing 
one lot out of each division, thei-e being 
three divisions.'' The charter says, before 
any division of land be made to proprie- 
tors, a tract of land as near the center of 
the town as the land will admit shall be 
reserved and marked out for town lots, 
one of which shall be allotted to each pro- 
prietor, of the contents of i acre — they 
paying as rent therefor for the term of 10 
years, one ear of Indian corn, on the 25th 
of Dec. annually, if lawfully demanded, 
and said rent to commence Dec. 25, 1762. 
Also each proprietor was to pay one shil- 
ling proclamation money on every 100 
acres of land. After the town was organ- 
ized, it passed a vote to "quiet " those who 
had previously selected and were occupy- 
ing lots, in lieu of drawing by lot as speci- 
fied in the grant. By "quiet" it is pre- 
sumed was meant to let them hold the lots 
selected. Moretown was settled prior to 
1790; for in 1790, Ebenezer Haseltine 
came to the N. W. part, and commenced 
to clear a farm about a mile and a half 
from Duxbury line. It was on Winooski 
or Onion river, and the place where his 
son, Ebenezer Haseltine, now resides. 
But it appears that Seth Munson was living 
near where Mr. Haseltine made a pitch, 
when Mr. H. arrived — so it is evident a 
few settlers had made a beginning prior to 
1790. At this date, 1790, there were only 
a few houses in Montpelier, and these were 
log ; and it is said that Mr. H. helped cut 
the first hay ever cut in Montpelier, and 
on the spot where the Vennont Watchman 
office now stands. When the Indians were 
on their way to burn Royalton, they 
camped on the meadow owned by Mr. 
Haseltine. Arrow heads and stone hatchets 
have been found on this farm. The first 
school district in town was formed in this 
neighborhood. Mrs. Ebenezer Haseltine 
and Aunt Judith Haseltine used to gather 
sap on snow-shoes, and catch cart loads 



of trout from Onion river. Aunt Judith H. 
died in Aug. 1876, aged more than 95 
years. In those early days the settlers 
went to Burlington to mill, in canoes, 
carrying the canoe and grist around the 
falls in Bolton. Sometimes they would 
make " plumping mills," by making a hole 
in a large stump to hold the grain, and 
bending a sapling over, fasten to it a chunk 
of wood to pound the corn with. Of this 
no one need be ashamed, for one of our 
presidents ground corn in the same way. 
Bears and wolves disturbed the people to 
some extent, frequently coming out in the 
daytime. Three wolves came one night 
and put their paws on the yard fence of 
Abner Child, on Moretown Common, but 
went back to the mountains and howled. 
The next day, about 2 p. m., a deer came 
and jumped into the same yard, being 
driven in by the wolves, -it was thought. 
The deer soon left, and wolves' tracks were 
afterward seen in connection with its tracks 
toward the river. 

A young lady was riding on horseback 
from the Common toward the Hollow, and 
met a bear. She turned back, told her 
story, and some men rallied, pursued and 
killed the bear. It was distributed be- 
tween persons, many wanting a piece. 
The head was taken by one man, and the 
next day or two the jaw of the bear was 
put on the table whole, the teeth all in. 

A few years since, as Rev. Mr. Powers 
was returning from Northfield to this town, 
he met a bear, which he treed and watched 
while his boy went to the village anc^ rallied 
soine men, who came and killed the bear. 
It was voted to give Mr. P. the bear. The 
bears have not all left town, but the most 
of those remaining are biped. 

Mar. 9, 1792, Joseph Haseltine, Seth 
Munson, David Parcher and Ebenezer 
Haseltine petitioned Richard Holden, a 
justice of the peace of Waterbury, to call a 
town meeting of inhabitants of Moretown, 
to meet at Jos. Haseltine's, Mar. 22, 1792, 
to elect town officers. 

Met agreeable to warning and chose 
Daniel Parcher, moderator ; and chose 
Seth Munson, town clerk ; chose as select- 
men, Joseph Haseltine, Daniel Parcher 
and John Heaton ; chose Philip Bartlett, 



75 



594 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



treasurer ; chose Joseph Haseltine, con- 
stable ; chose John Heaton and Ebenezer 
Hasehine, Usters ; chose Joseph Haseltine, 
collector of town rates ; and Joseph Parcher, 
highway surveyor. Voted to dissolve the 
meeting. Attest, 

Seth Munson, Tmun Clerk. 

Up to 1832, the town meetings were 
held on Moretown Common. At that date 
an article in the " warning" for town meet- 
ing called the voters together under great 
excitement. Much confusion prevailed, 
until it was ordered to call every voter into 
the house, and appoint a talisman to notice 
each man and record "yes "or "no" as 
he should pass out, voting on the article. 

The article was to see if the legal voters 
would remove the town meeting from the 
Common to the Hollow. The majority 
voted •• yes." .Since that date the town 
meetings have been held at the Hollow. 
The present town house was then started 
by subscription. — U^ritten in 1876. 

[Among the papers of the late Henr)- 
Stevens, Antiquarian of V'ermont, we 
copied the following heads of papers in his 
collections : " Surveys in Moretown," " A 
vendue pitch for Nathaniel Chipman," con- 
taining 360 acres. No. 83, signed Wm. 
Sawyer. In the office of Robert Temple, 
Rutland County Court, "Copies of Ira 
Allen's sales in Moretown " ; complete, I 
think. " Copy of Smith's deed of land in 
Moretown"; " Copy of Sawyer's deed to 
Lovell " ; "Ira Allen and Fiske's agreement 
selecting lands in Moretown"; "Agree- 
ment concerning land in Moretown be- 
tween Ira Allen, and James Mowry, of 
Corinth " ; " Ira Allen and Thomas Mead's 
land in Moretown"; "Colchester, June 
25, 1790, Deed to Col. Ira Allen of 500 
acres of land in Moretown, by Samuel 
Allen."] 

By searching the old records, it is found 
proprietor's meetings were held for some 
years after the town was organized. 

Among the prominent men of the pres- 
ent century may be named Abner Child, 
who was one of the earlier settlers, Har- 
vev W. Carpenter, Alpheus C. Noble, 
Hon. Joseph Sawyer, Rufus Clapp and 
Calvin Kingsley, M. D., town clerk for 44 
years, or since 1832. He is now partially 



retired to enjoy a competency gained in 
his profession. The others have nearly, 
if not all, died, and some of them were of 
the principal men from 1830 to 1850. 

The Dr. has also represented the town 
several times in the State Legislature. 

Judge Sawyer has a widow and 2 sons 
residing in town. One of those sons has 
a "bull's eye" watch which the Judge used 
to carry, and which had not been cleaned 
and run for 40 years until recently ; it is 
said to be 150 years old. The same son 
has a clock 100 years old. 

A very serious calamit) occurred in 1830 
— the greatest freshet ever known in Mad 
River V'alley. It raised the river until 
nearly all the street was covered. Miss 
Harriet Taylor, of Waitstield, (now Mrs. 
Hon. Roderick Richardson, of Boston, 
Mass.,) was teaching school in our village 
at the time of the freshet. She boarded 
with a family living where Mr. Freeman 
now resides. Tiie water drove them, in 
the night, to the chamber of the house, and 
they could, in the darkness, hear the 
splashing of the water and the thumping 
of floating chairs and tables against the 
chamber floor — to which the water had 
risen. To add to their distress the cries 
of a sick child were constantly calling their 
attention. Toward morning the cellar wall 
under a part of the house, fell in with a 
splash, causing new fright which led the 
inmates of the chamber to pray to God, 
the Father of Him who once said to the 
winds and waves, "Be still." The next 
morning the family and teacher were floated 
away to safety on a barn door. The sick 
child died in a few hours after the rescue. 
Henry Carpenter, residing further down 
the river, started with his wife and bo}', 
the boy walking between them, with hands 
in theirs, to go to a neighbor's. They in- 
tended to keep the road, wading through 
the water ; but coming to deeper water 
Mrs. Carpenter let go the boy's hand and 
probably became strangled. Mr. C. called 
in the darkness but no voice replied. The 
boy swam back to the house. The father 
in sadness rallied some neighbors, and the 
next day the mother and wife was found 
on the meadow below, cold in death. 



MORETOWN. 



S9S 



One family fled to the hilis and stayed 
out all night in the rain, holding a little 
babe in their arms. Who the little babe 
was let grandmother tell. 

This newspaper record sent to us, we 
think, by Rev. Seldon B. Currier, we will- 
interrupt here to give. 

THE BURSTING OF A CLOUD OVER JONES'S 
BROOK IN MORETOWN. 

BY HON. D P. THOMPSON. 

1 have used the term, bursting of a cloud, 
as the caption of this article, because it is 
expressive of a popular notion, and not be- 
cause it is either philosophical or correct. 
It has long been a prevalent belief, that in 
cases of extraordinary tails of water over 
particular localities, clouds, like old leath- 
er bottles, suddenly burst and let the wa- 
ter they contain fall to the earth almost in 
a body, like rivers falling over precipices in 
cataracts ; whereas nothing could be more 
unscientific or farther from the truth. No 
collected body of water, not even to the 
amount of a cjuart, could remain suspended 
in a cloud a single second, but would in- 
stantly fall to the earth from the force of 
the universal law of gravitation. The 
great deluging torrents of rain that occa- 
sionally occur, simply proceed from unusua 1 
thickness, or upward extent of the cloud. 
This will be more readily understood, per- 
haps, when we consider, that if a cloud 
half a mile thick discharges from its gath- 
ering mists a heavy rain, one of a mile 
thick would produce a rain doubly hea\'y, 
and so on, in the same proportion, with 
every additional thickness ot cloud, till 
that thickness, as has been known some- 
times to be the case, extends upwards to 
the distance of 5 or 6 miles, when from the 
whole mass the water reaches the earth 
less in the form of rain, indeed, than the 
pouring of a cataract. 

The most remarkable instance of these 
great falls of water, which was ever known 
in this region, occurred about 30 years ago, 
round 'the sources of Jones's Brook, a 
small mill stream that rises in Moretown 
mountains and empties into the Winooski 
river 3 miles below Montpelier. The 
mountains round the source of this stream 
rise to the hight of about 2000 feet, with 
unusual abruptness, and, at the .same time, 
so curve round as to leave the intermedi- 
ate space in the form of a deep, half-basin, 
down the precipitous sides of which a sud- 
den shower descends almost as rapidly as 
water strolling down the steepest roof of a 
house, and collecting at the bottom, pours, 
in a raging river, down the valley to the 
outlet of the stream. It was over this 
mountain-rimmed basin that burst the ex- 



traordinary thunder-storm which I have 
undertaken to describe, and which passed 
among the inhabitants under the name of 
the bursting of a cloud. 

On the day and hour this storm occurred, 
I chanced to be on a high hill, east of 
Montpelier village, which afforded a plain 
view of the whole range of the Moretown 
mountains. It was a still, sultry, mid- 
summer day, when my attention being at- 
tracted by the sudden obscuration of the 
sun, 1 looked toward the west, and saw the 
unusual spectacle of two heavy clouds rap- 
idly rolling toward each other, in the line 
of the range just named, from diametrically 
opposite directions, the point where the 
collision must occur being evidently at the 
natural basin already particularized, or 
on the high mountain above it. These 
stiangely moving clouds I watched with in- 
tense interest. On, on they rolled toward 
each other, with their long, streaming col- 
umns and menacing fronts, like two op- 
posing, hostile lines of cavalry rushing to- 
gether for deadly conflict. As anticipated, 
the collision occurred directly over the ba- 
sin and on the sides of the adjoining 
mountains, and there, the opposing cur- 
rents being of equal strength, the inter- 
mingling clouds came to a dead stand. 
Presently, however, the colliding masses 
began to rise upward and double over and 
over till they had swelled into a huge, 
dome-like figure, shooting up miles into 
the darkened heavens, and here commenced 
a startling display of the electric phenome- 
non. With the short, sharp and quickly 
repeating peals of thunder, the fierce 
streams of lightning were seen bursting in 
rapid succession from every part of the sur- 
charged cloud, like some hotly worked 
battery of artillery from a smoke-enveloped 
field of battle. But soon the expanding 
cloud shut out the basin and vallev from 
sight ; and, being unable to see more, I 
returned home, and, with much interest, 
waited to hear the result of the fearful ele- 
mental exhibition I had been witnessing. 

The news of the remarkable, and in one 
instance, fatal eff"ects of that storm, in the 
disastrous flooding of Jones's Brook, at 
length reached us. The inhabitants of the 
basin, when the storm burst upon them so 
suddenly and unexpectedly, were struck 
with astonishment and alarm at the un- 
wonted quantities of water that descended 
upon them from the seemingly flooded 
heavens. A settler who lived nearest the 
foot of the mountain described the rain as 
" coming down in bucketsful." I was in a 
field a short distance from my house when 
it struck, and was so astonished at first I 
knew not what to do. But the rain, if it 
could be called rain, coming thicker and 



596 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



faster, I ran with all my might for the 
house, but was almost drowned before I 
got there, and then it was only to find the 
water gushing into the house on all sides 
till it was nearly knee-deep on the floor." 
And so with all the inhabitants of the ba- 
sin. No place afforded them any protec- 
tion ; rivers were in all their houses within, 
and rivers, rising into seas, were all around 
them without ; and they looked on with 
mute consternation at that tremendous out- 
pouring of the clouds. But they were the 
first to be relieved. The rain, after the 
brief duration of less than half an hour, 
ceased as suddenly as it came ; and the in- 
habitants ran out of their drenched houses 
just in time to behold the numerous uniting 
streams, that had come pouring down from 
the encircling mountain, gathering into a 
mighty river that swept away shanties, 
fences, old trees, logs, lumber and every- 
thing in its path, and bearing them in 
wild confusion on its surface, went foam- 
ing, tumbling and roaring, like a cataract, 
with amazing force, down the valley to- 
ward the outlet, three or four miles below. 
But the principal scene arising from the 
destructive and fatal progress occurred at 
a saw-mill, owned by Mr. Oren Clark, and 
situated about a mile from the mouth of 
the stream. When the storm was spending 
its force on the sides of the mountain and 
the basin beneath, Mr. Clark was at work 
in a field near the mill with his hired man, 
Ebenezer Eastman. And being apprised 
by the great volume and blackness of the 
clouds hanging over the mountain at the 
west, that an unusual shower was falling 
round the sources of the stream, they pro- 
ceeded at once to the mill and commenced 
such temporary repairs of the dam and 
flume as would, they believed, secure them 
against the rush of water, which, in greater 
or less quantities, they knew would soon 
be down upon them. While deeply en- 
grossed in hurrying forward the contem- 
plated repairs, they were aroused by a 
deafening roar that burst suddenly upon 
their ears from the stream but a short dis- 
tance above the mill ; when looking up 
they beheld to their astonishment and 
alarm, a wild, tumultuous sea of comming- 
ling flood-wood and turbid waters, with a 
wall-like front ten feet high, tumbling and 
rolling down upon them with furious up- 
roar, and with the speed of the wind. 
Knowing that the mill could not stand 
before such an avalanche of water, and 
beginning to be specially alarmed for their 
personal safety, they attempted to secure 
a retreat over the log-way which extended 
from the mill to the high grounds five or 
six rods distant. Over this they made 
their way with all possible speed. But 



such was the velocity of the on-rushing 
torrent that they had not proceeded half 
way before the mill building came down 
with a crash behind them, the log-way was 
swept from beneath their feet, and the 
next moment they were struggling for their 
lives in a flood a dozen feet deep, foaming, 
boiling, and so filled with trees, timber and 
all sorts of ruins, that it did not seem pos- 
sible for a human being to be borne along 
in the frightfully whirling mass and live a 
single minute. 

"I saw Eastman once," said Mr. Clark 
in describing to me this, the most terrible 
scene of his life. " It was when I rose to 
the surface after the first plunge. He was 
struggling desperately to get his head 
above the flood- wood. But I saw him no 
more ; for the next moment, I was borne 
down beneath the surface by a raft of logs 
that swept over me. From that time I 
was whirled onward with my head some- 
times below, and sometimes above the wa- 
ter, till I found myself nearing the wooded 
bank on the opposite side of the stream, 
when I soon came within reach of a small 
tree, which I grasped and held on to, till 
I began to count m\self saved. But the 
tree quickly came up by the roots and I 
was again plunged into the flood. But, 
though now nearly in despair, I struggled 
on, and soon was fortunate enough to grasp 
another sapling by means of which I at 
length drew myself ashore and fell down 
half drowned and half dead from bruises 
and exhaustion. It was now nearly dark. 
After rallying my strength a little, I com- 
menced crawling and stumbling through 
the tangled thickets along up the stream 
till, after a struggle of seeming hours, I at 
last reached a point opposite my house, 
where, by loud hallooing, I rallied my fam- 
ily, who believed me lost, and informed 
them I would proceed on to the next house, 
on that side, stay all night and cross the 
next morning. This I did, and the next 
morning reached home, where I was re- 
ceived as one risen from the dead." 

The remains of Eastman were found the 
next day washed up near the mouth of the 
stream on the meadow of Samuel Jones, 
who was injured in the loss of crops, the 
covering of his lands by flood-wood and 
washing away the soil, to the amount of 
$300. Whether Eastman was drowned, or 
killed by being crushed among the logs, 
was never known. Either cause was suf- 
ficient to have produced his death. 

Such were the leading events attending 
the memorable thunder-storm on Jones's 
Brook. 

The Mad river affords some of the best 
water privileges found in the State, and 



MORETOWN. 



597 



should the inhabitants of Moretown induce 
some moneyed firm to put in a large man- 
ufacturing house here, thus utilizing more 
of the water power, and urge the building 
of a contemplated railroad, which has al- 
read}' been surveyed through the town, it 
would greatly develop the resources of and 
build up our town. 

Moretown is consideralily broken in 
surface, but is romantic, and aifords much 
to please and profit the student of nature. 
CamePs Hump is seen from various points, 
and is only a few miles distant from More- 
town. Mineral .springs are found here, 
which by pufiing and patronizing, would 
be quite equal to many, no better, but cel- 
ebrated ones. 

It is quite a dairy town, some farmers 
having 20 or more cows, and many others 
10 to 20. 

There are now 3 stores, 3 blacksmith 
shops, two saw-mills, 2 clapboard, 2 shingle 
and 2 planing-machines in the village; 
also I hotel, i harness-shop, employing 
several workmen, 2 carriage and sleigh- 
shops, I grist-mill, i sash, door and blind- 
shop, near by a dressmaker, 2 milliners, i 
goldsmith and i tinman. 

We have also a very excellent high 
school, taught by Miss Folsom. 

Polly Phemia Munson was probably the 
first child born in Moretown, and Paul 
Knapp the first person who died in town. 
He was killed by the fall of a tree. 

[Thus far the paper we credit to Rev. 
Seldon B. Currier. The following is from 
a lady of Moretown, contributed 10 or 12 
3'ears since] : 

The first school-house in this town was 
within the limits of the present village of 
Moretown. In the first settlement of the 
town there were three lots set off" for the 
first minister. Rev. Mr. Brown, Univer- 
salist, the first minister settled, deeded 
the land to the town for the benefit of 
schoqls. There are 14 school districts in 
town now, and we had three schools in 
the village last winter (1869), and for sev- 
eral years we have had a select school 
every spring and fall. Our population in 
i860 was a little over 1400. There has 



not been any state prison candidate from 
this place to this date — 1870. 

Our first representative of the town, 
Luther Moseley, was chosen by 7 voters. 

The first store was opened here by 
Winship & Thornton, 18 15. The first 
load of goods was bought in Burlington, 
and brought into town by Cephas Car- 
penter. Winship was a butcher from that 
place. 

In 1822, Mr. Stevens commenced trade 
here. He built a distillery to make whisky, 
and died about 2 years after. His death 
was a great loss to the town. A starch 
factory was built in 1833, by Martin L. 
Lovell and Francis Liscomb, and run 
about 5 years, after which it was bought 
by Jesse Johnson, and used for a tannery 
from 3 to 5 years, when it was burned. 

The first and only hotel to the present, 
was built and kept by Joseph Sawyer, in 
1835. There are some stores of the olden 
time here. 

Nearly 50 years since, Nathan Wheeler 
(I think his name was Nathan), 5 years 
old, son of Ira Wheeler, was lost on his 
way home from school. The news spread. 
The farmers left their hay down, and came 
from Waterbury, Northfield, Duxbury, 
Waitsfield, nearly 1500 men, and joined in 
the search for the lost boy. After a three 
days' diligent hunt the boy was found in 
Duxbury. It rained very hard when he 
was found, and the little fellow was trudg- 
ing on ; he said he was going home. Capt. 
Barnard said if the boy should work hard 
all of his life and be prospered, he never 
could pay all for their trouble in finding 
him ; but when we realize the sympathy 
and good feelings manifested, he felt that 
they were all well paid. The boy grew to 
be a man, became a good soldier and died 
for his country, and so, well paid. 

COL. EZEKIEL CLAPP, 

a farmer and prominent citizen of More- 
town, was a whole-souled man, much es- 
teemed by his neighbors. About the time 
he was appointed Colonel, Capt. Rufus 
Barnard, Capt. Orson Skinner, Maj. Elias 
Taylor and Col. Clapp attended a military 
meeting at Waterbury one evening, and 
after the meeting, it being 10 o'clock p. m., 



598 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it was agreed they would all go to Major 
Taylor's, in Waitsfield, to see a large cat- 
amount that had been killed on the East 
Mountain. The company tilled 2 sleighs. 
It was very cold, but they reached Waits- 
field, and actually saw a large dead cat- 
amount. The company did not get back 
to Moretown till the next morning. 

Many years before this, Mr. Clapp was 
carrying an iron kettle he had borrowed of 
a neighbor, home on his head. He lived 
at this time on Mad river, about a mile 
above Moretown village. Being tired, he 
sat down to rest, and soon saw a bear 
seated a little distant, suspiciously regard- 
ing him and his kettle. Clapp sprang 
forward, and cast his kettle at the bear. 
The bear not liking the sound of the kettle 
as it fell, rushed away, and Clapp picking 
up the kettle, made his best way home. 
Mr. Clapp died about 2 years since (1868). 
The record of him is, "a man truthful and 
upright in all his dealings." 

Samuel Pierce, who settled here from 
Berlin many years since, tells of several 
deer having been killed in Moretown soon 
after he came. They were shot when they 
came down from the mountain to drink. 
He and Burr Freeman killed one, and he 
had the skin tanned and made into gloves, 
and for a long time after boasted of having 
a pair of Vermont deer-skin gloves. Mr. 
Pierce is now (1870), about 70 years of 
age. 

DR. STEPHEN PIERCE, 

from Massachusetts, was the first physician 
that settled in town. He lived on the 
farm now occupied by Mr. Bisbee. He 
was a good doctor, upright in all his prac- 
tice, and made himself honored and useful 
in his chosen field of labor. He died in 
Barnard about 1864. Soon after he came 
to Moretown, one man remarked that tlie 
Doctor had a very good theory of physic, 
but he lacked the practice. Soon after 
this Mr. A. March had a sick child. He 
went to the Doctor and wanted to get 
some theory of physic for his child. The 
Doctor gave him some, and often spoke of 
the joke to his friends. 

DR. LESTER KINGSLEY 

came to this town in Feb. 1827, and has 



been in practice here now over 40 years. 
He has many friends, and is now (1870), 
the town clerk. Dr. Calderwood came to 
assist Dr. K. in his practice in May of 
this year. [Dr. Kingsley was town clerk 
from March 1832 to March 1880, annually 
elected, holding the office 48 years, and 
about ID months to the time of his death. 
He was postmaster from 1837 to '62 — 25 
years, and represented Moretown in the 
Legislature in 1841, '42, and was actively 
engaged in his profession here 52 years, 
till within 2 years of his death, Jan. 4, 
1 88 1, aged760 

DR. HAVLETT, 

homoeopathist, has been here 2 years, from 
1868. He, too, has been successful and 
won many friends, and his wife has also 
made herself welcome among us, by teach- 
ing music. 

There are three merchants in town : 
C. Lovejoy, James Evans, Nathan Spauld- 
ing. Mr. Evans commenced trade May, 
1862 [removed to Boston sincej. Mr. 
Spaulding commenced about 1858, and has 
charge of the post-office [gone to Burling- 
ton]. His father, now deceased, was a 
highly esteenied Methodist minister. He 
was buried here. 

There is one grist-mill in town [two 
now], owned by a Mr. Robinson ; i sash 
and blind factory, owned by Geo. Bulkley 
and Geo. Thornton, [which is now Mr. 
Fassett's grist and saw-mill, tub factory 
and planing-machine matcher,] four saw- 
mills, three owned by David T. Jeff. Beld- 0^^ 
ing, one on the river by Lorenzo Wells's ; 
3 blacksmith's shops, carried on by Curt. 
Carpenter & Co., Calvin Foster, and M. 
Taylor ; Calvin Foster's carriage shop, 
where he has done a good business a great 
many years ; Towle & Lovejoy's wheel- 
wright shop, where a good business has 
been done ; [given up and turned into the 
blacksmith shop of Wallings & Spauld- 
ing] ; Collins built another shop and con- 
tinued business as before ; William Saw- 
yer's harness shop employs several men, 
[has removed into a larger shop, with his 
son, partner] ; Mr. Towle's harness shop 
[he has left town, and the shop is now 
closed] ; and we liave also 2 shoemakers. 



X 



MORETOWN. 



599 



[Written by Mrs. Smith in 1870, correct- 
ed by Mr. Aaron Goss, of Moretown, in 
tlie fall of 1881.] 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

[from MRS. SMITH.] 

The original members of the First Con- 
gregational Church in Moretown were — 
Reuben Hastings, John Stockwell, Sam- 
uel Eaton, Mrs. Eleazer Wells, and Mrs. 
Stockwell. The meeting for the organi- 
zation was in the first log school-house. 

Mrs. Smith gives from the records the 
following account of the second organ- 
ization : 

" The Congregational Church in More- 
town and Duxbury met this day at the 
house of Dea. Benton in said Moretown, 
for the purpose of taking into considera- 
tion the disorganization of the said church 
in Moretown and Duxbury, organized 
church. The subject had been previously 
presented to these churches, and the above 
named meeting of the two churches was 
duly warned. The meeting was organized 
by choosing the Rev. Samuel G. Tenney 
of Waitsfield, moderator, and the Rev. 
Lyndon S. French of Fayston, co-minister 
commissioned by the Vt. Dom. Society to 
labor in the church of Fayston and More- 
town, scribe. After due consideration it 
appeared that the church in Moretown was 
not prepared for the new organization. It 
was accordingly voted to adjourn the meet- 
ing until the i8th day of January, 1836, to 
be held at the same place, and that pre- 
vious to the new organization, each church, 
separately, should hold a meeting to pass 
a vote that the new organization should be 
the dissolving of the two former churches 
in said Moretown and Duxbury. 

Signed Samuel G. Tenney, 

Lyndon S. French. 

Moretown, Jan. 18, 1836." 

The church in Moretown and Duxbury 
met agreeably to agreement, having, as 
was voted at the first meeting, each of 
them voted to disorganize the old church 
by organizing a new one. The moderator 
then called for those members in those two 
churches who wished to unite in a new 
church, to present themselves. The fol- 



lowing members came forward from More- 
town : Nathan Benton, Eunice, his wife, 
Abraham Spofford and Sarah, his wife, H. 
Spaulding and Mary, his wife. From 
Duxbury : Reuben Munson and Mary, his 
wife, Earl Ward, and Mrs. Fanny Avery." 
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 

[BY C. A. SMITH ] 

The first church organized in town was 
a Congregational church. Deacon Nathan 
Benton and Philemon Ashley were among 
its early and prominent members. The 
school-house, and afterward the town 
house at the village, were used as places 
of worship. Public worship was main- 
tained until about 1840, when the mem- 
bership being quite small, the church was 
merged in the Congregational church at 
S. Duxbury, the services at first being 
held at Moretown and Duxbury alternate- 
ly, but afterward at S. Duxbury alone. 

The Congregational Church at S. Dux- 
bury was founded at an early period. 
Among its first members were Reuben 
Munson, Hezekiah Ward, and Earl Ward, 
his son. Messrs. Seeley and Pomeroy 
were the earliest pastors. This church is 
the only church in Duxbury, the people of 
N. Duxbury being better accommodated 
at Waterbury. It has never had a large 
membership. Its relations with the M. E. 
church at Moretown are of the most cor- 
dial character, and for several years the 
pastor of the M. E. church at Moretown 
has been the acting pastor of the Congre- 
gational church at S. Duxbury. 

Aniasa Cole was probably the first 
Methodist preacher in Moretown. He 
was a local preacher living near Middlesex. 
Soon after, in 1809, Joshua Luce, a local 
preacher from Pittsfield, Mass., settled in 
town. He, with his wife and daughter 
Roxana, were probably the first Metho- 
dists in town. By their efforts a Metho- 
dist church was soon organized, and More- 
town became a part of the old Barre Cir- 
cuit, Vermont District and New England 
Conference of the M. E. Church, a circuit 
embracing Barre, Montpelier, Middlesex, 
Moretown, Waitsfield and Warren. 

In the town clerk's ofiice there is a rec- 
ord of the certificate of the ordination of 



6oo 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Amasa Cole as a deacon by Bishop Mc- 
Kendree, at Durham, Me., June 4, 1814, 
also of that of Leonard Foster, by Bishop 
Asbury, June 10, 1818. Zadoc Hubbard, 
Ebenezer Johnson, Calvin Clark, Barna- 
bas Mayo and William Harris were among 
the leading members prior to 1820. 

The first church edifice was built in 
1832, at the Common. This was occupied 
for 22 years, until in 1854, the present 
church at the village was erected. The 
old church still stands, though unoccupied. 
Messrs. Frost, Newell, Steele, Peirce and 
Haskell were among the earliest itinerants 
on this circuit, while Bishop George, Wil- 
bur Fisk and Elijah Hedding (afterward 
Bishop) have officiated here. 

Rev. Justin Spaulding was born in this 
town in 1802. He was for some years a 
missionary in South America, afterward a 
presiding elder in New Hampshire Con- 
ference. His health failing, he returned 
to his native town and resided here until 
his death. 

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding was born in 
Moretown ; entered the Methodist ministry 
from this town. He belonged successive- 
ly to the New England and to the New 
Hampshire Conferences, in which he held 
a prominent position. A partial failure of 
health necessitated a retirement from the 
itinerancy in middle life. He located in 
his native town, and continued to preach 
occasionally as health and opportunity per- 
mitted until his death in 1863. 

The topography of this town is such 
that the inhabitants of large portions of its 
territory can more conveniently attend 
church at Northfield, Montpelier, Middle- 
sex and Waterbury than at Moretown vil- 
lage. The M. E. church is the only Prot- 
estant church in town. At some periods 
of its history its membership has been 
much larger than at present ; but its con- 
dition and prospects are very hopeful. 

Mrs. Smith says in her paper, " the 
first Methodist meeting was held in Mr. 
Slayton's barn." It is probable, says our re- 
cord, that we credit to Rev. Mr. Currier, that 
Mr. Cole was the first Methodist preacher 
in town. He resided near Middlesex, and 



was accustomed to walk from home to the 
Common, preach, and return without din- 
ner for the reason that " Jack did not eat 
his supper," — none was offered him to eat. 
In the winter season this walk and work 
must have been very fatiguing, especially 
when he broke his own path through the 
snow, often knee deep. 

When the people of Moretown heard 
the cannon's roar at Plattsburg, the towns- 
men met at the tavern kept by Joshua 
Luce, on the farm where Alvin Pierce now 
resides, to see who would volunteer to 
go to Plattsburg to repulse the British. 
This was in 1812. Both the local pireach- 
ers were present and heartily encouraged 
the men. 

Mr. Luce was a local preacher, but farm- 
ing was his main occupation. He preach- 
ed on the Common, in the dwelling house 
of Ebenezer Johnson, and in the school 
house. 

Among the prominent members of the 
Methodist Church in 1820, and for some 
years subsequent, were Ebenezer Johnson 
— who was town clerk prior, for some 
years, to 1832, when Dr. Kingsley suc- 
ceeded him — Calvin Clark and Barnabas 
Mayo — whose names are among the sub- 
stantial and influential members of the 
Methodist family of that date. 

William Harris and his excellent wife, 
known as "Aunt Ruth," were noted for 
their generosity, keeping what was called 
a Methodist tavern, and many a weary 
itinerant found shelter and food and rest 
in the home of "Aunt Ruth." 

In 1832, the first Methodist meeting 
house in town was built on the Common, 
and for 22 years it was occupied in regular 
meetings. But in 1854, Moretown Hollow 
— now village proper — built the house now 
used for worsliip. For some years before 
the church building was erected at the 
Hollow, the Methodists worshipped in the 
town-house in the village or Hollow, and 
at the Common alternately. Soon after 
the church was built, in the village the 
Common meetings were nearly abandoned, 
and meetings held at the new house only. 

Three prominent men — who became 
ministers of the Gospel — had their origin 



MORETOWN. 



60 1 



in this town. Rev. Justin Spaulding, son 
of Levi and Thankful Spaulding. [See 
paper before.] His widow and several 
children are now residing in Moretown and 
vicinity. 

Rev. Newell Spaulding, brother of the 
last named, is now living, and resides in 
New York city. 

Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding [see,* also, 
page before.] 

When the Barre circuit included the 6 
towns, before named, and the meetings 
were sometimes held in Wm. Harris' barn, 
when the quarterly meetings were held 
here, as many as 80 teams have been 
counted around the barn from the other 
towns of the circuit, which centered 
around. 

The Methodists of Moretown and the 
Congregationalists of South Duxbury have 
alternate meetings at present, and have but 
one pastor. They have a good congrega- 
tion and an excellent Sabbath School. If 
any one who may read this listened to a 
concert by the South Duxbury Sabbath 
School on the first Sabbath of October, 
1876, they will doubtless bear testimony 
to the truthfulness of the above statement, 
in calling the school an excellent one. 

For the present prosperity of the Metho- 
dist Church in Moretown, any one desiring 
can see the Annual Minutes of Conference, 
1876. The parsonage buildings have been 
repaired and neatly fitted up this year. 

MINISTERS FROM i860 TO 1 88 1. 
i860, J. W. Bemis ; 1862, J. Gill ; 1863- 

4, P. N. Granger; 1865-6, L. C. Powers; 
1867-8, W. B. Howard; 1869-70, D. 
Willis; 1871-2, J. S. Spinney; 1873, H. 
G. Day; 1874-5, D. Willis; 1876-7, C. 

5. Buswell; 1878-9, C. A. Smith; 1880- 
81, S. B. Currier. 

REV. LEMUEL C. POWERS, 
(BY A. 8. COOPEK.J 

whose life was marked with uniform con- 
sistency and faithfulness, was born in 
Rochester, this State, August, 1828. He 
made a Christian profession at the age of 
13, and commenced his labors as a Metho- 
dist preacher when about 30. His fields 
were first as a local preacher on Bethel 

76 



Lympus charge two years ; after as Con- 
ference preacher there 2 years ; next at 
Topsham 2 years, and then at Moretown 
in 1864, '66. The first was a dry year, 
but he labored on earnestly, especially in 
the Sunday school, and in his second year 
just as he was prostrated by disease, he 
was cheered by 12 or 15 persons at North 
Fayston, embraced in his charge, profess- 
ing conversion and wishing to receive bap- 
tism from his hands ; but his work was 
done, and he received his discharge on the 
eve of the holy Sabbath— Nov. 18, 1866. 
To an only brother who watched by his 
bedside while he was dying, he said: "I 
am realizing now how 

' Jesus can make a dying bed 
Feel soft as downy pillows are ' " ; 

and passed without a struggle or groan to 
his rest. 

He left a wife and 4 children. Revs. 
Gill and Spaulding attended his funeral. 
After his brethren in the ministry and 
others bore his body to the grave, the citi- 
zens assembled and passed resolutions of 
respect for his memory and sympathy for 
his family. — [For further mention see the 
place of his birth — Rochester, in next 
volume.] 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MORETOWN. 

Those of this faith are almost entirely 
Irish. The first settlers were Daniel 
Murray, John Hogan, Patrick Calvy, Pat- 
rick Farral and Daniel Divine. They 
purchased lands on what is called South 
hill. Most of them commenced with very 
limited means, but by industry have gen- 
erally prospered, and will now average 
with others of the town in wealth. There 
is one school district almost all Irish 
pupils. 

There are now 90 who have grand lists, 
and probably 75 voters. Among the prom- 
inent men of the present are Andrew 
Murray, Daniel Hassett, Patrick Lynch, 
Thomas and Charles McCarty, and the 
three Kerin brothers. Moretown is now a 
central point for the Catholic population 
of South Du.xbury, Fayston, Waitsfield 
and Warren. The first priest officiating 
here was Father Jeremiah O'Callaghan, 



602 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



who, if we are correctly informed, was the 
first CathoUc priest in Vermont. 

[The first resident Irish priest, but not 
the first Catholic priest in Vermont. There 
was a resident priest, undoubtedly, at the 
old French Mission of St. Catherine, in 
Wells, at the Isle La Motte Mission of St. 
Anne (see vol. ii. page 558), and the 
French Mission in Swanton, some interest- 
ing account of which will be given in the 
history of the late Rev. John B. Perry, of 
Swanton, to be embraced in this work — of 
any of which missions we would be par- 
ticularly pleased to receive any informa- 
tion that any person may be able to com- 
municate, however trifling apparently. 
Every little link helps in putting together 
the broken chain that binds us to the 
early days. Our histories are very ob- 
scure so far back ; the. least little incident 
is the little track to the explorer that leads 
to the clue. There have been also mis- 
sionary priests earlier than Father O'Calla- 
ghan, as Rev. James Fulton, the venerable 
pastor now of the Church of the Holy Re- 
deemer, East Boston, who was an early 
missionary in Vermont. See his " Early 
History of the Catholic Church in New 
England." — Ed.] 

" He resided in Burlington, officiating 
there and in this town, and probably in 
other places. Father O'Callaghan was 
also an author, and wrote five volumes on 
different subjects. The second priest of- 
ficiating here was Father Drolet, the third. 
Father Druon, the fourth. Father Duglue, 
the fifth, Father Galligan, who resides at 
Waterbury, officiating there, in this town, 
and in Northfield. 

The land for building a church on, and 
also for a burial ground, was given to the 
Catholic society by Col. Miller of Mont- 
pelier, in 1841. In 1858, the society 
built their present church building on South 
hill, which is a little more than a mile from 
the village, nearly east. They contem- 
plate building a new church edifice in the 
village, at no very distant future. — News- 
paper Record, 1879. 

The Rev. Fathers O'Callaghan, Daly, 
Drolet, Maloneya nd Coopman, O. M. J., 



visited occasionally this mission, before 
Rev. Z. Druon built the Church (St. Pat- 
rick's) in i860. The lot upon which the 
church stands had been given many years 
before by three members, to be used part- 
ly as a burying ground. The number of 
Catholic families in this mission is about 
40 ; mostly farmers. They are attended 
now by Rev. Thomas Galligan, from Wat- 
erbury, and were previously, after the de- 
parture of Father Druon, attended from 
Montpelier by his successor there, Rev. 
Joseph Duglue, who had the pastoral care 
of them for a few years. 

Rev. Z. Druon. 
Aug. 21, 1876." 

" The document sent you by Father 
Druon is, I think, quite correct. The lot 
on which the church stands was donated 
in 1855 by Frank Lee, Peter Lee, and J. 
Miller. I copy from the deed itself. 

Louis Bp. of Bulington. 

Jan. 2, 1882." 

PROMINENT SONS OR CITIZENS. 

Among the men of note who were born 
or have lived in Moretown, in the early 
part of their lives, is Rev. Eland Foster, 
a preacher and author. He has held many 
good appointments in and around New 
York city. Mr. Foster married the daugh- 
ter of Dr. Palmer, of New York. He with 
his wife are great revival workers. [What 
has Rev. Mr. Foster published? titles of 
his works asked for, not yet received — Ed.] 

Rev. William High may also be named 
as one who was brought up, if not born, 
in our town, and who is well known as 
quite a noted pulpit orator. 

Also, Rev. E. C. Bass, now of New 
Hampshire Conference, is a native of 
Moretown, and graduate of the Vermont 
University. 

longevity of moretown. 

Persons deceased in town 70 years of age 
and over. — Philemon Ashley 80, Roger G. 
Bulkley 86, Lyman Child 81, Reuben Per- 
kins 72, John Pattrill 82, Lyman Cobb 72, 
Ephraim Cobb 81, Israel Noble 84, Elisha 
Goodspeed 88, Levi Spalding 81, Constant 
Freeman ']'], Jesse Thornton 71, Cephas 
Carpenter 88, Nathan Benton 70, Nathan 



MORETOWN. 



603 



Benton Jr. 79, Stephen .Pierce 88, Charles 
Howe 91, Abram Spofford 82, Elijah Win- 
ship 'J2,, Rowland Taylor T"], Icliabod 
Thomas 79, Morty Kerin 82, Timothy 
Hutchins 76, Abner Child 87, Reuben 
Hawks 75, James Smith 'jt,, James Smal- 
ley 84, Levi Munson 72, Richard Welch 

71, John Poor"79, Horace HeatonSi, Zela 
Keyes 76, Martin Mason 70, Daniel Wood- 
bury 91, Daniel Murray 70, Samuel Carl- 
ton 83, Earl Ward 70, David Stockwell 
75, Philetus Robinson 76, Micah B. Tap- 
lin 78, Ward Page 74, Francis Hope 82, 
Robert Prentiss 83, Matthias Cannon 82, 
John Snyder 85, Daniel Hassett 72, John 
Flanagan 76, Wm. Prentiss 83, Eber C. 
Child 76, Lester Kingsley 76, Samuel 
Pierce 82, William Prentiss Sr. 80, Ezra 
Harris over 70, Isaac Foster, Caleb Hobbs, 
Ebenezer Johnson, Ebenezer Mayo, Hart- 
well Robinson, Harvey Stowell, Samuel 
Kingsbury, Alfred Cram, Emory Taylor, 
Paul Knapp 87, Ebenezer Haseltine 79, 
Elisha Atherton 79, Henry Colby 84, 
Richard Colby 89, David Belding, John 
Goss 73, Aladuren Stowell 80, Sylvia Ash- 
ley 76, Sally Bulkley 80, Eunice Noble 71, 
Lydia Foster 84, Martha Davis 85, Thank- 
ful Spalding 80, Sibyl Clapp 80, Phoebe 
Thornton 80, Lucinda Curtis 89, Anna 
Carpenter 71, Esther Benton "]"] , Elizabeth 
Pierce 'jt^, Martha Howe 96, Rebecca 
Pierce T^f Jane G. Seaver 81, Sarah Free- 
man 70, Nancy Smith 74, Mary Allen "JT, 
Elizabeth Hall 75, Betsey Vose 86, Polly 
P. Wells 81, Louisa A. Martin 71, Abigail 
Haseltine 79, Emily Allen 70, Prudence 
Freeman 90, PhilaGoss 72, Dolly F. Child 

88, Sally Stiles I},, Susan Hope 78, Har- 
riet McNaulty 74, Rhoda Willey 80, Lydia 
Robinson 86, Eliza M. Poor 73, Mary 
Nash 78, Isabel C. Jackson 71, Priscilla 
Knapp 93, Polly Howes TJ, Phoebe Rice 

89, Sarah D. Walton 74, Betsey Clark 88, 
Ruth Slayton 81, Lucinda Stowell 75, 
Anna Barton 86, Mariam Leland 92, Par- 
nel Boutwell 71, Shuah Keyes 88, Flor^nda 
F. Belding 87, Sally Corss, Eunice Snyder 
85, Lucinda Prentiss 75, Lizzie Prentiss 

72, Mrs. Amos Palmer over 70, Esther 
(Luce) Ridley 86, Lucy Silsby over 70, 
Mrs. Eben'r Mayo, Dolly Child, Mrs. 



Ephraim Clark, Rachel Kingsbury, Anna 
Munson 86, Clarissa Heaton 96, Mrs. Al- 
fred Crane 70, Juda Haseltine 96, Mrs. 
John Foster over 70, Mrs. David Stockwell 
over 70, Susan Foster 74, Hannah Flan- 
ders 90, Huldah Colby 70, Lucretia Free- 
man ']■},, Lydia Goss "T}^, Betsey Hutchin- 
son, Mrs. Aladuren Stowell 75. 

Old people of Moretoivti now living over 
70. — Joel D. Rice 75, Lewis Bagley 78, 
Uriah Howe 72, Calvin Foster 78, John 
Towle 80, Wm. B. Foster 80, Osgood 
Evans 78, Hiram Hathaway 70, Smith 
Freeman 72, Ezra Hutchinson 81, William 
Deavitt over 70, Rolland Knapp over 70. 
Mary B. Evans 73, Abigail Child 81, Mary 
A. Spalding 86, Polly Prentiss 82, Cornelia 
W. Goss 75 Lucinda Tubbs 79, Rahamah 
T. Bulkley 72, Sarah Seaver 70, Mary 
Somerville over 70, Mrs. Joel Rice 75, 
Nancy Carlton 80, Priscilla Knapp 81. 

Wales Bass, son of Alpheus Bass, of 
Moretown, was killed instantly, Dec. 1863, 
being thrown from a load of wood ; the 
horses had taken fright. 

ADDITIONAL FROM AARON GOSS. 

Longevity. — Charlotte Smith died in 
town, aged 93 ; and the following died 
during the past year, 1881 : J_es>t^ \ 

Dr. L-ttther Kingsley, aged "jd years, 
who lived in town nearly 60 years, had 
been town clerk nearly 50 years. 

Wm. Prentiss, aged 83, had always 
lived in town. 

Samuel Pierce, aged 82, had lived in 
town 58 years. 

Mrs. Florinda Belden, aged 87, and Mrs. 
Lydia B. Foster, So. . 

Simon Stevens had his distillery on the 
premises where D. F. Freeman now lives. 
He was a very resolute business man, and 
died by taking a severe cold from over- 
work. G. 

RE-UNION OF OSGOOD EVANS' FAMILY, 

which held a pleasant re-union in this 
town, at the old homestead, Sept. 1879 i 
there being present Mr. Evans, the father, 
76 years of age; Mrs. Evans, 72; J. D. 
Evans and family, of the firm of Batch- 
elder, Evans & Co., Boston, produce deal- 
ers — wife and 2 children ; E. A. Shattuck, 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Central R. R. engineer, and family ; M. O. 
and G. B. Evans and families, and Geo. 
C, who lives with his father ; and grand- 
children present, 27. 

MATTHEW HALE CARPENTER 

was born in Moretown, Dec. 22, 1824, and 
died at Washington; D. C, Feb. 24, 1881, 
while serving as United States Senator 
from the State of Wisconsin. His parents 
named him Decatur Merritt Harmon Car- 
penter ; how and why his name was changed 
will appear further on. 

His grandfather. Col. Cephas Carpenter, 
was long a resident of Moretown — a man 
of strong intellect and marked character- 
istics. For years he was a justice of the 
peace, and as such presided in the trial of 
cases almost without number. When a 
trial was had before another justice, he 
was usually found acting as counsel for 
one of the parties, in which capacity he 
was cjuite the equal of most of the practicing 
attorneys of his day. It has been truly 
said of him that " he was a lawyer, though 
not a member of any bar." 

His father was Ira Carpenter, who was 
born in Moretown, and resided there until 
well advanced in life, when he removed to 
Warren. He was a particularly fine-looking 
man, easy in manner, social in his habits, 
and a favorite among his acquaintances. 
For more than twenty years he held the 
office of deputy sheriff, and was frequently 
constable of the town. In discharging the 
duties of these offices he was thrown much 
into the company of Hon. Paul Dillingham, 
a lawyer residing in Waterbury, but having 
a large practice in the Mad River Valley. 
Such close business relations soon made 
them fast friends, and Mr. Carpenter's 
house became Mr. Dillingham's habitual 
stopping-place when at Moretown. During 
these visits "Merritt," as the boy was then 
called, attracted the attention of the genial 
attorney from Waterbury, who frequently 
bantered him about coming to live with 
him, promising to make a lawyer of him. 
On the occasion of a certain trip to More- 
town, while passing over the height of 
land midway between the latter village and 
Waterbury, Mr. Dillingham was surprised 
to meet young Carpenter, then a lad of 14, 



trudging along on. foot with all his worldly 
effects in a small bundle. When asked 
where he was going, the boy replied, "To 
Waterbury, to live with you and be a 
lawyer." 'Squire Dillingham, as he was 
then popularly called, finding his former 
proposals thus unexpectedly accepted, di- 
rected the lad to go ahead, report to Mrs. 
Dillingham, and await his return at night. 
Mrs. Dillingham was greatly pleased with 
her youthful visitor, who made such good 
use of his undeveloped arts as an advocate 
that when Mr. Dillingham returned, he 
found an entente co7'diale had already been 
established between his wife and the boy. 
And this is how young Carpenter became a 
protege, though never a formally adopted 
son of Hon. Paul Dillingham, whose house 
thereafter was the only home he had until 
he entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession, and had made one for himself in 
the West. 

In 1843, through the influence of Mr. 
Dillingham, he was appointed a cadet in 
the Military School at West Point, in 
which institution he pursued his studies 
for 2 years. Having no taste for military 
life, but desiring above all things else to be 
a lawyer, he at the end of that time ten- 
dered his resignation. This was accepted, 
and he immediatety returned to Water- 
bury, and entered Mr. Dillingham's office 
as a student. In Nov. 1847, he was ad- 
mitted to the Washington County Bar ; 
but conscientiously refused to practice with- 
out further preparation. He went to Boston, 
where he was generously taken into the 
office of Rufus Choate. He soon won, not 
only the good opinion of that great man, 
but his admiration and unbounded confi- 
dence. Mr. Choate assisted him in select- 
ing a library suitable to his needs, and ad- 
vanced the money to pay for the same. 
Equipped with this, he removed to Beloit, 
Wis., in the year 1848. 

At this time he was tall and handsome 
of figure, with a noble head and winning 
blue eyes, with a voice of sympathetic 
quality, and with a manner of mingled 
frankness and almost boyish roguishness. 
His prospect was full of promise, when, 
after a few months' residence in Beloit, he 



MORETOWN. 



605 



was suddenly and unaccountably afflicted 
with a disease of the eyes, which resulted 
for several months in total blindness. For 
18 months he was under treatment in New 
York, poor, almost hopeless of cure, and 
with no other than his constant friends, 
Mr. Dillingham and Rufus Choate. Nearly 
3 years were thus lost— so far as professional 
advancement was concerned—before he was 
able to return and resume the practice of 
his profession in Beloit. Poor as he then 
was, he managed to collect what was then 
the best law library in the county, and from 
the first developed that thoroughness of 
"working out" cases which ever since 
characterized him. Then, as since, he was 
very fond of literary studies. The poets 
he had almost by heart, and his studies of 
the historical, philosophical and political 
classics of England and America were un- 
ceasing. Politically, he was a democrat of 
the most decided cast. Going to Beloit 
just as the "free-soil " movement was carry- 
ing all before it, he had to breast the al- 
most unanimous political sentiment of a 
county and town invincibly whig before, 
then "free-soil," and since republican. 
Still, he assailed his opponents in their 
stronghold with so much fearlessness, wit, 
logic, constitutional learning and unfailing 
bonhotninie, that only his few enemies were 
vexed at his personal popularity. 

Still democratic on his return to Beloit, 
he became known more widely by occa- 
sional speeches in various parts of the 
state, while his professional success grew 
with steadiness. So strong had be become 
in a few years in his own county, that in 
1852 he received the legal majority of 
votes cast for district attorney, although 
his party was beaten by over 1500 votes. 
His opponent received the certificate, 
owing to the diversity in the use of the 
numerous initials of his name on the ballots 
cast by his supporters, but Mr. Carpenter 
appealed to the court, and vindicated both 
his right and legal ability before the su- 
preme tribunal of the state with equal 
success. It was in consequence of this 
experience that he obtained legislative 
sanction to the name, Matthew Hale 
Carpenter, by which he had become to be 



called by his admirers in a spirit of pleas- 
ant recognition of his splendid legal abil- 
ities. 

From this time until 1869, he never held 
an office, nor was he a candidate for one. 
He devoted himself to the study and prac- 
tice of the law with an enthusiasm which 
knew no bounds, and had a large and lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1856, he was the leading counsel for 
the respondent in the remarkable proceed- 
ings by qtio warranto, to try the title to the 
office of governor of Wisconsin between 
the relator Bashford and the incumbent 
Bars tow. 

In 1859, hs removed to Milwaukee, and 
formed, by invitation, a law partnership 
with Hon. E. G. Ryan, then the acknowl- 
edged leader of the Wisconsin Bar, and 
afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of that state. 

Two such natural leaders of men could 
not long remain partners, and this partner- 
ship was soon dissolved. Mr. Carpenter 
opened an office for himself, and was con- 
stantly crowded with business. From 
i860 to 1867 his time was almost constantly 
occupied with litigation connected with the 
railroads of the state, and which was finally 
carried to the supreme court of the United 
States, where upon his first appearance he 
won the rare honor of a highly compli- 
mentary notice from that grave tribunal. 

" Meanwhile, the outbreak of armed re- 
bellion gave Carpenter the opportunity to 
lead in politics as in law. Having been a 
devoted Douglas Democrat, a believer in 
the constitution, and a stalwart defender 
of the Union, he burst the bonds of party 
allegiance, as soon as the democratic party 
South openly carried out its plans. No 
voice in Wisconsin, at the outset of the 
war, was so clear, electric and thrilling as 
his, when the First Wisconsin regiment 
was sent to the front. His speech was a 
trumpet blast that was worth an army corps 
to the cause that inspired him with the 
courage of an apostle and the prescience 
of a prophet. It came from his heart and 
went to the hearts of the people. It an- 
ticij^ated the necessity of emancipation and 
filled the souls of old anti-slavery leaders 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



with apprehensions of its untinieliness. 
In all the subsequent phases of the war he 
was constantly in the lead, but never had 
to go bevond the doctrines and sentiments 
of the speech that made him the foremost 
republican leader, in the hearts of the 
people." 

During the dark days of 1863 and 1864, 
Mr. Carpenter supported the government 
by public speeches and printed arg^iments, 
in which he took the most advanced posi- 
tion as to the war powers of the govern- 
ment outside the constitution when the 
life of the nation was in peril. His power- 
ful arguments, maintaining the measures 
of the government, attracted universal 
attention. So great, indeed, had his 
reputation become as a constitutional 
lawyer, that in 1867, when the tamous 
McArdle case was coming on for argument 
before the Supreme Court of the United 
States, Secretary Stanton engaged Mr. 
Carpenter to make the principal argument 
for the government. His argimient in 
that case, it may be safely said, will rank 
with the greatest efforts ever made before 
that or any other judicial tribunal. After 
the completion of his brief, he submitted 
it to Secretary Stanton, who cordially ap- 
proved it. but added that William M. Mer- 
edith, of Philadelphia, was the king of 
American lawyers, and that before the ar- 
gument was made he desired to have his 
judgment as to its soundness. Provided 
with a note of introduction from the Sec- 
retary and a $1000 retainer, Mr. Carpenter 
went to Philadelphia, and submitted his 
argimient to Mr. Meredith. A whole day 
was spent at the hitter's residence in a 
very thorough examination of it. At the 
conclusion Mr. Meredith wrote Secretary 
Stanton in these words: "I have care- 
fully examined the argument of Mr. Car- 
penter in the matter of McArdle. To it I 
cannot add a word ; from it 1 would not 
subtract one." 

This case, though fully argued, was 
never decided, the court holding that it 
had no jurisdiction ; but the National Leg- 
islature endorsed the soundness of Mr. 
Carpenter's views by subsequently enact- 
ing laws for the reconstruction of the 



Southern States, which were founded upon 
the principles maintained by him in this 
argimient. 

In 1869. ^^^ ^^'^^ elected United States 
Senator by the republicans of Wisconsin. 
During his service he bore a conspicuous 
part in the debates, and increased his rep- 
utation as an orator and constitutional 
lawyer. In March 1873, he was elected 
President //v'/f-w/ort' of the Senate, which 
position he held until the expiration of his 
term in 1S75. At this time he was the 
choice of the repubhcans of his state as 
his own successor, but the democrats were 
then engaged in defeating regular nomina- 
tions through a coalition with disappointed 
republicans. By a combination of this 
kind, largely composed of democrats. Mr. 
Carpenter was defeated. 

During the next 4 years he remained in 
Washington, constantly employed in im- 
portant causes. Among these was the 
impeachment trial of Secretary Belknap, 
in which he appeared for the defendant. 
He aLso appeared for Mr. Tilden before 
the electoral commission, and displayed 
rare knowledge of state and national laws. 

In 1879, h^ ^^'^■'^ again elected a senator 
from the State of Wisconsin to succeed 
Timothy O. Howe, which office he held at 
the time of his death. 

During all the time he was in the Senate 
he continued the practice of the law, mostly 
in the Supreme Court of the United States. 
His cases embraced almost every question 
that could be raised under the Rcconstmc- 
tion Acts of Congre.ss. the 13th. 14th and 
15th Amendments to the Constitution, as 
well as the numerous questions constantly 
growing out of great business transactions. 
Upon his ability and acquirements as a 
lawyer and an advocate his reputation will 
rest. 

His devotion to the law led him to look 
for the principle underlying every measure 
requiring his action, and unless such 
measure seemed to be founded upon sound 
principles, it failed of his support. Hence 
he often differed in opinion with his po- 
litical associates who had gained reputa- 
tions as statesmen. Upon one of these 
occasions, being taunted with the fact, he 



MORETOWN. 



607 



exclaimed, "I am a lawyer, not a states- 
man." 

To be a good lawyer was his ambition 
and pride, and in the midst of his political 
career, when opposition newspapers were 
pouring abuse upon him without stint or 
mercy, he found consolation in the fact 
that none of them had charged him "with 
being a poor lawyer." 

Ex-Attorney-General Jesse Black, who 
had much professional intercourse with 
Mr. Carpenter, said of him after his death : 

"The American bar has not often suf- 
fered so great a misfortune as the death of 
Mr. Carpenter. He was cut off when he 
was rising as rapidly as at any previous 
period. In the noontide of his labors the 
night came, wherein no man can work. 
To what height his career might have 
reached if he had lived and kept his health 
another score of years, can now be only a 
speculative question. But when we think 
of his great wisdom and his wonderful skill 
in the forensic use of it, together witli his 
other qualities of mind and heart, we can- 
not doubt that in his left hand would have 
been uncounted riches and abundant honor 
if only length of days had been given to 
his right. As it was, he distanced his co- 
temporaries, and became the peer of the 
greatest among those who had started long 
before him. The intellectual character of 
no professional man is harder to analyze 
than his. He was gifted with an eloquence 
sid generis. It consisted of free and fear- 
less thought, borne upon expression power- 
ful and perfect. It was not fine rhetoric, 
for he seldom resorted to poetic illustra- 
tion ; nor did he make a parade of clinch- 
ing his facts. He often warmed with feel- 
ing, but no bursts of passion deformed the 
symmetry of his argument. The flow of 
his speech was steady and strong — as tlie 
current of a great river. Every sentence 
was perfect ; every word was fitly spoken ; 
each apple of gold was set in its picture 
of silver. This singular faculty of saying 
everything just as it ought to be said, was 
not displayed only in the Senate and in the 
courts ; everywhere, in public and private, 
on his legs, in his chair, and even lying on 
his bed, he always 'talked like a book.'" 



In personal appearance, Mr. Carpenter 
was striking and distinguished. He was 
above the average stature, broad shoulder- 
ed and well proportioned. His head was 
large, well set and finely formed. His 
hair grew in profusion, and formed a fine 
setting for a countenance which was al- 
ways strong and winning, but which was in- 
expressibly sad or characteristically bright 
and cheery — ^just as the mood happened to 
be in which one found him. 

In temperament, he was buoyant, en- 
thusiastic, energetic and kind. His buoy- 
ancy never left him, his sparkle (and it 
was his alone), never ceased, his energy 
never diminished, his industry never wea- 
ried, and his generosity and kindness, al- 
ways large, only grew larger and more 
comprehensive as life went on. 

His services as a speaker were sought 
on all occasions where public joy or public 
sorrow sought expression. The following 
extract from one of his addresses will give 
an idea of his style : 

"The loves and friendships of individ- 
uals partake of the frail character of human 
life; are brief and uncertain. The experi- 
ences of human life may be shortly summed 
up : a little loving and a great deal of sor- 
rowing; some bright hopes and many 
bitter disappointments ; some gorgeous 
Thursdays, when the skies are bright and 
the heavens blue, when Providence, bend- 
ing over us in blessings, glads the heart 
almost to madness ; many dismal Fridays, 
when the smoke of torment beclouds the 
mind, and undying sorrows gnaw upon the 
heart ; some high ambitions and many 
Waterloo defeats, until the heart becomes 
like a charnel-house, filled with dead af- 
fections, embalmed in holy but sorrowful 
memories ; and then the cord is loosened, 
the golden bowl is broken, the individual " 
life — a cloud, a vapor — passeth away." 

Mr. Carpenter was a profound believer 
in the inspiration of the Scriptures — of 
which he was a close and appreciative 
student — and of the divinity of Christ. 
One of his reasons for this belief may be 
found in the following extract from a letter 
written by him to Prof. David Swing : 

"Whoever will read Cicero's Twilight 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Speculations about Duty and the Future 
Life, remembering that perhaps he was the 
fullest man of an antiquity, the ripest 
scholar and student of the highest period 
of Roman civilization, and remembering 
that from the birth of Cssar to the birth 
of Christ the only change that came to 
civilization was a decline, and that Jesus 
belonged to an out-of-the-way people — a 
people apart from the high tides of human 
greatness — and then will read the Sermon 
on the Mount, I cannot comprehend how 
he can escape the conclusion that the dif- 
ference is not one of degree, but of kind. 
That Jesus, surrounded as he was, could 
have promulgated a system of morals em- 
bodying all that is most valuable in the 
prior life of the world, and to which nine- 
teen centuries of civilization have been 
unable to add a thought or impart an orna- 
ment, is a fact not to be explained by any 
ridicule." 

At the time of his death, his law library 
alone had cost him more than $40,000, 
and his library of miscellaneous works 
numbered about 10,000 vols. 

He was married to Caroline, daughter of 
Hon. Paul Dillingham, of VVaterbury, Nov. 
27, 1855. Four children were born to 
them, of whom two — daughters — died in 
infancy. Of the two now living, Lillian 
Carpenter, now a young lady, is the eldest ; 
the other, Paul Dillingham Carpenter, is a 
lad of 14 years. Mrs. Carpenter, with her 
son and daughter, now reside in the city 
of Milwaukee. 

[The above are facts furnished by the 
Dillingham family of Waterbury, with 
journal notices.] 

MRS. HOPY HOLT, 

aged over 94 years, is the oldest person 
we have any record of now living in More- 
town. She was born in New Bedford, 
Mass. Her parents were Abraham and 
Mary (White) Howland. Her mother 
lived to nearly 82 years. Mrs. Holt was 
the wife of Amos Holt, who died in More- 
town some 38 years since, and the mother 
of 10 children, 9 of whom lived to settle in 
life as heads of families ; 7 now living ; 3 
over 70 : Amos Holt, of Berkshire, age 



T], Sept. last; Hopy, aged 74, June '81 — 
Mrs. Hopy Holt Hartwell, now of Mont- 
pelier, widow 17 years of William Hart- 
well, who died aged 59, in Berlin; and 
Mrs. Mary Goodspeed, who lives in North- 
ern New York, aged 72. 

Mrs. Hopy Holt, in her life of almost a 
century, has lived in Montpelier, Calais 
and Moretown, and perhaps in one or two 
other towns in this county. 

She remembers when Montpelier river 
was of the size of a large brook. She 
says when young she was spry, and could 
jump as- far as any one ; that with a long 
pole she could have reached into the mid- 
dle of the stream, and jumped over. Now 
at 95, she can drop down on her feet upon 
the hearth, at the fire-place, light her pipe 
sitting on her feet, and spring up lightly 
again without touching a hand down ; a 
feat not half of the women of 40 can ac- 
complish. She states her little house 
where she lived in Montpelier, stood upon 
ground covered now by the mill-pond near 
the Arch-bridge, near the centre of the 
present pond. That there were but two 
framed houses in Montpelier village when 
she removed to Calais. Her present home 
is with her son, G. H. Holt of Moretown. 
We saw the mother of 94 and daughter of 
74, together the past summer. It seemed 
quite a sight, a mother with a daughter of 
74 years by her side ; and the mother in 
appearance bid fair to outlive the daughter. 

Since the above was in type we have 
learned that Mrs. Hopy Holt died Dec. 
12, 1 88 1, aged 94 years, 3 mos. 24 days. 

TO MY GRANDFATHER, 

BY MRS. CELIA BAXTER BRIGHAM. 

The weight of years is on thy brow, 

And age lias dimmed tliine eye, 
Thy step falls not as lightly now. 

As in the years gone by ; 
Yet is thy brow serene and calm, 

Thine eye uplifted still ; 
Thy trust in God's protecting arm 

Old age can never chill. 

I look far back through years on years. 

Before thy locks were gray, 
And see the smile that soothed my fears, 

And cheered my infant play. 
Those mild blue eyes— they kindly beam 

On all around thee yet ; 
So like my mother's own they seem, 

I never can forget. 



MORETOWN. 



609 



The music of thy deep-toueii voice, 

Attuned in sacred song, 
Oft made my raptured heart rejoice, 

When days were briglit and long; 
And now, wlien short and sadder all 

Tlie fleeting days liave grown. 
Kind memory loveth to recall 

Each spirit-tlirilling tone. 

I know tliat Time's relentless hand 

Is laid upon thy head ; 
Thee guiding to the shadowy land. 

With still, unfaltering tread, 
Yet hath he gently dealt with thee. 

Since thou, through smiles and tears, 
With retrospective glance canst see 

The graves of eiglity years. 

I know the tide that bears thee on 

Hath no returning wave. 
Yet down its current One hath gone 

Far mightier than the grave. 
And He, who conquered every foe 

On Adam's race that waits, 
Will guide thee, when the waves o'erflow, 

Within the Eternal gates. 

Abner Child of Moretown, to whom the 
above lines were written, died in 1854, 
aged 87. 

THE LAKE OF THE CLOUDS. 

BY CORNELIA J. CHILD. 

Aye ! Others may wander 'neath far distant skies. 

For the beauties of scenery not granted us here. 
And when suns o'er a classical land shall arise. 

May forget all tlie beauties that blossom more near; 
But the glories of Nature, wjiatever they are, 

Can never be elsewhere more dear than my own. 
And no magical eye-glass can render more fair 

A bright distant scene, than a bright one at home. 

There's a rapture of feeling that swells to the soul. 

When we gaze on a land that is hallowed in song; 
But a deeper soul-worship, beyond our control. 

When the glories we love, to our own land belong. 
Then when weary of bright skies and Alpine delights, 

The grandeur of home on thy memory crowds. 
Come back and ascend to Mansfield's proud heights. 

To bathe the tired limbs in the "Lake of the Clouds.' ' 

There are broader expanses of water and wave. 

Where gems at the bottom in sunshine lie sparkling. 
But we can imagine as much in the wave [darkling; 

Where the shades of the wood and the steep rock lie 
And never did light glimmer down from the moon. 

And o'er a dark wave more encliantingly plaj'. 
Than there, where baptized in the depths of tlie flood. 

The bright stars lie watching the sleep of the day. 

Oh, Lake of the Clouds 1 oft my bright fancy takes me 

On fairy-like wings to tliy home in the air. 
And cooling my lips in the waves of thy fountain, 

I fancy a charm talismanic lies there; 
That never shall mortal that's tasted thy waters, 

Or had them wept o'er him in dews from the skies. 
Fail to honor his country with love patriotic. 

And leave a warm prayer for lier weal when he dies. 

But whenever a son of the ever-green Mountains 
Shall feel Freedom's fire less ardently burn, [him. 

Thy waves will all spring to the clouds to rain o'er 
And the Genius of Country replenish the urn. 



Then though there's no bright spell of History cast o'er 
To kindle the mind and wake intellect's joys, [thee 

A classical charm shall be thine yet in story, [boys. 
For thy waves have been parted by Green Mountain 

A body of water on Mansfield Mountain, 
familiarly known to sportsmen as the 
" Lake of the Clouds." 

MILITARY REGISTER. 

BY AARON GObS. 

Co. G. dth Reg. Vt. Vols, from Oct. 15, 
1 861, to Jan. I, 1864. 

Bixby, Russell, enlisted from Bi"adford. 

Boyce, George C, from P'ayston, lost in 
the battle of the Wilderness. 

Bowen, Warren, from Topsham. 

Brock, E. A., residence not put down. 

Corliss, C. B., from Duxbury. 

Craig, Daniel R., Orange. 

Clemens, Charles, Orange. 

Caruth, Albert W., Topsham. 

Craig, Albert E., Orange. 

Chase, John J., Fayston. 

Church, Geo. K., Washington. 

Demass, Oliver P., Fayston. 

Eastman, Geo. E., W. Topsham. 

Emerson, James K., Wolcott. 

Fenton, Bartholomew, Moi^etown. 

Goodspeed, Elisha, Warren. 

Gilson, Eli, South Fayston. 

Gove, Ira S., veteran, Lincoln; killed at 
Cold Harbor, Va., June 8, '64. 

Greene, Edson, Orange. 

Gillett, Abel W., Duxbury ; served his time 
in invalid corps. 

Heath, Horace L., West Topsham ; pro- 
moted by commission in negro reg. 

Howe, C. C, Thetford. 

Hunter, John H., veteran, wounded at 
Funkstown, Md., July 10, '63; also 
wounded in the Wilderness, Va., May 
4, '64 : had his right arm amputated 
May 5, '64. Hunter was one of the best 
of soldiers ; would have marched right 
into a cannon's mouth if it had been 
necessary ; he knew no fear of death 
when in action. 

Johnson, Benjamin B., wounded at Spott- 
sylvania, May 11, '64. 

Johnson, William H. 

Kenney, Geo. W., wounded at Banks' Ford, 
May 4, '63 ; not down where from. 

Lyford, Henry, veteran, Hardwick ; wd. 
at Savage Station, Va., June 30, '63. 



n 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Lewis, Edwin C, veteran, Northfield ; 
commissioned in negro regiment, and 
sent to the south-western department. 

Marble, Calvin B., Fayston. 

Marble, Geo. L., veteran, Fayston; killed 
at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, '64. 

McLam, Robert, West Topsham. 

McCandlish, Benjamin, Burlington. 

Mills, Charles, Warren. 

Watson, Ezra G., not stated where from. 

Meader, Wm., wd. at Franklin Crossing, 
Va., June 7, "63. 

Moore, Joseph Jr., Bradford; wounded at 
Mary's Heights, May 3, '63. 

Moore, Carlos B., Bradford. 

Paul, Joseph, Topsham ; promoted to ad- 
jutant clerk. 

Persons, Fred D., Warren ; promoted to 
orderly serg't. Oct. 1864. 

Porter, Warren C, Fayston; taken pris. 
at Banks' Ford, May 4, '63. 

Ricker, Benjamin, Washington ; taken 
prisoner at Banks' Ford, May 4, '63. 

Richardson, Reuben, Fayston, veteran, 
having served in the 9 months' men. 

Shonnio, Arnold, Duxbury ; wounded at 
Mary's Heights, May 3, '63 ; leg ampu- 
tated May 5. 

Smith, Emery L., Northfield; taken pris. 
at Savage Station, Va., June 30, "62; 
also wounded at the battle of the Wil- 
derness, Va., May 6, '64; Smith was a 
good soldier. 

Stoddard, Lyman, veteran ; wounded at 
Mary's Heights, May 3, '63. 

Strong, Wm. H., Fayston. 

Shontell, Lewis, Middlese.x. 

Stratton, Charles E., Orange. 

Tillotson, Leander, Topsham. 

Tucker, Julius E., veteran, Rochester; 
taken prisoner at Bull Run and probably 
killed by one of Mosby's guerillas. 

Taylor, John W., not credited where from. 

Veo, Joseph, Northfield ; wounded atFred- 
ericksburg, Dec. 12, '62, and Mary's 
Heights, May 4, '63. 

Usher, Nathan D., veteran, Goshen Gore. 

Wright, H. R., town not given. 

Whipple, John, town not given. 

Whittlesey, James E., Moretown, nick- 
named Horace Greeley ; transferred to 
invalid corps. 



Boyden, Dexter, Duxbury ; transferred to 

invalid corps ; wounded at Banks' Ford. 
Bates, Lewis, Fayston ; transferred to in- 
valid corps. 
Boyce, Nelson, Fayston ; transferred to in- 
valid corps. 
Burnham, Martin ; transferred to the U. S. 

Army, from Williamstown. 
Collins, Daniel, Moretown ; transferred to 

invalid corps. 
Rock, Joseph, Nortlifield ; transferred to 

invalid corps. 
McDonald, Michael, not stating where 

from ; transferred to invalid corps. 
Shonnio, Geo., Duxbury; transferred to 

invalid corps ; killed in action. 
Buzzell, Ezekiel, Moretown ; killed at 

Savage Station, June 30, '62. 
Craig, Wm., Orange; killed at Funkstown, 

July 10, '63. 
Murray, James R., Moretown; killed at 

Savage Station, June 30, '61. 
Shedrick, Geo., Lincoln; killed at Savage 

Station, June 30, '62, beloved by all the 

Company. 
Hathaway, Wm. H., died Sept. 12, '63; 

Co. B. 13th. 
Foster, Wilber, Co. D, 2d Vt. Vols; 

died Feb. 21, '63. 
Foster, Leonard R., Co. B, loth Vt. Vols. ; 

killed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, '64. 

Engagements tJie Company were in. — 
Lee's Mills, Va., Apr. 16, '62; Williams- 
burg, Va., May 5, '62 ; Golden's Town, 
Va., June 27; Savage Station, Va., June 
27 ; White Oak Swamp, Va., June 30; 
South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14; Antietam, 
Md., Sept. 17; Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 
II to 15; Mary's Heights, May 3, '63; 
Banks' Ford, May 4, '63 ; Fredericksburg, 
June 6, '63; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 
3d, '63; Funkstown, Md., July 10, '63; 
Rappahannock Station, Va., Nov. 7, '63; 
Locust Grove, Nov. 27, '63. 

Discharged for Wounds. — George A. 
Jones, wounded at White Oak Swamp, 
July I, '62; James Keer, wounded at An- 
tietam ; Andrew J. Slayton, not stated 
what discharged for; Chas. E. Spaulding, 
Chester P. Streeter, George Somerville, 
James Sweeney, Albert Williams. 



MORETOWN. 



6ii 



Deserters. — Jewell S. Eddy, George C 
Welton, William Mills, James Wemes. 

2d Brigade, 2d Division 6th Army Corps, 
Co. G. Officers. 

Captain, Edward R. Kinney ; promoted 
from 1st lieut., Co. I, June 30, '63. 

1st Lieutenant, Charles C. Backus ; 
promoted serg't. to 2d lieut., and to ist 
lieut., Nov. I, "62. 

Captain, W. H. H. Hall; resigned Apr. 
30, ''62. 

Captain, L. M. Tubbs ; promoted from 
lieut., Co. B, June 14, '62 ; resigned June 
20, '63. 

1st Lieutenant, Alfred M. Nevens ; died 
May 2, '62, of wounds received at Lee's 
Mills ; buried in the cemetery at the village 
in Moretown. 

1st Lieutenant, Benoni B. Fullam, pro- 
moted from serg't. major June 14, '62 ; 
dismissed Oct. 25, '62. 

2d Lieutenant, Edwin C. Lewis ; re- 
signed '62. 

2d. Lieutenant, Edwin C. Joslyn ; pro- 
moted from private, Co. D, Dec. 7, '62 ; 
pro. to 1st, Co. D, F'eb. 3, '63. 

2d Lieutenant, Fred D. Kimball ; pro- 
moted from Co. D, Feb. 3, '63 ; wounded 
July 16, '63 ; discharged Oct. 22, '63. 

Sergeants. — ist, George F. Wilson, vet- 
eran, from Northfield, killed at Gaines' 
Farm, June i, '64; Henry C. Backus, 
Fayston ; Wm. M. Cleaveland, Hancock, 
a very brave soldier, killed at the battle of 
the Wilderness, Va., May 6, '64; Ernest 
E. Burroughs, wounded July 10, '63, at 
Funkstown, Md., killed at Gaines' Farm, 
June I, '64; James Harriman, wounded at 
battle of Wilderness, Va.,May 6, '64; ist, 
Oscar G. Kelsey, Warren, died July 10, 
'62, of wounds received at Gould's Farm ; 
1st, John F. Jones, Waitsfield, discharged 
Apr. 16, '63 ; Charles C. Backus, promoted 
to 2d lieut. June 12, '62. 

Corporals. — Leman J. Holden, Hard- 
wick; John Lee, Jr., Middlesex ; Hiram 
Goodspeed, Warren ; Charles P. Divoll, 
Topsham, died June i, '64, of wounds re- 
ceived at battle of the Wilderness, Va. ; 
Frank A. Trask, Warren ; Aaron Goss, 
Moretown, promoted from private Dec. 
28, '63, by order of regimental officers; 



Bertram D. Campbell, Waitsfield, died of 
measles; Wm. H. Smith, Waitsfield, died 
of measles, Dec. '61; Merrill H. Pucklin, 
Warren, died of chronic diarrhoea ; Oscar 
J. Moore, Lincoln. 

Musiciaris. — John Devine, fifer, veteran, 
from Middlesex ; Michael P. Eagan, drum- 
mer, Moretown ; Caleb Heath, drummer, 
discharged; David C. Holt, fifer, dis- 
charged ; Charles Franklin, Barre, team- 
ster; C. C. Armington, Duxbury, pioneer 
and general laborer. 

Privates Discharged. — George A. Jones, 
Northfield, wounded at White Oak Swamp, 
Va., July I, '62; James Keer, Hancock, 
wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, '62. 

The following not stated where from : 
Alonzo Lane, Andrew J. Slayton, Charles 
E. Spaulding, Chester P. Streeter, Geo. 
Somerville, James Sweeney, Albert Wil- 
liams. 

Soldiers buried in Moretown. — Those be- 
longing to other organizations, who died 
and are buried in town : Osman G. Clark, 
died July 11, '64, of chronic diarrhoea ; Co. 
B, loth Vt. Vols. 

Died of Diseases. — Wm. H. Allard, 
Mar. 15, '64; Newell Antoine, Sept. '62; 
W. H. H. Badger, Feb. 12, '63 ; Jonathan 
Boyden, June 20, '62; Edwin J. Chase, 
Feb. 4, '62 ; Edwin Canfield, Aug. '62 ; 
W. N. S. Clariin, died May 20, '63, of 
wounds received at Banks' Ford, May 4, 
'63 ; Morris L. Divoll, Dec. 28, '62 ; Dexter 
M. Davis, Jan. '62; Geo. Sawyer, Jr., 
Dec. 7, '62 ; Manley Hoyt, June, '62 ; 
Nathaniel Shattuck, April, '62 ; Oramel 
Turner, July 28, '62 ; Harry H. Wright, 
Feb. '65, all of typhoid fever. 

Discharged for Disability. — Albert Ains- 
worth, Henry Balch, Emerson E. Davis, 
Michael Donovan, Goin Bailey Evans, 
Charles Freeman, Lewis Goodell, JohnH. 
Oilman, Horace Hall, Jarvis C. Harris, 
Hiram B. Howland, Allen Mahuran, Wm. 
Mills, Wm. F. Moore; Henry Newton, 
Angus G. Nicholson, Peter Pero, Harrison 
Persons, Edwin Phillips, promoted to 
assistant surgeon, 4th Vt. Vols. ; Seth T. 
Porter. [The places of residence do not 
appear on the register.] 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



NORTHFIELD. 

BY EEV. JOHN GREGORY. 

[Conipiled from his Historv of Nortlifield, pub- 
lished ill 1878.] 

This town is situated in the southern 
part of Washington County, lo miles from 
Montpelier, lat. 44° 8', long. 4° 25' ; and 
very near the center of the town is the 
geographical center of the State. The 
original town was chartered Aug. 10, 1781, 
to Maj. Joel Matthews and his associates, 
and contained 18,518 acres. A tract of 
land from the east part of VVaitsfield, con- 
taining 6000 acres, was annexed to North- 
field Nov. 7, 1822. Five equal shares or 
rights were reserved to the use of the pub- 
lic, and the grants were conditioned that 
each proprietor should, " within the term 
of three years next after the circumstances 
of the war will admit of it with safety," 
" plant and cultivate 5 acres of land, and 
build a house at least 18 foot square on the 
floor, or have one family settled on each 
right, on pain of forfeiture of his share." 

The first proprietors' meeting was held 
in Hartford, Vt., Nov. 11, 1783. The 
proprietors met at diiferent times at Wind- 
sor, Hartland and Pomfret, also, till 1794, 
when the town had sufficient settlers to 
take care of itself at home. 

The township appears to have been first 
surveyed by Marston Cabot, from the vote 
at one of the proprietors' meetings. 

Voted that Mr. Marston Cabot be al- 
lowed 27 days in surveying Northfield. 

i s. 

At gs I per day - - - - 12. 3. 
And 1 8s expense money - - o. 18. 
And for three gallons of West 

India rum at 8 | per gal. and 

one of New England ditto 

at 5 I 6 per gallon, - - i, 9. 6 

14. 10. 6 

PROPRIETORS OF NORTHFIELD 

as they stand in the charter, with the num- 
ber of each proprietor's lot, and the range 
it was in ; the first figure after the name 
for the lot, the second for the range ; the 
lots having been drawn by Mr. Cabot as 
the law directed, beginning with the first 
in the charter : 

Major Joel Matthews, 10, 6; Captain 
William Gallup, i, i ; Michael Flinn, 7, 



D. 

o 
o 



2 ; Oliver Williams, 4, 5 ; Amos Bicknal, 

6, 7 ; Benjamin Cox, 2,3; Zebulon Lyon, 

1, 5; Timothy Grow, 7, i ; Benjamin Em- 
mons, 8, 5; Steel Smith, 3, 6; Samuel 
Smith, 10, 5 ; Samuel Patrick, 9, 4; Ze- 
bina Curtis, 5, i ; Elias Taylor, 3, 2 
Ebenezer Smith, 9,3; John Smith, 10, i 
Elisha Smith, 1,2; Edward Hazen, 8, 2 
John W. Dana, 6, 5 ; Zebulon Lee, 8, i 
Sylvester Smith, 2, 4; James Cady, 5, 2 
Joel English, i, 7; Resolved Sessions, 8, 
Edmund Hodges, 6, 3 ; Abel Emmonds, 
6,6; Thomas Chittenden, 10, 2; Joseph 
Parkhurst, 7, 5 ; Calvin Parkhurst, 3, 3 ; 
Moses Kimball, 8, 7 ; Ebenezer Parkhurst, 

3, I ; William Andrews, 4, 4 ; James An- 
drews, 2, 6 ; Paul Spooner, 8, 6 ; Amasa 
Spooner, 10, i ; Jeremiah Richardson, 2, 
I ; Daniel Gilbert, 7, 6; Amos Robinson, 
9, 6 ; Elias Thomas, 5, 6 ; Ebenezer Miller, 

7, 7; George Dennison, 2, 2; Barnabas 
Strong, 5, 3 ; John Throop, 7, 3 ; Beriah 
Green, 1,3; Joseph Kimball, 3, 5 ; Oliver 
Gallup, 1,4; John Payne of Pomfret, 8, 4 ; 
Amasa Payne, 3, 4 ; Elijah Payne, 9, 2 ; Ja- 
cob Clark, 5, 5 ; Abida Smith,4, 7 ; Barkus 
Green, 2, 7; Elisha Smith, B. A., 9, i ; 
David Fuller, 6, 4; William Gallup, Jr., 

2, 3 ; Jesse Safford, 4, 6 ; Thomas Lawton, 

4, 2 ; Willys Hall 4, i ; Samuel Matthews, 
6, I ; Benjamin Burtch, 2, 5 ; Oliver Tay- 
lor, 5, 7; John Sergeants, 1,8; Phineas 
Williams, 10, 4; Sbubal Child, 6, 2; Pe- 
rias Gallup, 9, 5 ; College Right, 3, 7 ; 
Right for the County Grammar School, 7, 
4; First settled Minister's Right, i, 6; 
Right for the support of the Ministry, 2, 8 ; 
Town School right, 5, 4. 

The first land cleared in town was by 
Elijah Paine, some time previous to the 
first settlement, which was made in May, 
1785, by Amos Robinson and others from 
Westminster, Vt. 

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING 

was called by jDetition from a number of 
respectable inhabitants of Northfield, by 
Cornelius Lynde, Esq., of Williamstown, 
to meet at the house of Dr. Nathaniel 
Robinson, who lived a little N. W. of what 
is now the poor-farm. Said meeting was 
holden March 12, 1794, Cornelius Lynde 
Esq. moderator, at which the following 



NORTHFIELD. 



613 



first board of town officers were chosen ; 
Nathaniel Robinson, town clerk ; Stanton 
Richardson, Amos Robinson, Ezekiel Rob- 
inson, selectmen ; David Denny, consta- 
ble : William Ashcroft, Stanton Richard- 
son, Ezekiel Robinson, listers ; David 
Tenny, collector of taxes ; Aquillo Jones, 
Samuel Richardson, highway surveyors. 
EARLY HARMONY IN POLITICS. 

The first votes were cast in Northfield 
for Governor, Isaac Tichenor, Lieut. Gover- 
nor, Paul Brigham, treasurer, Samuel Mat- 
tocks, and 12 councillors, Samuel Spaflford 
and others, in 1800, for each one, 12 votes, 
which must have been near the number if 
not all the legal voters at that time in town. 

In 1801, three school districts made re- 
turns of the number of scholars that at- 
tended school within their limits. In No. 
I, the Loomis district now, Ebenezer Fox 
sent I, John Coales i, James Paul 3, Da- 
vid Hedges 2, Ithamer Allen 6, Ezekiel 
Pierce 4, William Tubbs 3. 

In district No. 2, in the Robinson neigh- 
borhood, — the principal part of the town 
at that early day — John Kathan sent r, 
William Coales 2, Aquillo Jones 2, Amos 
Robinson 6, Ezekiel Robinson 5, Nathan- 
iel Robinson 6, Abraham Shipman 3, Oli- 
ver Cobleigh 2, John Emerson 3, Abel 
Keyes 3, William Ashcroft 5, Justus Burn- 
ham 2. 

In district No. 3, — the school-house be- 
ing on the main road to South Village, 
near where Mr. Guild now lives — Stanton 
Richardson sent 5, Samuel Richardson 5, 
Eliphas Shipman 5, Isaac Lynde 4, Isaiah 
Bacon 5, Amos Starkweather 3, Thomas 
French 2, Justus Burnham 2, Roswell Car- 
penter I, Elisha Brown i, and two years 
later, in district No. 4, — what is called 
South Village — Isaac Lynde sent 5 schol- 
ars, Eliphas Shipman 5, Amos Starkweath- 
er 2, David Denny 5, Justus Burnham 4, 
EHsha Brown i, being a return of 118 
scholars in these 4 districts ; and showing 
besides, who were early settlers in these 
neighborhoods ; and all these men were 
laborers, and earnest laborers, and happy 
withal. The noble men of that day knew 
they could not grow rich without industry, 
and valiantly did they make the wilderness 



resound with the echoes of toil, as the tall 
old trees came crashing down upon the 
right hand and left, laid low by the sturdy 
woodman's axe! Even with their priva- 
tions, they were measurably comfortable 
and happy. 

TOWN OFFICERS, MAR. 7, 1826. 

Amos Robinson, moderator ; voted that 
the meeting be opened with prayer ; Eli- 
jah Smith, Jr., town clerk; Elijah Burn- 
ham, John Mead, Charles Paine, select- 
men ; Albigence Ainsworth, Elijah Smith, 
Jr., Jesse Averill, Harry Ainsworth, list- 
ers ; John Starkweather, constable and 
collector of taxes ; John Fiske, grand 
juror; William Jones, Amos Robinson, 
Joel Winch, Michael Shaw, Wm. Wales, 
Jr., Alva Henry, Curtis Wright, excused ; 
Hezekiah Williams, Samuel Dunsmoor, 
Titus Rice, Wm. Case, Horace Fullerton, 
Elijah Smith, Jr., John Fiske, Jacob Ami- 
don, highway surveyors ; Jacob Keyes, 
Oliver Averill, John Braley, fence view- 
ers ; John West, pound keeper (excused), 
David Robinson chosen ; Elijah Smith, Jr., 
sealer of leather ; Joseph Keyes, sealer of 
weights and measures ; David Stiles, Jus- 
tus Burnham, Asa Sprout, tything men ; 
(Asa Sprout excused) ; Justus Burnham, 
Suel Keyes, James Nichols, John White, 
Albert Stevens, haywards ; Nathaniel 
Jones, Amos Robinson, John West, com- 
mittee to settle with overseer of the poor ; 
Oliver Averill, Henry Knapp, committee 
to settle with treasurer; John Fiske, over- 
seer of the poor ; William Cochran, Na- 
thaniel Jones, Samuel Whitney, Oliver 
Averill, Henry Emerson, committee to 
divide the ministerial money; Wm. Coch- 
rane (excused) — chose Elijah Smith ;— 
Amos Robinson, Nathan Green, David M. 
Lane, Nathaniel Jones, Benjamin Fiske, 
Joseph Williams, Jesse Averill, Eleazer 
Loomis, Daniel D. Robinson, Samuel 
Dole, John West, Albigence Ainsworth, 
Ezekiel Robinson, Anson Adams, Joel 
Winch, Oliver Averill, John White, Abel 
Keyes, petit jurors ; voted to annex the 
highway districts in which Roswell Car- 
penter and Oliver Averill live ; chose Seth 
P. Field, district committee. 

Elijah Smith, Jr. Town Clerk. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

From 1794, when the town, was organ- 
ized, until 1801, no representatives were 
chosen : 1808-09-1 1-14, Amos Robinson ; 
1810-15-17, Gilbert Hatch; 1818-19, 
Abraham Shipman ; 1820-21, Josiah B. 
Strong; 1822-23, Joel Winch; 1824-25, 
Abel Keyes ; 1826-27, John Starkweather ; 
1828-29, Charles Paine ; 1830-31, Lebbeus 
Bennett; 1832-33, John Averill ; 1834, 
David Robinson ; 1835-41-53-54-61, Mo- 
ses Robinson ; 1836, Anson Adams ; 1837 
-39, Jesse Averill ; 1840, Lebbeus Ben- 
nett ; 1842, Nathan Morse; 1843, David 
W. Hadley; 1844, John L. Buck; 1845- 
46-73, David W. Hadley; 1847-48, He- 
man Carpenter; 1849, George B. Pierce; 
1850-51, John Gregory; 1852, no choice; 
1855-56, Wilbur F. Woodworth ; 1857- 
58, Isaac B. Howe; 1859-60, Jasper H. 
Orcutt ; 1862, Edward F. Perkins; 1863, 
Charles Barrett; 1864, George M. Fiske ; 
1865-66, Samuel Keith; 1867-68, Edwin 
K. Jones; 1869, George B. Warner; 1872 
-73, Edmund Pope; 1874-5, Elbridge G. 
Pierce; 1876-77 — [representatives, other 
town officers and matters in regard to the 
early and present civil history of this town 
— completed by Joseph K. Egerton] — 
1878-9, no representative ; 1880-81, N. E. 
Dewey. 

STATE SENATORS FROM NORTHFIELD. 

1846-47, Moses Robinson ; 1856-57, 
John Gregory ; 1862-63, Philander D. 
Bradford ; 1866-68, Jasper H. Orcutt; 
1870-73, Heman Carpenter. 

SELECTMEN 1 794 TO 1878. 

Stanton Richardsoii, 1794, 96, 97, 1802, 
II, 12; Amos Robinson, 1794, 95, 1810; 
Ezekiel Robinson, 1794, 95, 99, 1803, 04, 
II, 15; David Denny, 1795,98, 1800, 03, 
04, 06; James Paul, 1796, 97, 1805 ; Will- 
iam Ashcroft, 1796; Oliver Cobleigh, 
1797, 98, 99. 1800 ; Aaron Partridge, 1798 ; 
Abraham Shipman, 1799, 1800, 01, 05, 06, 
07, 13, 15; Ithamer Allen ,1802, 03, 04; 
Nathaniel Robinson, 1801, 02: Dan- 
iel Edson, 1805 ; Elijah Smith, 1806, 
13, 18, Joseph Nichols, 1807, 09; Charles 
Jones, 1807, 17; Gilbert Hatch, 1808, 09, 
10, 17, 20, 27; Joseph Slade, 1808; Thos. 
Slade, 1808; William Jones, 1809, 12; 



James Morgan, 1810, 14; Oliver Averill, 
1811, 12, 19,40; Charles Jones, 1813, 19; 
Amos Brown, 1814; Seth Smith, 1814; 
Jesse Averill, 1815, 16, 17, 20, 21, 27, 28, 
3O' 31 ' 33> 35> 36, 40; Eleazer Loomis, 
1816 ; Joseph R. Williams, 1816, 1819, 21, 
22; Nathaniel Jones, 1818, 20; Richard 
Hedges, 1821, 22; Joel Winch, 1823, 48; 
David M. Lane, 1823, 24, 27; Elijah 
Burnham, 1824, 25, 26, 28, 33, 35, 2,7, 38; 
Daniel Parker, 1823 ; Abel Keyes, 1824, 
25; Benjamin Fiske, 1825; John West, 
1826,29; Charles Paine, 1826, 30, 31; 
Anson Adams, 1828, 29; Daniel D. Rob- 
inson, 1829; Joel Brown, 1830; Erastus 
Parker, 1831 ; Harry Ainsworth, 1832; 
David Partridge, 1832; John Averill, 1832, 
33; Jason Eaton, 1834; Samuel Fiske, 
1834, 47; Eleazer Nichols, 1834; Joel 
Parker, Jr., 1835 ; David W. Hadley, 1836, 
40,41,42, 43,44,45,46,55, 56,58, 59,63, 
64,70, 71, 72, 74, 75; Hiram Dwinell, 
1836, 43 ; Samuel U. Richmond, 1837, 38, 
39, 51, 52, 57, 60, 61 ; James H. Johnson,- 
1837 ; Lebbeus Bennett, 1838, 39 ; Nathan 
Morse, 1841,43,44,45,47,48,49,53, 54; 
Nathaniel King, Jr., 1841, 42, 44; Luther 
S. Burnham, 1842 ; Moses Robinson, 
1845, 48, 49, 50, to 51, 58, 59 ; James Pal- 
mer, 1846; Emanuel Sawyer, 1847; Ara 
V. Rawson, 1849, 50 ; Anson Munson, 
1850 ; Heman Carpenter, 1851, 52 ; Marvin 
Simons, 1853 to 58, 60, 64, 65, 67 ; Aaron 

D. Metcalf, 1857 ; F. A. Preston, 1858, 59 ; 
C. Woodbury, i860, 61, 62 ; A. J. William 
Braley, 1862 ; I, W. Brown, 1863, 64 ; A. S. 
Williams, 1864; J. H. Orcutt, 1865-67; 

E. K. Jones, 1865 to 67 ; William Winch, 
1868, 69; Samuel Keith, 1868, 69; Reu- 
ben Smith, 1868; Joseph Gould, 1869; 
Edmund Pope, 1870-71 ; D. T. Averill, 
1870-71 ; George Nichols, 1872, jt,, 76-78 ; 
E. C. Fiske, 1872, J2>'-' John A. Kent, 
1873 ; E. K. Jones, 1874-75 ; O. D. Ed- 
gerton, 1874, 75; James Morse, R. W. 
Clark, 1876-82; J. H. Rawson, 1879, 82; 
Fred. Parker, 1880, 82. 

GRAND LIST 1794-1882. 

1794. 295^, 5s.; 1795, 671^, 15s.; 

1796, 433 £, los. ; 1797, $1,738-35 ; 1/98, 
$2,126.75; 1799, $2,051.47; 1800, $2,776.- 
74; 1801, $3,000.96; 1802, $3,153.16; 



NORTHFIELD. 



615 



1803, $3,230.88; 1804, $3,808.92; 1805, 
$4,201.84; 1806, $4,391.31 ; 1807, $5,203.- 
15; 1808, $5,285.75; 1809, $5,632.34; 
1810, $5,907.32; 1811, $5,735; 1812, 
$5,942.65 ; 1813, $6,027.83 ; 1814, $6,147.- 
12; 1815, $6,238.50; 1816, $6,267.25; 
1817, $6,607.50; 1818, $6,003; 1819, 
$6,994; 1820, $7,441.96; 1821, $6,748.54; 
1822, $5,305.42; 1823, $6,458.84; 1824, 
$8,036.56; 1825, $7,701.75; 1826, $6,480. - 
99; 1827, $6,802.95; 1828, $5,635.23; 
1829, $7,620.02; 1830, $8,159.95; 1831, 
$8,064.12; 1832, $9,743.80; 1833, $9,977.- 
66; 1834, $10,197.18; 1835, $10,270.20; 
1836, $11,017.97; 1837, $11,337.17; 1838, 
$11,280.80; 1839, $11,341-82; 1840, $11,- 
821.52; 1841, $12,834.74; 1842, $3,906.23; 
1843, $4,281.25; 1844, $4,226.36; 1845, 
$4,286.80; 1846, $4,400.32 ; 1847, $4,776. - 
50; 1848, $4,744.70; 1849, $5,035-96; 
1850, $5,205.05; 1851, $5,440.07; 1852, 
$7,408. 16; $1853, $7, 341. 28; 1854, $7,857.- 
09; 1855, $8,285.97; 1856, $8,144.97; 
1857, $8,187.71; 1858, $8,848.12; 1859, 
$8,848.12; i860, $8,695.70; 1861, $8,875.- 
94; 1862, $8,798.42; 1863, $8,642.08; 
1864, $8,569.26; 1865, $8,467.30; 1866, 
$8,428.48 ; 1867, $9,041.37 ; 1868, $9,212.- 
45; 1869, $9,415.70; 1870, $8,148.32; 
1871, $9,422.20; 1872, $9,288.33; 1873, 
$8,640.40; 1874, $8,569.04; 1875, $8,314. - 
37; 1876, $8,871.14; 1877, $8,561.91; 
1878, $8,530.57; 1879, $7,589-15; 1880, 
$7,440.16; 1881, $11,788.02; acres, 24,480 
Number of legal voters, 1880, 800 ; popu- 
lation, 2,836; grand list in 1881, $11,788.02; 
town trea.«urer, G. B. B. Denny ; consta- 
ble, F. W. Gold ; sup't of schools, Chas. 
Dole ; overseer of goor, F. A. Preston ; 
town agent, John P. Davis. 

LISTERS 1 794- 1 882. 
Stanton Richardson, 1794, 95, 96, 97; 
Ezekiel Robin.son, 1794, 1803, 10; William 
Ashcroft, 1795,96; Ezekiel Pierce, 1795, 
96, 1802; Nathaniel Robinson, 1797; 
Samuel Pierce, 1797; David Denny, 1798; 
Abel Keyes, 1768, 1807; James Paul, 
1798, 1803; Aaron Partridge, 1799; Oli- 
ver Cobleigh, 1799, 1800, 02, 04, 08, og ; 
Abraham Shipman, John Emerson, 1800; 
Elisha Brown, 1800, 1804, 05 ; Amos Rob- 
inson, 1804, 06, 28; Gilbert Hatch, 1801, 



03; Ethan Allen, 1804, 05, 11; Joseph 
Nichols, 1806, 07, 08, 09; James Morgan, 
1806; Charles Jones, 1807, 09, 12; Na- 
thaniel Richardson, 18 10, 11, 31; Jesse 
Averill, 181 1, 18, 26, 37, 45 ; Gilbert Hatch, 
181 1, 12, 14, 16, 18; Seth Smith, 1812; 
Oliver Averill, 1813, 14, 17; Nathaniel 
Jones, 1813, 15, 27 ; Eleazer Loomis, 1814, 
15, 27, Solomon Dunham, 1815; Thomas 
Slade, 1816; Nathaniel Green, 1816, 20; 
Josiah B. Strong, 1817, 18; Dyer Loomis, 
1817; John Starkweather, 1819, 21,22; 
Elijah Smith, Jr., 1819, 26; Daniel D. 
Robinson, 1819, 23, 28; John Hinckley, 
1820, 21; James Morgan, 1820; Charles 
Jones, 1821 ; Charles Paine, 1822, 23, 28; 
Joseph Keyes, 1822; Joseph Williams, 
1823, 27; Benjamin Porter, 1824; Sam- 
uel Gilson, 1824, 25 ; Henry Knapp, 1825 ; 
John West, 1824, 25; David M. Lane, 
Harry Ainsworth, 1826, 29; Elijah Smith, 
1829; John Averill, 1829, 35, 38 ; John L, 
Buck, Erastus Parker, Allen Patch, 1830; 
David Partridge, 1831 ; Daniel Parker, Jr., 
1831 ; Elijah Smith, Jr., 1832, 35, 36, 37; 
Elijah Burnham, 1832; Joel Winch, 1832, 
34, 36, 42, 65, 66; George K. Cobleigh, 
^^33y 34; Samuel Denny, 1833, 34; Nu- 
man R. Dryer, 1834, 36 : David W. Hadley, 
1835, 39; David Robinson, 1837, 38; 
John Starkweather, 1838 ; Hiram Dwinell, 
1839; Moses Robinson, 1839, 4°, 4^, 43. 
44, 47, 48, 49, 57, 59. 61, 62, 63, 64 ; Sam- 
uel N. Richmond, 1840, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 
50, 52, 53; Harvey Tilden, 1841, 43; Na- 
than Morse, 1842; James Gould, 1843; 
William Nichols, 1844, 52, 57; Daniel P. 
King, 1844, 46, 48; Marvin Simonds, 
1845, 51, 52,54, 58; G. P. Randall, 1846; 
Moses Thurston, 1847 ; D. W. Hadley, 
1849, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 60; Richard H. 
Litde, 1849; Joseph Denney, Joseph 
Gould, Hiram Henry, 1850; William Gold, 
Jr., 1851,52, 56; Henry Jones, Jr., 1854; 
A. D. Metcalf, 1855, 74; F. A. Preston, 
1855, 56, 57, 59, 60; William C. Woodbu- 
ry, 1858, 64; E. B. Pride, 1858; D. S. 
Burnham, 1859; George Robinson, i860; 
L W. Brown, 1861,62; Freeman Thresh- 
er, 1861, 62, 63, 77 ; A. D. Metcalf, 1863 ; 
J. C. Gallup, 1864, 65, 66, 74, 78; Wil- 
liam H. Loomis, 1865, 66; George Nich- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ols, 1867, 70, 71 ; William S. Smith, 1867 ; 
William Gold, 1868; A. A. Preston, 1868, 
69, 75; William R. Tucker, 1868, 69; T. 
L. Salisbury, 1869; F. S. Kimball, 1870; 
Fred Parker, 1871, 72,76; Ira A. Holton, 
1871, 72, 73, 74, 75 ; William H. Loomis, 
1872; Royal Clark, 1873; James Morse, 
1873, 74; Royal W. Clark, 1874; Francis 
Wright, 1875; E. H. Howes, 1876, T] \ 
O. P. Winch, 1876; J. H. Ransom, 1877; 
John L. Mosely, C. A. Tracy, 1878 ; C. 

B. Tilden, E. C. Fiske, 1879, 80; Fiee- 
man Thresher, 1879 ; E. H. Howes, 1880; 
J. A. Holton, J. C. Gallup, Andrew Doty, 
1881. 

TOWN CLERKS FROM 1794- 

Nathaniel Robinson, Gilbert Hatch, Eli- 
jah Smith, Volney H. Averill, C. A. Edg- 
erton, Geo. B. B. Denny. 

POSTMASTERS. 

Oliver Averill, John E. McClure, Volney 
H. Averill, Elijah Smith, J. A. S. White, 
Wm. Rogers, Francis V. Randall, James 
Currier, Roswell Dewey, Geo. W. Soper, J. 
H. Orcutt. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 
John Starkweather, I. W. Brown, high 
sheriffs ; John L. Buck, Heman Carpenter, 

C. H. Joyce, Frank Plumley, state's att'ys ; 
Nathan Morse, D. W. Hadley, side judges ; 
H. Carpenter, judge of probate; D. T. 
Averill, high bailiff. 

LAWYERS 

who have practiced in this town to 1878: 
John L. Buck, B. F. Chamberlain, Heman 
Carpenter, F. V. Randall, A. V. H. Car- 
penter, A. C. May, Charles H. Joyce, Geo. 
M. Fisk, C. N. Carpenter, James N. John- 
son, E. J. McWain, Frank Plumley, C. D. 
Joslyn, Cyrus M. Johnston. Lawyers 
since Gregory's book — F. R. Bates, D. 
Webster, B. F. Chamberlin, Edward Farr. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Nathaniel Robinson, Jeptha White, Ben- 
jamin Porter, Julius Easterbrook, John 
Work, Clifton Claggett, NumanR. Dryer, 
Samuel W. Thayer, Washington Cochran, 
Jared Barrett, Edward H. Williams, Joshua 
B. Smith, George Nichols, Edwin Porter, 
P. D. Bradford, Samuel Keith, M. Mc- 
Clearn, Daniel Bates, P. E. O. Chase, 
S. H. Colburn, M. F. Styles, G. W. 



Colton, J. Draper, H. C. Brigham, Leonard 
Thresher, W. B. Mayo, O. O. Davis, L. 
W. Hanson, J. H. Winch, Green. 

THE PAPER CARRIER. 

Henry Dewey,' of Randolph, was the 
first regular paper carrier for this town, by 
bringing the weekly news, and Ambrose 
Nichols, the second. The paper carrier 
was always a welcome visitor. When the 
tin horn sounded his approach, the chil- 
dren were on tip-toe, and would rush out 
to the highway to get their papers, which 
were read with great avidity. A paper 
once a week was considered a very great 
blessing. 

NORTHFIELD IN THO.MPSON'S GAZETTEER, 
(1824.) 

There were considerable revivals of re- 
ligion here in 1802, 1807, 1811 and 1821. 
There are three ordained preachers : Elder 
Joel Winch and Nathan B. Ashcroft, Meth- 
odists, and Elder James Morgan, Freewill 
Baptist. The epidemic of i8ii-'i2 was 
very mortal here, and the dysentery swept 
off about 30 children in this town in the 
fall of 1823. The physicians are Benjamin 
Porter and Julius Easterbrook. The prin- 
cipal stream in this town is Dog river, 
which runs through it in a northerly di- 
rection, and affords a great number of val- 
uable mill-privileges. A range of argilla- 
ceous slate passes through the township 
from south to north. The surface is con- 
siderably uneven, but it forms a convenient 
centre, in which is a small village, contain- 
ing a meeting-house, one tavern, two 
stores, one saddler, one hatter, two black- 
smith shops, one physician, . one tannery, 
and 17 dwelling-houses. This is a place 
of some business, and is rapidly increas- 
ing. The second house was erected in 
this village in 18 14. There is a small 
village \h miles south of the one above 
mentioned, containing 2 saw-mills, i grist 
and I fulling-mill, i carding-machine, i 
cider-mill and several machine-shops. One 
mile north of the meeting-house (Depot 
Village) is an extensive woolen-factory, 
containing 230 spindles and 8 looms. 
There are also here some other mills and 
machinery. There are in town 9 school- 
districts, 7 school-houses, i company of 



NORTHFIELD. 



617 



militia, i of artillery, 8 saw, 3 grist and 2 
fulling-mills, I carding-machine, i woolen- 
factory, 2 stores, 2 taverns, 2 tanneries 
and 4 blacksmith shops. 

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

of the first settlers and most prominent 
citizens of Northfield, from 1785 to 1878, 
condensed from Mr. Gregory's History, 
page 58 to 251, inclusive. Mr. Gregory's 
volume is 8vo. pp. 319. The preceding 
part of this paper is the summary of the 
town history contained in its first 57 pages. 

JOHN Gregory's toast 
at the Northfield centennial day dinner. 
The 4th of July, 1876: 

The early settlers of Nortlifield: — 
Prompted by their love of freedom, strong 
in the ambition of their manhood, and clad 
in the garb of truth and morality, they 
sought amid the wilds of Vermont a home 
for themselves, and for those who should 
come after them. Through their efforts 
the wilderness was made to blossom as the 
rose, and the fruits of their labors are to 
us a priceless inheritance. 

AMOS ROBINSON, 

born in Providence, R. I., Aug. 19, 1762; 
next to Elijah Paine, was the most influen- 
tial man of that early day ; made the first 
settlement. May, 1785, where his son, 
Hon. Moses Robinson, now lives (1878). 
He was the first representative of the town, 
re-elected 13 successive years, with the 
exception of 181 o; justice of the peace 
many years, and was a large-hearted, hon- 
orable man, well-qualified for a leader in a 
new settlement. He induced a number of 
his relatives and friends to move from 
Westminster, Vt. to this town. He mar- 
ried for his first wife Batheny Jones, chil- 
dren : Polly, b 1786 ; Kezia, b 1787 ; Amos, 
b 1789; Patty, b 1791 ; Alman, b 1794; 
Judge, b 1795; Loretta, b 1796; Elijah, b 
1799. He married for his second wife 
Mrs. Submit Holden ; children : Moses, b 
1804 ; Sophronia, b 1810; Caroline, b 181 5. 
Mr. Robinson died Mar. 13, 1840. 

Kezia Robinson, daughter of Amos 
and Batheny, was the first child born in 
Northfield. She married Ira Sherman, 
of Waterbury, and died in 1877. 

H.on Moses Robinson, son of Amos, 
who lived on the old homestead, held 

78 



many town offices, and was State Senator 
in 1846-7. He died Apr. 22, 1881. 

Judge Robinson, another son of Amos, 
settled near the Roxbury line ; was a farmer. 

col. EZEKIEL ROBINSON, 

brother of Amos, born in Providence, R. 
I., July 15, 1764, came from Westminster, 
May, 1785, nearly 10 years before the town 
was organized, and settled on the farm 
now occupied by John Henry, on the East 
Hill. He was moderator, selectman, col- 
lector, &c. He married Dinah Doubleday, 
born in Palmer, Mass., April 28, 1764. 
Mrs. Erastus Parker, a daughter of 
Col. Ezekiel, of Waterbury, says, "I have 
heard father and mother tell much about 
their living in a log house without a board 
or door about it, until they had 2 children ; 
when the first was born, Jan. 26, 1788, 
father went over the hills of deep snow, 
with snow shoes and a hand sled, almost 
down to Farewell village, 9 miles, to get a 
midwife. She went home with him, some 
of the way on a sled, and some on foot." 

"I was quite young, but remember the 
talk about father being called a ' Fed,' and 
Uncle Amos Robinson a ' Whig.' Father 
held the common offices in town, and was 
a surveyor through all its early history. 
He used to take large pieces of peeled hem- 
lock bark for his bed, and make a rousing 
fire to keep the wolves off — they used to 
follow him home, many a time close to his 
horse's heels. The bears were kept from 
the cabin the same way, by great fires." 

They had 7 children: Lucinda, b 1788; 
Daniel, b 1789; Reuben, b 1791 ; Sylva- 
nus, b 1793 ; Anna, b 1796 ; David, b 1799 ; 
Weltha, b 1806. All born in Northfield. 

Mr. Robinson died in 1834 ; Mrs. Rob- 
inson died in 185 1. 

DR. NATHANIEL ROBINSON, 

brother of Amos, came to Northfield soon 
after him, and settled on East Hill. The 
first town meeting, and town meetings fre- 
quently after, were held at his house. He 
was a very good physician, and the first one 
that practiced in town ; and first town 
clerk, and held the office until he died, and 
was frequently elected to other offices, and 
decidedly popular with the people. He 
married Lucy Cushman ; they had 8 chil- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



dren: Lydia, b 1784; Peggy, b 1786; Bet- 
sey, b 1789; Nathaniel, b 1791 ; Lucy, b 
1794; Philetus, b 1797; Weltha, b 1800; 
Adaline, b 1802. All born in Northfield, 
except Lydia and Peggy, in Westminster. 
Mr. Robinson died in 1813, with the 
measles. 

DAVID ROBINSON, 

son of Col. Ezekiel, born in 1799- Begin- 
ning life as a farmer, with comparatively 
nothing, his industry and economy led him 
to engage in the first manufacturing inter- 
ests of the Falls Village, with James Gould, 
Walter Little, and David Fletcher, about 
1835. They made woolen goods. The 
business was a success, when he died, at 
the age of 42. He was in independent cir- 
cumstances, and honored as a man of ster- 
ling integrity. He married Sarah Denny 
of Northfield, in 1820. They had 10 chil- 
dren : George, Mary, Ezekiel, Charles, 
John, Martin, Ezekiel 2d, Franklin, Sarah 
Ellen and David. 

George, son of David, was for a time 
in trade with Joseph Denny, at the Centre 
Village, later carried on himself the same 
business there and at the Depot Village. 
He was agent and one of the company of 
the Brookfield Fork Factory. Mrs. Rob- 
inson died in 1866. Mr. Robinson moved 
in 1867, and now resides, with his daugh- 
ters, in Fairbault, Minn., and is engaged 
in the grain trade. 

THOMAS AVERILL, SR., 

born in Westminster, 1745, and his wife, 
Elizabeth, a sister of Amos Robinson, 
came from Westminster here, with his two 
sons, Jesse and John, in 1805. Oliver, 
another son, came 2 years later. They 
settled on the East Hill, the only part of 
the town much settled, but a little distance 
from the first clearing, and were all enter- 
prising farmers. Mr. Averill was a man 
well calculated for a pioneer settlement, 
but terribly afflicted with that awful dis- 
ease cancer, which shortened his days. 
His house was used occasionally for town 
meetings. 

Children : John, b 1775 i Betsey, b 1777 ; 
Amos, b 1779; Oliver, b 1782; Nabbie, b 
1784; Jesse, b 1786; Lucy, b 1788; Lavi- 
na, b 1790 ; John, b 1794 ; Keziah, b 1798. 



Mr. Averill died in 1823, aged 78 years ; 
Mrs. Averill in 1840, aged 88. 

col. OLIVER AVERILL, 
after living on the East Hill a number of 
years, farming and blacksmithing, removed 
to the Center village, engaging in the same 
business. He was a public spirited man, 
and received many town offices. He was 
town treasurer many times, and such was 
the unbounded confidence his fellow towns- 
men reposed in him that they did not re- 
quire a bondsman. He was postmaster 
also many years, holding the office until 
1842. 

He was a characteristic man, of a ner- 
vous temperament, and very decisive. He 
did not wait for others to form an opinion 
before he expressed his on politics or any 
particular subject ; but he was a man of 
whom it might be said, "in him there was 
no guile :" and in his old age was remark- 
ably active, and retained his natural buoy- 
ancy of spirit almost to the close of his 
life. He married Polly Hopkins, born 
Mar. 7, 1780; they had 4children. Their 
son, Volney H., was many years town 
clerk. His children were: Volney H., b 
1804, died 1871 ; Riley, b 1807, died 1863; 
Rolan, b 1813; Mary, b 1824; all in 
Northfield, except Volney H.. in West- 
minster. Mr. Averill died Apr. 11, 1870, 
aged 88; Mrs. Averill Oct, 5, 1847, aged 
67. 

CAPTAIN JESSE AVERILL. 

No man in this town had more to do 
with its public business from 1815 to 1840. 
He held almost every office that the town 
could confer upon him, selectman, represen- 
tative, justice ot the peace, lister, modera- 
tor, school committee, &c. He commenc- 
ed his public career when quite young, and 
was deservedly popular with both political 
parties. His sound judgment and quiet, 
unostentatious manner endeared him to 
the people, and his sterling honesty and 
firmness of mind, always seeking to do 
right, and particularly being the friend of 
the poor and unfortunate, led him to be 
appointed administrator in the settling of 
many estates. 

He was one who never sought office, 
but office would seek him, and when the 



NORTHFIELD. 



619 



voters had a severe contest over some can- 
didate, and found they could not elect 
him, they would say, " Let's send Captain 
Jesse; we can elect him!" 

He married Polly Loomis, of Hinsdale, 
Mass., born Nov. 28, 1783, sister to Eleaz- 
er and Dyer Loomis ; children, all born in 
Northfield, Clark, 1812; Maria P., 1814; 
Russell, 1816; Thomas, 1820; David T., 
1823. 

Mr. Averill died July 25, 1S60, aged 
74; Mrs. Averill Oct. 17, 1S55, aged 72. 

JOHN AVERILL, 

youngest brother of Amos, Oliver and 
Jesse, carried on blacksmithing with farm- 
ing on the East Hill. He bought 100 acres 
of land formerly owned by Judge Paine, 
including the first clearing. He was rep- 
resentative, selectman, lister, justice of the 
peace, and overseer of the poor, honoring 
his trusts. He lives [1878] near the Cen- 
ter village, at the age of 84, having sold 
his farm a number of years ago to his 
nephew, D. T. Averill. He has probably 
seen more years in Northfield, with the ex- 
ception of one or two, than any man now 
living. His recollection of past events is 
very good, and I am indebted to him for 
many reminiscences in the lives of the 
early settlers ; more than to any other man. 

Mr. Averill remembers when a lad of 
attending the raising of Judge Paine's fac- 
tory, in the Factory Village, and it is vivid 
in his memory that they had pork and 
beans for dinner, cooked in a five-pail- 
kettle. 

He married Loretta, daughter of Amos 
Robinson; children: Albert J., 1819; 
Charles, 1823; George, 1827, died 1856; 
Loretta C, 1831 ; Edwin, 1835, dead; 
Henry, 1837 ; all in Northfield. Mr. Aver- 
ill died in 1881. 

ELIJAH SMITH 

and wife, Polly (Nichols) born in Putney, 
1763, 1764, married in Northfield, 1785; 
lived in Putney until 1803, when they re- 
turned here and spent the remainder of 
their lives ; had 8 children : Polly, Sally, 
Susanna, Elijah, David, Betsey, Fanny, 
Emily. 

Mr. Smith died in 1840, age ']'] ; Mrs. 
Smith in 1844, ^ge 80. 



ELIJAH SMITH, JR., 

born in Putney, 1795 ; came to Northfield 
with his father, in 1803; married Anna, 
daughter of Col. Ezekiel Robinson, Dec, 
1818; had 10 children: Edward A., Julia 
A,, Louisa, Amanda, Ann Maria, Charles 
E., Frederick E., Caroline M., Erastus P., 
JohnE., all in Northfield. 

Mr. Smith died July 7, 1863, aged 68; 
Mrs. Smith July 27, 1875, aged 79. 

Mr. Smith was of tall, commanding fig- 
ure, manly and dignified in deportment. 
He was for many years Governor Paine's 
chief clerk, and enjoyed the respect and 
esteem of all who knew him. He suc- 
ceeded Gilbert Hatch as town clerk, and 
held the office a number of years. His 
elegant, precise penmanship stands out in 
bold relief all through the town records 
during the years he was town clerk. He 
was an obliging man. and the writer has 
been pleased to notice the reverence and 
respect our citizens have for his memory. 
The prominent characteristic of his life, 
and which gave him success, was his high 
sense of public virtue, his irreproachable 
integrity. The tongue of calumny never 
dared to whisper a suspicion of him. 
Through all his private and public life 
there shone the luster of a noble manhood, 
and a pure, unsullied name. 

GILBERT HATCH, 

born in Preston, Conn., Aug 14, 1764; 
married Sally Nichols, born Jan. 22, 1767, 
and came to Northfield between 1790 and 
1800, and settled on the William Gold 
farm. He was town clerk from 1813, when 
Dr. Robinson died, many years, and held 
other town offices ; children by his first 
wife: Polly, b. 1801 ; Sarah, 1802; Amos 
S., 1803; Elizabeth, 1805; Edward N., 
1806; Sidney S., 1808; Sarah Ann, 1810; 
by his second wife, Martha Royce ; — his 
first died in 1817, — he had Sidney, b 1818 ; 
Gilbert M., 1822; Marion F., 1824; all 
born in Northfield. He died in 1835. 

ELEAZER LOOMIS, 

and his brother Dyer, at 19 and 17 years, 
came and settled on the mountain near 
where Hopson Barker now resides. Eleaz- 
er was born in Hinsdale, Mass., 1785 and 
married Polly Buck, who was born in Con- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



necticut in 1787. They had good success 
in wheat, raising one year 300 bushels. 
Living opposite where our raih'oad depot 
now stands, they could look down into the 
valley of Dog River, where not a stick of 
timber had been cut. 

They had many struggles for a foothold 
in the forest, but, like other early settlers 



neat stock Esquire Amos Robinson used 
to say he would give more for her judgment 
in that direction than for any man's in 
Northfield. 

At one time the saw-mill stopped, the 
saw breaking, and the men were so busy 
in their farming operations that they could 
not go to Westminster for another, Mrs. 



with brave hearts and willing hands, sue- : Jones volunteered and brought it in her 



cess crowned their labors. At times the 
howling of wild beasts, as they often said, 
made their hair stand on end ; for the 
country abounded with bears, wolves and 
catamounts. One morning Eleazer went 
out to a corn-crib, made of rails, back of 
his house, to get some corn for his hens, 
when a huge bear, that had been helping 
himself, jumped down from the crib, which 
so alarmed the young man he ran round 
on the other side and Bruin and he met 
face to face, and both being more fright- 
ened ran round again, both trying to es- 
cape. 

After a few years, the brothers moved 
to the east side of the mountain, to what 
is called the " North Corner," where Eleaz- 
er's son, William H. Loomis, now resides. 
Eleazer held a number of town offices ; 
was a hard working man, and well liked. 
His children were Roxanna, Eleazer, Lou- 
isa, Cynthia, William, Mariette, Adaline ; 
all born in Northfield. He married for 
his second wife Louisa Bullock, of Berlin. 
He died in 1S66; Mrs. Loomis in 1835. 

AQUILLO JONES, 

born in Westminster, 1745, cahie to this 
town soon after Esquire Amos Robinson. 
He married Prudence Wise, and they settled 
on the farm known afterwards as the 
" Bennett place." Mrs. Jones came to 
Northfield on horseback, using for a rid- 
ing stick a twig of a " Balm of Gilead," 
which she stuck into the ground by her 
log-house, and it became a great tree. 
She was a help-meet to her husband, and 
could turn her hand to the cradle, the 
loom, the sugar-place, and the barn-yard. 
It was said by those who worked for them 
that she would get up mornings, in the 
spring of the year, by two or three o'clock, 
and go to the barn to see if the cows were 
cared for, and in judging of the value of 



arms, riding on horseback. A feat to test 
the patience and strength of a stout man. 

Aquillo was troubled about what would 
become of his earthly tabernacle after he 
had " shufiled it off," he declared often he 
would not be buried on "Cobble Hill," a 
little burying-ground near where he lived, 
"it looked so cold and dreary." Being 
questioned about his son Charles buying 
a farm in Randolph (where they were all 
going to live) he guessed he had not got 
cheated, for they had a good burying- 
ground in that town. 

Children of Aquillo and Prudence : 
William, Charles, Polly, Nancy, Sally. 
He died in 1830, age 82, and his wife in 
1824, age 82. 

William came with his father, and, after 
a few years, settled on Judge Paine's turn- 
pike, near the toll-gate, and commenced 
keeping tavern in 18 11 on the farm now 
occupied by Timothy Holland. This was 
quite a public place of resort in those early 
days of staging ; horses used on the 
through line to Boston were changed here. 

Mr. Jones married Sally Babbitt, and 
they had 13 children, born in Northfield: 
Charles, Lucy, Louisa, Emery, William, 
William, Jr., Lamira, Sarah, Rebecca, Pru- 
dence, Seth, Harriet, Luther. Mr. Jones 
died in 1840, aged 63 ; Mrs. Jones in 1829, 
aged 44. 

Charles Jones settled on the old home- 
stead, and built the two-story house near 
" Bennett's Pond," now owned by Edward 
Howes. He married Lucinda, daughter 
of Col. Ezekiel Robinson ; children : Alba, 
Daniel, Lucinda, Caroline, Daniel 2d, and 
Weltha. Mr. Jones died at Menasha, 
Wis., in 1871, where he located in 1855, 
age 91. 

ABRAHAM SHIPMAN 

came from Westminster at a very early 



NORTHFIELD. 



621 



day, and was quite a prominent man in 
the settlement. He was a selectman 8 
years, and represented the town in the 
legislature. His first wife's name was An- 
nis Rice; his children were Azubah, Hi- 
ram, Orran, Ophir, Orphia, Sardis. She 
died in 1809, and Mr. Shipman married 
Peggy, daughter of Doctor Nathaniel Rob- 
inson, who had two children : Annis R. 
and Phidelia C. 

A story is told of "Uncle Abraham." 
One April, nearly 52 years since, when our 
townsman, David T. Averill, was in small 
clothes, his father. Captain Jesse, started 
for the cows near evening, not knowing 
the little fellow was following him. After 
his return he learned the boy was missing. 
Great alarm prevailed for fear he would 
wander into the woods near by, and 
perish before morning, and search was 
commenced. At " Uncle Abraham's " the 
lights were burning ; all but the old people 
had retired ; they, as usual, smoking, pre- 
paratory to going to bed, when a noise 
was heard at the window, and two little 
hands came pat upon the panes of glass. 
Aunt Peggy was alarmed ; the fire flew 
from her pipe across the room ; but Uncle 
Abraham went out, and brought in the 
lost child, and he was stripped of his wet 
clothes, wrapped in a warm blanket and fell 
asleep. The shell was sounded, the news 
flew along the line where the men were in 
search. Col. Geo. K. Cobleigh, quite ex- 
cited, who had been riding up and down 
the road some time, hearing the good news, 
cried out with a stentorian voice, " The 
child is found; he is safe in AbrahaiiCs 
bosom .'" 

Eliphus Shipman, brother of Abraham, 
settled about the same time. He lived 
and died in a little log-house near where 
James Morse, Esq., now lives, and mar- 
ried one of the four sisters (Sally Double- 
day,) who came to this town together, 
being the first women seeking a new home 
in the wilderness here ; their children 
were : Phebe, Electa, Caleb, Levi, Daniel, 
Edmund, Cynthia, and Polly. 

ELEAZER NICHOLS, SR., 

born in Putney, 1762; married Betsey 
Goodwin, of Putney, and settled here in 



1809. Their children were: Ambrose, 
Eleazer, Jr., James, Patty, Polly, William, 
Betsey, John G., Lucy, Laura. Mr. Nich- 
ols died in 1831, and Mrs. Nichols in 1853. 

AMBROSE NICHOLS, 

born in Putney, 1791, came to Northfield 
in 1809. He married Sally Hutchinson, 
of Braintree, and located upon the farm 
afterwards owned by Moses Lane. He 
built the "Red House," now occupied by 
Miss Maria Howes, which was the second 
house erected on the road leading from the 
Center to the " Factory village." He was 
many years, and until his death, the " Post- 
man" of this section. His route included 
the towns of Berlin, Barre, Williamstown, 
Brookfield, Randolph, Braintree, Roxbury, 
and Northfield. The well known sound 
of "Ll^ncle Armus'" horn, calling his pa- 
trons to the road-side for their weekly 
news, was always welcomed. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nichols had 3 children : 
Ambrose, Jr., Sarah, and George A. Mr. 
Nichols died in 1835, '^"f' ^lis widow in 
1853- 

ELEAZER NICHOLS, JR. 

came at sixteen to Northfield with his fath- 
er. He is now [1878] in his 8sth year. 
Though feeble, his mind retains its memory 
to a good degree. He has until lately had 
in his possession the ballot box used at the 
first town meeting held in Northfield, Mar. 
25, 1794, said to have been made by Seth 
Smith; 5 inches long inside, and 2 wide, 
and ih. deep, dug out of a pine block. It 
has been presented to the town for safe 
keeping. 

He married Mrs. Orra Starkweather 
White, mother of George J. and John A. S. 
White, Oct., 1822, and they lived for more 
than 50 years on the farm where the Adams 
Slate quarry is now yielding beautiful ma- 
terial for roofing. Their children were all 
born in this town : Mary Ann, Orra E., 
Olivia C, Dudley C, Emma. Mrs. Nich- 
ols died in 1877, 

JAMES NICHOLS, 

born in Putney, 1796, came to Northfield 
in 1809. He learned the carpenter and 
joiner's trade soon after, which he indus- 
triously pursued till compelled by the infir- 
mities of age to retire from the more active 



622 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



pursuits of life. He married Annis A. 1 
Dole, of Danville, Jan. i, 1826; they had 
two children : George, b 1S27 ; Annis, 
1830. Mrs. Nichols died in 1830, and 
Mr. Nichols married for his second wife 
Harriet West, May i, 1831 ; their children 
are: James C, Jane E., John W., Mary 
E. Mr. Nichols died in 1873 '■< Mrs. Nich- 
ols died in 1876. 

WILLIAM NICHOLS, 

born in Putney, 1802, married Roxanna 
Herrick, of Barre, and settled on the farm 
now owned by Harvey R. Keyes, and where 
Mrs. Nichols still resides. The house they 
first occupied was the first one erected on 
Main street, between the two villages, and 
was built by Justus Burnham. Mr. Nich- 
ols acc^uired, through an honest indus- 
try, a handsome property, and died in 
1863, lamented by a large circle of ac- 
quaintances. 

HON. GEORGE NICHOLS, 

son of James and Annis A. Nichols, was 
born in Northfield, Apr. 17, 1827. He 
married Ellen Maria, daughter of Abijah 
and Maria B. Blake, of Vergennes, Apr. 
8, 1852, who was born in New Haven, 
Apr. I, 1832. To them were born Alice 
Margaret in 1853, and a son in 1858, both 
of whom died in infancy. 

Dr. Nichols was educated at the com- 
mon school and Newbury Seminary, fitted 
for college, but never entered, having de- 
termined to study medicine, and could not 
see the way clear to pursue both courses. 
He commenced teaching school previous to 
his 15th birthday. In 1848, he was ap- 
pointed State Librarian by Governor Cool- 
idge, and received successive annual elec- 
tions till 1853. He studied medicine with 
Dr. S. W. Thayer; graduated at the Ver- 
mont Medical College at Woodstock in 
185 1 ; commenced business in his native 
town, combining with it that of apothecary 
and druggist in 1854, which latter business 
he still retains, and continued in the prac- 
tice of his profession with eminent success 
till his return from the army in 1863, hav- 
ing served as surgeon of the 13th Reg., 
Vt. Vols. In 1865, he was appointed 
Secretary of State by Governor Smith, 
which office he has since continuously 



held. In 1870, was a member and 
President of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion ; in 1872, a delegate to the National 
Republican Convention, and made a mem- 
ber of the National Republican Committee, 
and has been a member and Secretary of 
the Republican State Committee since that 
year. In 1868, he was elected director, 
and in 1874, president, of the Northfield 
National Bank; in 1872, chairman of the 
board of commissioners to receive subscrip- 
tions to the capital stock of the Cen- 
tral Vermont Railroad Company, and has 
been clerk of the same since its organiza- 
tion. The Doctor has been repeatedly 
honored in elections to the various munic- 
ipal offices of trust and responsibility, and, 
what may- be worthy of mention, with the 
exceptions of 1856-58-59-63 and 66, has 
been moderator of the annual town meet- 
ings since 1854. 

JOSEPH NICHOLS, 

abrother of Eleazer Nichols, Sr., came from 
Putney, about 1805 ; was a carpenter, and 
assisted in building Judge Paine's dwelling- 
house in William stown, on the turnpike ; 
was selectman, &c. His children were 
Sally, Leonard, Martin, Louisa, Harrison. 

JASON WINCH, 

born in Framingham, Mass., Sept. 2, 
1746, settled, in 1813, on the farm now 
owned by his grand-son, Joel Winch. He 
married Abigail Howe, of Dorchester, 
Mass. Their children were Asa, Joel, 
Hannah, Abigail, Thomas. 

REV. JOEL WINCH 

married Anna Kezar in 1808, and came to 
Northfield in 181 5, living on what is now 
called the "Joel Winch farm." Their 
children were: Joel, Jr., Enoch, Anna, 
Elijah, Isaac, Benjamin P., and Mary. 

Mr. Winch was an eccentric, remark- 
able man, a Methodist preacher, joined 
the conference at 19; was ordained by 
Bishop Asbury in Boston, June 4, 1807. 
As a preacher, he was full of wit and pleas- 
antry, and sent home his arguments with 
great pathos and power. 

He was a staunch Mason. When many 
were going back on their principles, he re- 
mained firm, glorying in the sentiments 
George Washington had honored, and 



NORTHFIELD. 



623 



which had comforted and elevated millions 

of our race. No place seemed dearer to 

him than the lodge room ; surrounded by 

the fraternity, he was happy, and he made 

others so around him. Masonry was his 

great theme while among the brethren ; 

almost single handed he fought for it 

in Northfield, and lived to see the order 

again respected and beloved. He could 

say : 

" A sacred burden is this life ye bear; 
Looli on it, lift it, bear it solemnly. 
Stand up and wallt beneath it steadfastly, 
Fail not for sorrow, falter not for sin. 
But onward, upward, till the goal ye win." 

Elder Winch died in 1854. 

ARIEL EGERTON, 
born in Norwich, Conn., June 8, 1789, 
moved with his father's family in 1796 to 
Brookfield, Vt., from whence he came to 
Northfield in the fall of 181 1 . The follow- 
ing winter he taught school on the east 
hill. Of the scholars that winter, only 
one, John Averill, is known to be living in 
town. The winter following he taught, 
near Judge Paine's factory, and in 1815, 
built a house and store at the Center vil- 
lage. His store was the first building 
erected in that village for business pur- 
poses. He continued there in trade until 
1819; in 1824, bought from Judge Paine 
the grist-mill on the east hill, which he 
carried on about 5 years ; in 1829, bought 
a large building at the South village, and 
started a chair-factory, which he kept in 
operation about 5 years, and tlien removed 
from Northfield. 

Mr. Egerton was among the first in this 
vicinity to observe the injurious effects 
arising from the use of licjuors, and very 
early became active in the cause of tem- 
perance. In the winter of 1826, he invited 
the people living in his neighborhood to 
meet at their school-house and listen to 
some statements with regard to the use 
and abuse of intoxicating drinks. About 
40 were present, and that was, as we be- 
lieve, the first attempt in the State, aside 
from pulpit addresses, to present the tem- 
perance question in a public lecture. In 
1828, about 20 of the citizens of the town 
united to form a temperance society. Mr. 
Egerton was elected its first president ; 



Orange Hovey, secretary. Mr. Egerton 
delivered an address in the Center meeting- 
house, which was published in the Mont- 
pelier ll'atcJniiaii and other papers in the 
State. 

Mr. Egerton died in Quechee, in 1859. 
His wife survives him (1878), living with 
her oldest son, Hon. Charles B. Egerton, 
at Ironton, Ohio. Her maiden name was 
Abigail P. Keyes, only daughter of Capt. 
Abel Keyes, of Putney, born Aug. 11, 
1796. They had 8 children : Almira E., 
Laura E., Olive S., Cynthia M., Abby S., 
Charles B., John S., Joseph K. ; all born 
in. Northfield, and four now living. 

JOSEPH KEYES EGERTON 

lived in Quechee until the death of his 
father, when he moved to Norwich, where 
he resided 15 years, and came to North- 
field, March, 1877. He married Sarah F. 
Tyler, of Claremont, N. H., in 1856, and 
had two children, Edith K. and Fred T. 

Mr. Egerton was clerk in J. C. Brooks' 
store in Hartford 4 years, i year in Cleave- 
land's at Brookfield, and i year with Camp 
& Thayer in Northfield. He was post- 
master at Quechee from 1853 to 1861, 
when he removed to Northfield ; he was 
town agent, town treasurer and justice of 
the peace ; joined the Odd Fellows in 
Northfield in 1852; joined the Masons in 
1854, and was Grand Lecturer of the 
Grand Lodge of Vermont 3 years, from 
1867 to 1870. 

I am under great obligation to Mr. 
Egerton for his valuable assistance in work- 
ing up the history of his ancestors, his 
father, and the Keyes' who built so ex- 
tensively in Northfield. 

WILLIAM AND TAMASIN ASHCROFT, 

from Connecticut, had 1 1 children ; one of 
them, Lois, was born in Judge Paine's 
grist-mill, and was the second child born 
in town. Mr. Ashcroft took part in the 
first meetings that were held here. He 
settled on what is now the poor farm. He 
held town offices ; children : Daniel, Sarah, 
Abigail, Tamasin, John D., Lydia, Eliza 
T., Nathan B., Lois, William, Lucy. 

REV. NATHAN BROWN ASHCROFT, 

son of William, born in Brookline, Conn., 
in 1787, and came to Northfield with his 



624 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



father. He was a preacher of the Methodist 
order, ordained by Bishop Kendrick as an 
Elder, in Bristol, R. I., Sept. 5, 1822, and 
was one of the first ministers in this sec- 
tion. In his latter days also he not only 
looked after the spiritual wants of the 
people, but attended to their physical ail- 
ments, deaUng in "roots and herbs" after 
the Thompsonian plan. 

Mr. Ashcroft married Betsey Lawrence, 
in Plainfield, in 1812. Their children were : 
Hester Ann R., Nathan Sias, John Wesley, 
Eliza Ann. Mr. Ashcroft died in 1857; 
Mrs. Ashcroft in 1872. 

JOEL SIMONDS 
settled on the mountain where Mr. Annis 
used to live, in 1816, but afterwards moved 
to a farm in the N. E. corner of the town. 
He married Lydia Brailey, of Hartford. 
They had 13 children: Daniel, Polly, 
Joel, Horace, Albert Clark, Charles, Rufus, 
Seth, John, Lydia, Harriet, John; all but 
two born in Northfield. 

Rev. Joel Simonds, his son, resides at 
the Center village, and still owns the farm 
where his father lived. He married Olive 
Pitkin, in 1844. 

James and Elethen Paul were early 
settlers on the Berlirtroad, near the north 
corner ; children : Lucy, Mary, Benjamin, 
Belinda, Daniel J., Hosea, all born here. 

LEBBEUS BENNETT, 

born in Connecticut, 1777, .settled on the 
"Bennett place," a well-to-do farmer; 
married Elizabeth Millington ; children : 
MeHnda, Ambrose, Gamaliel, Seymour, 
Rial, Joseph, Lucinda. 

AMOS HOWES, 

born in Windham, Conn., 1792, married 
Melinda, daughter of Lebbeus Bennett. 
Their children were : Augustus, Harriet, 
Fanny, Lucinda, Maria M., Elizabeth, 
Seymour, Adelia L., Edward H., Lebbeus 
A., all born in Chelsea, and all living now 
(1878), in Northfield, but two. 

ANANIAS TUBES 

came from Gilsum, N. H., to Northfield in 
1806, and settled in the Loomis neighbor- 
hood. He married Hannah Hill. Their 
children were : Jeremiah, Sally, Patty, 
Annie, Elizabeth, William, Julia, Polly 



and Solomon. He died in 1828, aged 84; 
his wife in 1832, aged 80. 

He was a soldier of the Revolutionary 
War ; enlisted under Benedict Arnold, 
and marched under his command through 
the wilderness of Maine ; was wounded 
and taken prisoner at Quebec. He had 
orders after enlisting to march in two days, 
and a pair of pants must be had. His 
wife took her shears, cut the wool from two 
sheep, one white and one black, which she 
carded together, and with the assistance of 
a neighbor, spun, wove, and made a pair 
of pants before she slept, and they were 
ready at the time they were wanted. 

DAVID HEDGES 

was born on Long Island, where both his 
parents died before he was a year old. 
Most of his early life was spent m Connec- 
ticut. He was a soldier in the Revolution- 
tionary War ; married Hannah Shaw ; 
came to Randolph in 1784; one of the 
first settlers of that town ; came to North- 
field in 1794, with 12 children; was the 
17th family here; children: Jeremiah, 
Daniel, Hannah, Phebe, Matthew, Esther, 
David, Stephen, Jerusha, Lewis, Richard, 
and Elijah. He lived at the North Corner. 
His son Stephen died at 26 ; the rest of 
his children all settled in life ; one in Ohio, 
one in Western New York, and the others 
in Vermont, several living in this town a 
while. The three youngest died in North- 
field. Mr. Hedges died in 1829, aged 94; 
Mrs. Hedges in 1830, aged 81. 

Richard, son of David, born in Ran- 
dolph, 1785 ; when a lad went to hunt up 
cattle, when all was a wilderness in Dog 
River valley ; with no building except 
Stanton Richardson's log-house. In 18 10, 
he married Rhoda, daughter of Joel Reed, 
of Williamstown, and settled on the East- 
Hill, the first farm west of Judge Paine's 
grist-mill, where he lived 43 years. His 
first wife died in 18 19, leaving two daugh- 
ters, Louisa M., and Cynthia. Mr. Hedges 
married for his second wife, Julia, daughter 
of Ananias Tubbs ; children : Daniel, Gil- 
bert, Rhoda, Betsey E., Julia, Matthew 
M., John, Francis A. ; all born in North- 



NORTHFIELD. 



625 



field. Mr. Heda;es died in 1872, age 97. 
Mr.s. Hedge.s in 1872, age 83. 

THOMAS SLADE, 

from Alstead, N. H., appears on the rec- 
ords as an early settler. He was quite a 
noted schoolmaster. His son Thomas, 
the miller, who followed in the footsteps 
of his father, says, " He taught school in 
Amos Robinson's district 6 or 8 terms, 
boarding at home," where Herbert Glidden 
now lives. He also taught school in Chel- 
sea and Brookfield, and was a surveyor 
many years in this town. He married 
Clarissa Burroughs ; children : Howard, 
Lavinna, Calista, Clarissa, Allen, Thomas, 
Jr., Anna, William; all but Howard born 
in Northfield. Mr. Slade moved to Mont- 
pelier in 1823, and died in 1829. 

PARLEY TYLER 

was born in Connecticut in 1779, ^^^^ soon 
after coming to Northfield bought of Judge 
Paine 100 acres, on what was known after- 
ward as Tyler Hill. He married Betsey 
Rood, of Brookfield. Their children were 
Martin P., Matilda, Juliet, Squire, Daniel, 
Royal, Edward, Jason, Louisa, Jason C, 
John A. Mr. Tyler died in 1855; Mrs. 
Tyler in 1849. 

Daniel Tyler relates a story of one Bean, 
the first known thief convicted in North- 
field. He broke into Judge Paine's fac- 
tory one Sunday afternoon, and took out 
25 rolls of cloth, and hid them under a 
hemlock tree-top, 40 rods back of the fac- 
tory. The next day all hands turned out 
to look for the stolen goods and the thief. 
Bean took one roll on his back and made 
for the East Hill, and went across Mr. 
Tyler's farm, and left it in the woods, 
going to the house and asking for break- 
fast. Mrs. Tyler told him he had better 
wait until dinner, it being then 1 1 o'clock, 
but he said that he was out surveying land, 
and some bread and cheese-would answer. 

The news soon reached the East Hill a 
theft had been committed, and search was 
made, and not far from noon Bean return- 
ed to Tyler's house, and suspecting that 
he was the guilty one, Mr. Tyler asked 
him if he had seen any cattle in his trav- 
els, when he answered he had not ; said 



" Daniel : ' Father approached him, get- 
ting nearer and nearer by slow advances, 
when he sprung upon him and took him 
down, when he told me to yank oft" that 
roll of cloth upon his back, which I did 
very easily, as it was tied on with listing, 
although I was only 9 years of age. Soon 
Bean gave up, and said he would go where 
we wanted he should. We fastened him 
with a rope and led him into the house, 
when he said, 'Well, mother, I have come 
back to dinner.' It was but a little while 
before all the villagers, headed by Judge 
Paine, Amos Robinson, and John Stark- 
weather, had arrived, when he had a pre- 
liminary trial before Esquire Robinson. I 
can well remember how Starkweather's 
hands shook when he read the warrant as 
constable, it being new business to him. 
This was the first man convicted of steal- 
ing and sent to the State prison from 
Northfield.'" 

DAVID DENNY, 

born in Windsor, Jan. 7, 1774, one of the 
earliest settlers in Northfield, was a col- 
lector of taxes, and held a number of town 
offices. He located on the hill, near the 
South village, where his grandson David 
now resides. The numerous family of 
Dennys in Northfield are his descendants. 
He married Betsey Spooner ; their chil- 
dren : Paul S., Asenath, Adolphus, Amasa, 
Sally, Samuel, Harriet, Eliza, Joseph. Mr. 
Denny died in 182 1. 

Adolphus Denny, born in 1796, lived 
and died at the old homestead of his father. 
He married Eliza Frizzel, born in 1804; 
their children were : David, Sarah, Kath- 
erine, George, Mary, Katherine. Mrs. 
Denny died in 1864. Mr. Denny married 
2d, Mrs. Electa, widow of Col. George K. 
Cobleigh, and died in 1873. 

Dea. Samuel Denny, son of David, was 
a farmer, and a respected officer of the 
Congregational church. No man attended 
public worship with more fidelity than he 
did, and he raised up a family of industri- 
ous and re.spected children, all in good 
circumstances. He married Prudence 
Ellis, of Berlin, Sept. 1828; children: 
Harriet E., Andrew E., Addison W., Le- 



79 



626 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



land H., George B., Amasa M., Prudence 
J. He died in Lowell, Mass., in 1874. 

Joseph, son of David, was but 10 years 
old when his father died. At 19 he left 
home, with just 25 cents to commence life 
for himself. He labored in Randolph i 
year, went to Berlin, and worked upon a 
farm 4 years ; commenced the tannery 
business at Berlin Corners, exchanged for 
the hotel there, and also .bought his first 
farm, which occupation he always followed 
in connection with his other pursuits ; 
about 1841, entered into the mercantile 
business, continued in Berlin till 1847, 
when he moved his goods to Northfield 
Center, and continued in business 5 or 6 
years, when he sold out, and turned his 
attention more particularly to farming. 
He came here and engaged in mercantile 
business in 1847 ; in 1856 formed a part- 
nership in tailoring with J. C. B. Thayer, 
and also with Geo. H. Crane in general 
merchandise some 3 years, and with his 
oldest son in i860, till his removal to 
Worcester, Mass. ; when he took the next 
son into business, with the style of C. 
Denny & Co. 

OLIVER COBLEIGH 

came here from Westminster in 1796. He 
married Abiah Doubleday, one of the four 
sisters who came from that town, and were 
the foremost women to take up their resi- 
dence in this wilderness country; Dinah, 
Ezekiel Robinson's wife, Anna, Stanton 
Richardson's wife, and Sally, Eliphus Ship- 
man's wife, all extraordinary, courageous 
women. Mr. Cobleigh's children were : 
Dinah, George K. and Harriet. 

George K., son of Oliver, held a num- 
ber of town offices ; made a good officer in 
the militia, and rose to the rank of Colonel. 
He lived many years at the South village, 
where he died. He married Electa, daugh- 
ter of Eben Frizzel. Children: Caroline, 
George, Martin, Dennison and Charles H. 

Martin Cobleigh, son of George, lives 
at South Northfield, and is engaged in 
the sash, door and blind business. 

JOSEPH smith, jr., 
born in Putney, in 1775. In 1807, influenc- 
ed by his brother-in-law, Cajat. Abel Keyes, 
came to Northfield, bought two lots of 



land from David Denny, Esq., built a house 
near where E. K. Jones' store now stands, 
in the south village, and opposite his house 
built a store, 16x25, the first in town, and 
filled it with goods; but in 1809, he sold 
out to C. W. Houghton, of Montpelier, and 
the next year returned to Putney. 

SOLOMON DUNHAM 

lived at an early day not far from Judge 
Paine's grist-mill, on the East Hill ; was a 
clothier and carried on that business there. 
He removed to the south village afterwards, 
and worked at the same trade. He mar- 
ried E-xperience Smith ; children : Expe- 
rience, Mary, Sally, William H. H., Al- 
bert, all born in Northfield. 

Mr. Dunham had three wives ; by his 
third, Harriet, daughter of David Denny, 
he had two sons : Franklin and George. 

HON. NATHAN MORSE, 

of the south village, was born in Fitz- 
william, N. H., and came here from Rox- 
bury in 1838. He held a number of 
offices in town ; was representative and 
also assistant judge in the Washington 
County Court. He married for his first 
wife Polly, daughter of John Hutchinson, 
Esq., of Braintree ; children: Nathan, 
Polly, Betsey, Lucy H. Mrs. Morse died 
in 1845, and he married Martha Abbott of 
Williamstown ; they had one son, James. 
Judge Morse died in 1862. Mrs. Morse 
died in 1875. 

LUCIUS EDSON, 

born in Wheatley, Mass., 1798; married 
Matilda Ainsworth of Brookfield, and 
came to Northfield in 1822. He and Arba 
Crane bought out Solomon Dunham, in 
the cloth-dressing business near Judge 
Paine's grist-mill, where they worked two 
falls, and Mr. Edson went to the South 
village, where he added wool-carding to 
cloth-dressing. He had 4 children : Mar- 
shall L., AHce J., E. Annette, Walter A. ; 
all born in Northfield. 

ANSON ADAMS 

came from East Roxbury about 18 16, and 
settled in the " Winch neighborhood." A 
log house was his dwelling-place, without 
doors or windows, using quilts in their 
stead. Crockery and other household 
goods were brought in the arms of the 



NORTHFIELD. 



627 



family, through snow banks and by marked 
trees, making life real if not pleasant. 

Mr. A. came originally from Connecticut 
to Vermont; married Sukey Gold, sisterof 
Deacon William Gold ; children : Adaline, 
Elvira, Emily, Susan, Avaline M., Harriet 
S., Charlotte, Ursula, Roswell, Sophronia, 
Anson, George W., Fanny H., all but two 
born in Northfield. 

SAMUEL L. ADAMS, 

born in Brookfield, Oct. 1796. married 
Harriet Cobleigh, July 1828, and settled in 
Northfield. He was a believer in the doc- 
trine of the restitution of all things, a good 
Mason, and died as he had lived, strong 
in his faith. His wife died in 1S49. Four 
of his children are now living : John Ouincy, 
Harriet M., Abbie A., Laura W., all born 
in Northfield. 

Mr. Adams died at the home of his 
oldest daughter, in Revere, Mass., Dec. 
1877, aged 81. He was brought to North- 
field, and buried at the Center cemetery, 
with Masonic honors, having made his ar- 
rangements for the last great change, and 
requesting his old friend, Rev. John Greg- 
ory, to attend his last service. 

JOHN EMERSON, 

a blacksmith, lived at an early day on the 
East Hill, in the Averill neighborhood. 
He came to Northfield from Norwich, and 
was a brother of Harry Emerson, the 
hatter, who carried on that business at the 
Center village. 

ETHAN ALLEN. 

We had an Ethan Allen in that early 
period of the town's history. Not the re- 
nowned hero of Ticonderoga, but an Ethan 
Allen who run Judge Paine's grist-mill sev- 
eral years. 

SHERMAN GOLD, 

born in 1813, deacon of the Universalist 
church, for many years carried on the sash, 
blind and door business at the South vil- 
lage — a sincere, conscientious man, gen- 
erally respected. Died in 1873. 

JAMES LATHAM, SR., 

born 1750, came here from Chesterfield, 
N. H., at an early day. He married Su- 
sannah Brit, born in 1752. Their children 
were : 

James Latham, Jr., settled in the Shaw 



neighborhood. He married Polly, daugh- 
ter of Amos Robinson, Esq., and they had 
15 children: Bathany, Leonard, Nancy, 
Patty R., Hollis, Arvilla, Susanna, Eli, 
Nancy L., Almon, Loran, Seth W., Mar- 
shall, Cynthia, Mary A. 

Ezra Latham, married Polly, daughter 
of Aquillo Jones; children: Ezra, Jr., 
Orrin, Harvey, Daniel. 

CAPT. JOHN STARKWEATHER, 

born in Norwich, 1790, married Cynthia 
Nichols, step-daughter of Capt. Abel Keyes, 
Dec. 1809. Sept. 181 1, he took the free- 
man\s oath, and thereafter during his life 
was almost continually in town and other 
public offices : lister, grand juryman, mod- 
erator of town meetings, justice of the 
peace, deputy sheriff, high sheriff of the 
county, representative, and captain of a 
military company 2 years, and several 
years kept tavern at the Center village. 
He was a friendly, familiar man, and be- 
fore 40 years old, children called him 
" Uncle John." He was quite popular as 
an officer. He died in 1841. 

DEA. REUBEN SMITH, 

a beloved member of the Baptist church, 
came from Tunbridge to Northfield, and 
settled in the South village in 1826. He 
married Molly Mudgett ; children: Polly, 
Apha, William, Tabitha, Reuben, Josiah 
and Anna. 

WILLIAM KEVES, ESQ., 

born in Putney, 1766, removed to North- 
field in 1799, located on East Hill, and 
bought his farm of his brother, Abel Keyes ; 
in 1804, sold, and bought near where the 
Center hotel stands ; his nearest neighbor, 
Stanton Richardson, west of the river 
nearly half a mile. He sold at the Center 
about 1 8 10, and his farm was soon after 
sold for building lots. In 1816, he bought 
the farm next south of the Stanton Rich- 
ardson place, and for several years carried 
on brick-making. His daughter, Mrs. Lucy 
Knapp, now living in Northfield, relates 
that in 18 18 there was a great deal of sick- 
ness. Dr. Porter's bill for medical services 
in her father's family that year was large 
enough to pay for all the brick used in 
building his house. Mr. Keyes was one of 
the earliest Methodists, active in organiz- 



628 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ing their church in this town, and for more 
than 50 years a class-leader therein. He 
married Betsey Nichols, of Putney ; chil- 
dren : Polly, Jacob, William, Lucy, Sewall, 
Eliza, Abel, Sally, Emeline. Mr. Keyes 
died Dec. 1849. 

CAPTAIN ABEL KEYES, 
born in Putney, Sept. 11, 1773. In the 
summer of 1790, while prospecting for a 
new home, came to Northfield, and in view 
of its water-power, believing it would be- 
come a great manufacturing town, decided 
to locate here. The next spring he bought 
of Judge Paine the mills and 100 acres on 
East Hill, there being the first settlement 
in town. He lived there about 5 years, 
improved the mills, and then sold the farm 
to his brother William, and the mill prop- 
erty to Judge Paine. In 1804, his daugh- 
ter, Mrs, A. P. Egerton, relates her father 
made a journey to Putney, on horseback, 
taking her with him on the same horse, 
she being 8 years old, it being to induce 
some of his friends to come to Northfield 
to live. In 1807, Captain Keyes purchased 
of David Denny, a saw-mill and few acres 
of land in what is now called South North- 
field. The saw-mill he enlarged and im- 
proved, built a grist-mill, potash, and sev- 
eral dwelling-houses, and in 3 years, main- 
ly through his influence and labors, " Slab 
City," as it was long called, had become a 
lively village. His wife's brother, Joseph 
Smith, Jr., had a store there, the first 
store in Northfield. In iSio, Captain 
Keyes sold his mills to C. W. Houghton, 
of Montpelier, and in 181 2, the rest of his 
property in that village, and removed to 
the Factory, where Judge Paine had just 
begun to build a village. He remained 
there one year, living in the " Old Abbey," 
a house that stood where George C. Ran- 
dall's house now is, and afterwards built 
for Judge Paine the two houses that now 
stand near the bridge. In 18 14, he pur- 
chased several lots of land where the Cen- 
ter village now is. The next year, with- 
his son, Joseph, he built .several dwelling- 
houses, a machine-shop, and a potash ; in 
1818, the Center Village Hotel, which they 
kept about 5 years; in 1819, the church 
known as the old yellow meeting-house. 



In 1824, they sold all their property at 
the Center, and bought that Capt. Keyes 
had formerly owned at Slab City ; rebuilt 
the mills ; lived there 3 years ; sold, moved 
to the Falls, now Gouldsville, and on the 
site where Gould's factory now stands 
built a saw and grist-mill. Capt. Keyes 
lived there till 1838, his son Joseph having 
sold out there some years previously. He 
then bought a saw-mill up the river, a 
grist-mill and a dwelling-house ; lived there 
till 1839, ^'"id move ! to Illinois, and one 
year after to Lake Mills, Wis., where he 
died in 1848, aged 75. There are now 
standing in this town about 40 buildings 
erected by Capt. Abel Keyes and his son 
Jo.seph. The Captain was one of the most 
enterprising men of the town during all his 
stay in it. He held various offices, was 
lister ill 1798, Captain of a military com- 
pany, justice of the peace many years, se- 
lectman and representative. He possessed 
robust health, ceaseless activity, could do 
everything but persevere and wait. He 
could prepare his land, plant and hoe, but 
could not wait for the corn to ripen. The 
framing, raising and enclosing a building 
were just to his taste ; he could plan for 
and direct a multitude of men, but the 
quiet work of finishing the structure must 
be left to more patient workers, and be- 
came a proverb, " Capt. Abel always moves 
just before harvest." Industrious and 
honest, his success in life was limited only 
by his habit of leaving to others the pleas- 
ant task of reaping the reward of his labors. 
He married Mrs. Esther Nichols, in 1793. 
They had two children, Joseph and Abigail 
P., and Mrs. Keyes had a daughter by her 
first husband. 

CAPT. JOSEPH KEYES, 
born in. 1 795; married Zeruah Eggleston 
in 18 16, who had 2 children, Simon and 
Cynthia. He married a second wife, 
Olive Williams ; children : Abel, Catha- 
rine W., Elisha W., Oliver A., Emily O. 
Mr. Keyes died at Menasha, Wis., Sept. 
17, 1874. He followed his trade as mill- 
wright in Wisconsin, after his removal 
with his father to that state, and was very 
successful. 

Many of our citizens remember he built 



NORTHFIELD. 



629 



a machine shop at the Center viilage, on 
the east side of the common, run by 
steam, the first motive power by steam in 
Northfield, and a great curiosity at that 
day. On its sides were painted the words 
" Machine Shop." The Wisconsin Jour- 
nal says of Mr. Keyes : 

As the crisis which came upon the coun- 
try in 1837 was approaching, finding it 
difficult to proceed with his extensive 
business, he made disposition of it in the 
spring of 1836, and little left but his head 
and hands, backed up by most indomitable 
courage, energy, and a powerful constitu- 
tion, he struck out to seek his fortune in a 
new country, and landed in Milwaukee 
June, 1836. Wisconsin at that time was 
an inviting field for men of his type. It 
needed intelligent, enterprising, hard work- 
ing men to develop its immense resources. 
He being one of that class, found a cordial 
welcome to the territory by the few bold 
spirits who had preceded him, and an am- 
ple scope of country in which to operate. 
In 1837, he and his family removed to 
Lake Mills, being the first white settlers in 
that town. He proceeded to the erection 
of a grist and saw-mill, that proved of vast 
advantage to the settlement, and very soon 
laid out the village of Lake Mills, being 
its original founder. Here, he erected the 
first school-house in the town, and em- 
ployed the first teacher, a Miss Catlin of 
Cottage Grove, in this county, all with his 
individual means — an act, of itself, which 
is a proud monument to his name and 
fame, and proves his life has not been a 
failure. 

For over 50 years he was a prominent 
Mason. He loved the order, and was 
one of its most honored and respected 
members. The golden wedding of Mr. 
and Mrs. Keyes was celebrated in 187 1, 
surrounded by children, grand-children, 
and great-grand-children ; children : Abel 
Keyes, now of Menasha, Hon. E. W. 
Keyes, postmaster of Madison, Oliver 
Keyes, now of Hudson, and Mrs. H. D. 
Fisher, of Menasha. Mrs. Olive Williams, 
relict of Capt Joseph Keyes, departed this 
life at Menasha, Feb. 18, 1878, in her 78th 
year. In all positions in life she was hon- 
ored for her many virtues. 

HON. ELISHA W. KEYES, 

son of Joseph, born in Northfield, Jan. 23, 
1828, left Northfield with his father's fam- 
ily. May 1837, for Milwaukee, Wis., thence 
to Lake Mills. In early life he was first in 
his classes at school, and in sports and 
games ; following in the wake of his father 



and grandfather, he led the van. He was 
admitted to the Bar in Madison at 23, and 
soon acquired an extensive and lucrative 
practice ; was District Attorney of Dane 
County in 185S, '59; in 1861, was appoint- 
ed postmaster of the city of Madison, 
which office he still holds (1878) ; was 
maygr of Madison in 1865 and '66 ; in 1867, 
Chairman of the Republican State Central 
Committee ; for i o years he conducted the 
affairs of the republican party of the State 
with such strength and power of organiza- 
tion as to earn for him the now widely- 
known title of " The Bismarck " of Western 
politics. In 1872 and '76, was a delegate 
to and Chairman of the Wisconsin Dele- 
gation in the National Republican Con- 
ventions ; now as " Boss Keyes, of Wis- 
consin," he is familiarly known in every 
state in the Union. In 1877, he declined 
a re-election as Chairman of the State Re- 
publican Committee, and resumed an active 
practice of law. He is one of the Regents 
of the State Lhiiversity of Wisconsin. 

Mr. Keyes is of a stout, compact build, 
has a strong constitution and good health. 
He is esteemed a good hater, a firm friend, 
and one whoni men at large instinctively 
recognize as a leader. He has been twice 
married; children: five. 

Alvah Henry, son of Hiram, born in 
Alstead, N. H., 1799, was killed in North- 
field June 28, 1831, by the fall of a tree. 

Edmond Shipman and wife Betsey, 
(Nichols) had 13 children. He was a 
blacksmith by trade, and worked at the 
Centre village. 

REV. HOSEA CLARK, 

a preacher of the Methodist church en- 
joyed the reputation of being a devoted 
man ; was elected a justice of the peace, 
and had a way of administering the law in 
a forcible manner, sometimes to the dis- 
comfiture of the legal profession ; and was 
not afraid of expressing his opinion on 
any subject that came before him for con- 
sideration. He married Mrs. John Rich- 
ardson ; they had two children, Lucia Ann 
and Stephen Alonzo ; born in Northfield. 

ELIJAH BURNHAM, ESQ., 

born in Brookfield 1795, came to North- 
field, in 1819. He married Maria Simons, 



630 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Williamstown ; had 13 children. After 
two previous settlements they kept tavern 
at the Falls village, where John Fisk for- 
merly did, and finally settled near the 
Depot village. Mr. Burnham was. a prom- 
inent man in the early days ; was select- 
man loyears, justice of the peace, lister, and 
held other offices. He was a skillful vete- 
rinarian, and frequently sent for in differ- 
ent parts of the town to relieve the animal 
creation of their ailments. He died here 
March, 1S73. Mrs. Burnham lives with a 
daughter in Williamstown, at the age of 
84(1878); children: Laura, Mary, Aaron 
M., Marshall D., Philanda, Philura, So- 
phronia, Dennison S., Joshua J., Emily, 
Ellen, George M. 

JOEL BROWN, 

born in Old Deerfield, Mass., 1799, came 
with his father to Williamstown, and when 
the Indians returned from the burning of 
Royalton, was with others taken captive 
and carried to Montreal, and lodged in 
jail, but through one Zadock Steel and 
others, they liberated themselves, and 
picked their way back to their homes. [See 
History of Randolph, vol. 11 of this work, 
page 978.] When quite a lad Joel was fre- 
quently sent to Royalton to mill, by marked 
trees, and heard the howling of wolves. 

Mr. Brown at 21 came to Northfield, 
and cut the first tree in what is now the 
Center village, very near the old machine 
shop, where he subsequently lived. But 
few buildings were then erected on Dog 
river. Stanton Richardson's log-house, 
where the late John H. Richardson lived, 
was the only one accessible, and here Mr. 
Brown boarded, crossing the river on a 
tree that had fallen over it. Mr. Brown 
built a shanty very near the old town- 
house, to shelter himself in rainy days. It 
was his intention of making a permanent 
home at the Center, but his intended being 
in poor health, and her friends objecting 
to her coming into this new country, 
caused him to return to Brookfield, and he 
did not return until 1828, when he located 
on the road from the Center to Roxbury. 
He did teaming to Burlington, bringing 
back flour and other staple goods, which 
he disposed of. He married ist, Anna 



Edson, of Brookfield, in 1801, and they 
had one daughter, Rebecca. He married 
2d, Dorcas Nichols, and they had 8 chil- 
dren ; Daniel, Anna, Isaac W., Susan, 
Eliza, Ruth, Joel, Jr., D. Amanda. Mrs. 
Brown died in 1863 ; Mr. Brown in i<S69. 

ISAAC W. BROWN 

bought out his father in the hotel business 
at the Center in 1837, and for a number of 
years carried it on, a wide-awake, obliging 
landlord; in 1855, moved to the Depot 
village, built some eight buildings there, 
among them the first Odd Fellows Hall, 
on Central street ; was selectman, lister, 
constable, deputy and high sheriff, serving 
in some capacity as an officer for 34 years ; 
was a director in the Wells River Railroad 
in 1872, and an agent for the Central Ver- 
mont Railroad. He married Sylva Elvira 
Partridge in 1835, who died in 1863; chil- 
dren : Jane and George W. He married 
Janette Taylor, who died in 1865 ; moved 
to Montpelier in 1866; married Mrs. Carrie 
W. Camp in 1S68, who died in 1873. He 
moved to Boston, and married Mrs. Sarah 
A. Warren for his fourth wife, in 1874, 
and died in Northfield, Aug. 10, 1875. 

Dr. Clifton Claggett, born in Merri- 
mack, N. H., 1808, came to Northfield in 
1832, and located in the Center village to 
practice. He married Catherine, daugh- 
ter of Harry Emerson, and has two sons, 
Charles C, William C. ; born in Northfield. 

Harry Emerson, born in Norwich, 
1 78 1, came to Northfield in 1821, when 
about 40 years of age, and located in 
the Center village. He was a hatter by 
trade ; married Dorcas Demmon, and had 
9 children. 

Albijence Ainsworth, a merchant in 
the Center village, in the store on the cor- 
ner adjoining the brick dwelling of Col. 
Oliver Averill. He built the brick house 
in that village where Elijah Winch lives. 
His father kept the well-known "Ains- 
worth Tavern," on the hill road to Cleave- 
land village. Mr. Ainsworth married 
Emily, daughter of Rev. Mr. Lyman of 
Brookfield; children: Mary J., Annette. 
STANTON RICHARDSON, 

born in Haddam, Conn., 1755; came to 
Northfield about 1785; was a prominent 



NORTHFIELD. 631 

build a yard-fence to keep his little ones 
in ; but even this did not prevent another 
son, George S., from meeting with as sad 
a fate ; he was drowned in a wash-tub ; 
pulling himself up by it, lost his balance 
and fell in. 

Nathaniel, son of Stanton, was a mill- 
wright ; held offices in town ; went to 
Canada to live ; returned ; built the two- 
story brick house beyond the Center vil- 
lage, where Israel Avery now resides ; also 
a house and saw-mill about half way to 
Roxbury; married Nabby Bosworth, of 
Berhn ; children: Nathaniel B., Abigail, 
Caroline M., Sarah Ann, Melissa, Alonzo, 
Adelia. Mr. R. died at 76; his wife at 86 
years. 

SAMUEL RICHARDSON, 

born in Haddam, Conn., 1742, a, shoe- 
maker, was another early settler. "Uncle 
Sam Richardson " was a great story-teller, 
hammering out soles for the understand- 
ings of his customers, he would indulge in 
stories, not always careful to see how they 
would come out ; and he was a devout 
man, also. 

It is related, Judge Paine had loaned his 
trusty old horse to a woman who worked 
for him, to go to the South village to do a 
little trading, the Judge requesting her to 
stop at Mr. Richardson's and do an errand ; 
on her return asked her why she was gone 
so long? She said, when she arrived she 
heard the old gentleman praying, and 
waited till he got through. The Judge 
said, "Well, what did the old horse say 
about it?" Her reply came quick, " Your 
horse did not say anything about it. Judge, 
for he had never heard one before." 

Samuel Richardson and wife Clarissa 
had two children : Hannah and Jonathan. 
Jonathan was the owner of the dog that 
Thompson in his Gazetteer refers to — that 
the river was named after. While out 
hunting, the dog attacked a large moose, 
and was drowned, in what is known as the 
moose hole in the river. It was in the 
spring the moose broke through the ice, 
and dog and moose both went under. 

Jonathan was a noted hunter, and killed 
10 wolves in one day. 

Samuel Richardson married for his sec- 



man ; held a number of town offices, being 
the first selectman chosen, and finally set- 
tled on the farm near the Depot village, 
where his descendant, John H. Richard- 
ardson, lived and died. He married Anna 
Doubleday ; children : Nathaniel, Sarah, 
Samuel, Ezra T., John, Anna, Sarah, 
Sylvanus, Horace, Prudence, Chauncey, all 
but two born in Northfield. 

The wife of Stanton Richardson made 
once a journey to Westminster, on horse- 
back, with a small child in her arms, car- 
rying her eatables in a pair of saddle-bags. 

Mr. Richardson having caught a bear 
with a pair of cubs, tamed the young ones, 
and they became interesting acquisitions, 
making themselves at times familiar without 
invitation. The family lived in a log-house 
with an old-fashioned chimney, inside of 
which you could sit, and, looking up, see 
stars in the evening. One night, when Mrs. 
Richardson had retired with Ezra T., an in- 
fant, one of the young bruins crawled upon 
the roof, came down the chimney, worked 
his way into the bed, nestling down between 
Mrs. Richardson and her babe. The child 
remonstrated, when the mother, seeing the 
kind of company she had, took the bear by 
the nape of his neck, and tumbled him on to 
the floor. 

One thanksgiving da}' Mrs. Richardson 
invited all the people in Williamstown and 
Northfield to be present. They came, and 
had for dinner boiled victuals, roast pig, 
beans, and baked Indian pudding, and a 
jolly good time. For extension tables, 
they took the doors off their wooden 
hinges, and used them. 

Mr. Richardson presented the town 
land for the first burying ground, near the 
Center, on "Richardson meadow," now 
owned by Mr. Gallup. 

John, son of Stanton, lived and died on 
the farm of his father, near the Depot vil- 
lage. He was a prominent farmer, and 
raised 7 children : Sarah S., George M., 
John Harris, Marshall H., George S., Mary 
J., Daniel W.,all born in Northfield. Mr. 
Richardson died in 1834. His first son 
was drowned in Dog river, opposite the 
house, when about 3 years old, and the 
father afterwards took the precaution to 



632 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ond wife Jerusha Royce : children : Stan- 
ton, Lemuel B., Clarissa, Prudence, Arael, 
Amisa, Martha, Jerusha. Mr. Richardson 
lived to 90 years, his wife to 85. 

JOHN HILDRETH BUCK, ESQ., 
son of John L. Buck [Simon Smith was 
the first lawyer in Northfield, but only re- 
mained for a few months and left. The 
second was John L. Buck, for whose bi- 
ography see Reading, volume to follow.] 
was born in Northfield, and grew to his 
majority among the Green Mountains. He 
graduated from the University of Vermont 
in the class of 1850, and returned to North- 
field, where he remained in the office of 
his father until February, 1851, when he 
removed to Lockport, N. Y., his present 
home. Feb. 1854, he was admitted to 
the B4r of the Supreme Court of the State 
of New York. Aug. 1854, he married 
Harriet M. Fletcher, daughter of Hon. 
Paris Fletcher, of Bridport. In 1874, he 
was elected mayor of his adopted city, and 
served one term, declining a renomination. 

DR. BENJAMIN PORTER, 

born in Old Volentown, Conn., 1788, lived 
with his father, a Congregational clergy- 
man, and settled in Plainfield, N. H., until 
he was 12 years of age. He attended the 
academy at Meriden, studied for the med- 
ical profession, graduating at Dartmouth. 
This town was his first settlement as a 
physician. On his first visit, passing by 
where the Episcopal church now stands, 
he saw Judge Paine and John Green sow- 
ing wheat on newly-cleared land, and in- 
cjuired of the Judge if this town would be 
be a good place for a physician to locate. 
The reply was it would, if a man had a 
strong constitution, and was wilHng to 
work hard for poor pay. 

The Doctor settled on the East Hill in 
1816, boarding 3 years with Captain Jesse 
Averill, and moved to the "Post farm," 
where he remained 4 years, and went to 
the Center village ; built the two-story 
brick house where he lived and died. He 
married Sophia Fullerton ; children : Eliz- 
abeth, Edward, Edwin, Benjamin F. 

The Doctor had quite a practice, being 
the first physician in town after Nathaniel 



Robinson and Jeptha White ; was good in 
fevers; he died Feb. 21, 1876. 

Dr. Edwin Porter is the only prac- 
ticing physician here, born in Northfield ; 
a graduate of the Vermont University in 
1850. He studied medicine with his father, 
was a private student of Prof. Peaslee, of 
Dartmouth ; attended three courses of lec- 
tures, and graduated in the Medical De- 
partment in 1853 ; in 1854, combined the 
drug business with his practice, with Geo. 
Tucker one year ; has carried on the busi- 
ness alone since. He married Carrie S. 
daughter of Hon. Heman Carpenter, in 
1867. 

RoswELL Dewey, P. M. 6 years, has 
been surveyor, constable, justice of the 
peace, and an excellent teacher of sacred 
music 30 years. 

dr. JEPTHA WHITE 

lived on a farm near the Center village. 
He married Orra Starkweather, and had 
two children: George J. and John A. S., 
to the latter of whom credit is due for re- 
membering in his will the old cemetery at 
the Center village, whereby it has been 
beautified and improved by a nice granite' 
wall in front. He was a prominent mer- 
chant, and had great influence with his 
party. 

DR. WILLIAM J. SAWIN, 

son of Levi S., studied medicine with Dr. 
Claggett, and graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1854, and began the practice of 
his profession in Watertown, Wis., the 
same year; March, 1861, removed to 
Chicopee Falls, Mass. ; the following June, 
enlisted as a private soldier ; in September, 
transferred to 3d Vt. Reg. as hospital stew- 
ard ; served as physician in the 3d, 4th and 
5th Vt. Reg. Oct. '61 to June, '62 ; pro. 
to surgeon in 2d Vt. brigade in 1862, and 
to surgeon-in-chief of brigade in 1862; 
was discharged with the loth Massachu- 
setts regiment at the expiration of his term 
of service in 1864, and returned to Chic- 
opee P^alls. On the evening of Dec. 3, 
1875, ^^ the Asylum of Springfield Com- 
mandery of Knight Templars, while in the 
act of clothing himself in the regalia of his 
office, preparatory to being installed as 
Eminent Commander of that body, and in 



NORTHFIELD. 



633 



the presence of a large number of his 
brethren, William J. Sawin, an honored 
Past Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts, was stricken down by 
apoplexy and died instantly. 

John P. Davis, from Barnard, born 
i8ig, has been in the mercantile business 
at the Center village since 1850. 

Rev. Samuel Written, an early set- 
tler, at one time owned all the land at the 
Center village, before it was cleared. He 
was a farmer and Baptist preacher. He 
had nine children, Samuel, Woodbury, 
Joseph, Mercy, Rebecca, Clarissa, Caroline 
and Julia. He moved to Malone, N. Y., 
where he died. 

DAVID M. LANE, 

born in Hampton, N. H., Mar. 29, 1793, 
came here from Strafford in 1820. He 
was a surveyor, and the country being 
new, and property changing, his services 
were greatly needed. The writer has fre- 
quently heard him mentioned as a very 
promising man ; but he was cut down at 
the early age of ;i7. He built the first 
brick building in town, the old school- 
house at the Center, making the brick 
himself, burning the lime, and doing most 
of the. carpenter work with his own hands. 
He bought 100 acres of timber land, and 
was a very industrious man, beloved by the 
community, and left a wife and 4 daughters. 

Joshua Lane, brother of David M., 
born in Chichester, N. H., Nov. 1798, 
moved here from Strafford in 1821, one of 
the most enterprising citizens of that day. 
His first move in building was on the 
Patterson farm, used lately for slate pur- 
poses. He bought and erected dwellings 
in a number of places, living in the winter 
in a house he built at the Center. Among 
his largest purchases, with his brother 
David, was the farm on the mountain, and 
it is thought, he cleared with his help 
around him some 300 acres of timber land. 
He linally settled in West Berlin. " Lanes- 
ville " was named after him. He was an 
enthusiastic Mason, and was buried with 
its honors. He died at 79, and left one 
son, Moses Lane. 

Josiah and Moses, brothers of David and 
Joshua, also settled in this town. 

80 



Moses Lane, C. E., .son of Joshua, 
graduated at the University of Vermont in 
1845. By Gov. Paine was appointed 
assistant engineer, Aug. 1845, for the lo- 
cation and construction of the Vermont 
Central Railroad ; was employed as a civil 
engineer on this and other railroads in 
New England till 1849; '^^'^^ Principal of 
an academy in Springfield, N. Y., 3 years ; 
was engaged a short time as resident en- 
gineer on the construction of the Albany 
and Susquehanna Railroad at Albany; 
1856, was appointed to the position of 
principal assistant engineer for the con- 
struction of the Brooklyn water-works, and 
has been constantly employed the past 22 
years as a hydraulic engineer ; was 13 years 
on the water-works of Brooklyn, 6 as prin- 
cipal assistant, and 7 as chief engineer ; 
had charge of the construction of the 
Milwaukee water-works as chief engineer, 
where he was employed 7 years, and has 
been connected with other important pub- 
lic works as chief or consulting engineer. 
He married the daughter of the late Dr. 
Varney Ingalls, of Erie County, N. Y., in 
1851 ; has 4 children, and now resides in 
Milwaukee, Wis. 

HON. ALVIN BRALEY. 

[See History of Hartford and Ro.xbury 
for early history.] After he came to North- 
field, was bank director, justice of the 
peace, village trustee, and interested in 
manufactures, and in 1868, was made Pres- 
ident of the National Bank, which office he 
filled until his death. His demise was a 
loss to our town, for he was not only able 
but willing to assist in the establishment 
of such institutions as promised to build 
up the place. 

FISK BROTHERS, 

Benjamin, John, Nathaniel and David, all 
stalwart men, of whom it may be said, 
"and there were giants," came from Wil- 
liamstown. 

Benjamin was a storekeeper in the 
South village about 1816; married Hannah 
Herrick ; they had 7 children ; Delphine, 
Philander, Caroline, Dennison, Sophia, 
Rosina, John D. 

John, born in Williamstown, 1783, kept 
tavern in the Falls village about 1825, quite 



634 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a noted place for trainings. He married 
Betsey Martin, and diey had 13 children: 
Olive, Betsey, Siloma, John, Lydia M., 
Melinda, Eunice, Azro J., Sarah, Lucinda, 
Maria L., Mary, Hannah. 

Nathaniel came in 18 19, and died in 
1861, age 87. He rai.sed 8 children. 

David married Sarah Reed; they had 
7 children: Sarah Ann, David R., Harvey 
R., Ann Eliza, George M., Fanny C., Van 
Loren M. Mr. Fisk died in 1864; Mrs. 
Fisk in 1865. 

George M. Fisk, son of David, born 
in Wolcott, June 7, 1830. He studied law 
with Hon. Heman Carpenter ; was admit- 
ted to the Bar of Washington County in 
1854; the Supreme Court in 1856; the 
United States Court in 1874; in 1854, 
went to Prof. John W. Fowler's law school 
in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1863, repre- 
sented the town in tiie Legislature ; was a 
delegate to the National Democratic Con- 
vention in St. Louis, in 1876. In 1864, 
he built the two factories in the Depot vil- 
lage now run by Mr. Howarth, and put in 
the machinery now in use, had a large in- 
terest in the lumber business at Granville, 
Vt., sold the Union Slate Quarry, and 
other quarries of slate in town, is now 
[1S78] President of the Northfield Savings 
Bank. He married Jane E., daughter of 
James Nichols, in 1856. 

DANIEL W'ORTHIXGTON, 
born in 1775. He came from Williams- 
town, and located on the Gartield place in 
1 81 8. Afterwards he went to the Falls 
village, and bought the saw-mill of Free- 
dom Edson and built a house, when there 
were but one or two log-houses on the east 
side of the river. Under-brush and huck- 
leberry bushes covered the land now 
spread over with buildings. He married 
Polly Fisk, born in 1780, and raised 11 
children: Huldah, Elijah, Sophia, Lyman, 
Mary, Rhoda, Daniel, David, Theodore 
S., Elias, Francis. Mrs. W. died in 1851, 
and he in 1866. 

COL. CHARLES H. JOYCE, 

the present Member of Congress from the 
First District of Vermont, came to North- 
field in 1850, and commenced reading law 
at the Center, with John L. Buck, Esq., 



read with him one year, then with F. V. 
Randall, Esq., at Northfield Falls, one 
year, and then with F. F. Merrill, Esq., 
at Montpelier, one year, when he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar of Washington County, 
at the September term, 1852. In 1853, 
Mr. Joyce entered into co-partnership 
in the practice of law at Northfield with 
C. N. Carpenter, Esq., and subsequently 
with F. V. Randall. In 1853, he was ap- 
pointed State Librarian. In Dec. 1855, 
he opened a law office in Northfield. In 
1856, he was elected State's Attorney, and 
was re-elected to the same office in 1857. 

As soon as Mr. Joyce was elected State's 
Attorney, his practice of law began to in- 
crease, andinMar. 1861, he had afinedock- 
et, and did a good business. When Presi- 
dent Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 
men, he was at Montpelier attending court. 
He immediately returned home to North- 
field, and with the aid of some others, 
raised a company of men which tried to 
get into the ist Regiment, commanded by 
Gen. Phelps. He did not succeed in this, 
but Gov. Fairbanks tendered him the po- 
sition of Major in the 2d Regiment, which 
he accepted, and on the 7th of June, 1862, 
was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of his 
regiment. He remained in the service 
until Jan. 1863, when he was compelled 
to resign his position, on account of poor 
health. 

After returning from the army, and par- 
tially recovering his health, he located in 
Rutland, resuming the practice of law in 
company with C. C. Dewey, Esq. The 
partnership continued until the spring of 
1866, when it was dissolved, and he car- 
ried on business on his own account. In 
1869, he was elected to the Hou.se of Rep- 
resentatives from Rutland, and again in 
1870-71. The last 2 years he was elected 
Speaker, which office he conducted in a 
manner that pleased all parties, and made 
him decidedly popular. 

Mr. Joyce took a lively interest in the 
campaign of 1868, stumping his own State, 
and making many speeches both in New 
York and New Hampshire. In 1874, he 
was nominated as the successor of Hon. 
C. W. Willard, and elected to the Forty- 



NORTHFIELD. 



635 



fourth Congress, and re-elected in 1876, 
'78. In the campaign of 1876, he made 
speeches in Vermont, New Hampshire, 
New York, Connecticut and Indiana, for 
Hayes and Wheeler. 

Speeches of Mr. Joyce. — In the Forty- 
fourth Congress the first eulogy on the 
death of Henry Wilson; speech on the cur- 
rency, in favor of honest money; a speech 
on the presentation of the statue of Ethan 
Allen, to be placed in Memorial Hall in 
the National Capital; a speech on the Cen- 
tennial Exposition to be held at Philadel- 
phia in 1876; a speech in confirmation of 
certain land claims in the Territory ot 
New Mexico; a speech on the counting of 
the electoral vote of Louisiana, and one on 
counting the electoral vote of Vermont. 

In the Forty-fifth Congress, speeches. — 
One on the contested election case of 
Patterson against Belford, from Colorado; 
one in the contested election case of Acklen 
against Darrell, of Louisiana; a speech on 
the " Resumption act, and the remonetiz- 
ation of silver;" a speech on a proposed 
amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States, relating to the election of 
President and "V^ice-President, and also re- 
lating to the Civil Service of the govern- 
ment; a speech on the Mexican Pension 
Bill, against restoring to the pension-roll 
the names of those wJiich had been stricken 
off for participation in the rebellion, and 
a speech on the Tariff. 

In addition, the Colonel has delivered 
speeches and orations on nearly every 
Fourth of July and on nearly every " Dec- 
oration Day" since the war. His mag- 
netic, forcible way of stating his arguments 
makes him popular with the masses, and 
we predict for him a still more brilliant 
future. 

Mr. Joyce married Rowena M. Randall, 
and they have had three children: Inez 
R., Grace R. and Charlie R. 

REV. JOHN GREGORY, 

born in Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 18, 1810; 
went to New York State when quite young, 
and served an apprenticeship of seven 
years at fancy painting, in the city of Al- 
bany. When 21 years of age, he com- 
menced studying for the ministry in the 
Universalist denomination. He was or- 
dained in Salisbury, Herkimer county, 
N. Y., where he made his first settlement 
in 1832. After two years' labor in this 
town he removed to Burlington, Vt., where 



he preached i year ; from there he went to 
Woburn, Mass., and preached 2 years, 
and after a year's labor in Vermont, went 
to Charleston, S. C, where he edited the 
Southern Evangelist, and supplied the pul- 
pit of the Universalist church in that city 
I year. From Charleston, the climate not 
agreeing with him, he returned to Ver- 
mont, and preached in Montpelier, Berlin, 
Williamstown and Northfield i year, when 
he received a call to settle in Ouincy, 
Mass., where he remained 3 years. 

In 1842 Mr. Gregory was elected repre- 
sentative to the general court from Quincy, 
and from there went to Fall River, Mass., 
where he preached 2 years, and then came 
back to Vermont, and preached 3 years in 
Williston. In 1850, he came to Northfield 
and settled on a farm on the West Hill, 
thinking with St Paul it was no disgrace 
for a minister to labor with his hands, and 
engaged in stock raising. For 25 years, 
he was connected with the Vermont State 
Agricultural Society ; claims to have been 
one of the originators of that society ; was 
director of it during that time, and presi- 
dent of it 2 years, and some years had as 
great a variety of choice animals at the 
Fair as any other man. He was promi- 
nent in the raising of Morgan horses, 
French Merino sheep, Hereford, Devon, 
Ayrshire and Shorthorn Durham cattle, 
paying $400 for one French Merino sheep 
that was raised in the vicinity of Paris, all 
of which were brought to Northfield to 
improve the stock of farmers. He assisted 
in establishing the very successful "Dog 
River.- Valley " Association, and served as 
president of it three years, having during 
that time fairs that were not excelled by 
any in the State. 

For the last quarter of a century he has 
preached as opportunity presented in the 
"region round about" Northfield. In 
1850, he was representative to the Legisla- 
ture from Northfield ; in 1856, was elected 
senator from Washington county, and re- 
elected in 1857. He received the appoint- 
ment of assistant assessor in the revenue 
department under Abraham Lincoln ; was 
re-appointed by Andrew Johnson, and 
continued in the service lo^ years. 



636 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mr. Gregory desires to put on record his 
fidelity to the two great reforms that have 
agitated the country during the last 40 
years, " Himian Freedom'''' and " Temper- 
ance.''^ Nov. 8, 1844, the following vote 
was passed and published in the Boston 
Trumpet: " Universalists on Slave- 
ry." At the recent annual meeting of the 
Old Colony Association at New Bedford, 
Mass., the following resolution, offered by 
the Rev. John Gregory, of Fall River, was 
adopted : 

Resolved, That as Slavery has been voted 
by this body to be " in everlasting hostility 
to the true spirit of Jesus Christ,'' we here 
pledge ourselves to discountenance this 
evil in all possible ways and forms ; and 
will agitate the question in our several 
societies, and endeavor to diffuse abroad 
an honest moral sentiment on the subject. 

While in the Senate Mr. Gregory deliv- 
ered a speech on " Suffering Kansas," that 
was instrumental in a vote being passed 
directing the governor to appropriate 
$20,000 for the relief of the people in Kan- 
sas, should he ascertain they were in a 
suffering condition. He has delivered a 
large number of addresses in Massachusetts 
and Vermont on those reforms, and always 
without compensation. 

Mr. Gregory resides in Northfield (Depot 
Village), on Main street, in the only brick 
house in that part of the town, it being the 
third house built on that street. (1878). 

Rev. John Gregory died suddenly of 
apoplexy at his residence in Northfield, 
Sept. 25, 1881. 

ORVIS DARWIN EDGERTON, 

born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence ceunty, 
N. Y., Aug. 15, 1 82 1, was the second child 
of a family of 7 children. His father, 
James Harvey Edgerton, was among the 
early settlers of that county, from Brook- 
field, in this State. The minority of Mr. 
Edgerton was passed going to a district 
school, working on a farm, and at mechan- 
ical business, teaching school, etc., with a 
few terms at the St. Lawrence academy. 

In the spring of 1843, ^^ went to Ohio, 
which was then considered "far West." 
For 3 years from the spring of 1846, was 
with F. & T. R. Taylor, building a fork- 
factory at Brasher Falls, N. Y., putting in 



the machinery, and making and selling 
forks and hoes, and Jan. 1849 was married 
to Roxana Sophia Taylor, daughter of the 
senior member of the firm. The next 
spring he purchased a stock of drugs, 
medicines, groceries, dry goods, etc., and 
engaged in business with others, and in 
outside operations of butter, cattle, horses, 
etc. ; in 1856 sold out to his partners, and 
for 10 years kept an office as justice of the 
peace, and business connected with the 
office ; held several town offices ; was post- 
master during President Fillmore's admin- 
istration, and was 4 years justice of the 
sessions, or assistant judge for the county ; 
in 1856 he sold his interest in Brasher, 
and removed to Northfield ; formed a part- 
nership with his brother, C. A. Edgerton, 
in the mercantile business, and has since 
resided here ; has been village and town 
treasurer, 2 years one of the selectmen ; 
4 years one of the trustees of the savings 
bank, and as a business man has been suc- 
cessful. He is in religion, a Congrega- 
tionalist. He has one son, Charles Darwin 
Edgerton, a graduate of Dartmouth, class 
of 1878. 

CHARLES A. EDGERTON, ESQ., 
born in Potsdam, N. Y., son of James H. 
Edgerton, came to Northfield in the Spring 
of 1847, and worked at the mechanical 
business several years. In 1855, the 
Union Store Division, No. 678, was organ- 
ized, and he was appointed agent, and 
managed it until it closed in 1857. In the 
Spring of 1858, he commenced mercantile 
business in Union Block, with L. H. King, 
the firm, Edgerton & King, doing a good 
business in a general way until the sum- 
mer of i860, when they dissolved, Mr. 
King taking a store In the new block east 
of the Universalist Church, and Mr. Ed- 
gerton keeping the store in Union Block 
until 1866, when he formed a partnership 
with his brother, O. D. Edgerton, who 
moved to Northfield from Brasher Falls, 
N. Y., the firm being known as Edgerton 
Brothers, who continue to do business at 
the present time. 

Mr. Edgerton was town clerk 1865-75; 
several years treasurer of the Vt. Mfg. Co., 
treasurer and superintendent till the com- 



NORTHFIELD. 



637 



pany's shops were burned, Dec, 1876, 
and has been a director of the Northfield 
National Bank since Jan. 13, 1874, and 
Vice President since Jan. 9, 1877, and 
has been a director in the graded and high 
school since its present organization, 1873. 
He married Harriet A. Newcomb, of 
Waitsfield, and has 2 children. 

HALSEY R. BROWN, 

born in Burke, taught school winters from 
the age of 15 to 21, when he went to Be- 
loit, Wis. for i year; returned to Burke, 
and engaged in merchandise 1 1 years ; then 
farmed 2 seasons ; was representative 1866- 
7, receiving all the votes cast but one ; 
filled a number of offices in town ; came 
to Northfield in 1868; was with Rufus 
Young 3 years in the Paine Block, in the 
grocery and dry goods business, after, 
went into company with Andrew Denny, 
now carrying on an extensive business of 
store-keeping, tannery, milling, and in the 
lumber trade, one of our most prosperous 
tirms in Northfield. He has been 8 years 
a steward in the Methodist ChurcTi here, 
and since the demise of Joseph Gould, 
superintendent of the Sunday School. Be- 
fore leaving Burke, he was without excep- 
tion selected to conduct funerals, and is 
employed frequently in the same business 
in Northfield. 

LESTER MARTYN, 

now living at the Depot village, [1878] 
retains his recollection of the early history 
of Northfield to a good degree. He taught 
school when a young man, was of indus- 
trious habits, and well liked as a citizen 
and neighbor. He remembers hearing the 
report of the big guns at Plattsburgh, 
Sept. II, 1814. News came that volun- 
teers were wanted, as the British were out 
in great force, and a number of men from 
Northfield, like Cincinnatus of old, left 
their business at home and hastened to 
Burlington, where they were to cross the 
Lake, but before they arrived information 
was received the battle had gone in favor 
of the Americans, and they returned to 
their homes rejoicing. 

He married Mrs. Mary Flint, of Wil- 
liamstown ; they had one child, Emma O., 
and one adopted son, James R., who gave 



his life for his country. He was born in 
Williamstown in 1840, enlisted in 1861 in 
Company J., 5th Vt. Vols., and was mor- 
tally wounded in the battle of the wilder- 
ness. He came home to Northfield, lived 
near 7 months, and died in 1864. 

DEA. NATHANIEL JONES, 
from Claremont, N. H., built the two-story 
house on Water street now owned by John 
Willey. He was a justice of the peace, 
man of good abilities. He raised 7 chil- 
dren : Roys, George, Elisha, Henry, Cyn- 
thia, Nathaniel, Orena. 

JAMES N. JOHNSON, ESQ., 

born in Northfield, Sept. 4, 1833 ; devel- 
oped scholarly tastes when quite young, 
and a fondness for politics and public 
speaking. His advantages for an educa- 
tion were limited to a few terms of district 
school, and about a year at Northfield 
Academy, in 1851-52. He taught school 
with good success a few years, studied law 
with F. V. Randall, at Northfield; was 
admitted to the bar of Washington county 
in 1854; went to Chicago in 1856, and 
engaged in the law and collection business 
with Cornell & Jameson, till into i860; 
returned to Northfield ; has since resided 
here, practicing his profession. 

HON. PHILANDER D. BRADFORD 

was born in Randolph, Apr. 11, 18 11. 
His father, John Bradford, was a native of 
Kingston, Mass., born Dec. 26, 1765. In 
early life he removed to Alstead, N. H., 
where he married Miss Lucy Brooks, Jan. 
9, 1799. Subsequently he came to Ran- 
dolph, where he resided until his death, 
Nov. 19. 1814. Four years later, upon the 
death of Mrs. Lucy Brooks Bradford, 
Philander D., the youngest of 6 children, 
went to Alstead, N. H., to live with rela- 
tives of his mother, but at 15 returned to 
Randolph, and entered the Orange County 
Grammar School, where he received his 
education preparatory to the study of the 
medical profession. At 20 he commenced 
the study of medicine with his brother. 
Dr. Austin Bradford; in 1833, graduated 
at the Woodstock Medical School, then a 
branch of Middlebury College, and in 1850, 
received the degree of A. M. from the 
University of Vermont. He practiced his 



638 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



profession in Braintree, Randolph and 
Bethel, until 1854, when he removed to 
Northfield, where lie lias since resided, 
with a good practice. 

In 1853 and 1854, Dr. Bradford was 
elected to the State Legislature by the 
Free-soil party of Randolph, and was a 
prominent member of that party when in 
its infancy. And when others forsook 
their free princii)les and joined those who 
elected Robinson and Kidder, Governor 
and Lieutenant-Governor, Dr. Bradford 
remained true to his convictions, and la- 
bored zealously for the cause of human 
freedom. In 1854, he was elected com- 
missioner of insane, and re-elected in 
1855. In 1857, he was elected Professor 
of physiology and pathology in Castleton 
Medical College, and continued with the 
same until its suspension in 1862. In Dec, 
1862, he was commissioned by Governor 
Holbrook, Surgeon of the 5th Regt. Vt. 
vols., but was compelled by ill-health to re- 
sign his commission in March following. 
In 1862, '63 he was elected a member of the 
Vermont Senate, also President of the 
Vermont Medical Society in '63. In i860, 
he was elected Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Vermont, and in 
1861, was at the head of the Grand Divis- 
ion of the Sons of Temperance of Vermont. 
He was elected trustee, also Professor of 
Physiology, in Norwich University in 1867 ; 
and was a member of the Right Worthy 
Grand Lodge of the United States, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in 1875-76. 
He early threw the weight of his influence 
into the scale of Temperance — is a worthy 
"Good Templar," and foremost in every- 
thing that promises blessings on our race. 
He is a capital presiding officer, and by 
his good humor and happy adaptation to 
circumstances, makes even a crowded as- 
sembly orderly and attentive. Dr. Brad- 
ford was married to Miss Susan H. Edson, 
daughter of John Edson, M. D., of Ran- 
dolph, in 1835, by whom he had one 
daughter. Miss Ellen E., now the wife of 
George W. Soper, Esq., of Northfield, 
who is postal agent over the Central Ver- 
mont railroad. 

Mrs. Susan H. Bradford died Oct. 15, 



1865, and in May, 1867, the Doctor mar- 
ried Mrs. O. W. Moore, widow of the late 
Hiram Moore, Esq., of Sharon. 

HON. JASPER H. ORCUTT, 

seventh son of Samuel M. and Mary B. 
Orcutt, born in Roxbury ; moved to North- 
field, March, 1849, and from 1848 to '58 
was most of the time in the employ of the 
Vt. Cen. R. R., constructing buildings 
and in other mechanical work. 

In 1858 he entered the mercantile busi- 
ness with Freeman Page. In 1864, bought 
out Mr. Page, and carried on the business 
about a year alone ; then was in trade with 
A. E. Denny 4 years ; they built the store 
where Denney & Brown are in business ; 
in 1870, sold out with Mr. Denney and 
bought an interest in the Paine Factory 
property ; from that time has been en- 
gaged in manufacturing slate, lumber and 
strawboard, is now interested in the Adams 
Slate and Tile company ; clerk and super- 
intendent. Mr. Orcutt was village trustee 
several years, deputy sheriffsix years, con- 
stable and collector of taxes 2 years, high 
sheriff" of Washington county 2 years : 
representative 2 years, county senator 3 
years ; has been selectman, auditor, justice 
of the peace, enrolling officer during the 
rebellion, is one of the trustees of the 
Northfield savings bank, postmaster from 

1869 to ; and was chairman of the 

building committee of the Graded School 
Academy. He has been twice married, 
and has two children. His mother is liv- 
ing in Northfield, with her sons, and is 
the oldest inhabitant, being in her 96th 
year. (1878.) 

HON. HEMAN CARPENTER, 

born in Middlesex, July 10, 181 1, was 
fitted for college at the Washington County 
Grammar School at Montpelier, studied 
law with the Hon. Wm. Upham, and was 
admitted to the bar at theNovemberTerm 
of the Washington County Court, 1836, and 
came to the "Factory Village," Northfield, 
the first of December following, and com- 
menced the practice of law. He was ad- 
mitted to the Supreme Court of Vermont 
two years after, and to the District Court 
of the LTnited States in 1842; was State 
Librarian 4 years, from 1832 till 's?' ^^^ 



NORTHFIELD. 



639 



removed the State Library from the "old 
State House" to the new, numbering and 
cataloguing all the books therein. He 
was superintendent of schools, and devot- 
ed from ID to 25 days in examining teach- 
ers and visiting schools each year, giving 
his services to the town, and held other 
minor offices. He was elected to the 
legislature for 1847-48, and introduced 
the " Homestead Bill" for the first time, 
and pursued that measure until it was en- 
acted into a law. He was made judge of 
probate for 1849-50; appointed on Gov. 
Eaton's staff in I847, with the rank of 
colonel ; was selectman for 1852-53; ap- 
pointed receiver of the South Royalton 
Bank in 1857; was State's attorney for 
Washington County for 1865-66 ; was trus- 
tee for the United States deposit money 
for 1851-52, and elected to the State Sen- 
ate for 1870-72. 

He procured the charter for the "North- 
field Academy" in 1846, raised the sub- 
scription for building it, paying more than 
any other man except Gov. Paine, was 
secretary, treasurer and trustee of the in- 
stitution, was one of the executive com- 
mittee from its organization down to Apr. 
18, 1868, when he resigned all of said 
offices, having completed the education of 
his children at said school ; was a promi- 
nent man in his denomination, president 
of Goddard Seminary from 1868 to '76, 
when, by reason of poor health, he resign- 
ed that office, having paid liberally and 
generously for its establishment, and on 
resigning the office of president, received 
from the trustees a very complimentary 
resolution. 

He was foremost in establishing the 
graded school in Northfield, gave liberally 
towards Norwich University, and educated 
his children in a manner creditable to him- 
self and advantageous to them. In i860, 
the University of Vermont conferred upon 
him the honorary degree of Master of 
Arts. 

He became a voter in 1832, and identi- 
fied himself with the '■' National Republi- 
can " party, and has remained faithful to 
its principles ever since. He has attended 
45 State Conventions of his party, 40 of 



which he attended in 39 successive years. 
He was a delegate froni Vermont to the 
Republican Convention at Philadelphia in 
1856, which nominated John C. Fremont. 
He attended the two National Conventions 
which nominated Gen. Grant. He was 
the marshal for Washington County at the 
"Log Cabin" Convention at Burlington in 
1840, and president of the State Conven- 
tion at Rutland in 1870 which nominated 
Gen. P. T. Washburn for Governor. Being 
a positive man, he was never in doubt as 
to his support of men or measures. 

He also taught school in the Center Vil- 
lage in the winters of 1833, '34, being 
hired by Mr. Dryer by reason of ability to 
govern a turbulent school that had been 
very disorderly for a few winters, and the 
scholars were brought into good subjec- 
tion and discipline by him, so that for 
many years the school felt the influence of 
his teaching and government. 

Mr. Carpenter is a firm believer in the 
final restoration of all human intelligence 
to holiness and happiness in God's own 
good time. He has been a delegate, vice 
president and president of the Universalist 
State Convention for many years, and in 
1877 it passed the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Con- 
vention be tendered to the Hon. Heman 
Carpenter for the able and efficient manner 
in which he has executed the office of pres- 
ident of this Convention for several years 
past, and for the urbanity and good spirit 
he has manifested toward all the members 
of that Convention. 

When Mr. Carpenter came to North- 
field there were but 14 houses in the "Fac- 
tory Village." He has borne his part 
manfully in all the positions he has filled 
by the suffrages of his fellow citizens, bear- 
ing always his share of the burdens. 

Mr. Carpenter married Harriet S. Gil- 
christ, of Chelsea, Feb. 14, 1838, who was 
born in Goffstown, N. H., Dec. 24, 18 16. 
They had 4 children : George Nathaniel, 
Caroline Sophronia, Jason Heman, Abigail 
Fidelia. 

Mrs. Carpenter died June 21, 1865, and 
Judge Carpenter married his present wife, 
Mrs. Betsey S. Edgerton, Oct. 16, 1866, 
at Burlington. She was born in Berlin, 



640 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



July 20, 1822, and was the widow of John 
H. Edgerton, and daughter of Solomon 
Nye. 

JAMES GARY BARRtL THAYER, 

born in Braintree, Aug. 10, 1824; fourth 
son of Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, came to 
Northfield, and became clerk for George 
B. Pierce about 1840, and has since, except 
a few months in 1848, been a resident of 
this town. In 1848, he became clerk for 
H. H. Camp ; was in partnership with him 
I year, and went into the clothing business, 
which he has since followed, and has been 
treasurer of the Northfield savings bank 
since it commenced operations in 1869; 
in religion is an Episcopalian ; has been 
twice married ; has 4 children, 

REUBEN M. MCINTOSH, 

born in Bethel, 1823; was brought up a 
farmer, but when of age learned the daguer- 
rean art, and practiced in and about his 
native town. In 1853, he moved to North- 
field, and worked in the first daguerrean 
saloon established in this place. From 
that time to within a few years he worked 
at making pictures in the daguerrean, am- 
brotype, and photograph process with 
marked success. Latterly he has made a 
specialty of taking stereoscopic views, and 
among the noted places he has visited are 
the Ausable Chasm, Mount Mansfield, 
and Black River Falls in Cavendish, taking 
a great variety of scenes that commend 
themselves. 

ROSWELL CARPENTER 

came to Northfield when the country was 
very new, not far from 1787. He was 
from Charlestown, N. H., married Louisa 
Larkins of Rockingham. They had four 
children : Elvira, Louisa, Roswell, Ursula ; 
all born in Northfield. 

Mr. Carpenter, it is said, was a good 
dancer. So Col. George Cobleigh and 
Adolphus Denney, Esq., loved to " trip 
the light fantastic toe in the mazy dance," 
and took great delight in parties. Proba- 
bly there was no scientific violining in 
those days, but a good deal of fiddling. 

Dr. Matthew McClearn, born in 
Nova Scotia, 1824, came herefrom Boston 
and commenced the practice of medicine 
in 1855. He came for the benefit of his 



health, and remained 2 years ; is one of 
the charter members of the Vermont State 
Eclectic Medical Society, was its treasurer 
27 years, its president i year, and is also a 
member of the National Eclectic Medical 
Association. He is married, and has 4 
children. 

Simon Eggleston, born in Middle- 
town, N. Y., came here in 1793. He 
worked for Judge Paine in his factory 21 
years, and for the Governor 16 — a boss- 
spinner much of the time, but during his 
last years a sorter of wool, and a more 
faithful man to his employers, perhaps 
never lived. 

almon weatherbee 
moved from Moretown to Northfield in 
1S45 ; worked for Governor Paine in his 
factory and grist-mill. He built the house 
where his family now live — the first house 
on that hill. He was killed Dec. 1 1, 1867, 
in the terrible railroad disaster at Harlow 
Bridge. He was an industrious and good 
citizen, and his sad death was lamented 
by his fellow townsmen. He left a wife 
and 3 children. 

SILAS SHELDON, 

born in Dorset, Jan. 25, 1794, came to 
Northfield in 18 16. He married Sarah 
Richardson, Jan. 25, 18 18, for his first 
wife, and Anna Richardson for his second, 
Dec. 30, 1 82 1, twin daughters of Stanton 
and Anna Richardson. The first wife died 
Dec. I, 1818, leaving twins, Silas Harmon 
and Samuel Richardson, when 5 days old. 
The second wife had : Chauncey D., Martin 
B., Chauncey G. 

DEA. CALVIN CADY, 

born in Pomfret, Conn., 1786, located in 
Berlin, this County, and worked for Porter 
Perrin for $12 a month in haying, he 
agreeing to do all the pitching both ways. 
He and the hands would work until 8 
o^clock at night, then milk the cows, eat 
break and milk, and go to bed. He lived 
at one time at Lanesville, and attended a 
saw-mill. It is said, one night he was 
standing on the carriage of the mill that 
ran out over the, end of the mill, and falling 
partially asleep, stepped off, and fell some 
20 feet, where it was rocks below ; but 



NORTHFIELD. 



there happened to be a slab which stood 
one end against the mill and the other on 
the rock, and he struck that on his back, 
and bounded off to his feet, and was not 
hurt. He removed to Northfield in 1828, 
and by working hard keeping Judge Paine s 
boarding-house, he succeeded in getting 
into comfortable circumstances. He took 
a great interest in his children as long as 
he lived, and made it a point to get them 
together as often as he could, especially on 
thanksgivings. He was one of the deacons 
of the Congregational church here, and 
had the esteem and confidence both of his 
church and townsmen. He married Betsey 
Merrill, May, 1809, who was born in 1785. 
Their children were: Almira, Abigail, 
Calvin, Jr., George, Eliza, Laura, Luther, 
Lyman, Mary A. Mr. Cady died in 1867 ; 
Mrs. Cady in 1858. 

William Allen, now living on the old 
homestead, is one of the oldest inhabitants 
born in Northfield. He married Esther E. 
Libby, of Strafford, in 1825; children: 
Harrison P., Nancy, John L., Edna, 
Emily E., Marietta C, John W., Amanda 
L., all born in Northfield. 

ITHAMAR ALLEN, JR., 

born in 1778, came here from Gill, Mass., 
with his father at a very early day, and 
they settled near the north corner. Ith- 
amar, Jr., married Nancy, daughter of 
Aquillo Jones, and moved to the Falls vil- 
lage, and located on the farm now owned 
by his son William, where his father lived 
and died. At that time the whole valley 
north of our Depot village was all a wil- 
derness, and Acjuillo bought this farm, 
together with the Burnham place, for al- 
most a song, and gave the former land to 
his daughter Nancy. Their children were : 
Elijah, William, Charles, Sally, Chloe, 
Amanda, Edna, Warren, Adaline, born in 
Northfield. Mr. Allen died in 1861, aged 
83 years. 

ABIJAH HOWE, 

born in Middleton, Mass., 1788, married 
Martha Bridgman, of Hanover, N. H., 
and came to Northfield in 1834, and 
settled on the farm where Walter Bow- 
man now lives. Mr. Howe graduated at 
Dartmouth in 18 10. They had 7 children : 



Theoda, Asa, Martha A-, Sophia D., 
Hannah S., Lsaac B., Miraett. Mr. Howe 
died in 1872, aged 83 ; Mrs. Howe in 1865, 
aged 76 years. 

ISAAC B. HOWE. ESQ., 

came to Northfield, with his father, when 
about 7 years old, where his boyhood days 
were passed on a farm. At the age of 18 
he commenced teaching school, but aban- 
doned this in 2 years for civil engineering 
on the Vermont Central railroad. He was 
employed on that road and the Vermont 
and Canada about 12 years, having charge 
of the civil engineering and road repairs. 
He is now a resident of CHnton, Iowa. He 
has at various times made valuable im- 
provements now in general use on rail- 
ways, although but few of them have been 
secured by letters patent. He also in- 
troduced several novel and useful improve- 
ments in the construction of the city water 
works while president of the Clinton Water 
Works Company. 

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Howe went to 
Iowa, to take the position of chief engineer 
and assistant superintendent of the railway 
from Clinton to Council Bluffs. The next 
season he was appointed superintendent of 
the 350 miles of railroad from Clinton to 
the Missouri river at Omaha, which posi- 
tion he held until the summer of 1872, 
when ill health compelled him to withdraw 
from active railway service. 

For several years Mr. Howe has been 
extensively engaged in operating stone and 
marble quarries in Iowa and Illinois, and 
with his banking business keeps him in 
constant employment. He is one of that 
kind of men who prefer to "wear rather 
than rust out." 

Mr. Howe was representative of North- 
field in 1857-58, and received other marks 
of appreciation during his citizenship 
among us. To show his love for the town 
of his adoption is as strong as ever, an ex- 
tract from a letter is given : 

This proposed history will not only be 
of great interest to us who are now here, 
but it will have a greater interest to those 
who are to succeed us. My little " Hawk- 
eye " son delights in hearing me tell of 
what I did when I was a little boy, and I 
derive pleasure from the recital, as the 



642 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



dream-like memories of the olden time al- 
most bring back the perfume of the wild 
flowers and fruits I gathered when a little 
barefooted boy, forty years ago! Your 
history of Northtie'd would be to me what 
my early history is to my children. It is 
almost 17 years since I left Vermont, but 
my interest in the State and in good old 
Northfield remains as strong as ever, and 
it gratifies me to know that I am not yet 
quite forgotten, but may still claim cit- 
izenship in your hearts, if not in your 
elections. 

The family monument is in the North- 
field cemetery, a portico monument of the 
Doric order; base 7x12 feet from the 
ground to the top of the pediments ; of 
Vermont granite. The urn was executed 
by J. S. Collins, of Barre ; all other work 
by Jones Trow, of Berlin ; original designs 
by Isaac B. Howe. 

JUSTUS BURNHAM, ESQ., 

came here from Hardwick, Mass., quite 
early, and worked at the carpenter trade, 
building, with John Green, the first house 
on Main street, where Mrs. William Nich- 
ols resides. His children were : Betsey, 
Anna, Hannah, Asa, Isabella, Arbijah, 
Rhoda, David, Lydia, Violet. 

LUTHER S. BURNHAM, 

born in Brookfield, Feb. 18, 1797, came 
to Northfield in 1840, and settled on a 
farm at the Falls village, and was a man 
respected and beloved. He married Lucy 
Nelson, of Orange, 1798, and they had 6 
children: James H., Harris, David N., 
Elosia, Lucy Ann, Helen M. 

REV. JAMES HAHVEV BURNHAM 

at an early age evinced a remarkable apti- 
tude for study, especially for theology. As 
he grew up, he wished to enter the minis- 
try of the Universalist denomination, and 
his whole soul seemed bent in that direc- 
tion. His parents did not much favor the 
idea, but at last consented. He attended 
Newbury Seminary a few terms ; taught 
school with very good success, and after a 
while commenced preaching in Irasburgh, 
Barton and Coventry. His sermons, like 
his uniform bearing, were noted for clear- 
ness, candor, and marked conscientious- 
ness, rather than livel}- imagination, love 
of sensation, or eflfort for pojmlarity. Soon 
after he married Ann P. Alexander, of 



Northfield, and settled as a Universalist 
minister in Troy, Vt. Here his health 
failed him, and he returned to this town, 
and engaged in trade at the Center vil- 
lage. His wife died of consumption in 
1848. After her death Mr. Burnham re- 
sumed preaching and settled in Sacrappa, 
Me.; in 1850, married Mary A. Barnard, 
of Southbridge, Mass., and became a part- 
ner of Rev. Eli Ballou, at Montpelier, in 
the book business and publishing of the 
" Cliristian Repository " where he remain- 
ed till his death, Sept. 11, 1853, in the 
full prime of his manhood, of consump- 
tion, a loss to the denomination of which 
he was a worthy member. 

MARVIN SIMONS, 

born in Williamstown, 1804, and his wife, 
Olive Fisk, born Dec. 1806, moved here 
in March, 1829, and died Dec. 1870, age 
66. He was one of the oldest and best 
citizens of the town, had resided here 40 
years, was justice of the peace 19 years, 
selectman 12, and during his life held 
many large trusts. He never sought prefer- 
ment, but his fellow citizens, without dis- 
tinction of party, relying on his good judg- 
ment and integrity, kept him in service. 
His children were: Marcellus M., Lycur- 
gus L., Darrion A., Cordelia J., Olive M., 
Alma A., Willie G. 

FREEDOM EDSON. 

At one time he owned all the land in 
the Falls village. He married Phebe Ship- 
man ; children: Daniel, Martin T., Bet- 
sey, Eli, Sally, Sophia, Marietta, Sylves- 
ter, Cynthia M., Caroline E. 

WILLIAM R. TUCKER, 
who was born in Norwich, 1812, and came 
to this town in 1835, at one time owned 
650 acres in the town. 

JAMES GOULD, 
born in Amesbury, Mass., 1803; married 
Rebecca Morrill ; their children were : 
Mary E., Harriet B., Hannah R., James P. 
About 1835, Mr. Gould came to North- 
field, and, in company with Walter Little, 
established a potato starch factory at Falls 
village, which they successfully operated a 
few years, until it was destroyed by fire. 
He then engaged in woolen manufacturing, 
a part of the time with Erastus Palmer, 



NORTHFIELD. 



643 



extending and enlarging as increasing 
business warranted, until failing health 
forced him to withdraw from business, 
when he sold to his brother Joseph, and 
passed much of his time with his children 
in Wisconsin and Iowa, until 1867, when 
he removed to Wisconsin, and in company 
with his son engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness, etc. Under the pressure of business 
his health again failed. He died at Janes- 
ville, May, 1877. 

Shrewd in business, but more anxious to 
do justice to others than to exact the same ; 
foremost in worthy enterprises ; never 
seeking to make himself conspicuous, ac- 
cepting office only when forced upon him ; 
diffident, tender-hearted as a child, his 
highest ambition seemed to be to do good 
and make others happy. By his will, his 
remains were brought back for burial in 
our cemetery, and his last resting-place is 
marked with a shaft of granite from the 
green hills of the State he loved so dearly. 

JOSEPH GOULD, 

born in 1809 ; came to this town with his 
brother James in 1835. ^'^ 1857, he pur- 
chased the woolen factory at Gouldsville, 
which was consumed by fire Jan. 31, 1873. 
On the 23d of June next, he commenced to 
rebuild on the old site, and in March, 1875, 
put in operation a first-class mill. For 12 
years previous to his death his son Joseph 
W., had been in partnership with him in 
the manufacturing business. He married 
twice, and had 3 children: Joseph W., 
Hannah C, Alice M. He united with the 
Methodist church in 1863 ; was a leading- 
member here. The pipe organ in his 
church at Northfield stands as a monu- 
ment of his beneficence. 

WALTER LITTLE, 
born in Haverhill, Ma.ss., in 1797 ; in 1813 
was drafted as a soldier and stationed at 
Portsmouth, and after his discharge worked 
in the factory at Salisbury, Mass. He 
came to Vermont in 1820, and worked for 
Judge Paine in his factory 3 years. In 
1823, he went back to Salisbury, and 
worked at his trade till 1830, when he re- 
turned to Northfield, brought his carding 
machinery with him, and set it up at the 



Falls village. James Gould, with 8 horses, 
moved him from Salisbury, and bought 
out Joseph Keyes' half interest in the grist, 
saw and cloth-mills which they were run- 
ning. Mr. Little and Joseph Keyes com- 
menced the first building for a mill in 1824, 
at the Falls ; James Gould going into part- 
nership with Mr. Little in 1831. In 1832 
Messrs. Little & Co. built the starch 
mill ; 1837, they dissolved partnership, 
Mr. Gould taking the custom-mill, and Mr. 
Little the starch-mill. In 1847, Mr. Little 
went to Barre, remaining 2 years, thence 
to North Montpelier and engaged in 
woolen manufacturing, where he died in 
1859. He married Jerusha, daughter of 
Samuel Richardson, in 1824, and they had 
children: Hazen A., Sarah H., Walter S. 
He was a successful business man, and 
Northfield is indebted to him for starting 
manufactures at the Falls village. He 
gave employment to many laboring men 
and women, and with his genial good na- 
ture contributed much to the enjoyment of 
those around him. He liked a good joke 
and a good story, and knew when to make 
business pleasant and agreeable ; and was 
a leading and faithful mason. 

WEST HILL, NORTHFIELD. 

A number of inhabitants settled here at 
an early day on land belonging to the 
town of Waitsfield, but in 1822 four tier of 
lots were by act of the Legislature annex- 
ed to Northfield. 

WILLIAM COCHRAN, 

from Hanover, N. H., made the begin- 
ning there in 1798. He married Polly 
Graves. Their son Stephen was the first 
child born in that part of the town. Their 
children were: William G., Lyman, Wel- 
tha, Stephen, Washington, Edmund, Pol- 
ly, James. 

STEPHEN COCHRAN 

resides at the Center village, is a tailor by 
trade, and well respected. 

DEA. DANIEL PARKER, 

from Jaffrey, N. H., a year later than Mr. 
Cochran, located on West Hill. He mar- 
ried Jennia Cochran, of Peterboro, N. H., 
and had 5 children. 

Daniel Jr. graduated, called the best 
scholar of his class, at Burlington college. 



644 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Afterward was ordained a Congregational 
minister, preached some 3 or 4 years in 
Craftsbury ; came back to South North- 
field, where he lived on the Kathan farm ; 
from there went to Brookfield, and pub- 
lished a book called " The ConstiUitio7ial 
fnsirticto?- ,''' designed for colleges and com- 
mon schools ; while canvassing for this 
work he visited Glover, and while there, 
died at the house of Rev. Levi H. Stone. 
He left a son who is now a physician of 
considerable note in Texas. The Doctor 
contributed from his father's papers two ar- 
ticles for Mr. Gregory's book. Extracts': 

THE "DYE-TUB. 

How bright is the picture of childish emotion, 

When memory paiuls what I used to enjoy — 
Tlie frolic and fun, and each curious notion, 

And all the droll capers I cut when a boy! 
The wide-spreading fire-place, and pile of wood by it' 

The pot-hook and candlestick hung on a wire, 
The porridge-pot, kettle, and frying pan nigh i , 

And e'en the old dye-tub that stood by the fire; 
That old wooden dye-tub, the wooden-hooped dye-tub. 

The blue begrimmed dye-tub that stood by the fire. 

" I saw the stately towering trees, 
I felt the soft and fragrant breeze, 

A wild, romantic boy; 
I heard the robin's early song, 
I heard the warbling rills, — 
With vast delight I roamed along 
O'er Northfield's rural hills." 

" When with a heart with care oppressed, 
Wanilering I seek a place of rest. 

In whicli to find repose. 
Where J in friendship's bowers reclined, 

Enjoying rural bliss, may find 
Oblivion for my woes. 
" From fancy's visionary flight, 

O'er distant woods and rills. 
I'leased with the well-known scenes I light 
On Northfield's rural hills." 

CAPT. HENRY KNAPP, 
born in Claremont, N. H., Nov. 1787, 
came to Northfield in 1808, and with Harry 
Jones and Silas Rice, Jr., young men 
about his age, commenced clearing land 
around the four corners on West Hill, 
where Mr. Knapp finally made for himself 
a good home. These young men built a 
shanty, took hemlock boughs for bedding, 
got bread baked at Deacon Parker's, and 
spent a few summers in clearing land ; in 
the fall migrating South to Claremont, 
and returning with the spring. It was a 
happy day for Mr. Knapp when he suc- 
ceeded in clearing an acre of land, and 
getting it well sown with rye, because it 



was his, and the result of his labors, though 
they were obliged to go to Waitsfield to 
get their potatoes at this time. 

Years after, when Mr. Knapp had pros- 
pered, he conceived the idea of- building a 
large barn, and after cutting the timber 
and preparing it by the old rule, the ques- 
tion was how to raise it. The inhabitants 
were few and greatly scattered, but at the 
end of three days' hard labor from all that 
could be induced to lend a helping hand 
from the towns of Northfield, Waitsfield 
and Roxbury, the barn was raised, and 
stands to-day upon the old foundation. 

Living on the main road from West 
Roxbury to the "north neighborhood" in 
Northfield, he often had new-comers lo- 
cating farms call on him, and to his credit 
always had his "latch string out," and 
assisted to his ability those who after be- 
came substantial citizens of our growing 
and prosperous town. 

He married Lucy, daughter of William 
Keyes, in 1818, born in Northfield in 1798, 
now living (1878), in the Depot village, 
with her children. 

George Henry died in Libby Prison, 
Richmond, Va., in 1864; was a soldier 
from Minnesota, and taken prisoner by the 
rebels. 

SAMUEL U. RICHMOND, ESQ., 
born in 1803, came to Northfield with his 
father in 1823. He was a prominent man 
in the Methodist church, and a leader in 
the Democratic party. No man was ever 
turned hungry from his door. He was 
prompt, industrious, well regulated, and 
his word was as good as his bond. He 
moved to the Depot village in 1867, and 
died very suddenly in 1873. He married 
Sophia, daughter of Capt. Henry Knapp ; 
children : Samuel A., Henry C, Carlos S., 
Lucy S., George H. 

DR. N. W. GILBERT. 

Norman W. Gilbert, born in Morris- 
town, 1830, married Sarah Atwell, of 
Waterbury, i8S4; studied dentistry in 
Lowell, Mass. ; 1858, settled in Northfield ; 
1867, removed to Montpelier; 1873, to 
Boston, where, Jan. 1877, Mrs. Gilbert 
died, and soon after the Doctor returned 



NORTHFIELD. 



645 



to Northfield. He is a graduate of the 
Boston Dental College. 

HON. DAVID W. HADLEY, 

resides on the same place where his father 
located. At the age of 16, on the death 
of his father, he took charge of the farm 
and family. He has been representative 
and selectman — see town list for — and as- 
sistant judge for Washington county in 
1850, '51. Judge Hadley has the honor 
of owning the lot, by actual calculation of 
General Jackman, is not only the center 
of Northfield, but the center of Vermont ; 
lot 9, range 5, and originally belonged to 
Peres Gallup. [This center of the State 
honor is claimed by three towns, or more. 
See Waitsfield to follow. — Ed.] Judge 
Hadley married Louisa Brown of Willis- 
ton, and has 8 children. 

GURDON RANDALL, 

born in Scotland, Conn., in 1795 ; when 8 
years old came to Northfield with his 
father, who settled in " Connecticut Cor- 
ner." Mr. Randall was a carpenter and 
joiner, and followed that business as long 
as he lived. He married Laura S. War- 
ner of Putney, born in 1803; they had 9 
children : Gurdon Paine, Francis Voltaire, 
Laura T., Jean J. R., Minerva, Rouena 
M., Edward H. Citizen Frances Voltaire, 
Charles Rush. 

ALLEN BALCH, 

born in Old Topsham, Mass., 1791, came 
here in 1829, and settled on West Hill, 
where John Plastridge lives. He started 
out in the month of March, for his new 
home, moving his family and effects with 
a yoke of oxen on a sled. Getting as far 
as Springfield, he found the snow so deep 
he hired a stage-driver to take his family 
to Northfield ; but found them a few days 
after at Mr. Sampson's in Roxbury, the 
driver not being able to go any further 
with his team. Journeying along up 
through the west part of the town, they 
stopped over night at Capt. Henry Knapp's. 
The women on the next morning had to 
wade through the snow to get to their log- 
house. He married Hepsebah Dodge of 
N. H. ; 9 children; died in 1881. 

ADIN SMITH, 

born in Monkton, 1794, came from Rox- 



bury to Northfield, and settled on the 
West Hill in 1835. He married Lydia 
Waterman, born in Brookfield, 1792 ; chil- 
dren : Alvin F., Elvira E., John W., b 
1819; Levi, b 1821 ; DanforthA., b 1825; 
Fanny B., Gilbert O., b 1830; Mary L., 
Wm. M. Adin Smith and wife made the 
greatest sacrifice of any of our citizens, in 
consenting that four of their sons, Levi, 
Danforth, John and Gilbert, might enlist 
to assist in putting down the rebellion, all 
of whom gave their lives to this end, ex- 
John, who returned. 

WILLIAM A. GALLUP, 

born in Hartland, May, 1795, came to 
Northfield in 18 17, and began a clearing, 
boarding with David Denny and Isaiah 
Shaw. Growing homesick, he went back 
to Hartland. He was quite a military 
man, and received a commission as lieu- 
tenant of light artillery, from Gov. C. P. 
Van Ness, in 1825. He married Betsey 
Dodge, of Mass., and in 1828, came back 
to Northfield to stay, settling in the N. W. 
part of the town, where his son, Jonathan 
C. Gallup, until lately resided ; children : 
J. C, Wm. W., Roderick O. Mrs. Gal- 
lup died Mar. 1859, ^"^1 ^^^- G- Apr. 1868. 
J. C. Gallup, son of Wm. A., came to 
Northfield with his father, was very suc- 
cessful, and possessed one of the largest 
tracts of land in Northfield. At the time 
he sold his West Hill farm it contained 
930 acres. He moved into the depot vil 
lage in 1866, and bought the fine resi- 
dence formerly owned by Perley Belknap, 
commanding one of the best views of the 
village. He has been a lister, 1864-5-6, 
and in 1874-8 ; was director and president 
of the chair manufacturing company ; is 
director in the Northfield National Bank ; 
has a wife and 3 children. 

SEWALL DAVIS, 

born in Charlestown, N. H., in 1791, set- 
tled in the west part of the town. Their 
children were: Howard, Louisa, William, 
Hannah. At the burning of Charlestown, 
his Bible, while all the other books in the 
book-case were burned, even those that 
laid on the Bible, was preserved from de- 
struction ; had only one cover somewhat 
charred. 



646 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JONATHAN BRIGGS, 
from Putney, about 18 17, settled, after 
living a while in the Center village, on the 
farm on West Hill where his son Harvey 
now resides. He was a constable here a 
few years, and gave the land where the 
yellow meeting-house stood, on condition 
it should revert back to his heirs should it 
not be used for such a purpose, which was 
done accordingly after its removal. He 
had 2 wives and 1 1 children. 

James Steele, born in Antrim, N. H., 
1793, married Esther Smith, in East Rox- 
bury, 1815, born in Randolph, 1798. They 
had 6 children. Mr. Steele died at the 
old homestead, in 1869, and Mrs. Steele 
in 1875. 

Mr. Steele bought his farm of Nathan 
Morse in 1829, for $3,700, but t acre 
cleared, and moved on about April, draw- 
ing his goods on a hand-sled about 2 
miles, as there were no roads. His small 
log-house was covered with hemlock bark, 
and he had to build a fire on the ground 
in the center of the house, the smoke going 
up through a hole left open in the roof; 
oiled paper was put up to slits in the logs 
to admit light, and a blanket hung up for 
a door. They had 3 children at the time. 
He came from Brookfield to Northfield. 

Warren Rice, born in Claremont, 
N. H., Dec. 24, 1794, married Judith 
Johnson, in Cornish, and moved to North- 
field in 182 1 ; children: Ruhanna P., Al- 
mira T., Arial K., Willard A. Mr. Rice 
died Nov. 29, 1845. 

Edward Ingalls, writing in the Argus 
and Patriot of this family, says : 

Mrs. Rice's mother lived to be 98 years 
old, and could read without spectacles at 
that age. At one time the men folks were 
all gone, and Mrs. Rice was left alone 
with Mr. Rice's father and mother, they 
being infirm and unable to do anything 
for themselves, and an invalid son of her 
own, who was also helpless. The wind 
was blowing strong from the north-west at 
the time. Mrs. Rice thought she heard a 
crackling like fire. Looking about to see 
what it was, she found the roof of the 
house in flames, and burning smartly. 
She carried water quite a distance into the 
attic, and put the fire out in the inside so 
she could open the scuttle, when she 



climbed out on the roof and put it out 
there also. 

DAVID R. TILDEN, 

writer of a "chronicle on the war made 
on Gov. Paine and the friends of the pro- 
jected railroad route through Northfield," 
published in the Montpelier Watchman — 
see Mr. Gregory's for pages 161-164. — He 
was born in Williamstown in 1800, resided 
some years in this town, had three wives, 
one son Ai N., by his first, 5 children by 
his second, and two by his third. He 
died in Plattsburgh, N. Y., in 1847. 

FRANK PLUM LEY. 

born in Eden, was reared on a farm, and 
had no other advantages than farming boys 
generally have ; for several years taught 
school in districts and academies both 
East and West; in 1866, entered the law 
office of Powers & Gleed, at Morrisville ; 
in 1867, the Law Department of Michigan 
University, and also pursued a selected 
course of the Literary Department of that 
University, and in 1869, was admitted to 
practice law at the Lamoille County Court ; 
June following, came to Northfield, and 
entered the law office of Hon. Heman 'v 
Carpenter ; Jan. 1870, the firm of Carpenter j 
& Plumley was formed ; dissolved by lim- / 
itation in 1876; Dec. 1877, became senior ' 
partner of the firm of Plumley & Johnson. 
In 1 87 1, Mr. Plumley married Lamina L. 
Fletcher, of Eden, then preceptress of 
Northfield Graded School, and they have 
2 children, Charles Albert and Theodora 
May. 

[Mr. Plumley prepared the history of 
Eden for vol. 11 of the Gazetteer.] 

SOME OF THE EARLY ANECDOTES OF 
THE TOWN. 

BY HON. HEMAN CARl ENTEK. 

Capt. Henry Knapp, one of the early 
settlers in the southwest part of Northfield, 
that part set from Waitsfield, was a well- 
to-do farmer, just in all his dealings, want- 
ing just what belonged to him, and with a 
due regard to the rights of others. This 
trait of his character was well brought out 
by a little incident that occurred about 40 
years ago. His farm lying near the base 
of the mountain between Waitsfield and 
Northfield, the sheep-pastures and folds 



NORTHFIELD. 



647 



were liable to be visited by bears which 
some seasons were very destructive to the 
sheep in that neighborhood. About 1839, 
or near that time, a great hunt was planned. 
The inhabitants of Roxbury, Warren, 
Waitsfield and Northfield were to assemble 
under their respective commanders. The 
Roxbury forces under the command of 
Esquire Orcutt ; Warren forces under 
Capt. Sargent ; Waitsfield forces under 
Capt. Campbell, and Northfield forces un- 
der the leadership of Capt. Samuel Duns- 
moor. The preliminaries being previously 
settled, the forces took up the line of march 
at a given hour. It was a bright October 
day. Capt. Knapp put up teams in his 
stable, and went to the hunt. Heman 
Carpenter, a Mr. Timothy, and Mr. Gla- 
zier put up their teams in the Captain's 
stable. After a tiresome day, climbing 
precipices and crossing ravines, they reach- 
ed Capt. Knapp's home just at dusk, tired 
and hungry as bears, but " nary" a bear 
was seen that day. The three gentlemen 
above named, called at the house of Capt. 
Knapp, just as the family were about to sit 
down to their supper. Mr. C. inquired of 
the Captain if he and his friends might sup 
with them, assuring him that he should be 
paid. " O, yes," said the Captain, "cer- 
tainly." They sat down; there was a plen- 
tiful supply of fried pork, potatoes, brown 
bread and new cider, and better justice was 
never done to the eatables. Supper over, 
Mr. Carpenter says to the Captain, " what 
is to pay ?" The Captain replied, "that 
he should charge 12^ cents for each horse, 
and should charge Mr. C. 12^ for his sup- 
per, and the other gentlemen 10 cents 
each for their supper," adding, '■'■[think 
Mr. C, you eat a little more than they did.'''' 
Mr. C. thanked him for his kindness, ac- 
knowledged the justice and reasonableness 
of the demand, paid the bill and departed 
for home. In 1847 and 1848, Mr. C. rep- 
resented the town in the legislature, and 
received the cordial support of the Captain, 
and in consideration of the fitness and 
qualifications of the Captain, Mr. C. ap- 
pointed him justice of the peace for those 
2 years. 

Amos Robinson, the first settler of 



Northfield, was a man of strong build and 
dark complexion. He began his "clear- 
ing" near the east line of the town next 
to Williamstown, and as was the custom 
in those days, a bell was hung with a strap 
around the cow's neck, and the cow turned 
into the woods to browse. One night his 
cow did not come up, and he could not 
find her. The next morning he renewed 
the search, and finding her trail, followed 
it through the woods, and in the afternoon 
came into a clearing in the town of Wash- 
ington. He was discovered by the owner 
of the clearing, and taken for an Indian, 
the man in great fright ran for his log- 
cabin, screaming, "The Injuns are com- 
ing!" "The Injuns are coming!" Mr. 
Robinson followed to the cabin door, how- 
ever, and succeeded in satisfying the in- 
mates he was no "Injun," but an honest 
settler of Northfield in pursuit of a stray 
cow, and finding it, he returned home 
through the woods, a distance of about 8 
miles, contented that no worse thing had 
befallen him than to have been taken for 
an Indian. 

Rev. Joel Winch [see biography, page 
622], was a very shrewd, jovial, homespun 
kind of a man, full of fun and anecdote. 
He was a good farmer, and a pretty good 
preacher. He would work the six days, 
and on Sundays j^reach in school-houses in 
the surrounding neighborhoods. On one 
occasion he was holding forth in the 
school-house near the head of Berlin pond. 
It was haying time, and the sturdy tillers 
of the soil filled the house, and being 
wearied through the labors of the week, 
and having confidence in the good elder at 
the helm, his congregation had mostly re- 
clined their heads to take a gentle snooze. 
The Elder, discoursing upon the fall of 
Adam, described in the 3d chapter of Gen- 
esis, stopping short, and casting his eyes 
deliberately over the sleepy congregation, 
taking in the situation, cried out at the 
top of his voice, "Adam, where art thou?" 
The sleepers awoke, surprised and aston- 
ished, looking at each other with amaze- 
ment. The preacher resumed, and there 
was no more snoozing in the congregation 
that day. 



648 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



About 1833 or '4, the Congregational 
society in town had arranged to settle a 
young minister by the name of Furguson, 
and it was said their purpose was to ap- 
propriate the ministerial lands in town to 
the use of their denomination. To head 
off this arrangement, and to secure the 
lands to the use of schools, it was arrang- 
ed to settle Elder Winch over the Uni- 
versalist society, and for him to deed the 
lands to the town for the use of schools. 
Accordingly, Elder Winch was installed 
over the Universalist society according to 
the usages of that denomination, and he 
deeded the lands to the town, for the use 
of the common schools. 

The Elder for several succeeding Sun- 
days preached to his new society in the 
" old yellow meeting-house " at the Center 
village, on the east side of what is now the 
" burying-ground." On one of these Sab- 
baths the Elder was discoursing with great 
earnestness and eloquence upon the de- 
generacy of the race and the hypocrisy of 
the times, when he rounded off a climax by 
saying: "My Christian friends, I tell 
you there is more church lumber than 
church member in this sinful world." This 
utterance was characteristic of the Elder, 
and was original with him. 

[ The newspapers had out a few years 
since another Northfield anecdote. A 
farmer in Moretown, it seems, took his 
fatted hog after slaughtered to Northfield 
to sell. The Northfield butcher in a fit of 
generosity patronizingly said the hog being 
such a fine one, he would make him a pres- 
ent of the head, which he accordingly did, 
then weighed the hog mimis the head and 
paid for it. It took the unsophisticated 
seller a number of days before he could 
settle it in his head how the butcher could 
keep his usual health under such a chronic 
attack of generosity, but he saw the point 
at last, and found he had not only sold 
pork, but himself a little, also.] 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

FROM HON. JOHN GREGORY. 

To show how the different societies in 
Northfield stood as to numbers when the 
law required the legal voters to express 
their preference where the ministerial 



money should be distributed, from the 
town records the report of the committee : 

June 3, 1823, division of ministerial money 
as follows : 

Methodist Society $12 83 

Congregationalist Society 8 42 

Restorationist Society i? 24 

Free Will Baptist Society ^1, ~1> 

Christian Society 5 61 

Division for 1825, as follows : 

Free Will Baptist Society $7 62 

Congregationalist Society 6 11 

Restorationist Society '^\ 1)2) 

Christian Society 4 27 

Methodist Society 25 00 

Oliver Averill, Nathan Green, Virgil 
Washburn, Joel Winch, Harry Emerson, 
committee ; Elijah Smith, town clerk. 

THE UNION MEETING-HOUSE, 

at the Center village, was the first one 
built in this town, and was completed in 
1820; building committee: Amos Rob- 
inson, Charles Jones, Freedom Edson, 
Nathaniel Jones and Oliver Averill. 

At a meeting of the proprietors, Apr. 6, 
1820, for selling the pews, it was voted 
one-fourth the value be paid in money, 
and the other three-fourths in stock or 
grain, and that the house should be com- 
pleted by the first day of November, and 
at that time a payment of money and 
stock to be made. The whole number of 
pews, 50, were all sold at public auction 
save 12, for $760. 

The division of time for each denomina- 
tion reported by the committee was as 
follows : 

The Methodist Society, first Sabbath in 
each month except February and March ; 
the Restorationist Society, the third Sab- 
bath in each month and fifth in August ; 
the Congregational Society, fourth Sab- 
bath in each month except March and 
August ; the remainder to the Free Will 
Baptist Society. 

Josiah B. Strong, Oliver Averill, Na- 
thaniel Jones, Joel Winch, committee. 

This first house built in Northfield for 
religious worship was of humble preten- 
sions, painted yellow, and there being no 
steeple or cupola upon it, it resembled a 
barn very much, and hence became a bye- 
word, and was called by the irreligious 
" God's yellow barn." In process of time 
other churches, more expensive and de- 



NORTHFIELD. 



649 



sirable, were built in town, and this plain 
but comfortable old-fasliioned meeting- 
house was sold to the Catholics, and 
placed upon the land in the Depot village 
given them by Gov. Paine, where with 
some new improvements it made a respect- 
able appearance. 

[Whereupon some Catholic wag of the 
day wrote :] 

AN impromptu: "god's YELLOW BARN." 

It liad tlic hue of gold in its color in tlie ea'iier day. 
And it was named In rather of an irreligious way; 
The wicked Protestant boys called it a house for cattle. 
That is, called it barn 1 what a barn 's for certain- 
naughty tattle ! 
And God^s .' who did at length, it seems, vindicate his 

claim — 
So it had a regeneration and bears, at last, a Catholic 

name. 
Ah! little did he know who painted it— that odd fellow, 
It had the temt of the Pope, Pat,— the Pope's flag is 
yellow. 

Was it prophetic ? the Puritan's brush made it gold- 
en I y so ; 

That beautiful, radiant, peerless color of the sun! 

Instead of some dull and clod-like, and pitiful dun; 

Only He who sees the " beginning and end may know;" 

He did know; but it "looks respectable " now, says 
Gregory, John; 

Removed from "ye old grounds," "some new im- 
provements made upon." 

[" The little old yellow meeting-house," 
that was, soon however, was burned — by 
lightning, whereupon the joke seemed to 
return upon the author of the impromptu — 
who it seems took it silently. See Catho- 
lic record, later.] 

METHODISM IN NORTHFIELD. 

BY UEV. A. C. STEVENS. 

Northfield was first .settled on East Hill 
in 1785, by Amos and Ezekiel Robinson 
and Stanton Richardson. One of these, 
at least, Stanton Richardson, belonged 
to the Methodist church. It was not how- 
ever till some few years later that the first 
Methodist class was formed. The first 
class-leader was William Keyes. The 
names of those who were members of this 
class, as near as can now be ascertained, 
were — William Keyes, leader, Stanton 
Richardson, Elijah Smith, Joseph Nich- 
ols, and their wives. 

The first Methodist preacher formally 
appointed to Vermont was Nicholas Sne- 
then, in 1796, to what was then known as 
Vershire Circuit. It is probable, how- 

82 



ever, that the Methodist itinerant had be- 
fore this date preached the word of life 
within the bounds of this State. The 
General Conference of iSoo placed the 
whole of Vermont, New Hampshire, Can- 
ada, much of Connecticut, and all of New 
York east of the Hudson, in the New 
York Conference. This large territory 
was divided into districts. Pittsfield Dis- 
trict embraced New York city, the whole 
of Long Island, extended northward, em- 
bracing Vermont, and stretching far into 
Canada. It was, however, not till about 
1804 that regular Methodist preaching was 
sustained in Northfield, when the Barre 
circuit was formed, embracing some dozen 
towns, of which Northfield was one. The 
first regular Methodist preachers in the 
the town were Elijah Hedding and Dan 
Young ; but little is recorded of the latter ; 
One, however, who remembers him, speaks 
of him as " tall and slim in person, full of 
zeal for the Master, much like Stonewall 
Jackson in appearance." The other, Eli- 
jah Hedding, became afterwards well 
known as one of the bishops of the M. E. 
Church. The preaching service was held 
in the barns and log-houses of the people. 
The preachers would come around once in 
two or four weeks, as the extent of the 
circuit would admit. It was not till 1820, 
the first meeting-house was erected in 
town, a " Union Church," built at the 
Center village — "the old Yellow Meeting- 
house." The Methodists had the privi- 
lege of occupying it a part of the time. 
The names of but few of the preachers to 
1820 can now be recalled by the older in- 
habitants of the town. 

Soon after Hedding and Young left the 
circuit, Eleazer Wells and Warren Bannes- 
ter were preaching to the scattered flock in 
demonstration of the Spirit and with pow- 
er. Elder Beals and the eccentric and stir- 
ring Joel Winch were preachers of that 
early day. Elder Branch, David Kilborn 
and Elder Streeter, Rev. Mr. Southerland, 
also, a good preacher from or near Boston, 
came up into the wilderness to seek the 
lost sheep. The Union church was com- 
pleted in 1820. About this time. Elder 
J. F. Adams was on the circuit. Under 



650 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



his labors there was a sweeping revival, 
— whole families were converted. 

From 1820 to 1830, the preachers on the 
circuit, as far as now can be ascertained, 
were: 1823. Wilder Mack and Elder Ma- 
hew ; 1824-5, John Lord and David Les- 
ley. Lesley was a massive built man, 
height some 6 feet, 4 inches, — A man of 
faith and zeal. Horace Spaulding also 
preached here before 1830. 

In 1827, C. D. Cahoon and Chester 
Levings were on the circuit. Then follow- 
ed William McCoy, C. R. Harding and 
Eleazer Jordan. Most of these devoted men 
have gone home. 1830-40, John Nason 
and F. T. Dailey traveled the circuit. 
John Nason is spoken of as a "powerful 
man, burning with zeal, who had warm 
friends and bitter enemies. ■• Under his 
labors another revival swept over North- 
field. About this time, the name of Elisha 
J. Scott appears as one of the ministers on 
the circuit, a young man of earnestness 
and piety, and this being his first appoint- 
ment. The names of Haynes Johnson, 
then a young man, Washington Wilcox, 
Ariel Fay, a great worker, Moses Sander- 
son, J. A. Scarritt and Samuel Richardson 
appear among those stationed here ; and 
Elder Cowen, and about 1835, John 
Smith, more widely known as " Happy 
John," then a young man, preached on 
the circuit. Few who have seen or heard 
" Happy John" will ever forget him. He 
was a man of medium height, compactly 
built, with a bright eye, and a voice as 
clear and ringing as a trumpet. At camp 
meetings he was in his element. He was 
not a great preacher, but frequently one of 
the most powerful men in prayer and ex- 
hortation that Vermont Methodism has 
known. 

In this decade Northfield is put down in 
the Minutes as a station by itself, able to 
support a minister all the time — with a 
membership between 300 and 400. 

1840-50: From 1820 to 1842, the Meth- 
odist church in Northfield worshipped in 
the " Union meeting-house," or in private 
houses. In 1842, Gov. Paine, who had built 
a church at the " Depot Village " for the 
accommodation of the workmen in his 



factory, gave the Methodists the privilege 
of occupying this house as their place of 
worship. A. T. Bullard, one of the fath- 
ers in the Vermont Conference, was the 
stationed preacher that year. During the 
decade the following ministers were sta- 
tioned at Northfield : A. T. Bullard, John 
Currier, J. H. Patterson, A. Webster, A. 
G. Button, John G. Dow. The most of 
these men are now living. They have 
done noble service, and their names will 
be inseparably connected with the history 
of Vermont Methodism. 

1850-60 : At the beginning of this dec- 
ade H. P. Gushing was stationed at North- 
field. During his pastorate the " Paine 
meeting-house " became too small to ac- 
commodate the worshippers, and was en- 
larged. W. J. Kidder succeeded Mr. 
Gushing. The sudden death of Governor 
Paine occurred in 1853. His church was 
thrown into the market and sold at public 
auction, and bought by the Congregational 
Society, and the Methodist Society lost 
their place of worship. But their courage 
was equal to the demands of the hour. 
Cheered and led on in the work by their 
earnest and wide-awake pastor, W. J. 
Kidder, the foundation of a new church 
was laid on Main street, during the month 
of May, 1854; and dedicated to the wor- 
ship of Almighty God in December of the 
same year. The ministers who followed 
Mr. Kidder to i860, were E. A. Rice, W. 
D. Malcom and I. McAnn. 

1860-70: The pastors of the church 
during this decade were A. L. Cooper, J. 
A. Sherburn, S. H. Colburn, J. Gill, and 
R. Morgan. During Mr. Morgan's pasto- 
rate the church was enlarged and beauti- 
fied, rendering it now one of the best 
churches in the Vermont Conference. 

The next decade (1S70) opens with the 
pastorate of A. C. Stevens, the present 
pastor of the church. During the entire 
history of the M. E. Church in Northfield 
a revival spirit has prevailed among both 
pastors and members. It has now a mem- 
bership of between 200 and 300, a church 
valued at $12,000. a parsonage valued 
at $2,000. 

The ofiicers of the church now are : Pas- 



NORTHFIELD. 



651 



tor, Rev. A. C. Stevens ; class-leaders, 
S. V. Richmond, Hosea Clark, John Wil- 
ley, Eli Latham, Hugh S. Thresher. 

METHODIST RECORD, 1870-1878. 
BY REV. W. J. KIDDER. 

A. C. Stevens, pastor 1870-71-72; W. 
R. Puffer, 1873; W. D. Malcom, 1874; 
A. B. Truax, 1875-76-77; O. M. Bout- 
well, 1878. 

For many years there has been a flourish- 
ing Sunday-school connected with the 
church. H. R. Brown is superintendent, 
with 23 officers and teachers, 200 schol- 
ars, and 300 vols, in the library. The 
present membership of the church is : Pro- 
bationers, 24 ; in full membership, 320 : 
total, 344. 

Several ministers have been raised up 
here, prominent among whom was Paul 
C. Richmond, many years a member of 
the Maine Conference, who, after a long 
and successful ministry, a few years since 
crossed the dark river, and went triumph- 
antly to his reward ; and others are still in 
the field gathering sheaves for their Master 
in the Vermont, New England and Provi- 
dence Conferences. In the year 1870 a 
perpetual lease of a piece of ground was 
secured for camp-meetings, and by an act 
of the Legislature, the Central Vermont 
Camp-Meeting Association was incorpo- 
rated, with power to hold all the property 
necessary for the purpose of holding camp- 
meetings, or any other meetings of a re- 
ligious character, Sunday-schools, picnics, 
or temperance meetings, and all such prop- 
erty to the amount of $10,000 is to be free 
from taxation. This ground has been 
fitted up at an expense of some $2,000. 
Several cottages have been erecte ! thereon 
by the different societies of the Montpelier 
district, and by private individuals as 
family residences, and camp-meetings have 
been held on the ground annually, we 
think with good success. 

H. W. Worthen was pastor in 1879, 80, 
81. In 1879, t^^ members residing in 
Roxbury were organized into a Society, 
and their connection with the Northfield 
church ceased. 

The present membership of the church 



is as follows : probationers, 42 ; in full 
membership, 185 ; total, 227. 
Northfield, Jan. 19, 1882. 

UNIVERSALISM IN NORTHFIELD. 
FKOM REV. .JOHN GREGORY'S BOOK. 

At an early day many prominent men 
manifested a desire to have Universalist 
meetings in town, and consequently an 
occasional meeting was held, as a preacher 
of that faith came along and desired to ad- 
dress the people. School-houses, private 
houses, barns and groves were used by 
the. early pioneers, of Universalism, the 
friends feeling it a ble.ssed privilege to oc- 
cupy such humble places, where they 
could listen to the preached words. Tim- 
othy Bigelow was the first man we have 
any account of addressing the citizens of 
Northfield, on the subject of Universal- 
ism. We learn by the town records that 
he was ordained in Barnard, Sept. 21, 
1809, by the Universalist Convention, 
Thomas Barnes being moderator, and 
Hosea Ballou, clerk. He commenced 
preaching in Northfield about that time, 
and tiiere are those now living who re- 
member him. 

No record has been preserved of the 
Universalist preachers who laiiored in this 
section up to 1821, when the union 
meeting-house was built in the Center vil- 
lage, and the members of that order, by 
contributing to its erection, claimed as 
large, if not the largest portion of it for 
holding their public ministrations. We 
learn that Father Palmer, who had for- 
merly been connected with the Christian 
denomination, became a believer in "the 
restitution of all things," and preached 
with great unction and power in different 
parts of this town. Father Farwell, of 
Barre, a devout man, preached as oppor- 
tunity presented in Northfield and vicinity, 
and had great success in making pros- 
elytes to that faith. On dwelling on tlie 
love of God, he would frequently be so 
carried away with his feelings that he 
would cry and laugh at the same time, 
and men and women of other names were 
led to admit that he was honest in his 
feelings ; that he believed his doctrine was 
the power of God unto salvation. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



The Universalist church in the Center 
village was built in the summer of 1841, 
Jesse Averill. Harvey Tilden and Joel 
Parker being the building committee. 
Fathers Streeter, Palmer, Sampson, E. 
Ballou, A. Scott, and other Universalist 
clergymen took part in the dedicatory 
services. For a time it was quite a sub- 
stantial building, and although up to this 
day a majority of the pews are held by 
this order, others of weaker means are al- 
lowed to use it for funeral occasions, and 
occasionally on the Sabbath, without 
charge. But time, the great leveller, has 
written decay upon its walls, and soon it 
will be numbered with the things that 
were. 

Rev. L. H. Tabor was the first preacher 
employed after this house was built, and 
he labored here but half the time, being 
engaged the other half at Plainfield. Rev. 
Alanson Scott followed him in 1843, and 
was the first clergyman of that order who 
resided here. Rev. R. S. Sanborn succeed- 
ed him, preaching a short time, and since 
him other preachers supplied the desk one- 
half or one quarter of the time, until the 
new church was built at the Depot village, 
when the old one was abandoned entirely 
by those who built it. 

Among the prominent Universalists who 
contributed liberally to the erection of one 
or both churches at the Center village, 
were Amos Robinson, Jesse and Oliver 
Averill, Lebbeus Bennett, Elijah Burn- 
ham, Isaac P. Jenks, John West, John 
Starkweather, Heman Carpenter, Roswell 
Carpenter, Judge Robinson, David R. Til- 
den, Thomas S. Mayo, Samuel Fisk, Sid- 
ney Hatch, Moses Robinson, Sherman 
Gold, Harvey Tilden, I. W. Brown, Lewis 
Hassam, Volney H. Averill, Joel Parker, 
Elijah Pride, William Wales, Mrs. Hurl- 
burt, and otiiers. 

After repeated efforts to get a vote to 
build a new church in the Depot village, 
for the railroad was drawing business, the 
post-office and a majority of the citizens 
to that place, a vote was passed to take 
measures to purchase the land and proceed 
with the building. In November, 1858, 
at a society meeting, 51 votes were cast 



to locate said church on the H. M. Bates 
lot, north of the common, and H. Tenney, 
T. A. Miles, J. C. Gault, Sherman Gold 
and John Gregory were appointed a build- 
ing committee. The church was com- 
pleted the following summer, dedicated to 
God in the usual form December, 1859, 
and Rev. O. H. Tillotson selected as pas- 
tor, and commenced his labors the first 
Sunday in January, i860, at a salary of 
$1,000 per year. The society prospered 
under his ministration, for he was well 
liked, honoring his profession as he did by 
a well-ordered life. He died in Northfield 
in 1863, aged 47 years, lamented by a 
large parish, leaving a wife and one son. 
Of him it might have been said : "A good 
man has fallen." 

His remains were interred in our beau- 
tiful Elmwood, and many a tear has fallen 
upon his grave, at the recollection of his 
manly bearing and Christian usefulness. 

Rev. Eli Ballou supplied the pulpit un- 
til the Rev. C. W. Emerson was settled as 
pastor, who labored with them 3 years. 
Then followed the Rev. Stacy Haines Mat- 
lack, an excellent young brother, who, in 
feeble health, preached to the society near- 
ly one year, but was compelled to resign 
his pasturate, and died at the home of his 
parents, in Eaton, O., Apr. 15, 1870, age 
30 years. He was a graduate of St. Law- 
rence University at Canton, N. Y., of the 
class of '71, and Northfield was his first 
charge. 

The Rev. R. A. Green followed Mr. 
Matlack, remaining 5 years. Since then 
the hard times and the removal of many 
friends, have greatly embarrassed the so- 
ciety. Rev. W. M. Kimmell, of Ohio, 
commenced his labors as pastor the first 
Sunday in May, 1878. 

FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This denomination had quite a good so- 
ciety in 1823, so that they drew more pub- 
lic money than the Methodists that year. 
But schism got in among them, they died 
out, and have no longer a name to live in 
Northfield. Elder Nathaniel King was 
their prominent preacher 

Sylvanus, son of Col. Ezekiel Robinson, 
was ordained as a Baptist Elder, by the 



NORTHFIELD. 



6S3 



laying on of hands, by Elders James Mor- 
gan, George Hackett, and Ziba Pope, Feb. 
27, 1 82 1, and preached here and else- 
where as opportunity presented. 

James Morgan was ordained as a Bap- 
tist Elder, June, 1822, by Elders Daniel 
Batchelder and Thomas Moxley, and 
preached considerable in Northfield.. Ma- 
ny years have passed since the Baptists 
gave up their organization, and the writer 
has not been able to find one of that order 
tliat can give him a history of the rise and 
decline of this once prominent society. 
Deacon Nathaniel Jones was its principal 
lay member, and his zealous advocacy of 
Millerism not only tended to break up the 
Baptist society, but injured him in point 
of property. John GREGORY. 

REV. NATHANIEL KING. 

From an obituary by Elder Henderson, 
who preached his funeral sermon : 

Died in Northfield, Oct. 18, 1852, Elder 
Nathaniel King, aged 85-^ years. He was 
born in Hampstead, N. H. ; at 8 years, 
his father removed to Sutton, N. H., 
where he resided until 21 years of age. 
At 22, he visited Tunbridge, Vt., which 
was new and but sparsely settled, purchas- 
ed a tract of land and commenced making 
improvements. In 1794 he married Miss 
Lydia Noyce, which relation was sustain- 
ed with honor and fidelity 58 years. He 
was permitted to see an interesting family 
gathered around him. In 1799, he indulg- 
ed a hope in Christ, and in 1802, was pub- 
licly consecrated to the work of the gos- 
pel ministry. His ministerial labors will 
live in grateful remembrance while his re- 
mains moulder in the dust. He felt deep- 
ly interested for the heathen in his blind- 
ness, the slave in his chains, and the poor 
around him. 

He contributed $100 for the endowment 
of the Vree Will Baptist Biblical School 
at Whitestown, N. Y., $150 for the Bible 
cause, $350 for the Mission cause, and 
other benevolent enterprises shared in his 
liberal contributions. 

Of his useful life, 42 years were spent in 
Tunbridge and Randolph, and 14 years in 
Northfield. In each of these towns he se- 
cured the confidence and esteem of his 



townsmen, and as a token of their esteem 
and confidence he was appointed to offi- 
ces of trust, and for 13 years represented 
the town of Tunbridge in the Legislature. 

Elder King, as a husband and parent, 
was kind and afi'ectionate ; as a citizen, 
upright and patriotic ; as a Christian, hum- 
ble, faithful and consistent ; as a minister, 
in his public ministrations plain, direct 
and fearless, — in labors untiring, and suc- 
cessful. He was long spared to bless the 
church and the world. 

His sickness was protracted and dis- 
tressing ; but he repeatedly assured his 
friends that the doctrine he had preached 
for more than half a century sustained him 
in the time of trial. His end was calm 
and triumphant. In his removal, one of 
the strong men and faithful watchmen of 
Zion has fallen. M. C. Henderson. 

East Randolph, Oct. 25, 1852. 

OBITUARY OF MRS. NATHANIEL KING. 

Lydia, widow of the late Rev. Nathan- 
iel King, died in Middlesex, Feb. 5, aged 
90 years, 6 months. She was born in 
Bow, N. H., and when quite young, re- 
moved to Tunbridge, Vt., where she re- 
sided many years. In 1794, she married 
the man whose relation was enjoyed for 58 
years. She indulged a hope in Christ in 
in 1799, and soon after received baptism 
and united with the F. Baptist church in 
Tunbridge. During the 50 years' minis- 
try of her husband, she ever encouraged 
him in his work, and enjoyed the satisfac- 
tion of having contributed much to the 
cause of Christ. Her interest was identi- 
fied with the denomination for 70 years, 
and in advanced age, her attachment was 
not allowed to decliue. 

A family of 5 sons and 8 daughters 
gathered around her. Nine remain to 
mourn her departure, and cherish her 
memory. She lived to see a numerous 
posterity extending to the fourth genera- 
tion. Her last 10 years were pleasantly 
passed in the family of Stephen Herrick, 
Esq., (Mrs. H. a daughter,) where she 
received the kindest attention. On the 
loth, funeral services were conducted by 
the writer, after which her remains were 
brought to Northfield, and laid by the side 



654 



VERMONT HISTORICAL xMAGAZINE. 



of those of her husband. The occasion 
was solemn and interesting. 

M. C. Henderson. 

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH \ 

liad something of a following in 1823, but 
was the smallest of all, as we learn by the 
amount of public money they drew. Af- 
ter the yellow meeting house was removed 
from the Center, they ceased holding 
meetings, and became extinct as a reli- 
gious society. Efforts have been made to 
find some one that would give a brief ac- 
count of this order in Northfield, but in 
vain. J. G. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN NORTHFIELD. 
BY REV. WM. S. HAZEN. 

Most of the first settlers of Northfield 
were Universalists, and for a number of 
years that was the prevailing religious in- 
fluence in town. Then a Methodist church 
and a Free Will Baptist church were organ- 
ized ; and as the population of the town 
increased, a number of families were found 
who preferred the " Congregational Way." 

Virgil Washburn, a devoted Christian, 
who came from Randolph, was especially 
active among them. Occasionally meet- 
ings were held in private houses or barns. 
Sometimes they had preaching by clergy- 
men from neighboring towns. The pro- 
fessing Christians among this company, 
after consultation as to liow they could 
best promote their own spiritual interests 
and those of their friends, decided to form 
a church. The meeting was called and 
the church organized in " the little yellow 
meeting-house" at the Center Village. 
The first record of the church reads : 

Northfield, May 27, 1822. This day was 
organized the first Congregational church 
of Christ in this town. Composed of the 
following persons, viz : Josiah B. Strong, 
Virgil Washburn, Moses R. Dole, Samuel 
Whitney, Thomas Whitney, Lucy Whit- 
ney, Clarissa Strong, Rizpah Whitney and 
Betsey Houghton, by professing their faith 
in Christ, and entering into covenant bonds 
with God and each other. They then pro- 
ceeded to choose Brother Josiah B. Strong 
Moderator, Brother Samuel Whitney clerk, 
and Dea. Virgil Washburn Deacon. 

Attest, ELIJAH LYMAN.) Ministers of 

AM.MI NICHOLS, ( the Gospel. 

June 17, 1822, there is this record: 



This day held a church meeting accord- 
ing to appointment. Voted to hold open 
communion with all regularly organized 
Christian churches. 

The feelings of these nine Christian men 
and women as they stood up and entered 
into covenant with one another and the 
Lord J can be better imagined than de- 
scribed. It was a step on their part taken 
after much deliberation and prayer. They 
felt the importance of the movement, and 
the responsibility resting upon them indi- 
vidually. They were in earnest in seeking 
the honor and glory of God, and the spir- 
itual good of their friends and neighbors. 
To secure for themselves and children reli- 
gious privileges, they were willing to bear 
heavy burdens, to practice great self-denial. 
Thus this small company were organized 
into a church and ready for Christian work ; 
but their condition and prospects, humanly 
speaking, were not flattering ; they had no 
home. The only right they had in any 
house of worship, was in the small meet- 
ing-house in which the church was organ- 
ized. This they could occupy the fifth 
Sabbath of every month in which there 
were five Sabbaths. They had not the 
means with which to provide themselves a 
home. They were not able, even, to sup- 
port regular preaching ; occasionally they 
had preaching, and the ordinances were 
administered by the pastors of neighbor- 
ing churches : Revs. Elijah Lyman, Ammi 
Nichols, James Hobart, Salmon Hurlburt, 

E. B. Baxter, Joel Davis, Amariah Chan- 
dler, Henry Jones, A. C. Washburn, 

F. Reynolds and others; such was the 
distrust of their success, many whose sym- 
pathies were with Congregationalism stood 
aloof even during a very extensive revival 
about 1825 ; the converts who would nat- 
urally have united with this church, turned 
from it because they thought it would prove 
a failure. The first addition to the church 
was Sarah Shipman, Feb. 23, 1823. Dur- 
ing the first 10 years there were ig admis- 
sions and 2 dismissions by letter. I have 
no record of deaths. If none, the church 
when ID years old numbered only 26, 
These were years of struggling for very ex- 
istence. When the church had increased in 



NORTHFIELD. 



655 



strength and influence, so that it was 
thought advisable to hold public services 
every Sabbath, a school-house in the Depot 
village was occupied. Shut out of this 
house by vote of the district, a large room 
in Gov. Paine's woolen factory was used. 
During the winter of 1835, a subscription 
paper was started to raise funds to build a 
church, but Gov. Paine forestalled the 
necessity by building a house and inviting 
the church to worship in it, and it was 
dedicated to " The Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost," Dec. i, 1836, Rev. J. K. Converse 
of Burlington, preaching the sermon, and 
offering the dedicatory prayer. This house 
was occupied for about 6 years, when the 
church decided to build a house at the 
Center for itself, of which it would have 
the entire control. 

The edifice was erected and dedicated 
Aug. 3, 1843 ; thus when 21 years old the 
church had a habitation of its own as well 
as a name. The church continued to 
worship in this house, till the railroad 
having been built and business so centered 
in the Depot village it seemed desirable 
the church should be there, and Dec. 1854, 
it was decided to change back from the 
Center, and the house built by Gov. Paine 
formerly used, was bought of the heirs, 
enlarged, repaired, and has been the home 
of the church since. 

The first 10 years the church could not 
hold meetings regularly on the Sabbath, 
but the last years "reading meetings" 
were held, which Dea. Cady usually con- 
ducted. Gov. Paine frequently reading the 
sermon. 

In Sept. 1833, Mr. James Ferguson, a 
young man, commenced laboring with the 
church. He was called to be its pastor, 
but died the very day he was to have been 
ordained and installed. 

On the last Sabbath in May, 1834, Rev. 
Calvin Granger preached for the church, 
and arrangements were made with him for 
" stated supply." June 4, 1836, thechurch 
voted to give Rev. Calvin Granger a call 
to become the pastor, with a salary from 
the church and society of $200, the re- 
mainder of the salary to be supplied by the 
Home Missionary Society. 



Dec. I, 1836, Mr. Granger was installed, 
and was pastor till Dec. 1842, when he was 
dismissed by advice of a council. 

After this I find no record of any action 
of the church in regard to ministers until 
Sept. 12, 1843, when Rev. Thos. S. Hub- 
bard was invited to become pastor, who 
declined, and Nov. 25th, after, the church 
voted to hire Rev. Wm. Claggettone year, 
whose services were retained till the end of 
1845. 

Again, no record of action in regard to a 
minister till Sept. 19, 1846 ; the church 
voted to employ Rev. J. H. Benton one 
year. March 24, 1847, he was installed, 
and was pastor till Sept. 7, 1849, when 
dismissed by advice of a council. The rea- 
sons given were, "inadequate support, a 
call received from a church in Michigan, and 
circumstances growing out of that call." 

In Jan. 1850, Mr. Ambrose Smith was 
acting pastor ; July 9, 1850, ordained ; dis- 
missed Apr. 24, 1853, and soon after Rev. 
C. B. Tracy became acting pastor. He 
received a unanimous call to become pas- 
tor. There is no record of the acceptance 
of this call, but he remained acting pastor 
till the close of 1855. 

Dec. 27, 1855, Rev. L. H. Stone was 
voted a call to become pastor. His labors 
commenced the first of April, but there is 
no record of the acceptance of this call, 
and Mr. Stone was not installed, but con- 
tinued acting pastor till the first of Apr. 

1863, when Mr. C. W. Thompson supplied 
till the first of Sept. after, when the min- 
istry of the present pastor. Rev. Wm. S. 
Hazen, commenced, who was ordained 
pastor Oct. 12, 1864. 

The first deacon was Virgil Washburn, 
who held the office from the day of organ- 
ization till Apr. I, 1832, when at his own 
request he was dismissed, and recommend- 
ed to the fellowship of the church in Ran- 
dolph. Aug. II, 1832, Caleb Winch and 
Calvin Cady were chosen deacons, and 
continued in office until their death ; the 
first, Apr. 27, 1843; the last, Apr. 12, 

1864. There is no record of the election 
of Chas. C. Closson and Samuel Denny, 
but it must have been during 1843. They 
served till their dismission by letter ; the 



656 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



one in 1848, to the church in Worcester, 
in which he held the same office a number 
of years, and died in 1872; the other to 
the church in Thetford. Dea. Denny, 
after his return to this church in Aug. 
1850, served for some time. Wm. Winch 
was chosen July, 1848, and is now the 
senior deacon of the church. There is no 
record of tlie election of Leonard Harring- 
ton, who served several years previous to 
his removal to the church in Waitsfield. 
Lorenzo Belknap was elected Aug. 8, 1864, 
and Daniel Chandler, at present one of the 
acting deacons, July, 1880. 

Clerks of the Church. — Samuel Whitney, 
Chas. C. Closson, John L. Buck, Calvin 
Granger, John L. Buck, J. H. Benton, 
Truman S. Kellogg, Ambrose Smith, Sam- 
uel Denny, Wm. S. Hazen, M. McClearn, 
.J. H. Orcutt. 

The church has enjoyed only two ex- 
tensive revivals ; one during the winter 
of 1835-36, which resulted in more than 
doubling the membership, the other in 
the winters of 1841, '2. The total mem- 
bership is 372; present membership, 126. 

Though there had been something of a 
Sabbath-school, or better, perhaps, Bible 
classes, connected with the church for sev- 
eral years, the school was not regularly 
organized until Dec. 1836, when Samuel 
Denny was chosen superintendent, since 
which the school has been well sustained, 
but never was more flourishing than now, 
when it numbers 156; and at least three 
who here first professed their faith in 
Christ, have become ministers of the Gos- 
pel : Rev. Daniel Parker [see page 644], 
Rev. C. M. Winch, who is now pastor of 
the church at Hartland, and Rev. Geo. W. 
Winch, pastor of the Congregational 
church in Enfield, Conn., and two others 
who united with this church by letter, 
have become clergymen, and are laboring 
in the West. This church was formerly 
aided by the Vt. D. M. S., the last record 
of such aid being in Nov. 1855. 

This review may at first present some- 
thing of discouragement ; to some it may 
seem as though Christian effort here has 
been useless, or at least very inefficient ; 



that after 60 years of labor there is so small 
a church numerically to show. It must 
be remembered that the fruits of any moral 
or religious undertaking are never all to 
be seen. " One soweth and another reap- 
eth." Aside from the influence on this 
community in sustaining a Christian church 
60 years, the full value of which eternity 
alone will reveal, the church has been 
continually exerting a wider influence in 
sending forth to other parts of the land 
those nurtured in its bosom. Who will 
attempt to estimate the good it has thus 
been continually doing? Such country 
churches as this, gaining slowly if at all, 
yet constantly holding on, are like those 
mountain springs which are continually 
sending forth their sparkling streams to 
irrigate and fertilize the valleys below, 
thus making, what would otherwise be a 
barren waste, a fruitful garden. No cause 
of discouragement here, then, but rather 
of devout gratitude that this church is as 
strong as it is to-day, while it has done 
what it has for others. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

BY REV. FRANKLIN W. BARTLETT, 

The Parish of St. Mary's was first or- 
ganized in 1 85 1, under the auspices of the 
Rev. Dr. Josiah Perry, who died after four 
or five months of faithful service. We 
ascertain from the records that an associa- 
tion was created April 10, 1 851, to form 
a parish in Northfield, for the purpose of 
supporting the gospel ministry and main- 
taining public worship, in conformity with 
the constitution and canons of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of 
Vermont. The name adopted was St. 
Mary's Parish, Northfield. The Articles 
of Association were signed by Samuel W. 
Thayer, Jr., Edward H. Williams, H. H. 
Camp, James C. B. Thayer, F. E. Smith, 
E. G. Babcock, W. H. Cornwell, Perley 
Belknap, James Moore, H. L. Briggs, 
Isaiah Shaw, J. H. Glennie, Benj. Crid- 
land, J. N. Mack, Riverius Camp, Jr., 
Ozro Foster, O. H. Finley, Peyton Booth, 
John Pollock and D. P. Burns. Nearly 
all of these have since removed, or are 
deceased. 

The first service was conducted in a pri- 



NORTHFIELD. 



657 



vate school-house, at present occupied as 
Judge Carpenter's office. The parish or- 
ganization was maintained ; but after Dr. 
Perry's death no services were lield until 
the winter of 1856-7, when clergymen from 
different parts of the State officiated, and 
worship was conducted at the Center vil- 
lage. There were then but four commu- 
nicants. Tlie summer following a change 
was made to the Depot village, and to the 
edifice ever since occupied. It had for- 
merly belonged to the Congregationalists, 
but was purchased for its present purpose 
and removed from the Center village to its 
present eligible site at the corner of Main 
and Elm streets. After its removal, it was 
opened for divine service on Christmas 
day, 1857, by the Rt. Kev. John Henry 
Hopkins, D. D., LL. D., a.ssisted by the 
Rector of Montpelier, who came accom- 
panied with his choir and about 30 of his 
congregation. On the following day, 
(Saturday) the house was solemnly conse- 
crated. The Rev. Messrs. F. W. Shel- 
ton, Josiah Swett, Gemont Graves, and 
Wm. C. Hopkins participated in the ser- 
vice. Toward the parish Mr. Swett had 
evinced great interest and zeal, and had 
raised money for it in other parts of the 
diocese. The Vestry subsequently passed 
a resolution acknowledging their obliga- 
tions to him. From this time the church 
was served by the 4 clergymen just named 
and by the Rev. Messrs. C. R. Bachelder, 
A. Oliver, M. A. Herrick, and T. L. Ran- 
dolph. A Sunday School was organized 
by the last named, in Jan. 1858. The 
Church had been hitherto under the gener- 
al supervision of the Clerical Convocation 
of Vermont, but on Feb. 17, 1858, a call 
was extended by the Vestry to the Rev. 
Wm. C. Hopkins, a deacon, the youngest 
son of the Bishop. The latter, as his eccle- 
siastical superior, having given his consent, 
Mr. H. entered on his duties, Easter day, 
Apr. 5, 1858. The free seat system was 
advocated by him, and on May 23, the 
Vestry passed a resolution declaring it de- 
sirable, but it was not then made the rule. 
Mr. Hopkins was ordained a priest Sept. 
30, 1858. On New Year's day, 1862, the 
Vestry made the pews unconditionally free, 

83 



and have never since rented them. On 
Sept. 25, 1862, the (Governor appointed 
Mr. Hopkins chaplain in the army. The 
Vestry passed resolutions of congratula- 
tion, and consented to part with him for 
a time, but asked him to continue their 
rector. It was so arranged. The Rev. 
J. Isham Bliss (now professor in the Uni- 
versity of Vermont and officiating in mis- 
sion stations,) conducted services for the 
next 6 months. Meantime, the Rector 
wrote from Pensacola, Fla,, under date of 
Feb. 27, 1863, resigning the rectorship, 
but the \'estry declined to accept the resig- 
nation. The Rev. Gemont Graves (now 
of Burlington) became minister-in-charge 
in May, 1863, and continued such one 
year. Charles Fay, D. D. (now of Chica- 
go, then of St. Albans,) officiated on Sun- 
days in the following summer, and ser- 
vices were thereafter conducted by Dan- 
forth H. Brown, as lay reader. The res- 
ignation of Mr. Hopkins as rector was ac- 
cepted Nov. 27, 1864, with expressions of 
great regret. He had been an active and 
laborious pastor, and was greatly beloved. 
During his absence from his charge he 
had continued to manifest his interest by 
sending gifts of money for the church from 
himself and his regiment, the 7th of Vt. 
Vols. The Presbyter John B. Pitman, 
formerly of Fishkill, N. Y., (now of Ma- 
lone, N. Y.,) became rector in the spring 
of 1865. His resignation was accepted 
Nov. 13, 1866. The able and learned 
Edward Bourns, LL. D., the President 
of Norwich University, was engaged to 
conduct services until a rector could be 
procured. He was made minister-in-charge 
Easter, 1867, and continued his official re- 
lations until Roger S. Howard, D. D., pre- 
viously of St. James, Woodstock, became 
rector, in the summer of 1869. Dr. How- 
ard was at the same time President of the 
University. 

During this period a chancel was added 
to the church at considerable cost, in fulfil- 
ment of assurances made Dr. H. before 
his acceptance. A very handsome stained 
glass window was placed over the altar by 
Mr. J. C. B. Thayer as a memorial to his 
deceased wife. Dr. Howard resigned the 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



rectorship, May, 1872. The Rev. Amos 
D. McCoy, a clergyman of fine talents and 
a remarkably good reader, officiated for a 
short time, but his state of health did not 
admit of protracted mental exertion. He 
retired, and a vacancy followed. Dr. 
Malcolm Douglass, who had succeeded Dr. 
Howard, as President of the University, 
frequently officiated at St. Mary's. The 
Rev. G. C. V. Eastman was next elected 
rector, and entered upon his duties, Jan. 
30, 1873. He resigned Apr. 5, 1875. I^''- 
P. D. Bradford and Dr. George Nichols 
conducted the services, as lay readers until 
the appointment of the Rev. Wm. Lloyd 
Himes, deacon, in the .spring of 1876, who 
resigned the parish to take effect Easter 
1877, having meantime been advanced to 
the sacred order of priests. There fol- 
lowed an interval of several months lay- 
reading. The present Rector, Franklin 
Weston Bartlett, formerly of the diocese 
of Pennsylvania, entered upon the charge 
Christmas day, 1877, just 20 years since 
the church was opened by Bishop Hopkins. 
The interior of the church has been re- 
cently improved, and some gifts have 
been made for the chancel by individuals. 
Among these is an altar cross to the mem- 
ory of the late Gen. Alonzo Jackman, who 
was a faithful and devout Christian, and 
for several years senior warden of St. 
Mary's. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NORTHFIELO. 

BY KEV. Z. DRUON, V. G. 

This place received occasional visits 
from the Rev. Fathers O'Callaghan, Daly, 
Drolet, Maloney and Coopman, O. M. I., 
before any permanent mission was estab- 
lished. Father R. J. Maloney purchased 
an old meeting-house in 1855 — the old 
Yellow L'nion Meeting-house — which was 
the first meeting-house built in the town. 
See page 649. He had it removed to a 
lot which had been given by the late Gov. 
Paine for the benefit of the Catholics, and 
which has been and still is used as a 
burying-ground. Rev. Z. Druon, then of 
Montpelier, attended this parish every 
other Sunday from 1856 till 1864. Father 
Druon commenced remodeling extensively 
the old church in 1863, which was finished 



by Rev. F. Clavier, and dedicated in Oct. 
1870, under the patronage of St. John the 
Baptist. This church was burned by light- 
ning — entirely consumed, July, 1876: the 
loss, however, mostly covered b\ insur- 
ance. Father Clavier also purchased, 
immediately after his appointment as pastor 
of Northfield Catholic parish, a fine resi- 
dence, on which, in 1875, '^^ built a large 
chapel adjoining his own house for week 
day services. It is used now on .Sundays 
as a temporary church till the new church 
can be erected. Rev. Z. Druon. 

Aug. 21, 1876. 

The Bishop of Burlington writes : " The 
present pastor of Northfield, Rev. John 
Galligan, came to reside in that village 
Oct. 1876, and the present handsome 
church edifice which he erected was ble.ssed 
on Oct. 24, 1877." 

The newspaper record of the time : " The 
Catholic church, of wood, 51.^x125; a 
125-foot spire ; which will seat about 600 ; 
cost about $10,000 ; upon V^ine street ; was 
blessed according to the Roman ritual ; 
high mass by Father Casey, of St. Albans. 
Te Deum by choir, and sermon by Rev. 
Father Cunningham, of Middlebury, his 
text being from Psalms : ' I love the house 
of God and the place where his glory 
dwelleth.' A collection of $300 was then 
taken. A large number of prominent 
clergymen were present from various parts 
of the State. The church numbers from 
600 to 700 communicants, and is in charge 
of the Rev. John Gallagher, for 10 years 
priest of the parish at VVaterbury. 

JUDGE ELIJAH AND GOV. CHARLES PAINE, 

who were not Northfield men by birth, 
and one not even by residence, but who 
did more for the town in its early settle- 
ment and aftergrowth than any other cit- 
izens. Judge Elijah Paine, the leading 
spirit among all the settlers in this vi- 
cinity, did not live in our town, but on 
our very borders, just over in Williams- 
town, which town has already the honor of 
having his biography — written up by the 
Paine family, recorded upon her page of 
history in this work, vol. 11, p. 11 50 — but 
it is our privilege, and a very pleasant 



NORTHFIELD. 



659 



duty, to record his interests, and his heart 
was always largely with Northfield. He 
built the first grist and saw-mill and 
factory in this town. Full of energy and 
enterprise, just the man to clear up a new 
country, he had much to do with the be- 
ginnings of Northfield, and induced many 
others, sturdy and responsible settlers, to 
come into this town. His factory, says 
Mr. Gregory, which he built in Northfield 
when a wilderness, 180x42 feet, with 6 
sets of woolen machinery, cost $50,000 : 
employed from 175 to 200 workmen, and 
indirectly several hundred more. 

The proprietors of Northfield, at a meet- 
ing held at Burch's Inn, in Hartford, Vt., 
2d Tues. of Nov. 1784, voted he should 
have the privilege of pitching 200 or 400 
acres of land in Northfield at his option, 
on condition he would build a good saw- 
mill in said Northfield within 18 months, 
and a grist-mill in a year. He built the 
mills, in what is now called the mill woods 
on the road to Williamstown, and the re- 
mains are lying in the water near the 
bridge that crosses over to the poor farm. 
The ravine is one of the wildest and most 
romantic places we know of, and the very 
last place (with our abundance of water- 
power), that would be selected at the 
present day for that purpose. For many 
years this place was the only one in town 
where milling was done. Customers who 
came quite a distance frequently brought 
their grists upon their backs, or on horse- 
back. Vehicles were few in those days. 
Occasionally a "one-horse shay " was seen, 
and the early settlers did not think it l)e- 
neath their dignity to goto mill or meeting 
in an ox-cart. 

Judge Paine cleared the first land in 
Northfield, near his mills, which was sub- 
sequently owned and occupied many years 
by John Averill, and then by D. T. Av- 
erill. 

The Judge had rare executive ability, 
and could manage a gang of men with 
success, making everything count to his 
advantage and profit. He kept from 1400 
to 1500 sheep, and worked his wool into 
flannel and broadcloths. In the haying 
season it was no uncommon thing to see 



30 or 40 men in the field, all steady at 
work, for the owner was around with his 
eyes open, seeing that they earned their 
wages. Many clever anecdotes are told of 
him. His punctuality was proverbial. On 
a time when the inmates of his house had 
all retired, he remembered he had not 
paid a note due Mr. Ainsworth, of Wil- 
liamstown, on that day, and going to the 
chamber door he cried out, "John, John, 
get up and harness my horse." Before 
twelve at midnight the note was paid. 
Upon Mr. Ainsworth's saying, " You need 
not have taken the trouble to come to-night, 
to-morrow would have answered,"' the 
Judge replied, in his quick, nervous style, 
' ' Did 1 not promise to pay it to-day ? " 

Hon. Daniel Baldwin lived in Ber- 
lin, on Dog river, when a lad, and went 
to mill on horseback in the "Mill woods," 
when but few buildings had been erected 
on the route. When he had become a 
merchant in Montpelier, Judge Paine call- 
j ed upon him for the loan of $1,000 for a few 
! days. He said that amount was due him 
j at Washington for his services as United 
States Judge, and he had expected it every 
day for some time, and would return it as 
: soon as he could get it from the go\'ern- 
ment. Baldwin told him he would loan it 
to him if he could be sure and have it at 
a given time, as he should then want it to 
I buy goods with in Boston. The Judge 
promised that he should have it. and re- 
I ceived it, but not hearing anything from 
i him up to the day previous, Baldwin made 
I arrangements to go after his goods, think- 
ing he would call on the Judge on his 
wav, and get his money. But as he was 
about taking the stage, he looked out of 
his store, and saw the Judge hurrying 
along, to be " on time." He had the 
money, and made explanation : He had 
waited for it until the day before, but not 
receiving it, as expected, he went to 
Woodstock some 40 miles and obtained 
it. He paid Baldwin according to agree- 
ment by going without sleep, riding all 
night, traveling not far from 80 miles in 
order to keep his word good, so punctual 
was he in his business transactions. 

Men are now living in Northfield who 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



can well remember the time when a log 
cabin was put on wheels, improvised by 
Gov. Paine, and drawn to Burlington, 
July 12, 1840, in the days of " Tippecanoe 
and Tyler too." It was a unique affair, 
and attracted immense attention by its 
novelty, and one of our most esteemed cit- 
izens remembers tapping a barrel of cider 
and dispensing it to the distinguished 
crowd who rode inside of this rustic ve- 
hicle. We take an extract from an article 
written by De Witt C. Clark, editor of the 
Burlington Times, giving a graphic de- 
scription of the celebration. He says : 

But what attracted most our attention, 
next to the imposing display of numbers, 
was a beautiful log cabin from Northfield, 
mounted on wheels and drawn by 12 su- 
perb grays, decorated with flags and fes- 
toons. This team, we are told, belongs 
to an honest yeoman in Brookfield, and is 
ordinarily engaged in transporting produce 
to Boston ; but, said the patriotic owner, 
this is the proudest load that ever my team 
was attached to, and to the country the 
most profitable. Without rein or check, 
these noble steeds promptly responded to 
the "Gee up!" "Whoa, Dobbin!" of the 
brave mountaineer who directed them, 
and when we saw them proudly treading 
our streets and doubling the shortest cor- 
ners, with a rural tenement large enough 
for a country school-house, we could not 
help exclaiming, in the language of the 
old song : 

I'vf often thought, if I were asked 

Whose lot I envied most. 
What one I thouglit most lightly tasked. 

Of man's unnumbered host, 
I'd say I'd be a mountain boy. 
And drive a noble team, wo-hoy! 

Wo-hoy! I'd cry. 

Now by yon sky 
I'd soonerdrive those steeds 

Than win renown, 

Or wear a crown, 
Won by victorious deeds. 

The cabin itself was a very fine one, 

constructed of peeled logs, 20x10 feet, 

covered with bai'k, fitted up with paper 

curtains, a rough door, and a leather 

string, which hung out. The antlers of a 

noble stag graced one peak, while the 

outer covering of some unlucky coon 

stretched upon the gable bespoke the fate 

of sub-treasurers and cornfield poachers. 

This tenement, too, was well filled with 

the early tenants of log cabins, and bore 

this significant motto : "The people are 

coming ! " Exclamations were heard from 

every rank by the surrounding thousands. 



with three times three for old Washington, 
Paine and the Northfield cabin. 

GOV. CHARLES PAINE. 

[For his early life see Williamstown, in 
vol. II.] 

[From Mr. Cxregory's History of Northfield. J 

" To Hon. Charles Paine we ai^e in- 
debted, first, for our beautiful Depot vil- 
lage, which was the center of the first rail- 
road projection in our Green Mountain 
State. This being the headquarters for the 
"Vermont Central," the shops were here 
located by his influence, and had Provi- 
dence lengthened his life to this day, we 
can imagine what great prosperity would 
have blessed our town. Well may North- 
field consider Charles Paine her great ben- 
efactor. No other man in Vermont could 
have interested, like him, Peter C. Brooks, 
Harrison Gray Otis, and others, men of 
great wealth, to favor the project of build- 
ing a railroad in this Mountain State at 
that time. Having been the Chief Magis- 
trate of Vermont, and becoming acquaint- 
ed with these leading minds, while in col- 
lege, he carried an influence that but few, 
if any, could, and which brought him di- 
rectly into intimate relations with the best 
men in New England, and the road was 
built. 

Many citizens of Northfield will remem- 
ber with what rejoicing ground was broken 
near the depot by Gov. Paine, for the Vt. 
Central Railroad, the spade he used being 
still preserved by the railroad officials. 
This was Jan. 8, 1847, and the first train 
came into Northfield depot, Oct. 11, 1848, 
at 20 minutes past 9 o'clock, p. m., con- 
ducted by Charles Paine Kiinball. 

[Nov. 4, 1848. The Governor made the 
first excursion on his new railroad, which 
is thus described in a letter to his wife the 
next day by Gen. D. W. C. Clarke : 

An hour ago I returned from Northfield. 
from tlie excursion on the Central Railroad, 
yesterday. We left Montpelier — the Gov- 
ernor, and about 200 members of the 
Legislature, Secretary of State, and other 
dignitaries- a few minutes after 7 o'clock, 
yesterday morning, and at half-past nine 
left Northfield, in a special ti^ain for Leba- 
non, 53 miles — the whole length of the 
Central road now opened. In two hours, 



NORTHFIELD. 



66i 







ten minutes, we found ourselves at Leba- 
non. We remained a little more than an 
hour, undergoing the hospitality of Mr. 
Campbell, — the great Bridge-Making En- 
gineer, who built the bridge across the 
Hudson at Troy — and arrived at North- 
field, again, a little after 3 o'clock, p. M., 
having travelled from Montpelier about 
1 16 miles. 

No persons were admitted to the special 
train provided l^y the Governor for this 
Legislative excursion, excepting specially 
invited ; and very few special invitations 
were extended. Ex-Governor Eaton, 
Professor Benedict, Mr. Brainerd of St. 
Albans, Mr. Upham, and a few others. 
There were about 250 on the train, and 
probably, two-thirds of them had never 
before seen a railroad. This class of leg- 
islators ( ?) was very inquisitive about the 



whole matter, asking a thousand questions 
that a well-informed boy might as well 
have answered. . . . But I only want 
to tell you about my participation in the 
excursion : In the cars between Northfield 
and Bethel, I wrote off a song for the occa- 
sion, which, for its local allusions and hits, 
was received with great good feeling, and 
which Mr. Houghton, Mr. Shafter and I 
had to sing, tolerably often, before we got 
back again. I really don 't think it worthy 
of publishing abroad. But Fred Houghton 
made a copy which will probably appear in 
the Tuesday's Boston Atlas. I say this to 
you, ... to invoke your charity for 
me, and my vanity, or good nature in con- 
senting to have it printed. But I did, and 
" there is the end on't." 

Caroline (the Governor's sister,) is now 
on a visit to the Governor's. . . . She 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



wanted to go with us on our excursion over 


Because he has a rough old way 


the road, but as there were no other ladies 


In that old pate, 'tis said. 


on the train, she declined. 


Of doing things when he takes hold; 




They call it " going ahead! " 


A long and glowing description of the 


Hurrah! Hurrah! 


new railroad, and the first great excursion 
ride of the Vermont Legislature upon it, 


For Belknap, high and low ! 


Fie goes ahead because, you see. 
He's got a head to go! 


appeared in the Thursday issue of the Bos- 




^ 


In section 3, it is declared. 


ton Argus, following, if we rightly remem- 


That that 'ere long man, Moore, 


ber, filling a page or more of the Argus, 


Who straddles this old iron horse. 


and with the impromptu song born of the 


And brings us through secure, 
Shall be the Chief old Engineer, 


ride — which it was stated in the pajDer was 


By special legislation. 


sung some thirty times aboard the train, 
going and returning, at the flush feast of 


Of this 'ere J'int Assembly here.— 


As ZACH shall of the nation! 

Hurrah! Hurrahl 


Belknap — his grand dinner to the Legisla- 


Let's make the echoes roar! 


ture — which was sung more and more up- 


Though other roads are safe enough. 


The Central Road is Moore! 


roarously as on waxed the hour. 






In section 4, it is set down. 


"THE RAILROAD SONG. 


That "mong these monntain ridges. 


WRITTEN BY GEN. CLARKE ABOARD THE CARS 


The name of Campbell shall resound : 


BETWEEN NORTHFIELD AND BETHEL. 


The Hero of the Bridges! 


ri/^e— "Dearest Mae." 


And that the ni.an to carry out 


We took ail early start to-day. 


A project very mighty. 


And hraved a rough old ride. 


And show that "it is bound to go,"' 


To reach the place wliere Paine, tliey say, 


Is that 'ere same " Old whitey! " 


Wins jieople to his side ; 


Hurrah! Hurrah! 


Tlie iron-horse was breatliing gas 


Let's keep the chorus humming! 


In tlie "sequestered vale," 


For word has passed along the line- 


And every one ambitious was 


That same old " Campbell's coming! " 


To ride upon a rail 1 




Hurrah! Hurrah 1 


As an amendment to the bill 


For Governor I'aine, theRail-er! 


It's moved to add a section, 


He builds his roads o'er rocks and hills. 


Which has a tendency to raise 


And goes for General Taylor! 


A rather sad reflection : — 




It is that Governor Paine do seek— 


Hurrahl Hurrah! Hurrah! 


(Why, what's the man about?) 


If It don't beat all natur'! 


To keep the family on earth— 


To see the "wisdom and the virtu'" 


The race must not run out! 


Of our great Legislatur' 


Hurrah! Hurrah! 


A riding through the hills and vales. 


For Paine, the bachelor .' 


From Northfield to the river. 


The wonder groweth every day. 


On Governor Paine's new-fashioned rails! 


What's he unmarried for? 


Inever! did you ever? 




Hurrah! Hurrah! &c. 


Amendment 2d is proposed:— 




It is to make provision 


I tell you what it is, old boys, 


That shall our thanks to Campbell sliow 


This ride we are not loth in, 


With very nice precision. 


Especially when we do the thing 


He has a head that's great to plan. 


Free gratis and for nothin'! 


A will that never flinches: 


And when, besides, the dinner comes 


We wish you'd find a bigger man 


On just such terms again. 


Than CAMPBELL, of his Inches. 


I'd like to know who will not sing. 


Hurrah! Hurrah! 


Hurrah for Governor Paine! 


For "Whitey," brave and true! 


Hurrah! Hurrah! *c. 


His heart goes fitly with his head? 


I wish to introduce a bill— 


So say I— what say YOU ? 


I otfer it quite humbly. 




And move Its passage through these cars. 


Now if the President will rise. 


By this 'ere J'int Assembly:— 


And put the thing to vote. 


Section 1 provides tliat Paine 


I'd like to know your sentiments 


Shall have the right to go 


Upon this bill I've wrote; 


With his old Railroad where he will; 


And so, to end the matter well. 


He'll do it whether or no ! 


Before we take a glass. 


Hurrah! Hurrah! &c. 


I hope you all will answer " Aye! " 




And let the old bill pass. 


The id section has a clause, 


Hurrah? Hurrah! 


As sharp as any cat's, 


Please put this vote again ; 


That when old Belknai' comes along. 


All you who are affirmative. 


We'll raise our cotton hats, — 


Hurrah for Governor PaInbI 



NORTHFIELD. 



663 



1 think I may declare the vote — 

I'll do It if you will. 
And now announce to this J'int House 

The passage of the bill; 
It is before the Governor— 

We care for no Veto — 
If Governor Paine won't sign the act, 

Our COOLTDGE will, we know! 

Hurrah! Hurrah! &c. 

It now is moved that we adjourn. 

And in the usual way; 
For plain it is, at this late hour. 

We break up " without day;'' 
And when we'reach our homes again. 

We'll tell the wondrous tale. 
How Paine has rode this J'int 

Assembly on a rail! 

Hurrah! Hurrah! &c. 

As for the title of our i)ill, 

It is decreed to be:— 
" An act to lighten public cares, 

And aid festivity."' 
So now farewell to Governor Paine, 

To Belknap, Campbell, Moore I 
This J'int Assembly is dissolved; 

''Tv/a.s liquor fied before! 

Farewell! Farewell!] 

Gov. Paine felt an interest in education 
and religion. He donated the land on 
which was built our Academy, and $500 in 
money, and gave the institution an excellent 
apparatus. His executors donated (that 
is he gave in his will), the Catholic church 
the land for their church and cemetery. 
He gave the land for Elmwood cemetery, 
according to his expressed desire before he 
went to Texas, and he built the church in 
the Depot village, now occupied by the 
Congregational society, from his own funds, 
wishing to have a convenient place for the 
people to attend meeting. By all which 
we see the de.sire of his heart for the wel- 
fare of his race. 

The Rev. Ezra Gannett, D. D., of 
Boston, remarked, in preaching his funeral 
sermon : 

The early life of Charles Paine was 
passed under circumstances suited to pre- 
pare him for the part he afterwards filled. 
Born almost on the commencement of a 
century remarkable for its control of me- 
chanical agencies, and the development of 
popular institutions, he entered on the 
period of his vigor at a time for the favor- 
able e.xercise of his peculiar abilities. His 
father, the late Judge Paine, was one of 
the most honorable citizens of the State, 
and merited the respect which was award- 
ed him. The influence of his home doubt- 
less laid the foundation of that character 
which in subsequent life raised the son to 



a not less conspicuous position. Amidst 
the green hills of his birthplace he breath- 
ed the air of a manly freedom and a vir- 
tuous energy. Nature spoke to him in 
her clear and sweet tone, and he listened 
in the uncorrupted delight of youth. Sur- 
rounded by a yeomanry that have ever 
maintained a frank independence, in union 
with honest industry, intelligent, brave 
and hospitable, free from the vices of 
suburban communities, and strong in their 
local attachments, he acquired the traits 
which ripened into a wise and noble man- 
hood. The love of his native State, the 
inborn passion of every son of Vermont, lost 
none of its fervor as his judgment grew 
more mature. He loved her mountains 
and her streams, her history and her 
people! At the age of 17 he became a 
member of Harvard college. It was there 
my acquaintance with him began, and 
there that the bonds of friendship, which 
4 years of various fortunes served but to 
strengthen, were knit between him and his 
fellow-students ! Among them was not 
one who regarded him with any other feel- 
ings than those of respect and esteem. 
Thirty-five years after," added Mr. Gan- 
nett, " they first met in the halls of Cam- 
bridge ; nearly one-half of the surviving 
members of his class were assembled, by 
his invitation, around the board, which 
was spread with an ample hospitality. I 
recall that scene with special interest, for 
it shows me the host and friend happy in 
the sympathy of an occasion which he 
made delightful to others. I see his erect 
form, his open face, his princely demeanor. 
1 hear his words of cordial greeting, and 
feel no painful obligation, since 1 am sure 
of his enjoyment of the re-union, for 
which we were indebted to him, whose 
hand we shall never grasp again, for the 
ineffable recollections of that day. 

Governor Paine was not a man of pro- 
fessions. His words were not many, and 
they never were uttered to secure admira- 
tion or to forestall an impartial judgment. 
It is not strange, therefore, that he said 
little on the subject of religion. But such 
actions as speak more loudly than words 
attest both the reality and the character of 
his faith. This edifice is a memorial of 
the value he set on the institution of public 
worship, and an unsectarian administra- 
tion of religious truth. On this point he 
was strenuous and consistent. The most 
emphatic disapproval of dogmatic exclu- 
siveness which he could have left, as well 
as the most decisive testimony to his faith 
in the great Christian truths, is given in 
the paper by which he makes a final dis- 
position of his property. 

This remarkable document contains also 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



unimpeachable proof of that disinterested 
concern for the good of others, and that 
desire to see all classes of the people en- 
jo3ing the means of knowledge, virtue and 
happiness, which I think gave to his char- 
acter its largest claim on our fond remem- 
brance. As a testamentary provision, I 
should not be surprised to learn that it is 
without a parallel. Brief but distinct in 
its language, it is as peculiar for the mod- 
esty as for the liberality which it evinces. 
Leaving all details to the friends in whom 
he reposes the utmost conlidence, and 
avoiding any suggestion that might have 
the effect of connecting his name with the 
uses to which his bequests may be put, he 
only rec^uires of those whom he appoints 
as trustees that, after assisting such per- 
sons as they may think have any claim 
arising from consanguinity, friendship, or 
obligation incurred by him, they 'use and 
appropriate whatever property- lie may die 
possessed of for the best good and welfare 
of his fellow-men, to assist in the improve- 
ment of mankind ; recommending that they 
do it without sectarianism or bigotry, ac- 
cording to the intention of that God whose 
will is found in the law of the Christian re- 
ligion, in which," he adds, ' I believe and 
trust.' What could be more characteristic 
or admirable? 

The manuscript from which I have quoted 
bears a date somewhat distant from the 
present time. But if evidence were need- 
ed that he retained the same feelings to 
the close of his life, it is furnished, to say 
nothing of other facts, by an incident 
which I am permitted to relate. A short 
time before his departure for Texas, Mr. 
Paine was reminded by a friend that he 
had never made an explicit declaration of 
his religious belief, and was requested to 
say what doctrinal tenets he had adopted. 
After a moment's hesitation, he took from 
his pocket a slip of paper bearing the stains 
of age and use, which he gave to his friend, 
and said, ' There is my creed :' 

"Abou Ben Adlieni— may liis tribe increase- 
Awoke one niglit from a deep dream of peace. 
And saw within the moonliKlit in liis room. 
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom. 
An angel 'writing in a book of gold. 
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, 
And to the presence in the room he said, 
•What writest thou?' The vision raised its head." 

" And witli a look made all of sweet accord. 
Answered, 'The names of those who love the Lord.' 
' And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,' 
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low. 
But cheerily still, and said, ' I pray thee, then, 
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.' 
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night 
It came again, with a great wakening light. 
And showed the names whom love of God had blest, 
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest." 

This admirable sermon concludes: "A 
o-loom hangs over the village in the warm 
summer's day. The sky is clear, and the 
air is healthful ; yet every aspect of nature 



is sad, and the scene around us impresses 
us like a funeral monument. And such it 
is. Our hearts cast their own shadows 
upon the landscape. We have come to 
lay the remains of him whom we loved in 
the grave. He died far away from us, and 
far from the spots that were dear to him. 
but we could not leave his dust in that dis- 
tant land. The hope, tenderly expressed 
in their first anguish of bereavement, is 
realized : 

That noble form, so proud, so calmly bold. 
Shall make its last sad resting place amid 
The scenes he long had loved and cherished. 
Within the State o'er which lie was a Ruler. 

Here will we lay his mortal frame in the 
grave which he would have chosen, in 
front of the temple which he built to the 
glory of God, and in the midst of the 
proofs of what he had done for man. The 
associations of this hour shall henceforth 
invest the spot. Business and travel shall 
own its sanctity, and time shall guard it 
with watchful reverence." 

Hon. Heman Carpenter said in his eulo- 
gy on him, at a meeting of the citizens of 
Northfield, upon receiving intelligence of 
his death ; 

" By his iniiuence and his energy the 
charter of the Vermont Central Railroad 
was obtained, and to him we are indebted 
for the accomplishment of this stupendous 
work ! There is his Moiimnent I And 
when we are dead and forgotten, then 
fresh in the memory of the future will be 
his name, as long as the iron horse shall 
traverse our State, his name will be cher- 
ished by the honest and hardy sons of the 
Green Mountain State. He also gave an 
impetus to other railroads. 

"To me" (said Mr. Carpenter) "this 
dispen.sation of Providence is overwhelm- 
ing. Language fails to express the deep 
emotions that thrill through every nerve. 
He was my friend when I needed a friend. 
For 17 years I enjoyed his intimate and 
uninterrupted acquaintance and confidence. 
I see him now as I last saw him, when a 
few friends took him by the hand and bade 
him good bye, with tears in their eyes, as 
he left the station here in the cars for his 
journey South. The words of one of the 
friends, as the train left, have made an im- 
pression upon my mind that time will nev- 
er efface. ' That car carries more men 
from Northfield than it will ever bring 
back.' That was the fearful belief of us all 
when he left, and sadly true it has proved 
indeed. It carried the living man, it can 
only bring back his earthly remains. It 
carried him in whom human nature can 
stand up before all the world, and say 
' He was a man !' " 



NORTHFIELD. 



665 



Hon. John Wheeler, of Burlington, 
formerly President of the University, said 
of Gov. Paine : 

"On his return from college he showed 
no inclination for professional study, but 
asked to enter upon the employment of 
practical life, both to lessen the labors of 
his father, and to advance his interests. 
This he was allowed, without much thought 
tliat he would do otherwise than soon grow 
weary of it, and call for a dilferent mode 
of employment. 'I was greatly surprised,' 
said his father, 'at the readiness with 
which he took hold of labor, the energy 
with which he followed it, and the capaci- 
ty and completeness with which he finish- 
ed it. 1 found he could do as much and 
as well as 1 could in my best days.' Those 
of us who live in Vermont know that such 
a parent could scarcely give higher praise." 

Charles Paine was elected Governor of 
Vermont in 1841 and 1842, — in the lan- 
guage of Hon. E. P. Walton : 

" The youngest man, 1 think, in the 
gubernatorial office in the State, I am sure 
there never was any man who more highly 
esteemed the claims of age and wisdom 
and experience, or was more ready to dis- 
tinguish and encourage whoever among 
the young gave hopeful promise of an hon- 
orable and successful public career. 

" What, then, shall I say to you who 
have known him ; to you, who have been 
the witnesses of his life ; to you, who have 
esteemed him beyond all other men ; to 
you, who feel that you have lost more 
than a father or a friend — both — lost all ? 
I can only say it is right now for you to 
weep. Grief is the necessary burden of 
this day, and of many days to you ; but 
when the fountain of your tears shall fail, 
when you shall become weary and worn, 
because of your great grief, then will it be 
fit for you to rejoice that one has lived so 
briefly, yet so well, and so honorably, so 
unremittingly, and so successfully labored 
in important services for his neighbor- 
hood, his State and his country — that you 
feel his death is an irreparable loss, and a 
public calamity. Weep now. It is good 
to weep. ..... 

" His ambition in that great undertaking, 
(building the Vermont Central Railroad) 
was of a character which the world justly 
esteems to be noble ; he aimed to win for 
himself an honorable public name, by ren- 
dering a great public service. However 
much of direct personal advantage he nat- 
urally and properly may have expected from 
it, I am sure his chief purpose was to win an 
honorable name. In the brightest days, he 
looked joyfully to this reward, and in the 



darkest, when every other hope seemed to 
fail, this remained to solace him. It was 
on one of these darkest days, and at a 
time when courage, hope and health were 
all failing, that he said to me, in his famil- 
iar mode of conversation, ' Well, Walton, 
whatever may become of the corporation, 
they cannot rob us of the road ! It is 
done ; it will be run ; and the people will, 
at any rate, reap the blessings which we 
designed. Oh ! if it were not for that, 1 
really believe I should die.' " 

In Governor Paine's first message to the 
General Assembly, in 1841, there is one 
topic presented for their consideration that 
1 wish to preserve. (Mr. Gregory.) 

" Education is a subject which cannot 
fail to command your earnest attention. 
It is true that no community can boast of 
more widely and universally diiTused in- 
struction than ours, and it might therefore 
appear useless to urge the topic upon your 
consideration. But we must continually 
bear in mind that it is not the result of ac- 
cident that the people of this State, with 
so few exceptions, can all read and write, 
and have enjoyed the benefit of at least a 
good English education. They owe their 
happy and enviable condition in this re- 
spect entirely to the unceasing solicitude 
and wise legislation of our forefathers. 
While our State was yet almost a wilder- 
ness, those who themselves felt the want 
of education were most careful that their 
children should not be grown up in igno- 
rance, and the efforts they made to estab- 
lish and support common schools and sem- 
inaries for the higher branches of learning, 
must forever command our gratitude and 
admiration." 

Such sentiments are "like apples of 
gold in pictures of silver," and show the 
character of the man. He took an inter- 
est in the education of all our people, and 
did not fail to speak an encouraging word 
when it would do good. He took an in- 
terest also in agriculture. Desiring to 
improve the stock of cattle in this vicinity, 
he imported a full blood Durham into 
town, and for many years the milking qual- 
ities of the dairy were improved to a good 
degree. It was by his influence that the 
Washington County Agricultural Fair was 
held one year in Northfield, on what is 
now called Central street ; and it was one 
of the most successful fairs ever held in 
this county. He loved good cattle, and 
good horses. 



666 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He built and kept in' good [order a fish 
pond near his hotel, where he lived, and 
took great delight in feeding the fish from 
his hand. Gov. Paine's celebrated fish 
pond, iox8 rods, was one of the curiosi- 
ties of the Depot village. 

He built the hotel in the Depot village, 
and before its alteration the cars came 
across the common from both directions, 
and would stop at the south end of the 
building for refreshments. In the clays of 



William Rogers and E. A. Webb it was a 
popular resort, and in good times, when 
the Vermont Central and Northfield were 
in their davs of prosperity, it was no un- 
common thing to have from 50 to 100 
guests at this house at a time. 

Vkkjiomt Cextkal Kailkoad Co., 1 
In DiRECTORis' Meeting, Aug. 25, 185.3. j 

Resolved, That this Board has with deep 
sorrow received intelligence of the death of 
the Hon. Charles Paine, late President of 




NORTHFIELD. 



667 



this Company, and in consideration of his 
indefatigable and important services in 
originating and sustaining the corporation, 
and of his honorable character as its chief 
officer, we deem the event a suitable one 
for the official action of the Board. 

Resolved, That in token of our individual 
respect and regard, and the high estima- 
tion in which we hold the character and 
memory of the deceased, we will in a body 
attend his funeral obsequies. 

Resolved, That the President be em- 
powered and requested to furnish free 
passes to the relatives and friends of the 
deceased, for the purpose of attending his 
funeral atNorthfield, on the ist inst. 

E. P. Walton, Jr., Clerk. 

The following were the committee for 
Gov. Paine\s funeral : Samuel W. Thayer, 
Jr., JohnGregory, Moses Robinson, Heman 
Carpenter, Perley Belknap, Elijah Smith, 
Jr.,Northfield, Dec. 16, 1853. 

A handsome oranite monument was 



placed over the Governor's remains in our 

beautiful Elmwood, by the generosity and 

munificence of his friend, Benjamin P. 

Cheney, Esq., of Boston, at a cost of 

$1,000, on which we read the following 

epitaph : 

"Happy in his parentage, a youth of preparation 

Was followed by an eai'ly maturity of usefulness, 

Invigorated by many virtues, and adorned 

By many manly acts; 

Devoted to his native State, he applied 

His talents, his wealth, and his strength to the 

Advancement of her great public works, 

And the encouragement of her institutions of learning. 

Having bestowed upon Vermont benefits of which 

The value cannot yet be justly appreciated. 

He considered the wants of the world and the age. 

And, while seeking a path which should unite 

The Atlantic with the Pacific coast, lie died 

In a distant land, far from those who loved hiui. 

Having merited well of the Commonwealth 

And his kind, his remains were here interred, 

Hallowe'i by public honors, and private tears." 

[Gov. Paine, after a sickness of 26 days, 
died at Waco, Texas, July 6, 1853, age 54. 




ELMWOOD CEMETERY 



BY DR. PHILANDER D. BRADFOIID 



Within the corporate limits of the vil- 
lage of Northfield, just north of the same, 
upon a beautiful piece of table land, is 
situated Elmwood Cemetery. 

The ground originally comprised an 
area of 6 acres and 36 rods, and was do- 



nated to the people of 
Northfield by their late 
benefactor, ex - Governor 
Charles Paine. 

April I, 1854, many of 
the citizens of the town 
met in the office of Hon. 
Heman Carpenter, to ef- 
fect an organization under 
the general statutes, sub- 
sequently known as "The 
Northfield Cemetery As- 
sociation." Hon. Heman 
Carpenter was chairman, 
and George Nichols clerk. 
A committee of five 
were appointed to prepare 
articles of agreement, and 
a code of by-laws. At an 
adjourned meeting, April 
8, the committee present- 
ed a code of by-laws, 
which were adopted, and 
an organization was per- 
fected by electing a president, clerk, treas- 
urer, and five curators. 

Governor Paine having deceased, his 
administrators, James C. Dunn, of Bos- 
ton, and Miss Caroline Paine, of New 
York, agreeable to his e.xpressed wish, ex- 



668 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ecuted a deed of the above mentioned land 
to the Northfield Cemetery Association. 
The deed contains the following words : 
" In consideration of one dollar and good 
will paid to our full satisfaction, we grant, 
confirm, and convey to the Northfield 
Cemetery Association the following des- 
cribed land, etc., for the burial of the 
dead, and for no other purpose." The cu- 
rators proceeded at once to inclose the 
grounds, lay out lots, avenues, walks, and 
open areas, causing the lots to be num- 
bered, and a chart to be made of the same. 
But death was faster than they, on the 26th 
of the same month, even before the 
grounds were inclosed, the remains of 
Daniel Stevens were buried there, his be- 
ing the first grave in the cemetery. In 
October, 1855, an act was passed by the 
Legislature of Vermont incorporating the 
Northfield Cemetery Association. The 
act provided that the affairs of the Associa- 
tion should be managed by trustees in 
number not less than five, nor more than 
seven, and that they should elect from 
their number a president, clerk, and treas- 
urer. The corporation were : Royce 
Jones, William Rogers, H. M. Bates, 
William C. Woodbury, George Nichols, 
J. C. Cady, P. D. Bradford, J. C. B. 
Thayer, Perley Belknap, Heman Carpen- 
ter, E. A. Webb, E. G. Babcock, G. N. 
Cady, Calvin Cady, and W. F. Wood- 
worth. In November, 1866, the Legisla- 
ture passed an act in amendment of an act 
of 1855, "called an act incorporating the 
Northfield Cemetery Association," author- 
izing the Association formed under the 
General Statutes to accept the charter 
passed at the session of 1856, and that all 
rights, both in law and equit}-, be secured 
to and enjoyed by the association formed 
under the General Statutes that are secured 
to and enjoyed by the members of the as- 
sociation formed under the act aforesaid. 
Aug. 12, 1857, the association voted to 
accept the charter and amendment, and 
organized under the act of 1855, by elect- 
ing five trustees, viz : William C. Wood- 
bury, E. A. Webb, George Nichols, L. D. 
Gilchrist, and Jefferson Marsh. E. A. 



Webb was elected president, George Nich- 
ols, clerk and treasurer. 

In November, 1867. an act was passed 
by the Legislature in amendment of an act 
passed November, 1855, changing the 
name of the Northfield Cemetery Associa- 
tion to " Elmwood Cemetery"; also au- 
thorizing the trustees to contract with in- 
dividuals for the perpetual care and im- 
provement of any lot or lots in said cem- 
etery. In November, 1876, the Legisla- 
ture passed an act in amendment of the 
foregoing, giving full power and control to 
the trustees as to the burial of the dead : 
also full power to control and prevent the 
burial and removal of bodies buried in said 
cemetery, as fully and to the same extent 
that selectmen have in the burial grounds 
of the State, and to the extent necessary 
to protect said cemetery from encroach- 
ment or trespass by any person or per- 
sons. The cemetery contains at the pres- 
ent time (1878) the remains of 575 per- 
sons. It has long been apparent that the 
grounds were not adequate to the increas- 
ing and prospective wants of the commu- 
nity, and the ^trustees added to the same 
in 1877 by the purchase of additional land. 

The site selected for this cemetery is 
beautifully adapted for that purpose, and 
shows the good judgment and taste of the 
donor. It is withdrawn a little distance 
from the busy thoroughfare, yet easy of 
access, and affords a pleasant walk, which 
appears a favorite one with citizens and 
strangers. If the character of a people for 
refinement and religion is indicated by the 
care of and taste displayed in beautifying 
the burial places of the dead, it is a matter 
of congratulation that our cemetery, with 
its beautiful monuments, its mementoes of 
affection, and numerous emblems of the 
Christian hope lighting up the darkness of 
this world, contrasts so strongly with the 
cheerless and unattractive burial grounds 
of 50 years ago. If this cemetery shall be 
beautified in years to come as it may be 
beautified, if art shall vie with nature in 
adding to its attractions, if affection, not 
avarice, take the lead in questions of ex- 
penditures, it will soon become one of the 



NORTHFIELD. 



669 



most attractive spots with- 
in the limits of our Green 
Mountain State. 

The Association at its 
annual meeting, the first 
Tuesday in May, 1878, re- 
elected the former trus- 
tees, viz. : P. D. Brad- 
ford, J. H. Orcutt, CD. 
Williams, J. C. Gallup, 
and E. G. Pierce, who sub- 
sequently elected P. D. 
Bradford, president, C. 
D. Williams, clerk and 
treasurer, G. B. B. Den- 
ny, auditor, and James 
Evans, sexton. 

In connection with and 
belonging to said cem- 
eterv, is a substantial and 
commodious tomb, men- 
tion of which should not 
be omitted. At the annu- 
al town meeting in the 
spring of 1867, the select- 
men were instiiicted by a 
vote of the town to build a , 
tomb for temporary deposit of the dead, 
to be located at such place as would best 
accommodate the town. During the fol- 
lowing summer the selectmen, (Marvin 
Simons, William Winch, and Dr. Samuel 
Keith,) agreeable to instructions, caused 
said tomb to be constructed at an expense 
of $1,200, and located it within the cem- 
etery grounds, the Association donating 
the site. The front of the tomb is of 
hewn granite from Berlin quarry, with 
panels of serpentine from Roxbury quarry. 




donated by the late Thomas L. Salisbury. 
It is surmounted by a heavy marble cross, 
(the emblem of the Christian's faith,) 
upon which is the monogram I. H. S. 

This tomb, bordering upon the highway 
at the head of North street, has been 
found of great convenience in the winter 
season, and for both usefulness and artis- 
tic beauty reflects great credit upon the 
town, and especially upon the member of 
the Board (Dr. Keith) who had charge of 
its construction. 



CENTER CEMETERY. 

Sept. 18, 1S23, Ezekiel Robinson, Oli- 
ver Averill, Joseph Keyes, Harry Emer- 
son, and Nathan Green bought of E. Tay- 
lor, Jr., and G. R. Spalding i acre of land 
west of where the yellow meeting house 
stood for a burying-ground, paying $60. 
It was laid out in lots 11^x25 feet, with a 
drive-way running through from east to 
west. The lots were sold at 75 cents 
each, and in 1829, had all been disposed 
of except two lots in the southwest corner, 



which were reserved as a burial place for 
strangers. 

Several additions have been made to the 
"lot ; that of Jonathan Briggs on the east, 
where the first meeting house was built, 
and last on the west one acre and 127 
rods bought of Timothy Reed, Sept. 30, 
1874, for $204.45. 

Soon after this cemetery was ready, the 
dead buried on " Richardson's Meadow," 
west of the railroad, were taken up and 
interred here. From 181 1 to 1823, Rich- 



6/0 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ardson's meadow was the general burial 
place in the vicinity. Some few were ear- 
ned to- the East Hill burying ground, and 
some to the west of Depot village, in a 
burial place near F. A. Preston's farm. 
Nature has done much to make this 



ground " beautiful for situation." The 
improvement began in the front part of 
of the cemetery is praiseworthy, and it is 
hoped will be continued until the whole 
enclosure shall present an agreeable ap- 
pearance. 




HON. MOSES ROBINSON, 

A son of one of the first settlers — see 
page 617 for biography of himself and the 
Robinson family, and page 646 of early 
anecdotes. Mis father opened a lot on his 
land for the first burying ground in town, 
as we understand, vvitliout charge for 
burial to any one. 

East Hill Ce.metery is sitnated at 
the four corners on the East Hill, near the 
first settlement of the town, in what is call- 
ed the Robinson district. It was the first 
burying ground in Northfield, and for a 
number of years the only one. The land 
belonged to the farm of Amos Robinson, 
and no organization as we can learn was 
ever formed to control it. All who de- 
sired it for the burial of their friends had 
the privilege, and here many of the early 
settlers rest from their labors. Among 
the prominent men that are here interred 
are Amos Robinson, Nathaniel Robinson, 
Abraham Shipman, Thomas Averill, and 



Jesse Averill, Lebbeus 
Bennett, Parley Tyler, 
William Jones, and Sam- 
uel Buzzell, with their 
wives and many of their 
children. 

GOULDSVILLE CEMETERY. 
This burying ground, 
located in the center of the 
village, shows care and at- 
tention in the laying out 
of the lots, and keeping 
them clear from weeds and 
briers. A distinguished 
traveler once remarked : 
" Show me the cemeteries 
and churches of a town, 
and I will tell you the 
character of the people." 
The Falls village burial 
ground association was 
organized according to chapter 81 of Re- 
vised Statutes. The first meeting was 
held at the school-house in district No. 13, 
December, 1848, at which a constitution 
was adopted, A. S. Braman, moderator; 
Marvin Simons, clerk ; Leander Foster, 
James (iould, Samuel Smith, Lotan Lib- 
bey, Anson Munson, executive committee. 
The land for the cemetery formerly be- 
longed to the farm of Luther S. Burnham ; 
was bought and laid out in 79 lots, sold at 
$4 each. The grounds have since been 
enlarged by about half an acre. 

Ord. Sergt. Luke W. Kendall, Co. F, 4th 
Vt., was shot through the head in the 
battle of the Wilderness. His regiment 
had never fought without him, and he never 
received a scratch until his fatal wound. 
He had re-enlisted for 3 years ; left a wife. 

Edmund Pope, Jr., enlisted in 1861 ; 
taken prisoner at Wilson's Raid, June 19, 
64; died in Dec, on board a transport, on 
his way home. 



NORTHFIELD. 



671 



LONGEVITY OF NORTHFIELD. 



BY DR. P. D. BRADFORD. 



N'a/nes of all persons (as far as can be ascertained^ , %uho have lived and died in io7un 

over JO years of age. 

Whole number of males, 143; females, 100; total, 243. Aggregate ages of males, 
12,249: of females, 9,090; total, 21,339 y^- Average ages of males, 85 yrs. 7 m. 26 
days ; of females 90 9-ro yrs. Average ages of both sexes. 87 yrs. 9 m. 23 days. 

Thomas Averill, 
David Denney, 
Prudence Wise Jones, 
Aquilla Jones, 
Hannah Shaw Hedges, 
Thomas Averill. 
Amasa Tubbs, 
Mrs. Hill Tubbs. 
Gilbert Hatch, 
Elizabeth Averill, 
Ezekiel Robinson, 
Amos Robinson, 
Elizabeth R. Averill, 
Jerusha R. Richardson, 
Samuel Richardson, 
Thomas Coburn, 
Polly G. Cochran, 
Reuben Smith. 
Hannah Robinson, 
Elijah Smith, 
Amos Averill, 
Paul Richmond. 
Mrs. Keyser. 
Abraham Shipman, 
Mary M. Smith, 
William Cochran, 
William Wales, 
Azubah H. Frizzle, 
Ebenezer Frizzle, 
David Hedges, 
Dinah D. Robinson, 
Nathaniel King, 
Thomas L. Mayo, 
William Gold, 
John Plastridge, 
Polly Loomis Averill, 
Joel Winch, 
Lemuel Pope, 
Daniel Stevens, 
Polly Nichols Smith, 
Lydia Heath, 
Betsey Gallup, 
Perley Tyler, 
Betsey R. Tyler, 
Polly Fish VVorthington, 
Lewis Hedges, 
Lavina Chamberlin. 
Mrs. Lewis, 
Theophilus Golild, 
Joseph Grant, 
Esther Grant, 
Amasa Alger, 
NathanierB. Ashcroft, 
John Fisk, 




CAPT. JESSE AVERILL. See page 618. 



Mrs. Ebenezer Fox, 
Ebenezer Fox, 
Calvin Cady, 
Betsey M. Cadv, 
Mrs. Maith Howe, 
Stillman Allen, 
William A. Gallup, 
Isaac Kinsman, 
John Leonard, 
Anson Adams, 
Nathaniel Fisk. 
]3etsey Fisk, 
Sarah Fisk, 
David Fisk, 
Amos Howes, 
Libbeus Bennett. 
Daniel Worthington. 
William Hedges, 
William Keyes, 
Mrs. Wm. Noyes King, 
Joel Brown. 
Seth P. Field, 
Silas Braley, 
Hannah Reed Davis, 



loi 

85 
81 

73 
76 

83 
72, 

84 
82 

76 
87 

71 I 
74 

73: 

721 

83 
91 

73 \ 
73 1 
91 
70 \ 
76, 
81 i 

75 



David Plastridge, 
Henry Knapp, 
Stephen Thrasher, 
John Preston, 
Eunice C. Preston, 
Almos Wheeler, 
Rachel A. Wheeler, 
Betsey Martin Fisk, 
James Heath, 
James Loomis, 
David Partridge, 
Michael Welch, 
Willard Alger, 
Margaret Mowcroft, 
Eleazer Loomis, 
Lois Rice, 
Silas Rice, 
Aniarvale LaDuke, 
Fanny LMall Richmond, 
Simeon Curtis, 
Rebecca Pope, 
Betsey C. Pitkin, 
Lucy R. Trow,* 
Asahel Blake, 



73 
72 

79 
95 
87 
75 
82 

84 
85 
7S 
73 
84 
71 
75 
81 

89 
93 
76 
90 
72 

84 
90 

74 
76 



672 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Polly Latham, 

James Latham, 

Ezra Latham, 

John Greene, 

Benjamin Porter, 

James Pike, 

Laura S. Randall, 

Sally S. Thrasher, 

Jedediah Paeon, 

Marian Belknap, 

Joseph S. Daniels, 

Abijah Howe, 

Samuel Richmond, 

Mrs. M. R. Plastridge, 

John F. Nye, 

Nora Hannon, 

Daniel Hannon, 

Mrs. H. D. Balch, 

Lydia W. Smith, 

Nanc}- Ouimby, 

Susan Adams, 

Richard Hedges, 

Julia T. Hedges, 

Adolphus Denny, 
John Mosely, 

Samuel Maxham, 

Nancy L. Field, 

Elijah Hedges, 

Polly T. Hedges, 

Samuel Buzzell, 

Samuel Adams, 
Elijah Burnham, 
Roswell Alger, 
Betsey French, 
Ora Nichols, 
Mrs. McCarty, 
James Johnson, 
George Rice, 
■ Esther Rice, 
Tyler Ladd, 
William Mowcroft, 
Huldah V^arney, 
Jonathan Rich, 
Dennis Canady, 
Daniel Stevens, 
Mrs. Johnson, 
Silas Jackson, 
Lyman Cochran, 
Jonathan Pitkin, 

Churchill, 

Noyes Tower, 
Jemima Thompson, 
Mrs. Rich, 
Joseph Chamberlin, 
Nancy H. Chamberlin, 
Richard Hedges, 
Rhoda R. Hedges, 
Abigail D. Foster, 
Mary LaDuke, 
Edward Bean, 
Harriet G. Dodge, 
Susan Kent, 
Amos Rice,- 
Ziba Rice, 
James Steele, 
Esther S. Steele, 




79 DK. BEXJAMIX 

85 

80 lames Webster. 



PORTER. See page 63: 



James Webster, 
81 Simon Eggleston, 

81 Mrs. Holden, 

7'^ Sarah Allen Curtis, 

78 Betsey P. Houghton, 
83 Polly Latham,' 

82 James Latham, 

86 Oliver Averill, 

74 John Greene, 

75 Roswell Carpenter, 

75 Roswell Carpenter, Jr. 
71 Lovisa Carpenter. 

71 Azuba Simons, 

70 Thomas N. Courser, 

87 Anna R. Smith, 
70 Dyer Loomis, 

79 Jesse Averill, 

88 Betsey L. Ashcroft, 

72 Betsey W. Kathan, 
78 Susan C. Eastman, 
95 Edward Eastman, 

76 Joel Parker, 

83 Hannah Gilson Parker. 

84 Ezekiel Stanton, 
90 Joel Coburn, 

88 ! Anson Farnham, 

76 I Polly Farnham, 
87 I Abbie Tvler, 

83 ! N. A. Whittaker, 
72 I Elijah Ellis, 
83 j Mrs. Elijah Ellis, 
87 I James Wiley, 

77 I Mary B. Tyler, 
7^ { Betsey F. Mayo, 
75 Isaac Libby, 

75 Joseph B. Newton, 
82 Rachel B. Newton, 
77 Jacob Amidon, 



74 j Nathan Ring, 84 

81 I James Nichols, 77 

95 I Nathaniel Richardson, 86 

73 I Adin Smith, 78 
85 Zebedee Briggs, 7^ 
85 Solomon Dunham, 75 
90 Mrs. James Pike. 84 

Q Died in 1880 a)id 1881. 

80 John Gregory, 71 

76 Betsey W. Kathan, 76 

84 Samuel Emerson, 76 
71 Ozias Silsbury, 76 
7-}, Thomas Emerson, 76 

79 Ansel Shaw, 77 
88 Jacob Loomis, 77 

74 Moses Robinson, 77 

88 Abigail Alger, 78 

76 Harriet Hoyt Sylvester, 79 
87 Calista Vinton Porter, 79 
94 Charles Simons, 79 

89 Rebecca W. Coburn, 80 
99 Mary Wales, 80 
72) Louisa Jones Rice, 80 
93 Joseph Moffitt, 83 

80 Josiah Lane, 85 

77 John Averill, 86 

85 Amelia Kathan Nve, 86 
84 Elmira C. Nye, ' 86 
80 Stephen Burbank, 86 
83 Silas Sheldon, 87 

75 Melinda F. Davis, 88 
70 Allen Balch, 91 
75 M. R. Burbank, 92 
75 Zervia S. Williams, 91 
77 Mrs. A. Dumas, 93 

74 Mrs. E. E. Corliss, 96 

75 John Leahy, 100 



NORTHFIELD. 



673 




LEWIS COLLEGE. 



NORWICH UNIVERSITY. 

BY HEV. F. "W. BARTLETT. 

The early history since its foundation in 
1S34, may be found in the history of 
Norwich, where it was located until after 
the burning of the " South Barracks" in 
the spring of 1866. The next fall it re- 
moved to Northfield, the citizens thereof 
having raised $16,500 for the purpose. 
Rev. Edward Bourns, LL. D., had been 
president for 15 years. 

On removal, the institution first occupied 
the upper part of Paine's building, i. e., from 
Sept. 13, 1866, to the Commencement in 
July, 1868. Capt. S. W. Shattuck became 
president /;v; tempore in 1866, Dr. Bourns 
remaining as professor of languages until 
his death, in July, 1871. Maj. Thomas 
W. Walker, U. S. A., became president 
in 1867, Rev. R. S. Howard, D. D., in 
1869, Rev. Malcolm Douglass, D. D., in 
1872, Rev. Josiah Swett, D. D., in 1875, 
Capt. Chas. A. Curtis, U. S. A., in 1877, 
Hon. Geo. Nichols, M. D., in 1880. Dec. 
31, 1880, the trustees, having been em- 
powered by the Legislature, changed the 
name to Lewis College. 

This was done chiefly in recognition of 
the offer of Col. Chas. H. Lewis, LL.D., 

85 



i of Boston, an alumnus, to render it'the 
I needed financial support, on certain con- 
[ ditions, which were accepted by the trus- 
! tees. With no endowment, there had 
been of late years a long-continued strug- 
gle for existence. Col. Lewis was at the 
same time elected president, and Dr. 
Clarence L. Hathaway, M. S., vice presi- 
dent. 

The college has conferred the following 
degrees since its foundation : Bachelor of 
Arts, III; Bachelor of Science, 140 ; Bach- 
elor of Philosophy, 2 ; Civil Engineer, 3 ; 
Master of Arts, 80 ; Master of Civil En- 
gineering, 13 ; Doctor of Medicine, 3 ; 
Doctor of Divinity, 16; Doctor of Laws, 
14; Doctor of Philosophy, 2. 

The faculty of professors and instructors 
have numbered 60, of which there grad- 
uated from Bowdoin College, i ; Brown 
University, i ; Cambridge, Eng., i ; Co- 
lumbia, 2 ; Dartmouth, 2 ; Harvard, i ; 
Michigan, i ; Middlebury, i ; N. Y. City 
College, I ; Norwich University, 29 ; Trin- 
ity, Dublin, 2 ; Union, i ; University of 
Vermont, i ; LTpsala, Sweden, i ; U. S. 
Military Academy, 2 ; Williams, i. 

Under the presidency of Col. Lewis 
there have been the following professors 



674 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



besides the lecturers : Clarence L. Hath- 
away, M. S., M. D., Prof, of Anatomy, 
Physiology and Hygiene : Charles Dole, 
A. M., English, History and Political 
Science; William M. Rumbaugh, C. E., 
Drawing, Architecture, Civil and Topo- 
graphical Engineering; Franklin W. Bart- 
lett, A. M., Latin and Greek: John B. 
Johnson, A. B., Mathematics, Miningand 
Mechanical Engineering: Frederick W. 
Grube, A. M., Modern Languages; Asa 
Howe, C. E., M. D., Engineering, Field 
Work. 

Military science has been taught and 
military discipline enforced from the out- 
set ; and accordingly many graduates and 
past cadets have entered the army in time 
of war, and not a few have risen to dis- 
tinction as officers or engineers. The roll 
of honor includes the names of 12 general 
officers, 40 colonels and a great number of 
other officers, among whom some shed 
their blood for their country. 

Recently eftbrts have been made to bring 
the college more prominently before the 
public as a school of practical science. 
The publication of the old college paper. 
The Reveille, has lately been revived by the 
cadets. The number of students is in- 
creasing. 

REV. EDWARD BOURNS, LL. D. 

BY KEV. MALCOLM DOUGLASS, D. D. 

Edward Bourns was born in Dublin, Ire- 
land, Oct. 29, 1801. His father's ancestor 
was a Scotchman, whose name was thought 
to have been originally Burns, who went 
to Ireland about the time of James I., and 
settled in Derry. His mother bore the 
name of King. His two grandmothers 
were sisters, Medlicott, by name ; and his 
great grandmother was a Kirkpatrick from 
Scotland. He was educated by Dr. Mil- 
ler, of Armagh, entered Trinity College, 
Dublin, and won his degree of B. A. July 
9, 1833. He passed the theological exam- 
inations, June, 1834. Both before and after 
this date he was engaged as a writer and 
reviewer by the well known publishers, 
Thomas Tegg & Son,Cheapside, London. 
He did not at once take orders, but en- 
gaged as tutor in a private family in Eng- 



land. In August, 1837, he landed in this 
country. He soon after opened an English 
and Classical School in Philadelphia, where 
he became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. 
William H. DeLancey, Provost of the 
Pennsylvania University. After the con- 
secration of Dr. DeLancey as Bishop of 
Western New York, and his removal to 
Geneva, in 1838, Edward Bourns was at- 
tracted to Geneva. In 1 839, he received the 
degree of M. A. from Geneva College, then 
presided over by the Rev. Dr. Benjamin 
Hale. In the same year, he was made ad- 
junct professor of the Latin and Greek 
languages. In 1841. he received the de- 
gree of LL. D. from the same college. In 
the same year on the 7th of March, in 
Trinity Church, Geneva, he was ordain- 
ed Deacon in the Protestant Episcopal 
Church ; and in the year following, March 
12, at Zion Church, Palmyra, N. Y., he 
was ordained Priest. In 1845, he re- 
signed the Professorship and went to 
Brooklyn, L. I., where he continued to give 
instruction in the languages, until he was 
called, in Sept. 1850, to the Presidency of 
Norwich University, Vt. He held this office 
until 1865 ; and from 1850, discharged also 
the duties of Professor of Latin and Greek 
until shortly before his death, which was 
caused by paralysis and occurred July 14, 
1871. 

Dr. Edward Bourns was no ordinary 
man. In the midst of pressing cares, fre- 
quent infirmities, and peculiar embarrass- 
ments, the intrinsic force, native shrewd- 
ness and genial kindness of his nature, 
notwithstanding a vein of constitutional 
caution and reserve, made him felt and re- 
spected and greatly endeared to many. 
The trials of Norwich University in his 
time were peculiar, and arose chiefly from 
the lack of an early and wise plan of foun- 
dation by generous endowments. Yet 
perseveringly and staunchly he stood by, 
through evil report and good report. He 
braved with wonderful elasticity and spirit 
the frosts and freshets and droughts of 
neglect and almost literary banishment and 
pecuniary hardship. In the most loyal, 
unselfish spirit, he resigned his Presidency 
of N. L^., after 15 years of service, and 



NORTHFIELD. 



67s 



still faithfully continued in her service, en- 
dured her transplanting from Norwich to 
Northfield, and became rooted in the new 
place, winning the esteem and confidence 
of all the people on every hand. Against 
increasing infirmities his well-proved spirit 
bore up to the last, scorning the thought 
of surrender ; bearing him up by the long 
training of habit to give instruction, and 
to sacrifice himself, and to rally his powers, 
when it was marvelous that he could even 
prolong existence. He died in harness. 

Let us draw an illustration of his char- 
acter from the trees of a forest. There, 
in the admirable variety of nature, there 
are certain types and characteristics which 
distinguish one tree from another, and in 
which their respective excellences and 
good qualities lie. So it is also with men, 
and it was eminently so with this man. 
His character, like that of certain grand 
families of trees, was conspicuous amongst 
the many men of ability, education and 
practical sense with .whom he constantly 
mingled. It was moulded and grew up 
under a combination of influences which 
helped to make the man. On his father's 
and his mother's mother's side he might 
be said to have inherited the characteris- 
tics of the Scottish Larch, which now 
clothes the heathery Scottish highlands 
and rugged hills. In hardihood under 
adverse storms, in patient endurance 
against the wintry sleet and driving hail, 
in the qualities which fit that tree to bear 
transplanting, to redeem the sterile, rocky 
wastes, and give them a new value ; in 
these respects, this representative tree may 
well illustrate some of the marked charac- 
teristics of this man. He came in the 
prime of his young manhood to a country 
before unknown to him and strange, and 
was transplanted into its soil. As he stood 
upon the deck of the vessel which bore him 
from his native shores, he resolved at once 
and always to lay aside in obscurity the 
traditions of his native land, and accept in 
good faith and generously the traditions of 
the land of which he intended to be an ac- 
knowledged citizen. And under difficulties 
which few can understand, he succeeded in 
making himself useful and a blessing, and 



in moulding for good the character of many 
American youth, who now live to remem- 
ber him with pleasure and gratitude. 

But, again, on his mother's father's side 
he inherited also something of the capacity, 
strength and robustness of the Irish oak. 
This is a tree distinguished for its genuine 
toughness of grain, and practical power ; 
and its ability to furnish sound timber for 
traffic, constructions, and the welfare of 
men and communities. And this tree may 
also represent in some sort the character- 
istics of this man. If you regard him as 
to his physical mould, it is easy to see that 
if he had been brought up to cultivate 
chiefly his bodily powers, he would have 
been gigantic even amongst our most pow- 
erful men. He was somewhat bent from 
long sedentary life, but when standing 
fully erect his height was but little short of 
six feet and three inches, with a frame- 
work — a breadth of shoulder, a develop- 
ment of muscle, and massive loins — in 
equal proportion. His physical courage 
was perfect. For although diffident to an 
extreme, and reluctant to a fault to dis- 
play himself, no truer, braver heart could 
anywhere be found when the time for ac- 
tion came ; no sympathy more ready than 
his with the oppressed, no freer outspeak- 
ing of views than his, no contempt of hum- 
bug and pretension — of mere glitter and 
show — more thorough than his. Take 
him all in all as he was, even as developed 
by purely literary and professional pur- 
suits, by the life and service of the parish 
minister, by the trials of the academic 
professor and president, by the confine- 
ment of books and writings, and the inter- 
course of educated men ; notwithstanding, 
mentally and physically, the Scottish larch 
and the Irish oak will not badly represent 
him. 

Dr. Bourns was a man of learning and 
acumen. His Alma Mater, Trinity Col- 
lege, Dublin, was second to none in the 
United Kingdom in scholarly training and 
classical learning. Here he won honora- 
ble prizes, and in his library were books 
marked with the printed seal of the col- 
lege recording the occasions upon which 
he won them in scholastic competitions. 



676 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He earned by long practice a right to 
speak and to teach as it were ex cathedra. 
He was also a voluminous, careful and ex- 
haustive reader. Yet never at any time in 
his sermons or addresses, in conversation 
or in discussions, did he ever betray the con- 
sequence of the pedant, or assume to be 
other than a sincere enquirer after truth. 
He was fond of accuracy ; willing to be 
restrained by well-grounded principles and 
laws ; ready to surrender cheerfully his 
opinions and theories, if found to be un- 
tenable, but not otherwise. No man could 
discern better than he the weak points of 
a coxcomb or hypocrite ; and no man 
could with keener humor and presence of 
mind foil the advances of intrusive persons 
and turn the tables upon them. Yet, with 
a facility of extempore speech, and a native 
readiness that but for his diffidence and 
physical hindrances would have placed him 
amongst our foremost public .speakers, 
and with a keen and humorous moth- 
er-wit sufficient for three ordinary men, he 
guarded the portals of his lips with the 
extremest care from hasty, unbecoming, 
or careless words. He never passed the 
bounds of perfect propriety, modesty and 
good sense, in public or in private. He 
sometimes felt himself obliged to show a 
presuming, pertinacious or priggish person 
that he had the advantage of him and 
would keep it. But he never told tales 
out of school, or treated the character and 
actions of any scholar or any person but 
with the most dehcate reserve. He stood 
in all these respects upon his sacred honor. 
His reticence under the most trying cir- 
cumstances and in regard to those who 
had caused him great anxiety, was mar- 
vellous and instructive. 

Would that our limits permitted us to 
illustrate that readiness and keenness of 
humor which those who knew him will 
easily remember. We heard him once 
make the following characteristic speech, 
on a certain commencement evening at 
Norwich ; when the cadets were assembled 
with a serenading band of music, and the 
Doctor was importuned for a speech. He 
opened the window and was heard to say : 
" Y'oung gentlemen, I thank you for this 



admirable music. I have heard you praised 
greatly this day by our accomplished visi- 
tors, and I think myself that you have 
done very well indeed. I cannot help 
thinking that if you are such fine birds now 
when you are half-fledged, what will you 
be when you are in full feather I" When 
the clergy of the diocese of Vermont, 
after the death of Bishop Hopkins, held a 
preliminary meeting to review the names 
of candidates to fill the vacancy, the Doc- 
tor while praising highly the timber of Ver- 
mont, ingeniously argued that a Vermont 
sapling, which had been transplanted, de- 
veloped and finished under other and most 
favorable skies, was ceten's par/dus better 
furnished than one could otherwise be for 
this responsible service. 

Dr. Bourns worked faithfully in his cler- 
ical life. He was an excellent sermonizer, 
and extemporized passages and paragraphs 
with the greatest facility as he was preach- 
ing. It may be remembered that at a cer- 
tain Convocation of the clergy in Rutland 
years ago, the question under discussion 
was. How may sermons be made more 
effective in drawing the laity ? The Doctor, 
when asked his opinion, answered that the 
clergy " should prepare better sermons." 
"They should use more art," he said; 
" not art in the sense of artifice, but high, 
sacred art in building up, constructing, 
the sermon, and preaching It." 

As a theologian, he was no mere theo- 
rist, but sound, practical, consistent, and 
conservative. He was not by nature en- 
thusiastic ; and he sometimes distrusted 
those who were, if he failed to discern the 
stability of the foundation upon which they 
built. He deeply felt the value of energy 
and practical common sense in carrying 
out the great work of the Church, and 
showed his sincere missionary spirit by 
doing under great disadvantages what he 
could in the paths of clerical work. Before 
he went to Norwich many clergyman re- 
ceived his assistance in the pulpit. In 
Norwich he held service in the chapel, 
afterwards in a parish church. For i6 
years he crossed the Connecticut River 
weekly to minister to the little parish in 
Hanover, without other compensation than 



NORTHFIELD. 



677 



the small means of the Diocesan Board of 
Missions could furnish him. At North- 
field, he served for several years as rector 
of St. Mary's Parish. In the beautiful 
cemetery of that village will be found his 
monument and his grave. 

When one, a professor in the Universi- 
ty, and one of its first two graduates ; one 
who had become endeared to Dr. Bourns 
by the mutual trials and sympathies of 
many years of academic life together; 
when this good and true man, this Chris- 
tian brother. Gen. Alonzo Jackman, ap- 
proached him a few days before his death, 
and asked the question, "Is the sky all 
clear between you and your God ?"' "Yes," 
was the emphatic response ; and after a 
pause, " yes, it /s clear." 

GEN. ALONZO JACKMAN, LL. D. 
BY REV. FRANKLIN W. liAKTLKTT. 

The name of Alonzo Jackman occupies 
an illustrious place in the annals of Ver- 
mont, and on account of his distinguished 
services, as an educator and a soldier, as 
well as his virtues as a man, lie deserves a 
longer biographical notice than our limits 
permit. He was born in Thetford, Mar. 
20, 1809, the second son of Joseph and 
Sarah (Warner) Jackman, who were in- 
dustrious and worthy people. When near- 
ly 3 years old, his father, a farmer, died of 
an injury, and his mother was left in 
straightened circumstances, with three 
children, Enoch, Alonzo and Joseph. 
Shortly after that, they removed to Straf- 
ford, and the next year, 18 13, to New Bos- 
ton, in the town of Norwich ; and that 
summer, the young lad commenced attend- 
ing school. One day, he had a narrow es- 
cape from drowning in the swollen brook 
near by. The same year, he was very low 
of a fever, and not expected to live. He 
had early religious impressions ; for when 
he was only 5 years old, he believed he saw 
a vision of the Lord walking on the sky. 
In 1814, while his mother was at Enfield, 
N. H., a few weeks, to learn the art of 
making oil-cloth, he was placed in the care 
of a Mrs. Sawyer, who instilled into his 
young mind a knowledge of the Bible. 
Many years afterwards, the mature man 
looked back to that period as having had 



an important influence on his subseqent 
life. In 1815, he lived in the same house 
with a Smith family; and their boy, Jo- 
seph, who afterwards became the Mormon 
Prophet, was his play-fellow. In 1816, 
Mrs. Jackman was married to Eli Clark, 
who took a farm to carry on by the halves, 
and the two older boys worked as steadily 
on it as if hired men. Alonzo cut wood 
for the family bare-footed, with a warmed 
board between his feet and the snow. 
One day when Enoch and he were cutting 
from the same log, the latter sat down to 
rest, when Enoch's axe glanced and cut 
his brother slightly, nearly from hip to knee. 
In 1820, these two boys left home, never 
to return again, except on a visit, their 
mother having given them the parting ad- 
monition, "Go for 3'ourselves and remem- 
ber there is a God." Alonzo went to 
work with a farmer, James Powell, for 
board, clothing and schooling. He re- 
mained one year. While there he heard 
much religious discussion, and commenced 
reading the Bible through by course, in 
order to know the truth more perfectly. 
In 182 1, he commenced work for another 
farmer, about half a mile from his birth- 
place. Here he was to have board, cloth- 
ing and 3 months at school. He did his 
part faithfully, but was unjustly treated, 
and some of the winters was allowed but 
little time at school, a disadvantage in 
early years, which he always afterwards 
felt. Having worked here 6 years, he left 
with $4, and two days provisions. His 
brother Enoch accompanied him, and the 
two, with $12.47 between them, went on 
foot down the Connecticut river until they 
reached Middletown, Mar. 16, with 25 
cents left. They crossed over to Chatham, 
now Portland, where they secured work in 
the sandstone quarries, near which his 
brother still resides. He attended school 
in the winter. 

In 1828, young Jackman went to New 
York and engaged as seaman before the 
mast, on a new ship, the St. John, bound 
for Mobile, and from there, as he sup- 
posed, to Liverpool. This expectation 
was not realized, and he returned by 
another ship to New York and thence to 



678 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Portland, where he worked in the quar- 
ry during the season, and then went to Ver- 
mont, where he visited and helped his 
mother, spending the winter at school. 
In the spring of 1S30, he was again at 
work in the quarry, and the next winter 
attended the high school at Portland. 
About this time he decided to be a Chris- 
tian. One wakeful night he revolved the 
subject in his mind and firmly resolved to 
give himself wholly to the service of God. 
He joined the Methodist class in March, 
1 83 1, and the following summer was bap- 
tized by immersion. The year 183 1 was 
employed like the year before, partly in the 
quarry and partly at school. 

In 1832, the two brothers left Portland 
for Ohio; but Enoch, when they had 
reached Troy, N. Y., could be persuaded 
to go no further. After a few weeks in 
the stone cutter's business, they left for 
New York, where they got employment on 
a steamboat for a short time, and then re- 
turned to the quarries. Alonzo, however, 
did not abandon the idea of going west to 
settle. In October, he left for Ohio. He 
traveled in various parts of the state, look- 
ing for a farm ; Ijut he finally shipped on a 
steamboat, engaged in the iron trade, be- 
tween Cincinnati and Wyandotte, Va. 
He was next employed on a New Orleans 
and Mobile boat. In May, 1833, he again 
went to work in the Portland quarry. 

The scanty opportunities which he had 
snatched for reading, and his short seasons 
of school life had given him a desire to 
pursue a regular course of study. He con- 
sidered whether to accept an agency for a 
line of steamers, go to farming in Ohio, or 
to get an education. He decided, left 
Portland, and about Dec. i, 1833, enteied 
Franklin Seminary at Norwich, Vt. The 
next year, the principal, Mr. Buck, re- 
moved his school to New Market, N. H., 
and young Jackman went with him, and, 
while prosecuting his studies, rendered as- 
sistance in teaching mathematics, his fa- 
vorite branch. In the summer of 1835, he 
taught the same branch while pursuing his 
studies in an academy at Kingston, N. H., 
and also on its removal in the autumn to 
Rochester, N. H. Norwich University 



had, in the meantime, been chartered and 
opened. He decided to enter it, and did 
so in December of that year, having passed 
his examination for admission to the Sen- 
ior class. He graduated at the first com- 
mencement, Aug., 1836, with the degree 
of B. A. Being the only graduate that 
year he stands at the head of the alumni. 
Soon afterwards he was elected to the 
chair of mathematics. In the next sum- 
mer vacation, he visited in New England, 
New York and Canada. In 1838, on ac- 
count of the uneasiness caused by the pro- 
jected Canada rebellion, he was employed 
to drill troops at Enosburgh, Berkshire 
and Sheldon. On returning to open the 
spring term of 1839, Zerah Colburn, Pro- 
fessor of Languages, had died, and the 
charge of the whole institution rested upon 
Captain Partridge and himself. In Feb., 
1840, Josiah Swett, who had been Jack- 
man's room-mate and graduated a year 
after him, became professor of ancient lan- 
guages, and that summer these two profes- 
sors established a paper at Norwich, devo- 
ted to military science, national defence, 
and the interests of the militia. It did not 
prove a financial success ; and one reason 
may have been that it stood aloof from 
politics during the great excitement of the 
presidential campaign of that year. Pro- 
fessor Jackman contributed a series of ar- 
ticles on tactics valuable for their clear- 
ness and precision. Some time during the 
publication of this paper, both editors re- 
signed their professorships and removed 
to Windsor, where they opened a school, 
which they called the New England Semi- 
nary. They were both Methodists, but 
after much reading and discussion conclud- 
ed to enter the communion of the Episco- 
pal church, and received confirmation from 
Bp. Hopkins, in 1843. 

While at Windsor, Jackman had as 
mathematical treatise printed on the sub- 
ject of " Series," in which his investiga- 
tions were carried beyond the ability of 
the ordinary student. Having conducted 
the school for 3 years, he and his friend 
Swett returned by invitation, in 1844, to 
the University, and resumed their profes- 
sorships under the new president. Gen. T. 



NORTHFIELD. 



679 



1845, the two friends left for Claremont, 
N. H., proposing to set up a school ; but 
finding the project unpromising, they 
abandoned it. Jackman, at the solicitation 
of the president and the trustees of N. U., 
again went on duty in the fall term. 

In 1846, he wrote and published an arti- 
cle on the subject of an oceanic magnetic 
telegraph. He gave in detail plans for the 
construction, materials and manner of lay- 
ing a telegraphic cable across the Atlantic. 
In lecturing to his school on magnetism, 
he had expressed the belief that if the nec- 
essary expense could be met, a telegraph 
might be thus extended across the ocean. 
In 1846, the Hon. Amos Kendall, then 
president of a Telegraph Co., at Washing- 
ton, I). C, communicated to a Philadel- 
phia paper the difficulties of crossing, with 
the telegraph, large bodies of water. Prof. 
Jackman, happening to see this article, 
wrote Mr. Kendall, and explained how the 
difficulties could be surmounted. Receiv- 
ing no reply, he was induced to write out 
for publication the article to which we have 
referred, that no other person might have 
the credit of solving the problem which 
he had worked out in this field of science. 
Accordingly, he wrote a paper, answering 
all objections, providing against all the 
difficulties, and including all the necessary 
particulars of construction and the method 
of laying an oceanic telegraphic cable. 
This was about 12 years before the first 
Atlantic cable was successfully laid. He 
sent the article to periodicals in Washing- 
ton, New York, Philadelphia and Boston ; 
but editors refused it, considering the plan 
visionary. He then sent it to the Verntoni 
Mercury of Woodstock, where it appeared 
in the number dated Aug. 14, 1846. He 
forwarded copies to prominent men in the 
United States, England, Canada and 
France. It seems, therefore, that the 
credit is due him of having matured a suc- 
cessful plan for this gigantic enterprise. 
The cable as it was laid was of the same gen- 
eral description with that which he had pro- 
posed, difl^ering in some minor details, 
among which was the use of gutta-percha 



insulation. 

Prof. Jackman was well versed in tactics, 
and had a reputation as an excellent drill- 
master. This led to his being appointed 
Brigade drill master by the Governor of 
New Hampshire, with the rank of Major. 
He drilled the officers of the brigades of 
that state at certain times in 1847, '48. 

Returning to Norwich from a drill, he 
had held at Exeter, N. H., he suffered from 
a severe attack of typhoid fever, from 
which he narrowly escaped death. This 
is one of the many times when he was 
near death, either by accident or sickness. 

In Aug., 1849, he obtained 3 years leave 
of absence from the University, and in 
October, sailed from Boston for California 
by way of Cape Horn. His object was to 
see the country and to add to his resources. 
He reached San Francisco March 13, 
1850. Within a few weeks he took out a 
claim in the gold region. The prospect 
seemed fair ; but it was desirable to turn 
the course of the river, and Jackman was 
elected the Engineer. He was 100 miles 
from a civilized center, and had to work at 
a disadvantage ; but his ingenuity and ac- 
quirements came to his aid. He accom- 
plished the work he had undertaken, and 
Californians pronounced it the greatest 
achievemeut in engineering in the state. 
He did not find much gold, however. When 
the rainy season was approaching, he sold 
out, and the same autumn went to Oregon, 
and took out a claim of 320 acres, not far 
from Pacific city, now included in Wash- 
ington Territory. When Pacific County 
was organized, June 2, 185 1, and county 
officers elected, Mr. Jackman was made 
Probate Judge and School Superintendent. 
In December, he quit Oregon, with some 
of his farm products on board a bark bound 
for San Francisco, expecting to realize a 
goodly sum of money for them. The pas- 
sage was rough, and his property was ren- 
dered worthless by leakage of the vessel. 
While in this city, he learned that a large 
amount of gold had been realized from his 
old mining claim since he left it. 

He returned to Norwich Apr. ro, 1852, 



68o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



intending to settle up his affairs and re- 
turn to his western farm. Dr. Bourns, at 
this time President of N. U., induced him 
to teach until the next commencement. 
Meantime, the reports he heard from the 
West dissuaded him from returning thith- 
er, and he consented to remain with Dr. 
Bourns and assist him not only in teach- 
ing, but in paying the indebtedness of the 
institution. In 1857, the N. U. cadets 
were organized under the militia law, as an 
infantry company, and Prof. Jackman was 
commissioned Captain, and in 1S59, when 
officers of the 2d Regt. were ordered to 
meet at White River Junction for choice 
of regimental officers, he was chosen and 
commissioned Colonel. The next fall, he 
held an officers' diill there, and a regi- 
mental muster at Bradford. The same 
year the Vermont militia were consolidated 
into one brigade and Col. Jackman was 
made Brigadier General. He was very 
painstaking and thorough in his instruc- 
tions and drills ; and was himself skilled 
in the use of fife or drum. 

At the beginning of our late civil war, 
he received a telegram from Gov. Fair- 
banks, summoning him to meet him at St. 
Johnsbury with Gens. Baxter and Davis. 
The Secretary of War had called for 
troops. A long consultation was held, 
and an extra session of the legislature was 
called. Several companies were detailed 
and equipped. The governor offered the 
general any position in his power to grant, 
if he wished to go to the front ; but ex- 
pressed the preference that he should 
remain where he was, and qualify men for 
duty. He rendered service as an officer 
during this period ; inspected and got in 
readiness the old militia, organized new 
companies and regiments ; sent out cadets 
to drill companies in different parts of the 
State, as he was notified of their formation, 
and regimental officers from different States 
went to him for instruction at Norwich. 
At the time of the raid on St. Albans, he 
took the cadet corps to Derby Line, in 
response to an order from the governor, 
with authority to take command of any 
forces he might find, and to organize more 
if needed. As no danger had been appre- 



hended the militia had been disbanded ; 
but the cadets were always ready, and were 
en route by rail 2 hours after the order was 
received. 

Honor is due the general for the results 
of his work on behalf of his State and the 
Union during these years ; his industry 
was untiring ; and his clear, precise, thor- 
ough instructions to officers and men were 
of great value to them in the service. 

On March 13, 1866, the N. U. " South 
Barracks " building was burned, whereby 
Drs. Bourns and Jackman, who had paid 
up the indebtedness, lost heavily. The 
latter now thought of leaving to seek a 
support elsewhere ; but the friends of the 
institution were anxious that he should 
remain to aid in establishing it in a new- 
place, and to this he consented, with the 
understanding that he should not be re- 
sponsible for its finances or government ; 
and he removed with it to its new loca- 
tion in Northfield, and remained connected 
with it until his death Feb. 24, 1879. He 
had attended to his duties as professor the 
previous week, and been at church the 
day before. He died from an affection of 
the heart. 

He had been a close student, often so 
absorbed when studying as to be oblivious 
of what was passing. His delight was in 
mathematics, in which he excelled, and he 
was conversant with natural science. His 
culture lay mostly in these channels and in 
military science. The degree of LL. D. 
was conferred upon him in 1862. He 
wrote some mathematical works which he 
never published, and demonstrated the 
problem of squaring the circle to his own 
satisfaction and to that of some other emi- 
nent professors — that old problem which 
had vexed mathematicians for centuries. 

In person. Gen. Jackman was of sturdy 
compact frame, though of somewhat less 
than medium height ; his complexion 
slightly dark, his eye, dark grey and keen ; 
the countenance indicating both benevo- 
lence and decision of character. He was 
was very methodical, earnest, and hon- 
est ; had great endurance and strength 
of body, and mind ; under the trials of 
life was submissive and patient, and was a 



NORTHFIELD. 



68 1 



devout and faithful Christian, and in this 
respect has left an example which will not 
soon be forgotten. For several years he 
was Senior Warden of St. Mary's church, 
Northfield ; and bequeathed at his death 
his small estate to the poor. 



He was married to Miss Charlotte Saw- 
yer of Royalton, Jan. i, 1856. They had 
two children : Alonzo, born in 1857, and 
died 1859; Helen, born i860, and died 
1S77 ; Mrs. Jackman died 1874. 




.XOI^THFIELD GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOL. 



DESCRIPTION BY .TAMES N. JOHNSON, KSi(^ 

The Northfield graded and high school, 
the most important public school in the 
valley of Dog river, was established nearly 
in its present form in 1870. The high 
school is the successor of the Northfield 
institution formerly the Northfield acad- 
emy — chartered by the Legislature in 1846. 
Previous there had been no regular high 
school in this valley. Gov. Paine donated 
the grounds for the academy site in 1850, 
upon an eminence between the river and 
the Central Vermont railroad, and not far 
from the geographical center of the village 
of Northfield. 

Through the exertions of Gov. Paine, 
Heman Carpenter, John L. Buck, James 
86 



Palmer, George R. Cobleigh, Benjamin 
Porter, Leander Foster, and c]uite a num- 
ber of other public-spirited citizens, a sub- 
scription of about $2,400 was raised for 
erecting the school -building, and another 
to pay for furniture and apparatus. About 
a hundred men signed the main subscrip- 
tion. Gov. Paine giving $500 ; Heman 
Carpenter, $100; Wm. Nichols and James 
Palmer, $75, each; H.H.Camp, James 
Moore, H. R. Campbell, P. Belknap & Co., 
N. C. & C. S. Munson, Dr. S. W. Thayer, 
George M. Cady, James Gould, Thomas 
Connor, R. H. Little, $50, each; J. C. 
Cady, $40; William Rogers, $35; E. A. 
Webb, $30; N. W. Lincoln, Elijah Smith, 
Stephen Cochran, A. Wetherbee, G. P 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



Randall, C. S. Dole, Leander Foster, $25, 
each; George K. Cobleigh, William R. 
Tucker, A. S. Braman, H. Nye, Theophilus 
Cass, $20, each; H. L. Briggs, $12.50. 

At the first meeting of the trustees, 
Mar. 6, 1847, Charles Paine, John L. 
Buck, Leander Foster, James Gould, Jas. 
Palmer and Heman Carpenter present, 
John L. Buck, Esq., was chosen presi- 
dent, James Gould vice president, and 
Heman Carpenter secretary and treasurer. 
Judge Carpenter filled his offices till 1868. 
The building was erected in 1851, by Wm. 
H. H. Dunham and E. K. Jones; cost 
about $2,600 ; dedicated and school opened 
Sept. i85i,with C. C. Webster, A. M., 
principal. It flourished well. Rev. R. M. 
Manly succeeding as principal in 1852-3. 
In 1854, the name of the school was 
changed by the Legislature to Northfield 
Institution. The principals since have 
been John H. Graham, A. R. Bissell, 
George Brooks, J. G. Mclutire, George F. 
Beard and Charles G. Tarbell, able teach- 
ers, and the school well patronized in their 
time. Having no separate fund, it de- 
teriorated somewhat during the War of 
the Rebellion. 

After the decease of Northfield's bene- 
factor, Governor Charles Paine, the fol- 
lowing resolutions were unanimously adopt- 
ed by the Board of Trustees, Jan. 30, 
1854: 

Whereas, The Trustees of Northfield 
Academy have heard with deep grief the 
melancholy intelligence of the death of the 
Hon. Charles Paine, one of the Trustees 
of this Institution 

Resolved, That in his death this Institu- 
tion has lost one of its first friends, and 
one whose aid contributed largely to the 
establishment and .success of the same. 

Resolved, That the friends of this Insti- 
tution will ever hold in grateful remem- 
brance the many public and private virtues 
of our deceased friend, and the services he 
has rendered the cause of education in our 
midst, and the advancement of the growth 
and prosperity of our State. 

This Institution will perpetuate its or- 
ganization, the following named gentle- 
men being the present Trustees : P. D. 
Bradford; president ; Lorenzo Belknap, 
vice president ; J. H. Orcutt, secretary and 
treasurer; P. D. Bradford, George Nich- 



ols, J. H. Orcutt, L. Belknap, George M. 
Fisk, executive committee. 

Perley Belknap, P. D. Bradford, J. C. 
Cady, Lorenzo Belknap, George Nichols, 
J. H. Orcutt, W. S. Hazen, E. K. Jones, 
J. C. B. Thayer, George M. Fisk, Charles 
Dole. 

In 1870, the village school district made 
a permanent arrangement with the trus- 
tees of the institution to repair the build- 
ing, and occupy it for a graded and high 
school, free for all pupils of the village, 
which was accomplished through the 
friends of popular education, notably : 
Hon. Heman Carpenter, James N. John- 
son, Rev. William S. Hazen, Thomas L. 
Salisbury, A. S. Braman and J. H. Rich- 
ardson. The school opened in Sept. 1870, 
with 331 pupils. Marshal R. Peck, A. B., 
principal. He remained 2 years, and 
should ever be gratefully remembered. 
Principals since have been, A. R. Savage, 
Eben C. Smith, A. W. Blair and W. W. 
Prescott, all efficient, as also, many lady 
teachers in the graded departments. It 
received its charter fiom the Legislature in 
1872. 

The old building was accidentally burned 
Jan. 13, 1876, and the following season 
the present building, 60x90 feet, with 7 
main rooms, was erected, at a cost of about 
$11,000, by J. C. Rice, upon the same site. 

The school at present stands well among 
similar institutions of the State. It costs 
from $2,500 to $3,000 a year to run it. 

Directors for 1882.— P. D. Bradford, 
president, Chas. A. Edgerton, secretary, 
Geo. H. Crane, William B. Mayo, H. L. 
Kenyon. 

SUICIDES. 

Whole number of suicides in town, 25 : 
by hanging, 9, by drowning, 6; by poison- 
ing, 4 ; by cutting their throats, 4: by 
shooting, 2. 

Males, 6 by hanging, 4 by drowning, 3 
by cutting their throats, 2 by poison, 2 by 
fire-arms; total, 17. Females, 3 by hang- 
ing, 2 by drowning, 2 by poison, i by cut- 
ting throat : total, 8. 

Attempted suicides 6; 3 by cutting their 
throats, 2 by hanging, i by poison. 

Males, 2 by cutting their throats ; fe- 
males, 2 by hanging, i by cutting her 
throat, I by poison. 



NORTHFIELD. 



683 



&£A^c:s^^ 




REV. JOEL WlXCil. FIRST 
MASONIC. 

The first record of De Witt Clinton 
Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., was Nov. 8, 
1848, working under a dispensation from 
the Grand Lodge of Vermont. This rec- 
ord does not show where they met, but it 
is believed they held their meetings in L 
W. Brown's hall at the Center village. 
The officers were: Joel Winch, W. M. ; 
H. W. Carpenter, S. W. : Walter Little, 
J. W. ; Elijah Smith, Jr., Secretary. 
Date of Charter, Jan. 18, 1849. 

Charter Members. — H. W. Carpenter, 
Joel Winch, Samuel L. Adams, Oramel 
Williams, Walter Little, Joshua Lane, Jo- 
seph Bean, John Fisk, Zeno Crocker, S. 
B. Holden, Philip Staples, John Leonard, 
and Jesse Averill. 

Rev. John Gregory received the first de- 
gree in August, 1849. 

Past Masters. — Joel Winch, Joel Winch, 
Jr., A. V. N. Carpenter, A. H. Proctor, 
David L. Howe, E. G. Babcock, C. N. 
Carpenter, James P. Warner, J. G. Som- 
erville, Geo. W. Kingsbury, Henry Ferris, 
J. L. Mack. 

Officers for 1882. — W. l\L Rumbaugh, 
W. M.; L. A. Howes, S. W. ; Ozro 



Frank H. Bascom, 
Towne, (t. C. V. 



Winch, J. W.; J. 
C. B. Thayer, trea. ; 
H. L. Kenyon,sec. : 
W. O. Whitmarsh, 
S. D. ; G.C. Bates, 
J. D.; £. Ingalls, 
S. S. : Wm. Lu- 
ther, J. S. ; D. 
Thomas, Marshal : 
A. McGillvary, Ty- 
ler. 

M O U N T Z I O N 
COMMANDERY, No. 

9, Knight Templars . 
A dispensation was 
granted b \- the 
Right E \\\'\ n e]n'_t 
Grand Commander 
to the following Sir 
Knights: J. L. 
Mack, Joel Winch, 
Henry D. Bean. 
Stephen Thomas, 
L. Bart Cross, Emory 
Eastman, George W. 
Tilden, Charles E. Abbott, J. M. Poland, 
and Allen McGilvary, to open a Com- 
mandery of Knights Templars at North- 
field, and to confer the orders of knight- 
hood. 

The first meeting under this dispensa- 
tion was held Apr. 9, 1873, A. O. 755, 
and the following officers were appointed : 
Jona L. Mack, Eminent Commander : 
Henry D. Bean, Generalissimo; Frank H. 
Bascom, Captain General ; George C. \'. 
Eastman, Prelate ; Charles E. Abbott, 
Senior Warden ; Allen McGilvary, Junior 
Warden ; Joel Winch, Treasurer; J. Mun- 
roe Poland, Recorder; Emory Town, 
Standard Bearer ; L. Bart Cross, Sword 
Bearer ; George W. Tilden, Warder. 

A charter was granted them bv the 
Grand Commandery, June 10, A. D., 1873, 
A. O. 755, and Aug. 27, of the same year, 
they were formally constituted with ap- 
propriate ceremonies by the Right Emi- 
nent Grand Commander, Joseph L. Per- 
kins, and other grand officers. This inter- 
esting occasion was graced by the presence 
of Burlington Commandery, No. 2, and 



684 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the street parade of the two commanderies 
is remembered as beautiful and imposing. 
Lily of the Valley, Conclave No. 5, 
Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. 
A charter ha\ing been granted to Henry 

D. Bean, George C. V. Eastman, Joel 
Winch, George W. Kingsbury, Charles 

E. Abbott and Allen McGilvery, by the 
Grand Imperial Council of the State of 
Michigan, to form and hold a Conclave of 
the Red Cross and Appendant Orders at 
Northfield, in the State of Vermont, the 
above-named Sir Knights on the ninth 
day of April, A. D., 1875, A. O. 1562, or- 
ganized Lily of the Valley, Conclave No. 
21, Knights of the Ked Cross of Constan- 
tine, by electing Henry D. Bean, M. P., 
sovereign; George C. V. Eastman, vice- 
roy ; Allen McGilvery, sir general ; Chas. 
E. Abbott, Jr., general ; Joel Winch, treas- 
urer; George W. Kingsbury, recorder. 

A convention of the several Conclaves 
of the Order in this State met at Burling- 
ton, Apr. 30, 1875, and organized the 
Grand Imperial Council of Vermont under 
the direction of Sir D. Burnham Tracy, 
33 °, Grand Sovereign of Michigan. The 
organization being completed, the above- 
named charter. No. 21, issued by the 
Grand Imperial Council of Michigan, was 
surrendered for endorsement, and was re- 
issued by the new Grand Council as No. 5 
on its roll of subordinates, by the author- 
ity of which charter Lily of the Valley 
Conclave has continued to convene reg- 
ularly for the transaction of the business of 
the Order until the present time. 

Masonic Relief Association of Vt., 
established in Nortlifield, its principal of- 
ficers citizens of this town, was organized 
in Feb. 1875, Hon. George Nichols, pres- 
ident; J. L. Mack, vice president ; G. B. 
B. Denny, secretary, and J. C. B. Thaver, 
treasurer, and the same gentlemen con- 
tinue to hold these several offices at the 
present time (1878.) 

odd fellowship. 

In the fall or winter of 1849 and '50, 
Brothers Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, J. C. B. 
Thayer, Dr. Edward A. Williams, Isaac 
L. Stevens, and Thomas J. Nutter sent a 



petition to the Grand Master, asking to be 
instituted as a Lodge, which request was 
granted, and Mar., 1850, the grand officers 
visited Northfield, and instituted the 
Lodge, with the above named brethren as 
charter members, and the same evening 
T. A. C. Beard, S. S. Cady, James Pai- 
mer, and J. S. Abbott also became mem- 
bers, making 10 in all. The first Xol)le 
Grand was Dr. S. W. Thayer, and the 
first Vice Grand J. C. B. Thayer, and Dr. 
Edward H. Williams the first Secretary. 

Prosperity attended the Lodge, and at 
tlie end of three months they had 30, and 
at the end of two years 60 members, with 
but one death; but in May, 1852, their 
hall was burned, with all tlieir books and 
Lodge property, except the secretary's 
book ; loss in regalia, library, &c. was 
$350; no insurance, and a debt of $150, 
without a penny to pa\ ; no Lodge room, 
and members scattered, and had it not 
been for the faithfulness of those who 
loved Odd Fellowship, it must have gone 
down never to rise again. 

The first meeting after the fire was held 
in the hall of the Northfield House. After 
a time a hall was procured on Central 
Street; the next hall was in Union Block. 

Prosperity again dawned, Jan. i, 1859, 
they had in the treasury $508.29, free from 
debt ; but sickness and death made inroads 
upon them soon again, and their treasury 
was depleted ; and about this time the 
railroad works were removed to St. Albans, 
and as a matter of course many of the 
members went with them ; those left be- 
came disheartened, and the good work 
ceased for the time, after paying all their 
debts. 

But in the summer of 1871, Past Grand 
Master, P. D. Bradford, proposed a meet- 
ing of the faithful at his ofiice, when a pa- 
per was drawn up, signed by a goodly 
number, petitioning the Grand Master to 
be again recognized. The request was 
granted ; on the evening of Aug. i, 1871, 
the grand officers came to Northfield, and 
restored the Lodge to life. After a few 
months they began to recuperate, and have 
gained steadily in funds and members until 
the present time, with a good working 



NORTHFIELD. 



685 



Lodge, and a determination to make it a 
success. So that to-day [1878] they have 
100 members, $1200 hi the treasury, free 
from debt. 

The amount of relief paid by the Lodge 
cannot be told, as the records were burn- 
ed. But since 1871, they have paid $150 
for funeral expenses, have buried 5 broth- 
ers, and 200 have been admitted to this 
institution since its first organization. — [j. 
G. 1878. 

Present Officers, 1S82.— P. D. Bradford, 
N. G.; O. D. Edgerton. V. G; J. K. 
Edgerton, S. ; E. Huntley, T. 

Eureka Encampment of the Patriar- 
chal Branch of Independent Order Odd 
Fellows was institutel Jan. 7, 1874, and 
now numbers 32 members, have $100 in 
bank, with good furniture and fixtures,' 
and are free from debt. They meet first 
and third Mondays of each month, at 7.30 

p. M. 

Odd Fellows Relief Association — 
organized in Northfield, Feb. 2, 1875. 
Hon. P. D. Bradford was elected presi- 
dent, and O. D. Edgerton, Esq., clerk. 
Since then 188 have become members, 
and it is permanently established as one 
of the institutioas of Northfield that is 
destined to do great good. Its principles 
are the same as those of the Masonic Re- 
lief Association, and we refer the reader 
to the comments made upon the latter in- 
stitution as appropriate for both. [1878.] 
No change. [1882. J 

COL. ALBERT STEVENS. 
(FROM KEV. MR. BARTLETT.) 

Albert Stevens, son of Daniel Stevens, 
was born in Hartland, Apr. 23, 1804. He 
lived there till 1820, when father and son 
left to find a lot of wild land owned by the 
former in Northfield. On the way they 
met, in a chaise, the late Judge Paine, 
dressed in old English style, with knee- 
breeches. They built a shanty far in the 
woods, and cut away the timber. In the 
fall they built a large log-house, with 
boards laid on to keep off the storm till it 
could be finished. One morning when 
Albert awoke, he found the snow had 
drifted heavily over his bed, and on it 
were the tracks of animals, such as sables 



and weazels. Trees were marked by the 
axe to help find the way, and when belated 
at night one of these had to be 'found in 
the dark. Then one of the party would 
remain at it till some other should be 
found nearer home. Once a pair of oxen 
strayed away, and Albert traveled a month 
in search, going first to Hartland, where 
they were bought. They were found in 
Calais, where they had been raised. Mrs. 
Stevens visited the family in the fall, bring- 
ing her own handiwork in winter clothing. 
She came to remain in 182 1. There was 
a hollow tree on the land 27 feet in cir- 
cumference, into which Mrs. .S. took six 
ladies who came to take tea with her. It 
was afterwards used as a stable for young- 
cattle, etc. Albert worked hard, and 
helped to clear about 25 acres. He left in 
1823, and went to Warren for about 2 
years, then returned and settled on 50 
acres adjoining his father's lot. While 
there he husked corn for Judge Paine 
where the fountain now is on the common. 
It was all forest where Central street now 
is, only one house between the P'actory 
village (now Depot village), and the 
Center, which was then mostly woods. 
Only one house was on Cady hill, that of 
Nathan Green, one on Water street, and 
none in Factory village except those con- 
nected with the factory. A small store 
was at the Center. Worship was held 
only at two farm-houses. There was no 
meeting-house till a year or two later, this 
name being then exclusively given to all 
places of worship except Roman Catholic 
and Episcopal churches. 

Mr. Stevens chopped wood for 25 cts. a 
cord, and hewed timber 8 x 8, which he 
sold, delivered, for a cent a foot running 
measure. In 1826, he was married to 
Dorothy Stevens, of Warren ; lived on 
clearing till 1829, when he removed to 
Eden and worked 8 years as carpenter 
and millwright ; built a meeting-house in 
Eden, and one in Potton, P. O. About 
1832, became sergeant of militia in La- 
moille County, and was afterwards pro- 
moted through other offices till he was 
made colonel. He went to Plattsburgh, 
N. Y., in 1842. When work commenced 



X 



686 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



on the Vermont Central R. R., he returned carpenters of the place were unable to do. 
to Northfield, where he has lived since. | Col. Stevens has had three children: 
He has been bookseller since 1857. When i William A., born 1827, died 1855 ; Mary 
73 years old, he was asked and consented j Ann, born 1829, married 1849, and died 
to do a difficult job of " setting out " for a , 1869 ; Edwin, born 1837, died 1863 ; wife 
new building in Sutton, P. O., which the 1 died 1841. 




DOG RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION. 

In the summer of 1873, a meeting was 
called to take into consideration the pro- 
priety of forming an association to benefit 
the farmers of Northfield, and it resulted 
in the formation of the above named soci- 
ety. Oct. 1st and 2d of the same season, 
the first fair was held, on Frank W. Gold's 
trotting park, known as the " Dog River 
Valley Fair," which was so great a success 
that they have been continued each year 
since. It proved that the resources of 
Northfield and vicinity were equal to the 
occasion. Calling in the aid of Williams- 
town, Brookfield, Braintree, Roxbury and 



Berlin, the Fair was as good as any ever 
held in the County. Every department 
was well represented, and Floral Hall was 
the center of attraction not surpassed by 
any in the State, and elicited applause 
from thousands of people. 

The officers were : John Gregory, pres- 
ident ; Frank W. Gold, Northfield, Geo. 
Crane, Williamstown, W. C. Clark, Brook- 
field, William Orcutt, Roxbury, and C. E. 
Andrews, Berlin, vice presidents; James 
Morse, secretary; J. F. Davis, auditor ; 
William Winch, treasurer. 

After serving as president three years, 
Mr. Gregory declined a re-election, and J. 



NORTHFIELD. 



687 



H. Orcutt was chosen to fill that position, 
which he has creditably held since. C. D. 
Williams is now the acting secretary. 
Present Officers. — Royal W. Clark, pres- 



ident ; George Denny, vice president;]. 
K. Edgerton, secretary ; Christopher Dole, 
treasurer. 




■pmfEni^eoNJy 




were elected direc- 
tors, and George 
Nichols, president ; 
since then, F. L. 
Ely, cashier, having 
deceased, Chas. A. 
Edgerton, Jr., was 
appointed in his 
place. 

The NORTHFIELD 

Savings Bank was 
incorporated in 
1867. By close at- 
tention to its inter- 
ests, and an eco- 
nomical administra- 
tion of its affairs, 
in 1 1 years it vies 
in importance and 
stability with older 
institutions in our 







'Oi-o, kJtc cl..^, 



BANKS. 

The NORTHFIELD Bank was chartered 
by an act ot the Legislature, Nov. 23, 
1854, with a capital of $100,000. The 
first meeting for the election of ofiicers 
was held Jan. 9, 1855; directors: Calvin 
Ainsworth, Perley Belknap, Reuben Peck, 
John B. Hutchinson and Alvin Braley. 
The .same day Calvin Ainsworth was elected 
president by the directors, and H. M. 
Bates, cashier. 

In 1865, at a stockholders" meeting, it 
was voted to organize the Northfield Na- 
tional Bank, under the laws of the United 
States. H. C. Ely was appointed assist- 
ant cashier in Nov. 1864. 

1878, Jan. 8, at the annual meeting, 
Geo. Nichols, John Lamson, Charles A. 
Edgerton, J. C. Gallup and J. C. Cady 



State. Officers for 
1S77-78 : George 
M. Fsk, president ; 
George H. Crane, 
vice president ; Jas. 
C. B. Thayer, trea. : 
Carlos D. Williams, 

secretary; board of directors, Orvis D. 

Edgerton, Jasper H. Orcutt, Andrew E. 

Denny, John P. Davis, Edwin K. Jones. 

Amount of deposits, $151,861.17. 

[From Mr. Gregory's account in 1878. 
For sketch of Mr. (i., see page 622.] 

Banks — eontpleted by Joseph K. Edgerton. 
NORTHFIELD Bank was organized in 
1852, under the general banking law of 
the State, but did not go into business 
until after it had, in 1853, received a char- 
ter from the Legislature. Its first presi- 
dent was Calvin Ainsworth ; second, Perley 
Belknap ; third, Alvin Braley ; fourth, Geo. 
Nichols. The first cashier was H. M. 
Bates ; second, John B. Hutchinson ; third, 
Arthur Ropes ; fourth, Henry G. Ely, Fred 
L. Ely; fifth, Charles A. Edgerton, Jr. 



X 



688 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



GOOD TEMPLARS. 

GOULDSVILLE LODGE, No. 1 66. — The 
pioneer Lodge of the town, formed Dec. 
20, 1 87 1, with 13 charter members, the 
number just sufficient to obtain a cliarter. 
July 31, 1872, the Lodge had a member- 
ship of 100. Oct. II, 1872, notice of the 
death of Charles Grant, — the first death of 
a member. Mar. 18, 1873, E. N. Chandler 
was instantly killed by an engine ; also died 
the same month, Sherman Gold, a charter 
member, a life-long temperance man ; and 
the same spring, Myra Bowen, a worthy 
member, died ; Jan. 1876, Joseph Gould, 
an esteemed charter member ; December, 
Ella Simons and Mrs. Harriet Thrasher, 
sisters. 

The highest number of members at any 
one time has been 139; the lowest since 
the first quarter 68 ; and the present mem- 
bership is 74, in good standing, doing a 
good work. The Lodge is free from debt, 
and money in the treasury. As an auxili- 
ary of the Lodge, there is a Juvenile Tem- 
ple, of over 40 members, mostly children 
between the ages of 5 and 16, doing a good 
work for temperance, and in connection 
with the Lodge, may be considered one of 
the permanent institutions of the place. 

List of Past Worthy Good Tctiiplars. — 
H. H. Perkins, George Carter, A. F. An- 
drews, Charles F. Beard, H. S. Thrasher, 

D. R. Fisk, Charles Mcintosh, H. L. Rich, 

E. F. Sisco, H. P. Flint, D. R. Fisk, A. 
Rich, S. F. Gibbs, Charles Benedict. 

Mountain Gem Lodge, Independent 
Order of Good Templars, organized Mar. 
20, 1873, at South Northfield, the second 
Lodge of Good Templars in the town ; has 
numbered • among its members the best 
citizens of that part of the town, and has 
always exerted a good, general moral in- 
fluence with temperance sentiments. It 
started with 28 charter members ; officers : 
W. W. Holden, worthy chief templar; 
Dora L. Holden, worthy vice templar; 
E. K. Jones, worthy secretary ; Harriet E. 
Jones, worthy assistant secretary ; Geo. H. 
Denny, worthy financial secretary ; Martin 
Cobleigh, worthy treasurer; Wm. Slade, 
worthy chaplain; Frank S. Mead, past 



worthy chief templar ; F. A. Jones, worthy 
marshal ; Olive A. Howe, worthy deputy 
marshal; Matilda J. Howe, worthy right 
hand supporter ; Delia Mead, worthy left 
hand supporter; Elra M. Slade, worthy 
guard; O. A. Slade, worthy sentinel. 

The Worthy Chief Templars since the 
organization of the Lodge : W. W. 
Holden, Thomas Slade, E. K. Jones, 
Martin Cobleigh, E. Kimball, Allen Slade, 
Herman T. J. Howe, Dan. Derby, Frank 
W. Gold, Fred A. Jones, Jeff. E. House, 
Albert Steele, Elra M. Slade, S. P. Or- 
cutt and F. E. Steele. 

Worthy Vice Templars, Dora L. Holden, 
Elva M. Steele, Harriet E. Jones, Carrie 
Cobleigh, Celia Gold, Nellie Kimball, 
Emma A. Wright, Aurora M. Edson, Clara 
Cobleigh, Anna Fuller, Etta Briggs, Susie 
Jones, Abbie Kimball, Anna Jones and 
Roxana Orcutt. 

The Lodge deputies have been : Thos. 
Slade, W. W. Holden, S. P. Orcutt and 
Dan. Derby. 

The following have been delegates to 
the Grand Lodge : W. W. Holden, E. K. 
Jones, S. P. Orcutt, Thomas Slade and 
Dan. Derby. 

The Lodge now numbers about 50 mem- 
bers. It is numerically the smallest Lodge 
of the town, but it has always numbered 
among its members more of the eligible 
inhabitants of its jurisdiction than either 
of the other Lodges ; and, although its 
field of labor has not been as hard as the 
others, yet it has done a good work. 

Sons of Temperance. Central Divis- 
ion, No. 80, instituted Feb. 16, 1858, had 
its day of w^orking good in Northfield in 
the cause of temperance. The best minds 
in this town were its -warmest supporters. 
But, like other benevolent associations for 
the suppression of vice, it declined, and 
gave way to more preferable organiza- 
tions, but its existence was a blessing to 
many, and it deserves honorable mention 
in our temperance record. It died out. 

Carswell Temple of Honor, was in- 
stituted Dec. 28, 1868; the expense of 
running it seemed too high for those in 
moderate circumstances. 



NORTHFIELD. 




NoRTHFiELD LoDGE, No. 175, Inde- 
pendent Order of Good Templars, was or- 
ganized in the village of Northfield, at 
Concert Hall, Apr. 3, 1873, by Col. John 
B. Mead, of Randolph, Grand Worthy 
Chief Templar, assisted by Rev. E. Folsom, 
Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar for 
Washington County, and by large delega- 
tions from the Lodges at Gouldsville and 
the South Village. 

Over 100 names were on the application 
for a charter, and 80 presented themselves 
for initiation on the evening of institution. 
Starting with so large a membership, com- 
prising many of our best citizens and rep- 
resenting all branches of industry, it 
stepped at once into the front ranks among 
the lodges of the State, and in Jan. 1875, 
it had a membership of 201, making it the 
banner lodge of the County and of the 
State, which position it has since held. 

87 



The largest membership 
was in Aug. 1877, when it 
numbered 290 members in 
good standing. At the 
occasion of its fifth anni- 
versary the report shows 
that there had been in- 
itiated into the lodge over 
500 members. One-half 
that number have severed 
their connection with the 
lodge by removals, with- 
drawals, etc., leaving the 
,2; present number 250. In 
v^l^ Jan. 1875, this lodge, as- 
Nj^ sisted by the cotemporary 
lodges of the town, enter- 
tained the Grand Lodge of 
the State, and in January, 
1879, will agam have the 
same pleasure. The offi- 
cers at the organization of 
the lodge were : Frank 
Plumley, worthy chief tem- 
plar ; Altha Dutton, worthy 
vice templar ; Ladoit Der- 
by, worthy secretary ; Mrs. 
L. W. Avery, worthy fi- 
nancial secretary; L. W. 
Avery, worthy treasurer; 
J. F. Davis, worthy chap- 
lain; S. B. Spaulding, worthy marshal; 
Hattie Clifford, worthy deputy marshal ; 
Lizzie Knapp, worthy guard ; H. W. Davis, 
worthy sentinel ; Mrs. L. L. Plumley, 
worthy right hand supporter ; Clara Max- 
ham, worthy left hand supporter; A. R. 
Savage, lodge deputy. 

Succeeding Worthy Chief Templars. — 
Rev. R. A. Greene, Frank Plumley, J. F. 
Davis, O. D. Edgerton, Dr. P. D. Brad- 
ford, L. W. Avery, W. H. H. Claflin, Dr. 
W. H. Bryant, C. M. Johnston and F. R. 
Bates. 

Representatives to Grand Lodge — 1874, 
A. R. Savage, Frank Plumley; 1875, W. 
H. H. Claflin, Ella Dutton; 1876, O. D. 
Edgerton, Mrs. L. W. Avery, Washington 
Coburn ; 1877, J. F. Davis, C. M. John- 
ston, Mrs. Carrie Smith ; 1878, Rev. A. B. 
Truax, Dr. W. H. Bryant, Mrs. W. H. H. 
Claflin. 



690 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Members of the Lodge honored by the 
Grand Lodge — 1874, F. Plumley, alternate 
delegate to right worthy grand lodge ; 
1874, A. R. Savage, district deputy for 
Washington County; 1875 and since, F. 
Plumley, grand worthy secretary, by an- 
nual elections; Mrs. F. Plumley, assistant 
grand secretary two years; 1876,0. D. 
Edgerton, member finance committee 3 
years; 1876, Mrs. L. W. Avery, delegate 
to right worthy grand lodge ; 1877, C. M. 
Johnston, assistant grand secretary ; 1877, 
O. D. Edgerton, delegate to right worthy 
grand lodge ; 1877, J. F. Davis and Dr. 
P. D. Bradford, state deputies; 1878, O. 
D. Edgerton, state deputy; 1878, Rev. 
A. B.Truax, grand worthy chaplain ; 1878, 
Frank Plumley, chairman; and O. D. 
Edgerton, served upon special mission 
committee. 

Without giving this lodge more credit 
than is its due, it may justly be said it has 
done and is doing a good work in the tem- 
perance reformation of the town. The 
lodge and its members very properly feel a 
just pride in the position it has taken in 
the councils of the Grand Lodge, where 
its influence is by no means inconsiderable. 

The Degree Temple, Independent 
Order of Good Templars. — In 1873, the 
Degree members of Gouldsville, Mountain 
Gem, Roxbury, Brookfield and Northfield 
Lodges organized Union Degree Temple, 
No. 12, with the following officers : A. R. 
Savage, degree templar ; Helen Flint, de- 
gree vice templar; L. N. Miller, degree 
secretary; Mrs. L. W. Avery, degree 
financial secretary; J. F. Davis, degree 
treasurer; A. W. Edson, degree chaplain; 
H. A. Vose, degree Marshal; Mary Don- 
ovan, degree guard ; C. Simonds, degree 
sentinel; Mrs. L. N. Miller, degree assist- 
ant secretary ; Clara Havens, degree dep- 
uty marshal ; Mrs. L. W. Avery, degree 
right hand supporter; Mrs. I. G. Foster, 
degree left hand supporter. 

For a time the meetings were held al- 
ternately with the five lodges joined in its 
institution, but after a while, owing to 
the inconvenience of traveling, its meet- 
ings were permanently established at Good 
Templars' Hall with Northfield Lodge. On 



account of the same reasons for the change 
of place of meetings, most of the members 
of the other lodges withdrew, and the 
Temple is now confined largely to North- 
field Lodge. There have been about 150 
members in all, of which there now re- 
mains about 60. The Temple is inter- 
mediate between the subordinate and 
Grand Lodges, and when well sustained 
and worked, it is quite as enjoyable as any- 
thing in Good Templary. 

Northfield Juvenile Temple, No. i . 
— Not least among our valuable institu- 
tions, and means of doing good, is North- 
field Juvenile Temple, No. i. Some of 
our i^eople, realizing the benefit of a 
thorough temperance education for our 
children, met Apr. 3, 1875, i" Good Tem- 
plar's Hall, with Miss Lucy Bradshaw, of 
Montpelier, then State Superintendent of 
Juvenile Temple, who organized the first 
Temple in the State, with 53 members, 15 
honorary and 38 children. Rev. R. A. 
Greene was chosen Superintendent, and 
held that office nearly 2 years, as long as 
he remained in town, when Mrs. L. E. 
Pope was appointed, and served 5 months, 
until she resigned. Mrs. C. M. Persons 
was appointed, and has held the office the 
last year, and is doing a noble work. 
Their pledge is: "I do most solemnly 
promise that I will never, so long as I live 
make, buy, sell, or use as a beverage, any 
spirituous or malt liquors, wine, beer or 
cider. 1 also promise to abstain from the 
use of tobacco in any form. I also prom- 
ise that I will never take the name of God 
in vain, or use profane or wicked words. 
I also promise to do all 1 can to lionor this 
pledge by a good example, and that 1 will 
obey the laws of the Juvenile Templars. 

This Temple has increased in numbers 
and usefulness, and now has more than 
150 members, working zealously for Tem- 
perance. — J. Gregory, 1878. 

1875-80, F. Plumley, G. W. Sec. of Gr. 
Lodge of Vt., delegate from Gr. Lodge to 
R. W. Gr. Lodge, New York, 1880, and 
Topeka, Ka,n., 1881. 1882, Dr. N. W. 
Gilbert, W. C. T. of Northfield Lodge, and 
A. F. Andrews, of Gouldsville Lodge. Mt. 
Gem lodge is dead. — F. Plumley. 



NORTHFIELD. 




GEN. ALONZO JACKMAN, :.L. D. 
GEOLOGY. 

[A paper ori the Geology of this town, 
by Professor Jackman, late of the Norwich 
University, from John Gregory's History 
of Northfield — the portrait to accompany 
it in this work being contributed by Mr. 
Atkins of the Ar^i/s.^ 

Remark. — In accordance with the char- 
acter of this book as a history of North- 
field, the following article is presented in 
historical form. It, therefore, enters into 
the bearings of the subject through the 
successive periods of remote years, and at 
the same time whatever is introduced per- 
tains to Northfield. For the chronological 
order, reference will be made to Dana's 
Geology. 

From a long series of critical observa- 
tions upon the stratified rocks of the earth's 
crust, and a close study concerning their 
contained fossils, geologists have pretty 
uniformly come to the following conclu- 
sion, viz. : 

That there was a time when no living 
substance existed upon the globe ; when 
all the earth was under water ; and. during 
ages of this chaos, the oceanic currents at 
some places wore away the earth's crust. 



and the resulting detritus, mixed 
with volcanic discharges, was 
spread out at other places upon 
the ocean l:)ed, thereby forming 
immense stratified deposits to 
unknown depths. This duration 
of time is called the Azoic Period, 
toward the close of which the 
dry land began to appear, as 
" mere islets in the great conti- 
nental sea.'" (Dana, p. jj.) 
After this there was a time when 
life, in its simplest forms, began 
in the great deep. And during 
the progress of ages the ocean 
became filled with animal life, as 
radiates, mollusks, articulates, 
and vertebrates, and, in the same 
manner as above stated, vast 
stratified deposits, including fos- 
sils, accumulated to the depth of 
some seven miles. (Dana, p. 
144.) Further, the earth rose 
gradually above the water, the 
dry land l^ecame covered with vegetation, 
and animal life everywhere abounded. This 
portion of time is called the Paleozoic 
Period. After this there was a Mesozoic 
Period, whose deposits are some 2 miles 
deep. (Dana, p. 198.) And after this 
there was a Conozoic Period, vthose de- 
posits are some ih miles deep. ' (Dana, p. 
244.) And then came the Age of Man, 
which is now in progress. 

During the time pertaining to each of 
the above grand periods, the earth was 
many times convulsed, when its crust in 
some places was raised to mountain masses, 
and at other, places depressed to sea- 
basins, thus, in a manner, separating those 
grand periods into several sub-divisions ; 
but the grand divisions, at their closing 
epochs, were more emphatically marked, 
as if disturbed by special upheavals of such 
magnitude that at each time nearly all an- 
imal life upon the globe became extinct, 
then the following period received a new 
order of beings upon a higher scale of life. 
In this manner the earth progressed, up- 
ward to the Age of Man, and onward to the 
condition in which we behold it. (Dana.) 



X 



692 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



At the times and places of these terres- 
trial disturbances, mentioned above, the 
volcanic heat became so intense as to 
metamorphose those stratified deposits : 
the sand into granite, the clay into roofing 
slate, and the coral-reefs and shell-banks 
into marble, etc. (Dana, p. 312.) Further, 
when these deposits were being broken 
up by upheavals, the oceanic currents, 
charged with gravel-drift, ground off their 
ragged edges, and moved the detritus to 
other places of deposit. Thus, the conti- 
nents, from period to period, rose grad- 
ually above the water. And now we see 
the earth with its stratified, out-cropping 
rocks, well water-worn, even to the top of 
our highest mountains. 

Large portions of the earth's surface are 
observed to be covered with unstratified 
deposits, which are confusedly mingled 
with gravel and boulders ; and, sometimes, 
these deposits are in hillocks of small wa- 
ter-worn stones ; as may be seen in Depot 
village, in the vicinity of School street. 
Also, on the tops of our highest mountain- 
peaks, we often see large granite boulders, 
and other rocks, which must have come 
from great distances ; and, apparently, at 
a time not very remote in the past. Now 
the " Glacier theory" fails to account, con- 
sistently, for all these appearances ; for, 
were there, west of the Green Mountains, 
a glacier, or ice-flow, from the North, it 
would naturally pass through the Hudson 
Valley opening ; but, to suppose that this 
glacier would turn eastward, climb the 
western front of the Green Mountains, 
and, as the "drift marks" indicate, cross 
Vermont the rough way over hills and val- 
leys, in nearly a horizontal path, is to sup- 
pose what involves a dynamical absurdity. 
If, now, we try the theory that there was a 
flood like the one described in Genesis 
(Chap, vii), all appearances at once wheel 
into a consistent line of argument and are 
compatible with a complete solution of the 
mysterious problem ; for such a flood would 
in the polar regions raise from their ancient 
beds large masses of ice, which had re- 
ceived from mountain ravines gravel and 
boulders, by means of thaws and glaciers. 
Also, from the frozen tops of mountains. 



the ancient masses of accumulated ice 
would'float, thereby tearing off their rocky 
scalps. These icebergs, moved by wind 
and current, would drift toward the equa- 
tor, and on the thawing passage drop their 
rocky freight upon the submerged land. 
Further, icebergs, drawing a greater depth 
of water, would lodge on submerged 
mountain ridges, and there remain until 
sufficiently reduced to be pushed over by 
the elements, thereby making, in their 
rocky tops, the "drift marks," which are 
distinctly seen on the heights about 
Northfield. As our admitted flood should 
subside, hillocks of water-worn stones 
would be formed by the thawing of strand- 
ed icebergs. Also, sandy terraces, similar 
to those near the Methodist camp-ground, 
the fair-ground, and the cemetery, would 
be formed. (Such terraces have hitherto 
been placed by geologists in a "Cham- 
plain Period.") In fact, to account for 
the appearances every where seen upon the 
earth's surface, it seemingly requires what 
is identically the "flood." But whence 
came the water to make such a flood ? It 
came in from the ocean,- when " all the 
fountaius of the great deep were broken 
up,^' as a consequent result of the ocean 
bed being upheaved and the dry land de- 
pressed. Thus the whole earth became 
again submerged, as it was in the Azoic 
Period. Further, the subsidence of the 
flood was caused by the same agency, in 
returning the continents and ocean beds — 
possibly in part — to their former conditions. 
And all this is in complete accordance with 
admitted principles in the science of Ge- 
ology. 

The "mere islets" of the Azoic Period 
in the ancient ages of the world, were the 
first dry land, (Dana, p T]), but the next 
land which rose out of the sea was the 
Green Mountains, (Dana, p 92), which is, 
therefore, about the oldest dry land upon 
the globe. When the Green Mountains 
began to show themselves above the water, 
the Paleozoic formation had in its struct- 
ure only the Potsdam and Trenton de- 
posits, (Dana, p 80, 91), which now rest 
on the mountain. As ages advanced the 
mountains gradually rose out of the ocean 



NORTHFIELD. 



693 



to completion, thereb}- bringing to the sur- 
face, in the order of their formation, the 
successive Paleozoic strata, thus causing 
an increase of dry land. Hence, from the 
mountain top eastward, these successive 
strata have an eastern dip, a western out- 
crop, and a strike generally parallel to the 
Green Mountain range. These several 
outcrops, in the order of their formations, 
have those of the upper formations consid- 
erably to the east of those belonging to 
the lower formations. Further, in the 
process of their rising, the Green Moun- 
tains were so irregularly pushed up that 
their stratified structure received many 
cross-breaks and contortions. The ocean 
currents then scooped out these cross- 
breaks and wore oiT their rough projections, 
thus grinding down Vermont into a grand 
system of high mountains and deep val- 
leys. In this condition the Green Moun- 
tains finally came up out of the sea, and 
now present themselves as a kind of High 
Backbone Ridge, with large vertebral 
knobs, and long rib-like spurs, extending 
eastward to the Connecticut valley, and 
between these spurs flow the vein-like 
streams, as Black river, Quechee river. 
White river, etc. 

To get a better idea of the stratified 
formations in the Green Mountain struc- 
ture, conceive an explorer to walk from 
the mountain top eastward through North- 
field, and to observe the rocks he passes. 
This person would first walk on the upper 
surface of some Paleozoic formation, down 
its dipping slope into Mad River valley, 
near Waitsfield. Here he would meet the 
high, out-cropping front of the next form- 
ation above, which he would climb and 
having arrived at its top, where it is called 
" Bald Mountain," he would find himself 
2636 feet above tide-water ; but, on Waits- 
field Mountain, at the highest point in the 
road between Waitsfield and Northfield, he 
would stand 2135 feet above tide-water, 
and upon a slaty formation of hard green- 
ish stone highly charged with quartz. He 
would next, on the upper surface of this 
formation, pass down its dipping' slope 
into Dog River valley at Northfield, where 
he would find himself 728 feet above tide- 



water, and 638 feet above the surface of 
Lake Champlain. The hill north-west of 
Elmwood Cemetery, 1359 f^^*' ^^^^ that 
just south of South village, 1900 feet above 
tide-water. Also, he would notice a stra- 
tum of light-greenish, talcose slate-rock, 
well charged with quartz grit, and locally 
called "jenkstone." It splits freely into 
desirable thicknesses, breaks handsomely 
into rectangular forms, and is doubtless a 
good building stone. For proof see Mr. 
Jenks' dwelling-house. Next in order he 
would notice a stratum of lightish-gray mi- 
caceous sandstone, locally called "whet- 
stone ledge," from which whetstones, 
hones, and the like, are manufactured by 
Wood & Son, and they are said to be 
good. Proceeding onward, he would meet 
the high, out-cropping front of the famous 
slate formation, from which the noted 
roofing slate are taken by Adams & Co. 
Having climbed this high front — called 
Paine mountain — and standing on its top, 
he would find himself 2435 feet above tide- 
water, or 1707 feet above the depot, and 
he would also get a magnificent view with 
a clear sweep around the whole circum- 
ference of the distant horizon. Thence, 
proceeding onward upon the upper surface 
of this formation, he would pass down its 
dipping slope into Berlin Pond valley, 
where he would meet the out-cropping 
front of a dark slaty limestone formation. 
Thence, proceeding over this elevation, 
he would descend into Williamstown val- 
ley, and so on he could travel up and down 
to the Connecticut valley, and to the sea. 

At first sight this traveler would think 
that the rocky stratification over which he 
passed stood nearly perpendicular to the 
horizon ; but, on closer inspection, he 
would discover that what he took for strat- 
ification was the slaty cleavage of the 
rock, which is always nearly perpendicular 
to the bed of stratification. (Dana, p. 36.) 

Now the town of Northfield is on an 
eastern spur of the Green Mountains, and 
at the centre of the State ; for, by actual 
estimation, from maps and various sur- 
veys, the center of the town and the center 
of the State are both found to be upon the 
same town lot. (Lot No. 9 in range 5. 



X 



694 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



See town map.) Tlie town being thus on 
the Green Mountains, Northfield farmers 
cultivate about the oldest land in the 
world where terrestrial life first began. In 
fact, 

"The dust we tread upon was once alive,"— jS(//-o«. 

Dog river runs through the eastern part 
of the town in a direction a little east of 
north, taking in on both sides quite re- 
spectable tributaries, which drain the sev- 
eral minor valleys of the town. Thus, by 
the river, its tributaries, and their great 
number of feeding springs, the town is 
well watered. Instead of the surface soil 
rising abruptly from the banks of the river 
and brooks, these streams are skirted by 
handsome narrow meadows and terraced 
flats, from whose outer limits the ground 
rises into the highlands in such manner 
that nearly all the surface, even to the 
tops of the highest hills, is susceptible of 
cultivation. There is very little waste 
land in Northfield. On the river the soil 
is generally light and sandy, but back 
from the river, on the upland, the soil is 
dark, strong and good, suitable for all the 
crops generally raised in the State. The 
native timber growth of the town consists 
of fir, spruce, hemlock, maple, birch, a.sh, 
elm, and the like. 

BUSINESS IN NORTHFIELD — 1 882. 

BY .Jo,SEl"II K. EGEKTON. 

Dog River runs through the town in a 
northerly direction, aftording many valua- 
ble water privileges, most of which are now 
improved. The East Branch runs from 
Bennett's Pond, which is on the highland 
near the VVilliamstown line. From this 
pond, when the water is high, a stream 
runs north to Berlin Pond. Just below 
the eastern outlet Mr. Edward H. Howes 
has a saw-mill. The first mill built on that 
site was put up by Aquillo Jones ; soon 
after Judge Paine built the first mill in 
town, which was on the same stream, 
about one mile below. About 2 miles 
further east, and near South Northfield, 
this stream unites with a brook which runs 
from a large pond in East Roxbury. A 
few rods north of this junction, Geo. H- 
Fisher has a shingle mill and carriage- 
shop, and Warren C. Briggs has a black- 



smith shop and knife factory, both deriving 
power from the same water-wheel. About 
20 rods north of these shops is a large 
building occupied by Martin Cobleigh and 
Geo. W. Kingsbury, for the manufacture 
of doors, sash and blinds, they having also, 
across the road, another large building- 
used, in connection with this, as a paint- 
shop. A few rods further down the stream 
is a two story building, about 40x60, occu- 
pied by L. N. Howe as a chair factory; 
adjoining this is the grist-mill of Thomas 
Slade ; further down the stream, a few 
rods, is a small factory used by S. D. 
Dodge for cloth-dressing and wool-carding, 
and a little below, W. W. Holden has a 
shop for the manufacture of coffins, cas- 
kets and chairs, the aforesaid comprising 
all manufacturing establishments now in 
operation at So. Northfield. 

About one mile from the South village, 
N. W., the east branch unites with the 
river, the main branch of which runs from 
Stump Pond, which is partly in Roxbury 
and part in Northfield. Just below the 
outlet of this pond, G. B. Andrews has a 
grist-mill, to which a \arye part of the in- 
habitants of Roxbury, and many of North- 
field, carry their grain to be ground. A 
few rods north, Joseph C. Rice has a saw- 
mill, and just below that stands the car- 
riage-shop of Gilbert R. Andrews. About 
half way from Andrews* mill to the Har- 
low Bridge are the ruins of a saw-mill, 
where in former years, a large amount of 
lumber was manufactured. No further use 
is made of the river as motive power till 
we reach, nearly 4 miles further north, the 
location of Judge Paine \s first woolen fac- 
tory. The brick building now standing 
there is occupied by A. F. Spalding as a 
machine-shop and for the manufacture of 
pumps ; by Newell & Colby for the manu- 
facture of chair stock and fork handles ; 
by Henry R. Bean for the manufacture of 
fork and broom handles ; and by Brown, 
Denny &. Harris for the manufacture of 
lumber, they having, also, a grist-mill and 
saw-mill in an adjoining building ; about 
30 feet north is a large building used for 
the manufacture of slate, power being car- 
ried thereto from the brick building, above 



NORTHFIELD. 



695 



named, by belting. About \ mile further 
down the stream is the woolen factory 
built in 1864, by George M. Fisk, now 
occupied by A. Howarth & Son as a flan- 
^nel factory, employing about 30 hands; 
adjoining this, and using the same power, 
is the extensive machine-shop and foun- 
dry, built in by Perley Belknap, and 

now occupied by the Ely Foundry Co., 
and giving employment to about 30 men ; 
about \ mile further on is the grist-mill of 
Lewis Wood & Son ; a half-mile below we 
find the ruins of a mill, and near to that 
the first-class brick building owned by Jo- 
seph W. Gould, and occupied by him for 
the manufacture of woolen flannels. Mr. 
Gould has one of the very finest establish- 
ments of the kind to be found in the coun- 
ty, and gives employment to about 100 
people. On. Cox brook, which runs into 
Dog River at Gouldsville, is a very fine 
saw-mill, owned by John Hornbrook ; on 
Jones Brook, which runs in further up 
the river, H. M. Cutler has a large lum- 
ber mill ; on Stevens Brook W. A. Rice 
has a saw-mill ; and on Rocky Brook, Geo. 
F. Glidden has a large saw-mill. By 
steam, the Ely Foundry run their ma- 
chinery in low water times, and the Adams 
Slate Co. rvm a derrick by steam-power, 
for raising stone from their quarry. 

GEO. H. RICHMOND. 

has also a steam engine, used for power to 
run his printing presses, and to heat the 
building occupied by him. Mr. Rich- 
mond publishes The Northfield News , a pa- 
per started by him in 1878, now having a 
circulation of 1 200, and also The Vermont 
Farmer, circulating 2400 copies weekly, 
which was removed to Northfield from 
Montpelier in 188 1. He prints, also. The 
Reveille, a monthly periodical, published 
by the cadets of Lewis College ; and 
The iMonthly Reporter, published by C. 
F. Buswell of Montpelier. In the same 
building is "The Northfield Insurance 
Agency," managed by Joseph K. Egerton. 
Just south of the News Block, above men- 
tioned, is the extensive marble works of 
F. L. Howe & Co. ; 30 feet further south 
is Central Block, now occupied by Boyn- 
ton & Moseley, for the sale of meat & 



provisions ; George Nichols, drugs & 
medicines ; A. E. Denny, groceries & 
hardware; C. Denny & Co., dry goods; 
Stebbins & Richmond, groceries & provis- 
ion • G. II. Crane, dry goods; Fred Down- 
ing, saloon ; Edwin Porter, drugs & med- 
icines ; S. P. Grow, boots & shoes: J. N. 
Johnson, lawyer ; F. R. Bates & F. Plum- 
ley, lawyers ; C. W. Locklin, dentist ; the 
third story of the building in two very fine 
halls, is occupied by the Masons and 
the Odd Fellows. West of Central block is 
Concert hall, capable of seating 500, and 
over that the Universalist church ; further 
west, a few feet, is Eagle block, occupied 
by Geo. B. B. Denny, for the sale of cloth- 
ing ; W. A. Blake, groceries ; Kenyon & 
Soper, groceries, crockery & fancy goods ; 
S. F. Judd, groceries; E. O. Thurston, 
watches & jewelry ; D. Bacon, flour, meal 
& groceries ; Hazleton, Kimball & Deer- 
ing, meat & produce ; Mrs. Jones, milli- 
nery ; W. C. Woodbury & F. N. Carpen- 
ter, barbers. Union block, just opposite 
on the south, is occupied by J. C. B. 
Thayer, for the sale of clothing ; by the 
Northfield Savings Bank, of which J. C. 
B. Thayer is Treasurer; Edgerton Broth- 
ers, for the sale of merchandize of every 
description; E. G. Pierce, groceries ; Geo. 
M. Fisk, lawyer; O. S. Cook, leggins & 
mittens; L. S. Wellington & D. P. Holt, 
boots & shoes. East of Union Block is R. 
M. Mcintosh, photographic rooms, occu- 
pied also by N. W. Gilbert, dentist. 
West of Union Block is Stevens Block, 
occupied by A. Stevens, for the sale of 
books & stationery; T. C. Patterson, 
boots & shoes ; Rene S. Fletcher, milli- 
nery; north of Stevens Block is the R. R. 
Depot, one room of which is occupied by 
the Northfield' National Bank; another 
room by E. G. Sanborn, for a boot & shoe 
store; and one by Mrs. M. S. Gilchrist, 
for the sale of millinery goods ; also, the 
express & telegraph office, by C. A. Webb. 
Opposite the Depot, east across the pub- 
lic square, which is about 200x400 feet, is 
the Northfield House, built by George M. 
Fisk about 2 years since, on a part of the 
ground covered by the hotel burned in 
1879. It is now kept by W. H. Morris, 



696 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 




^^ 



See page 695 and 634. 



who keeps also a livery stable ; and adjoin- 
ing this hotel, on the south, is the post- 
office. A few rods south, on main street, 
is the Avery Hotel and Livery Stable, kept 
by L. W. Avery ; about .j mile further south 
is the tannery owned and occupied by Den- 
ny & Smith ; a little further south, in what 
was formerly the Center village of the town, 
is the general store of John P. Davis, and a 
blacksmith shop and carriage shop run by 
R. T. Eastman ; and a broom factory by 
Thomas Averill. On the west side of the 
river, opposite the Depot, is the C. O. D. 
store by Darius Thomas; a blacksmith 
shop by A. Fuller; a coffin and carriage- 
shop, owned and occupied by G. W. Ma.x- 
ham. A short distance west is the carriage 
and machine shop of D. Bacon; easterly 
across the R. R. track, is the carriage shop 
of A. Mead ; the blacksmith shop of A. 
Gosley & Son ; the carriage shop of A. O. 
Chase ; the paint shop of W. R. Bean ; 
and the blacksmith shop of Ai Smith. 
South a short distance, is the carriage 
shop of J. B. Shortridge ; across the 



river, is the harness shop 
of C. B. Gold; and fur- 
ther on a few feet, is 
Paine's block, occupied by 
S. W. Steele & Son, tin- 
ware & stoves; J. G. Co- 
burn, harnesses ; E. Hunt- 
ley, paints & paper; J. L. 
Abbott, coffins and cas- 
kets; N. Huntley, tin- 
ware & stoves. The up- 
per part of the building in 
two large halls, is occupi- 
ed by the Good Templars 
and the New England 
Guards. A little further 
east, is the paint shop of 
S. F. Gibbs ; the black- 
smith shop of J. R. Davis ; 
and the carriage shop of 
A. C. Chase. 

At Gouldsville is the 
general store of A. F. An- 
J^^*^ ^c^ drews ; the grocery and 
«7^^ ^ 0€^ provision store of C. F. 
Hurley ; harness shop of 
A. H. Brown; and black- 
smith shop of Greenwood ; a considerable 
business is done in , the manufacture of 
whetstones by L. Wood & Son and by 
Geo. S. Richards. 

Northfield Circulating Library contains 
about I, GOO volumes. 

There are in town two well equipped 
Fire Engine companies, of 50 men each, 
and a Hook & Ladder company of 20 men. 
In the quarrying and manufacture of 
slate stone a very large amount of money 
was formerly invested. Eleven quarries 
were opened, at an expense of more than 
$200,000, nearly all of which would now 
with good management yield large profits 
to the manufacturers. The supply of slate 
is inexhaustible, and in quality equal to 
the best in the world. 

The Adams Slate Co. have been working 
their quarry successfully since 1869; in 
1 88 1, employing 40 men and sending out 
of town 100 car loads of slate. At the 
present time, this Co. is at work in the 
Morris quarry, and expect in 1882, to dou- 
ble the amount of their business. 



NORTHFIELD. 



697 



There is in town a very extensive gran- 
ite ledge, which was formerly worked in a 
small way. It is very favorably located for 
quarrying, but wholly neglected. 

There have been 17 saw-mills in North- 
field. Of this number 7 are now in oper- 
ation. At different times 9 grist-mills 
have been run, and there are now 4 in 
town. Of woolen factories the town has 
had 5, of these 3 are now at work. Of 
wood-shops the town has had a large num- 
ber, the largest of which, that of the Vt. 
Manufacturing Co., which had been suc- 
cessfully engaged in the manufacture of 
chairs for years, was burned in 1877. 

Brick-making was formerly an important 
branch of industry in Northfield, but al- 
though there is a plentiful supply of mate- 
rial, very favorably located for the busi- 
ness, nothing has been done in that line 
for many years. 

NORTHFIELD GRADUATES. 

Universiiy of Vermotit. — Class of 1850, 
John H. Buck and Edwin Porter. Class 
of i860, Geo. N. Carpenter and Geo. 
Bates. Class of 1868, George Cochrane. 
Class of 1870, Geo. W. Winch. 

Non Graduate. — Fred Ely. 

Dartmouth College. — Class of 1863, Isaac 
Newton Jenks, born in Northfield, June 
17, 1839 ; read law in New York city. 
Dartmouth allumni. — 1878, F. W. Gregg ; 
1879, J. N. Jenks, C. C. Davis, K. Derby, 
C. D. Edgerton, H. B. Thayer; 1880, B. 
F. Armitage. 

Non Graduates, Dartmouth. — C. A. 
Edgerton, Jr., class of '79. 

Under Graduates. — C. W. McClearn, 
class of '82; C. A. Braley, '83; C. M.^Da- 
vis, '84. 

Middletown University. — Geo. C. Smith, 
graduated. 

Non Graduates. — Frank A. Winch, 
Geo. H. Richmond. 

George Gallup, John W. Gregory, grad- 
uates of Law School University of Michi- 
gan. 

Norwich University. — Asa Howe, class 
of 1869; Charles Dole, Henry J. Howe, 
1870; Walter Dole, Chas. E. Tarbell, 
1871 ; Wm. G. Owen, 1872, F. L. Kim- 
ball, 1873; Frank R. Bates, C. M. John- 



ston, 1874; Robert A. Silver, 1876; 
George Thomas, 1877; Henry C. Dole. 
Lewis College. — 1881, M. D. Smith. 

THEODA p. HOWE 

was born in Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 20, 
1 8 13. Her parents removed to Norwich, 
Vt., when she was quite young, and to 
Northfield in 1835, where she was mar- 
ried to Wm. R. Tucker. She died in 
1845, leaving a son and daughter, both re- 
siding now (1882), in Washington, D. C. 
Her first articles for publication were written 
at Norwich when she was only a child, for 
the Vertnont Enquirer, a paper published 
at that place. For several years she was a 
contributor to various Vermont and Boston 
journals. As her writings were never 
collected in book form, this piece given is 
the only one at hand, and is hardly a fair 
specimen of her poetry : [See Poets and 
Poetry of Vermont, where the same is 
published.] 

TO AN ANTUMN BOUGH. 

Bright autuniu leaves, when you I see. 

No visions dread my bosom swell ; 
You wake no saddened thoughts for me, 

Though ray sad fate you seem to tell. 

But late I saw the forest green 

Slight waving in the summer air. 
But now the changing tints are seen. 

Which only autumn forests wear. 

And you have faded not more fast 
Than she who loved sweet autumn's gloom ; 

Her moments here will soon be past. 
With you she soon will find a tomb. 

This bough by some kind hand was sought, 
To soothe her on her couch of pain. 

And from the favorite grove was brought, 
Which she can never see again. 

Now would she rest mid sylvan bowers, 
Where murm'ring pines their branches wave; 

Better are withered leaves than flowers 
To strew upon her early grave. t. P. H. 

PERLEY BELKNAP. 

Simeon Belknap, a native of Connecti- 
cut, who had purchased a tract of land in 
Randolph, returning from which to his 
former home, was one of those who was so 
unfortunate as to be taken and carried 
away captive from the sacking and burning 
of Royaltoh, by Lieutenant Horton of the 
British army, in 1780. He was taken to 
Canada and held a prisoner of war for 2 
years, when he, with some of his compan- 
ions, managed to escape and return to the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



States ; after which he settled on his Ran- 
dolph estate, where his son Perley was 
born in 1807. 

Perley married Huldah, daughter of Dr. 
John Edson of that town, and while still 
engaged in the foundry business there, at 
the earnest solicitation of Gov. Paine, 
embarked in a similar enterprise in North- 
field, in connection with some other par- 
ties, whose interests in the business he 
soon purchased, however, and removed to 
this town for permanent residence about 
the year 1849. He bought the water pow- 
er below the old Paine factory, where he 
established his foundry, and afterwards a 
machine shop, and taking into partnership 
his brother-in-law, John H. Edson, they 
employed from 30 to 50 men for many 
years. The business of the machine shop 
was largely the manufacture of water 
wheels and circular saw and clapboard 
mills, which were sold in large numbers, 
and sent to all parts of this country, and 
some to foreign lands. He also had a 
grist-mill, built a woolen-mill for other 
parties to operate, wherein the spindles 
and shuttles are still running at the'pres- 
ent time. 

Mr. Belknap was a director in the North- 
field Bank from the time of its incorpora- 
tion until he was elected its President, a 
position to which he was successively re- 
elected for 12 or 15 years. He has never 
held any important civil office, having 
steadily declined to put himself in the way 
of political preferment, which used some- 
times to be suggested to him by his friends. 
He has been a large owner of, and dealer 
in, real estate, consisting of business 
blocks, mills, houses, farms, &c., some of 
which are still in his possession, though 
he has partially retired from active busi- 
ness life. 

Mr. Belknap is a very genial, compan- 
ionable man. 

The above was contributed by Dr. Gil- 
bert. 

LITERARY CLUBS — 1882. 

There have been several Shaksperian 
clubs within the last 12 years. The most 
recently organized and the only one now 
holding meetings is called the Salvini 



Shaksperian Club. It has 16 members; 
Rev. F. W. Bartlett, president. Meet- 
ings, fortnightly. 

The Conversational Club is also now in 
operation, for social and intellectual im- 
provement, and discourses on practical, 
literary and scientific subjects ; member- 
ship limited to sixteen. Rev. F. W. Bart- 
lett is president; Rev. Wm. S. Hazen, 
vice president; C. A. Edgerton, Jr., sec- 
retary ; Professor Charles Dole, treas- 
urer. Meetings, every two weeks. 

The Northfield Debating Club holds also 
its sessions every week, the members pre- 
siding in rotation ; secretary, W. F. Ba- 
ker ; 12 members. 

THE HEALING WATERS. 

BY F. W. BARTLETT. 

[The following song, to tlie air of " Sparliling and 

Brigiil," was composed wlien on a visit to a 

mineral spring in Northern Vt.] 

Come let us abide near the fountain side, 

The streamlet of lieallh and beauty, 
Where the spring sprites dwell in the charming dell 

To dispense their golden booty; 
For the precious grains, from the eartli's rich veins. 

Crown with gems, bright in their glory. 
The goblet of healtli, and of joy and wealth. 

Never dreamed of in mythic story. 
Chorus.— Then here's to thee, so true and free. 
Thy Health — for ours is owing 
To the magic grains, whicli, in our veins. 
Are all of thine own bestowing. 

Let the Bacchanal dare to love the glare 

Of his fire-water, red and glowing. 
Where the pale fiend lurks, and his mischief works, 

In the seeds of death he is sowing; 
But give us the joy witliout alloy. 

Which flows from the cup of healing. 
As with finger of light, the spring fay bright 

Is the pathway of hope revealing. 
Chorus.— Then here's to thee, etc. 

Plumley : additional and correction of 
page 646, not received in time, by our go- 
ing to press a day before the time named. 
First, the name of Mr. Plumley's wife be- 
fore marriage was Lavinia L. Fletcher ; 
and not Lamina, as before printed from 
the Northfield History of '78. 

In 1876, Mr. Plumley was elected State's 
attorney for Washington County on the 
Republican ticket, and again in 1878, hold- 
ing the office 4 years, and during that 
time successfully prosecuting many impor- 
tant State cases ; among others, Royal W. 
Carr, and Almon and Emeline Meeker for 
murder. 



iNORTHFIELD. 



699 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1861. 

COMPILED MAINLY FUOM THE ADJ. GENERAL'S RErORT, BY ASA HOWE, M. D. 
FIRST REGIMENT — THREE MONTHS — FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 



Names. 
Levi H. Stone, 
Wm. H. Boynton, 
Charles A. Webb, 



Charles H. Joyce, 

Charles H. Joyce, 
Charles C. Canning, 
James P. Stone, 



Charles G. Fisher, 

Charles G. Fisher, 
Charles G. Fisher, 

Philander D. Bradford, 

Edwin C. Lewis, 

William C. Hopkins, 



30 do do 

32 Jan 28 62 Jan 28 62 
24 Dec 14 61 Dec 14 61 

FOURTH REGIMENT- 



Com. Mustered. Remarks 

Apr 2661 May 261 Chaplain; mustered out Aug. 15,61. 

29 Apr 23 61 May 24 61 Capt. Co. F. do 
22 23 61 Aug 15 61 Jan. 1882, Maj. i6th Inf. U. S. A. 

SECOND REGIMENT — THREE MONTHS. 

30 May 21 62 May 21 62 Lieut. Col.; major, June 6, 61 ; resigned 
Jan. 6, 63. 

Major; pro. lieut. col. May 21, 62. 
1st lieut. Co. I; resigned Feb. 8, 63. 
2d lieut. Co I ; prin. musician June 20, 
61 ; res. Jan. 6, 63. 

THREE YEARS. 

26 June 12 64 Sept i 64 Capt. Co. I ; must, out July 13, 65 ; pri- 
vate Co. K, Aug. 61. 
26 Apr 19 64 1st lieut. Co I ; wounded June 23, 64. 

26 Dec 14 62 Dec 14 62 2d lieut. Co. F. 

FIFTH REGIMENT— THREE YEARS. 

Dec 3 62 Dec 17 62 Surgeon; resigned Mar. i, 63. 

SIXTH REGIMENT — THREE YEARS. 

20 Oct 961 Oct 15 61 2d lieut. Co. G; resigned June 4, 62. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT — THREE YEARS. 

28 Sept 25 62 Oct 9 62 Chaplain ; resigned Oct. 9, 65. 

Capt. Co. D ; private Co. K, 61 ; must- 
out, 1st lieut. Co. E, Mar. 14, 66. 

Capt. Co. E ; ist lieut. Co. K, Feb i, 62 ; 
must, out Mar. 14, 66. 

Capt. Co. K ; mustered out Aug. 30, 64. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT — THREE YEARS. 

22 Aug 15 63 Dec 5 63 Capt. Co. C ; serg't. maj., 62 ; July 2, 64, 
Capt. and A. C. S., U. S. Vols. 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT, ISt HEAVY ARTILLERY, FROM DEC. lO, 1863, THREE YEARS. 



Wesley C. Howes, 


21 Mar 


163 




John L. Moseley, 


22 Nov 


2363 


Jan 2 1 64 


David P. Barber, 


34 Feb 


162 


Feb 12 62 



Geo. N. Carpenter, 



Silas B. Tucker, 
Sidney Bliss, 



28 July 14 63 Aug 10 61 
19 June 4 65 



Ransom A. Wells, 21 May 23 65 



Darius Thomas, 
Catlos D. Williams, 



George Nichols, 

C. W. Carpenter, 
Denison S. Burnham, 

Names. 
Howe, Charles G. 
Jacobs, Alfred 
Jacobs, Alonzo 
Kinsley, Michael 
Mllo, John 
Milo, John, Jr., 
Moors, Abbott A. 
Patterson, Lester S. 
Putnam, Jonas A. 
Shirley, John 
Smith, Edward F. 
Smith, Gilbert O. 



Capt Co. C ; pro. Capt. Co. C, Dec 2, 64. 
ist lieut. Co. K ; private Aug. 5, 62 ; 

must, out June 24, 65. 
2d lieut; Co. M ; private Co. I, July 15, 

62 ; must, out June 24, 63 ; ist serg't. 

Co. I. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT — NINE MONTHS. 

35 Sept II 62 Oct 4 62 Capt. Co. F; mustered out July 14 63. 
19 Mar 10 63 Mar 10 63 ist lieut. Co. F ; private Co. F, Aug. 
19, 62 ; must, out July 14, 63. 
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT — NINE MONTHS. 

35 Sept 24 62 Oct 10 62 Surgeon ; must, out July 21, 63. 

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT — NINE MONTHS. 

36 Sept II 62 Oct 22 62 Capt. Co. C ; resigned Jan. 15. 63. 
32 Nov 18 62 Nov 18 62 1st lieut.; trans, to Co. C, Jan. 9. 63. 

Age. Enlisted. Reg. Co. Remarks. 

31 Aug 25 64 3 Bat Must, out June 15, 65. 

Died at Danville, Va., Sept. 20, 64. 
Mustered out June 20, 65. [24, 65. 

Pro. Corp. Oct. 25, 64 ; trans, to Co. A, June 
Trans, to Co. A, June 24. 65. 

do 
Wagoner ; reduced ; must, out June 15, 65. 
Died Dec. 25. 63. 
Transferred to Co. A, June 24, 65. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 
Died at Danville. Va., Oct. 8, 64. 
Died Feb. 1,64. 



45 Nov 


1463 


II I 


33 Dec 


26s 


II I 


18 Dec 


S63 


II I 


45 Nov 


1963 


II K 


18 Nov 


14 63 


II K 


36 Oct 


2463 


3 Bat 


18 Dec 


4 63 


II I 


40 Dec 


26:; 


II 1 


36 Aug 


16 64 


3 Bat 


18 Dec 


4 63 


II H 


32 Dec 


563 


II I 



700 


\K 


<Mo\r Hisroi 


Names. 


Ak--. 


KnlUsl..! 


U.K. 10. 


Stockwcll. Klilui V. 


20 


IVe 2 63 


II I 


Stone, William 


;>4 


Sept 21 03 


; Hat 


\Vhitt;ika-. Ira T. 


■»s 


Dec 2 6] 


11 1 


Woodbury, Albert W 


K^ 


Sept u) 0'', 


^, Ivit 


Woodworth, Albert 


4^; 


Dec 2 6} 


ii I 


Woodworth. Charles 


iJi 


Dec 1 65 


II 1 






VOIUNTKKKS 1 


F.iK-h, lleurv C 






7 I 


McKay, Luther W. 


jj 


Sept ', 04 


- K 


S.inford, John A. 


10 


lio 


- K 



Reni.Hrks. 

Deserted ]u\\ 26, 64 ; returned May 10, 65, 
under President's proclamation ; dishonor- 
ably discharged May 23, Ot;. 

Mustered out June 15, 0^. 

Transterred to Co. A., June 24, 65 

Mustered out June it;, (iq. 

Died (.)ct. 2S, 64, of wounds rec'il. in action. 

Died Aug. 2S, O4. 

UK O.NK VKAR. 



Mustered out Aug. i, 65. 
Mustercil out July iS, 65. 

VOI.UN rKK.RS KK-KN1.1SI'K.1>. 



Barrett, Marcellus M. 18 Feb 2502 4 K 



Bruso, John B. 
Chickering, Charles l\ 
Coburn. John 
Connor, Thomas 
Coburn, James M. 
Cronan, Thomas 
Deval, Peter 
Donpier, Isaiah 
Donpier, Theophilus 
Dulow, Peter 
Emerson, Jonathan t>. 
Glazier, Frank 
Gourlev. Ceorge 
Harrison, Hugh 
Hodi;don, Wilbur 
Hurley, John H. 
Knapp, Mason 
Libby, Charles 

Locklin, Erastus M. 
Marsell, Frank 
^^a.\t^eld, Geo. C. 
Ma.\ham, Dscar 

McGillivrv. Allen 



jS Dec 


2 ', t>2 


7 


K 


2 1 fan 


.^ 62 


7 


K 


iS Feb 


14 62 


- 


K 


-7 Tan 


2 t)2 


- 


K 


iS Mar 


24 62 


4 


K 


kS Sept 


3 (^1 


4 


K 


iS Dec 


.2 61 




K 


22 Dec 


2361 


- 


K 


24 Nov 


20 61 


7 


K 


33 hxn 


4 62 


- 


K 


2S Dec 


14 (1 1 


7 


K 


10 Sept 


6 6\ 


4 


K 


19 Dec 


761 




K 


;o Mar 


362 


7 


G 


18 Feb 


1262 


- 


K 


25 Nov 


2361 


/ 


K 


40 Dec 


761 




K 


18 Jan 


062 


7 


K 


20 Feb 


14 02 


- 


K 


18 Jan 


25 62 


- 


K 


18 Feb 


1762 


4 


K 


2^ Nov 


2761 


s 


V. 



=5. 65- 
^S. 65. 



Feb 



Filer ; re-en. Mar. 28, 04 ; trans, to Co. D, 

Feb. 25, 05. 
Ko-en. l-eb. 1 5, 64. 

do 
Pro. Corp.; re-enlisted Feb. it;, 64. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 15, tx^. 
Re-en. Mar. 28, t>4'; tr. to Co. D, Feb. 
Re-en. Dec. 15, 63; tr. to Co. D, Feb. 
Re-en. Feb. 1 5, 64. 
Wagoner ; re-enlisted Feb. 16, 04. 
Re-en. Feb. 20, 64. 
Pro. Corp.; re-en. Feb. 20. 64. 
Corp.; pro. serg't.; re-en. Feb. 14, 64. 
Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; tr. to Co. D, Feb. 21;, 65. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Re-en. Feb. id, 64 ; des. Sept. 27, 04. 
Pro. Corp.; re-en. F'eb. it;, 64. 
Serg't.; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Re-enlisted F'eb. i?, 64. 
Pro. Corp.; re-en. Feb, 15, O4 ; mustered out 

M;»y 18, 65. 
Re-en. Feb. 15, 64 ; dis. June 23,64. 
Re-en. Feb. 15, 64; pro. corp. Nlav U), 65. 
Re-en. Mar. 28. 64 ; tr. to Co. D, Feb. 25, 05. 
Wagoner ; re-en. Jan. 5, 64 ; ilietl at Salis- 
bury, N. C, on or about Jan. 25, 65. 
Re-en. Feb. 17, 64; pro. corp. Mar. 31, 65: 

must, out May 18, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. 1 5, 6:, ; discharged Feb. 6, 65. 
Serg't.; re-en. Feb. 15, 64 ; des. Sept 27, 64. 
Pro. serg't.; re-en. Jan. 23,64 ; tr. to V. R. C. 

Apr. 26, 65 ; must, out July 20, 65. 
Re-en. Feb. 15, 64 ; dis. May 31, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; died July 21, 64. 
Re. en. Dec. 15, 6^ ; tr. to Co. D, Feb. 25, 65. 
Re-en. Feb. 15, 04 ; des. Sept. 27, 64. 
Re-en. Feb. 20, 64 ; pro. torp. Feb. 28, 6s. 
Pro. cor]\; rc-cn. Dec. it;, 63, and diecl of 

wounds received in action June, 64. [18,65. 
Pro. Corp.; recn. Feb. 16, 64 ; must, out May 
Pro. serg't. June 20, 62 ; re-cn. Dec 1 5, 63 ; 

killed near Cold Harbor, June r, 64. 
Re-en. PVb. 13, 04 ; pro. Corp.; May 10, 65. 
Re-en. Dec. i s, Oj, ; promoted ior|ioral. 
N.WAi. Crfpit.— Walter L. Murphy and Frederick C. Williams. 
Veteran Reserve Corps.— .-\brahani Ford ; miscellaneous, not credited by name, 5 men. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MON rUS. 

Aldrich, Charles W. 
Alexander, Lewis L. 
.-\msden, ^L^rceIlus R. 
.■\rchibald, Henry 
Barton, Wallace B. 
Bates, Geo. D. 
Benway, Eli W. 



Merriam, Edwin R. 




20 


Sept 


461 


4 


K 


Morris, John H. 




21 


Nov 


25 61 




K 


Morse, Henry .\. 




20 


May 


20 61 


- 


F 


Newell, William 




44 


Dec 


10 61 


7 


K 


Rolph, Augustus 0. 




•9 


Aug 


14 61 


6 


H 


Rumncv, Charles 




-4 


Aug 


28 61 


4 


K 


Savia. Frank 




20 


Feb 


5 "- 




K 


Smith, James 




26 


Dec 


30 61 


- 


K 


Smith, Peter 




-3 


Sept 


"13 61 


4 


K 


Waterman, George 


R. 


2; 


Feb 


14 02 


- 


K 


Wilson, George F. 




20 


Sept 


16 01 


(1 


G 


Woodburv, Nathan 


K. 


21 


Dec 


761 


- 


K 


Young, Willi;\m P. 




iS 


Aug 


2761 


4 


K 



18 Aug 2! 62 


12 


F 


21 Aug 23 62 


12 


F 


38 Sept II 62 


15 


C 


35 Aug 23 62 


12 


F 


21 Aug 21 62 


12 


F 


21 Sept II 62 


15 


C 


35 Aug 20 62 


12 


F 



Pro. corp. Mar. 10, 63. 
Discharged Dec. 6, 62. 

Discharged Jan. 20, 63. 



NORTH FIELD. 



701 



Naiiici. 
Krooks, Josiah I'. 
Hrown, W. C ]',. Jr. 
Urown, William 1''. 
I'liriiliam, I>(.nison .S. 
I'liriiliain, (jcorge M. 
15iiz/(;li, Saiiiiicl IJ 
C.iDniiig, William 
Car|)cntcr, C. N. 
Car))entcr, Darwin K. 
Cliurcliill, Henry P. 
Clark, A/ro 
Cohurii, Washington 
Copci'ind, Joiin W. 
Culver, Klislia VV. 
I)avcn]jort, Kobcrt 
Denny, Ceorge I'. I!. 
Denny, Homer 
Dodge, Horace 15. 
Kastnian, K. T. 
P^inerson, Samuel O. 
Feleli, Wallace 
p'orrl, Jacob W. 
Ford, Wm. J. 

Hassam, Nelson 
Hayford, lulward I'. 
Hoiden, Lyman 

Howe, Lyman N. 
Howes, Iviwarfl 11. 
Jacobs, Alfred 

King, Samuel 1>. 

Kinsley, Michael 

Knowles, I'Vanklin 

Latham, Alinon 

Latham, Kli L. 

Leahey, James 

Lewis, John G. 

Lil>bey, Lotan 

Lloyfl, I^vcn K. 

Miller, Fred M. 

Miner, I'Vancis C 

Moulton, Andrew J. 

Rollins/)!!, Matthew 

Sheldon, Martin 

Smith, fiilbert O. 

Smith, Jehial C 

•Smith, Vernon W. 

.Sjjaulding, Alfred F. 

Steele, Fred W. 

Stevenson, Alexander 

Stevenson, Wm. 

Stock well, Llihu T. 

Stone, William 

Taggard, John G. 

Tennev, Rollin Q. 

'J'homas, Darius 

Wainwright, R. lulsoi 

Webb, Alfred W. 

Webster, Cornelius 

Webster, Frederick 

Whittakcr, Ira 



Ane. EiillHl4.'<l. K< 
23 Aug iS 62 
26 Aug uj 62 

23 Sept /I fJ2 
32 do 
22 do 
42 A ug 20 62 
22 Aug 22 62 

.See list of officers. 

,. 21 Scjjt 1 1 62 
32 do 

42 do 

44 Aug 22 62 

22 do 
2 5 do 

.37 '1" 

21 Aug 21 62 
iH Aug 20 62 

34 Sept 1 1 62 

35 ^^\'^ -- ''>- 
.).5 '•" 
30 do 
18 Aug 25 62 

24 Aug 21 62 

36 .Sept 22 62 
36 Aug 21 (,2 
41 do 

i.S Aug 22 62 

44 Aug 2362 
20 Aug 21 62 
36 do 

26 do 
41 do 

18 do 
20 Aug 22 62 

23 Aug 20 62 

45 Aug 21 62 

27 Aug 22 62 

19 Aug 21 62 

29 Sej)! 1 1 62 

25 Aug 20 62 

26 do 

30 Sept 1 1 62 

31 Aug 20 62 

24 Aug 22 62 

20 do 
26 Sept 1 1 62 
24 Aug 22 62 

18 Se])t 1 1 62 
20 do 

19 Aug 20 62 

3.3 •''<=Pt ' I ^>^ 
39 Aug 20 62 



F 
F 
C 
C 
C 
F 
F 
C 
C 
5 C 
5 C 
2 F 
2 F 
5 C 
5 C 
2 J<' 
2 F 

5 (• 

5 C 

5 C 

2 1- 

2 F 

5 C 

2 F 

2 F 

5 ^^ 

2 F 

2 F 

2 F 

5 <-■ 

5 C 

5 C 

5 C 

2 F 

2 F 

2 F 

2 F 

2 F 

5 C 

2 F 

5 C 

5 C 

2 F 

2 F 

2 F 

5 C 

2 F 

5 C 

5 C 

2 F 



Ht'iiiarks. 
Wagoner. 
I'ro. 1st serg't. Mar. 10. 63. 

I'ro. 2d lieut. Co. H, Nov. 18, 62 
I'ro. 1st sergeant. 



Corjjoral. 

Corporal. 
Musician. 
Discharged Aug. 11,63. 



Discharged Feb. 9, 63. 
Musician ; discharged P'eb. 9, 63. 



Discharged Feb. 18, 63. 



29 Aug 22 62 

18 Oct I 62 13 

18 Aug 19 62 
21 .Sept 2 62 
45 .Sept 1 1 62 

VOI.UNTKEKS FOR THREE YEARS CREI) 
VOI.U.NTEERS OI- 

21 .Sept 19 6r Cav C 

36 Dec 14 61 7 K 

25 Sept 2 6i 4 K 

21 Aug 14 61 6 H 

19 June 20 62 9 I 

21 June 12 62 9 I 

22 Aug 27 61 4 K 



Musician ; dischargefl Mar. 29, 63. 
Discharged Nov. 13, 62. 
Corporal. 
Corporal. 



Corporal. 

Discharged Feb. 4, 63. 



Died Oct. 14, 62. 
Commissary Sergeant. 
Captain, Sejjt. r i, 62. 



Aldrich, Harlan V. 
Allard, Prosper 
Allen, Harrison 
Amerdf)n, Newman 
Averill, Charles, 
Averill, P'ranklin 
Hadger, Kneeland 



Died May 29, 63. 



ITED TREVIOU-S TO CALL OK 300,000 : 
• OCT. 17, 1863. 

Corporal. 

Discharged Feb. 25, 63. 

Died Dec. 19, 1861. 

Missing in Action, F\-b. 2, 64. 
Pro. .sergeant ; re-en. Dec. 15, 63. 



702 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Balch, Henry 
Balch, William D. 
Bates, Geo. C. 
Battist, John 
Bennett, Chauncey 
Benton, Harvey 
Blake, Asahel, Jr. 
Bliss, Sidney 
Blodgett, Lorenzo W. 
Blodgett, Blaney S. 
Blodgett, Orrin'O. 
Blodgett, Stephen B. 
Blood, Charles W. 
Bradford, Philander D. 
Brigham, Daniel A. 
Bruso, John B. 
Burnes, John S. 
Buzzell, Ezekiel I. 
Canning, Charles C. 
Carnell, Frank 
Carpenter, Geo. 
Cass, Lewis O. 
Clark, Israel B. 
Clark, John 
Clark, Stephen A. 
Coburn, James M. 
Coburn, John 
Coburn, Ramsford 
Cochran, \Vm. O. 
Cram, Geo. 
Cram, Horatio N. 
Cronan, Thomas 
Davenport, C. W. 
Davenport, Edwin 
Davenport, Wm. W. 
Densmore, Albert E. 
Densmore, Edwin R. 
Deval, John 
Deval, Peter 
Donpier, Theophilus 
Dow, Augustus 
Duval, Carlos 
Emerson, Geo. H. 
Emerson, Jonathan C. 
Fisher, Charles G. 
Fisk, Gilbert E. 
Fisk, Van Loran 
Fisk, Wm. P. 
Fitzgerald, John 
Fowler, Lucius L. 
Gittey, Andrew 
Glazier, Franklin 
Gregory, Joseph 
Gourley, George 
Hall, Randall L. 
Howes, Eugene 
Hayden, Albey 
Heath, Nathan C. 
Hodgdon, Wilbur 
Houston, Oscar A. 
Howard, Alvin A. 
Howe, David L. 

Howe, Wm. I. 
Howes, Seymour 
Howes, Wesley C. 
Hunt, Washington 
Hurley, John H. 
Jones, Merrill C. 
Joyce, Charles H. 



Afje. Enlisted. 


Reg, Co. 


iS Sept 


2261 


6 G 


43 Feb 


I 62 


7 K 


23 Mar 


I 62 


8 B 


35 July 


21 62 


II I 


35 ^ept 


16 6r 


CavC 


45 Jan 


15 62 


7 K 


44 Aug 


862 


II I 


19 Aug 


562 


ri I 


44 Aug 


14 61 


6 H 
4 K 


20 Sept 


261 


4 K 


18 Sept 


561 


4 K 


21 Feb 


362 


7 K 


18 June 


I 61 


U 


28 Dec 


2361 


7 K 


41 Dec 


20 62 


7 K 


21 Aug 


14 61 


6 H 


32 May 


761 


2 D 


18 Aug 


2661 


4 K 
8 B 


23 Sept 


761 


4 K 


27 Aug 


962 


II H 


22 Aug 


I 62 


II H 


21 Sept 


15 61 


CavF 


i8 Mar 


2462 


4 K 


18 Feb 


14 62 


7 K 


27 July 


1662 


II I 


27 Feb 


14 62 


7 K 


24 Feb 


4 62 


8 G 


18 June 


1262 


9 I 


18 Sept 


361 


4 K 


32 Aug 


14 61 


6 H 


35 Aug 


262 


II I 
II I 


20 Dec 


361 


7 K 


26 July 


.562 


II I 


44 Jan 


20 62 


7 K 


18 Dec 


261 


do 


24 Nov 


29 61 


do 


39 Sept 


661 


4 K 


23 Sept 


18 61 


CavC 


21 Sept 


761 


4 K 


28 Dec 


14 61 


7 K 


26 Aug 


2661 


4 K 


18 Sept 


18 61 


Cav C 


23 Sept 


761 


4 K 


18 Aug 


962 


do 


43 Jan 


2562 


7 K 


21 Dec 


10 61 


7 K 


30 July 


2362 


II I 


19 Sept 


661 


4 K 


29 Aug 


29 61 


do 


19 Dec 


761 


7 K 


23 Oct 


76. 


CavC 


18 Aug 


29 61 


4 B 


25 June 


I 61 


3 F 


23 Dec 


3061 


7 K 


18 Feb 


1262 


do 


31 Dec 


2661 


do 


20 Nov 


2761 


do 


44 July 


3062 


II I 


iS Aug 


29 61 


4 K 


25 Aug 


I 62 


II H 


21 Dec 


661 


7 K 


25' Sept 


18 61 


CavC 


25 Nov 


23 6t 


7 K 


20 Nov 


2761 


do 



Remarks. 
Discharged June 30, 62. 
Died Oct. 12, 62. 
Recruit; discharged Sept. 19, 63. 

Serg't. ; reduced to ranks ; dis. Jan. 16, 64. 
Discharged Oct. 15, 62. 
Trans, to invalid corps, March 15, 64. 
Pro. corp. Dec. 26, 63. 



Died March 5, 62. 
Discharged Dec. 19, 62. 

Surgeon. 

Discharged Dec. 9, 62. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Discharged Oct. 24, 62. 

Discharged Jan. 16, 63. 

Serg't.; pro. ist lieut. Co. I, Jan 28, 62 



Pro. Serg't. Feb. 21, 64 ; dis. May 5, 64. 

Sick in general hospital, Aug. 31, 64. 
Serg't.; pro. 2d lieut. Co. F, Oct. 4, 62. 
Recruit ; re-enlisted Mar. 28, 64. 
Recruit; pro. corp.; re-enlisted Feb. 15. 64. 

Recruit; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Transferred to invalid corps. 
Promoted corporal. 
Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 
Discharged Dec. 31, 62. 



Discharged Feb. 25, 63. 

Discharged Oct. 15, 62. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 20, 64. 

Musican ; pro. principal musician Mar. i, 62. 

Discharged Apr. 12, 62. 

Discharged Feb. 13, 63. 

Corporal ; pro. serg't.; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Pro. 2d lieut. Co. F, Dec. 14,62. 

Missing in action, July 3, 63. 

Died Dec. 28, 63. 

Prisoner of war since June 23, 64. 

Died Sept. i, 62. 

Died Oct. 6, 62. 

Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63; pris. June 23, 64. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Trans, to Veteran Reserve Corps, Mar. 4, 64. 

Discharged Oct. 19, 62. 

Wagoner ; must, out July 27, 64. 

Died Aug. 13, 62. 

Pro. Corp.; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Died Oct. 13, 62. 

Discharged Aug. 17, 63. 

Corporal ; pro.Q. M. S. Dec. 26, 63 ; sick in 

general hospital, Aug. 31, 64. 
Discharged Dec. 7, 62. [Aug. 31, 64. 

Pro. corp. Aug. 7, 64 ; sick in general hospital 
Serg't.; pro. 2d lieut. Co. E, Mar. i, 63. 
Died June 26, 62. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Promoted Q. M. S. March i, 63. 
2d lieutenant colonel. 



NORTHFIELD. 



703 



Joyce, Wm. C. 
King, Lorenzo H. 
Labaree, Henry D. 
Larrabee, Henry D. 
Lewis, Edwin C. 

Libby, Charles 
Locklin, Erastus M. 
Locklin, Myron A. 
Marsh, Frederick N. 
Marsh, Owen 
Maxham, Orrin 
Maxham, Oscar 
May, Thomas L. 
McCarty, Henry 
McCarty, James 
McGillvary, Allen 
McKay, Luther W. 
McMullen, Robert 
Morris, John H. 
Morse, Henry A. 
Mosley, John L. 
Murphy, Wm. P. 
Murphy, William 
Newell, William 
Norton, John 
O'Connell, James 
Parker, Brainard M. 
Parker, Solon 
Persons, Leonard 
Ralph, Alonzo D. 
Ralph, Augustus O. 
Regner, Joseph D. 
Regner, Nelson L. 
Robinson, Archibald 
Rock, Joseph 
Rolston, Charles S. 
Rumney, Charles 
Rumney, George IL 
Russell, Sylvanus M. 
Sanborn, David L. 
Sanborn, Ira 
Silver, John Q. 
Smith, Adin D. 
Smith, Alexander 
Smith, Gilbert O. 
Smith, James 
Sprout, Eli 
Sprout, Geo. W. 
Stevens, Oliver B. 
Stockwell, Jackson 
Stone, James P. 
Sturtevant, Charles O. 
Sturtevant, Wm. H. 
Sullivan, John 
Taggard, Alonzo W. 
Thresher, Horace W. 
Townsend, Joseph W. 
Tucker, Silas B. 
Wakefield, Leroy 
Wakefield, Luther 
Waterman, Geo. R. 
Waterman, Geo. S. 
Welch, John 
Wells, Joseph 
Wells, Ransom A. 
Wheeler, Wm. B. 
Willey, Geo. N. 
Williams, Amplius 



•I Sept 15 61 



Age. Enlisted. Keg. Co. 

CavF 

do 

4 K 

II I 

6 G 



43 July 16 62 

22 Dec 17 63 

18 Jan 9 62 

26 Feb 14 62 

34 July 16 62 

18 Sept 
21 Oct 



30 61 
7 61 



^1 V^Cl / Ul 

23 Nov 27 61 
19 Sept 12 61 

■>/) Ancr 9-7 f}'? 



24 Aug 27 62 
39 Feb 3 62 
33 Feb I 6: 
19 Sept - '^- 



561 



iy ocjJL ^ ui 

24 Aug 26 61 

21 Nov 25 61 

20 May 20 61 
Feb I 62 

19 Aug 28 61 
42 Dec 7 61 
44 Dec 10 61 
44 Aug 14 61 

22 Nov 23 61 

23 Sept 23 61 

18 Dec 31 61 
42 July 23 62 
22 Sept 2 61 

19 Aug 14 61 

25 Aug 662 
30 Sept 16 61 

21 Dec 10 61 
18 Oct 7 61 

22 Sept 7 61 

24 Aug 28 61 
21 July 26 62 
18 Aug 13 62 

32 Sept 21 61 
28 Aug 14 61 

33 Aug I 62 

36 Sept 7 61 

37 Aug 662 
18 Sept 18 61 

26 Dec 30 61 
18 Aug 24 61 
44 June 4 62 
32 Aug I 62 



25 Oct 
32 Jan 
42 Dec 
29 Nov 
21 July 
37 Dec 



761 
262 

28 61 

29 61 

30 62 
13 61 



21 Aug 26 61 

35 Sept 16 61 

27 Feb 14 62 

27 Jan 19 62 

42 May 31 62 

21 July 15 62 

22 Sept 19 61 
24 Jan 8 62 
32 Oct 7 61 



7 K 

do 

II I 

7 K 

6 B 

8 E 
do 

Cav C 
II H 

7 K 
do 

4 K 
do 
7 K 
2 F 



do 

6 H 

7 K 
Cav C 

8 G 
II I 

4 E 

6 H 
II I 
Cav C 

7 K 
6 G 
4 K 

do 
II I 

do 
Cav C 

6 H 
u H 

4 K 
II I 
Cav C 

7 K 
4 B 

9 I 
II H 

do 

Cav C 
7 K 
7 K 
do 



II I 

7 K 
II I 

4 K 
Cav C 

7 K 
Cav C 

7 K 



7 K 
6 F 



Reiuaiks. 
Serg't.; reduced to ranks ; re-en. Dec. 30, 63. 

[Aug. 31, 64. 
Pro. Corp. Dec. 26, 63 ; sick in gen. hospital, 
Dis. for pro. in colored regiment, Aug. 3, 64 ; 

recruit. 
Promoted corporal ; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Re-en. Feb. 15, 64; dis. June 23, 64 ; recruit. 
Serg't.; red.; sick in gen. hospital, Aug. 31,64. 

Died Dec. 29, 61. 

Died Feb. 63 ; corporal. 

Wagoner ; re-enlisted Jan. 5, 64. 

Re-en. Feb. 24, 64 ; pro. corp. March i, 64. 

Discharged. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 17, 64. 

Discharged Sept. i, 63. 

Deserted Sept. 10, 63. 

Sergeant ; re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Pro. sergeant ; re-en. Jan. 23, 64. 

Pro. capt. Co. E, Nov. 23, 63. 

Corp ; reduced to rank ; pris. June 23, 64. 

Died Dec. 3, 62. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Trans, to invalid corps. 

Corporal ; discharged Feb. 25, 63. 

Corporal ; promoted sergeant major. 

Killed in action June 14, 63. 

Musician ; discharged Mar. 30, 63. 

Died Nov. 29, 61. 

Re-en. Dec. 15, 63. 

Musician 

Discharged Jan. 2, 64. 

Discharged Feb. 25, 63. 

Trans, to invalid corps, Sept. 1,63. 

Died June 6, 62. 

Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 ; pris. of war June 23, 64. 

Tians. to invalid corps, Mar. 15, 64. 

Pro. Corp. Nov. 14, 62 ; died Aug. 21, 64. 

Sick in general hospital, June 30, 64. 

Discharged Sept. 21, 62. 

[May 5, 64. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 10, 64 ; killed at Wilderness, 
Sick in general hospital, Aug. 31, 64. 
Trans, to V. R. C. Mar. 29, 64. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 

Wagoner ; discharged Aug. 4, 63. 
Musician Oct. i, 62. 

2d drum major. 

Discharged April i, 62. 

Died May 11, 63. 

Died Sept. 4, 62. 

Discharged Feb. 25, 63 ; corporal. 

Discharged Feb. 25, 63 ; corporal. 

Died Feb. 8, 62. 

Trans, invalid corps, Feb. 15, 64. 

Pro. corporal ; re-en. Feb. 15, 64. 

Died Oct. 7, 62. 

Cor. prom, serg't. Dec. 26, 63. 
Wagoner ; discharged Oct. 31, 62. 
Died Mar. 20, 62. 
Discharged Jan. 26, 63. 



704 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 
Williams, Franklin 
Wilson, George F. 

Wilson, Milo 
Woodward, Samuel P. 
Woodbury, Charles E. 
Woodbury, George 
Woodbury, Nathan K 
Wright, Joseph N. 
York, Alonzo 
Young, Geo. S. 

CREDITS UNDER. CALL 

Amsden, Marcellus R. 
Avery, Lorenzo B. 
Barton, John, Jr. 

Barton, William 

Bates, Orrin 

Benway, Eli W. 
Brigham, Don A. 
Burnes, John S. 
Buzzell, Samuel D. 
Coburn, Washington 

Dickinson, Zerah H. 
Dole, Heman 
Dutton, John 
Duvall, John 
Gardner, Charles 
Hill, Playstone J. 



Af<e. Kulisleil. 

1 8 Jan 9 62 
20 Sept 16 61 



Co. HeuKtrks 

K Died Sept. 13, 62. 

G Corp.; pro. serg't. June 20, 62 ; re-en. Dec. 15, 
63 ; killed near Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 



36 Aug 9 62 
18 Nov 25 61 
18 Aug 28 61 

21 Dec 7 61 
33 Aug 9 62 

-3 July 1° 61 

22 Nov 29 61 



Prisoner since June 23, 64. 

Died Dec. 2, 62. 

Reduced to ranks ; corporal. 

Re-enlisted Feb. 15, 64. 
Cav C Recruit. 
3 K Wagoner; died Sept. 15, 62, 
7 K Died Feb. 25, 63. 

OF OCr. 17, 1863, FOR 300,000 VOLUNTEERS, AND SURSEQUENT CALLS 
VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YE.\RS. 



39 Dec 3 63 
20 Aug 19 64 
20 Nov 19 63 



18 



do 



II I 
3 Bat 
II K 

do 



45 Nov 30 63 II I 



39 July 
19 Aug 
34 Dec 
43 Oct 
45 Dec 


2364 
2663 

563 
2863 

563 


II B 
3 Kat 
II I 
3 Bat 
II I 


35 flo 


do 


18 Dec 


26s 


II H 


45 Dec 


263 


II i 


45 Nov 


1263 


II K 


19 Nov 
25 Nov 


1463 
3063 


do 
II I 



Sick in general hospital Aug. 31, 64, 
Mustered out of service June 15, 65. 
Prisoner since June 23, 64 ; trans, to <'o. A, 

June 24, 65. 
Prisoner since June, 24, 64 ; died at Andersoa- 

ville, .Sept. 5, 64. 
Sick in general hospital Aug. 31, 64 ; trans. 

to Co. A, June 24, 65. 
Mustered out Aug. 25, 65. 
Pro. C. Jan. i, 65 ; mustered out June 15, 65. 
Trans, to Co. A, June 24, 65. 
Mustered out June 15, 65. 
Sick in general hospital, Aug. 31, 64 ; trans. 

to Co. A, June 24, 65. 
Died Dec. 25, 63. 

Taken pris. June 23, 64 ; died in rebel prison. 
Died July 20, 64. 
Discharged Apr. 14, 64. 

Artificer, Jan. i, 65 ; tr. to Co. A, June 24, 65. 
Deserted, July 26, 64. 



(For the Gazetteer.) 
VERMONT IN THE REVOLUTION. 

BY DR. N. W. GILBERT. 

' Glory to old Vernioiit ! she stands 
Where freedom's star has never set; 

Though dim its light ou other lands. 
It shines upon her mountains yet." 

Thus sang the bard, and thus I sing, 

In this my hnmble offering. 

And yet it has been charged that she, 
When war his deadly witcli broth brewed- 

When states were struggling to be free- 
Assumed a threatening attitude; 

An attitude, in fact, which was 

Unfriendly to the patriot cause. 

But what is patriotism, if 
'Tis not persistent, bold defence 

Of native mountain, plain and cliff. 
By beating back and driving thence, 

Each foreign or domestic foe, 

Who would our freedom overthrow? 

And when the States " cried havoc, and 

Let slip the cruel dogs of war," 
Vermont's devoted, patriot band. 

Already was contending for 
That which was vital and supreme — 
For principles she could but deem 

As far superior to those 

Which caused the hearts of men to thrill, 
Who fought against invading foes. 

At Lexington and Bunlier Hill, 
As were our mountains higher than 
Was Bunker Hill, when war began. 



For they were fighting to resist 
A trifling tax, which was assessed 

Upon them, and I here insist 
They were not hopelessly oppressed; 

Save in a moral sense, which must. 

Or may, their cause have rendered Just. 

Our fathers, on the other hand, 
A demon's clutches would unclasp; 

For roof and altar, house and land. 
Were being wrested from their grasp; 

And by the self-same parties who 

Have conjured up this bugaboo 

Of lack of loyalty; who claim 
Our fathers would to us bequeath 

A traitor's heritage of shame. 
I hurl the falsehood in their teeth. 

And brand it as alike untrue. 

Unjust and most ungenerous too. 

Vermont disloyal! yet witlistand 
The shock of many a ponderous blow 

From either side; on either hand 
A wily and inveterate foe; 

Tlie British lion's lordly roar 

Resounding througli her northern shore, 

AVhlie from the west and south there came 
A horde of thieves and plunderers. 

With only their highwayman's claim, 
" Your money or your life, good sirs" — 

And Congress, too— from which should come 

Relief— to her was deaf and dumb. 

What marvel she should entertain- 
Before her waning sun should set — 
From Haldimand and Lord Germain, 
Proposals of armistice? Yet 



NORTHFIELD. 



705 



'Twas nothing but a truce, as she 
Was still determined to be free. 

On either hand an enemy. 
Refusing still her rights to yield. 

Her prowess and diplomacy 
Were seen and felt in court and field, 

While thus alone, in sovereign sway. 

She stood, and held the world at bay. 

Not only so, witli towering crest. 
Her narrow boundaries she increased, 

By making conquests on the west. 
And conquests also in tlie east; 

And these were won without the aid 

Of musket or of glistening blade. 

Her court at Charlestown being held — 
Her western boundary near Malone— 

Her foes were thus at length compelled 
Her power, if not her rights, to own ; 

A power too which she dared maintain 

Until her rights she sliould regain. 

Nor was she false to freedom when 
Herself the hunted, threatened prey 

Of freedom's friends; for, even then. 
She was not idle in the fray; 

But points to deeds of valor done 

At old " Fort Ti," and Bennington. 

My native State! thy history is 

To me a heritage of pride— 
Which is not dimmed by rivalries— 

AVhose lustre may not be denied; 
For he who runs so plainly reads 
The tale of thy heroic deeds. 

I sit beneath thy mountains' shades. 

And muse upon thy glories now; 
I wander tlirough thy glens and glades. 

Or stand upon Algonquin's brow. 
And look around on shore and wave. 
Where never trod the foot of slave. 

And on thy verdant slopes I see 
The stamp of freedom still impressed— 

A prophecy of what shall be 
When human nature has been blest 

With deeds of love, wliose shimmering sheen 

No mortal yet has ever seen. 

Dr. Norman W. Gilbert, born in 
Morristown, 1830, married Sarah Atwel!, 
of Waterbury, 1854, studied dentistry in 
Lowell, Mass. ; 1858 settled in Northfield ; 
1867 removed to Montpelier ; 1873 to Bos- 
ton, where, in January, 1877, Mrs. Gilbert 
died, and soon after the doctor returned 
to Northfield. He is a graduate of the 
Boston Dental College. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH RECORD CON- 
TINUED. 

BY CHARLES DOLE. 

Mr. Matlack was followed by the Rev. 
R. A. Greene, who remained with the so- 
ciety 5 years, doing good and acceptable 
work, when, receiving a call from Lowell, 
Mass., the society reluctantly consented 



to his removal to what seemed to be a 
wider field of usefulness. The year suc- 
ceeding Mr. Greene's departure the socie- 
ty was without a regular pastor. During 
this year the Rev. John Gregory preached 
for a few months. The remaining part of 
the year the services were conducted by 
clergymen from neighboring societies. 
Rev. Wm. M. Kimmell, of Ohio, a young 
man of Christian worth, was then invited 
to become the pastor of the church. He 
accepted, and for 2 jears did good and 
faithful service, closing his labors March 
I, 1880. 

The church was at this period encum- 
bered with quite a large debt, which had 
been accumulating for a number of years. 
It was not only a source of much trouble, 
but seriously impaired the usefulness of 
its work, and its removal became a ques- 
tion of serious importance. This was by 
the Rev. Walter Dole, who gave his ser- 
vices for one year, that all the money paid 
in during the year might apply on the 
church debt. Mr. Dole was a graduate of 
Norwich University and the Meadville 
Theological School. This was his first 
year of active service in the work of the 
Christian ministry preparatory to ordina- 
tion. At the end of the year, he was reg- 
ularly ordained, and accepted a call from 
the Universalist church at Enfield, N. H. 
During this year's work he had removed 
the debt that had been the source of much 
trouble, and thus merited and received the 
sincere thanks and good will of all mem- 
bers of the church and society. 

At this date, Jan. 1882, the society is in 
a prosperous condition, with the Rev. L 
P. Booth as its pastor, who succeeded the 
Rev. Walter Dole, May i, 1881. 

THE HARLOW BRIDGE TRAGEDY. 

Never was there a tragedy in Vermont 
which equaled the one that took place 
Dec. II, 1867, at "Harlow Bridge." It 
occurred just after noon, and sent a thrill 
of horror over the land. About 100 me- 
chanics and laborers employed in rebuild- 
ing the " Harlow Bridge" on the Vermont 
Central railroad, about 2 miles from the 
depot, were boarding at the Northfield 



89 



7o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



House. That day they took their dinner 
there as usual, and this repast finished, the 
last meal that many of them were ever 
again to partake, about 60 of them got in- 
to a passenger car, and started back for 
their work. The train, consisting of one 
car and locomotive and tender, was in 
charge of Francis B. Abbott, for 15 years 
a faithful hand in the employ of the road. 
He was requested to hurry up, so as to get 
back an ! take the others, and the train 
started, backing up. Intent only upon 
obeying orders, and forgetting all else, 
he ran at a speed reprehensible under the 
circumstances. A number on the train 
felt that they were going to destruction, 
but nothing was done to stop it, and then 
came the culmination of this horrid disas- 
ter, which carried mourning and desolation 
into so many families. It is said that the 
fireman spoke to the engineer about slack- 
ing his speed, and at last hurled a stick of 
wood at his head, to awake him from his 
reverie, telling him to reverse his engine, 
which he did, but too late. The passenger 
car first plunged into the frightful abyss. 
Going down about 25 feet it struck upon 
the bank, which projected something like 
a shelf, and then broke, one part of it 
stopping there, and one going to the bot- 
tom, over 60 feet further. The tender 
followed, crushing in among those who 
remained with that portion of the car 
which lodged on the bank, where the 
greatest mortality occurred, those going 
to the bottom escaping comparatively 
easy. Across those on the shelf a large 
timber had fallen, and on this the tender, 
pinning them to the earth and crushing 
out their very life. The reversing the en- 
gine suddenly prevented that from follow- 
ing, although it had gone so far that a per- 
pendicular line dropped from the flange 
ot the driver, carried it 4 feet beyond the 
abutment. Affrighted, the engineer 
jumped from his post, but seeing his en- 
gine did not go over he at once regained 
his position, and thus prevented the ma- 
chine from tearing down the road with the 
velocity of a scared bird, with no one to 
control it. 

Killed : Almon VVetherbee, foreman of 



bridge gang ; Christopher Devine, laborer ; 
Patrick Garvin, laborer ; Edward Sweeney, 
trackman ; Timothy McCarty, trackman ; 
Louis Rock, bridge builder, citizens of 
Northfield, and 9 others killed, most of 
whom lived in Canada. 

Wounded: George Randall, telegraph- 
ist; Horace Kingsbury and J. Mulcahey, 
citizens of Northfield, and 35 from this 
State and Canada. 

COL. FRANCIS V. RANDALL 

was born in Braintree, in Orange County, 
Feb. 13, 1824. His father, Gurdon Ran- 
dall, was of English origin, born in Con- 
necticut, and emigrated with his father's 
family to the new State of Vermont in 
1803, when about 9 years old; was re- 
puted a man of excellent parts, and suc- 
ceeded in acquiring more than an ordina- 
ry education for those times, and studied 
medicine, which, however, he never prac- 
ticed, it not being congenial to his tastes. 
He had a natural aptitude for mechanics, 
and had the reputation of building as good 
grist and saw-mills as the best. He mov- 
ed from Braintree to Northfield in 1832, 
where he lived mostly until he died in 
1861. [See page 645.] 

Col. Randall's mother was Laura Scott 
Warner, the daughter of Luther Warner, 
a near relative of Col. Seth Warner. She 
was born in Putney, and movfd to Brain- 
tree with her father's family when a small 
girl. She died in Northfield in 1880. No 
more need be said of her than that she 
raised a large family of children under 
somewhat adverse circumstances, and did 
it well. She was emphatically a good 
wife and mother. 

Col. F. V. Randall was the second of a 
family of 9 children, and being thus one of 
the oldest, in those rugged times had to 
lend a hand in assisting in the support of 
the family, and at 20 years had had no 
school opportunities beyond the district 
school, with such additional aid as his 
father could find occasional opportunities 
to give. At his 20th birthday his father 
informed him that his means would not 
admit of his helping him to obtain an ed- 
ucation, and that all he could do would be 



NORTHFIELD. ' 



707 



to give him the year of his unexpired mi- 
nority, which he did. From that time he 
worked and kept school a few months at a 
time until he had earned money to take 
him through a term at the academy, ex- 
pended it for that purpose, and then earned 
more, and so on, as many another boy has 
done before and since. 

At about the same time, he entered as a 
student at law in the office of the Hon. 
Heman Carpenter, of Northfield, and im- 
proved all of his vacations in this way. 
While studying with Judge Carpenter, he 
boarded in his family, and a part of the 
time did chores to pay for his board. In 
1847, being 23 years old, he was admitted 
to Washington County Bar, and went im- 
mediately into a large and successful prac- 
tice, which he only abandoned to go into 
the army at the outbreak of the Rebellion. 
I think Washington County Court docket 
shows that but one or two lawyers in the 
county had a larger practice than he did at 
that time. 

He first commenced practice in North- 
field, where he remained until 1857. From 
1853 to 1857 he was postmaster there. 
While in practice there, Albert V. H. 
Carpenter was his law partner for awhile, 
and afterwards Cok Chas. H. Joyce. In 
1857, he sold out at Northfield with the in- 
tention of moving West, and moved to 
Roxbury, where he had some real estate 
interest, intending to remain long enough 
to close his business preparatory to going 
West. 

Just before the fall election it was pro- 
posed to him by leading members of the 
Democratic party, to which he belonged, 
to run for town representative. He in- 
formed them that his residence in town 
had hardly been a year, the constitutional 
time required, and that if elected he prob- 
ably could not hold his seat. The town 
was very closely divided in its vote politi- 
cally, and it was thought as things then 
stood that he was the only Democrat who 
could win, and that it would be more grat- 
ifying to succeed at the polls than to be 
defeated, even if his seat should be success- 
fully contested, and so he was nominated. 
The first ballot showed a tie between him 



and his whig opponent, but on a subse- 
quent ballot he was declared elected, and 
received his credentials and took his seat. 
It was however contested, and having re- 
tained it in the controversy till toward the 
close of the session, he was ousted. Dur- 
ing this time he was on several important 
standing and other committees ; was the 
Democratic candidate for Speaker, run- 
ning against Senator Edmunds . The next 
year, having remained in Roxbury, he was 
again elected representative by a large ma- 
jority, and his seat was not contested. In 
i860 he moved to Montpelier, the better 
to pursue his largely increasing law prac- 
tice. 

In 1858, the legislature having organized 
a militia brigade in the State, consisting of 
a regiment from each congressional dis- 
trict, Gen. Alonzo Jackman was appointed 
Brigadier General, and in making up his 
stalif. Col. Randall was made Brigade Judge 
Advocate, and in that year the brigade 
mustered at Montpelier, and Col. Randall 
was present in his official capacity. When 
three years after the town of Montpelier 
raised a company for the 2d Vt. Regt. in 
the Rebellion, this was remembered by 
some, and after, at a war meeting during 
the extra session of the legislature, it was 
found that more than enough men for the 
company had enlisted in a single evening. 
Col. R. was asked to take charge of and 
drill them. He reluctantly consented to 
do so, and when finally on the organiza- 
tion of the company, he received every 
vote for captain, he was persuaded to ac- 
cept the position, with the expectation 
and belief that the war would not continue 
6 weeks. With that company he served 
as captain, having been with it at the first 
Bull Run battle, and all the battles that 
followed till the close of McCIellan's Pen- 
insula Campaign, when he was made Col. 
of the 13th Regt., and served with that 
during its term of service. The Governor 
then offered him the command of the 17th 
Regt., then being recruited, which he ac- 
cepted, assisting in filling up the regiment, 
and serving with it to the end of the war. 
Col. Randall was the only man from the 
State who was colonel of two regiments. 



V 



7o8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In the winter of 1S63-4, after the Pres- 
idenfs call for 300,000 men, known as the 
call of October 17, 1863, at the request of 
Gen. Washburn, then Adjutant General, 
and charged with the raising of men. Col. 
Randall was detailed to assist by address- 
ing war meetings in diiTerent parts of the 
State, his appointments to speak being 
made by Gen. Washburn in those local- 
ities where recruiting was hardest and 
where they were most behind. Many 
amusing anecdotes are told of the shifts 
which the Colonel made to induce men to 
enlist, which space will not permit us to 
insert. But during that winter he spoke 
at about 50 war meetings all over the 
State, and at no place where he spoke did 
they fail to fill their quota, and generally 
before the meeting was closed. 

At the close of the war he returned to 
Montpelier, where for about 6 or 8 years 
he pursued his law practice with much 
success ; but the interruption of the 4 or 5 
years that he was out of practice during 
the war diminished his interest in his pro- 
fession, and for several years he has not 
made it a leading business, having done 
very little at the law, but has cultivated 
his farm without engaging much in other 
business. F. v. R. 

PAPER ON EARLY METHODISM IN NORTH- 
FIELD. 

BY REV. J. K. BARTLETT. 

The earliest records now known on the 
history of Methodism in this section, are 
those of the Barre Circuit from 1804 ; quite 
incomplete, but show the class in North- 
field possessed some 20 or more members 
at that time. The list reads: William 
Keyes, Betsey Keyes, William Ashcroft, 
William Smith, Abel Keyes, Esther Keyes, 
Mary Smith, Susanna Latham, Joseph 
Nichols, Weltha Nichols, Lydia Robinson, 
Betsey Robinson, Cynthia Nichols, Polly 
Smith, Isaiah Bacon, Ruth Bacon, Anan- 
ias Tubbs, Hannah Tubbs, Simeon Fisk, 
Betsey Fisk. In 1812, three classes were 
reported. Jason Winch leader of one 
with 9 members, William Keyes leader of 
another with 23 ; and the third having no 
stated leader, but 6 members, and two on 
trial; Asa Winch recorded as an " ex- 



horter " and resident at Northfield. This 
town was included in Barre circuit until 
1826, when Brookfield circuit was organ- 
ized, including Brookfield, Northfield, 
Williamstown, Roxbury and Randolph. 

Doubtless all the preachers appointed 
on Vershire circuit from 1796 to 1803, in- 
clusive, and on Barre circuit from 1804 to 

1825, visited Northfield in the course of 
their labors at stated intervals to preach ; 
and quarterly meetings, which in the early 
da\s were attended from all parts of the 
circuit, were held here from time to time. 
The first one recorded here was May 23, 
1807 ; the collections reported $78.48 for 
the quarter, and the summary for the year " 
$148.45. This was disbursed : to E. Sa- 
bin, presiding Elder, $24.72 ; for commun- 
ion wine, $4.68 ; to Philip Munger, $54.67 ; 
for his expenses, $3.82; and the same to 
Jonathan Cheney, do. The preachers af- 
terwards received (during the remainder 
of the Conference year) $13.35 additional, 
in which was included a note from the 
class in Orange for one dollar. Following 
the organization of Brookfield circuit in 

1826, this town remained therein until it 
became an appointment by itself. The 
Vermont Annual Conference has held its 
sessions here ; June 24, 1852, the 8th an- 
nual session. Bishop Levi Scott presiding ; 
Apr. 16, 1862, the i8th annual session. 
Bishop O. C. Baker presiding ; Apr. 20, 
1871, the 27th annual session. Bishop E. 
S. Janes presiding. 

THE OLD YELLOW MEETING-HOUSE, 

(page 649 and 658) , seems to be the butt for 
joke and mistake, though pa.ssed out of exist- 
ence. First, page 649, a superfluous "was" 
crept in, and did not get excluded. Line 
2d, inclosed paragraph after ' ' Impromptu " 
should read: "that was soon however 
burned." Again, the old yellow meeting- 
house was not burned at all . Father Druon 
has just sifted the conflicting accounts, 
and given us the reliable one. "Gov. 
Paine had given land to the Catholics for 
a church if occupied ; if not, they lost it ; 
hence, when they bought the old meeting- 
house, they had to move it ih mile to the 
given site, which so racked the frame, and 
it was so much too small, though they re- 



NORTHFIELD. 



709 



modeled it and got along with it some 3 
years, Father Druon then commenced to 
build a new church directly in front of the 
old, and the new frame, partly inclosing 
in the rear the old one ; which as the 
new progressed was cut away part at a 



time, and when the new one was finished, 
the last fragment of the old house had been 
removed, and so no part of it was in fact 
burned ; but the new one, which was the 
second church, was burned by lightning 
in 1876. 








NATHANIEL CARPENTER, OF MIDDLESEX. 

BY HON. IlEMAN CAKPENTEB, OF NORTHFIELD. 

Nathaniel Carpenter, one of the early 
settlers of Middlesex, was born in Cov- 
entry, Conn., Sept. 20, 1766. He was 
one of a family of 12 children. His father 
and family moved to Sharon, Vt., about 
1775. His oldest brother, Jonas Carpen- 
ter, was in the American army, and was at 
the taking of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He 
married for his first wife Susanna Shep- 
herd, of Sharon, and by this marriage had 
3 children : Lavinia was born June 21, 
1788, and died Aug. 21, 1865: Stephen 
was born May 23, 1790, and died Dec. 30, 
1803; Alanson was born Jan. 30, 1793, 



and is now living in Fremont, 
Ohio. Their mother died May 
29, 1794. Said Nathaniel mar- 
ried for his second wife, Abigail 
(Morse) Waterman, March 26, 
1797. They had by their mar- 
riage 9 children : Christopher, 
Susan, Wooster, Nathaniel M., 
Don P., Heman, Otis H., Fi- 
delia, and Albert V. H., four of 
which are now living — Alanson, 
Nathaniel M., Heman, and Al- 
bert V. H. The father of these 
children held many prominent 
offices in said town of Middlesex, 
and he and his son Alanson were 
in the battle of Plattsburg in the 
war of 181 2. 

Nathaniel Carpenter died at 
Middlesex, Nov. 25, 1840; his 
wife Abigail, Sept. 21, 1842, and 
is buried in Middlesex, aged 65 
years, 9 months, and 19 days. 

The mother of these 9 chil- 
dren was born in Royalton, 
daughter of Nathaniel Morse. 
At the burning of Royalton by 
the Indians, her mother was flee- 
ing on horseback from the inva- 
ders, with her in her arms, and 
was captured and seated on a log, the In- 
dians brandishing their tomahawks over 
their heads. They left them, but took the 
horse, burning dieir house and barns, and 
the contents, including several fat oxen in 
the barns. 

Alanson, the youngest by the first wife, 
read law and located at Chateaugay, Frank- 
lin Co., N. Y. He was custom-house offi- 
cer at that place for many years. He now 
resides in Fremont, Ohio. 

Christopher studied medicine, and grad- 
uated at the medical school in Burlington, 
and located at Bangor, N. Y., where he 
died. He had a very extensive ride, and 
was very successful in his practice. 



yxo 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Wooster studied medicine with his 
brother, and graduated at Burlington or 
Castleton medical college, and located at 
Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. He had 
a large and successful practice, but died 
poor, having become involved in debt in 
his efforts to build and complete a stone 
church in the small village where he resid- 
ed, which was dedicated to "The Church," 
as he called it, of which he was a zealous 
communicant. 

Don P. was a farmer, but held many 
ofifices in his native town ; was a member 
of the Legislature in 1848, and twice elect- 
ed side judge of the county court. 

Nathaniel M. was a farmer, and now 
lives in Middlesex. 

Otis H. was a blacksmith by trade, and 
at the breaking out of the gold fever in 
California, he with a party went over land 
to the gold regions of that State, and on 
the way suffered all but death. Having 
gathered a competence, he returned and 
settled in Manitowoc, Min., where he died. 

Albert V. H. fitted for college at the 
Washington Co. Grammar School, read 
law in the office of his brother in North- 
field ; set up in Strafford, Orange Co., 
where lie remained two or three years, and 
returned to Northfield. He was a well- 
read lawyer, and a good advocate, but if 
beaten in a case that he thought he ought 
to have won, he became disgusted with 
the profession, for the lack of " pluck," 
and turned his attention to railroading. 
He was station agent at Rouses Point a 
while, and at Montpelier, and at Toledo, 
Ohio, and is now, and for nearly twenty 
years has been general ticket agent of the 
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, embrac- 
ing nearly 4,000 miles of road. His resi- 
dence is at Milwaukee, Wis. He is well 
known throughout the North West, and 
many Vermonters will remember the kind 
greeting they have received from him, and 
the friendly aid he has extended to them. 

PERRY MARSH . 

was born in Petersham, Mass. Aug. 7, 
1796. His parents removed to Calais, 
Vt., when he was about 4 years old, draw- 
ing the subject of our sketch on a hand- 
sled from Montpelier to their new home in 



that town. When Perry was still a boy, 
he enlisted as a fifer in the war of 1812. 
At the close of the war he returned to his 
home and to civil pursuits, residing in 
Calais until 1836, when he came to Mont- 
pelier and engaged to some extent in the 
manufacture of pianos, which he continu- 
ed several years, and then removed to 
Stowe ; from which place, near 20 years 
ago, he came to Northfield. He was then 
approaching his three score years and ten, 
and has passed here, in a quiet, unobtru- 
sive fashion, his declining years, during 
which he has become widely known 
through his favorite pastime of playing his 
fife. He was a good player of some other 
wind instruments, but especially attached 
to this, an account of which, immediately 
after his death, Sunday, Feb. 4, 1882, Dr. 
Gilbert wrote the following tribute to : 

THE OLD FIFER. 

BY DR. N. W. GILBERT. 

Did ever you hear the old fifer play 

The martial music he loved so much — 
The shrill notes which, for mauy a day, 

Have answered oft to the magic touch 
Of his wrinkled fingers, long and lean, 

Yet losing none of iheir old-time skill 
In conjuring up from the realms unseen 

The fairy forms of the master's will? 

I say that his fingers were lean and long. 
But the finger of time had made them so, 

As they were supple, and full and strong 
In the halcyon days of the long ago; 

For now it is threescore years and ten— 
The time allotted to human life— 

Since Uncle Perrj — a strli)ling then- 
Began to play the inspiring fife. 

Or rather, since he, at about sixteen— 
Already well tutored and drilled therefor— 

His knapsack on, with his tin canteen, 
Marched off to play in impending war. 

His tin canteen, but he never would sip 
From the poisonous fluid the government then 

Unwisely held to the thirsting lip. 
And the hungry palate, of brave young men. 

Where strife was raging and hearts beat high, 

M^ith dauntless courage tliat would not yield, 
He helped to win, on the fourth of July, 

The bloody encounter on Chippewa's field; 
Then chasing tlie foe to Niagara's sliore. 

He there still mingled his patriot strain 
With the booming of guns and the cataract's roar. 

At the subsequent battle of Lundy's Lane. 
When war was over, the fifer returned 

From scenes of carnage and scenes of strife. 
But still in his bosom there glowed and burned 

A quenchless love for his martial fife. 
In age or in youth it was ever the same — 

He awaited the cars in his rustic seat, 
To carol his welcome to all who came. 

And repeated his airs In the neighboring street. 



NORTHFIELD. 



711 



On an empty box by the grocery store 

He sat iu tlie sun and fifed away, 
As if he imagined himself ouce more 

Encouraging men to the deadly fray; 
Or as if, perchance, in a milder mood. 

He wondered If ever grim war would cease; 
And whether his art would still be woofcd 

In the tranquil reign of the Prince of Peace. 

When age and feebleness held him fast, 

Three days before the grim visitor came 
To bring him the summons which comes at last, 

He called for liis fife, as the flickering flame 
Flashed up once more, and his heart grew strong. 

His fingers resumed their cunning and skill. 
The notes were clear, which he couldn't prolong. 

And now they are silent; his pulse is still. 

The railroad vehicles come and go, 

The old sledge hammer still sounds the wheels. 
But Uncle Perry sleeps under the snow; 

And the heart instinctively, pensively feels 
The force of the truth that 'tis all men's doom 

That mortals approach to the "farther shore;" 
The spring shall come and the flowers shall bloom. 

But the merry old fifer may come no more. 

MAJOR CHARLES A. WEBB, U. S. A., 

son of Edward A. Webb, now of Chicago, 
III., bom in Montpelier, Dec. 29, 1838, 
was removed to Northfield at 10 years of 
age. He assisted his father in his store 
and tin-ware business, and later in the 
management of the "Northfield House," 
of which his father was proprietor. He 
joined the old New England Guards, com- 
manded by Capt. S. G. Patterson, at its 
organization, and in April, 1861, entered 
the service as I St Lieut. Co. F, ist Vt. Reg., 
3 months ; was commissioned, Aug. '61, 
Capt. 13th Reg. Inf. — Gen. Sherman's old 
regiment — and for gallant conduct at Vicks- 
burgh, breveted Major, Sept. 21, '66; 
transferred to 22d Reg. Inf., and com- 
missioned Major of the i6th Inf. Mar. 4, '79. 

Following close the termination of the 
rebellion, he was for a time engaged in the 
campaigns against the Indians. Recalled to 
garrison life, was stationed at several East- 
ern forts, Fort Mackinaw, on Lake Superior, 
Fort Wayne, etc. Upon the breaking out 
of disturbances in the Ute reservation, re- 
sulting in the " Meeker massacre," he was 
ordered from Fort Riley, Kansas, to the 
scene of hostilities, and from there trans- 
ferred to Texas. His long experience in 
Indian warfare peculiarly fitted him for 
border service. As a military officer he 
exhibited marked ability. 

In 1879, while stationed at Fort Mack- 
inaw, he married Mrs. Rose Disbrow, a 



lady of culture and social accomplish- 
ments, who, with an infant daughter of 
four months, survives him. He died from 
congestion of the lungs, at Fort McKavett, 
Texas, at midnight, Jan. 31, 1882, in his 
44th year. 

Many in Northfield and vicinity will re- 
member Charley Webb, and regret his 
very unexpected death. Under a south- 
ern sky, away from friends and all the 
loved places of his youth, he finds his last 
resting-place. — Northfield News. 

DR. BRADFORD'S CABINET. 

This is one of the most unique private 
cabinets in the State. First, here is the 
ballot-box used at the first town meeting 
in Northfield, and the communion table of 
"the Old Yellow Meeting-house" (See 
page 648, 654), oval, one-leaf, of cherry; 
and two turn-up tables — a chair and table 
combined — in vogue some 60 to 70 years 
ago, a convenient and pretty piece of fur- 
niture ; as a chair, the oval-board of your 
centre-table, when you have finished your 
tea and want the room it occupies, turned 
back, forms a stout warm back to a com- 
fortable chair, that under the board of the 
table has been doing the office of support- 
ing your supper table till you were ready 
for your rest by the evening hearth. We 
rather coveted one of the Doctor's turn-up 
tables. It is the first thing we should 
pick from his " antiquettes," unless it were 
some of the old painted deft and china 
with which one of the ' ' turn-ups *' is loaded 
down — odd pitchers, quaint little cups, 
cunning creamers, teapots, and sugar- 
bowls ; plates — pewter, wood and earthen. 
We pass the good show of pewter — platter, 
porringer and tankard for white earthen — 
once was — a greenish-yellow white now, 
very old plate with perforated rim, various- 
shaped little holes four or five deep in the 
rim, running around it in a wreath ; or for 
one of the pretty pitchers, with raised 
groups of figures on either side. Many a 
little bric-a-brac lies on these and the tables 
around the room — a mouse-trap, half the 
size of a woman's hand, averred "200 
years old, and caught the first mouse that 
ever lived in Connecticut," antique wed- 
ding slippers — the Doctor's mother's, 80 



712 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



years old and more ; knee-buckles, button- 
moulds, spoon-moulds, the great horn- 
spoon: Mrs. John Averiirs wrinkled, old 
3-quart wooden pail — crackly paint — faded, 
crinkled, wood beginning to crumble, " 200 
years old ; the old earthen pepper-box, 
with cork in the bottom and top that does 
not fall off; a small reed for weaving hair- 
sieves; a minute hair-sieve. Ah, me ! the 
little necessaries once, a few years ago the 
"nothings of the garret," the pet of the 
cabinet now. "That old flint gun went 
through 1812;" that drum was "captured 
from the British in the battle of Bunker 
Hill, went through the Revolutionary war, 
the war of 181 2, and the last war, and good 
for another fight." 

There are three cases of minerals ; one 
large case of lovely specimens in coral 
from the West Indies ; one or more tables 
with West India curiosities ; carved sailor- 
work in wood, done at sea, etc. ; foreign 
curiosities, loaned or placed in the cabinet 
by Mrs. H. H. Walling, the Doctor's step- 
daughter ; .sea-feathers or ferns — of coral — 
sea -spiders clinging to, on the walls; 
centre-table of the cabinet laid with old 
blue and parti-colored crockery, Chinese 
umbrella over — on, old tin candelabra, 
with eleven candles ; opposite wall with 
hanging cui^board ; bottled curiosities — 
horrible lizards ! a tape-worm no feet — It 
is a Doctor's cabinet — a hideous young 
alligator under the table ; yonder, far more 
agreeable drawers, with about 700 Indian 
relics, arrow-heads, spear-heads, gouges, 
battle-axe, etc., from Orange Co. mostly, 
and from Michigan ; belt of wampum in 
the window ; not to mention spinning- 
wheels, cards, and the necessary imple- 
ments for home manufacture of wool and 
flax. 

I also noticed a piece of old English 
plate and-glass, a table-castor, its base 
decorated with pretty raised flowers in the 
silver, that belonged to the late Rev. Dr. 
Edward Bourns — was his mother's ; a 
West India sword of intermingled shark- 
teeth and fibre of wood ; wooden trenchers, 
tin dinner-horn, large ball-head andirons, 
the pleasantly-remembered, old, perforated 
tin lantern swinging overhead, like one 



my father carried when I was a child. We 
have no more time to rummage, but I wish 
every town in the State had some cabinet 
for both its natural and its old-time curi- 
osities. 

MOSES LANE — SUPPLEMENT TO P. 633. 

From 1878 to 1881, he was Engineer in 
charge of constructing the new system of 
water supply for New Orleans, the sewerage 
system of Buffiilo, of Pittsfield, Mass. ; was 
a member of the commission appointed by 
the city of Memphis after the yellow fever 
scourge, to perfect the drainage. The 
whole city sewerage plan was changed, 
and Memphis, in the opinion of eminent 
engineers, made one of the healthiest 
cities of the Union. He was consulting 
engineer for St. Louis and Boston ; in 
Boston the originator of the great plan of 
sewerage being perfected there, which has 
attracted the attention of eminent engi-' 
neers throughout the world. Mr. Davis, 
assistant to Mr. Lane, made out the plans, 
but for the grand idea was indebted to 
Mr. Lane. He suffered an apoplectic 
stroke, and died two weeks after, Jan. 25, 
1882. He leaves a widow, three daugh- 
ters and one son. He was a natural gen- 
tleman, always courteous and agreeable, 
and one of the oldest, best known and es- 
teemed members of the American Society 
of Civil Engineers. — Milwaukee and Re- 
fiiiblican Neius. 

Authorship. — History of Northfield, by 
Hon. John Gregory, 8 vo. pp. 319; Re- 
view of Bp. Hopkins againt Universalism, 
pp. 314 ; Handbook of Design, by Gurdon 
P. Randall, architect and lecturer; In- 
struction to Town Clerks, by Hon. George 
Nichols ; Sermon by Rev. A. Smith, 1862 ; 
A rhyming geographical thick pamphlet, 
by Rev. Chas. O. Kimball ; T/ie Star of 
Ven>to)it and CJi. Messenger from 1853, 
published by W. Woodworth ; R. M. 
Manly published the Vt. Ch. Messenger. 
Oilman gives The Hatchet, Jan. 1874; 
The Thunderbolt, Apr. 1875; The North 
Star, I copy, Apr. 1878 ; The Amateur 
Herald, May, '78, 2 Nos. Rev. Guy C." 
Sampson, temperance, anti-slavery lec- 
turer and editor, who lived here some 
years, we reserve notice of for Woodstock. 



PLAINFIELD. 



713 



PLAINFIELD. 

BY DUDLEY B. SMITH, M. D. 

Plainfield is a small township, which 
contained, before the annexation of Goshen 
Gore, about 9,600 acres. Its surface was 
uneven, but no more so than the average 
of Eastern Vermont. It contained but 
little waste land, and was upon the whole 
a productive tpwnship. 

Goshen Gore, by Plainfield, was about 
3^ miles long by i^ wide, lying east of 
Plainfield, and containing 3,000 acres. 
But very little of it is suitable for tillage. 
At one time it contained several families, 
but now has none. It formed a part of 
the town of Goshen until 1854. 

It was annexed to Plainfield in 1874. It 
was embraced in the Yorkist town of 
Truro, and its highest mountain, which is 
called from that circumstance Mt. Truro, 
was measured by the writer, and found to 
be 2,229 f^^^ above Plainfield station, or 
about 2,984 feet above the sea. 

Winooski river tiows about li mile 
through the north-western corner of the 
town. Soon after it passes the line into 
Plainfield, it runs through and over a ledge 
of rocks, making an excellent mill priv- 
ilege, around which has grown up the vil- 
lage of Plainfield. 

By the canal survey of 1826, this stream 
at the west line of Plainfield was 152 feet 
above Montpelier, 546 above Lake Cham- 
plain, and 636 feet above the ocean. By 
the railroad survey, the station at Plain- 
field is 264 feet above the meadow near 
the mill-pond at Montpelier, or about 755 
feet above the ocean. 

The Great Brook rises in the eastern 
part of the town, and in Harris Gore, 
passes into Orange and returns, flowing 
northerly through the town, and enters 
the Winooski in Plainfield village. Gun- 
ner's Brook is a small stream, that rises in 
the southern part of the town, and empties 
into Stevens' Branch in Barre village. 

In the southern part of the town on the. 
banks of the Great Brook, is a medicinal 
spring, which is very efiicacious in the cure 
of cutaneous and other diseases. Its vir- 



tues are largely owing to the presence of 
sulphuretted hydrogen gas. 

The town of Truro, which was chartered 
by New York, contained 22,000 acres. Its 
form resembled a carpenter's square, each 
limb being a little over 3 miles wide, and 
on its outer or longest side, nearly 6 miles 
long. The northern part of what is now 
Barre formed the southern limb. The 
eastern part of Plainfield, with a corner of 
Orange, the eastern or northern limb. The 
western part of Plainfield, with Montpelier 
and East Montpelier, was embraced in the 
town of Kingsboro, and contained 30,000 
acres, and was chartered to John Morin 
Scott. 

In 1773, Samuel Gale commenced the 
survey of one or both of these townships, 
and this was the first party of white men 
known to have passed through Plainfield. 
[For a biography of Gale see Hall's His- 
tory of Eastern Vermont, p. 643.] In Ira 
Allen's History of Vermont he says : " In 
the summer of 1773, Ira Allen, learning 
that the land jobbers of New York were 
engaged in surveying near the head of 
Onion River, started with a party from 
Colchester in pursuit of them. He passed 
through Middlesex, Kingsboro and More- 
town to Haverhill, when learning of the 
whereabouts of the surveyor, he returned 
and found his lines, which ^'^ followed to 
near the north-east cqrner of Montpelier, 
where he found the surveyor had just de- 
camped, having been warned, he supposed, 
by a hunter Allen had met. According to 
Allen's field book the surveyor's camp was 
on a meadow near the north-east corner of 
the old town of Montpelier. Kingsboro 
was the Yorkist name for Washington. 
Moretown, or Moortown, is now Bradford, 
and not the present town of that name. 

Allen then passed through Barre and 
Washington to Bradford, and returning 
with a knowledge of where the surveyor 
was to be found, passed through Plainfield 
on his return. As the line between Truro 
and Kingsboro passed nearly through the 
center of Plainfield, a large part of Gale's 
surveys must have been in this town. 
John Morin Scott, the grantee of Kings- 
boro, was a member of the New York 



90 



X 



714 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Legislature in the Revolution, and on ac- 
count of his ownership of this town, was 
made a member of the New York council 
of safety, to represent this section of Ver- 
mont. He received $49.91 of the $30,000 
which was paid by Vermont to New York 
to indemnify the New York claimants. 

In Aug. 1788, James Whitelaw, of Rye- 
gate, James Savage, of New York, and 
William Coit, of Burlington, caused the 
tract of land lying between Barre and 
Marshfield, Montpelier and Goshen Gore, 
to be measured and the bounds marked, 
and at that time or before, it received the 
name of St. Andrew's Gore. 

They also measured a gore near Cam- 
bridge, of 10,000 acres, one near Calders- 
burg, now Morgan, of 1,500 acres, some 
islands in Lake Champlain, containing 
1,500 acres, also islands in Otter Creek, 
containing 30 acres, making 23,030 acres, 
or about the usual size of a township, St. 
Andrew's Gore being reckoned at 10,000 
acres. These tracts were never incorpo- 
rated into a town; like Goshen, which 
was composed of widely separated por- 
tions. The different parts of Whitelaw's 
grant, as it was called, had no connection 
with each other. 

The charter of these lands was granted 
Oct. 23, 1788. In 1788, '90 and '92, 
Whitelaw, Savage and Coit deeded their 
claims to Ira Allen, of Colchester, brother 
of Ethan, and to Gamaliel Painter, of 
Middlebury, the chief founder of Middle- 
bury College. Allen and Painter gave a 
verbal agency to Col. Jacob Davis, of 
Montpelier, who, upon this authority, in 
May, 1793, began giving warrantee deeds 
of these lands in his own name. The 
following letter i'; recorded in the Plain- 
field land records : 

MiDDLEHURY, Apr. 5, I795. 

S/r: — On my return from your home, I 
called on General Allen. He seems to 
think that it would be altogether guess- 
work to divide the land without seeing of 
it, but agreed that I might sell adjoining to 
the land sold sufificient to make up my 
part reckoning of it in quantity and qual- 
ity. And I wish you to sell to any person 
that wants to purchase and make good pay. 
You know my want in regard to pay better 



than I can write, and for your trouble in 
■the matter, I will make you satisfaction. 
I am, sir. Your most obedient, 

Humble servant, 
Gama. Painter. 

This letter proves that Allen and Painter 
then recognized Davis as their agent to 
sell and to convey ; for no deeds had then 
been given by Allen or Painter to any one, 
under their own signature and seal. One 
of the old settlers claimed tliat once when 
Ira Allen was in Plainfield, he asked him 
to give him a deed of a lot that he had 
bargained for of Davis, and that Allen 
said, " Let Davis give the deed, he has 
the rest." 

At last differences arose between Davis 
and Allen, and in 1799, Davis ceased to 
act as their agent, and sued Allen before 
the county court at Danville, and in 1804, 
recovered $2,500 on this suit, and a part 
of the town was set off to him on this ex- 
ecution, and Davis from Burlington jail- 
yard conveyed it over again to those to 
whom lie had previously given deeds. 
About the same time the University of 
Vermont recovered $15,000 of Ira Allen, 
and the remainder of the town was set off 
to them. To strengthen their title, Davis 
and the settlers twice allowed nearly all 
of the town to be sold for taxes, once on a 
State tax, and once on a U. S. tax, each 
man bidding off his own farm. 

In 1802, Ira Allen quit-claimed his rights 
in this town to Heman Allen, of Col- 
chester. This was some 2 years before 
the lands were set off to Davis snd the 
Univensity on executions against Ira Allen. 
Davis and the settlers held their own 
against Heman Allen until Aug. 31, 1807, 
when Allen purchased the claim of the 
University, and five days after, deeded the 
whole to James Savage, of Plattsburg, 
N. Y. Three days after this. Savage gave 
Allen a power of attorney to dispose of 
these lands. This gave Allen, in the 
name of Savage, an opportunity to com- 
mence suits of ejectment against the set- 
tlers before the U. S. Courts at Windsor 
and Rutland. For, by the constitution, 
citizens of one state may sue citizens of 
another in the U. S. Courts. Probably 



PLAINFIELD. 



715 



the transfer to Savage of this claim was a 
sham, to enable Allen to bring his suits 
where the covirt, and especially the jury, 
would not have so much sympathy for the 
settlers as they would in the county where 
they resided. This trick, if trick it was, 
decided the contest. In 1808, Allen, in 
the name of Sa\age, got a decision of the 
circuit court in his favor. By a law of 
1785, a person making improvements on 
lands to which he supposed he had good 
title, had a claim for his betterments, and 
for one-half of the rise in value of the 
property while in his possession, that there 
would have been had there been no im- 
provements. The settlers, therefore, did 
not have to pay very much more for their 
lands the second than the first time of 
purchase ; often not more than one-fourth 
of its value at that time. The price paid 
to Davis for land from 1793 to 1799 av- 
eraged about $1.25 per acre. The price 
paid to Allen in 1808, for the second pur- 
chase, averaged a little less than $3 per 
acre. 

Davis died within the limits of Burling- 
ton jail-yard in 18 14, having been sent 
there for debt about the year 1802. As 
this was several years before the Plainfield 
suits were decided, it could not have been 
on account of them that he was sent there. 

It is the opinion of Hon. C. H. Heath 
and others who have investigated the 
matter, that as the laws are now adminis- 
tered, the settlers would have saved their 
lands by a suit in chancery ; but at that 
time very little was done in this court, the 
powers of which have now grown to be so 
extensive. 

It is a singular coincidence, perhaps an 
example of retributive justice, that in the 
same year that Jacob Davis died in the 
jail-yard at Burlington, Ira Allen died in 
poverty at Philadelphia, where he had 
gone to escape being imprisoned for debt 
in the .same jail. 

In the autumn of 1791, Seth Freeman, 
of Weldon, N. H., and Isaac Washburn, 
of the adjoining town of Croydon, came 
into town by the way of the East Hill in 
Montpelier. When they came to what is 
now the Four Corners near L. Cheney 



Batchelder's house, Washburn decided 
that there should be his pitch. They 
camped for the night by the side of a hem- 
lock log in the hollow between the south 
district school-house and Lewis Durfee's. 
Freeman chose this location. The next 
year they returned and made these pitches. 
When a man made a clearing before the 
land was surveyed, it was usual when the 
lines were run to survey him out a farm 
that would include all of his clearing with- 
out regard to the regular lot lines, and 
such a piece of land was called a " pitch." 

Before the town was surveyed by Jacob 
Davis in the spring of 1793, there were five 
such pitches made. They were Hezekiah 
Davis' pitch, 304 rods long, 31 wide, 
whicli adjoined his farm in Montpelier, 
Joseph Batchelder's pitch of 650 aqres, 
mostly lying in the S. W. corner of the 
town, Theodore Perkins' pitch of 100 
acres, Isaac W'ashburn's pitch, 320 acres, 
Seth Freeman's pitch, 300 acres. 

There was also a gore between Free- 
man's pitch and the 5th range of lots, 34 
to 40 rods wide. They all lay in the S. W. 
corner of the town. The clearings of 
1792 were made by men living in shan- 
ties, who abandoned the town in the fall. 
In 1793 they returned, and perhaps some 
of them brought their families ; but they 
all removed in the fall excepting the fam- 
ily of Theodore Perkins, and Alden Free- 
man, a widower, who boarded with them. 

Theodore Perkins and his wife, Martha 
Conant, were from Bridgewater, Mass. 
They removed to Pomfret, Vt., and from 
there to Plainfield, Mar. 10, 1793, on to a 
clearing said to have been begun by Ben- 
jamin Nash. The town being surveyed 
soon after, this clearing received the name 
of Perkins' pitch. July 8, Perkins built a 
log-barn ; but his house seems to have 
been built before he moved into town. In 
Dec. 1793, Alfred Perkins was born — 
the first birth in town. The last that was 
known of him he was living in the State of 
New York. 

In the spring of 1794, Isaac Washburn's 
family moved into town, bringing with 
them Polly Reed, who afterwards married 
Benjamin Niles, and was grandmother to 



7i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the present Geo. Niles She went over 
to Perkins' house, and was the first woman 
Mrs. Perkins had seen for several months. 
Whatever scandalous stories may have 
been told by or of the fair sex of Plain- 
field since that time, that winter it was 
certainly free from gossiping and tattling. 
Nov. 1794, Perkins sold his claim to 
Joshua Lawrence, who procured a deed of 
it from Jacob Davis. Perkins removed to 
Montpelier, and in 1798 went to Kentucky 
to look after a tract of several thousand 
acres of land that had fallen to him. He 
wrote home that his title was good, and 
that he was coming after his family. Noth- 
ing more was ever heard from him. His 
friends think he was murdered. His widow 
removed to Lyme, N. H., in 1800. 

Theodore Perkins left four sons and one 
daughter: Thomas, who died at Lyme, 
N. H., in 1871 ; Martin P., who lived at 
Shipton, Canada; Elinas P., lived in 
Scituate, Mass. — one of his sons, Thorhas 
Henry, is a broker in Boston. The wife 
of Rev. A. S. Swift, formerly in charge of 
the Congregational church in Plainfield, 
was Theodore Perkins' grandaughter. 

The Perkins house was on the flat, east 
of the Joshua Lawrence house, and south 
of the present road. 

Seth Freeman made a pitch of 300 acres, 
and purchased lot No. i, in the fourth 
range, which made him a farm of 430 
acres. This he divided among his broth- 
ers, apparently as he thought they needed 
and deserved. He was one of the two 
men who purchased their land of Davis, 
who did not have to buy it again of Allen, 
having gained it by possession, and was 
for a time called rich, but became poor 
and moved away before his death. 

He was not the oldest of the family, but 
like Abraham was the head of it. Unlike 
that patriarch, however, he cannot be the 
founder of a nation, for he left no children. 
His father, Ebenezer, lived with him. 

Alden Freeman was the oldest of the 
family. He married for his second wife, 
Precilla, daughter of Isaac Washburn, 
which was the first marriage in town. He 
lived at first on the Courtland Perry place, 
(lot I, range 4,) but removed to the N. 



W. corner of Freeman's pitch, where he 
built the Thompson house, now in ruins 
and owned by Alonzo Batchelder. 

He had a large family ; Sally, widow of 
Thompson and of Larabee, of Barre, and 
Lucy, widow of Lawson, of Barre, and 
mother of George Lawson, were his 
daughters. 

Ebenezer Freeman Jr. lived on the Court- 
land Perry farm. In his barn was kept 
one of the first schools in town, — perhaps 
quite the first. He was the father of the 
late Mrs. Freeman Landers. 

Edmund Freeman lived on the S. W. 
corner of Freeman's pitch, — the farm now 
owned by his son Edmund. 

Isaac Freeman built the house now 
owned by Elias Gladding, in 1806. It is 
on the N. W. corner of the Freeman lot 
(No. I, range 4). He taught the first 
school in town. Mrs. Daniel A. Perry is 
his daughter. He died in 1813, and his 
widow married his brother Nathan, who 
owned the S. E. corner of Freeman's 
pitch, next to Barre line, and to J. Wesley 
Batchelder's farm. Isaac Freeman, Mrs. 
N. W. Keith, and Mrs. Carrol Flood are 
his children. 

The Batchelder brothers, Joseph, Moul- 
ton and Nathaniel, came from Lyndeboro, 
N. H. Nathaniel lived and died in Barre, 
and was the grandfather of the late J. 
Wesley Batchelder, of Piainfield. Lieut. 
Joseph Batchelder, then 42 years of age, 
commenced his clearing in the S. W. cor- 
ner of the town, in 1792, and moved his 
family permanently on to it in 1794. 

Nathaniel Clark had commenced a clear- 
ing in Montpelier, on the farm lately owned 
by his son George. Neither knew of the 
neighborhood of the other until Clark one 
day, hearing the sound of chopping, start- 
ed toward it, and found Batchelder with a 
company of stalwart boys, who had already 
made a large slash. 

Lieut. Joseph Batchelder had two daugh- 
ters, of whom Mary or Polly was born in 
Plainfield, July 26, 1795, and was the first 
girl and the second child born in town. 
She married Henry Parker, of Elmore. 
The other daughter, Nabby or Abigail, 
married Joseph Glidden, of Barre. 



PLAINFIELD. 



717 



The Lieutenant's sons were : Nathaniel, 
Isaac, Joseph, Jr., Alpheus, William and 
Josiah. Of these Nathaniel lived for a 
time on Batchelder's pitch, near the Four 
Corners, next to Montpelier. He after- 
wards lived on the spruce flats in East 
Montpelier, but died at Seneca Falls, 
N. Y., in 1843. The late Mark Batchel- 
der and Mrs. Sally McClure were his chil- 
dren. 

Alpheus lived near his father. Ambrose 
Batchelder, now of Barre, is his grandson. 
Isaac also lived on Batchelder's pitch 
for a time, and had a son, Josiah, 2d, who 
was the father of the late Harvey Batch- 
elder, of Plainfield. 

William forged a note, intending to take 
it up before it became due, but failed to do 
so. He was arrested, and when the offi- 
cers were taking him to Barre, cut his 
throat at Joseph Glidden's, and only lived 
a few days after. I should not have men- 
tioned this, had not the family been so 
numerous that the disgrace if divided 
among them will not be much for each one 
to carry. 

Josiah is said to have been the first man 
in Plainfield who paid taxes on interest 
money. He got thoroughly rid of that in- 
cumbrance, however. He was the " Siah " 
Batchelder who lived and died at Daniel 
Lampson's. 

Joseph Batchelder, Jr., lived for a time 
on that part of Batchelder's pitch after- 
wards owned by Abram Mann. His chil- 
dren were : Alice, wife of Stephen, and 
mother of H. Ouincy Perry ; Joseph Batch- 
elder, the 3d ; Nancy, wife of Levi Bart- 
lett ; Fanny, wife of Jonathan Blaisdell, of 
Albany ; Abigail, wife of Asa Foster, of 
Marshfield ; Judith, wife of Wm. B. Foss, 
and Elijah A. Joseph, the 3d, was killed by 
his horse running away on the Lampson 
Hill, in 1841. He was living at that time 
on the Ebenezer Freeman place. His 
children were : Elvira (Mrs. Arouette 
Gunnison), Charles T., L. Cheney, Eras- 
tus B., Adeline (Mrs. K. P. Kidder, of 
Burlington), Sewell, killed by accident in 
1856, near the place where his father was, 
Alpheus, Harriet (Mrs. Ira Nichols), and 
Wheeler J. 



The Lieutenant's brother, Moulton Batch- 
elder, about the year 1795 settled upon 
that portion of Batchelder's pitch now 
owned by the family of Wm. B. Foss. He 
began work upon it in 1794, his family 
living in the Wheaton district in Barre, 
and he, passing to and fro by the guid- 
ance of marked trees. His children were : 
Nathaniel, called the Captain ; James, born 
in Barre, but at his death the oldest resi- 
dent, but not the oldest person in Plain- 
field ; Jeremiah, called Jerry, of Barre ; 
Jonathan M., called Jack, who died on the 
old farm ; Olena, wife of Sewell Sturte- 
vant, the veteran schoolmaster of Plain- 
field and Barre. 

Capt. Nathaniel had tliree children, 
now residents of Plainfield: Alonzo J., 
Elvira (Mrs. Mack), and Bridgman. 

James had 3 children : James Merrill, 
Daniel, and Mariam, (Mrs. Boyce, of 
Waitsfield.) 

Jonathan's children were : Ira, Harrison, 
Adeline (Mrs. Levi Martin), Susan (Mrs. 
Arthur Colburn), Mary (Mrs. Wheeler), 
and Moulton, now of Lowell, Mass. 

Isaac Washburn had one daughter, Pre- 
cilla, and 4 sons: Isaac, Jr., Miles, Asa 
and Ephraim. 

Isaac, Jr., lived with his father, and 
opened the first tavern in town. It stood 
at the Four Corners, near L. C. Batch- 
elder's present residence, and was a large, 
two-story house, never entirely finished. 

A.sa lived north of his father's, at the 
top of the hill, on the place now owned by 
Nathan Skinner. It was the northern part 
of the Washburn pitch. He married Polly, 
daughter of Esek Howland. 

Miles first .settled on lands of his own in 
1798, when he bought of Esek Howland 
the southern part of lot 3, range 2, where 
he built the first blacksmith shop in town. 
It stood near the angle of the road that 
now leads from Willard Harris' to the 
Barre road. In 1803, he sold this farm 
and built a house and shop in the village, 
on the north bank of the Great Brook, 
near the present tannery. This was the 
first shop in the village. Gamaliel Wash- 
burn, of Montpelier, was his son. Miles 



7il 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



died at New Bedford in 1823. He was for 
many years constable of the town. 

Ephraim built a barn west of his father's, 
towards East Montpelier. He was en- 
gaged to be married to a daughter of 
Esek Howland. To get money to build a 
house, he went to sea, and the ship was 
never heard from. It was supposed to 
have been wrecked, and that all on board 
perished. 

The Washburns were not able to pay 
for their lands twice, perhaps not once, 
and in 1812, Isaac, Jr., and his father sold 
their farm and went to Lisle,' N. Y.,and 
from thence to Indiana, but never again 
possessed much property. Asa Washburn 
followed them soon after. Of the four 
families who commenced the settlement of 
the town. Perkins soon moved away ; but 
some member or members of each of the 
others came to be a public charge. 

Elijah Perry, of Middleboro, Mass., 
bought 100 acres of Batchelder's pitch next 
to lot I, range 3. June, 1823, hi.s daugh- 
ter, Sally, committed suicide by hanging, 
the only suicide ever committed in town. 
He was a brother of Elder James Perry. 
His son Daniel was the father of John 
Perry, of Rosette, wife of Charles T. 
Batchelder, and Harriet, wife of Daniel 
Batchelder. 

The five pitches of the town all lie in its 
south-western corner. The remainder of 
the town was divided by the survey of 
1793 into 9 ranges — the first range lying 
next to Montpelier. Each range is 160 
rods wide excepting the 9th, which is next 
to Goshen Gore, and is about 90 rods 
wide. The first four ranges being short- 
ened by the pitches, contain but 6 lots 
each, lots No. i in these ranges lying next to 
the pitches, their south-western lines are 
irregular. No two lots in town whose 
number is one, are of the same size. In 
range 5 they commence to narrow, until 
in the 9th they come to a point at the 
corner of the town. All the lots adjoin- 
ing Marshfiekl are no rods wide. 

THE ORKJINAL SETTLERS 

upon each lot in town ; also the present 
owner of a part of the same, not with the 
same, bounds then as now, for the farm of 



Allen Martin was the last one in town, 
sold before 1800, that preserved its bound- 
aries unchanged. 

Lois in Range i. — No. 1 was first owned 
by Samuel Nye, of Falmouth, who sold 
the southern portion to Hezekiah Davis. 
It is now owned by Nathaniel M. Clark, 
whose wife is a grand-daughter of Davis. 

Elijah Nye, of Falmouth, Ms,, settled 
upon No. 2. He sold to John Chapman 
in 1808 and moved to Calais. His daugh- 
ter Nabby, born Sept. 28, 1796, was the 
3d child born in town. This lot was di- 
vided into the Thomas Whittrege or Dennis 
Vincent farm, and the Holmes or Dix farm. 

Lot No. 3 was purchased by John Chap- 
man, of Montpelier. When St. Andrew's 
Gore was incorporated into a town, he 
gave a set of record books to the town to 
have the name changed to Plainfield. He 
was originally from a town of that name. 
The northern part of this lot he sold to 
Benjamin Niles, Jr., father of Albert, and 
grandfather of George Niles. 

The southern part Chapman sold to 
Levi Willey, of Deerfield, Mass. This is 
the lower, or old Ozias Dix farm. 

About 1811, Willey, after a visit to 
Montreal, was taken sick with the small 
pox, of which he died. His attendants 
buried him near the top of the hill, close 
to a large stone near Montpelier line ; then 
killed his dog, and the alarm in time 
abated. 

The southern part of No. 4, now owned 
by Ira Grey, was cleared by Benjamin 
Whipple. He was town representative, 
and held other offices in town, and was 
much respected. He removed to Middle- 
sex, Vt. 

John Mellen cleared portions of lots 4, 
5 and 6, including the meadow now owned 
by Prentiss Shepard ; but he lived on the 
eastern part of these lots, where Willard 
S. Martin now lives. The late John Mellen 
was his son. 

Benjamin Lyon settled in the corner of 
the town, on portions of lots 5 and 6, 
which is now called W. S. Martin's Enoch 
Cate place. 

Range 2 — lot I was nearly obliterated by 
Washburn's pitch, and was never by itself 



PLAINFIELD. 



719 



a farm. Its form is like a Carpenter's 
square, each limb being about 30 rods 
wide and half a mile long. 

Lot 2, now owned by Mrs. Bridgman 
Batchelder, was settled by Thomas Vin- 
cent, of New Bedford, in 1796. He was a 
prominent business man, was the ist town 
clerk, 4 years representative, and became 
the richest man in town. He was a very 
zealous member of the Methodist church. 
He died in 1848, aged 79. 

Lot 3. The southern part was settled 
by Esek Howland, in 1797, who built a 
log-house, but was unable to pay for it, 
and sold the next year to Miles Wash- 
burn. When Harvey Bancroft was fatally 
injured, Howland was with him, and car- 
ried him on his back 100 rods to the house. 
Mrs. William C. Bartlett is his grand- 
daughter. The northern part was settled 
in iSor, by Ebenezer Bennett. He es- 
tablished the first tannery in town, be- 
tween the Ezekiel Skinner house and the 
little rivulet, now often dry, just north of it. 

Lot 4 clearing was begun by Asa Co- 
burn, who sold to John and Thomas 
Vincent, and removed to Cabot, but had 
to pay Allen for it in 1808. John was a 
less active business man than his brother, 
but was much respected, and was 3 years 
representative. His children were : John, 
Dennis, Stephen, of Chelsea, and Desire 
(Mrs. Coolidge Taylor.) 

Lot 5. The south-western part was first 
owned by Chester House, then by Benja- 
min P. Lampson, who built what is now 
S. B. Gale's farm-house. Charles McCloud 
settled upon what was recently Allen 
Martin's farm. His house was in the 
pasture north of Martin's house. This is 
the north-western part of lots 5 and 6. 

Robert Mellen was a brother of the 
first John Mellen. He owned the eastern 
part of lot 6 ; also lot 6 in the 3d range, and 
in fact nearly all of what is now Plainfield 
village. In Sept. 1805, as he was riding 
home from North Montpelier, he fell from 
his horse, near the present residence of 
Alvin Cate, badly injuring his ankle. As 
they were carrying him home on a litter 
made of a straw bed, he said, "You will 
have to bring me back in a few days," and 



they did so, burying him in the graveyard 
there. The Mellens were from the old 
town of Derry, N. H., and they were one 
of the Scotch Irish families who came 
from Londonderry, in Ireland. Robert 
Mellen's house was where the Methodist 
parsonage now is, and his log-house was 
the first house built in the village. 

Range 3 — lot i was first owned by Lieut. 
Joseph Batchelder, but was first settled 
upon by Jonathan White, of Montpelier, 
who afterwards lived in various parts of 
the town. It is now owned by Nathan 
Skinner. 

Lot 2 was first settled by Cornelius 
Young, near where Willard Harris now 
lives. His father, Ebenezer Young, broke 
into a store at North Montpelier, and was 
sent to the state prison at Windsor. 

At the time of the Plattsburg invasion, 
Cornelius borrowed a famous fleet horse of 
Willard Shepard, Esq., and passing every- 
thing on the road, was present at the 
battle. When the British retreated, he 
followed after, and seeing three of them 
leave their horses, he dashed in among 
them, pistols in hand, and compelled the 
whole three to surrender to him alone. 
At least one of them was an officer, and 
his sword, brought home by Young, is 
now in the possession of Dudley Perkins. 

His last days were less glorious. He 
was appointed a custom house officer, and 
had various encounters with smugglers, in 
one of which at Cabot, vitriol was thrown 
upon him, spoiling his clothes, but not 
injuring his person. His ignorance of the 
law caused him to commit some illegal 
acts in the discharge of his duties, and 
the resulting lawsuits ruined him pecun- 
iarily and morally. He removed to the 
State of New York, and for some felony 
was sent to Clinton prison. 

Lot 3. The south part was first pur- 
chased by JosiAH Freeman, and is now 
owned by Elijah A. Batchelder. The north 
part was first leased by James Perry ; now 
by Daniel Batchelder. 

Lot 4 was settled by Dea. Nehemiah 
Mack, whose house was in Ira F. Page's 
pasture, east of his house now occupied 
by his son Dan. Page. Russell Young, 



720 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



brother of Cornelius, owned 45 acres next 
to Lampson's. He went to New York, 
and was drowned in North river when 
trying to escape from the police. 

Lot 5. The western part was settled by 
Joseph Lampson, who was for many 
years constable of the town. He was a 
weaver, a large part of the cotton cloth 
used in town being woven by him. Dan- 
iel and Benjamin P. were his sons ; Mrs. 
James Batchelder and Mrs. Jeremiah Batch- 
elder his daughters. His farm is now 
owned by Charles Bancroft. 

Lot 6 is in the village, and was pur- 
chased of Robert Mellen by Charles 
McCloud, 2d, and mills erected in 1798, 
which were burned the same year, and re- 
built by McCIoud. The first framed house 
in the village was built by him, where the 
Methodist church now stands, and is the 
old house back of it now owned by Wm. 
Bartlett. 

The first store was a gmall one, opened 
by Joseph Kilburn, in 1803 or '4, on the 
Silas Willis place, near the Great Brook. 
The building was owned by Elias Kings- 
ley, the miller, and when sold to Ira Day, 
of Barre, in 1807, there was a kiln for 
making earthen ware between that and 
the brook. The next store was opened by 
Philip Sparrow about 1804, upon the place 
where Andrew Wheatley built the large 
brick store on the north side of the Meth- 
odist church common. 

Silas Williams built and opened the 
first tavern in the village, which is now 
the southern part of S. B. Gale's house. 

Shubael Wales, from Randolph, fath- 
er of George C.Wales, built the first cloth- 
ing works, below the mills, in 1805 or '6. 

Am ASA Bancroft, in 1809, built the 
first trip-hammer, south of the Great Brook 
and just above the present tannery. He 
was a son of Lieut. John Bancroft, an of- 
ficer in the Revolution. 

There have been three distilleries in the 
village— one on School street, in Mrs. 
Chamberlain's garden, one on High street, 
in Wm. Park's garden, and one east of 
S. B. Gale's house. 

The cemetery in the village was at first 
just S. W. of the railroad station. Among 



those buried there was Parnel. daughter of 
Joseph Lampson. She was the betrothed 
of Geo. Rich, who disliked the place, and 
gave the land for the present cemetery, 
and those interred in the old one were re- 
moved in 1814. 

Range 4. — lot i, was settled by the Free- 
mans, as mentioned. 

Lot 2. Clearing began by John Nye, of 
Falmouth, but first settled upon by Rich- 
ard Kendrick. The eastern part is now 
owned by H. O. Perry; the western by 
Hartwell Skinner and Enos P. Colby's 
estate. 

Lot 3. The southern part was settled 
by David Kinney, and is now owned by 
Edward Bartlett. The northern part at a 
later date was settled by Jonathan White, 
and is now occujMed by Solomon Bartlett. 

Lot 4, now owned by Curiis Bartlett, 
was settled by Willard Shepard, of 
Sharon, about 1796. The first spring he 
had a yoke of oxen and was out of hay. 
He took his oxen and sled, went to the 
Four Corners near Freeman's, thence to 
Montpelier, and up Worcester Branch 2 
miles, where he got a load of Col. Davis. 
By the time he got home nearly one-half 
of it had been shaken and pulled off by the 
bushes, which so disgusted him with that 
business that during his long life he never 
after bought a load of hay. 

He had a small fiock of sheep which he 
kept near the house for safety. One night 
he heard the wolves howling, and in the 
morning found they had killed every sheep. 

He took a prominent part in town af- 
fairs, and did a large part of the business 
of justice of the peace. He removed to 
the farm partly in East Montpelier, now 
owned by his son Prentice, where he died. 

Lot 5 is divided by the Great Brook. 
.The eastern portion was settled by Nathan 
Jones. The lot is now partly owned by 
N. C. Page and George Huntoon. 

Lot 6, now owned by Orrin Cree, was 
cleared by John Chase, who, unable to 
pay for it the second time, went West, but 
returned and died in Calais. 

Range 5 — lots i and 2, were settled by 
Judge Bradford Kinne, about 1795. 
The northern part he deeded to Philoman 



PLAINFIELD. 



721 



and Stephen Perkins in 1803, but they oc- 
cupied it in 1801. This part is now owned 
by A. Gunnison; the southern by J. Batch- 
elder. Judge Kinne was born in Preston, 
Conn., but moved here from Royalton, 
Vt. He was the most prominent man in 
town, and with good advantages might 
have become a distinguished lawyer. The 
story is well known of his defending Fisher 
in the suit of Cairnes v. Fisher, for assault, 
at the Caledonia County Court, where he 
directed his client to cry, when he himself 
did. Kinne made a pathetic appeal to the 
jury in favor of his client, who was a poor 
man, assuring them that "every dollar 
they took from him, they took from the 
mouths of babes and sucklings," at which 
dismal prospect Kinne burst into tears, 
and was followed by such a tremendous 
boo-hoo from Fisher, that the damages 
were assessed at a trifling sum, although 
the assault was a severe one. He re- 
moved on to the Washburn pitch in 1812, 
where he died in 1828, aged 64. Brad- 
ford Kinne Pierce, the distinguished Meth- 
odist clergyman, is his grandson. 

Lot 3 was settled by James Perry. He 
was one of the first deacons of the Con- 
gregational church, but became a Metho- 
dist preacher. His farm is now owned by 
his grandson, Daniel A. Perry. The 
northern part of this lot was settled by Ja- 
cob Perkins, about 1799. ^t is now owned 
by Emmons Taft, who married his daugh- 
ter. 

Capt. Jonathan Kinne was born in 
Preston, Conn.,where he married, and mov- 
ed to Bethel, Vt. He lived there 10 years. 
In 1793, he commenced clearing lot No. 
4, living in a shanty through the week and 
going to Seth Freeman's on Sundays. He 
lived thus for two summers, and built a 
framed house in 1794, the first in town, 
which stood nearly opposite to H. Q. 
Perry's present residence. He moved his 
family here in Feb., 1795. The death of 
their little boy, Justus, Mar. 6, 1796, was 
the first death in town. He was the first 
minister in town, and preached for the 
Congregational church many years. He 
died at Berlin, in 1838. His son, Dea. 
Justus Kinney, lives upon this farm. 

91 



No. 5, is lease land. The southern 50 
acres was leased by Dea. George Ayers, 
who was the progenitor of all of that fami- 
ly in this town. This place is now occu- 
pied by Ira Stone. The middle 50 acres 
of this lot was first leased by Elder James 
Perry's son, Elijah. The northern 50 acres 
was leased by Aaron Whittlesey. The 
last two portions are now leased by Levi 
Bartlett's estate. 

Lot 6 is lease land. The eastern por- 
tion was first leased by John Moore, now 
by Hiram G. Moore. The western portion 
was first leased by Levi Bartleit, now in 
part by Lee Batchelder. 

The southern ■ 100 acres of lot 7 was 
settled by Asa Bancroft, of Warmouth, 
Mass., about 1797. About the year 1801, 
as he and his wife were coming home, one 
evening, from Jeremy Stone's the wolves 
began to assemble in their rear. His wife 
was on a horse carrying their infant son, 
Tyler. They hurried on as fast as possi- 
ble, but the wolves came so near, that they 
abandoned to them a piece of fresh meat 
that Mrs. Stone had given them, and 
reached home safely, the wolves howling 
about the house as soon as they entered 
it. Mr. Bancroft was frequently elected 
to town offices, and died in 1856, aged 87. 
His children were, Tyler, William, John, 
Eunice (Mrs. Ira F. Page) and Mrs. Reu- 
ben Huntoon. When it began to be ru- 
mored that the settlers' titles were not 
good, he went to Jacob Davis', who gave 
him security on other property, and sent 
word by him to the other settlers, that if 
they were frightened he would secure them. 
This quieted their fears, and only one or 
two went. 

No. 8 was settled by John Moore. 
His son, Heman Allen Moore, born here, 
was elected a representative to congress 
from Ohio, in 1844, but died the next year. 
Wm. Huntoon now owns this farm. 

Range 6, lots i, 2 and 3, were settled 
by Joseph Nye, of Falmouth, Mass. 
Several members of this family settled in 
Plainfield, or owned land in it. They 
were of Welch descent, and when they first 
came to Falmouth wrote their name Noye. 
Joseph Nye was representative 5 years. 



X 



722 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



justice of the peace a long time, &c. His 
son, Vinal, died many years since, leaving 
several children, Irving, George, Alanson, 
and Mary, wife of Edward Bartlett. Jo- 
seph's daughter, Sally, married Nathaniel 
Townshend, Cynthia, Daniel Gunnison, 
Augusta, Elijah A. Batchelder. Lots i 
and 2 are mostly owned by Dudley B. 
Smith. Seth F. Page lives upon No. 3. 

No. 4 was settled by Elder James Perry's 
son Stephen, in 1818, who built the plas- 
tered house standing upon it, now owned 
by Alba F. Marty n. 

No. 5, the southern part now owned by 
A. F. Martyn, was settled by Joseph F. 
Ayers, who moved to Thetford, and thence 
to Manchester, N. H. The northern part, 
now owned by Nathaniel Townsend, was 
settled by Gideon Huntington, father of 
Amasa, and of Mrs. Leonard Moore, and 
uncle to David and Samuel Huntington, 
of Marshfield. 

No. 6 was settled by Frank Crane and 
Joseph Deering. It is now mostly owned 
by N. Townsend. 

Harvey Bancroft, from Ware, now 
Auburn, Mass., settled upon lot 7, in the 
6th range, part of lot 7 in the 7th range, 
and a part of lot 6 in the 8th range, next 
to the Bancroft pond. He was clerk under 
the attempted organization of St. An- 
drews Gore as a town. His house was 
opposite to the burying -ground near 
Newcomb Kinney's. While clearing some 
land, about 20 rods easterly of Benjamin 
F. Moor's present residence, he fell a tree 
upon a small one, which fell across another. 
The small one flew up striking him on the 
chest. He died July 8, 1797, a few days 
after the injury, aged 27. He left a wife 
and two small children. One died young, 
the other was Dr. Nathaniel Bancroft. 
His widow, Polly Carrol, married Sanford 
Kinne, a brother of Jonathan and of Brad- 
ford Kinne. Sanford purchased nearly all 
the land formerly owned by Harvey Ban- 
croft, but upon the death of his wife, in 
1 8 14, he went West, and his fate is un- 
known. Newcomb Kinney is his son. 

No. 8 was settled by Ezra Bancroft, 
father of Horace Bancroft, now of Barre, 
but it was first owned by his brother, 



Aaron, of Boston. It is now occupied by 
Duron Norcross. 

Range 7, lots i, 2, 3 and 4, were pur- 
chased of Davis by Enos Colby, of Hawk, 
N. H. He made a clearing and built a 
house in 1800, some fourth of a mile west 
of the Great Brook, on land now owned 
by C. H. Heath. He stayed in it one 
night, and then went back to N. H., leav- 
ing it in care of Moulton Batchelder. One 
Currier without leave moved into the 
house, and was sued off by Heman Allen, 
who found when too late that Currier was 
not holding under Colby, who thereby got 
it by possession against Allen. Lots i 
and 2 are now mostly owned by his grand- 
son, Moses Colby. No. i is only 20 rods 
wide ; 3 and 4 are partly owned by Henry 
Camp, whose wife is Colby's grand- 
daughter. 

Lot 5 is mostly lease land, and portions 
of it were rented to Eli Boyd, Isaac Perry, 
James Perry, Jr., and the N. E. corner 
next to Moses Bancroft's was sold to 
Patrick Reed. It is now leased to Nathan 
Hill, Seneca S. Bemis and Lyman Moore. 

No. 6 was probably first owned by 
Harvey Bancroft. It was on the north- 
east corner of this lot that he was at work 
when fatally injured. It is now owned by 
Joel Sherburn, Baxter Bancroft and Henry 
Moore. 

No. 7 was first owned by Harvey Ban- 
croft and Charles Bancroft. Lee Martin's 
farm is a part of it. 

No. 8 was settled by Zopher Sturte- 
VANT, of Worcester, Mass. He was per- 
suaded by his friend Harvey Bancroft to 
come up and buy a farm next to him. He 
returned to Mass. to earn money to pay 
for it, and while there heard of Bancroft's 
death. Sewell Sturtevant was his son. It 
is now occupied by Newcomb Kinney. 

Range 8 — lots i and 2, were purchased 
and settled by Stephen Perkins, who 
built a saw-mill in 1812-13. He also had 
one set of mill-stones. In the summer of 
1S57, the banks by the side of the dam 
gave way, and the pond of about 7 acres 
was discharged in a short time, carrying 
off every bridge on the Great Brook. It 
was repaired, but gave way again before 



PLAINFIELD. 



m 



the pond was quite filled. It was again 
repaired more thoroughly, and held until 
a heavy rain in the spring of 1869 carried 
off the new dam and all the bridges below. 
It was repaired, and when the pond was 
about half filled it burst through the quick- 
sands under the dam, and no more efforts 
to repair it were made. R. L. Martin then 
put in a steam-mill, which was burned in 
1871, and he removed the remains of it to 
Harris Gore. Dudley Perkins and Silas 
Worthen occupy portions of these lots. 

No. 3 was settled by Ralph Chamber- 
lain, of Hanover, N. H., and is now owned 
by his grand.son, Jeremy Stone Chamber- 
lain. Plainfield Sulphur Springs are on 
this lot. 

No. 4 was settled by David Benedict, 
of Randolph, who sold the southern part, 
now owned by Scott and Smith, to Amasa 
Bancroft, and the northern part, now 
owned by Goodrich, to Robert Carson. 
Feb. 29, 18 16, an old house on this lot, 
occupied by Moses Reed, and used for a 
school-house, caught fire, and a little son 
of Reed was burned to death. David, 
Patrick and Woodman Reed were his 
sons ; Joanna (Mrs. William Parks) his 
daughter. 

No. 5 was settled by Charles R. Wool- 
son, who sold the northern part to his 
wife's father, Moses Bancroft, of Ward, 
Mass., in Nov. 1796. Woolson was not 
able or willing to pay for his land the sec- 
ond time, and removed to New York, 
where he became rich. His son Ephraim 
getting homesick, returned, and bought 
back the old farm, on which he died. It 
is now owned by Erastus Batchelder. 
Mary, wife of S. O. Goodrich, and Sarah, 
wife of Joseph Lane, are Ephraim's daugh- 
ters. 

Moses Bancroft had 4 sons : John, 
Charles, Chester and Baxter. John had 
2 sons : Lewis, of Calais, and Preston, of 
Marshfield. Charles had a son Charles, 
and Mrs. Wm. Skinner and Mrs. Lewis 
Wood are his daughters. Baxter had but 
one child, Mo.ses. 

Baxter has resided in Plainfield longer 
than any other person — 84 years. He says 
that as late as Oct. 1804, neither his father 



nor any of the neighbors had chimneys to 
their houses. Stones were laid up into 
some form of a chimney for a few feet, and 
the smoke allowed to go out, if it would, 
through a hole in the roof. The roof for 
years was made of large pieces of elm 
bark, tied on with strings of the same. 
Sometimes a storm in the night would 
blow ofif these pieces, and his father would 
get up and tie them on again. It would 
often get on fire, and once the house 
burned down. 

One summer thev had nothing to eat but 
milk for a long time, until Willard Shep- 
hard gave them a bushel of rye very badly 
sprouted, but some of this ground and 
cooked tasted the best of anything he 
ever ate. 

The senior Moses had a brother, Lieut. 
John Bancroft, a Revolutionary soldier, 
who began a clearing on Prentice Shep- 
hard's farm (lot 5, range i), but soon re- 
moved to the village. Amasa Bancroft 
was his son. C. Watrous and Carlos Ban- 
croft, of Montpelier, were his sons. 

No. 6 contains the Bancroft Pond, and 
was purchased by Harvey Bancroft. 

No. 7 was settled by Charles Bancroft, 
and is now owned by Gardner Heath. 

No. 8 is mostly a swamp. 

Range 9. Lot i is no rods long, and 
7 rods wide at one end, and a point at the 
other. It was never sold by the original 
proprietors. 

No. 2 was a part of Stephen Perkins' 
purchase, and is now owned by his grand- 
son, Emory F. Perkins. 

No. 3 was settled by David Reed, of 
Hanover, N. H., in 1809, and is now own- 
ed by David Perkins. 

David Reed and Ralph Chamberlain 
married sisters of Israel Goodwin, who 
lived many years in this town, but remov- 
ed to East Montpelier. T. Goodwin 
Reed is David's son. 

No. 4, now owned by Erastus Batchel- 
der, was settled in 1796, by James Bout- 
well, of Barre, a relative of Col. Levi 
Boutwell, of Montpelier. 

Oct. 9, 1804, snow fell to a great depth, 
some 3 or 4 feet. One Richardson, of 
Orange, started a bear out of his corn- 



X 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



field, and followed it to Capt. BoutwelFs 
and returned. Boutwell, Robert Carson, 
and Jeremy Stone, pursued it to the round 
mountain, north or east of Pigeon pond, 
where they treed her. Boutwell fired, 
wounding it in the neck, it ran by Carson 
who fired and missed. Stone followed 
after with an ax, having no gun, setting on 
the dogs. Stone soon saw the bear re- 
turning, perhaps to defend her cubs, and 
got upon a rock, and when the bear at- 
tempted to get on, tried to split its head 
open with the ax, but the bear instantly 
knocked it from his hand, mounted the 
rock, pushed Stone off from it into the 
snow, and then over on to his back, 
getting top of him. Stone put up his hand 
to push its head away from his, when his 
little finger went into the bear's mouth, 
which began to chew it. At this moment, 
Boutwell, who had reloaded and come up, 
fired, the bear's head being only a few 
inches from Stone's, and bruin fell dead. 

Another time Boutwell went up on to 
the high, round topped hill north-east of 
his house, after partridges. He found a 
bear up a tree. His gun was loaded with 
shot and he had no ball. He drawed the 
shot and whittled a beach plug, with the 
end pointed, and loaded with this. The 
first shot had no effect, but the second 
killed the bear. 

He was captain of the first militia com- 
pany in town ; was one of the selectmen 
from 1799, until his death, in 1 813, of 
typhoid fever, at that time very prevalent 
and fatal. He was a man whose character 
was almost above reproach ; but his dog 
was even more strict in his faith and prac- 
tice than his master. The dog had learn- 
ed to observe the Sabbath, as intelligent 
dogs in Christian families often do, and 
never attempted to follow his master on 
that day. Once when Boutwell was on 
his way to church, he met a party in pur- 
.suit of a bear, and they wished for the 
dog, which was a famous hunter. Bout- 
well went back with them to the house, 
and ordered the dog to follow them, but it 
refused. He called it to follow him, but 
it would not. He then took off his Sun- 
day clothes and put a gun on his shoulder. 



when the dog, probably thinking that it 
was not Sunday after all, followed. Bout- 
well was justly punished for his duplicity 
by not getting the bear. The dog after- 
ward followed a deer into the woods, and 
was never seen again. 

Lot 5 was first purchased of Heman 
Allen by Eathan Powers, who hired men 
to cut and burn wood for the ashes. Syl- 
vester Grinnel, a quaker, first resided up- 
on it. 

Lot 6 was settled by Moses Bancroft's 
son, John. Charles Morse owns a portion 
of it. 

No. 7 was settled by Jeremy Stone, of 
Ward, Mass., in 1796. He chose this 
place because he expected it would be near 
a good road. The legislature, in 1797, 
appointed a committee to work a road from 
Chelsea court house to Danville court 
house. This committee reported to the 
county court at Chelsea, in 1799, that they 
had built the road through Washington 
and Orange. A little work was done on it 
in Goshen gore, near Plaiufield line, and 
the work abandoned. Ira Stone, Rev. 
Jesse Stone of Maine, and Jeremy Stone 
are his sons ; Mrs. Hial P. Chamberlain 
and Mrs. Marian Stone Tarbell, his daugh- 
ters. His farm is now owned by Ira Rob- 
inson. 

Lot 8 was settled by Daniel Rice, of 
Barre, in 1825. Dudley Marshall now re- 
sides upon it. 

According to Thompson's Gazetteer, the 
town was organized Apr. 4, 1796, under 
the name of St. Andrew's gore, and Har- 
vey Bancroft elected town clerk. This is 
probably true, but it was illegal, a gore 
not having the power to form a town or- 
ganization. Nov. 6, 1797, the gore was 
incorporated into a town by the name of 
Plainfield, and the town meeting held at 
James Perry's, in Mar., 1798, is the first of 
which there is now any record, but was not 
the first, because called by Joshua Law- 
rence, James Perry, Moulton Batchelder, 
as selectmen of Plainfield. At this meet- 
ing, Thomas Vincent was elected town 
clerk. Town meetings after this were held 
at Capt. Jonathan Kinne's until 1823, 
when they were held in the village. 



PLAINFIELD. 



725 



In 1798, ''99 and 1800, the road tax vo- ' 
ted was 4 days work for each poll. In 

1798, the General Assembly, at the request 
of the town, voted a tax of one cent per 
acre, which was to be used to build roads. 
In 1807. another of three cents per acre 
was laid upon Plainfield. At that time, 
improved lands were listed at $1.75 per 
acre, unimproved not at all. Polls at $20, 
a yoke of oxen $10, houses worth less than 
$1000, 2 per cent, over"$iooo, 3 per cent. 
Interest money 6 per cent. 

The first road in town was worked from 
Seth Freeman's north westerly to Hezekiah 
Davis' in Montpelier, as early as 1794, but 
no highways were laid out until June, 

1799, when this and several others were 
laid. 

In 1798 and 99, the town sent no repre- 
sentative, probably because a town with a 
grand list of less than $3,200 was not 
" doomed" to pay a state tax, if it sent no 
representative. 

Thomas Vincent was a federalist. All 
the other representatives were republicans, 
until the reorganization of the parties 
under Jackson and Adams. After that 
they were all democrats except John Vin- 
cent, antimason, until the formation of the 
antislavery party, which elected D. A. 
Perry. Frank Hall was the only whig. 

In Sept. 1801, Isaac Tichenor received 
10 votes for governor — all that were cast. 
In 1802, Isaac Tichenor had 25, Jonas 
Galusha 23, which was the largest vote 
cast for several years. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician in town was Am- 
herst Simons, from Windham, Ct. He 
studied with Dr. Glysson, of Williams- 
town, and came 'to Plainfield in 1801. 
For many of the last years of his life he 
was blind. 

Dr. Ebenezer Conant studied with 
Dr. Robert Paddock, of Barre, and came 
to Plainfield in 1809. In 1832 he remov- 
ed into Marshfield, about 2 miles from 
Plainfield village, near Perkins' mill, but 
returned to Plainfield after a few years, 
where he died. 

Dr. Nathaniel Bancroft was brought 
to Plainfield by his father, Harvey Ban- 



croft, from Ward, Mass., when an infant. 
When 12 years old he went to Montpelier, 
where he attended school, and at last stud- 
ied medicine with Dr. Lamb. About 1822, 
he came to Plainfield to practice, where he 
remained until 185 1, when he went to 
Ohio, where he stayed 2 years, thence to 
Belvidere, 111. His pungent and witty 
sayings are still often quoted by his old 
friends in Plainfield. 

Dr. Daniel Kellogg came to Plain- 
field in 1834, and built the brick house 
east of the hotel. His health failing he 
removed to Berlin in 1836, where he soon 
died. 

Dr. Jared Bassett came to Plainfield 
in 1839, and removed to Northfield in 
1843, and thence to Chicago. 

Dr. Daniel Bates was here from 1845 
to 185 1. 

Dr. Stephen Bennett from 185 1 to 
1856, when he removed to Ohio. 

Dr. Phineas Kellogg, of iJrookfield, 
commenced practice htre in 1851. He 
died of diphtheria Apr. 10, 1862, age 39. 

Dr. Walter S. Vincent, of Chelsea, 
now of Burlington, had his residence here 
for several years, but a large part of. the 
time he was surgeon in the Union army in 
the war of the rebellion. 

Dr. Dudley B. Smith, of Williams- 
town, came to Plainfield in 1856, and Dr. 
W. F. Lazell, of Brookfield, came in the 
fall of 1867. They remain here now. 

LAVi^YERS. 

The first lawyer in town was Charles 
RoBY, who came about the year 1812 — 
not long after the result of the Allen law- 
suit had put a mortgage on nearly every 
farm in town. Probably the people had 
no desire or money for any more lawsuits 
at that time, as he left soon. 

In 1828, Azel Spalding, of Montpe- 
lier, now of Kansas, was here one year. 

In 1833, Sylvester Eaton, of Calais, 
came and stayed until 1838. 

Stillman H. Curtis was here from 
1838 to 1843. 

J. A. Wing was here from 1836 to 1852, 
when he went on to his farm on Maple 
Hill, in Marshfield, where he stayed about 



726 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



3 years, then moved to Plainfield, and 
from here to Montpelier in 1857. 

In 1S43 Lewis Chamberlain came. 
He died in Aug. 1863, of dysentery, which 
was very prevalent and fatal at that time, 
there being 18 deaths from that disease, 16 
of which were within or near the village. 

Charles H. Heath came here in 1859, 
and removed to Montpelier in 1872. 

S. C. Shurtleff commenced the prac- 
tice of law here in 1864, and removed to 
Montpelier in 1877. 

O. L. Hoyt came here in 1873, and 
still remains. 

the first church 
was organized Nov. 13, 1799, at Jonathan 
Kinne"s, under the name of 

the church of CHRIST IX PL.\INFIELD. 

The council called to organize this 
church was composed of Rev. Richard 
Ransom of Woodstock, Rev. John Ran- 
som of Rochester, Rev. James Hobart of 
Berlin, Dea. William Wood of Wood- 
stock, Capt. Peter Salter of Orange. Dea. 
Judah Willey, Henry Taft and Joseph 
Sterling, of Barre, were invited to join the 
council. The members embodied into a 
church were only six : Capt. Jonathan 
Kinne, James Perry, James Boutwell, Mrs. 
Esther Perry, Deborah Boutwell, Judith 
Batchelder. Others joined soon after. 
In June, 1801, they passed this vote : 

" Whereas some members of the church 
are dissatisfied with the articles of faith. 
Therefore, Voted that the aggrieved mem- 
bers have liberty to select such articles as 
they are satisfied with, which when select- 
ed shall be considered the church articles 
of faith, not to prevent any from believing 
them as they now are." 

This compromise did not prevent the 
Methodist portion of the church from 
seceding in June, 1802, and forming anoth- 
er church. Those who left to join the 
Methodist were, Dea. James Perry, Esther 
Perry, Bradford Kinne, Ebenezer Free- 
man, Esther Freeman, John Chase, and 
Richard Kendrick. Those who remained 
with the original church were, Dea. Nehe- 
miah Mack, Moses Bancroft, Sally Ban- 
croft, James Boutwell, Deborah Boutwell, 
Jonathan Kinne, Lydia Kinne, Sanford 



Kinne, Polly Kinne, Zopher Sturtevant, 
Polly Sturtevant, David Bancroft. 

The same year Charles R. Woolson 
was unanimously expelled from the church 
for " neglect of family prayer, and public 
worship on Sunday and church meetings." 
Moulton Batchelder having joined the 
Methodists, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 1 8 16, the 
following sentence of excommunication 
was read before the assembled congrega- 
tion : 

'• Whereas our brother, Moulton Batch- 
elder, has violated his solemn covenant 
obligations by neglecting the stated meet- 
ings of the church on the Sabbath and at 
other times, and going after, as we think, 
false teachers, and embracing dangerous 
errors and sentiments, derogatory to the 
character of an infinitely wise and holy 
God, We now, under the pressing obliga- 
tion of duty we owe to our Lord and Sav- 
ior Jesus Christ, have undertaken this 
painful and bitter labor, and we hope in 
faithfulness and praj'er, but without suc- 
cess. Therefore, according to the rule of 
Christ's family, we are under the painful 
necessity of saying unto you, and that in 
this public manner, that for these reasons, 
the door of our fellowship and commun- 
ion is closed against you, and you are no 
longer to be considered of this church and 
body ; but as an unprofitable branch, and 
therefore are now severed from this body. 
It is our humble prayer, that God will 
bless this our unpleasant, but plain duty 
to you, and open your understanding that 
you may see your error, and give you re- 
pentance, that you may enjoy his favor at 
last, and be gathered with all of the re- 
deemed from among men. to inhabit the 
new Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ is the 
joy and the light thereof." 

I do not give these facts to increase the 
self-complacency of those at the present 
time, who are inclined to plume themselves 
upon their own superior liberality, and 
tolerance of differences of opinions. Such 
should consider, that people who thought 
their peculiar tenets of such vital impor- 
tance, that they incurred the dangers and 
hardships of a settlement in New England 
to establish them, could not be expected 
to see the result of their labors impaired or 
destroyed, with indifference or equanimity. 

Jonathan Kinne preached to the church 
until 1826; but was not ordained because 
he disbelieved in infant baptism. 



/ 



PLAINFIELD. 



727 



Nathaniel Hurd was the acting pastor in 
1826. [For his biography see Tinmouth, 
vol. III.] He was succeeded by John F. 
Stone. 

In 1829, Joseph Thatcher became the 
tirst settled minister. He removed to 
Barre in 1834, and was succeeded by Mr. 
Hadley in 1836, by John Orr in 1839, Sam- 
uel Marsh in 1842, Calvin Granger in 1846, 
and A. S. Swift in 1849, — none of whom 
were settled ministers, however. 

Rev. Joel Fisk was settled as pastor in 
May, 1855, and died Dec. 16, 1856. Soon 
after Rev. Horace Herrick became acting 
pastor, who was succeeded in 1861, by 
Rev. C. M. Winch, who remained until 
Nov., 1868, when he was succeeded by 
Horace Pratt, who removed in 1871. 

After an interval of nearly 2 years, 
Charles Redfield became acting pastor, 
and in 1877, C. E. Ferrin was settled, 
and remained until his death, in 188 1. 

The deacons have been James Perry, 
Nehemiah Mack, George Ayers, Dan. 
Storrs, Justus Kinney, Emmons Taft. 

Their first meeting-house was built in 
1819, the second, on the same site, in 
1854. Until the building of a church their 
meetings were usually lield at the dwelling 
house of Jonathan Kinne. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH 

has no early records in Plainfield, and I 
am obliged to glean this account from va- 
rious sources. The first Methodist ser- 
mon preached in Plainfield was by the 
Rev. Nicholas Sneathen- or " Suethen," 
as his family write it — a very able man, 
who was chaplain of Congress in 181 2. He 
came to Seth Freeman's, made known his 
name and occupation, and succeeded in 
attaching nearly all of the people in the 
southern part of the town to the Methodist 
church, including Dea. James Perry, who 
afterwards became a Methodist preacher, 
the first probably that resided in town. 

A church was organized in 1 801, or '2. 
It formed a part of Barre circuit. The 
first Methodist minister stationed at Plain- 
field that I can learn of was David Kil- 
burn, who was here in 1812 and 1825. 

Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, who was mar- 
ried to Judge Kinne's daughter, Sally, 



lived upon the Asa Washburn place in 
1820. This, with 15 acres of land, was 
given to the Methodist church for a par- 
sonage by Judge Kinne. It was after- 
wards sold and the parsonage in the vil- 
lage bought. 

Rev. John Lord was stationed here in 

1823; Harvey in 1827, '28; R. H. 

Deming, '30, '31 ; John Nason, '33, '34; 
N.Stone, '35; David Wilcox, '36, 'T,y \ 
Jacob Boyce, '38 ; Daniel Field, '39; J. L. 
Slason, "40: John W. Wheeler, '41 ; Rich- 
ard Newell, '42, '43; Otis M. Legate, '44; 
H. P. Gushing, '45, '46; J. W. Perkins, 
'47, 48 ; Homer T. Jones, '49, '50 ; Mul- 
fred Bullard, '51 ; Peter Merrill, '52, '53; 
Alonzo Hitchcock, '54, '55, '62, '63 ; W. J. 
Kidder, '56, "57 ; Edmund Copeland, '58, 
'59, '69, '70 ; P. P. Ray, '60, '61 ; Joshua 
Gill, '64, '65 ; S. B. Currier, '66, '67 ; Andes 
T. Bullard, '68; Thomas Trevillian, '71; 
Joseph Hamilton, '72, ^jT)^ '74 i Joseph O. 
Sherburn, '75, '76; W. H. Dean, 'jj, '78; 
Elihu Snow, '79, '80, '81. 

Before the erection of a church their 
meetings were usually held at Elder James 
Perry's, or at Lieut. Joseph Batchelder's. 
In 18 19 a house was built for the Metho- 
dist society in the village, with an agree- 
ment that when they had no preacher, 
"any other Christian denomination, such 
as Calvinists, Anti-Baptists, Freewill Bap- 
tists, Friends, so called, Universalists, etc., 
who had a preacher, might occupy it." 

The following is a list of the contrib- 
utors to the building of this church : 

Thomas Vincent, $100 ; Moulton Batch- 
elder, $100; Harvey Pitkin, $75; John 
Vincent, $60 ; Seth Cook, $50 ; Bradford 
Kinne, $50 ; Amherst Simons, $50 ; Seth 
Freeman, $50 ; Asa Bancroft, $30 ; Eben 
Dodge, Jr., $25 ; John Moors, $25 ; Eben- 
ezer Lyon, $25 ; Matthew Jack, $25 ; Na- 
than Freeman, $25 ; Benjamin F. Lamp- 
son, $25 ; Laomi Cree,^$25 ; Enoch Gate, 
$25 ; Ebenezer Freeman, $20 ; Samuel Wil- 
son, Jr., $20; Benjamin Whipple, $20; 
Earl Gate, $15; James Batchelder, $15 ; 
Joseph P. Page, $12 ; William Moors, $10 ; 
Friend M. Morse, $10; Solomon Bartlett, 
$10 ; Duron Whittlesey, $10 ; Andrew Jack, 
$iq; Nehemiah Mack, Jr.. $5; Charles 



728 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Patterson, $5 ; Allen Martin, $5 ; Eben 
Martin, $5 ; Richard Kendrick. $3 ; Elisha 
Mack, $2; total, $947. $100 was paid for 
the site, leaving the cost of the house 
about $850. 

In 1852, this was sold to the Baptists 
and removed, and another built at a cost 
of a little less than $1,600. 

The Vermont Annual Conference was 
held at Plainfield in 1855, Bishop Edward 
R. Ames presiding. 

The present number in full member- 
ship, 132; probationers, 14. 

FRO.VI REV. J. R. BARTLETT, OF BARRE. 

Rev. Nicholas Snethen, who is men- 
tioned as the first Methodist preacher who 
visited Plainfield, was the pioneer Metho- 
dist preacher in this State. His appoint- 
ment to Vermont was in 1796, and as he 
labored in this State but one year, it must 
have been at that time that he appeared in 
Plainfield. The records of " Vershire cir- 
cuit," which was the name of the appoint- 
ment in the earliest days, are probably not 
now in existence; but those of " Barre 
circuit," formed in 1804, are still preserv- 
ed, and state that the first "quarterly 
meeting" for Barre circuit was held in 
Plainfield, Aug. 4th and 5th, 1864, and in 
Plainfield a little later. The records give 
Bradford Kinne, Richard Kendrick and 
Ebenezer Freeman as leaders, 17, 16 and 
ir members, respectively, and four "on 
trial." Mr. Kinne was also a local preach- 
er, and a very active man in the church, 
and the Rev. Bradford Kinne Pierce, D. D., 
now the editor oi ZioiCs Herald, published 
in Boston, was named for him, being the 
son of Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, and there- 
fore the grandson of Mr. Kinne, who is 
mentioned in the foregoing sketch as 
"Judge " Kinne. 

This town was included in Barre circuit 
until 1838, and hence was visited by the 
appointees to that circuit at stated inter- 
vals as a regular preaching place. The 
names given in the foregoing sketch as 
Methodist preachers stationed here, are, 
in several instances at least, of appointees 
to Barre circuit, there being each year 
two or three such appointees, and one of 



them usually resident at Plainfield. On 
and after the conference of 1838, this sta- 
tion lost its identity with Barre circuit, 
and the preachers were appointed directly 
to Plainfield. The complete list of Meth- 
odist preachers on Vershire circuit to 1804, 
and on Barre circuit from that time to 1838, 
may be found in the history of Barre. 
The condition of this church has been par- 
ticularly prosperous during the last three 
years, about one-third of its present mem- 
bership having been added during that 
time. 

Barre, Feb. 3, 1882. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized Oct. 17, 1809, at the school- 
house near Dea. James Perry's (South 
district.) The members were: James 
Boutwell and wife, who withdrew from the 
CongregationaJist church for that purpose, 
Jacob Perkins, Stephen Perkins and his 
wife Nancy, John Bancroft and his wife 
Phoebe. Elder Jabez Cottle and Elder 
Elijah Huntington were the clergymen 
present. 

At the next meeting Philip Wheeler 
made a profession of religion, and joined 
the church . He became pastor afterwards, 
living near the center of Montpelier, but 
in 1826, sold his farm, and a house was 
built for him near the Plainfield Springs. 
In a few years after this, Stephen Perkins 
refused to commune, for the reason that 
Elder Wheeler had said that "he would 
not baptize a person that he knew intend- 
ed to join another church." Soon after 
this, he and his brother Jonathan with- 
drew froni the church. The result of this 
dissension was, that Elder Wheeler soon 
closed his pastoral labor with this church, 
and removed into Marshfield, one half 
mile east of Plainfield village, where he 
died. 

After Elder Wheeler's dismissal, they 
were supplied at intervals by different cler- 
gymen, none of them living in town ex- 
cept Rev. Friend Blood. 

In 1852, the Baptist churches in Plain- 
field and Marshfield united, and Abraham 
Bedel became their pastor, residing in 
Plainfield. The Methodist church was 
purchased, removed and repaired. Mr. 



/ 



PLAINFIELD. 



729 



Bedel was succeeded in 1S58 by Mr. Kel- 
ton, he in 1859 by S. A. Blake, and 
he in 1S60 by N. W. Smith, who removed 
in 1862. After that they had only occa- 
sional preaching, and in 1871 their church 
was sold and converted into stores. 
THE RESTORATIONIST SOCIETY 

was organized in 1820, but had only occa- 
sional preaching until in 1840, Rev. L. H. 
Tabor came to Plainfield, and a church 
was erected costing $1,770 above the 
foundations, exclusive of furniture and the 
bell, the whole amounting to about $2,300. 

Mr. Tabor remained 3 years only. The 
pulpit was afterwards supplied a part of 
the time by Mark M. Powers, of Washing- 
ton, and Rufus S. Sanborn, of Barre. 
They were succeeded in 1854 by William 
Sias, who remained one or two years. 

Rev. Joseph Sargent resided here in 
1858 and 1859, Rev. Thomas Walton in 
i860 and 1861, after which they had no 
stated preaching until in 1872, Rev. Les- 
ter Warren commenced to preach one half 
of the time. He was succeeded by Rev. 
George Forbes the next year. In 1876 L. 
S. Crossly removed here, and remained 
one year, since which they have been sup- 
plied a part of the time by non-resident 
preachers. 

SCHOOLS. 

In 1787, the General Assembly enacted 
a school law that authorized towns and 
school districts to build schoolrhouses and 
support schools by a tax on the grand list. 
A majority of a town might do this, but it 
required a two-thirds vote of a school dis- 
trict, and neither a town or school district 
could tax the property of non-residents for 
this purpose. This law provided that 
schools might be supported by subscrip- 
tion, and the district collector had the 
same power and duties in collecting a sub- 
scription that he had in collecting a tax. 

In 1803, Plainfield was divided into 5 
school districts. The town never voted a 
tax for schools, and probably none of the 
districts did for several years. The north- 
west, or village, district schools were sup- 
ported by subscription until 1809. They 
commenced to build a school-house in 
1803, finishing it in 1804. It stood just 



east of the present hotel, in James Martin's 
garden. This was the first built in town, 
and was paid for by a tax, one-third payable 
in money and two-thirds in wheat. This 
house having been burned in the winter of 
1806-7, another was built in 1807, over 
by the present residence of Geo. C. Wales, 
near the railroad bridge. In 1826, this 
district formed a unison with an adjoining 
district in Marshfield, and a school-house 
was built near Marshfield line north of the 
river. In 1866, this district built another 
school-house near the old one, at a cost of 
$6,000, exclusive of the site. 

The South, or Freeman, district did not 
have the first school-house in town ; but 
they had the first school-house quarrel. It 
had been decided to build a school-house 
at the Four Corners, east of Seth Free- 
man's, to which the Freemans were op- 
posed. The boys of Elder James Perry 
and of Philemon Perkins, and others, made 
arrangements to raise it secretly at mid- 
night. The Freemans learned of the plot, 
and appeared to help uninvited ; but they 
spelled the word raze. The result was, 
nothing was done at that time, but after- 
wards, in the fall of 1805, the house was 
built there. 

Plainfield village is at the extreme north- 
ern part of the town, and as incorporated 
in 1867, includes a portion of the town of 
Marshfield. In 1812, it contained about a 
dozen families, in 1881 about 80. 

The first mills were burned the same 
year they were built. The village suffered 
no more serious loss by fire until May 16, 
1877, when the saw and grist-mills, 4 
dwelling-houses, 2 shops and 4 barns were 
burned. James Richards was convicted 
of being the incendiary, and is now in 
prison. 

The great freshet of Oct. 1869, carried 
off the saw and grist-mills, the clothing- 
works, machine-shop, blacksmith-shop, etc. 

Railroad trains commenced to run from 
Montpelier to Plainfield for traffic, Sept. 
17, 1873 ; to Wells River, Nov. 24, 1873. 

It is said that a mail route was estab- 
lished from Montpelier to Danville, via 
Plainfield, in 1808, and a post-office was 
probably established at Plainfield at that 



92 



730 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



time ; but so little did it affect the daily 
life of the people, that no one knows who 
was the first postmaster. 

As late as 1823, the fees of the post- 
master at Plainfield were only $10.76; at 
Marshfield, $3.48; Cabot, $6.81 ;atMont- 
pelier, $138.81. As postage wasthenvery 
high, and the fees of the small offices about 
one-half of the gross income, the amount 
of mail matter must have been small. The 
mail was carried on horseback until 1827, 
then in a wagon until 1830, when a coach 
was put on, which was almost as much an 
object of curiosity and pride as was the 
advent of the cars in 1873. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Bradford Kinne, 1800, '2, '3, '4, '5, '7. 
\S, '9, '10, '11, '12, '13, '16, '21; Thomas 
Vincent, 1801, '22, "25, '26; Jonathan 
Kinne, 1806; Joseph Nye, 1814, '15, '17, 
'18, '24 ; Benjamin Whipple, 1819, '20, '23 ; 
Jeremy Stone, 1827, '28; Israel Goodwin, 
1829, '30, 31 ; John Vincent, 1832, '33, '34 ; 
Baxter Bancroft, 1835, '36; James Palmer, 
1837, '38, '41 ; Harvey Bancroft, 1839, '4° i 
Mark M. Page, 1842; Ezra Kidder, 1843, 
'44, '50, '60, '61 ; Nathaniel Townsend, 
1845, '46; Reuben Huntoon, 1847 ; Daniel 
A. Perry, 1848, '55; Francis Hall, 1849; 
Lewis Chamberlain, 1851, '52; John Mel- 
len, 1853, '54; E. Madison Perry, 1856, 
'57 ; Dennis Lane, 1858, 59; Sullivan B. 
Gale, 1862, '63; Willard S. Martin, 1864, 
'65; Levi Bartlett, 1866; Julius M. Rich- 
ards, 1867; Justus Kinney, 1868; Chan- 
ning Hazeltine, 1869; Joseph Lane (bien- 
nial), 1870; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1872; 
Stephen C. Shurtleff, 1874; Nathaniel 
Townsend, Jr., 1876; Frank A. Dwinell, 
1878; Dudley B. Smith, 1880. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL 
CONVENTIONS. 

Lovel Kelton, 1 8 14 ; John Vincent, 1822 ; 
Nathaniel Bancroft, 1828; James Palmer, 
1836; Nath'l. Sherman, 1843, '50; Reuben 
Huntoon, 1870. 

STATE SENATORS. 

Nathaniel Bancroft, 1847, '48 ; Charles 
H. Heath, 1868, '69, '70. 

JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT. 
Bradford Kinne, 181 1, '12, '13; Israel 
Goodwin, 1834,^35; Lewis Chamberlain, 



1855, '56; Willard S. Martin, 1874, '75, 
'76, V7- 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Thomas Vincent, 1798, ^99, 1800; 'i,'2, 
'3, '9, '10, 'II, '12, '14; Bradford Kinne, 
1804, '5> '6, '7, '8, '13, '15, '16; Silas Wil- 
liams, 1817 to '33; James Palmer, 1834 to 
'41 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 ; Mark M. 
Page, 1852 to '60; Phineas Kellogg, 1861, 
'62; Walter B. Page, 1863 to '76; Mason 
W. Page, 1877; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878. 

TREASURERS. 
Moulton Batchelder, 1798, '99, 1800; 
Thomas Vincent, 1801, '08, '09, '10, '11, 
'12, '14; Ebenezer Freeman, 1802; Brad- 
ford Kinne, 1803, '04, '05, '06, '07, '13, 
'15, '16; Silas Williams, 1817 to '33; 
James Palmer, 1834 to '41 ; Ezra Kidder, 
1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60; 
S. B. Gale, 1861 to '70; Ira F. Page, 1871 
to '74 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1875 ; F. A. Dwi- 
nell, 1877 to '81. 

1ST SELECTMEN. 

Joshua Lawrence, 1797; Thomas Vin- 
cent, 1798, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03, 'lo, '11, 
'12, '14, '18; James Boutwell, 1804, '05. 
'06, '07, '08, '09; B. Kinne, 1813; Asa 
Bancroft, 1815, '16, '17 ; Willard Shephard, 
1819; John Vincent, 1820; Benjamin 
Whipple, 1821, '22, '23, '24, '25 ; Jeremy 
Stone, 1826, '35, '36; Andrew Wheatley, 
1827, '28, '29 ; Jabez L. Carpenter, 1830; 
Elijah Perry, 1 831, '32, '33 ; Ba.xter Ban- 
croft, 1834; Mark M. Page, 1837 to '41 ; 
James Palmer, 1842, '43; Levi Bartlett, 
1844; Nathaniel Sherman, 1845; Nathan- 
iel Townsend, 1846, '58; E. Madison Per- 
ry, 1847, '48, '49; Daniel A. Perry, 1850; 
Amherst Perkins, 1851 ; Joel Sherburn, 
1852, '53; Dudley Perkins, 1854; Allen 
Martin, 1855; Ira Stone, 1856; Harrison 
Ketchum, 1859, '60; Charles T. Batchel- 
der, 1861 : L. Cheney Batchelder, 1862, 81 ; 
Joseph Lane, 1863, '64, '65, '75 to '79; 
Willard S. Martin, 1866, '71, '72; Heman 
A. Powers, 1867; Orrin W. Cree, 1857, 
'68, '70; Thomas P. Bartlett, 1869; Jere- 
my S. Chamberlain, 1873, '74' '^o- 

OLD PEOPLE 
Who have died in Plaittfield. 
Mrs. Joseph Lampson, 95 ; Mrs. Isaac 
Mann, 94; Moses Bancroft, 87; Mrs. M. 



PLAINFIELD. 



73^ 



Bancroft, 92 ; Jonathan Perkins, 89 ; Spen- 
cer Lawrence, 81-^ Mrs. Spencer Lawrence, 
89 ; Asa Bancroft, 88 ; Jane (Cams) 
Hatch, 88 ; Mrs. Jacob Perkins, 89 ; Ly- 
dia (Cams) Perkins (Mrs. Jonathan), 83; 
Chauncy Bartlett, 86 ; Mrs. C. Bartlett, 85 ; 
Edmund Freeman, Charles Bancroft, 84 ; 
Mrs. N, Townsend, 83 ; Levi Bartlett, 80 ; 
Benjamin Niles, 84 ; Nathaniel Sherman, 
80; Mrs. N. Shern-^an, 81 ; Eliza (Cams) 
White, 80; David Reed, 82; Mrs. D. 
Reed, 81 : James Allen, 84; Roderic Tay- 
lor, 83 ; John P. Avers, 82 ; James Batch- 
elder, 81; Allen Martin, 82; Isabella 
(Nash) Powers, 80 ; Coolige Taylor, 83 ; 
C. W. Alvord, 82 ; Asa Fletcher, 82 ; Mrs. 
A. Fletcher, 85 ; Daniel Lampson, 80 ; 
James Perry, 80 ; Isaac Mann, Nathan 
Hill, 82. 

OLD PEOPLE LIVING. 

Daniel Spencer, 91 ; Susan Collins, 88; 
Baxter Bancroft, 87 ; Mrs. B. Bancroft, 
82; Mrs. John P. Ayers, 86; Eben Mar- 
tin, 85 ; Mrs. Nathan Parker, 85 ; Justus 
Kinney, 83; Mrs. J. Kinney, 80; Susan 
Corliss, 82 ; Mrs. Roderic Taylor, 81 ; 
William Parks, 81 ; Benjamin F. Moore, 
81 ; Alex Woodman, 80; Mrs. Levi Bart- 
lett, 80 ; Nathan Hill, 82. 
MASONIC. 

Rural Lodge. — The records of this 
Lodge having been lost or destroyed, no 
extended history can be written of it or of 
its early members. The only authentic 
papers belonging to it are the original by- 
laws in manuscript form, from which we 
learn that a charter was granted by the 
Grand Lodge at its annual session in 
Montpelier, Oct. 12. 1825. 

Charier Members. — Horace Pitkin, 
Marshfield ; Alden Palmer, Montpelier ; Ja- 
bez L. Carpenter, Plainfield ; Stephen Pit- 
kin, William Martin, Marshfield ; William 
Billings, Nathaniel C. King, Montpelier; 
Charles Clark, Calais ; Nathaniel Bancroft, 
Silas Williams, Jr., A Simons, Plain- 
field ; Merrill Williams, Montpelier ; Har- 
vey Pitkin, Edwin Pitkin, James Pitkin, 
Daniel Spencer, Marshfield ; Nathaniel 
Davis, Robert Nesmith, Montpelier ; James 
English, Marshfield. 

The organization of the Lodge was kept 



up, and some work done, until the annual 
session of the Grand Lodge in 1830, when 
they are supposed to have surrendered 
their charter. Only two of the charter 
members are known to be living, Daniel 
Spencer of Plainfield, at the advanced age 
of 91 years, and Nathaniel C. King, of 
Montpelier. 

Wyoming Lodge, No. 80. — Wyoming 
Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 80, was chartered 
by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of 
Vermont, June 11, A. D. 1868. 

Charter Members. — Charles H. Heath, 
Leroy H. Hooker, Stephen C. Shurtleff, 
Nathan Skinner, Dudley B. Smith, Jas. 
M. Perry, Channing Hazeltine, J. M. 
Richards, William Armstrong, A. H. 
Whitcomb, Walter B. Page, Mark M. 
Page, R. H. Christy, Byron Goodwin, 
Fitch E. Willard, W. S. Little, Ezekiel 
Skinner, Samuel Simpson, Martin V. B. 
Hollister, D. M. Perkins, Samuel Wilson, 
Horace Hill, Reuben Huntoon, Lewis H. 
Cunningham, N. Davis, Jr., Mason T. 
Page, Silas E. Willis, Willard Harris, 
James Pitkin, Luther G. Town, Solomon 
L. Gilman, Nathaniel Sherman, Daniel 
Spencer, Nathaniel Davis, Horace H. 
Hollister, Nathaniel C. Page, C. W. H. 
Dwinell, E. O. Hammond, Eben D. Ste- 
vens. 

First officers: Charles H. Heath, W. 
M. ; Loren H. Hooker, S. W. ; Stephen 
C. Shurtleff, J. W. 

Officers for i?>Zi-2: W. R. Gove, W. 
M.; John W. Fowler, S. W, ; Dan. W. 
Moses, J. W. 

REV. C. E. FERRIN, D. D. 

Alirirtged from a sketch in tlie Vermont Chronicle by 
Rov. a. D. Bakber. 

Clark E. Ferrin was born in Holland, 
Vt., July 20, 1818. He grew up there on 
the farm with his father till he was of age, 
teaching a common school in the winter 
from the time he was 17, and aiding his 
father in the support of the family. In 
the fall after he had attained his majority 
he went to Brownington Academy, of 
which Rev. A. C. Twilight was preceptor, 
and began fitting for college. At Brown- 
ington he not only set his face collegeward 
but heavenward, experiencing that change 



732 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of which our Lord said to Nicodemus, 
" Except a man be born again he cannot 
see the kingdom of God.'' Remaining at 
Browington about a year, he went to 
Derby, finished his preparation and enter- 
ed the University at Burlington in the 
class of 1841 . Though at a disadvantage by 
lack of early opportunities, by diligent ap- 
plication he gained upon the class during 
the course, and graduated in 1845, with 
the last third. The fall after he taught the 
Academy at Marshfield, and from thence 
went to Macon, Ga., where he taught for 
2 years. From Macon he went to the 
theological seminary at Andover, Mass., 
completing the course in the class of 1850. 
The spring before he graduated at An- 
dover he visited Barton, Vt., preaching 
there, and receiving a call to the pastorate 
of the Congregational church. Accepting 
this call, he was ordained and installed at 
Barton, in 1857, Rev. O. T. Lamphear, 
a college classmate, then at Derby, preach- 
ing the installation sermon from Exodus 
IV: 14, "I know that he can speak well." 
Another, a seminary classmate. Rev. Mr. 
Dean, gave the charge to the people. 
Zealous and faithful at Barton, he was 
after nearly 3 years attacked with that 
facial neuralgia, which rendered his after 
life one of almost continued pain, and often 
for months and years at a time one of in- 
tense suffering. His enemy compelled 
him to suspend his ministry at Barton and 
seek dismission from his charge. This 
was granted by council. Dismissed, he 
sought for a time renewed health and 
strength in farm labors. Assoonas health 
permitted, he took up the ministry again, 
received a call, and was installed pastor of 
the Congregational church in Hinesburgh 
' in 1855. At this second installation, an- 
other of his classmates, Rev. N. G. Clark, 
then professor in the University at Bur- 
lington, preached the sermon, and an- 
other classmate. Rev. A. D. Barber, of 
Williston, gave the Right Hand of Fellow- 
ship. Here, after no very long time, he 
began to suffer again from the assaults of 
his adversary, neuralgia, but for long 
years, though in real suffering and much 
of the time in keen distress by day and by 



night, he persisted in doing a manly work, 
building with one hand for Christ and his 
church, and resisting the enemy of his 
peace and strength with the other. Here, 
indeed, he fought a good fight, yielding 
only after many years. In the winter of 

1874 he went to Philadelphia, and sub- 
mitted to the severe surgical operation of 
removing a part of the facial nerve. This 
gave only partial relief. In the fall of 

1875 he took a voyage to Europe, visiting . 
London and Paris, seeking aid, but finding 
little. Having failed now for some time in 
strength, but not in heart to labor, he re- 
signed his pastorate. His resignation was 
after long waiting and hope of the church 
and parish for his- recovery, accepted, and 
he was dismissed, havingbeen pastorabout 
24 years. Remaining in the parsonage at 
Hinesburgh, and experiencing some relief 
with returning strength, he was able at 
length to take up again the work he loved 
so well. This he did at Plainfield, where 
he was installed pastor Feb. 13, 1878, 
Rev. W. S. Hazen, of Northfield, preach- 
ing the sermon, from I. Cor. 1:23, "We 
preach Christ and Him crucified," one of 
his classmates, again a member of the 
Council, presided and offered the installing 
prayer. In this his third and last pastor- 
ate, our brother labored continuously and 
successfully, though his old enemy still 
pursued him. He ceased his labors and 
entered into rest, after a sickness entirely 
prostrating him of about 5 weeks, June, 

1 88 1. His experience during this last 
trial was full of the peace of God. " I am 
surprised," he wrote, telling us the result 
of the first council of physicians called to 
consider his case. "The fullness with which 
I can say, ' Thy will, not mine,' surprises, 
almost troubles me." 

Mr. Ferrin left a wife, 3 sons and 2 
daughters ; all fitted for usefulness, and of 
fine promise ; all were present at the time 
of his death. His oldest son, reaching 
home but a few days before, is Professor 
William Ferrin, of Pacific University, at 
Forest Grove, Oregon. The oldest daugh- 
ter is the wife of Rev. John Cowan, of 
Essex. 

At the funeral, ten neighboring ministers 



PLAINFIELD. 



733 



were present, the deacons of the church 
from WilUston and Montpelier, and a good 
delegation trom Hinesburgh and other 
towns. His children conducted the ser- 
vices at the house, Prof. Ferrin reading 
select passages of Scripture, Rev. Mr. 
Cowan offering prayer, and all the family 
uniting in singing the hymn, "Rock of 
ages cleft for me." The service was beau- 
tiful, tender and touching. The casket 
was borne by his brother ministers. At 
the church, Rev. C. S. Smith read the 
Scripture, Rev. J. H. Hincks offered 
prayer, his two classmates. Rev. J. G. 
Hale and A. D. Barber, spoke ; Mr. Hale, 
of Mr. Ferrin as a man, of his place in 
college and in the ministry, and Mr. 
Barber of him as a Christian pastor. 



Mr. Ferrin, besides his work as min- 
ister, was a most respected and highly 
useful citizen. He represented the town 
of Hinesburgh in the legislature one or two 
sessions, was a faithful and influential 
member of the corporation of the Univer- 
sity for more than 20 years. He received 
the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity 
from Middlebury College at the commence- 
ment, a year ago, and was a man such that 
the family, the church and the State can 
alike trust. 

[Mr. Ferrin compiled from the papers 
of the venerable Erastus Bostwick the his- 
tory of Hinesburgh for Vol. i. in this 
work, and in Vol. iii. wrote the biograph- 
ical sketch of the Rev. O. T. Lamphear in 
the history of Orleans County.] 



SOLDIERS ENLISTED FOR PLAINFIELD IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



Names. 

Ayers, George A. 
Ball, Henry "L. C. 
Blaisdell, George, 
Bradford, Amos C. 
Bradford, John M. 
Buxton, Chas. B. 



Reg. Co. 

2 F 



9 I 
4 G 
2 F 
do 
4 A 



Bell, Joel 


CavH 


Bartlett, Mark 


12 D 


Boles, David 


4 G 


Cummins, John D. 


do 


Cole, Parker 


CavC 


Carr, Jason 


12 D 


do 


2 Bat 


Clark, Nathaniel 


12 D 


Dolan, Bernard 


4 B 


Duke, Edward V. 


4 G 


Downs. John H. 


9 I 


Edmons, Douglass 


CavF 


Fraqua, Peter 




Farrar, D. W. 


2 Bat 


Farr, Benjamin A. 


4 E 


Gale, Sullivan F. 


13 c 


Gunnerson, Daniel 


12 D 


Haywood, Wm. H. 


CavF 


Hill, David 


9 I 


Lapieu, Louis 


2 D 


Lupien, Lewis 


CavK 


Leazer, Buzzell 


3 H 


Leazer, Joseph 


9 I 


Lemwin, Peter 


I Bat 


Ladd, Andrew J. 


CavC 


Lease, Joseph N. 


4 D 


Lease, Julian C. 


do 


Lease, Rufus 


do 


Lemwin, Rock 


17 E 


Lupien, 0. Liva 


CavK 



Mustered. 

June 20 61 
July 9 62 
Sept 20 61 

do 

do 
Dec 31 62 



Aug 29 
Oct 

Jan 20 
Sept 20 
Dec 25 
Oct 4 
Aug 27 
Oct 4 
Feb 15 
Feb 25 
July 9 
Sept 26 
Nov 25 
Aug 13 
Feb 14 
-Oct 10 
Oct 4 
Sept 26 
July 1 1 
Apr 22 
Dec 3 
July 16 
July 1 1 
Feb 28 
Dec 25 
Dec 31 



64 
62 

65 
61 

63 
62 
64 
62 
65 
65 
62 
62 

63 
64 

65 
62 
62 
62 
62 
62 

63 
61 
62 
62 
63 
63 



3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 

I y 
9 m 

ly 

3y 
3y 

9 m 

ly 

9 m 

ly 
ly 
3y 
3y 
3y 
ly 
ly 

9 m 
9 m 

3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 



do 3 y 

do 3 y 

Mar 3 64 3 y 

Dec 31 63 3y 



Deserted Dec. 25, 62. 
Died Nov. 29, 61. 

Discharged Aug. 26, 63. 

Pris. June 23, 64 ; died at Andersonville, 

Ga., Oct. 6, 64. 
Enlisted for Barre, Aug. 26, 61. 



Discharged Apr. 17, 62. [Church. 

Killed in action May 5, 64, at Craig's 

Died June 13, 65. 



Promoted corporal. 
Deserted Nov. i, 63. 



Sergeant. 

Deserted Feb. 29, 64. 
Discharged May 9, 63. 
Discharged Sept. 62. 
Promoted corporal. 
Re-enlisted 3d Battery. 
Deserted Sept. 28, 62. 
Mustered out Oct. 10, 64. 
Discharged April 19, 64. 
Died July 8, 64, of wounds received in 
action June 23, 64, Welden Railroad. 

Died June, 64. 

Died at Burlington, Mar. 7, 64. 

Died at Andersonville, Sept. 3, 64. 



734 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Reg, Co. Mustered. Terra, 



4 G 
CavD 

12 U 

4 A 

4 G 

2 A 

4 G 

do 

Cav K 

lo I 

2 Bat 

do 

12 D 

do 
do 
4 F 
4 G 



62 
61 



Mann, John C. 
Mears, Horace B. 
Morse, Marshal C. 
Nye, Ervhi 
Nasmith, K. R. 
Paronto, Gideon 
Perry, Edwin R. 
Perry, Willard M. 
Paronto, Napoleon 
Porter, Geo. W. 
Rollins, Charles 
Rollins, Orvis 
Reed, Clark 
Reed, Roswell 
Richards, Linus 
Rathbury, Ira P. 
Spencer. Ira D. 
Scott, George 
Scott, Orange 
Shepherd, Dennison 
Shepherd, John 
Shorey, Joseph 
Simons, Louis 
Skinner, Ezekiel 
Stearns, James E. 
Stearns, Lowell 

Taylor, Stephen 
Valley, Felix 
Wilson, Calvin O. 
Woodcock, C. A. 
Webster. Nathan L. 

Willey, Geo. W. 
Whicher, Geo. 

Total, 68, of whom there were 5 deserted, i killed in action, 2 died of wounds, 11 
died of disease, 12 discharged before enlistment expired, yj served their term, or were 
discharged at the close of the war. 

Furnished undtr draft — Paid commutation, Solomon Bartlett, Jacob Batchelder, 
Martin B. Bemis, John D. Cummings, Lucius M. Harris, Jirah S. Lawrence, Alba F. 
Martyn, Erasmus McCrillis, Philander Moore, Charles Morse. 

Procured substitute — Edwin B. Lane. 



2 H 
7 K 
4 G 
2 F 
4 G 
do 
4 A 
4 K 



Sept 20 61 
Sept 26 62 
Oct 4 62 
Dec 31 63 
Jan 20 65 
Apr 12 
Sept 

do 
Dec 31 63 
Jan 5 64 
Aug 27 64 
Aug 13 64 
Oct 4 62 

do 

do 
Feb 14 65 
Jan 20 65 
Sept 22 62 
■June 20 61 
Feb 21 62 
Sept 20 61 
Sept 22 62 
Sept 61 
Sept20 61 
Jan 6 64 
July 17 63 

June 20 61 
Oct 1062 
July 9 62 
Sept 22 62 
Dec 31 63 



2 S S E Jan 5 64 
2 Bat Aug 19 64 



3y 
3y 

9 m 

3y 
ly 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
ly 
ly 
9m 

9 m 
9 m 

I y 
ly 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 

3y 

9 m 

3y 
3y 
3y 

3y 
ly 



Discharged Apr. 21, 62. 
Discharged Sept. 18, 63. 

Discharged May 12, 65. 

Died June 17, 62. 

Discharged Oct. 8, 62. 

Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 

Deserted Sept.- 19, 64. 

Prisoner July 9, 64; died March, 65. 



Sergeant. 
Died May 2, 63. 



Discharged Oct. 21, 62. 
Died Nov. 4, 6r. 
Re-enlisted. 
Discharged April 21, 62. 

Re-enlisted. 

Discharged .Sept. 63, 

Promoted corporal. 

Wounded ; ambulance train captured ; 

never heard from afterwards. 
Re-enlisted Jan. 64. 



Died Feb. 23, 65. 

Prisoner June 23, 64; died Dec. 

soon after being exchanged. 
Died Feb. 14, 64. 



23, 64, 



Revolutionary soldier s- 
Moses Reed. 



-Lieut. Joshua Lawrence, John Bancroft, Solomon Bartlett, 



FUNERAL HYMN FOR GARFIELD. 

KY MRS. E. E. YAW. 

(Written for the memorial services at Plainfield, 
Sept. 21, 1881.) 

Years a-gone, a cry of woe 

Rose to Heaven an April day. 
As beneath a murderer's hand 

Our martyred Lincoln bleeding lay. 
Revive the story of that crime. 

How all nations mourned with us, 
Bowing witli uncovered l»eads. 

Weeping o'er his honored dust. 

And to-day. In grief again — 

Lord of nations. Lord of might— 
We come to tliee with cries of pain; 

Shine upon our dreary night. 
Ah, our tears they fall lil«e rain 

That the honor nobly gave, 
Placing Garfield at the nation's head, 

Led so close beside a grave. 



Lay him softly in his narrow bed. 

Cover him with garlands fair. 
Gentle zephyrs, requiems sing; 

Angels watch— leave him tliere. 

The services were in charge of the pastor. 
Remarks were made by O. L. Hoyt, E. N. 
Morse, Dr. D. B. Smith, Godwin Reed, 
Ira Stone, Joseph Bartlett, Allan Ferrin 
and H. O. Perry. 

Mary E. Davis, also, born in this town, 
has published a book of verse, of which, 
had a volume been placed at our command, 
in time, we should have given a review. 



ROXBURY. 



735 



ROXBURY. 

BY MUS. SARAH BRIGHAM MANSFIELD. 

Located in the south part of Washing- 
ton County, 17 miles south-westerly from 
Montpelier; bounded N. by Northfield, 
E. by Brookfield, S. by Braintree and 
Granville, and W. by Warren ; was grant- 
ed Nov. 6, 1780, and chartered to Hon. 
Benjamin Emmonds and others August 
6, 1781 ; 23,040 acres, situated on the 
height of the land between Winooski and 
White rivers. The village is at the sum- 
mit, the highest point of land on the 
Central Vt. R. R. There are no large 
streams. Three branches of Dog river 
flow north into the Winooski ; one rising 
on the East Hill, flows south, passing a 
branch of Dog river at the Summit, one 
running north, the other south, the latter 
into White river. 

Many years ago, one Capt. Ford, who 
owned a manufacturing establishment at 
Randolph, and wished a greater supply of 
water, came to the Summit, and turned 
the course of the stream going north into 
the one flowing south, deriving great ben- 
efit therefrom, but of short duration. The 
trick was detected by mill-owners north, 
and he was obliged to undo his work, and 
let the river take its natural course. 

There are two natural ponds in town, 
one just south of the village and one on 
East Hill. Both have at one time been 
homes for the "beaver," where they built 
dams and carried on business beaver style ; 
but long ago they deserted their old 
haunts, and the pond that once reached to 
where the village now is, is fast disappear- 
ing, and a few years hence will no doubt 
be terra fir ma. 

The surface is uneven, but the soil is 
fertile. There are some fine dairy farms 
along the river, and the hill farms are well 
adapted to wheat raising. The timber is 
mostly hard wood, with some spruce, hem- 
lock and fir. Rocks, argillaceous slate, 
soapstone and marble. 

There were three divisions of land in 
this township; the ist div., the north half 
of that portion of the town lying east of 
this valley; the 2d div., the south half; 
the 3d div., the western side of the town. 



The 1st and 2d contain 100 acres ; the 3d, 
136. 

The first road laid in town was in 1 799, 
from Warren line down to the first branch 
of White River, to the north line of Kings- 
ton (now Granville) . Next, on the hill 
west of said branch, from Kingston, until 
it joins the branch road toward Warren. 
The third road led from Samuel Richard- 
son's house by John Stafford's and Wil- 
cox's to Warren ; Samson Nichols survey- 
or. In 1802, the road through the mid- 
dle of the town, from Northfield to Brook- 
field, was laid out, 6 rods wide. A road 
was surveyed from Northfield to Brook- 
field through the east part of the town, in 
1802. In 1806, the road was laid from 
Samuel Smith's on East Hill, by Wm. 
Gold's to east part of the town. These 
are a few of the first roads surveyed in 
town. 

The first town meeting was held at the 
house of Jedediah Huntington ; the warn- 
ing was dated at Williamstown, Mar. 12, 
1796, signed by Joseph Crane, justice of 
the peace, and the meeting was held Mar. 
25, 1796; when following the town officers 
were elected in Roxbury : Joseph Crane, 
moderator; Thomas Huntington, clerk: 
Samuel Richardson, Isaac Lewis, Jedediah 
Huntington, selectmen; David Cram, 
treasurer : Jonathan Huntington, consta- 
ble ; David Cram and Thomas Hunting- 
ton, listers ; Samuel Richardson and 
Christopher Huntington, highway survey- 
ors. The sum total of the grand list at 
this time was ^165 and 15s. Zebediah 
Butler was first town representative ; he 
resided south of what is known as E. K. 
Young's place. 

The first warning for freeman's meeting 
was in 1797. 

Record of t]ie 7neetiiig: The freemen of 
Roxbury, all to a man, met at the house 
of Jedediah Huntington, in said town, ac- 
cording to warning, when the freeman's 
oath was duly aduiinistered by the town 
clerk to the following men : Christopher 
Huntington, Roswell Adams, Isaac Lewis, 
David Cram, John Stafford, Benoni Web- 
ster, Jedediah Huntington, Perus Hunt- 
ington, Benjamin Hunter, Jr., Daniel Cor- 
bin, Chester Batchelder. 

The freemen voted as follows : For Gov., 



736 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Isaac Tichenor 9, Nathaniel Niles 4, Paul 
Brigham i : Lieut. Gov., Paul Brigham 

10, Nathaniel Niles 3; Treas., Samuel 
Mattocks 14 ; for counsellors, Elisha Allen 

11, Cornelius Lynde 10, Elias Stevens 9, 
Jonas Galusha 2, Joel Marsh 9, Reuben 
Hatch 2, Martin Chittenden 2, Joseph 
Hubbard i, Ebenezer Walbridge 4, John 
French 6. 

Thomas Huntington, town clerk. 

Freeman's oath had previously been ad- 
ministered to Samuel Richardson, Thomas 
and Jonathan Huntington. There were 
just 14 voters in town, at that time. In 
Mar., 1799, voted that from Apr. i to May 
20, it shall not be lawful for sheep or swine 
to run at large on the commons or high- 
ways, and if willfuly or negligently allowed 
to run, the owners thereof shall pay double 
damages. When there were neither high- 
ways or commons, even passable for swine or 
sheep ! They also voted, at the same time, 
that Joseph Newton should have approba- 
tion to retail liquors to travellers the ensu- 
ing year. For all their privations or hard 
struggles, these early settlers seemed to 
have a vein of drollery and fun underlying 
all. In 1802, they called a meeting to see 
if the town would vote to set the small 
pox in town. Not wanting it, voted to 
dissolve the meeting. Sept. 12, 1803, 
called a meeting to see if the town would 
vote to set up inoculation of small pox in 
towji ; did not want it, and dissolved the 
meeting. In 1806, voted to raise 7 mills 
on a dollar for the purpose of buying sur- 
veying implements. Chose Samuel Rob- 
ertson surveyor for the town — to have the 
use of the instruments for doing the sur- 
veying for said town. A compass and 
chain was bought, a very good one for 
those times, and is still the property of the 
town. In 18 II, voted to set off the east 
part of the town to Brookfield. Voted to 
petition the general assembly at their next 
session to be annexed to Jefferson Co., 
(now Washington). To be stingy and 
small with their neighbors did not seem to 
be a fault with them. 

On record, Jan. 26, 1799, -'I, Samuel 
Richardson, in consideration of the love 
and good will I bear to my well respected 
friend, Polly Corbin, gave her a deed of 20 
acres of land. " 



First land tax in town : Petitioned to the 
legislature for a land tax in 1796. The 
legislature, then in session at Windsor, 
raised a tax of one cent on an acre of land 
in said town. The "delinquents'' lands 
to be sold the 8th clay of May, 1798, at 
David Cram's dwelling-house, by David 
Cram, constable. 

July 31, '98, vendue sale of lands at Jed- 
ediah Huntington's, by Abel Lyman, col- 
lector. 

First deed upon the land recoris : from 
Asa Huntington to Daniel Kingsbury, da- 
ted at Brookfield, Sept. 3, 1794, recorded 
Mar. 24, 1796. 

In June, 1812, called a meeting to see 
if the town would provide arms, amunition 
and equipments for the soldiers who have 
this day volunteered in the service of their 
country as minute men. Voted that the 
monthly pay of each minute man should be 
raised three dollars per month, while in 
actual service, payable in grain or neat 
stock. Voted to deposit magazine and 
public arms at the dwelling-house of Elijah 
Ellis, the town having received gun pow- 
der and lead. In 1816, voted to set off 4 
tiers of lots on east side of town, to form 
a separate town with part of Brookfield. 
Passed the same vote in 1827, and seems 
to have been dropped there, as there is no 
farther recoid of the matter. 

Christopher Huntington was the first 
settler. He came to the east part of the 
town, and built the first house, where O. 
A. Thayer now lives. He came from 
Mansfield, Conn., where his children were 
born, but had resided in Norwich a short 
time before coming here. He also preach- 
ed the first sermon in town, to a small but 
no doubt appreciative audience. He -was 
a Universalist minister, and as the town 
became settled, preached in various places. 

Mr. Huntington drew his goods into 
town on a hand-sled on bare ground, and 
with the other early settlers, endured pri- 
vations hard to realize from the stand- 
point of to-day. His daughter, Lydia, 
died Jan. 23, 1792, at the age of 17, the 
first death in town. Mr. Huntington re- 
moved to Canada in 1804. The Mr. 
Huntington vvbo recently died in Canada, 
bequeathing $25,000 to the State of Ver- 
mont, is said to be one of his sons. 
Another son was several years a Baptist 
preacher in Braintree. 



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1Z7 



SAMUEL RICHARDSON 

was the first to settle in the west part of the 
town. He was born in Stafford, Conn., 
June 13, 1750, and was a veteran of the 
Revolutionary War, having "been out'' 
nearly half the war^ His wife, Susanna 
Pinney, was born July, 1749. After their 
marriage, they came to Randolph and set- 
tled. When the Indians burned Royal- 
ton, they passed through Randolph and 
burned the house next to theirs, but it be- 
ing somewhat retired, they probably did 
not discern it. Mr. R. came to this town 
in 1790, and built a small log-house near 
where the watch factory now stands, and 
returned home to come back again in the 
early spring with his son, Uriah, whom 
tradition has it, brought a five-pail iron- 
kettle on his back through the deep snow, 
with marked trees for roads. A niece of 
his has injured the story, by declaring her 
ancestor to have been a brave lad and a 
willing one, but that he was not a Hercu- 
les, and it was really a seven-pail brass- 
kettle. Well, even that seems almost in- 
credible, considering the distance, and 
roads. After the sugar-making was well 
begun, Mr. Richardson returned to Ran- 
dolph, leaving his son alone in the wilder- 
ness for 6 weeks. No one to speak to, no 
daily or weekly paper ; but the solemn 
hoot of the owl, the lonesome winds 
through the trees, the howling of the hun- 
gry wolves about his cabin, as he said, 
made weird music, not exactly conducive 
to sleep. But his father came with the rest 
of the family as soon as snow was gone. 
There are said to have been several reasons 
why Mr. Richardson moved into this wild- 
erness. One, he was greatly averse to his 
children marrying, and his sons were be- 
coming sturdy young men, and his daugh- 
ters tall and handsome. And he was not 
the only one who seemed to realize the 
fact. Beaux would drop in of an evening ; 
the little by-play on the old settle by the 
fireplace — naming the rosy-cheeked apples, 
and comparing them to the not less rosy 
cheeks of the maidens, going on under 
pater familias' eye, not unnoticed ; no sym- 
pathetic chord in his heart vibrating to 
the echo of "long ago," when he leaned 



over the gate, and made love to the fair 
Susanna after escorting her home from 
spelling-school, away down in old Con- 
necticut. To keep the necks of his off- 
spring out of the "noose," he reflected the 
surest way was to get them where beaux 
and belles were not, and removed his fam- 
ily to the wilderness ; but even there, four 
of them out-generalled him at last. His 
eldest daughter, Sarah, and Chester Batch- 
elder, Jan. 27, 1799, by Israel Converse, 
justice of the peace, were made one, and 
this was the first marriage in town. Hannah , 
taking courage from the example of her 
elder sister, married Peter S. P. Staples. 
Lydia married Charles Cotton, hesitating- 
ly, not swiftly, as lovely maidens should 
be expected to wed — her lithe form had 
lost some of its willowy grace, her cheek 
its first youthful bloom ; she was a bride of 
45 summers. Samuel married Sally Ellis. 
Half his children were gone, but by the 
care and admonitions of this tender sire, 
half his family were still preserved, four 
perpetually saved from marriage fate. 

That the "females" of this unmated 
half of the Richardson family were able to 
care for themselves, and give a helping 
hand to the weak of the stronger sex, the 
following proveth : "Tim" Emmerson 
had a large amount of grain to be harvest- 
ed, and no help to be had at any price ; it 
was already over-ripe ; Susan and Mary 
Richardson, who were noted for thrift, and 
disliked to see anything go to waste, offer- ' 
ed, if their brother would accompany them, 
to give the poor man a lift. The men 
folk smiled as the resolute damsels came 
into the field, but as the golden grain fell 
before their gleaming sickles, and was dex- 
terously bound and placed in stooks by 
their deft hands, the men hung their di- 
minished heads, and the perspiration 
coursed down their brown cheeks as they 
vainly strove to keep pace with their fair 
reapers. Before night tradition saith each 
masculine had fallen meekly to the rear. 
Mary and Susan sheared their own sheep, 
and if occasion required, could chop off" a 
2 foot log as soon as most men. 

Susan Richardson was once going home 
from "squire" Robertson's, through the 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



woods. She heard a strange cry as of 
some one in distress. It was growing 
dusk, the sound came nearer and nearer ; 
she could see it was gaining upon her at 
every step. She was a very courageous 
person, not easily scared, but as those 
quick, sharp screams fell upon her ears, 
the grass didn't grow under her feet until 
she reached the clearing ; but, once out 
of the woods, she gathered her sheep into 
a place of safety before she sought shelter 
for herself. It was found, the next day, a 
catamount had followed her ; his tracks 
were plainly visible in the soft earth. It 
had followed her to the edge of the woods, 
which reached nearly to her house. At 
another time, she, with a friend who was 
visiting her, went to a neighbor's for an 
" afternoon tea." It was late before they 
got started for home, and all the way 
through the woods. They heard the dis- 
mal howling of wolves. Susan knew the 
sound very well, but her friend, unused to 
pioneer life, had no idea, and wondered, 
as Susan took her babe from her arms and 
hurried rapidly forward. When they reach- 
ed the clearing, and Susan had gathered 
in her sheep, and they were safe in the 
house, she told her friend it was wolves 
they had heard, and they would surely 
have got her baby had they not quickened 
their pace. 

A grand-daughter of Mrs. Richardson's 
told me another little incident that occur- 
red when she was a child of twelve. Her- 
self and a younger brother were in the 
woods gathering flowers, they had wander- 
ed some ways farther than they were 
aware, the sister was wakened to a realiz- 
ing sense of it when she spied, but a few 
feet from them, a large white-faced bear, 
erect on his hind paws, coming towards 
them. Not wishing to frighten her broth- 
er, who was very timid, and fearing he 
would be overcome with terror, she took 
him by the hand and strove to hurry him 
away; but no, just a few more flowers, he 
said. He was determined not to go home. 
" See there," said she, pointing to the 
bear, who stood contemplating the situa- 
tion. The boy beheld, and gave so terrific 
a scream, that the bear turned and fled as 



fast as his clumsy limbs could carry him, 
preferring to go without his supper to mak- 
ing it off" a boy who could scream so loud. 

Another reason given (to return to Mr. 
Richardson's reasons for coming to this 
town), was that when the bass viol was 
carried into church at Randolph, it was 
more than his orthodox nerves could 
stand, and he preferred the primeval forest, 
"God's own temple," with the birds to 
sing anthems of praise, and no profane, 
new-fangled instrument, made by the hand 
of man, with which to worship God for 
him. He was a Congregationalist deacon, 
and his wife was a member of the Baptist 
church. They lived in their log-house 
only about a year, and then moved farther 
up, where they built the first framed house 
in town — where Julius Kent now lives — 
many years afterwards sold to Jonathan 
Burroughs, and moved near the village, 
and is the frame of Mrs. Martell's house. 

Mr. Richardson built a saw and grist- 
mill above where Mr. Kent now lives, and 
a larger house leading to the S. E. Spaul- 
ding place. A grand-daughter of theirs, 
who is now 79 years of age, and who spent 
much of her childhood with them, tells me 
Mr. Pinney, the father of her grand- 
mother Richardson, was high in the es- 
teem of King George, and was commis- 
sioned by him to attend to a great deal of 
business for His Majesty in New England. 

GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD 
of Great B?'itain, France and Ireland, 
KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. 
To all to whom these Presents shall come. 
Greeting. 

Know Ye, That We have assigned, 
constituted and appointed, and by these 
Presents do assign, constitute and appoint 
Our trusty and well beloved Subject, Isaac 
Pinney, Esq,, to be Judge of Our Court of 
Probate, to be holden within the District 
of Stafford, in our Colony of Connecticut, 
in JVew England, with the Assistance of a 
Clerk, to hold our said Court of Probate of 
Wills, granting of Administration, ap- 
pointing and allowing of Guardians, with 
full Power to act in all Matters proper for 
a prerogative Court. 

In Testimony ivhereof. We have caused 
the Seal of Our said Colony to be hereunto 
afiixed. Witness, Jonathan Trumbull, 
Esq., Governor of our said Colony of 
Connecticut , and with the Consent of the 



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739 



General Assembly of the same in Hart- 
ford, this first Day of June, in the 13th 
Year of Our Reign, Anitoqi/e Dotnini, One 
Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy- 
three. By His Honor's Command, 

JON'A. TRUMBULL, Gov. 
George Wyllys, Sec'y. 

At one time he received important mes- 
sages from the King, and although he had 
six clerks, he took his daughter, afterward 
Mrs. R., from school as his private secre- 
tary. His daughters were all taught the 
science of medicine, and Mrs. R. attended 
to the sick in this town before other phy- 
sicians came in, and some afterwards, 
going about on horseback, with a heavy 
riding dress for unpleasant weather. She 
never shrank where duty called, and not 
expecting other recompense than the grat- 
itude of those she served ; for in those 
primitive days the few inhabitants were 
not burdened with riches, and were neigh- 
borly to each other. 

One fall, seeing the destitution around 
them, Mr. R. took a yoke of oxen to Wil- 
liamstown, exchanged them for potatoes, 
and divided them among the destitute, 
taking his pay in work as they could do it. 
Mrs. Richardson at this time gave her 
family two meals per day, with a cup of 
milk for supper, giving what they saved by 
so doing to the needy ones. 

Living on the road that crossed the 
mountain to Warren, the glimmer of light 
from their windows was often a most wel- 
come sight to the benighted traveler. A 
man overtaken by night, with intense cold 
and darkness, crawled on his hands and 
knees for miles, fearing he should lose the 
track that led to their house, knowing if 
he did he must perish. Large, warm 
hearts these people had, with a hand ever 
out reached to help any poorer than them- 
selves. Their noble charities, their ex- 
emplary Christian characters amid all the 
struggles and hardships of pioneer life, 
are most worthy of imitation. They, with 
their children, all of whom reached ma- 
turity, now rest in the old burying-ground, 
near the residence of O. A. Staples. 

DAVID CRAM, 

one of the next to come into town, was 
from Lyndsboro, N. H. His son, Philip, 



born Mar. 18, 1795, was the first male 
child born in town. Lydia Huntington, 
daughter of Jedediah H., got four days 
start of him, so the honor of being the first 
child born in town rests upon her. Whether 
she is living, I am unable to say ; but 
Philip Cram married Abigail Heath, of 
Randolph, and is now living in Brook- 
field. 

Daniel Corbin came from Randolph 
about this time, and Isaac Lewis, David, 
Robert and Jonathan Cram located on 
farms now owned by Messrs. Chatterton, 
Bowman and Orra Boyce. 

Benoni Webster came, in 1798, I think, 
from Connecticut, and located on the place 
now occupied by James Steele. Mr. Web- 
ster came from Connecticut with an ox- 
team, rather a slow mode of conveyance 
for the distance, but " patience and perse- 
verance" were household words in those 
days. The "blue laws'' did not allow 
people to be moving on Sunday in the old 
state, and Mr. Webster was stopped in a 
small village to give an account of him- 
self. He declared it was against his 
principles to be traveling on the Sabbath, 
but his wife had been exposed to the 
small pox, and he was in great haste 
to get to his journey's end. He was 
allowed to pass on. His oldest son, 
Charles, born in Connecticut, married 
Eleanor P. Ryder, and settled in the east 
part of this town, where his second son, 
Aaron, now resides, and is the only one of 
the family in the State. 

Charles Webster was killed by being 
thrown from his carriage in 1834. Benoni 
Webster, the youngest of the family, is 
still living, at an advanced age, in North- 
field. He was born in a barn, not a mod- 
ern affair, but an old log-barn. Whether 
he was cradled in a manger, tradition 
saith not. One of the children being so 
ill he could endure no noise, to secure him 
the quiet needed to save his life, the rest 
of the family moved into the barn, with 
the exception of one to nurse the sick 
child, and there they remained until he 
was restored to health, which was over a 
year. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JOEL HILDRETH 

came to this township in the autumn of 
1797, from Cornish, N. H., and boarded 
with a family who lived on the farm now 
owned by G. L. Walbridge, while he built 
his log-house on the place now owned by 
Mr. George Williams, who purchased of 
Mr. Hildreth's grand-son, Samuel A. Hil- 
dreth, a few years since. One morning 
soon after Mr. Hildreth was settled in his 
cabin, he heard a rooster crow to the east- 
ward, and as the ringing notes came across 
the wooded valley, it fell upon his ears 
like music. He followed that " crow" for 
four or five miles, and at last found his 
new neighbors in Northfield, near where 
William Winch now resides. 

Mr. Hildreth. with his tnisty rifle, was 
a terror to the denizens of the forest, hav- 
ing, to use his own words, " unbuttoned 
many a bear's shirt collar." Upon one oc- 
casion returning late in the evening from 
his day's work, he heard a bear clambering 
down a tree close at hand. He could hear 
his claws clinging in the bark, and could 
just discern in the darkness the dim out- 
lines of his unwieldy figure. He was alone 
in the forest, a great ways from home ; 
thoughts of the dear ones there awaiting 
him nerved his arm. He dealt the bear 
a powerful blow with his ax, and fled. 
Returning next morning to the "scene of 
carnage," they found he had decapitated a 
huge hedge-hog, and pinned him to the 
tree with his ax. Mr. Hildreth resided 
on the place he had cleared up until his 
death in 1844. 

WILLIAM GOLD, 

known as Deacon Gold, came to town with 
Samuel Robertson, and after working for 
him one year, bought a piece of land, a 
mile east of Dog river, and built a log- 
cabin. This is where he had a famous 
bear fight. The bears had been making 
havoc with the Deacon's cornfield, and he 
swore a "pious oath" [made a pious re- 
solve would be better for a deacon] , the 
thieves should be captured. A trap was 
devised that none but a very wise bear 
would fail of walking straight into, for a 
taste of the tempting bait. The bear that 
came was not a wise one, for when the 



Deacon appeared on the ground next 
morning, bright and early, sure enough 
there was a great surly fellow, with one of 
his hind paws fast in the trap. The Deacon 
seized a club and ru.shed forward, old 
bruin equally ready and delighted with an 
interview, striking the club from his hand 
like a flash, cordially clasped the Deacon 
in his furry arms, and had about squeezed 
the life out of him, when the hired man, 
Paddleford, came to the rescue with an 
axe. "Don't cut the hide!" gasped the 
Deacon, as bruin clasped him in a still 
more fervid embrace. The hide was cut 
in several places before the poor Deacon 
was released, who, though " pure grit," 
came out of the combat in a sadly demol- 
ished condition, and carried the marks ot 
bear teeth and claws to his grave. 

From yohn Gregory's History of Northfield. 
DEA. WILLIAM GOLD, 

born in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 30, 1780; 
came to Roxbury in 1801, and settled 
upon one of the highest mountains in that 
town. He was a deacon of the Baptist 
church. Any one at this day looking the 
mountain land over where he located, can 
see under what discouraging circumstances 
this early settler was placed. 

In 1847, he removed to Northfield. He 
married Annevera Dewey, who was born 
in 1780; had 7 children: Annevera, Wil- 
liam, Sherman, Buel, Joseph, Mary, Sophia, 
all born in Roxbury. Deacon Gold died 
in 1859; Mrs. Gold in 1856. 

JOHN B. CRANDALL 

moved into town in 1804; was eccentric, 
quite a pettifogger, and always called 
"Judge." One time, having a lawsuit, 
he became disgusted with his counsel, con- 
sidered an able lawyer, paid him off" and 
dismissed him before the suit was fairly 
commenced, plead his own case, and won 
it. Another time he went to Waitsfield to 
take charge of a lawsuit. Knowing his 
opponent, an attorney from Montpelier, to 
be extremely fastidious in his tastes and 
manner of dress, he chose the other ex- 
treme, an awfully shabby coat, and trow- 
sers that suggested the idea that some 
time in an earlier stage of existence they 



ROXBURY. 



741 



had been the property of a Methodist 
preacher — they had certainly done a great 
deal of knee service — a dilapidated hat, a 
boot on one foot, an old shoe on the other, 
completed his outfit. The fine gentleman 
strutting back and forth in dignity, won- 
dered why Mr. Crandall did not arrive, 
when some one turning to Mr. C, intro- 
duced them. The Montpelier attorney 
looked at Mr. C, surprise and contempt 
expressed in every feature. " What, that 
creature P"" he at last blurted out ; "why, 
he don't know enough to say boo to a 
goose." The " Judge " drew his grotesque 
figure to its full height, made a low bow, 
and said " boo ! " very emphatically in the 
face of the offended lawyer, which brought 
down the house, and the sleek gentleman 
was yet more discomfited when he lost 
his case, and the "Judge" won the laurels 
he had anticipated. 

Mr. CrandalPs widow married Jonathan 
Lamson, of Fayston, where she died a few 
years since, at the advanced age of 108. 
(See History of Fayston.) 

LEWIS CHATFIELD 

came to town in 1810, and settled on the 
farm now occupied by his son, Lewis. He 
was a man of peculiarities, but sterling 
worth. He, like many of the early set- 
tlers, had a hard struggle to feed and 
clothe his family. One winter he fortu- 
nately captured a huge bear, whose meat 
and lard kept grim want from the door till 
spring. He made a business of hop rais- 
ing the last 40 years, and through indus- 
try and frugality, acquired a competence. 
He died in 1880, aged 94. 

BILLA WOODARD 

came from Tolland, Conn., in 1802; set- 
tled on East Hill, and was for many years 
engaged in the manufacture of saddle-trees, 
and the only one in New England for a 
long time in that business. 

HON. CHARLES SAMSON 

came here in 1810. Z. S. Stanton, in his 
Historical Centennial Address, thus speaks 
of him : 

He accompanied his father, Benjamin 
Franklin, who wasa veteran of the Revolu- 
tion, and participated in the battle of Lex- 
ington and Bunker Hill. 



Mr. Samson bought the place where 
L. A. Rood now lives. The previous oc- 
cupant was Dr. Stafford, who kept a tav- 
ern, and the first in town. Charles Sam- 
son settled where Mr. Wetmore lives. He 
has been closely identified with the affairs 
of this town ever since, and is still per- 
mitted to be with us. He has represented 
the town in the legislature of the State for 
13 sessions, and has held many other im- 
portant positions in the town and county. 
It was owing to his exertions that Roxbury 
was transferred from Orange to Washing- 
ton County, in 1820. In those days the 
main road through the west part of the 
town, which was also the stage road, led 
from where A. J. Averill now lives past 
where the residences of W. I. Simonds and 
S. G. Stanton now are, and intercepted 
the mountain road near where Mrs. Brack- 
ett now lives, thence up where the present 
road is as far as the old mill above Royal 
Batchelder's house, and then past the pres- 
ent residence of O. A. Staples, down to 
the " Branch road," where Samuel Ed- 
wards now lives. From here it followed 
its present course. There was also a road 
through the eastern part of the town, and 
also the central part, where E. K. Young 
now resides. Elijah Ellis lived where 
Mrs. Brackett now does. He built the 
house at this place, and it was the first 
house built in town that was arranged for 
the use of stoves, I am informed. He had 
no fireplace or "stack of chimneys," as 
they were called, and people thought it a 
great departure from the old ways. He 
built the first clover-mill that was erected 
in this town, on the site now occupied by 
S. N. Miller's carriage-shop. He also 
erected a saw-mill at this place. 

BENONI WEBSTER, 

(BY A. WEBSTER.) 

A native of Connecticut, brought his fam- 
ily to Roxbury in the spring of 1797. He 
had previously lived in Hartland, Vt., a 
few years. 

He settled in the N. E. part of the tbwn 
on lot No. 3, of the Lst range, now owned 
by James Steele, which he had bought in 
1796, then an unbroken wilderness. His 
first house was logs, roofed with bark, and 
floored with split bass wood, smoothed with 
an axe. In 18 10, he built a large framed- 
house, making the rooms about 2 feet 
higher than it was usual to make them at 
that time, so that "Uncle Sam Metcalf (of 
Royalton), could stand up in them with 
his hat on." The doors were also made 
unusually high, so that his wife's tall rela- 



742 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tions could come in without stooping, as 
he said. He was the first to plant fruit 
trees in town, a large apple orchard, and 
pear and plum trees in the garden being 
among his earlier improvements. 

It is said that at the time of the mem- 
orable great November snow-storm, the 
effects of which may still be seen in our 
forests in bent and distorted trees, while 
the family were at dinner, the young apple 
trees were discovered to be breaking down 
beneath the fast accumulating snow, and 
the boys left their bowls of " hominy and 
milk" to shake the apple trees, which were 
saved only by repeating the shaking at 
short intervals through the afternoon and 
evening. 

In 1804, his entire stock of cattle, con- 
sisting of a yoke of 4-years-old oxen and of 
2 cows, were bitten by a mad dog that came 
along, and all died and were buried in one 
hole together. 

Mr. Webster died Jan. 8, 1823, aged 60 
years, 9 months, 21 days, leaving a wife, 
who died in 1838, aged 66 years, and 6 
sons and 4 daughters, all of whom lived to 
have families of their own. Of these but 
two, Edmund Webster, of Randolph, and 
Benoni Webster, of Northfield, are known 
to be now living ; but the descendants of 
the third and fourth generations are widely 
scattered through the country from New 
Hampshire in the East to California in the 
West, and from Minnesota in the north to 
Texas in the South ; but one family, that 
of the writer, being left in Roxbury. 
Charles webster. 

BY A. WEBSTER. 

Charles, oldest son of Benoni and Sally 
Metcalf Webster, was born June 5, 1790, 
at Lebanon Parish, Conn., and came to 
Roxbury with his father when 7 years old, 
and was educated in the common schools 
of district No. i and the home college by 
his father's hearth, reading by the light of 
the open fire during the autumn and winter 
evenings. It was his custom to keep a 
supply of birch bark to furnish light when 
the usual fire was insufficient. 

Being the oldest boy and large of his 
age, he was his father's chief assistant in 
clearing away the forest and making a cul- 



tivated farm. One of his recreations at 
this time was fishing in the stream that 
runs through the valley half a mile north of 
his father's farm, where the brook trout 
were so abundant that he often hired one 
of the Adams boys to help him carry his 
fish up the hill, home. 

The wolves made havoc with the sheep 
of the neighborhood, and he and the Gallup 
boys devised a plan to capture them. They 
built a conical pen of saplings, about 6 feet 
high, and placed in it a couple of lambs to 
entice the wolves into the trap, shrewdly 
calculating while it would be easy for the 
wolves to run up the inclined sides and 
leap down into the pen, it would not be so 
easy for them, after gorging with mutton, 
to leap out. 

Sanguine of success, they visited the 
trap every morning, expecting to find a 
large pack of fierce wolves safely corraled 
and howling with rage. This for several 
mornings. At length, one morning when 
they came to inspect, beginning to wonder 
why the wolves were so slow in getting in ; 
the trap seemed to be empty. No lambs 
appeared skipping around within, and after 
a close examination, there appeared only a 
few bones and shreds of wool. The wolves 
had doubtless climbed upon the shoulders 
of each other and got out. Their two lambs 
were gone for nought. Not to be foiled in 
this way, the boys immediately built a 
much stronger and higher pen, but the 
wolves were not heard from afterwards, and 
it was supposed they left the place in dis- 
gust. 

He commenced teaching school when 
quite young, and followed it for fourteen 
winters, acquiring such a reputation as a 
teacher and disciplinarian that his services 
were often sought for in schools where 
other teachers had failed. 

On one occasion, it is said that some 
large boys burned his ferule, and made 
other preparations for carrying him out, 
as they had a previous teacher. The 
game commenced promptly, but a leg 
hastily wrenched from a bench did such 
effective service that there was no further 
use for instnuTients of discipline during 
that term. 



ROXBURY. 



743 



In Aug. 1823, he married Eleanor P. 
Ryder, and settled on his farm in East 
Roxbury, half a mile below the mills where 
his son, Aaron, now resides, where he 
lived till the next spring, when, having 
bought a part of the farm of his father's 
estate, he moved on to it, and lived there 
until the spring of 1830, when he returned 
to his first farm, where he lived until his 
death, Nov. 5, 1834. 

About 1830, he raised from his famous 
" Wild Air" mare twin colts, of which he 
was proud ; but one of which, a noble and 
powerful animal, but skittish and uncon- 
trollable when frightened, was the occasion 
of his instantaneous death, by being thrown 
from his wagon in the night, near the Peck 
farm in Brookfield. He had often ex- 
pressed a presentiment that he should die 
by accident, and was the last of three 
cousins, the oldest sons of three sisters, to 
be killed instantly by accident. 

SPAULDING FAMILY. 

Darius Spaulding was from Plainfield, 
Conn., married Hannah Ingraham from 
Providence, R. I. They had a number of 
children when they came here, in 1799. 
Mr. Spaulding came in the fall, slashed a 
piece, built a log-house, and moved his 
family the next spring. Nearly, and per- 
haps all the Spauldings in town at the 
present day, and they are very numerous, 
are descendants of Darius and Hannah 
Spaulding. They reared a family of 8 
sons and 3 daughters. 

Gilbert, the eldest, married Renda Mc 
Clure, moved to New York, and died at 
the ripe age of 90. He was a gieat chop- 
per, even for those days, when all were 
supposed to know how to wield an ax. It 
is said 8 cords only made him a fair day's 
work, nothing at all to boast of. 

Darius Jr. married Betsey Spaulding, 
and they lived and died at a good old age, 
in Roxbury. Two of their sons still live 
in town, Charles and Samuel. 

John, the 3d son of Darius Sen., mar- 
ried Betsey McClure, of Stafford, Conn. 
They commenced keeping hotel in 1822, 
near where Julius Kent now lives. They 
had also a saw and grist-mill. 

Mr. Burnham, merchant at Roxbury vil- 



lage, says, when a small boy, he went there ^ 
with his grist, and Mrs. Spaulding who 
was an energetic little woman, took his 
grain, carried it into the mill, ground it 
and brought it back to him. 

Mr. Spaulding built the Summit House 
in 1830, where he remained until a few 
years previous to his death, in 1864. His 
widow is still living, hale and happy, loved 
and respected. Her friends celebrated 
her 90th birth-day the 9th of last Sept. 
[1881.] She has had 5 children, all of 
whom are living, Erastus N. Billings, Mrs. 
P. Wiley, Mrs. Brackett and Mrs. A. N. 
Tilden. All living in their native town, 
clustered about their aged mother. 

Philip married Polly Nichols, of North- 
field, is now living in Hermon, N. Y., 84 
years of age. 

Erastus, the 4th son, built the house 
where Dea. Edwards now lives, and kept 
a hotel there several years. He married a 
widow, Whitcomb, by name, from Waits- 
field. They removed to DeKalb, N. Y., 
where he died a short time since, at an ad- 
vanced age. 

Allen was their first child, born in this 
town in 1804, and married Hannah Sam- 
son in 1828 ; moved on to the Rood place, 
and kept a small store 3 years ; then built 
a store in the village, which he occupied 
for 10 years, near the R. R. crossing, 
where Geo. Butterfield now resides. He 
represented the town 4 years. He enlist- 
ed, in '61, in Co. H, 6 Vt. Reg., as major; 
was appointed sergeant with captain's pay. 

At one time during the war, he was or- 
dered to take a small squad of men, and 
go in search of cattle for beef, as it had been 
a long time the regiment had subsisted on 
salt meat and "hard tack." They travelled 
till nearly night before they got track of 
what they were in quest of, and they found 
themselves 25 miles from camp in the en- 
emy's territory. Being told a woman near 
by owned a fine flock of sheep, he took a 
couple of men and called on her. She 
with her two daughters sat on a rustic seat 
in a beautiful garden, surrounded with the 
appearances of wealth and luxury. He 
made known his errand, when out of her 
mouth poured a torrent of oaths and the 



744 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



coarsest invectives that he had ever heard 
a woman utter, abusing him and the Union 
army in general. A servant rode up on an 
elegant horse, and dismounting, asked his 
mistress " if she knew she was addressing 
Union officers?" She said she knew it 
very well. The Major informed her he 
came to buy her sheep, but as she had 
none to sell to " Union men," he should 
take them without if they suited him, and 
ordering one of his men to mount the 
horse her servant had just dismounted 
from, they rode otf", amid the hysterical 
screams of the mother and daughters. 
They camped for the night on an old planta- 
tion, about 2 miles from there, but had 
pickets out to keep an eye on the move- 
ments of the enemy. After all was quiet 
at the plantation, 200 mounted darkies 
came, and attempted to retake the widow's 
property, but at the first crack of a rifle, 
they " skedaddled." The Major got back 
to camp with 25 head of fat cattle, and pre- 
sented the beautiful pony to the Colonel. 

At another time there were 100 men 
sick, and the surgeon said they would all 
die unless they had milk. The Major was 
ordered to take 10 men and go and buy 
milk for the sick. They went to a planta- 
tion where 100 cows were kept, just as 
they were coming off the ranche to be 
milked. They asked to buy milk for sick 
soldiers. The surly old fellow said he had 
" no milk to sell Union soldiers." The 
Major went back, got a permit from the 
Provost Marshal, and was there early 
the next morning; selected 10 fine cows, 
and in spite of the old gentleman's pro- 
testing, drove them to camp. The sick 
had milk freely, and when they were or- 
dered to Florida, in 6 weeks from that 
time, every man but one was able to go. 
The Major turned over his dairy to the 
Provost Marshal, according to army regu- 
lations, and the surly old fellow who would 
not sell milk to sick soldiers, never re- 
covered his lost kine. 

So carefully did Major Spaulding look 
after the interests of the soldiers, he was 
called the father of the regiment. He is 
now living, hale and hearty, at the age of 
']'], and the oldest person living but one 



who was born in town, and has lived there 
the most part of his life. 

SAMUEL ROBERTSON, 

(BY OUAMEL RICHARDSON.) 

Son of Patrick and Elizabeth Robertson, 
natives of Scotland, was born in New 
London, Ct., Aug. 18, 1775. He lost his 
father when quite young. His mother 
married again, and lived in Stafford, Ct., 
where he lived till he came to this town. 
Aug. 1 80 1, he married Persis Richardson, 
of Tolland, Ct., and the next March they 
moved here, on to the place now owned 
by John Cumins, on East Hill. Their 
first business after getting settled was 
sugaring. They made 16 pounds, their 
stock of sugar for that year. 

There were only five or six families in 
that part of the town. Mr. Samuel Rich- 
ardson had a few years before begun a set- 
tlement in the extreme west part of the 
town, and that at this time was the "center" 
of civilization, and here Mr. Robertson 
taught a school during the winter of 
1802 and '3. The school-house was the 
first framed building in town, and stood 
very nearly where the Royal Batchelder 
house now does. He had 68 scholars, 
and the room being small, they were 
packed like " herrings in a box," and came 
from five or six miles around in different 
directions. He lived some 3 miles dis- 
tant, and walked to and from his school 
each day through the deep snows, with no 
track most of the way except what he made 
himself. He taught here two or three 
succeeding winters, and during the time 
moved into the school-house he had occu- 
pied, and lived there a few years, when he 
bought the land now owned by Hira G. 
Ellis, and made a permanent settlement, 
clearing up the forests and erecting com- 
fortable buildings. His house was on the 
old road leading by where Dea. W. I. 
Simonds and S. G. Stanton now live. He 
moved his buildings, about 1834, down on 
to the county road, where they now stand. 
Here he lived until within 12 years of his 
death. 

He possessed a vigorous mind, and was 
very fond of investigation and argument, 



ROXBURY. 



745 



especially on religious subjects. His house 
was known far and wide as the "minister's 
tavern," and ministers of all "evangelical 
sects" usuall}' made it their home when 
in that vicinity, and nothing suited him 
better than to have some stiff Baptist or 
Calvinist stop over night. On all such oc- 
casions, as soon as supper was over, chores 
done and candles lighted, the gauntlet was 
sure to be thrown down, and then came 
the " tug of war" — generally the old clock 
in the " square room" struck twelve before 
the battle ceased, and then only from ex- 
haustion, and never because either party 
considered themselves vanquished. He 
was a great reader, and never failed or 
feared to express his opinion on any sub- 
ject up for public discussion, and never 
failed to cast his vote every year after he 
attained his majority until his death. He 
was once in the state of New York, teach- 
ing, when an election occurred, and altho' 
but a temporary resident of the state, so 
great was his interest in the election, he 
purchased a piece of land for the sole pur- 
pose of being qualified to vote (a property 
qualification being then necessary in that 
state). 

He held many town offices in the early 
part of his life, but was rather too pro- 
nounced and positive in his opinions of 
men and measures to be "popular" in po- 
litical circles. He took an active part in 
the first temperance movement which agi- 
tated New England. He had previous to 
that time been a temperate user of ardent 
spirits, but when the subject was presented 
to him, he at once gave it his unqualified 
support, and conferring " not with flesh 
and blood," he banished every drop from 
his house, and going farther, he abandon- 
ed the use of tobacco, breaking a habit of 
30 years standing. 

There is an anecdote about his using 
tobacco : Some 60 years ago, Moses Claf- 
lin, a simple man who lived in this town, 
who occasionally made his home with Mr. 
R., one evening sat by the fire in a 
" brown study," and Esq. Roberston sat 
opposite, quietly chewing, and now and 
then spitting into the broad fireplace. At 
last Moses looked up and asked, "Squire, 



what did you learn to chew tobaker for?" 
Mr. Roberston replied, " Oh, so's to be a 
gentleman." Moses studied the matter a 
moment and with great gravity replied, 
" W'al, ye did'nt make out, did ye?" 

Mrs. Roberston died Dec, 1859, after a 
married life of almost 60 years, during 
which she had borne her full share of the 
duties and cares of their lot. 

Twice after they came to Vermont she 
made the journey to the home of her 
youth in Connecticut on horseback, a feat 
our lady equestrians of to-day would hardly 
care to undertake. 

Ever after the death of his wife, Mr. R. 
seemed to lose his hold of things earthly, 
and to be quietly waiting for the realiza- 
tion of the faith which had been an anchor 
to him and his comjianion during their 
long pilgrimage together. He was a life- 
long Christian. He maintained his mental 
faculties to a remarkable degree up to 
within a few weeks of his death, and was 
during his latter years very cheerful, very 
grateful for kindnesses he received, and at 
last passed away as an infant sinks to 
slumber, beloved by all who knew him, 
Sept. 6, 1872, aged 97 years, 19 days. 

Seth Richardson came here in 1802; 
settled near Braintree, in the south part of 
the town; died May 25, 1829, and Sarah, 
his wife, died July i, 1836. Their chil- 
dren were: Phila, Hannah, Joel, Alva. 

JosiAH Shaw came to town in 1800; 
lived in the East part, and was quite a 
prominent man. Henry Boyce, son of Dr. 
Boyce, was also a prominent man in the 
East part of the town. He died in i860. 

Jonathan F. Ruggles was a resident 
of the east part of the town, and perhaps 
no man enjoyed in a greater degree the 
confidence of his fellow-townsmen, there 
being no office of importance but he had 
at some time filled. He died in North- 
field. 

alvin brigham 
came here when a young man, about 
the year 1823, from Fayston. He was 
born in Old Marlborough, Mass., and a 
brother of Elisha Brigham (for whose bio- 
graphical sketch see Fayston, this vol.) 
Alvin Brigham married Flora Baxter, of 



94 



746 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Fayston. They moved on to the present 
Wetmore place. He was a man scrupu- 
lously honest, a leader in the church, and 
for many years leader of the choir. They 
had 9 children. 

The eldest son, Ozro, fell in the last 
war. Don, the youngest son, served 
through the rebellion, but died a short 
time after his return. Bravely like a true 
soldier he yielded up his young life with- 
out a murmur, when life was fairest ; ere 
the clouds had dimmed the horizon of his 
sky, bade them all- his dear ones — a 
smiling "good-bye," and went out into 
the great " unknown." 

Two other children died during an ep- 
idemic of fever — Flora Ann, i8, and Al- 
phonso, 14 years of age. One son and 
three daughters now reside in Lowell, 
Mass., and the second son, William, lives 
in the edge of Northfield. Mr. Brigham 
was a great sufferer for several years be- 
fore his death. When the summons came, 
and told he might live an hour, he said, 
"O! can I wait so long before I shall.be 
with my Father?" He died in 1871 ; his 
wife survived him only a few months. 

EBENEZER L. WATERMAN 

is one of the early — not earliest — settlers. 
He came from Connecticut, as did most of 
them, but when he was very small. He 
has been a great musician in his day, and 
people are scarce in Central Vermont who 
have not heard of " LIncle Eb." Waterman 
and his violin. And even now, when he 
is between 80 and 90 years of age, the 
young people delight to gather in " Uncle 
Eb.'s" ample kitchen, and " tri^D the light 
fantastic toe," or listen to the still sweet 
strains of his old violin. At the age of 45 he 
married a wife of 18. They had 6 children. 
Bert Waterman, leader of the Howard 
Opera House Orchestra at Burlington, is 
his only living son, and probably has not 
his peer in the State as violin player. 

ORCUTT FAMILY. 
Capt. Job came from Stafford, Conn., in 
1803; was a carpenter by trade. He set- 
tled on the high lands then, and for many 
years, the centre of the town. He had 7 
sons and 4 daughters. 



Samuel M. Orcutt, with whom he 
spent his declining years, was one of the 
stirring business men of those times, hold- 
ing various important ofifices from time to 
time. He was town clerk for 20 years, 
and town meetings were held at his house 
for a long time. At the time of the " in- 
vasion " at Plattsburgh in 1812, he went 
out as Captain of Roxbury Co. (said com- 
pany including every man in town except- 
ing Samuel Richardson, who much re- 
gretted that he was too aged, and Job 
Orcutt, a lame man.) Capt. Samuel Or- 
cutt married Mary Buel, of Lebanon, Conn., 
and the bride came to her new home on 
horseback. They reared a family of 7 
boys and 2 girls. The eldest daughter 
married Wm. Gold, of Northfield, where 
she now resides. 

Samuel A. received an injury while 
assisting at a "raising," from a falling 
timber, from which he never recovered. 
He died in 1835. 

Benjamin F. went to Michigan just pre- 
vious to the Mexican war ; enlisted and 
served through the war ; returned to Kal- 
amazoo, Mich., where he was eletted 
county sheriflT, and filled that office many 
years. When the rebellion broke out, he 
again enlisted, and went out as Lieut. Col. 
of the 25th Mich. Reg't., serving under 
Gen. Sherman until the war was over, 
when he returned to Kalamazoo, and was 
again elected high sheriff, and Dec. 12, 
1867, was fatally shot, while on official 
duty, by a desperado who was trying to 
assist prisoners to escape from the jail. 
He died in the prime of a noble manhood, 
^ged 53. James, 3cl son, died when quite 
young. 

Orrin has lived in town most of the 
time since his birth. He has been sheriff 
and deputy 25 years; postmaster 26 years, 
occupying that position at the present 
time. 

Wm. B. has always resided in his native 
town ; has 3 times represented the town in 
the legislature, and 2 years been county 
judge. 

Stephen P. remained at the old family 
homestead many years, but now resides in 
Northfield. The aged mother spent her 



ROXBURY. 



747 



last days with him, dying, at the age of 
96, in 1879. Jasper H. was the 7th son. 
He moved to Northfield. 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

No. I district, in the east part of the 
town, was set off in 1801, then known as 
Daniel Kingsbury district, afterwards as 
Wales district, No. i. In 1802 a district 
was set off in the N. W. part of the town, 
where Samuel Richardson now lives, known 
as N. West district. No. 2. In 1805, an- 
other district was formed in the S. E. part 
of the town, known as David Cram's dis- 
trict. No. 3. The same year it was voted 
all the inhabitants not in regular districts 
should form one district. No. 4. There 
have been alterations from year to year 
and new districts organized. There are 
now II districts and logood school-houses 
in town. 

The number of scholars in 1807 were 
108; 1811, 104; 1816, 157; 1831,431; 
1849,418; 1850, 351; i860, 336; 1880, 
251 ; the average since 18 16 to 1881, 340 
scholars yearly. 

EARLY TAVERNS AND LATER HOTELS. 

The first tavern in town was where 
Conway now lives, what is known as the 
"Rood place," John Stafford, proprietor. 
The next was kept by Darius Spaulding, 
where Frank Snow now lives. John Spaul- 
ding kept the third hotel, opposite where 
Mr. Pearsons now lives, on the mountain 
road. 

In East Roxbury, Stillman Ruggles, 
E. B. Pride, Samuel P. Wales, Shubael 
Wales, Alpheus Kendall, kept a public 
house on the Samuel Edwards place. 

The Summit House, built in 1822, by 
John Spaulding, and occupied by him, 
has been kept by Stephen Fuller, Chester 
Clark, Page J. C. Rice, E. G. Sanborn, 
Van Ness Spaulding, Edwin Ferris, James 
P. Warner, Thomas Wilson, E. N. Spaul- 
ding, Spaulding & Colby, Spaulding & 
Nichols, Warner & Spaulding, Mrs. J. P. 
Warner, present proprietor, and D. A. 
Spaulding. 

EARLY MERCHANTS. 

The first in town was Asa Taylor, near 
where E. N. Spaulding's steam-mill stands. 



The next was Robertson & Orcutt, who 
also had a potash run, and manufactured 
salts. Allen Spaulding, Orrin Orcutt, were 
the next in order among the first settlers. 
Partridge built the store where the post- 
office now is, and occupied it for several 
years. Then Brackett & Thorp, E. N. 
Spaulding, Benjamin Spear, Seth Holman 
and J. A. White, Union Store. 

CEMETERIES. 

In 1804, the town laid out three bvu-ying- 
grounds ; one in the west part of the town, 
on Uriah Richardson's farm, near where 
O. A. Staples now lives; one in the east 
part of the town, on the road from Roxbury 
to Braintree, near where Mr. Bowman now 
lives, and one in the centre of the town, 
on the Billa Woodard farm. Some years 
later another was located on the Haynes 
farm — the lot given by the Haynes family, 
and the only one in use at the present 
time in the west part of the town. There 
was also one laid out in the east part of 
the town, near the Henry Boyce place, 
about the same time. Albert Averill has 
been sexton for many years. 

EPIDEMICS. 

This has ever been called a healthful 
locality, and with good reason, yet at dif- 
ferent times it has been visited by epidem- 
ics. The dysentery swept through the 
town, carrying off many victims, in 1823. 
The diphtheria has appeared at different 
times in epidemic form, and desolated 
many homes. 

PHYSICIANS 

who have lived here : John Stafford was 
the first. How well versed in the science 
of medicine he may have been there is no 
record ; but there is no doubt but he dealt 
out "pills and potions" to the early set- 
tlers with a generous hand, to say nothing 
of cupping, blistering and bleeding. 

Next came Dr. David McClure, from 
Stafford, Conn., the father of Mrs. John 
Spaulding, who remained in town during 
the rest of his life. 

Dr. Hunter lived several years where E. 
L. Waterman now lives, and was consid- 
ered a skillful physician, as was Dr. Boyce, 
of the East part, who practiced there at the 
same time. 



748 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



For several years there was no physician 
in town. Dr. White came for a few 
months, in 1868, and Dr. S. N. Welch in 
1870, and remained a few years, building 
the house where Mr. Frink now lives, and 
he had a very good practice. 

Dr. George Maloy, of Montpelier, was 
the next. He was a student of Dr. Wood- 
ard, of Montpelier, but remained only a 
few months. 

Dr. Ira H. Fiske came from Hardwick 
in 1878, and is the only physician in town 
at the present time, and is the only hom- 
oeopathic physician that ever settled in 
town, and has been very successful. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Samuel Richardson built the first saw 
and grist-mill in town, i-i miles from the 
village, on the Warren road. He after- 
wards built another on the west branch of 
Dog River, about half a mile from the vil- 
lage. Elijah Ellis built a saw and clover- 
mill in 1818, where S. N. Miller's carriage 
shop now is. The clover-mill was swept 
away by freshet in 1830; the saw-mill had 
the same fate in 1832 ; latter was rebuilt. 

John McNeal erected a frame for a saw- 
mill in the " four mile woods," on a branch 
of Dog River, in 1825, Samuel Orcutt fin- 
ished it, and it done good business until 
1830; it was swept away by a freshet, 
which seemed the common fate of mills of 
those days. David Wellington built a 
saw-mill in 1825, near where E. N. Spaul- 
ding's steam-mill now stands. 

Charles Colton put a grist-mill into the 
same building shortly afterwards. Amos 
Wellington built a saw-mill on the West 
hill in 1839, now owned by Asahel Flint. 
Josiah Shaw built a clover-mill on east 
branch of Dog River, in the East part of 
the town. 

John M. Spaulding, in 1822, built a saw- 
mill near the Richardson grist-mill, and 
another, several years afterwards, in the 
village, now owned by J. G. Hall. 

John Prince built a saw-mill, in 1849, 
near where Spaulding's mill now stands, 
and also manufactured butter-tubs, now 
owned by E. P. Burnham for a clap-board 
mill. 

Samuel Robertson and Leicester Davis 



erected a building in 1820, on the farm 
where W. I. Simonds now lives, for the 
purpose of manufacturing wooden bowls 
and plates. But it did not prove a success 
and was given up in a few years. Jotham 
Ellis built a mill in 18 — for manufacturing 
wooden boxes, clothes-pins, turning bed- 
posts, &c. Later it was used by Siloam 
Spaulding for a carriage shop, and by 
Philander Wiley for turning, &c. 

Stillman Ruggles built a carriage shop 
in the east part of the town in 1830, and 
carried on the carriage business until 1850. 
Samuel Ruggles and S.N. Miller carried 
on the same business there afterwards. 

S. N. Miller commenced carriage-mak- 
ing near the Elijah Ellis saw-mill in i860, 
and still continues at the business there. 

Howard Warriner had a cabinet-shop in 
the south-east part of the town, and Mr. 
Wright built a saw-mill on the same stream 
west of Warriner's shop. 

Luther and David Ellis built a saw-mill 
on the middle branch of Dog river in 1850 ; 
Laban Webster & F. A. Wiley on middle 
branch of Dog river in 1869; Ebenezer 
Brackett in the south part of the town in 
1848; sold to Thomas Gushing, of Dover, 
N. H. A vast amount of bridge timber, 
plank and ties were sawed here for the Vt. 
Central when being built. E. N. Spaul- 
ding and Samuel R. Batchelder built a 
steam-mill in the south-west part of the 
town in 1849. Henry Smith built a saw- 
mill on "Tracy Hill" in 1823; burned in 
1835; Joseph Wardner a saw and grist- 
mill in the east part of the town, now 
owned by Jacob Wardner, and Bezaleel 
Spaulding a saw-mill on his farm in 1848. 

Benjamin H. Warriner built a shop near 
the "old Hutchinson place" in 1829, for 
the manufacture of sleighs, chairs and 
furniture of all kinds, and in 1835 P"t in 
machinery for manufacturing window-sash, 
blinds, etc. 

James Cram built a saw-mill on the 
brook above the Hutchinson place m 1830. 

Daniel Kingsley commenced wool card- 
ing in 1800, in the east part of the town. 

Harrison and Charles Fields built a 
steam saw-mill about a mile below E. N. 
Spaulcfing's in , and after carrying on 



ROXBURY. 



749 



an extensive business for two years, moved 
it to Richmond. 

E. N. Spaulding's steam saw-mill, built 
in 1866, has turned off yearly an average 
of 1,500,000 feet of lumber. He has also 
manufactured croquet to a considerable 
extent. 

William Bruce & Sons built a steam- 
mill in the south part of the town in 1877. 
It was burned in 1880, and rebuilt. This 
mill, as well as E. N. Spaulding's, has fur- 
nished employment for a great many hands. 
Ira Williams & Victor Spear are now 
erecting a steam saw-mill in the south-east 
part of the town. 

Dan Tarbell erected a steam saw-mill 
near the railroad crossing in the village in 
1 88 1, not yet thorougly completed. 

Charles Samson owned a distillery and 
manufactured potato whisky on the west 
hill, near what is now called "Wetmore 
place." 

Biila Woodard manufactured saddle- 
trees several years, and Eleazer Woodard 
later carried on the same business. 

Ephraim Morris & Nathan Kendall 
owned a tannery at the foot of East Hill, 
on land now owned by Wm. B. Orcutt. 
They carried on the business only a few 
years . 

In 1853, immense veins of 

VERD ANTIQUE MARBLE 

were discovered. A large building was 
erected, with steam power for working the 
marble. It was found to be very beauti- 
ful, and capable of receiving a high polish. 
Monuments, tables, mantels, etc., man- 
ufactured were extremely beautiful, but the 
company became involved jn debt, and 
the property was sold in 1856, to pay 
'liabilities. It was purchased by an asso- 
ciation under the name of " Verd Antique 
Marble Company," for the amount pre- 
viously expended. It was then managed 
by a joint stock company, but finally sus- 
pended business in 1857. 

THE WATCH FACTORY 

was built in 1867. It is located in a lovely 
and picturesque place, a short distance 
west from the depot. 12 hands are now 
employed there. Aug. i, 1879, a partner- 
ship was formed, under the title, "J. G. 



Hall Mfg. Co.," between J. G. Hall and 
his son, F. W. Hall, for the manufacture 
of watchmakers' tools, principally a " Stak- 
ing Tool," the invention of J. G. Hall, 
which meets with a ready sale, owing to 
.the very fine workmanship and correctness 
exercised in their manufacture, they being 
worthless unless exact. These tools are 
in use in nearly every State in the Union, 
and also in Canada, France and England. 
They also manufacture a variety of small 
tools for watch-repairers' use. The Co. 
had a sample of their tools on exhibition 
at the State Fair in 1880, receiving the 
only gold medal awarded in Mechanics' 
Hall. 

THE FIRST MAIL ROUTE 

through Roxbury was up the first branch 
of White river from W. Randolph, through 
Braintree and Kingston (now Granville), 
up the old road to John Spaulding's hotel, 
near the Royal Batchelder place. John 
Spaulding was postmaster. Guy Edson 
carried the first mail in 1826. It being 
known the mail was to arrive at such a 
time, there was a great gathering and re- 
joicing, and a little new rum as a matter 
of course. The route continued down the 
old road east to Elijah Ellis' (now Mrs. 
Brackett's) , thence north by the old Joseph 
Hixon place, Samuel Robertson's, John 
Paine's, Nathan Haynes', and then on to 
the hill near where Clark Wiley now lives, 
to Northfield. The mail run that way 
until about 1830. In 1828, the county 
road from Northfield line to Granville, 
through Roxbury village, was surveyed by 
David M. Lane, county surveyor. In 
1830, John Spaulding having built the 
Summit House, where the village now is, 
the mail commenced running on that road, 
with a daily stage of 4 or 6-horse coach 
for some years ; then the stage and mail 
went from West Randolph through East 
Roxbury to Northfield, and the mail was 
carried to West Randolph and back with a 
horse and gig until the railroad was built 
in 1848. The cars came to Roxbury 40 
days before the road was completed to 
Northfield, making it a very lively busi- 
ness place. Teams from as far as Bur- 
lington for freight, 6 and 8-horse teams. 



75° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



making it very profitable for inn-keepers 
those days. 

OUR LARGE CATAMOUNT. 

A large catamount was killed in town in 
1823. Allen Spaulding gives this account. 
He had been calling on his sweetheart, 
who lived near the " Leonard place." The 
fair Hattie was the best of company, and 
he could hardly credit his senses when he 
started for home and saw the rosy morn- 
ing peeping over the eastern hills. Ashe 
was making rapid strides on, he noticed 
the huge track of some animal in the new 
snow, and the track seemed a new one. 
He examined it closely, and came to the 
conclusion it was a bear track, and thought 
he would get help and capture him. Jo- 
seph Batchelder and himself followed the 
trail all day, but without once getting a 
glimpse of " the bear," and Batchelder 
gave it up in disgust. Spaulding, how- 
ever, renewed the pursuit the next morn- 
ing, accompanied by Capt. Young, who 
had quite an exalted opinion of his own 
prowess and skill in hunting, of bears, es- 
pecially. They struck a new track in the 
light snow, and followed it to a ledge op- 
posite the old steam-mill. Matters were 
becoming quite interesting, but "Capt. 
Sip." declared "by the gods he never 
was afraid of a bear, and if Spaulding 
would go one way he would go the other, 
and start him out," but he took another 
look at the huge track, and his ardor 
cooled a little. He concluded they had 
better keep together. They had not pro- 
ceeded far when they heard a fierce growl 
and a bound, and saw the leaves flying in 
every direction, but by the time they had 
got around the ledge, the animal was out 
of sight, making 20 feet at a leap. Spaul- 
ding thought it could never be a bear, but 
" by the gods it zj," persisted Capt. 
Sip., " and a regular old long fellow, too." 
They followed on till dusk, and gave up 
the chase for that day. The next morn- 
ing tracks were seen near Billa Woodard's, 
on East Hill, and James McNeil, Charles 
Ellis, Ira Spaulding and Orrin Orcutt 
started in pursuit. Charles Ellis getting 
a glimpse of the hunted animaPs tawny 
coat, declared, "the dog had a fox up a 



tree." They soon found they had a rather 
different foe to meet, and that without 
rifles. They had only shot-guns loaded 
with slugs to contend with a huge cata- 
mount, but they gave him a salute from 
two or three, breaking his shoulder, and 
down the fierce animal came, about 20 feet, 
caught on a limb, ran up again, turning on 
his pursuers with open mouth, preparing 
for a spring. One of the party gave him a 
charge of "chain-links" in the open 
mouth, when he turned and jumped the 
other way, tearing huge splinters from a 
fallen tree and the earth up around him in 
every direction in his death agonies. He 
was the largest catamount ever killed in the 
State previous to the one killed in Barnard 
the present season. They were of the 
same length and height, but the last killed 
was several pounds heavier. He was sold 
at auction to Orrin Orcutt, prepared for 
and kept on exhibition until every one had 
seen him in this vicinity, and then sold to 
Mr. Ralph, of Warren, a man in poor 
health and indigent circumstances, who 
made quite a fortune taking him about the 
country. 

About this time there was also a moose 
killed near the old pond, the man who was 
so fortunate being very destitute. The 
meat (he was a large fellow), was a per- 
fect " God-send " to his family. 
CHURCH HISTORY 

is very meagre here. There have been no 
records kept of the early churches. The 
Methodist and Calvinist Baptist seem to 
have been first organized. The first min- 
ister publicly ordained in town was 
jOPHIR shipman. 
The charter of the town allowed the first 
ordained minister a lot of land, and Rev. 
Lyman Culver was privately ordained, and 
claimed the lot, it is said, but there was 
great dissatisfaction. Mr. O. Richardson 
says they came to his uncle, Samuel Rob- 
ertson, in the night to let him know it, 
and he went to Northfield after 12 o'clock 
at night, and the next day Rev. Ophir 
Shipman was ordained. 

BAPTISTS. 

Rev. Lyman Culver was one of the 
earliest Baptist preachers (probably the 



ROXBURY. 



751 



first), and resided in town several years. 
Friend Blood and Jehial Claflin preached 
considerably from 1835 to '45. A good 
old Baptist lady was " churched ''' for com- 
muning with the Methodists, and she with 
several others joined the Congregational- 
ists about this time. 

There was a Calvinistic Baptist church 
in town many years, but I find no record 
of it now. Mrs. Woodard is the only 
member of the Baptist church left in town. 
A great revival was brought about in that 
church in this manner. A little girl over- 
heard her mother and a neighbor talking 
of the necessity for a Christian life, and 
the beauty and purity of a true Christian 
character, and was so deeply impressed 
that she went to praying earnestly in se- 
cret, and came out a shining light, leading 
others of her companions to do likewise, 
until it spread into the most extended re- 
vival ever in town. 

METHODISTS IN ROXBURV. 

As early as 1813, how much earlier I am 
unable to say, the Methodists held their 
meetings at Eleazer Woodard's and David 
Young's. Benjamin F. Hoyt preached in 
1813, Joel Winch from 1820 to '30, E. J, 
Scott in 1830, '2^, John Smith, called 
Happy John, in 1834, and Hollis Kendall, 
a native of Roxbury, preached here sev- 
eral years. He moved to Maine, and died 
there a few years since. Ariel Fay and 
John Mason preached here at different 
times. None of these, with the exception 
of Hollis Kendall, lived in town. Those 
early Methodists are nearly all gone to 
their reward. Phineas Wiley, or " Father " 
Wiley, as he was called for years, died in 
188 1. I think he was the last member of 
the first Methodist church formed in town. 
The first meeting house was built in 1837, 
a union church. 

CONGRfiGATIONALISTS. 
Of the Congregationalist ministers who 
preached here in the early times were Rev. 
Mr. Hobart, of Berlin, Elijah Lyman, of 
Brookfield, Ammi Nichols, of Braintree, 
as early as 18 14, and meetings were held 
at Samuel Robertson's and at the old 
school-house that stood north of where 
O. A. Staples now lives. 



THE FREE CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 
was organized about 1837, by Rev. Ammi 
Nichols, of Braintree, and what remained 
of the Methodists and most of the Baptist 
church joined with them, but they never 
had a settled minister* until 1865, when 
Rev. A. Ladd was ordained and installed 
pastor, and remained here until the au- 
tumn of 1879. They built a pleasant and 
convenient house of worship in 1871. 
Samuel Edwards and W. I. Simonds are 
the only deacons ever chosen, both of 
whom now officiate. 

A Christian Church was organized in 
the east part of the town in 1868. Rev. 
Henry Howard is present pastor (1882). 

Rev. Edward Brown, Universalist, 
lived in town several years, where John 
Baird now resides, and preached a part of 
the time. 

The different religious organizations of 
this town have been : Congregationalist, 
Methodist, Episcopal, Free Will Baptist, 
Calvinist Baptist, Christian, Universalist 
and Spiritualist. 

Golden Weddings.— I learn of two 
having been celebrated in this town, that 
of Mr. and Mrs. James Wiley, in 1871, 
and Mr. and Mrs. Otis Batchelder in 1880. 

accidental and sudden deaths and 
suicides. 

BY ZED. S. STANTOK, ESQ. 

Joseph Batchelder drowned July 14, 
1822. 

Uriah Richardson died from injuries re- 
ceived while chopping, Jan. 21, 1831. 

Alvah Henry, killed by the fall of a tree 
June 28, 1831. 

Mrs. Belcher, suicide by hanging, about 
1831. 

Charles Webster, killed by being thrown 
from a wagon, Nov. 5, 1834. 

Shubael Wales, suicide by shooting. 
Mar. 18, 1843. 

David Dexter, supposed to have wan- 
dered away in a state of insanity and died 
of exposure, about 1843. 

Royal Flint, frozen to death, Jan. 22, 
1846. 

A man named Jackson was killed by the 
prem.ature discharge of a blast, at the time 



752 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the Central Vermont Railroad was in pro- 
cess of construction, Jan. 25, 1846. 

An Irisliman, name unknown, died of 
exposure in the summer of 1847. 

A young man, name unknown, was 
drowned in wliat is now known as Hall's 
Pond, about 1848. 

Lewis Hutchinson, killed by the fall of a 
tree, Jan. 26, 1850. 

Charles Green, suicide, by shooting, in 

1854. 

Lutheria Spaulding, aged 5 years, killed 
by falUng beneath a loaded wagon, Aug. 
5, 1854. 

Joseph Paine, 

Peter S. P. Staples, found dead in the 
woods, Sept. 27, 1856. 

John Campbell, died by poison taken 
accidentally, Apr. 13, 1861. 

Delia Green, found dead, Aug. 17, 
1867. 

A. E. Stockwell, a railroad brakeman, 
killed Nov. 12, 1870. 

Peter Shinah, killed by cars June 29, 
1870. 

Isaac A. Flint, suicide by cutting his 
throat, about 1870. 

Mrs. Plurinna Erskine, suicide by hang- 
ing, Sept. 8, 1872. 

Buel Gold, suicide by hanging, Aug. 
29, 1876. 

Clarence Tracy, a child, death caused 
by scalding, Sept. 26, 1876. 

A Central Vermont Railroad brakeman 
named Sharrow, killed by falling beneath 
the cars, Feb. 5, 188 1. 

A wood chopper named Fox, killed by 
a falling tree, Feb. 21, 1881. 

OLD PEOPLE OF ROXBURV, LIVING 1 882. 

Betsey G. Spalding 90 

J. L. York 84 

Jotham Ellis Ti 

Samuel Edwards 72 

Sylvester E. Spalding 72 

Paulina E . Spalding 70 

Allen Spalding 'j'] 

Seth Bruce 83 

Polly Gould 78 

Moses L. Metcalf 84 

Saul Morgan 81 

John T. Rood 81 

Clark Wiley 70 

George B. Stanton 72 

Nancy Hutchinson 73 

Jonas G. Sanders 72 



Milly Ellis -j-j 

Ervilla Steel 75 

George Erskine 78 

Hiram Walbridge 76 

E. L. Waterman 83 

Adaline Batchelder "jt, 

Maria Davis 70 

Sarah Flint 74 

Sarah E. Woodward 70 

Peter Provo 78 

Adaline Provo 78 

Betsey Rich 85 

Orrin B. Clark 75 

Sophia Wiley 75 

Oramel Williams 82 

Aphia Williams 80 

Hannah Knowles ']'] 

Han nah York 78 

Sally Fletcher 71 

Almond Mclntire 74 

Edmond Darling 70 

Alvira Darling 'jt, 

Lucy Steel 76 

Mary Boyce 78 

Aura Woodward 70 

ROXBURY BOYS ABROAD. 

Andrew Stanton, a graduate of Tufts 
College, is now " principal" in the academy 
at Stoughton, Mass. Will Snow gradua- 
ted at Hanover, and is now a civil engi- 
neer in Montana. 

There are a good many graduates of the 
Normal school in town. Will Simonds was 
one, who is now teaching near Chicago, 
111. 

Lucius Jenney went from this town, 
about 20 years ago, to Middlesex, and 
from there to Omaha, Neb., and now oc- 
cupies the position of R. R. Master on 
the Union Pacific R. R. 

Benj. J. Ellis went from here when a 
very young man, enlisted and served 
through the Mexican war ; after its close 
went to Chicago, 111., and took up the pro- 
fession of law. He has assisted in organ- 
izing and sustaining several mission 
schools, some of them now flourishing 
churches, and he often supplies the pulpit, 
as well as pleads at the Bar. 

S. G. Stanton went to Nebraska in 1879, 
and is engaged in building a railroad on 
the Union Pacific. Mr. Stanton was an 
active business man. 

Mr. O. Richardson moved to Belling- 
ham, Mass., in '78. Is engaged in the 
mercantile business. He had been organ- 



ROXBURY. 



753 



ist and leader of the choir at the Union 
church for 20 years when he left town. 
He was an adopted son of Samuel Rich- 
ardson, with whom Mr. R. spent his de- 
clining years. 

John Webster, of east part of town, 
went to California in '57, has been success- 
ful in business, and amassed c|uite a for- 
tune, z. s. s. 

Will R. Mansfield, at the age of 20, 
took his small valise in hand and started 
for the "far west." He stopped a few 
weeks in Nebraska as telegraph operator 
on the B. & M. R. R. He then accepted 
the position of baggage-master and tele- 
graph operator on a new branch of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe R. R., 
through New Mexico, and served 2 months, 
when he was invited to dine with an old 
Spaniard at Los Vegas, for whom he had 
done some slight service, and started to 
return to Grenada, Col. in the caboose 
that was sent ahead of President Hayes 
and his escort, on their way from Califor- 
nia, to see that the road was clear. The 
party in the " caboose" had been "looking 
upon the wine when it was red," and when 
the "caboose" gave a great bound, and 
any sober person must have known there 
was some obstruction, they declared there 
was "nothing wrong," nor would they 
stop to see whether there was or not. 
So this Vermont boy turned the brake, 
caught a lantern and jumped off, and upon 
examination, several feet of rails were 
gone, and he had nothing to do there in 
the wilds of N. M. but wait for the train, 
and this was. not a pleasant task as the 
coyotes began to gather from every direc- 
tion. This was his first experience of the 
kind, and grim terror seized him, quick as 
a flash, he sprang up a telegraph-pole close 
at hand, and sitting astride the cross-bar, 
watched the howling pack, thinking all the 
while what an excellent mark he would be 
for an Indian, and it was far from being an 
agreeable thought. At last the train came 
up and he clambered down from his perch, 
gave a great shout at the wolves and swung 
his lantern to stop the train. The wolves 
scattered, and the train had to stop for re- 
pairs. For this act of faithfulness, he was 



promoted at once to conductor, and has 
occupied that position until the present 
time. s. B. M. 

roxbury''s military record. 

BY ZED S. STANTON, ESQ. 

Among the early settlers of Roxbury 
were doubtless several who served during 
the Revolutionary War, but just what 
number it is impossible to determine. 
Samuel Richardson, the first settler in the 
westerly part of this town, was a veteran 
of that war, having served one-half the 
time during the entire contest. He came 
to Roxbury in 1790! Mr. Richardson was 
born at Stafford, Conn., June 15, 1750, 
and died at Roxbury, in 1822. 

Capt. Benjamin Samson, who came here 
in 1810, was also a Revolutionary soldier, 
and participated in the battles of Lexing- 
ton and Bunker Hill. He rang the church 
bell to arouse the minute men on Lexing- 
ton green, on the memorable 19th of April, 
1775- 

BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG. 

On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10, 
1 8 14, a company, consisting of all the 
able-bodied men in town, under command 
of Capt. Samuel M. Orcutt, left Roxbury 
for the purpose of assisting in repelling the 
British invasion of our Northern borders. 
All the following Sunday those who were 
left at home heard the distant roar of 
cannon, and supposed that their loved 
ones were engaged in battle with the 
foreign foe. But the men of Roxbury did 
not arrive at Plattsburg until Monday 
evening, Sept. 12, and the fighting was 
then over. They returned to their homes 
Friday, Sept. 16, 18 14. 

roxbury company for PLATTSBURG. 

Capt. Samuel M. Orcutt; Lieut. Gilbert 
R.Spalding; Ensign Billa Woodard ; Ser- 
geants Joel Hildreth, Enos Young, Jona- 
than Cram, Charles Samson; Corporals 
James Woolfe, Philip Cram, Dan Lord, 
John Paine ; Drummer Jonathan Nutting ; 
Fifer Bezalleel Spaldmg. 

Privates Benj. Samson, Darius Spal- 
ding, Robert Cram, Samuel Ford, Aiding 
Loomis, Ambrose Hutchinson, John Bald- 
win, Truman Peterson, John M. Spalding, 



95 



754 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Gideon Flint, Peter S. P. Staples, Abra- 
ham Z. Haynes, John Wilcox, Timothy 
Emerson, Joseph Hixon, Samuel Robert- 
son, Darius Spalding, Elisha Wilcox, Eli- 
jah Ellis. 

There is on file in the Adjutant's Gen- 
eral's office at Montpelier an affidavit made 
by the captain and ensign of said company, 
Mar. 6, 1850, stating the main facts in re- 
gard to the company going to Plattsburg, 
and also that parties from other towns 
joined their company, and that none of 
the officers or men of said company ever, 
to the knowledge of the said captain or 
ensign, received any compensation for 
their services on that occasion. Of this 
company of men only one is now living 
(Feb. 6, 1882), that one being Philip 
Cram, who resides in Brookfield. 

ROXBURY SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF '6l. 

Chauncey M. Allen, C, ist Vt. Cavalry; 
mustered out Nov. 18, '64. 

Corp. Frank O. Allen, B, 4th; must, out 
Apr. 12, '65. 

Franklin Anos, H, 6th ; dis. Mar 25, '65. 

James Bailey, H, 6th; died Oct. 22, '62. 

Henry M". Barrington, I, 9th, died Oct. 
6, '62. 

Byron A. Batchelder, K, 3d; died at Wash- 
ington, D. C, May 30, '64. 

Harrison Bean, I, i ith ; mustered out June 

24. '65. 

Allen J. Bennett, C, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 
Nov. 21, 62. 

John Benjamin, C, ist Vt. Cav. ; sick and 
absent from regt. Nov. 18, '64, is last 
report on Adjutant General's report. 

Joseph Benjamin, H, 6th ; dis. June i, '63. 

Beman H. Campbell, H, 6th; must, out 
May 22, '65. 

Marshall Chaffee, H, 6th; dis. May 15, '63. 

Frank Clukey, K, 7th ; died July 22, '62. 

Anson P. Coburn, I, nth; mustered out 
June 24, '65. 

Patrick Clukey, G, 8th ; mustered out June 
22, '64. 

Andrew J. Cross, ist S. S., F; trans, to 
invalid corps Sept. i, '63. 

Henry A. Cross, K, 7th; died at Carrol- 
ton, La., Nov. 30, '62. 

Martin Cross, K, 3d ; must, out July 27, '64. 



Joseph Currier, G, 8th ; mustered out June 

28, '65. 
Thomas Daniels, H, 6th; killed at battle 

of Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Capt. David B. Davenport, H, 6th; died 

Sept. 20, '62. 
Henry D. Davenport, H, 6th; dis. Nov. 

30, '62. 
Peter Deott, K,4th ; deserted Dec. 10, '62. 
Lieut. Eri L. Ditty, H, 6th ; mustered out 

June 26, '65. 
John Q. A. Ditty, F, 2d; trans, to invalid 

corps July 30, '63. 
Ralph Ditty, F, 2d ; must, out June 29, '64. 
John W. Dunton, K, 7th ; dis. Feb. 25, '63. 
David Ellis, E, 3d ; must, out July 27, '64. 
Lorenzo Ellis, I, nth ; mustered out June 

24, '65. 
Samuel R. Ellis, H, 6th ; dis. July 7, '62. 
John M. Ferris, B, 6th ; must, out June 

26, '65. 
Lieut. Amasa W. Ferry, F, 2d ; discharged 

Jan. 4, '65. 
Gideon E. Fletcher, I, 9th; deserted July 

20, '62. 
Royal Flint, H, 6th ; died June 15, '62. 
Victor Goodrich, F, 2d ; killed at battle of 

Bull Run, July 21, '61. 
Dan. A. Grant, H, 6th; dis. Nov. 16, '62. 
Willis Grant, H, 6th ; transferred to invalid 

corps Dec. i, '63. 
James Hall, K, 7th ; died July 24, '62. 
Samuel A. Hayward, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 

July 24, '62. 
Walter R. Hayward, E, ist Vt. Cav ; must. 

out Aug. 9, '65. 
James C. Hutchinson, H, 2d; killed at 

Charlotte, Va., Aug. 16, "64. 
Corp. Stearns S. Hutchinson, F, 2d; 

must, out June 29, '64. 
Stephen H. Jones, G, 8th ; mustered out 

June 28, '65. 
Leland Kimball, K, 8th ; died at New Or- 
leans, La., Sept. 16, '62. 
Mason Knapp, K, 7th ; re-enlisted, is the 

last entry of Adjutant General's report. 
Carlos Lafaty, K, 7th ; dis. Sept. 27, '64. 
Joseph Lavalle, H, 6th ; mustered out June 

26, '65. 
Henry Lock, H, 6th ; mustered out Aug. 

2, '65. 



ROXBURY. 



755 



Alexis Martell, I, nth ; mustered out June 
24, '65. 

Frank E. Martell, H, 6th; mustered out 
July 7, '65. 

Corp. Samuel Maxham,2dS. S., E; killed 
at battle of Wilderness, May 6, "64. 

Henry Morfit, K, 7th ; died at New Or- 
leans, La., Nov. 16, '62. 

Russell Morfit, K, 7th ; died at Fort Pick- 
ens, Fla., May 5, '63. 

Capt. Patrick Murphy, H, 6th ; mustered 
out June 26, '65. 

Lieut. Thomas Murphy, H, 6th ; mustered 
out Oct. 28, '64. 

William Murphy, H, 6th ; died Oct. 25, '62. 

Carlos Nedo, K, 7th ; dis. Sept. 27, '64. 

Langdon H. Nichols, C, istVt.Cav; died 
July 27, '62. 

Abial Patch, H, 6th ; dis. Dec. 28, '63. 

Calvin B. Phillips, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis- 
charged May 22, '62. 

Edmund Pope, Jr., E, ist Vt. Cav. ; died 
Dec. 14, '64. 

James Putney, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

William Ouimby, K, 7th ; died at New 
Orleans, Oct. 16, '62. 

Felix Quinn, I, 9th ; must, out June 13, '65. 

Eli Rich, K, 3d ; died Nov. i, '62. 

John E. Rich, K, 7th ; died July 18, '62. 

Geo. C. Richardson, H, 6th; died at Fred- 
erick City, Md., Dec. g, '62. 

Harrison A. E. Richardson, H, 6th ; must, 
out Oct. 28, '64. 

Lafayette Richardson, H, 6th; discharged 
Nov. 24, '62. 

Samuel Richardson, H, 6th ; died at Rox- 
bury, Jan. 15, '63. 

Corp. Ira Royce, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 
Nov. 22, '62. 

Thomas P. Rundlett, E, ist Vt. Cav; dis. 
May 22, '62. 

Joseph Shiney, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

Joseph Simonds, H, 6th ; des. July 24, '65. 

John Slocum, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

Corp. Emery L. Smith, G, 6th; dis. Oct. 
31, '64. 

Otis Snow, K, 3d ; died Aug. 19, '62. 

Lieut. Allen Spalding, K, 6th ; resigned 
July 13, '64. 



Sergeant Dennison F. Spalding, K, 6th ; 

must, out May 18, '65. 
Israel Steele, K, 7th ; dis. Oct. 20, '62. 
Stillman S. Stephens, K, 7th; died July 

17, '62. 
Sergeant Edward F. Stevens, F, istS. S. ; 

mustered out Sept. 13, '64. 
Benjamin F. Stone, I, 9th; discharged 

June 27, '65. 
Joseph Veo, G, 6th ; mustered out Oct. 

28, '64. 
Lucius W. Wales, H, 6th ; killed at Lee's 

Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Samuel Wales, Jr., K, 3d; trans, to in- 
valid corps Sept. i, '63. 
Ezekiel D. Waterman, K, 3d ; killed at 

battle of Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Henry Waterman, C, ist. Vt. Cav.; died 

at Washington, D. C, Aug. 9, '65. 
Stillman Waterman, H, 6th ; discharged 

March 31, '62. 
Stillman Waterman, 1, 9th; discharged 

Jan. 15, '63. 
Joseph White, H, 6th ; died Oct. 22, '62. 
Loren J. Wiley, K, 7th ; must. outMay '65. 
Wallace Wolcott, H, 6th ; dis. Mar. 25,^63. 
Augustus Bresette, 3d Vt. Bat. ; must, out 

June 13, '65. 

Vobinteers that re-enlisted. — Paul Burke, 
Carlos Lafaty, Henry Locke, Frank E. 
Martell, Carlos Nedo, Edmond Pope, Jr., 
Dennison Spalding. 

Veteran Reserve Corps. — John W. Dun- 
ton. 

Also two men were credited to Roxbury, 
but not by name. 

Furnished nnder draft and paid com- 
mutation. — Edwin W. Ellis, Edwin Ferris, 
A. H. Fisk, Lemuel A. Rood, Luther 
Tracy, Rodney Wiley. 

Procured Substitute. — Nathan W. Cady. 

Entered Service. — Samuel A. Richard- 
son, H, 6th ; dis. Aug. 2, '65. 

Besides the above-named soldiers, there 
were several other residents of Roxbury 
who enlisted, credited to other towns, viz. : 
George R. Waterman, F, ist; must, out 
Aug. 15, '65 ; Franklin Knowles, C. 15th ; 
Charles A. Fisk, F, 17th ; Orza Boyce, B, 
4th ; George H. Pearsons, D, 9th ; Samuel 
Shepherd, I, 56th Mass. Vols. ; died June 



756 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



27, '64; Francis F. Young, Mass. Vols. ; 
Sergeant Jones- W. Ferris, K, 3d ; severely 
wounded at the battle ot Lee's Mills, Apr. 
16, '62, and discharged Aug. i, '62. 

When the war closed, Roxbury had a 
surplus of 23 men in excess of all calls for 
troops that had been made, a much larger 
number in proportion to the population 
than any other town in the State. 

ROXBURY LONGEVITY. 

Persons 70 years of age and over, who Mve 
died in Roxbury, 

1855 Mary Spaulding 100 

2846 Benjamin Samson 90 

18 19 Moses Woodward 74 

1813 Pavid McClure 80 

1822 Samuel Richardson 71 

1868 Thompson Jenney 85 

1832 Jane Hixon 75 

1872 Samuel Robertson 97 

1879 Persis Robertson 76 

1855 Dorcas Prescott 72 

1835 Darius Spaulding 74 

1844 Joel Hildreth -]"] 

1864 Polly Hildreth 94 

1872 Arathusa Hildreth 79 

1862 Samuel Edwards 84 

1869 Lydia Edwards 85 

1869 Benga Edwards 87 

1859 Betsey Edwards 75 

1850 Henry Lcck 75 

1856 Obedience Lock 71 

1842 Elijah Ellis 79 

1852 Mary Ellis 88 

1861 Gideon Ellis 89 

1878 Mehitable Ellis 87 

1880 Sally Allen 89 

1841 Mrs. Samuel Richardson 91 

1869 Silas Spalding 88 

1865 John M. Spaulding 76 

1850 Ruth Sargent 86 

1856 Nathan Haynes 78 

1857 Hannah Haynes 86 

1864 Abraham J. Haynes 76 

1872 Daniel Haynes 88 

1859 Polly Paine 72 

1861 Asa S. Simonds 71 

i860 Hannah Simonds 70 

1876 Charles Samson 86 

1865 Sally Samson 76 

1858 Benjamin Samson •]•] 

1879 Roxana A. Batty 'j'j 

1873 Anna Gray Stanton 80 

1873 Hannah Merrill 75 

1870 Alvin L. Brigham 71 

1875 Eleanor Spaulding 84 

1862 Samuel Richardson 79 

1865 Lucy Richardson 76 

1875 Barton Tracy 72 

1880 Enos K. Young 72 



Silas B. Spaulding 81 

Samuel Ford 76 

Sarah Batchelder 86 

Lydia Beckwith 86 

Hannah Staples "]•] 

Capt. Job Orcutt 75 

Mary Orcutt 74 

Samuel M. Orcutt 74 

Mary B. Orcutt 95 

Billa Woodward 72 

Mary Woodward 69 

Borga Wiley 87 

James Wiley 83 

Phineas Wiley 91 

David Wiley 82 

Hannah Wiley 76 

John Williams 72 

Mabel Williams 75 

Otis Batchelder 91 

Alva Richardson 76 

Dennis Crimims 80 

Chester Batchelder 69 

Eunice Williams 72 

Elias Rich 87 

James Butterfield 76 

Susannah Richardson 84 

Sarah Batchelder 87 

Betsey Spalding 82 

Jemima Silver 75 

Phineas Flint 82 

Seth Richardson 70 

Sarah Richardson 'jj, 

William Knowles 94 

Burton Skilleger 78 

Nabby Ford 85 

Arny Wilson 81 

Samson Bates 70 

Anna Hatch 80 

Mary Bealey 76 

Darius Hatch 81 

Hepsobath Cady 81 

Lurinda Flint 81 

William Hutchinson 89 

Aaron Webster 85 

Abigail Cram 80 

Francis Clukey 70 

Jemima Webster. 88 

William B. Tyler 78 

Fanny Jones 78 

Phila Darling 76 

Calvin Cady 74 

Daniel C. Rich 71 

Lamos McGregor 78 

Louis Loomis 75 

Aaron Spencer 84 

Polly Lyndes (colored,) (Si 

Stephen Rumney 75 

Sally Wardner 78 

Margaret Martin 90 

Eunice Kent 80 

Samuel Steele 83 

Joel Wardner 83 

John B. Crandall 70 

Enos Young 80 



ROXBURY. 



757 



1866 Sally Steele 72 

1821 Elizabeth Abbott T] 

i860 Lydia Cotton 71 

1854 Robert Cram 78 

1868 Jacob Loomis 70 

1849 Mercy Ruggles T}, 

1877 Azubah Hatch 70 

1876 William Ruggles 71 

1879 Lewis Chatfield 94 

Annie Blanchard 78 

1876 Lewis Cram 75 

1869 Sila's Braley 81 

1870 Oliver French 83 

1866 Mrs. S. Braley 79 

1861 Bealey H. Gibson 76 

1842 Elijah Ellis 79 

1834 Mary Ellis 88 

1865 Isaiah Shaw 82 

1830 Mrs. Wardner 72 

1848 Betsey Boyce 74 

1824 John Gibson ^ 76 

1841 James Steele 76 

1847 Jedediah Smith 85 

1855 Esther Smith 89 

1878 Adah Hackett 86 

1861 Mary Bealey 76 

1854 Gideon Flint 74 

1862 Mrs. Gibeons 80 

Mrs. Crocker 85 

Ranson Beckwith 80 

Samuel Lyndes 80 

1879 Lucy R. Howe 82 

1 879 Lovina Ferry 79 

O. W. ORCUTT. 



TOWN MEETINGS. 

Held at Jedediah Huntington's dwelling- 
house in 1796, '97, '98. At Samuel Rich- 
ardson's, 1799, 1802. At Christopher 
Huntington's 1800, 1801. At David 
McClure's, 1803, '5, '6. At Samuel Rob- 
ertson's, 1804. At Leonard Smith's, 1807, 
'8, '9, '10. At BlUa Woodward's, 181 1, 
'12, '13, '14, '15, '16. At Samuel M. Or- 
cutt's 1817, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, 
'25, '26, '27, '28, '26, '30, '31, '32, '33, '34, 
'35. '36, 'yj, '38' '39. '40, '41- At Luther 
Ainsworth's, Mar., 1842. At John M. Spaul- 
ding's, Sept., '42, '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, 
'48, '49. At Union Meeting House, 1850, 
51, '52, '53, '54. Sept., '54, at new town 
house, 1854 to 1881. 

MODERATORS. 

Joseph Crane, 1796; Thomas Hunting- 
ton, 1797 ; Samuel Richardson, 1798, 1801, 
'2, '3, '5, '7, '8, '9, '13; Jedediah Hunting- 
ton, 1799; Isaac Lewis, 1800; Darius 
Spaulding, Job Orcutt, 1809; Zeb. Butler, 



1804; Rodolphus Willard, 1810; Samuel 
Robinson, 1811, '12, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, 
'23, 24; J. F. Ruggles, '18, '14, '15, '16, '22, 
'25, "26, '28, '30; Charles Sampson, 1827 ; 
Shubael Wales, 1829, '31, '34, '35, '36; 
Joel Hildreth, 1832; Nathan Morse, 1833; 
Stillman Ruggles, 1837, '38, '40; Allen 
Spaulding, 1839, '4'' '42» '5I) '52, '53, '54, 
'57, '58; Henry S. Boyce, 1843, '44, '46, 
'47, '48, '55, '56, '59, '60; O. Richardson, 
i86i-'68; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1868; Billings 
Spaulding, 1869; Samuel G. Stanton, 
1870, '74, '75, "it, 278 ; Oramel Richard- 
son, 1871, 72, ""]■>), '76; Zed S. Stanton, 
1879, '80, '81. 

TOWN CLERKS, 1 796- 1 88 1. 

Thomas Huntington, 1796, '97, '98, '99, 
1800, 'i. Darius Spalding, 1802, '3, '14, 
'15. Samuel Robertson, 1804, '5, '6, '7. 
James Bancroft, 1808, '9, '10, '11, '12. 
Samuel M. Orcntt, 1813, '17, '18, '19, '20, 
'21, '22, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31, 
■32, '33. '34, '35' '36, 'n, '38. John F. 
Persons, 1816. Jehial Allen, '39, '40, '41, 
'42. Allen Spalding, 1843, '44» '45' '46, 
'47, '48. Allen K. Jeney, 1849, '5°' '5^' 
'52, '53, '55. (Jeney died in Aug., '55.) 
A. N. Tilden, 1854. Ormal Richardson, 
1855. A. N. Tilden, 1856 to 1881. 

SELECTMEN. 

Samuel Richardson, 1796 to 1803, '7, '8 ; 
Isaac Lewis, 1796, 1800; Jedediah Hunt- 
ington, 1796,98,99; Christopher Hunt- 
ington, 1797; David Cram, 1797; Roswell 
Adams, 1798, 1800, 'i, '3, '4, '5 ; John 
Stafford, 1799, 1806; Darius Spalding, 

1801 ■ to 1806, '9, '10; Perez Huntington, 

1802 ; Lemuel Smith, 1803 to '8 ; Jonathan 
F. Ruggles, 1806, '7, '8, '19, '20, '21 ; 
Samuel Richardson, 1808; Joel Hildreth, 
1809 to '13, '14, '15, '25, '26; Robert Cram, 
1809 to '13, '14, '24, '25; Samuel M. Or- 
cutt, 181 1 to '15, '21, '22, '23, '25, '26, '27, 
'29, '30, ^2,2) to '38 ; Isaih Shaw, 1813, '15, 
'18, '26, '27, '28, '36, 'n, '47; Uriah Rich- 
ardson, 1813; John Paine, 1815, '16, '17, 
'22; Nathan Morse, 1816, '17, '22, '23, '28, 
'29, '30, '33, '34, '35 ; Charles Sampson, 
1816, '17, '20, '21, '27, '28, '29, '38, '47, 
'48; Samuel Robertson, 1818, '19, '23; 
Elijah Ellis, 1818, '19, '20; Billa Wood- 



758 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ward, 1824; David Young, 1824, '31, '32; 
James Burnham, 1830; Amos Wardner, 
1831, '32; Daniel Loomis, 1831 ; Henr}' 
Smith, 1832; Jonathan Wiley, 1833, '34; 
Bezaleel Spalding, 1835 ; Jared Hildreth, 
1836, ''27; Robert Cram, 1838, '39; John 
Cross, 1838, '39, '40, '41 ; Darius Hatch, 
1839; Thomas R. Shaw, 1840 to '44, '46; 
Enos K. Young, 1840, '41, '42; Jehial 
Allen, 1842; Wm. W. Woodward, 1843, 
'44; Benjamin Edwards, Jr., 1843, '44, 
'45, '56, '57, '58: H. S. Bo3'ce, 1844, '49, 
'50; Wm. P. Royce,- 1845, '59- '60, '64, 
'65; Samuel Edwards, Jr., 1846, '50, '52, 
'53, '61, '62; Alvin Braley, 1846, '47, '48, 
'61; Stephen Pierce, 1848; Dexter Samp- 
son, 1849, '51, '54, '61, '62, '63; Wm. B. 
Orcutt, 1849, '50 '55; Elijah Winch, 1851, 
'58, '60; S. M. Hildreth, 1851, '58, '63, 
'66, '67, '71 ; Geo. M. Sampson, 1852, '53 ; 
Edmond Pope, 1852, '53, '55, '29, '61, '62, 
'64, '66; S. G. Stanton' 1869; C. H. Mer- 
rill, 1854; Stillman Ruggles, 1854; Wm. 

B. Orcutt, 1855; Charles B. Fiske, 1855, 
'66, '67, '68 ; Clark Wiley, 1856, '57, '58, 
'72, 177; James Cram, 1856, '57; E. N. 
Spalding, i860; C. Richardson, 1864, '65, 
'68; S. P. Orcutt, 1865; Cyrus Howard, 
1868, '69, '81 ; S. G. Stanton, 1869 to '74, 
'78; Enos K. Yonng, 1869, '70; Isaac A. 
Flint, 1870, '71 ; Storrs S. Clough, 1872, 
'75 to '79; Geo. L. Walbridge, 1873, '74; 
Charles Adams, 1873, '74; Billings Spaul- 
ding, 1874, '81 ; A. J. Averill, 1875, '76; 
D. L. Nichols, 1875 ; Charles N. Eaton, 
1876; Gideon Edwards, 1879; ^- ^^ 
Stanton, 1878, '79; C. M. Adams, 1879; 

C. H. Eaton, 1879: Wm. B. Orcutt, Arza 
Boyce, L. J. Wiley, 1880; L. J. Wiley, 
J. B. Spaulding, 1880. 

TOWN TREASURERS. 

David Cram, 1796; Isaac Lewis, 1797, 
'98, '99; Thomas Huntington, 1800, '01 ; 
Darius Spalding, 1802, '15; Samuel Rob- 
ertson, 1803 to 1808, '28 ; James Bancroft, 
1808 to '13; Samuel M. Orcutt, 1813, '14, 
'17 to '28, '29; John T. Pearsons, 1816; 
Asa S. Simonds, 1830 to '61 ; Billings 
Spanlding, 1861 to '68, '69, to '74; Wm. 
B. Orcutt, 1868; A. N. Tilden, 1874 to 
1881. 



OVERSEERS OF POOR. 

Selectmen in 1808; Jonathan F. Rug- 
gles, Elijah Ellis, Samuel Robertson over- 
seers, 1813; Robert Cram, Billa Wood- 
ward, Isaiah Shaw, 1820, 37 ; Robert 
Cram, 182 1 ; selectmen overseers of poor, 
1822, 23, 24; Samuel Robertson, 1825, 
26; Samuel M. Orcutt and Nathan Morse, 
1827; Billa Woodward, 1830; Nathan 
Morse, 1828, 29, 35, 36; Allen Spalding, 
1835, 41, 42, 44, 45, 51,58; Darius Hatch, 
1843, 4o> 46, 39, 38 ; Silas Braley, 1833, 
32, 47, 31 ; Allen Spalding, 1848, 49, 50; 
Asaph Silsbury, 1851 ; H. M. Nichols, 1853, 
55, 52; Edmond Pope, 1856; Edmond 
Lack, 1857; Benj. Edwards, Jr., 1860,54; 
Wm. B. Roys, 1861, 62; E. P. Burnham, 
1863, 64, 65, 66 ; Sylvester Ellis, 1867, 68 ; 
Alphonso Ladd, 1869, 70, 71, 72; Orza 
Boyce, 1873, 74' 75 ; C. L. Ellis, 1876, 77 ; 
Charles Adams, 1878, 79, 81 ; Salmon 
Williams, 1880. 

CONSTABLES AND COLLECTORS OF TAXES. 

Jeduthan Huntington, 1796; David 
Cram, 1797, '98, 1817 to 20; Isaac Lewis, 
1799; Perus Huntington, 1800; Benjamin 
Huntington, 1801 ; David McClure, 1802; 
Chester Morris, 1803 to 1808; Roswell 
Walter, 1808; Rhodolphus Willard, 1809; 
Darius Houghton, 1810; Ezra Child, 
1811; John B. Crandall, 1812; Charles 
Bancroft, 1813; Joel Hildreth, 1814, '15; 
Charles Sampson, 1816; John Paine, 
1820; Henry Boyce, 1821 to 1830; Allen 
Spalding, 2830, '33 ; Erastus Spaulding, 
1 83 1, '32; Amos Wardner, 1834 to 1837; 
Henry S. Boyce, 1838 to 1841 ; Dexter 
Sampson, I841, '42; Elijah Winch, 1843; 
E. B. Pride, 1844, '45 ; Samuel Ruggles, 
1846 to 1850, '55 ; Ebenz. Ainsworth, 
1861 ; S. P. Orcutt, 1852, '53 '59; Daniel 
D. Hackett, 1855 ; Orin W. Orcutt, 1856, 
'76, '78 ; Benjamin Edwards, 1857, '58 ; 
W. J. Simonds, i860, '62, '63; Langdon 
R. Nichols, 1861 ; H. G. Ellis, 1864 to 
1870; Charles Spalding, 1870, '71; Sam- 
uel M. Hildreth, 1872; Zed. S. Stanton, 
1873, '74' '75' '77 '1 ^^""O J- Boyce, 1879, 
'80, '81. 

LISTERS. 

David Cram, 1796, 1806; Thomas Hunt- 
ington, 1796, '98; Jedediah Huntington, 



ROXBURY. 



759 



Samuel Richardson, 1797; Isaac Lewis, 
1797, '98; John Stafford, 1798, '99, 1808; 
Chester Batchelder, 1799: Perus Hunting- 
ton, 1799, 1802; Uriah Richardson, 1800, 
1807, '12. ''17; Joseph Adams, Darius 
Spaulding, 1800 ; David McClure, Benja- 
min Huntington, Daniel Freeman, 1801 ; 
David Nutting, Joseph Converse, 1802; 
Samuel Smith, 1803, '5; Clark Stone, 
Charles Fitts, 1803; Joel Hildreth, 1804, 
'5, '6; Charles Stone, 1S04; Zeb. Butler, 
1804; Jonathan F. Ruggles, 1805, '9, '10, 
'16, '17, '22, '24, '27, '30: Samuel Robin- 
son, 1806, '21, '22, '24, ''27; Samuel M. 
Orcutt, 1807, '12, '17, '18, '19, '34, '38; 
Robert Cram, 1807, '8; Lorin Green, 
1808; Charles Bancroft, 1809; Ephraim 
Morris, 1809: Salmon Cross, 1810; James 
Bancroft, 1810, '11, '12; Gilbert R. 
Spaulding, 181 1, '15 ; Anson Adams, 1812 ; 
Enos Youngs, Bezalel Spaulding, i8i3,'i5 ; 
Darius Hatch, 1813, '14, '15; John Paine, 
1814, '19, '20, '26, '30; Thomas Davis, 
1814; Billa Woodward, 1815, '20, '23, 
'28; Ira Hunter, 1818; Henry Boyce, 
1818, '23; Amos Wardner, 1819; Charles 
Samson, 1822, '23, ''30, '32, ''^;^, '36, ';^y, 
'38, '47, '48, '51 ; Nathan Morse, 1826, 
'27, '28, '32, '36, '37, '42, '43; James 
Burnham, 1825, '26, '29 ; Elijah Ellis, 
1827; Silas C. Briggs, 1828; Daniel Flint, 
Shubael Wales, 1829; Erastus Spalding, 
Henry S. Boyce, 183-1, '55, '56; Silas 
Hall, 1830; Isaiah Shaw, 1832, '^y^ '42 
'43 ; David Withington, William Ruggles, 
1833; John Walbridge, 1834; Stillman 
Ruggles, 1834, '36, '40, '54 ; Alvin Braley, 
1838, '43, '44, '46, '48, '59, '61 ; Benj. 
Edwards, Jr., 1838, '49, '50, '53, '54, '59; 
Samuel M. Hildreth, 1839, '40,^41, '5i.'7i ; 
Eleazar Woodward, Consider Hyland, 
1839; Wm. Woodward, 1840; Philip 
Cram, 1841, '48, ''49; Benoni Webster, 
1841, '47 ; Samuel Edwards, Jr., 1841, '57, 
'60; Allen Spaulding, 1842, '46, '47, '60; 
Luther Ainsworth, 1844 i Thomas R. Shaw, 
1844, '45, '46, '49 ; Hibbard A. Pefry, 
1850; Wm. W. Woodward, 1850; Ed- 
mond Pope, 185 1, '52, ''56, '65; Elijah 
Winch, 1845, '57> '62, '63; Stephen 
Pierce, 1845 5 Asaph Silsbury, 1851 ; Alvin 
L. Brigham, 1852; Stillman Ruggles, 



1853; Wilson I. Simonds, 1854, '66, '81 ; 
Seth M. Bailey, 1855; E, P. Burnham, 
1855, '56. '61, '62; Clark Wiley, 1858; R. 
S. Glidden, Dexter Samson, 1858; Wm. 

B. Orcutt, 1859, '64, '65 ; Joseph B. Ed- 
wards, 1859; Alphonso Ladd, 1862; Phi- 
lander Wiley, 1862, '63, '72, '73; Azro 
A. Simonds, J863 ; Buel Gold, 1865, '67, 
'74, '75; A. A. Smith, 1864, '65; C. B. 
Williams, Cyrus Howard, 1866 ; Samuel G. 
Stanton, 1867; Jason W. Powers, 1868; 
Ralph W. Rood, Aaron Webster, 1868; 
Charles Spaulding, 1869, 70; Billings 
Spalding, 1869; Isaac A. Flint, 1869; 
Clark Wiley, 1870, 71 ; Storrs S. Clough, 
1870, 71; Frank T. Snow, 1872; Arza 
Boyce, 1872, '78, '81 ; J. E. D. Hildreth, 
1873, '74; David B. Adams, 1873; David 
H. Stanton, 1873, '75; J. P. Warner, 
1875; Horace A Thayer, 1876; Zed. S. 
Stanton, 1876, 'yy; Henry M. Spalding, 
1876; Charles Adams, D. L. Nichols, 
1877, '78; Clark Flint, 1879, '80, '81 ; E. 

C. Bowman, J. E. D. Colby, 1879; Geo. 
W. Williams, James Steel, 1880. 

TITHINGMEN, 1805-40. 

Silas Spalding, Job Orcutt,Chester Batch- 
elder, Caleb Stowe, Waterman Spalding, 
David G. Nutting, Enos Young. Roswell 
Adams, Elijah Ellis, Jas. Y. Wolf, John 
Bald win, Wm. Gold, Jacob Wardner, Sam'l. 
Richardson, Willard Smith, JohnM. Spal- 
ding, Asahel Blake, Darius Houghton, Uri- 
ah Richardson, Sam'l.Wright,Benoni Web- 
ster, Jacob Loomis, Silas Braley, Nathan 
Morse, Adin Smith, H. M. Nichols, Eleazer 
Woodward, Benjamin Edwards, Stillman 
Ruggles, Alvin L. Brigham, Daniel Flint, 
James Pike, Samuel Ford, Alva Richard- 
son, Cyrus Flint, Nathan Emerson. 

TOWN AGENTS. 

John B. Crandall, 1815, 1816; Henry 
Boyce, 18 17 ; Charles Samson, 1829 ; Amos 
Wardner, 1833; Nathan Morse, 1834; 
Silas Braley, 1842, '44; Allen Spalding, 
1 841, '47, '49, '54, '60, '61; Alvin Braley, 
1844, '46, '48, '50, '51, '52, '53, '55, '56, 
'59, '62, '63 ; Edmond Pope, 1864; De.xter 
Samson, 1867, '68; James P. Warner, 
1872; Samuel G. Stanton, 1875; Wil- 
liam B. Orcutt, 1869, "76; Erastus N. 



760 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Spalding, ''']'], '71, '70, '58,^57; Samuel G. 
Stanton, '78, '65 ; S. S. Clough, '79> ''Th'' 
'74; Orrin W. Orcutt, '80, '81. 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Joseph Silsbury, 1851, '52, '48; Aaron 
Webster, '50, '52 ; Stephen Pierce, '46, '47, 
'49 ; Allen W. Jenny, '55 ; Hira G. Ellis, '56 ; 
Samuel G. Stanton, '57; F. V. Randall, 
'58, '57 ; Aaron Webster, '58 ; O. Richard- 
son, '59; Austin A. Smith, '60, '61 ; Jas. 
F. Button, '48; Buel Gold, '62; H. G. 
Ellis, '63; Aldin Ladd, '64, '65; S. G. 
Stanton, '66, '67, '70, ""ji, 'ti\ Wm. L. 
White, '68, '67 ; Andrew Stanton, '''J2) '• 
D. L. Nichols, '74, '75, '76, '78; Zed S. 
Stanton, 77, 79, '80, '81. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Charles Samson, 1850, '51/52, '53' '54> 
'38, '40, '44, '45, '47, '27, "31/33. 49 .4,1, 
39, 20, 28, 25, 26, 24, 22, 23, 48, 33, 34, 
30, 55, 46, 21 ; Byer Edwards, 1850, 51, 

52, 53, 54, 58, 61, 62, 40, 43, 44, 45, 47, 
41, 46, 49, 48 ; Philip Cram, 1850, 51, 48, 
49,46; Buel Gold, 1850, 51,64,65,66, 
67, 68, 74,75; Elijah Winch, 1850,51, 52, 

53. 57. 58, 62, 44; Stephen Pierce, 1851, 
52, 44, 45, 47, 49, 48, 46; Hiram Wal- 
bridge, 1852, 53, 54, 55, 69, 70, 74, 75 ; 
Asaph Silsbnry, 1852, 53, 49 ; Alvin Braley, 
1853, 54, 44, 45, 47. 49. 46; Stillman 
Ruggles, 1854, 55, 44. 47. 49. 48, 1,1, 35. 
46 ; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1855, 56; Calvin 
Murray, 1855, 56; E. P. Burnham, 1855, 
56, 59, 60, 61, 63; A. B. Hutchinson, 
1855, 56; Edmond Pope, 1856, 61, 62, 
63; Sewell Hutchinson, 1856, 57; I. M. 
Hildreth, 1842, 43, 44, 45. 47, 57. 49- 48 ; 
W. I. Simonds, 1857, 58; Solomon Ferry, 
1857, 58; Sylvester Motifit, 1857, 58; O. 
W. Orcutt, 1859, 60, 61 ; Samuel P. Wales, 
1859, 60; Austin A. Smith, 1859, 60, 61 ; 
Cyrus Howard, 1859, 60, 64, 65, 66, 67, 
68; Horace M. Nichols, 1861, 62, 63, 64 
65, 66, 40, 43. 44, 45. 47, 41, 46, 48, 39. 
49; Clark Wiley, i860, 61 ; James Steele, 
1862,63,64; Samuel G. Stanton, 1862, 
64, 65, 66, 67, 68; Dexter Samson, 1862, 
63; Jehial Allen, 1839, 40, 41, 42; E. 
Brackett, 1840, 41, 42; Wm. Ruggles, 
1838, 40, 47, 39, 49, 48 ; Wm. W. Wood- 



ward, 1838, 45, 47, 49, 48, 35 ; E. B. 
Pride, 1840, 47 ; Robert Cram, 1838, 43, 
45, 47. 39. 23, 25, 24, 26, 22 ; John Cross, 
1838, 39, 41, 35, 49; H. S. Boyce, 1838, 
42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 41, 49, 39, 46, 48 ; Al- 
len Spalding, 1842, 43, 44, 45, 47, 41, 49, 
40, 48, 35; Darius Hatch, 1838, 39, 40, 
42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 41, 48, 46; Samuel 
M. Orcutt, 1822, 39, 38, 40, 44, 27, 28,, 
31, iTy, 34, 41, 49, 32, 35, 36, 24, 26, 46, 
20, 22, 30, 33, 34, 35, 23, 25, 26, 28, 21 ; 
Luther Ainsworth, 1842, 43, 45, 47, 49, 
48, 46; Samuel Ruggles, 1840, 44, 49; 
Jared Hildreth 1838, 42 ; A. P. Walcott, 
1842,43; Jared Keith, 1841, 42, 43,44; 
Thomas R. Shaw, 1848, 42, 49 ; Isaiah 
Shaw, 1834, 41, 42, 43, 20, 30, 28, 24, 25, 
23, 22; Jonathan F. Ruggles, 1827, 31, 
33, 34, 13, 28, 16, 20, 30, 35, 22, 23, 24, 
25, 26, 28, 9, 10, II, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 
19, 21; Daniel Loomis, 1849; Henry 
Smith, 1833, 34; James Cram, 1849; 
Amos Wardner, 1834, 35 ; Daniel Kings- 
bury, 1827; Uriah Richardson, 1817, 20, 
27, 26, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 18, 19, 21 ; 
Nathan Morse, 1831, 33, 28, 30; H. G. 
Ellis, 1863, 64; W. S. Roys, 1863, 64; 
Ralph W. Rood, 1866, 67, 68 ; Emery P. 
Cram, 1866; Asahmel FUnt, 1866, 67, 68, 
72, i^,, 80, 81 ; Oramel Richardson, 1868 ; 
Salmon Williams, 1868, 72, 73, 78, 79, 74, 
75; Erastus N. Spalding, 1870; Storrs S. 
Clough, 1870, 74,- 75 ; Charles Spalding, 
1870; John F. Roys, 1870; Charles I. 
Holden, 1870; Gideon Edwards, 1870; 
J. F. Pearsons, 1871; Jothan Ellis, 1876, 
111 74, 75 i Azro A. Simonds, 1871 ; A. J. 
Averill, 1873; Orza Boyce, 1873; C. L. 
Ellis, 1873, 76, IT \ James Burnham, 1831, 
32 ; Aaron Webster, 1876, n ; Luther G. 
Tracy, 1876, -j-j \ Hira G. Ellis, 1876, n, 

78, 79; C. H. Eaton, 1878, 79; E. E. 
Bowman, 1878, 79; George B. Hall, 1878, 

79, 80, 81 ; Alphonso Ladd, 1880, 81 ; A. L. 
Nichols, 1880, 81 ; L. F. Wiley, 1S80, 81 ; 
Darius Spalding, 1804, 5, 14, 15,16, 13, 9, 
10, II, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19; James Pike, 1839; 
Samuel Robertson, 1820, 9, 10, 16; Be- 
noni Webster, 1846, 48, 49; Zeb. Butler, 
1803,4; Roswell Adams, 1803, 4; Rho- 
dolphus Willard, 1810, 11, 12, 13; John 
Freeman, 1795. 



ROXBXJRY. 



761 



TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Rhodolphus Willard, 1809, '10, '11, '12; 
Darius Spalding, 1813, '15, '16; Jonathan 

F, Ruggles, 1817; Charles Samson, 1818, 
'19, '20, '21, '24, '25, '28, '37, '38, '39, '41 ; 
Robert Cram, 1822, '23; Isaiah Shaw, 
1826, '27, '31, '32, '33, '40; Nathan Morse, 
1829, '34, '35, '36; Allen Spalding, 1842, 
'43, '52, '53; Thomas R. Shaw, 1846; 
Benjamin Edwards, Jr., 1847; Dexter 
Samson, 1849, '5°) Henry S. Boyce, 
1851 ; Elijah Winch, 1854; Alvin Braley, 
1855, '56; Edward Pope, 1857; F. V. 
Randall, 1858; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1859, '60; 
Seth M. Bailey, 1861 ; Chester Clark, 1862 ; 
Seth M. Bailey, 1863; Edmond Pope, 
1864, '65 ; Austin A. Smith, 1866; Samuel 

G. Stanton, I867, '68, '69; Erastus N. 
Spalding, 1870, '71 ; 1872, no elections; 
Enos K. Young, 1874, '75 ; A. N. Tilden, 
1876, 77; Wm. B. Orcutt, i878-'8i. 

ASSISTANT JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT. 

Charles Samson, 1842, '43; Nathan 
Morse, Alvin Braley, 1858, '59. 

Wm. B. Orcutt, 1874, '75 ; 

Sheriff,— O. W. Orcutt, 1865, '66. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONL CONVEN- 
TIONS. 

Darius Spaulding, 1814; Jonathan P. 
Ruggles, 1822; Nathan Morse, 1828, '35; 
Henry S. Boyce, 1842; Thomas R. Shaw, 
1849; Samuel U. Hildreth, 1870. 

POSTMASTERS. 

First postmaster, John M. Spaulding, 
from 1826 to '49; O. W. Orcutt, 1849 to 
'53; Billings Spaulding and A. N. Tilden, 
1861 to '63; Julius Spaulding, 1865 to '66; 
Orin W. Orcutt, 1866 to the present time. 

East Roxbury. — Shubael Wales, 1830 
to '42; Stillman Ruggles, 1841 to '43; 
Samuel Ruggles, 1843 to '52 ; Jacob Ward- 
ner, in 1852, and present incumbent. 

Merchants : — Among others beside what 
I have previously named, I remember 
Woodward, Thresher, A. N. Tilden, Ed. 
Ferris, J. Riford, Mansfield, I. Brigham, 
E. P. Burnham, A. N. Tilden & Son, the 
two last firms at present doing good busi- 
ness. Asa Taylor was the first to keep 
store in town. 

E. N. Spaulding's steam-mill burned 
down in November, since I wrote up the 

96 



manufacturing business, and another one 
was well under way here yvhen I came from 
Roxbury. Stephen Butterfield has been 
station agent and telegraph operator nearly 
the whole time since the railroad came to 
Roxbury. E. N. Spalding is a promi- 
nent business man, dealing heavily in 
lumber. Will Spalding, his son, is now 
" dispatcher " in an office in Boston. 

Thanks are especially due O. W. Orcutt, 
Aaron Webster and Zed Stanton, Esq. 
I have received considerable information 
from three grand-daughters of Samuel Rich- 
ardson — Mrs. York, Mrs. Woodard and 
Mrs. Youngs ; also from O. Richardson, a 
former resident of this town. Many have 
no doubt felt interested who have devoted 
no time, therefore much will be left out, 
inevitably, which cannot fail of being a 
source of regret to their posterity ; for, 
however this may seem to us of to-day, to 
whom much of this history is familiar, 
future generations will peruse it with the 
greatest interest, and every incident of the 
hardships, privations and heroism of .the 
pioneers, related at many firesides by our 
children's children. s. B. M. 

ROXBURY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The day chosen for the Celebration fell 
on Tuesday, fair and fine as one could wish. 
The procession of citizens and visitors 
formed at the town-house, and led by 
Northfield Cornet Band, drum corps, mil- 
itia, old folks' temperance organization, 
grange and civilians, marched to a charm- 
ing little grove near the' depot, where a 
stand had been erected for music and 
speakers, tables laid for an old-fashioned 
dinner in a little vale just below, tended 
by young ladies, picturesque in short 
waists, enormous pufled sleeves and narrow 
gored skirts, guiltless of trimmings. Among 
the visitors who were assigned seats of 
honor upon the stand were Philip Cram, 
the first child born in Roxbury, from 
Brookfield ; Mrs. Orcutt, widow of Sam- 
uel Orcutt, and mother of those residing 
in Roxbury and Northfield of that name, 
the oldest person present, being 94 years 
of age. There were 39 persons over 70, 
30 of them being over 80. 



762 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS, 

(BY Z. S. STANTON, E.SQ.) 

Delivered at Roxbury, Aug. 22, 1876, 
Maj. Allen Spaulding, president of the oc- 
casion ; a large concourse of citizens 
and visitors present ; from which we ex- 
tract the portions pertaining strictly to the 
history of the town not already covered by 
the papers of Mrs. Mansfield, given : 

" Many of the early settlers of this town- 
ship were veterans of the Revolution. 
Doubtless the tract of land now known as 
the town of Roxbury was never the per- 
manent home of the Indians. Yet it may 
be inferred from the geographical position 
of this portion of our State, that the 
Indians, in their predatory excursions 
against the colonial settlements of New 
England, passed through here. The Iro- 
quois, Cossuck and St. Francis tribes fre- 
quented this portion of our State at various 
times while on their hunting excursions, 
and doubtless the smoke of their camp- 
fires wended up from this little valley many 
times. In the fall of 1780, the town of 
Royalton was pillaged and burned by a 
band of Indians from Canada, who on 
their return passed through the west part 
of Brookfield, and probably the east part 
of this town. Arrow-heads and other relics 
have been found here at various times, 
which prove conclusively that the red man 
was here at a time previous to any white 
man's emigration to this township. Nov. 
6, 1780, this township was granted, and it 
was chartered by the Governor, Council 
and General Assembly of the State, Aug. 
5, 1 78 1, to Benjamin Emmons and 64 
others, nearly all of whom were residents 
of Windsor County. I think two of these 
persons afterwards resided in this town. 
Among the names of those to whom this 
township was chartered, I find those of 
Thomas Chittenden, Paul Spooner, and 
others prominent in the early history of 
Vermont. Besides the land chartered to 
those men, there was chartered one right 
for the use of a seminary or college, one 
for the use of a county grammar school, 
one for the purpose of the settlement of a 
minister of the gospel, one for the support 
of the social worship of God, and one for 
the support of an English school or schools 
in this town. The proprietors of this 
township held their first meeting at the 
house of Benjamin Burtch, an innholderin 
Hartford, County of Windsor, Nov. 20, 
1783; Hon. Paul Spooner, moderator, 
and Briant Brown, clerk. A committee, 
cotisisting of Briant Brown, Esq., Capt. 
John Strong, Elisha Gallup, Abel Lyman 
and Asa Taylor were chosen to examine 



this township, and to lay out 100 acres to 
each proprietor as a first division, with the 
allowance of five per cent, for highways. 
They were also instructed to procure a 
surveyor, chainmen and provisions. They 
held an adjourned meeting Dec. 25 the 
same year, and voted to lay a tax of 10 s. 
lawful money, on each proprietor's right or 
share of land, for the purpose of paying 
the expenses of surveying. This tax was 
to be paid in money, wheat, beef or pork, 
at cash price. They chose Capt. John 
Strong collector, and Major Joel Mathews, 
treasurer. They also voted a tax of 2 s. 
lawful money, on each proprietor's right or 
share of land in this township, for the pur- 
pose of 'defraying charges that had arisen 
in procuring the charter. It is impossible 
to ascertain just how many meetings were 
held by the proprietors of this township, 
or when the survey was made. I think, 
however, that the survey was not made at 
this time, and possibly not until several 
years later. There was a proprietors' 
meeting held at the house of Asa Edgerton, 
in Randolph, Aug. 6, 1788; Major Elijah 
Paine, moderator, and Deacon David 
Bates, clerk. A vote similar to the one 
taken at Hartford, with the addition of an- 
other division, was passed. It is possible 
that the survey of the township was made 
previous to this time, but I have no author- 
ity for saying so. Each proprietor had 
one lot in each division. On the 21st day 
of May, 1789, the first settlement was 
made in this township. 

Mr. Huntington, the first settler, was an 
elderly man, and was accompanied by 
several children, some of whom had ar- 
rived at maturity at that time. Three of 
his sons, Jedediah, Thomas and Jonathan 
were quite prominent in town affairs when 
the town was organized. I am not able to 
say who the next settlers of this township 
were, but soon after Huntington and Rich- 
ardson came here, Mr. Isaac Lewis settled 
in this town-hip, and Messrs. David, 
Robert and Jonathan Cram located on the 
farms now owned and occupied by Messrs. 
Chatterton, Bowman and Clough. [See 
previous account of.] 

Jacob Wardner came to this town in 
1801, and built a log house on the farm 
now owned by H. A. Thayer. The next 
year he moved his family to this place. 
He was a German, and was born on board 
a vessel while his parents were emigrating 
to this country, and he used to boast that 
he ' never was born on the face of God's 
earth.' 

Samuel Robinson and Samuel M.Orcutt 
were at one time associated in mercantile 
business, and occupied the room now used 



ROXBURY. 



763 



by J. F. Pearson as a harness shop. This 
was the second store kept in town. They 
did a good business, and to use my in- 
formant's own words, 'There was not so 
many Bostons then as now ; then the 
Granger did not trouble the merchant, 
and the potato bug did not bother the 
Granger ; then the merchants drew their 
molasses without the help of patent gates, 
and sold new rum without a license.'' 

Elijah Ellis lived where Mrs. Brackett 
now does. He built the house at this 
place, and it was the first house builfin 
town that was arranged for the use of 
stoves, I am informed. He had no fire- 
place or ' stack of chimneys,' as they were 
called, and people thought it a great de- 
parture from the old ways. Ellis also built 
the first clover-mill in town. [See Mrs. 
Mansfield's record.] 

About this time Moses Woodard lived 
where Peter Gilbert now does, whose son 
was the noted manufacturer of the frames 
of saddles. There was a tavern kept here 
for some time, and the place was known 
as the center of the town. Below Wood- 
ward's, on the road leading to where the 
village now is. lived James Bancroft, who 
was for many years town clerk, and has 
left upon the town records some splendid 
specimens of penmanship, that might well 
serve for copies for many at this day. 
There were in 18 10 but three houses where 
the village now is — the house of Mr. Bur- 
roughs, near where Mrs. Martell lives, and 
two others, near where Charles Leonard 
now resides. At this time, 18 10, there 
was a considerable portion of the town 
settled. 

After the return of our volunteers from 
Plattsburgh, with the exception of town 
meetings and trainings, the town was com- 
paratively quiet. These trainings were 
held at various places, sometimes at Billa 
Woodard's and Capt. Orcutt's, on the east 
hill, and often near the tavern of John M. 
Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding kept this tav- 
ern, and was also proprietor of a saw-mill 
and grist-mill at this place. Then one day 
in each week was set apart for the grind- 
ing of salt. Coarse salt was the only kind 
of that commodity that could be obtained, 
and as the thrifty housewives then, as now, 
took great pride in making good butter, 
they had of necessity to grind their salt at 
the grist-mill. Mr. Spaulding built the 
hotel in the village in 1830. He was an 
energetic business man, and accumulated 
a handsome property for those honest days. 
For many years the towti meetings were 
held at dwellings in various parts of the 
town. I find by consulting the town rec- 
ords that these meetings were held at the 
houses of the following-named gentlemen, 



in the order that they occur : Jedediah 
Huntington, Samuel Richardson, Chris- 
topher Huntington, Lemuel Smith, Ichabod 
Munsel, Billa Woodard, Samuel M. Orcutt 
and Luther Ainsworih. After this they 
were held at the village, in the meeting- 
house and hotel hall, until the town-house 
was built, in 1854. 

The verd antique marble was discovered 
in Roxbury, 1833, by a gentlemen named 
McCain. 

No State in the Union has a better rec- 
ord in connection with the war of the re- 
bellion than Vermont — and no town in the 
State has a better one than Roxbury. With 
a population of 1060, Roxbury gave the 
Union army 95 brave soldiers, 8 of whom 
re-enlisted. Co. H, 6th Vt. Regt,, under 
command of Capt. D. B. Davenport, was 
recruited in this town in the fall of 1861. 
Besides this company there were residents 
of this town in many other regiments. 
Twenty-six of these died in the service of 
their country. ..... 

Besides these, there were 
of those who enlisted from other places, 
but who were residents of this town, two 
that died — Homer Pearson in a rebel pris- 
on, at Salisbury, N. C, and Samuel Shep- 
herd, who was a member of a Massachu- 
setts regiment, in the service. In all, 29 
men of this town fell in the defense of hu- 
man liberty. I wish that this town might 
imitate the action of other towns, and 
erect a monument to the memory of these 
martyrs. 

So far as manufacturing is concerned, 
Roxbury has done but little, and doubtless 
the wealth that is obtained here must come 
through the hard hand of the farmer. Mr. 
Shubal Wales, who kept tavern at East 
Roxbury many years ago, was also propri- 
etor of clothing works at that place, but it 
was not a very extensive concern. 

The people here have to a considerable 
extent, been dependent upon itinerant 
preachers. After Mr. Huntington remov- 
ed to Canada, the settlers at East Roxbury 
secured the services of Elder Seaver. of 
Williamstown, and meetings were held in 
the school house. Elder Hovey also held 
meetings there, and soon after a Calvinist 
Baptist church was formed. There has 
been, I think, a church organization there 
ever since. Their present church, the First 
Christian, was organized in Feb., 1863. 
Rev. Henry Howard is now their pastor. 
The union house of worship was built in 
this village in 1839. Previous to this, the 
meetings were held in school houses, and 
sometimes in barns. Considerable excite- 
ment was occasioned at the time the first 
minister in town was ordained. In those 
days, there were many lay preachers, and 



764 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



one of these, a man named Culver, was 
privately ordained and laid claim to this 
lot, together with all the improvements 
that had been made upon it. The select- 
men of the town objected to this, but Cul- 
ver would not yield, and then they endeav- 
vored to have a preacher named Smith, 
better known as " Happy John," ordained. 
He declined, and Ophir Shipman was next 
appealed to. He consented, and was the 
first regularly ordained minister in Rox- 
bury. He held the value of the land with- 
out improvements. The result of this 
strife was the destroying of the Baptist 
church at this place. 

My fellow townsmen, in conclusion, let 
me say that I would that this task of 
chronicling a history of our town might 
have been performed by abler hands than 
mine. With the short time alio ted me I 
could, of course, give nothing but a rough 
sketch of those incidents brought most 
vividly to my notice. I trust they are in 
the main correct. My thanks are due 
those who have so kindly furnished me 
with material, and I hope the day is not 
far distant when a fuller and more com- 
plete history may be written. If you de- 
rive half the pleasure in listening to this 
that I have in learning of those pioneers in 
our town, I shall be satisfied. I think we 
are too apt in this fast age not to look 
back to the lives and deeds of those 
who have gone before. Said Edmund 
Burke, "A people who do not look back 
to their ancestors will not look forward to 
their posterity," and still there are many 
to-day if called upon to give the maiden 
name of their grandmother would be una- 
ble to do so. To know more of those 
whose places we now fill, to learn of their 
virtues, to know wherein they erred, is our 
right and duty. In our little mountain 
town, away up among the Green Moun- 
tains, we have no great history to write of, 
no mighty deeds of valiant men to chroni- 
cle, no biography of some brilliant person 
who has gone from here and startled the 
world with his genius, for no native of 
Roxbury has been, to my knowledge, a 
member of Congress or of the State Prison 
either, but simply a story of hardy men and 
brave women seeking and making their 
homes among these hills. There are 
times when, perhaps, we may wish for a 
more genial clime and a more fertile soil, 
but none of us after living here a series of 
years will fail to love these hills, for it is our 
home. When we consider the changes that 
have been wrought in our State and nation 
during the past century, we know that our 
little town has kept pace with the rest. 
How diiTerent the scene of to-day and the 
one Samuel Richardson gazed on when 



first he came here. Atour feet still murmurs 
that little mountain stream that sparkled 
in the autumn sunlight of 86 years ago, 
but how changed is the rest. Then it 
was an unbroken forest, with naught but 
wild beasts for inmates ; now it is teeming 
with the marks of improvement. The iron 
horse is going at lightning speed through 
our valley ; step to yonder telegraph office 
and in a moment's time a thought of yours 
may be flashed to the Golden Gates of the 
Pacific, or, sent beneath the ocean's bed, 
may be heard on another continent ; on our 
hillsides are evidences of great improve- 
ments, machinery supplants labor, and the 
products of other climes may be ours at 
prices almost nominal. Forth from these 
hillsides come a thousand sparkling streams 
with water pure and clear as our lives 
should be ; across these hills the strong, 
invigorating air is ever waving, giving 
health and happiness, and here in our 
peaceful homes ought to be found hearts 
grateful to the Giver of all these blessings. 
But the tottering forms of these aged ones 
who have assembled here to-day, tell us 
plainly that it is but a brief happiness we 
have to enjoy here, and that with each re- 
turn of this golden harvest time, new 
mounds will have been made in our valleys 
and on our hillsides, marking the spot 
where some one is resting from his labors, 
and may God grant that when the last 
summons shall come, and the places we 
now occupy shall know us no more, that 
our lives shall have been such as to bear 
well the scrutiny of the Great Hereafter. 

A CENTURY OLD STORY. 

BY MRS. SARAH BItlGIIAM MANSFIELD. 
(Read at the Roxbury Centennial.) 

Ah; what more inspiring tlieme 
For poet's pen or poet's dream 
Tlian to go baclf an luindro(i years— 
To dream of all the hopes and fears. 

The heart-throbs and the pain 
Of those who lived, and loved, and died — 
Who felled the forests, dark and wide — 
Who. with nnswerving, constant toil, 
Cleared these broad acres, tilled the soil, 

Themselves a home to gain. 

A hundred years, or less, ago 
Deep waters had their ebb and flow; 
The willow bowed its graceful head 
Above the water-lily's bed. 

Where stands this village now. 
The bear and wolf roamed without fear. 
With now and then a moose or deer, 
And the primeval forests rang 
With shrieks of panther— the birds sang 

Their loftiest, sweetest strains, I trow. 
• 
The red man oft-times wandered through 
These dim old woods; ahl brave and true 
Were they who mid th' green hills of Vermont 
Sought and found homes; my word upou't, 

A uobler, truer race 



ROXBURY. 



765 



Than those old yeomen ne'er were seen ; 
Though brown of cheek, nor graceful mien 
Had they, their record shows 
A list of deeds tliat brighter glows 
As years come on apace. 

In a sweet glade, beside a wood, 

A century gone, a cabin stood; 

A purling bi'ook trilled joyously along. 

And bird-notes echoed back the song. 

While little children fair 
Joined in the chorus at their play ; 
What wonder that their hearts were gay— 
From the dread war papa had come. 
To spend his days in peace at home; 

How light seemed every carel 

'Twas springtime; adder-tongues were up; 
'Nealli the dry leaves the arbutus' cup; 
Rude troughs still caught the flowing sweet 
From the rock maple; tiny feet 

Made fairy footprints all around. 
One little lad, with crisp brown curls, 
And full white brow, fair as a girl's. 
Will) dusk-bright eyes, brim full of glee, 
Pet of that humble home was he — 

Humble, yet with love crowned. 

" O, let me mind the fire," he cried, " to day, 
And watch the sap, to see it boil away ; 
You go to dinner, one and all — 
Please let nie stay; I'm not so very small, 

I'll have you all to know; 
I'm a big boy, 'most eight years old. 
And not a bit afraid; now do not scold, 
For won't I make the kettle singl — 
And don't forget my lunch to bring— 

I'm starved almost!— now go." 

And so they left him, bright-eyed Ned; 
" He'll keep all right, we know," they said, 
" And feel as proud as any king— 
The little, pompous, silly thing. 

To think such work is play." 
And while they dined, the mother brought 
A dainty lunch of trout they'd caught. 
And good sweet bread, both brown and white: 
'•Now haste thee, husband, from my sight, 

Nor linger by the way ; 
"My heart is sad — oh I strangely sad— 
For fear of harm to the dear lad ; 
I know he's brave— as brave as good — 
But wild beasts lurk in the deep wood — 

Oh I haste thee to our child." 
"Fie I fie I upon thy woman's fears; 
The boy is safe— dry up thy tears; 
And when he comes with me to-night, 
Thou'lt smile upon this foolish fright — 

Hi loves the deep woods wild." 
Yet, as his hurried steps drew near, 
Why blanched his cheek with sudden fear? 
Ah! what was there his keen eye scanned? 
Prints of moccasined feet on every hand, 

With the bare ones of little Ned; 
An arrow and a wooden spoon- 
But where the boy they left at noon? 
The frantic father called in vain; 
Sad echo answered back the strain — 

Forever lost! it said. 
On through the forest, dark and wild. 
The frenzied father sought his child ; 
Through mountain gorge, o'er hill and dale, 
Till steps grew slow, cheeks wan and pale. 

He sought, but never found. 



Spring, summer, waned, and autumn came, 
Rich with ripe fruits and golden grain; 
But from that pleasant cabin home 
The light and joy for aye had flown-;- 
N'o little narrow mound, 

Rose-strewn, where they could go and weep. 
And know their darling was asleep 
Beneath the flowers ; no such relief 
Had tliose poor hearts; in silent grief 

They passed each weary day. 
White grew the mother's raven hair. 
Deep care lines 011 the brow once fair. 
Watching and waiting all in vain; 
The dear one came not back again — 

He was lost to them for aye. 

The stolen child was agrand-uncleof the writer. 

OUR ROXBURY VISIT. 

When in print so far as with Middlesex, 
we had no certain historian for Roxbury 
engaged, but learning by chance corres- 
pondence that Mrs. Sarah Brigham Mans- 
field was residing at Roxbury, made her a 
visit with much confidence, we had found 
the best person in the town to write out 
the historic record of Roxbury. While 
visiting Mrs. Mansfield, we also made a 
little trip into the Mad River Valley, that 
we had never dreamed of as so pretty ; 
heard Rev. P. B. Fisk in his address at the 
Fair at Waitsfield, and visited the birth- 
town of the Brigham family and Mrs. 
Laura Brigham Boyce. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mansfield pointed out many an old site 
named in our Fayston history, fresh from 
the press ; now Mr. M., the old home site 
of his father, which strangely the writer 
had somehow overlooked. 

Riley Mansfield, born in Winchen- 
don, Mass., came from there when 19 
years old, with an ox-team, by marked 
trees, through the heart of the Vermont 
wilderness, and located in the valley of 
Fayston, clearing himself a farm and 
rolling up the logs for his first log-house.' 
He lived in this town till his death, and 
raised a large family, and was one of the 
principal landholders of his day, as the 
Fayston records attest. His farms and 
mortgages on farms covered much of the 
territory of the town ; but he was no op- 
pressor. A neighbor under einbarrass- 
ment came to him one day, and said, "I 
want you to buy that 50-acre lot of mine. 
If I can turn it into money, I can save my 
farm and myself from ruin." "I will take 



766 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it," said Mr. M., and paid him his price for 
the land. The man afterwards said to 
him, "You saved me and my family from 
utter failure." A little later, hard times 
again came, and the neighbor was again in 
deep gloom. How he could meet his 
taxes he did not know. He had some 
fine sheep, but sheep were down in the 
market ; no one wanted to buy for half 
their worth. The melancholy man came 
down one afternoon to see if Mr. M. would 
not buy his sheep. Mr. M. was absent. 
He told his story to Mrs. M., and said he 
knew of no one else who would give him 
the worth of his sheep, but he thought 
that Mr. M. might, and let him have the 
money. Mrs. M., sorry for the man, and 
knowing the neighborly spirit of her hus- 
band, told him that she thought Mr. M. 
might buy the sheep, and she would tell 
him when he came home, and she thought 
he would be up there that night. The 
man left a little encouraged. Mr. M. did 
not return till late. Mrs. M. told him, but 
it was lo o'clock before he had his chores 
done, and he put off going up till the next 
morning. He went up then, but the man 
had hung himself in the night. His wife 
said to Mr. M., " Had you come up last 
night, it would have saved his life." Mr. 
M., although no ways obligated, always 
regretted that he had not gone up that 
night, late as it was. 

He brought apple-seeds from New Hamp- 
shire, and planted orchards around his old 
homestead 63 years ago ; trees yet remain 
there that sprang from the seed he planted 
then. Mr. M. removed from where he 
first settled to a farm on Mill brook, where 
he made his home the last 25 years of his 
life. His first home was adjoining the 
old Brigham farm on Fayston hill. His 
house was within 20 rods of where George 
Boyce now lives. He sold to Mr. Brig- 
ham and Mr. Griggs a part of their farms 
(old Stephen R. Griggs was the one who 
committed suicide). 

From Obituary. — "Riley Mansfield, of 

Fayston, died Jan. 14, , aged nearly 

J"] years ; another of our oldest and most 
respected citizens is gone, almost the last 
of the pioneer men who came to our town 



in its early settlement, or before it had be- 
come largely settled or improved. He 
came 56 years ago, and helped by his life- 
long industry to make the wilderness to 
blossom as a garden. At 23, he was con- 
verted at a camp-meeting, and united with 
the Methodist church, of which he was a 
member at time of his death. In 1822 he 
married Betsey Chase, who died Mar. 11, 
^y2>- Of ^ large family, but one son, Martin 
Mansfield, is now living. He was respect- 
ed for his sterling worth ; there lives no 
man who will say, ' Uncle Riley,' as he 
was called by all his neighbors, ever know- 
ingly cheated him one cent. Of his sudden 
death he seemed to have a premonition. 
He began to feel unwell Wednesday after- 
noon, and died on Friday near midnight. 
About an hour before he died, he dressed 
himself and laid down again on his bed, 
apparently comfortable, and died as an in- 
fant hushed to sleep in its mother's arms." 

After his death it was found he had 
written in his diary the Sabbath evening 
before, the following : 

"Jan. 9, Sabbath Evening. 
Now we know not what is before us ; we 
frequently hear of people being found dead, 
and as you all, my dear children, are away 
from me, the thought came to me that I 
might never see any of you again. Oh, 
what a feeling came over me ! I felt that 
I could not go to bed without writing a 
few words of entreaty that you would not 
let the busy scenes and cares of this life 
hinder you from preparing for the life to 
come. Oh, do think of the life that never, 
never ends! Think what folly it is to 
make overmuch provision for the flesh only 
to be enjoyed a few days! It is the height 
of folly for people to live as most do, and 
for professors of religion to live as all the 
world do, laying up treasures on earth. 
What I wrote on the other page (of this 
diary), was after I was ready to go to bed, 
but after these thoughts came to me, I 
made another fire and sat down and wrote 
this, hoping you might find it, and hoping 
it might have some influence on your lives. 
It may be your loving father's last request." 

It was his last request to his children, 
for he never beheld their faces again, his 
death on the next Friday night being so. 
unexpected, they were not sent for until 
all was over. 



ROXBURY. 



767 



BETSEY CHASE, 

who lived on Waitsfield Mountain, mother 
of Mrs. Riley Mansfield, of Fayston (see 
previous, page — ), used to tell many tales 
of almost incredible hardships and priva- 
tions. Her husband, Thomas Chase, 
served in the Revolutionary War, and she 
cared for her little family as best she could, 
as they were very poor, in the springtime 
subsisting upon milk and leeks (wild 
onions), and such small game as she could 
get, being an adept in the use of a rifle or 
shot-gun. At one time, when the army 
was in desperate need of recruits, and they 
were pressed into the service with but very 
little ceremony. When it was known offi- 
cers were in town for that purpose, many 
poor fellows, who much preferred to re- 
main by their own firesides to enduring 
the perils of war, would hide until the en- 
listing officers had left town. They, learn- 
ing this, devised a plan to catch them by 
letting loose their cattle in the night, and 
concealing themselves to watch for the 
men to come out and care for them. Sev- 
eral times one night Mrs. Chase heard the 
tinkling of her old cow-bell in her corn- 
field, and each time marched resolutely out 
and drove old "Crmnpie" into the yard, 
making all fast, and returned to the house, 
to have the same repeated, until the re- 
cruiting officer and men with him wearied 
out (at last,) made themselves and 
their errand known, and when told her 
husband was already in the service, were 
somewhat chop-fallen, but declared she 
was a brave woman, fit to be a soldier's 
wife. She was a strong, robust woman, 
and never seemed to know the meaning of 
the word fear. She often said she would 
as soon meet the devil in the dark as a 
man. Whether this was a bit of sarcasm 
on the " sterner sex" she never explained. 
Some of her superstitious neighbors called 
her a "witch," for her prophecies often 
came true, and they feared nothing so 
much as her displeasure, "lest some evil 
should come upon them." This rather 
pleased her than otherwise, as in this way 
she kept some disorderly neighbors very 
submissive. She died in Waitsfield, April, 
1852, aged over 90 years. 



The account of Riley Mansfield and 
Thomas and Betsey Chase belong to the 
towns of Fayston and Waitsfield, but hav- 
ing been overlooked at home, we include 
them with this near neighboring town, 
and the more easily, as Mrs. Mansfield has 
most cordially and permanently connected 
herself here as the historian of the town, 
though the family have now all removed 
from Roxbury and reside at Fairhaven. 

MR. buknham's reminiscences. . 
Deer. — Mr. E. P. Burnham, merchant 
at the village, told us he can remember 
some 50 years ago, when the deer used to 
herd together in spruce thickets on these 
mountains in the winter, and when the 
snow melted in the March days, and froze 
at night, making a crust, the hunters 
would be out the next morning for the 
deer. He says he has been on these 
mountains many times when the deer were 
so thick you could not count their tracks — 
the tracks were like a thousand sheep in 
the snow. The hunters frequently shot 
and brought in several deer at a time. He 
distinctly remembers when they brought 
in five at one time. 

He was graphic in his remembrances of 
Crandall, of whom Mrs. Mansfield has 
some anecdotes on the foregoing pages. 

"Some 50 years ago," says Mr. B., 
" there lived in this town a man by the name 
of John B. Crandall, but who was named 
and called by all his townsmen Judge 
Crandall, a drinking, miserable being, but 
a man with natural talent. He would get 
into debt and get sued, and defend himself 
in the courts. He managed his own case 
and plead his own cause before the jury, 
and usually with success. Judge Weston 
brought a suit for debt against him one 
time, however, in Randolph, when Cran- 
dall thought he would have some help, 
and engaged one of Judge Weston's stu- 
dents to help defend him. When the 
cause came on, the student arose to argue 
CrandalPs case, but, awed by the presence 
of his master, began to hesitate. Crandall 
stood it for a moment. He had an invet- 
erate habit of spitting when excited. For 
a moment he sat spitting, when, arising, 



768 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



drawing his ragged, slightly liquorfied form 
up to its full height, he spit once, twice, 
thrice. Said he, 'Sit down! sit down! 

You are afraid of the d d cuss ; let me 

try him!' He did try him, and won his 
case out and out with the jury, to the great 
amusement of all who heard the defense. 
He had a family. His own boys took after 
him in drinking, but had none of his power 
of wit and argument. I think they were 
more like their mother, who was a famous 
talker, but not well balanced. Some 
neighbors in of an evening, the old lady 
would sit and tell over her wise things ; 
the old man, under the influence of liquor, 
in his chair sit and doze, and when she 
had chatted away and told her long yarns 
till late, arouse himself up and say, ' A 
dumb fool always knows the most.'" 

The poor old man, of marked ability, 
but a wreck from his bad habit, died at 
last, and his curious old wife and his un- 
educated sons following in his steps, that 
never were any benefit to the community ; 
but in the thud generation, under the in- 
fluence of a better education, the ability 
of the grandfather again cropped markedly 
out. His grandsons have the strong nat- 
ural ability without the dissipation of their 
grandfather or fathers, and make fine men. 

THE 9OTH BIRTHDAY PARTY 

of Mrs. Betsey C. Spalding, of which 
Mrs. Mansfield has briefly spoken, was, 
indeed, a very unique and pleasant gather- 
ing, and as the oldest birthday party ever 
celebrated in Roxbury, should perhaps 
have a little more notice. Her five chil- 
dren, all living, were present : ErastusN., 
Billings, Mrs. Brackett, Mrs. P. Wiley, 
Mrs. A. N. Thompson, her daughter-in- 
law and her sons-in-law, and the grand- 
children in part : Mrs. L. P. Thompson, 
from Clarence, la. ; Mrs. Arthur Bradley, of 
Maiden, Mass. ; William Wiley, of White 
River Junction ; Charles, of St. Albans ; 
Edwin and Delia Wiley, Clinton Brackett, 
George Tilden, with their husbands and 
wives and four great-grandchildren, "un- 
cles, cousins and aunts." Over the front 
door was " Welcome! " in cedar; within, 
the mammoth cake on the table, "a pyr- 



amid of snowy whiteness, crowned with an 
exquisite white rose with silver leaves," a 
rose-pyramid rising beside, the gift of the 
great-grandchildren, of ninety rosebuds, 
rare specimens, just bursting into beauty, 
that filled the room with their delicious 
perfume; over the wall above, " 1791 and 
i8gi ; " another table — an elegant bouquet 
of hot-house flowers from St. Albans 
friends, a mound of asters, artistically ar- 
ranged, very handsome, from Mrs. E. P. 
Burnham, with letters of regret from friends 
who could not come, on the table. The 
photographer was there, and views taken 
of the family gathered about the aged 
mother in front of her house. Then there 
was the bountiful supper in the town-hall, 
five long tables, the central one laid with 
the mother's old-fashioned mulberry ware 
and silver of " ye olden" solidity and style ; 
and after, the birthday address by Rev. 
Eli Ballou, of Bethel, who referred to Mrs. 
Spalding's coming to Roxbury when the 
town was but a wilderness, being one of 
the first settlers. He spoke feelingly of 
the kind, loving mother she had been, how 
deserving of all their love and respect ; 
this occasion would remain a bright spot 
in their memories. Mrs. S. was born in 
Strafford, Ct., married John Spalding at 
20, and came to Roxbury. 

NORA, BLOSSOM OF THE MAY. 
BY A. WEBSTER. 
Where departed kindred sleep, 
And tlie living came and weep. 
Laid we, on a vernal day, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Seven summers' suns and flowers, 
Seven autumns' russet bowers. 
Eight sweet springtimes, fair and guy. 
Saw our blossom of the May. 
Mild was slie, and sweetly fair. 
Azure eyes and nut-bi'own hair; 
Voice that rivaled warblers' lay. 
Had our blossom of the May. 
Earth is sad now she is gone. 
Heaven anotlier charm has won; 
Where to meet, we hope and pray, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Best, sweet blossom, rest in peace, 
Where all pains and sorrows cease; 
In our liearts shall ue'er decay, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Nora, blossom of the May, 
Pride of her parental spray. 
Sweetly bloomed and passed away, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 



WAITSFIELD. 



769 



WAITSFIELD. 

BY REV. P. B. FISK. 

[Note.— The writer desires at tlie outset, to ac- 
knowledge gratefully the assistance he has received 
from several of his fellow-townsmen, and especially 
to give the credit due to the late Jennison Jones, Esq., 
for his MS., in whicli most of the facts and dates prior 
to 1850, were faithfully recorded.] 

The township owes its name to Gen. 
Benjamin Wait — the first settler and lead- 
ing proprietor of the town. It is situated 
in the south-western part of Washington 
Co., bounded by Moretown, Northfield, 
Warren, and Fayston. Its post-office is 
20 miles (more or less) from the capital of 
the State, and lies snugly embedded just 
in the "Fork of the Y" of the Green 
Mountain range. The valley of the Mad 
river, running from south-west to north- 
east intersects it, the serpentine course ot 
the stream both beautifying the scenery, 
and enriching and devouring by turns the 
meadows through which it winds its way. 
At the bottom of the deeply cut channel 
of the river may be seen the trunks of old 
trees, partly washed out, projecting from 
the banks, which must have been a hun- 
dred years old before they were overthrown. 
They are buried at a depth of about 10 
feet in pebbles, gravel, and surface soil. 
Moreover, 60 years ago there was a heavy 
growth of timber standing on this soil. 
Probably this original forest was over- 
thrown by the river, and the soil after- 
wards deposited, for the channel of the 
stream is by no means permanent. Since 
the remembrance of the writer it has worn 
to the east or west as many as 15 rods. 
The uplands are under cultivation as well 
as the interval land, and though broken 
are strong ; for the most part, they make 
ample returns to the dairyman and the 
shepherd. In spite of all these drawbacks 
the land is so productive that real estate 
brings a high price ; and it was well said 
by Mr. Jones in his sketch, that the town- 
ship was capable of supporting a much 
larger population than it has ever seen. 
No better crops are produced than by these 
farmers of Waitsfield, who take proper 
pains with their work. The forests which 
remain are a mi.xture of hard and soft 
wood, maple and spruce predominating. 



The landscape is set off finely with a scal- 
loped border, by the line of green hills, 
which completely inclose it as far as the 
eye can see ; leaving, apparently, no outlet 
even for the river ; and a few points, like 
those of "Bald" mountains and "Old 
Scrag," on the east and south ; Lincoln, 
with its slides, and Camel's Hump on the 
west, and Mansfield far in the north. 

On either side of this valley several fair 
sized brooks flow down from the hillsides, 
turning, or capable of turning, many busy 
wheels as they go. Of these the largest 
are Mill and Shepard's brooks on the west, 
and Pine brook on the east side of the 
river. White cottages are to be seen on 
either side the valley, and about there 
plenty of the evidences of thrift and com- 
fort — often of taste and refinement ; and 
the roads at all seasons are remarkably 
good through this whole valley. The 
landscape is pronounced, even by strangers, 
to be picturesque and charming beyond 
many others in Vermont, none of which 
are wanting in rural attractions. 

Mad river received its name doubtless 
from the fact that — the mountain slopes 
being so near and steep — the surplus water 
is almost immediately thrown off into the 
brooks, and by them poured out into the 
river, which of course rises like sudden 
anger overflowing its banksj and devouring 
them at will. 

Waitsfield is almost precisely at the 
geographical center of the State of Ver- 
mont, and tradition has it that the commis- 
sioners to locate the State Capital " stuck 
their stake " almost precisely where the 
village now stands. But Gen. Wait de- 
clared " he wouldn't have his meadow cut 
up," and so he saved the town from that 
honor. 

INCORPORATION. 

The charter is dated Feb. 25, 1782, or 5 
years after Vermont declared herself a free 
and independent State, signed by the ven- 
erable Thomas Chittenden, governor at 
the time. It was then a part of Chittenden 
County until 1811, when embraced in the 
new county called Jefferson, formed after- 
wards, called Washington. The township 
was .supposed to include a tract of 23,030 



97 



770 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



acres. In 1788, it was found to contain 
13,850 acres, or plus 840 acres. Tlie de- 
scription in the charter runs : 

6 miles, 1 26 chains on tlie northerly side ; 
5 miles, 27 chains on the easterly side ; 6 
miles on the southerly side ; 6 miles, 67 
chains on the westerly side. 

PROPRIETORS AND THEIR DOINGS. 

The grant of the township was made 
"to Benjamin Wait, Roger Enos, and 
their associates, to the number of seventy." 
It was designed to have been divided into 
75 equal shares (five of which were to be 
set apart for public use), containing 318 
acres each — two lots of 150 acres each in 
the 1st division, and one lot of 18 acres in 
the 2d division. The survey of the ist 
division, viz. : of that part lying west of 
the mountain, was made in 1788, and this 
survey and plot was accepted by the pro- 
prietors. But as the lots began to be 
taken up and cleared, it was found the 
survey was very inaccurate. The 2d range 
of lots from the Moretown line are actually 
180 rods wide ;■ the 5th range only about 
120 rods wide; the 6th range 180 rods, 
again ; also measuring the other way, there 
is a discrepancy, so that, for example, lot 
No. 107, first occupied by Mr. Salma 
Rider, contains 200 acres; lot No. 127, 
first occupied by Mr. John Burdick, only 
115 acres. 

This inaccuracy in the ist division made 
trouble in the survey of the 2d division, 
which was to consist of 70 lots, of 18 acres 
each. This survey was made by Stephen 
Maine in 1795, and the work — as far as he 
was really responsible for it — was done 
well ; but the gore proved to be about 
twice as wide as Mr. Strong had put it 
down. Mr. Maine relied implicitly on the 
field-book and plot of Mr. Strong, and 
made out his plot of the small lots before 
he entered upon the survey, and actually 
surveyed and marked the bounds of nearly 
half the lots before he discovered the 
mistake. 

Gen. Wait, one of the commissioners, 
was then consulted, and he was ordered 
to proceed with his work as he had begun, 
which he accordingly did, and the lots 
contain about 36 acres instead of 18. The 



errors of Mr. Strong's survey were at the 
time charged against his chain-men ; but 
Mr. Jonathan Marshal, late of Bethel, one 
of the party, relates that "they kept their 
big jug near Mad river, and carried a small 
jug with them on their routes. In sur- 
veying the 4th range, the small jug gave 
out, and they, having run back 20 rods to 
avoid an impassable ledge, forgot to make 
allowance for it in their haste to get back 
again.'' So, probably ' ' strong water " was 
the cause of the discrepancy. 

Five shares were granted for public pur- 
poses ; one each to the University of Ver- 
mont, the County Grammar School, the 
town schools, the support of preaching, 
and the first settled minister. 

Subtractions. — In 1822, "four tier of 
lots, including the small lots of the 2d di- 
vision, on the easterly side of the town," 
were set off to Northfield by the Legisla- 
ture. The tract lay on the Northfield side 
of the mountain, and in all business mat- 
ters, except town business, the inhabitants 
naturally gravitated toward that village. 
In 1846, 6 lots more, aggregating 2,400 
acres, making in all 8,310 acres taken from 
the original grant, were added to North- 
field, leaving a trifle more than two-thirds 
of the original 36 square miles to Waits- 
field. The line between the two towns is 
now "placed as near the top of the mountain 
as it could be without dividing lots. 

The first proprietors' meeting was held 
in Windsor, June 30, 1788, adjourned to 
meet at Timothy Lull's, in Hartland, Nov. 
4, 1788. It is probable that the adjourned 
meeting was held, but the record does not 
decide it so. The next date upon the 
records is "Woodstock, June 2, 1789," 
when a tax was voted to defray the ex- 
penses of obtaining the charter and making 
the survey. The names of those who 
voted the tax are given, together with the 
number of "rights" which each repre- 
sented : 

Zebulon Lee, 17 rights; Benjamin Wait, 
5 ; Joel Matthews, 3 ; John Marsh, 5 ; 
Ezra Jones, 3 ; Wm. Sweetzer, 3 ; Anthony 
Morss, I : Reuben Skinner, 3 ; or eight 
men representing 40 shares out of the 70. 
The remaining 30 shares were sold Sept. 



WAITSFIELD. 



771 



23, 1789, for taxes, at auction, bringing 
"^i, IDS. per lot." The most of them 
were bid off by Gen. Wait, who seems to 
have become from that time the " major- 
ity" of the proprietors. The records of 
the proprietors are exceedingly meagre, 
and most likely inaccurate, perhaps owing 
to the custom of "adjourning 15 minutes 
to meet at this place," just after organiza- 
tion, the interval being long enough to 
allow the clerk (to say nothing of the rest 
of the assembly), time to muddle his brains 
with toddy. 

In 1790, a petition was presented to the 
Legislature "for a tax of 2d. per acre," to 
be expended in building roads, bridges 
and mills in the town. This being grant- 
ed, it was equally divided between the 
mills on the one hand, and the roads and 
bridges on the other. In consequence, a 
saw-mill and grist-mill were speedily put 
in running order at the south-west corner 
of the town, by John Heaton, known as 
"Green's Mills," or the "Mill Village," 
and later as "Irasville." Before this the 
people had a large birch stump which they 
used for a mortar to pound hominy in, 
and were obliged to carry their wheat as 
far as Hancock to reach a regular grist- 
mill. 

THE FIRST ACTUAL SETTLEMENT 

was made by Gen. Wait and family, in 
1789. His house was erected on the 
meadow near the spot where his remains 
are buried. At that time, there was no 
other dwelling within 10 or 12 miles in any 
direction. Northfield already had a small 
settlement. Roxbury was occupied the 
same year, and Moretown the next. Fays- 
ton was an unbroken wilderness for more 
than 7 years after Gen. Wait came to 
Waitsfield. The town was not formally 
organized until 5 years afterward, or in 
1794. 

In 1795, the first representative was 
elected, there being then 27 legal voters in 
town. This representative was naturally 

GEN. BENJAMIN WAIT, 

of whom personally a few words ought to 
be spoken at this point. He was a native 
of Sudbury, Mass., being born Feb. 13, 
1736. In the language of "Thompson's 



Vermont" (p. 178) : " He possessed a 
firm and vigorous constitution, and early 
manifested a disposition and talent for 
military enterprise. At the age of 18, he 
entered the service of his country under 
the brave Gen. Amherst. In 1756, he was 
taken by the French, carried to Quebec, 
and from thence sent as a prisoner to 
France. On the coast of France, he was 
retaken by the British, and carried to Eng- 
land. In the spring of 1757, he returned 
to America, and in 1758, assisted in the 
capture of Louisburgh. During the two 
succeeding years, he aided in the reduction 
of Canada. After the submission of Can- 
ada, he was sent, by the commandant of 
Detroit, to Illinois to bring in the French 
garrisons included in the capitulation. He 
performed this difficult service with singu- 
lar perseverance and success. At 25 years 
of age, he had been engaged in 40 battles 
and skirmishes, and his clothes were sev- 
eral times perforated with musket balls, 
but he never received a wound. In 1767, 
he removed to Windsor, in this State, and 
constituted the third family in the town- 
ship. He acted a decided and conspicu- 
ous part in favor of Vermont in the contro- 
versy with New York. In 1776, he en- 
tered the service of the United States as 
captain, and fought under the banners of 
Washington till the close of the war, during 
which time he had been raised to the rank 
of colonel. After this he was made a 
brigadier general of militia, and was for 7 
years high sheriff of the county of Wind- 
sor. 

After he came to Waitsfield, he made 
profession of religion, and lived an exem- 
plary life to the last. 

He is said to have been of more than 
medium height, stout, of very light com- 
plexion, and until the day of his death, 
singularly erect, whether sitting, standing 
or riding. One incident will illustrate 
something of his usual manner. His son, 
at that time a man of middle age, having 
been bitten by a rabid dog, was urged in 
vain by his friends to go at once to a com- 
petent physician. His delay was occa- 
sioned by the pressure of his work, and 
the distance which he must put between 



772 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



himself and home. At that time there 
was no reliable physician nearer than 
Woodstock. The father becoming very 
anxious about his son, appeared on horse- 
back, and with another horse saddled, at 
his son's house, without previous notice, 
and said, " Young man! mount this horse 
and go to Woodstock with me ! There is 
a man to take care of your farm," pointing 
to a man who came with him. The son 
obeyed without argument, and was res- 
cued, though not without plain symptoms 
of hydrophobia, and a tedious summer of 
practical imprisonment, from which he 
once broke away, but was persuaded and 
carried back by his resolute father, who 
did not leave him alone much of the time. 
Gen. Wait lived to the age of 86 years. 
His death occurred suddenly and unex- 
pectedly, at the house of a friend, June 28, 
1822. He started out that morning, say- 
ing that he had business to do, which 
would take him to the Center and around 
by the lower "bridge. That after doing 
this, he intended to call at John Burdick's, 
and that after this journey was finished he 
should be ready to go. Arriving at the 
latter place, he complained of feeling un- 
well, and expired before his family could 
be notified. His remains were deposited 
in the grave-yard on the meadow just back 
of the village school-house. A marble 
monument marks the spot, which was paid 
for by subscription of the citizens, but 
which never satisfied them and ought never 
to have been accepted. Of his descend- 
ants, only a grand-daughter, Mrs. Harriet 
Carpenter, and some of her children and 
grandchildren remain in town. 

In 1797, the number of legal voters had 
increased from 27 to 61. The checklist 
of that year having been preserved, we are 
able to state that only three of these were 
living in 1850, while the number of inhabi- 
tants had increased to 1048, the remainder 
after a large district had been set off to 
Northfield. The vote for governor that 
year amounted to 182. The grand list was 
$2691.68. In 1869, there were 1005 in- 
habitants ; the vote for governor was 186 ; 
the grand list is $3536.63 ; but the basis of 
the grand list having been materially modi- 



fied, these figures do not properly indicate 
the growth of the town. Previous to 1842, 
land was listed at 6 per cent. ; buildings 
at 4 per cent., and stock at rates according 
to age and value. Now the whole prop- 
erty is listed at one per cent. Only 10 of 
the family names mentioned in the voting 
list of 1797 are now to be found in town ; 
five of these in the north district. In 
1850, there were living 21 men and several 
women, whose ages ranged from 78 to 88 
years. Of these only 1 1 family names re- 
main. The names which for many years 
predominated were Joslin and Jones, the 
former from Weathersfield, the latter from 
Claremont, N. H., with a liberal seasoning 
also of Smiths, Stoddards and Barnards, 
natives of Shelburne and Deerfield, Mass. 
At the present time (1869,) the Vt. Reg- 
ister represents Waitsfield as having i 
attorney, 4 physicians, 2 clergymen, 8 
merchants, i hotel-keeper, i artist, 9 man- 
ufacturers of all crafts. 

The chief business of the town.speople 
is farming. The chief products or ex- 
ports are butter and cheese, maple sugar, 
(100,800 lbs. of sugar were made in 1868,) 
wood, good horses, and cattle. There 
are two villages in the town, one of which 
monopolizes about all the mercantile busi- 
ness, being so situated as to make itself 
the natural center, not only of Waitsfield 
but of Fayston, and to a considerable ex- 
tent of Warren. They have a daily mail 
from Middlesex, and several teams are 
running continually to and from the rail- 
road, carrying lumber and bringing mer- 
chandise. 

The Congregational church stands on 
an eminence neither out of nor in the vil- 
lage. The old brick church is the only 
church edifice in the village proper. The 
Methodist society propose to erect a new 
church by its side in due time. 

The Hon. Roderick Richardson once 
offered the town a beautiful piece of land 
fronting on both the principal streets, for 
a public park and village-hall site, if they 
would improve it suitably. But with the 
same foresight which characterized Gen. 
Wait in refusing the State house when offer- 
ed,- the town let the opportunity pass, and a 



WAITSFIELD. 



m 



dwelling-house and garden now occupy the 
situation. May the time come when the 
citizens of this town shall have higher and 
more tasteful ideas than to say, as one once 
said to the writer, " I had rather see a hill 
of potatoes in my front yard, any time, 
than a bunch of flowers." 

There are no men of immense fortunes 
in town, but a number who have become 
wealthy in the popular, Vermont sense, 
by cultivating their farms, and by mercan- 
tile employments. There are scarcely any 
families who are not able to live comfor- 
tably. 

WAR RECORD. 

In the " memorial record of Waitsfield," 
prepared with great care by Rev. A. B. 
Dascomb, the number of our soldiers stands 
as follows : No. credited to the town by 
government, 95. No. of different individ- 
uals who served, 87. Died from sickness, 
10. Killed in action, 8. Several died 
after discharge from disease contracted 
and wounds received in service. 

The record of the standing of these men 
at their discharge or death is as follows : 

The list of their names in the order of 
enlistment, with their ages and rank at 
discharge, is as follows : 

C. M. Benedict, age 20, private. 
L. D. Savage, 23, private. 

A. H. Sellock, 19, private. 
H. P. Stoddard, 24, private. 
H. F. Dana, 24, private. 

F. T. Dana, 20, private. 
L. Ainsworth, 30, captain. 
M. Basconner, 27, private. 
H. N. Bushnell, 23, captain. 

B. D. Campbell, 18, private. 
H. F. Dike, 18, private. 

E. H. Fuller, 21, corporal. 
Horace B. Stoddard, 19, private. 
J. Harriman, 29, private. 
Manly N. Hoyt, 30, private. 
J. F. Jones, 47, private. 

G. S. Kneeland, 24, corporal. 
J. P. Newcomb, 18, private. 

E. R. Richardson, 24, sergeant. 

D. P. Shepherd, 27, corporal. 
M. C. Shepherd, 18, private. 
L. M. Spaulding, 19, private. 
S. S. Spaulding, 21, corporal. 



L. T. Stoddard, 18, corporal. 

S. Stoddard, 22, private. 

J. E. Tucker, 20, private. 

L. C. Peabody, 31, captain. 

Henry C. Shaw, M. D., 30, surgeon. 

A. Baird, 18, private. 

O. C. Campbell, 30, 2d lieutenant. 

J. H. Elliot, 34, private. 

H. R. French, 32, private. 

W. H. H. Greenslit, 26, private. 

G. B. Hall, 18, corporal. 

P. Haffman, 23, sergeant. 

J. H. Ouigley, 28, sergeant. 

T. Sanders, 29, corporal. 

H. A. Luce, 23, private. 

D. Foster, 21, captain. 
Almon Walker, 45, private. 
A. D. Barnard, 20, private. 

F. O. Bushnell, 22, corporal. 
H. A. Dewey, 30, private. 

J. Dumas, Jr., 22, private. 

E. A. Fisk, 20, private. 
D. Gleason, 42, private. 

D. Grandy, 24, private. 

E. A. Hastmgs, 23, private. 
J. Hines, 24, private. 

Z. H. McAllister, 21, private. 

A. D. Page, 21, private. 

E. F. Palmer, 26, 2d lieutenant. 

D. Parker, 21, private. 

L. B. Reed, 21, private. 

O. C. Reed, 23, private. 

J. W. Richardson, 43, private. 

L. Seaver, 17, private. 

D. S. Stoddard, 23, corporal. 
T. Stoddard, 18, private. 

C. G. Thayer, 20, private. 
J. M. Thayer, 21, private. 
H. M. Wait, 22, private. 

E. Whitcomb, 19, private. 
O. C. Wilder, 34, captain. 
L. C. Berry, 21, private. 

G. M. Jones, 19, private. 
H. Jones, yj, private. 

E. E. Joslyn, 19, corporal. 
J. L. Maynard, 29, private. 
T. T. Prentiss, 19, private. 
J. N. Richardson, 18, corporal. 
L. S. Richardson, 20, private. 
S. L. Kneeland, 18, private. 
J. W. Parker, 17, private. 
J. Sterling, 19, private. 



774 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



W. H. Stoddard, i8, private. 

V. B. Mix, 1 8, private. 

J.C. Williams, 20, private. 

A. B. Durkee, 21, private. 

J. P. Davis, 40, private. 

W. E. Dana, 18, private. 

G. P. Welch, 21, private. 

T. Burke, 21, private. 

J. H. Somerville, 21, private. 

E. L. Allen, 19, private. 

E. McCarty, 20, private. 

E. A. Burns. 18, private. 
Captains, 4 ; 2d lieutenants, 2 ; ser- 
geants, 3: corporals, 11; privates, 50; 
sharp shooters, 7; cavalry men, 4; bat- 
tery men, 2 ; Signal corps, i ; surgeon, 
I ; hospital steward, i ; musicians, i ; in 
the navy, i. 

Of those who were natives of this town, 
who went into the army from other places, 
there are, 2 ist lieutenants, i cavalry- 
man, and 12 privates. 

Most of these belonged to the famous 
"Vermont Brigade" of the "6th corps," 
who have received from a grateful country 
the honor which they thoroughly earned 
in many a march and battle. 

The amount of money expended by the 
town in procuring men for the army ser- 
vice : Paid for bounty to nine months' 
men, $575 ; to i year's men, $2,700; to 
3 years' men, $6,202 ; to substitutes, $700 ; 
subsistence for volunteers, $18.10; trans- 
portation for same, $38.50; services of 
selectmen and agents, $199.53; total, 
$10,433.13. 

The history of the 13th regiment (of 9 
months' men) who did good service in 
guarding the Occoquan during the winter 
of '62-'63, and also at the battle of Get- 
tysburg, where they constituted part of 
Gen. Stannard's command, has been pleas- 
antly told by Lieut. E. F. Palmer, in a 
neat little work entitled, "Camp Life." 

TEMPERANCE. 

Though it deserves to be said that the 
early settlers of Waitsfield were remark- 
ably moral, and many of them pious men, 
yet they were accustomed to partake of 
the intoxicating cup at will, and some of 
them a great deal too freely to be called at 
that time temperate men, and accidents 



resulting from intoxication and brawls 
were of altogether too frequent occurrence, 
and those who sold grew rich, while those 
who drank, many of them, " ran down." 

In 1821, at a "raising," one of the men, 
Wheeler by name, became intoxicated, 
and in wrestling, or " trying tricks," fell, 
and was carried home insensible, and found 
upon examination, to have expired, after 
being laid on his bed. 

This accident startled the whole com- 
munity, and the faithful pastor improved it 
by preaching a bold teetotal sermon at his 
funeral, from the text, " Except ye repent, 
ye shall all likewise perish." 

Soon after, Dea. Moses Fisk sent out 
invitations to the raising of a barn, with 
the proviso that no liquor would be fur- 
nished. There was, of course, a large 
gathering, with the ill-concealed design of 
forcing the Deacon " to cave in." Matters 
proceeded as usual in such cases, until the 
moment for raising the ridge-pole, or 
' ' rum-pole," as it was called. The order 
was given to take it up. The' men bent 
to the task, but strange to say, suddenly 
found themselves devoid of all strength, 
and after several trials, and much sham 
accusation of each other for not lifting, 
gave it up, saying they could do nothing 
more until strengthened by liquor. It was 
late in the afternoon, and the master- 
workman became so nervous that he finally 
begged of the Deacon to allow him, at his 
own expense, to provide a treat. This 
was refused, and the Deacon, a man of 
candor and decision worthy of a pioneer, 
made a short address, thanking his neigh- 
bors for what they had done, repeating 
his conviction that drinking was altogether 
a sin and an injury to the whole commun- 
ity," referring, with emotion, to Wheeler's 
death, and then saying, " It will be a se- 
rious inconveniencce to me if this barn is 
not finished. I cannot, however, do what 
my conscience forbids me to do, and if 
this frame cannot go up without rum, every 
stick of the timber shall rot on the ground 
where it lies." 

After a moment's pause, some one said, 
" The deacon is a good fellow, and lets up 
with it," and they went ahead with such 



WAITSFIELD. 



775 



eagerness that in a short time the work 
was done, without any accident or broil, 
and the people went home all of them well 
satisfied, and the most of them convinced. 
Though it is true that afterwards several 
" raisings" were scenes of riot and acci- 
dent, yet many were teetotal gatherings. 
Some who were weakly on the right side 
were strengthened, and those who did pro- 
vide rum for such occasions, only aided the 
temperance movement by furnishing fur- 
ther demonstration, that the use of rum 
was evil, and only evil. The earliest move- 
ment looking towards organization was the 
formation of a temperance society about 
1828; the members of which pledged 
themselves " to report faithfully every 
month what kind and quantities of liquors 
they drank, with the dates and the com- 
pany." This became at least the occasion 
of a reform in a few men, while others 
even withdrew from the society, loving 
darkness rather than light. A member of 
that society who " never had anything to 
report from first to last," said to the writer : 
" At that time I would no more have signed 
a teetotal pledge than I would have sold 
myself for a slave." A teetotal pledge 
was, however, signed by a number of the 
people, and a society maintained for some- 
time before the " Washingtonians " ap- 
peared, and the people as a majority have 
adhered to the subsequent measures of 
reform which have been inaugurated in the 
State, the old license and late prohibition 
statutes. The Good Templars have dealt 
with rumsellers with a spirit worthy of the 
children of those who sleep in the old cem- 
etery on the hill. 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

The inhabitants of Waitsfield — though 
for the most part uncultivated men and 
women — were by no means people of grov- 
elling ideas. They understood the advant- 
ages of free schools, and soon after the 
organization of the town, four school dis- 
tricts were laid out, in which (at least in a 
few years) schools were regularly main- 
tained. These were the North (No. i). 
The East and Center together, the village, 
and one mill-village district. At the pres- 
ent time the number of districts is seven, 



though they at one time numbered ten. The 
diminution is owing mainly to the union 
of districts, the village now sustaining a 
graded school. The number of scholars 
is far less now than it must have been 30 
years ago. The early settlers and their 
children, too, raised up large families, and 
were a good example of those spoken of by 
one of the sons of Waitsfield : 

•' For, 111 their ssveet simplicity, tliey liolil 
A child is better than a ijag of gold." 

At the present time there are but the few- 
est few of large families, and these are 
become a by-word. 

Several noted men, among whom is Pres- 
ident Kitchell of Middlebury, began their 
public career as teachers in these district 
schools. It has been customary also for 
many years to secure an undergraduate of 
some college as teacher of a " fall school " ; 
but those who would obtain a classical 
education are obliged to go out of town 
for it. 

In the records of the North district, 
(No. I,) we find some curious specimens 
of voting and recording, which serve at 
once as exponents of the parliamentary 
training of the clerk — of the poverty and 
trials of the people — and for the diversion 
of those who have enjoyed the better ad- 
vantages for which the untaught fathers 
laid the foundation : 

Dec. 22, 1797. Article 2d was put to 
vote to see if the District would hire Mr. 
S. Smith, to keep school, and engage 
him 10 bushels of wheat, and passed in the 
negative. 

Sept. 25, 181 2. Voted to have three 
months schooling the ensuing winter, and 
that the committee be instnicted to procure 
a teacher capable of teaching reading, 
writing, arithmetic, grammar and geogra- 
phy, provided such an one can be got for 
any other pay than money. (This was 
during the "second war," so styled.) 

The school-house, where this business 
was transacted, was built of logs, badly 
lighted, and with a huge old fireplace at 
one end, in which to consume enormous 
quantities of green wood during the cold 
winter days without much hope of giving 
an even temperature to the room. Often 
30 cords of wood were burned in a single 
winter. Yet here were trained up a com- 



776 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pany of men and women who have no- 
bly served their generation. They had 
no mathematics beyond the four funda- 
mental rules and the " rule of three," yet 
some of them became by their own native 
wit leaders in public business, and teach- 
ers of considerable merit. One of them 
pressed on until, in middle age, by the 
light of a chip fire, he had mastered Cicero 
and Virgil, having no Lexicon but that in 
the old Latin Reader, and no teacher ex- 
cept occasionally the " master" who came 
from college to teach the winter school. 
It should be said, however, that he had 
text books that were half " pony " at least. 

This man (Ithamar Smith, now deceased) 
was especially thorough in his explanations 
to his pupils when a teacher. One of these 
explanations was so simple and perfect, 
that we must not pass it by. He studied 
intensely one evening to find some actual 
demonstration of the rule that " the area 
of a circle is equal to that of a parallelo- 
gram, the length of which is equal to half 
the circumference, and the width to half 
the diameter of the circle." He finally hit 
upon this. Taking a pie to school for his 
dinner and cutting it fine, he laid the 
pieces together "crust to point." The 
reader will perceive that one half the crusts 
made the length of the parallelogram, the 
width of which was the length of a piece 
of pie, or half the diameter of the pie. 
No better demonstration could be made 
than this. 

Another of these almost self-taught men 
was once assisting a company of survey- 
ors, and when they ran oft the lots in dia- 
mond form, " because the lay of the land 
made it easier to do so," he declared they 
were cheating the owner. They looked 
down upon him from their scientific heights, 
and haughtily demanded the proof. He 
quietly took a straw, and bending it into a 
square — having hold of the opposite cor- 
ners — said "call that a square lot." Then 
drawing out a little on the corners, which 
he held, so as to make a diamond of it, he 
said, "you say there is just as much land 
there now?" They replied "of course 
there is." Drawing it up until there 



was nothing left, he asked triumphantly, 
" now is there?" 

There have been too many instances of 
rebellion among scholars, and dismissal 
of teachers who lacked muscle ; and in a 
proportion with the frequency of these 
things, a lower grade of scholarship in all 
the schools. 

INCIDENTS. 

Many of the early inhabitants were cer- 
tainly very credulous and superstitious. A 
daughter of Mr. Samuel S. Savage, 
" dreamed three nights in succession, that 
there was a large pot of Captain Kidd's 
money buried near a ledge of rocks, a few 
rods east of the house." This occurred 
not far from the year 1800. It never en- 
tered the heads of any of the family, or 
tlieir neighbors, to ask how Capt. Kidd 
should chance to be burying money 200 
miles and more inland, when only savages 
inhabited all the wilderness ; but they 
"had heard it said that whatever was 
dreamed three nights in succession always 
came to pass," and so Mr. S. commenced 
digging for the money. The same tradi- 
tion enjoined — as indispensable to success 
— that no word should be spoken during 
the process, and that some one should sit 
by and read the Bible all the while. So 
Nancy sat on the rock reading, and Sam, 
the son, was sometimes with them. After 
digging several days, " in stabbing down 
his crowbar, he hit the identical pot. He 
distinctly heard the money chink, held his 
bar on it that it might not escape him, and 
beckoned to Sam to come and dig it out." 
Unfortunately, however, he could not make 
Sam understand, and at length Sam 
spoke ! Instantly the pot of money moved 
away, and he could never find it again. 
The most ridiculous part of the matter, is 
the fact well attested, that Mr. Savage be- 
lieved all this, as long as he lived, and was 
never ridiculed out of it. 

Somewhat in the same line (though more 
successful) was the dream, thrice repeated 
the same night, of a Mr. Rice (late Dea. 
Rice of Granville,) then in the employ of 
Gen. Wait, (not far from 179S,) that he 
went to " the cove," (now part of the mill 
pond at the village,) and saw a moose, 



WAITSFIELD. 



m 



which he shot and killed, and that a man 
came along just then with a sled, and car- 
ried the game in for him. When he arose, 
having told this to the family, Mrs. Wait 
took down the old "Queen's arm" and 
handed it to him with the powder-horn and 
bullet pouch, when he repaired to the spot, 
saw the moose, brought him down with a 
single bullet, and returned with his booty 
on the sled of the man from Warren, all 
according to programme. This large story 
is too well attested to leave any room for 
contradiction. 

The writer has many an instance in mind 
of the scrupulous care with which these 
grandmothers made sure of the "signs" 
in all important domestic matters, such as 
picking the geese and "setting" all sorts 
of bipeds, making soap, butchering, taking 
a journey, commencing a piece of work, 
and one even believed "it would spoil a 
hasty pudding to stir it against the sun." 

It seems strange that sturdy men and 
women, who were not afraid of bears and 
wolves, and who could ride on horseback 
" double," and each carry a child to meet- 
ings — who were possessed of such ster- 
ling common sense in most matters — should 
be so completely under the powers of such 
petty superstitions. 

ACCIDENTS. 

It is sometimes remarked that " dead 
trees fall silently and in still weather." 

This was illustrated in the case of Wm. 
Joiner in 1805. He was riding on horse- 
back through a piece of woods near the 
house now owned by Dea. David Phelps, 
when the trunk of a decayed tree fell across 
his path in such a way as to scratch the 
pommel of his saddle, and instantly kill 
his horse, while he remained entirely un- 
injured. There have been 10 cases of 
accidental deaths since the organization of 
the town : 

In 1810, Lewis Taylor, age 10, was 
drowned in the flume of a grist-mill ; Enos 
Wilder, age 35, killed by a tailing tree, 
and Gilbert Wait, Jr., age 3, killed by 
falling through an aperture in the chamber 
floor. 

In 181 5, a child of Daniel Skinner was 
smothered in bed. 



In 1820, a child of Ezra Jones fell from 
the arms of a girl who was tossing it in 
sport, and was killed. 

In 1821, Wm. Wheeler, age 55, was 
killed by " trying tricks" at a raising. 

In 1822, Joseph L. Carpenter, age 14, 
was killed by the falling of a tree. 

In 1830, John Kimball, age 3, was 
drowned in a channel washed out by the 
flood, which had previously swept away 
the dwelling ; Eliza A. Stoddard, age 6, 
killed by the kick of a horse. 

In 1833, Mrs. Simeon Pratt, age 38, 
supposed to have died in a fit. 

In 1836, Luther Fairbanks, age 30, 
drowned while bathing. 

In 1842, child of C. Joyce, smothered in 
I he bed. 

In 1848, John O. Shaw, age 11, was 
hung in a school-house window when trying 
to climb in. 

In 1850, James D. Bushnell, age 21, 
drowned while bathing. 

In 1865, Howard Bruce, age 4, drowned 
in a spring. 

There have also been several cases of 
sudden deaths from occult diseases, and 4 
cases of suicide. 

RELICS OF INDIANS. 

This territory was once occupied as 
hunting grounds by a portion of the " St. 
Francis" tribe of Indians, if the traditions 
of a relic of the tribe can be relied upon. 
Many traces have been discovered of their 
occupancy, which seem to show that they 
had vacated the valley only a few years 
before the coming of Gen. Wait. 

In 1808, Samuel Barnard, while at work 
in his sugar-place, found a two-gallon 
brass kettle turned upside down on a rock. 
The kettle only a few years ago was in use 
in his family. Another was found not 
long after on the lot lying east of Mr. 
Barnard's, and not very far from the spot 
where the first one was found. 

In 1822, as Ebenezer Barnard (son of 
Samuel), and Rufus Childs, were clearing 
a part of this same sugar-place, they found 
a gun and pistol, tomahawk, and about a 
quart of beads, made of something resem- 
bling brown earthen ware. The stocks of 
the gun and pistol were rotten, but the 



778 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



barrels, though rusty, were good, and have 
done good service since. The gun was 
found sticking out of the ground, and in 
digging to see if some chief had been 
buried there, the pistol and beads were 
found at a depth of about 2 feet. 

GAME. 

For many years after the settlement of 
the town, the deer were quite plenty in the 
forests, as well as trout in the streams. 
The bears and wolves proved a serious 
annoyance to the settlers. Neither fields 
of grain nor flocks of sheep were safe un- 
less watched continually. But bruin soon 
became very cautious. 

In the year 1804, Dea. Moses Fisk shot 
and killed a large bear Sabbath night, 
that was about to spring at one of his 
sheep, in a pasture very near his house. 
It was jokingly said that "the bear had 
too much confidence in the Deacon to 
suppose he would shoot him Sunday, and 
so exposed himself carelessly." The 
Deacon was an excellent shot, and it is 
said that he brought down six bears — sev- 
eral of them under hazardous circum- 
stances, and that he never missed but one 
that he fired at. He also killed many 
deer, one of them with an axe, at a lime 
when the snow was very deep, with a little 
crust on the top, and the writer has the 
antlers upon his carving knife and fork. 
His wife, also, shot an insatiable hawk, 
that " did not come when the Deacon was 
at home," and it is probable that both did 
no more than their share, but other facts 
and names are lost. 

In 1797, the wife of Dr. Pierce, living 
near Moretown line, saw a deer pursued by 
the hunters approaching the house. Judg- 
ing that he would pass through a narrow 
gap between the fence and the house, she 
caught up an axe and stationed herself by 
the corner of the house, and when the deer 
made its appearaixce, actually inflicted a 
mortal wound upon him ; but as soon as 
she had done so, became aifrighted and 
fled to her chamber, "and almost went 
into hysterics." 

In the spring of 1821, a wolf was dis- 
covered near the house of James Joslin, 
and was turned back into a strip of woods. 



where he was speedily surrounded by the 
yeomanry, who rallied at short notice, and 
at length shot by Dea. Moses Fisk. The 
bounty of $20 was given to the minister. 
Rev. A. Chandler, and with it he made 
himself a life member of the Bible Society. 
In March, 1855, another wolf was sur- 
rounded and killed in the same forest. 
The writer was one of the boys who waded 
through the deep snow to assist in his 
capture, and had the privilege of sending 
one bullet after him, with perfect safety to 
the wolf. He was first discovered by 
Pardon Bushnell, Esq., making for the 
East mountain, and first surrounded in 
the piece oi woods lying between the river 
and the old common. It is not a little 
remarkable that, after breaking out of this 
ring, he should have been secured at all, 
and that in less than four hours after ; 
weight, 87 lbs. Several marksmen lay 
claim to the honor of bringing him down. 
It probably belongs to Cheney Prentice, 
Esq. It was sold for $5, and bounty, at 
auction, and the same distributed (by vote 
of the captors), to the poor of the town. 

FIRES. 

There have been 15 fires in town which 
amounted to total loss of the buildings, 
and in most cases an almost total loss of 
contents. They may be classified thus : 
distilleries, 2, prior to 1818; stores, i; 
shops, 4; barns, 2; dwellings, 6. Of the 
causes of fire, it may be said that the store 
was set on fire late in the evening, while 
the clerk was drawing some alcohol to 
cook eggs with, for a few select com- 
panfons. In several cases the dwellings 
were set on fire from ashes left in wooden 
vessels ; in others, the cause remains un- 
known. One barn was burned by light- 
ning. Only once (1846), have two such 
casualties occurred the same year. 

The first fire of all occurred in 1794, and 
in the coldest of the winter. It was the 
dwelling-house of Daniel Taylor, the 
Elder, and was situated on the meadow 
now owned by Comstock Prentice, Esq. 
The story of the fire is so pleasantly told 
in rhyme by Mr. Smirh before mentioned, 
that we give it entire, only adding that the 
settlers did all thev could for the families. 



WAITSFIELD. 



779 



while one went to Shelburne, Mass., and 
procured supplies which could not be had 
nearer, and which were gladly given by 
the former neighbors of the two families : 

THE BURNINCi HOUSE. 

Among the many fictions new 
This story old is sti-ictly true ; 
To snatcli it, fading, if I can. 
From darli oblivion, is my plan. 

When Waitstield mostly was a wild. 

As I— an aged man — a child, 

When woods were 'round the dwelling near, 

And huntsmen shot the bounding deer. 

When flowed Mad River full of trout. 

And boys could fish a plenty out. 

My father left a distant town 

To settle near the river down. 

No land had he but forest wild. 

No home to shelter wife or child : 

My Uncle Taylor kindly shared 

With us the house he had prepared ; 

Two rooms, with roof of bark, it had. 

And sheltered cousins very glad; 

Nine little children were we all. 

The oldest being only small. 

Our liappy quiet did not last 

Till the first Sabbath eve was past; 

The men that evening were away. 

The children mostly sleeping lay; 

Some flax, in bundles very dry. 

Was o'er the entry lying high ; 

My motlier near with candle came, 

And lucklessly it caught the flame; 

Her shriek I still remember well. 

Such shrieks as sudden panic tell. 

In vain she tried to stop the fire; 

She only made it blaze the higher. 

The rapid flames began to pour 

Bright blazes on the entry floor. 

And through that fiery entry lay 

The only cliance to flee away. 

Just time the mothers had to throw 

Their naked children on the snow. 

Then count them rescued o'er and o'er. 

Lest there were missing one or more— 

When did a mother ever yet. 

In fright or haste, her child forget?— 

Poor " Penny " met a harder doom. 

And puss within that burning room. 

Without intent were blankets four • 

Snatched with the children; nothing more. 

Their garments all were left to share 

The fate of other comforts there. 

Tlie absent fathers saw the flame. 

And with some neighbors, breathless came— 

Too late,— they sped but to behold. 

With joy, the children in the cold. 

Stay, reader! hear my story through, 

Since all I have to tell is true! 

While high the fire terrific blazed. 

The people o'er the river gazed, — 

"What could tliat light, portentous, mean. 

Above the trees at distance seen ? " 

Off sped the men the cause to see. 

And ofler aid if need should be; 

The women grouped and talked with fear, 

Expecting direful news to hear. 

" His children left alone," they said, 

" Have tired the house above their head." 

But when my sorrowing motlier came. 



And not a child .was left in flame. 
Although in bitterness she cried. 
And seemed as if she might have died. 
They thought the trouble very small. 
Since house was nothing— life was all! 
Now let us make the moral out 
(For facts their moral have, no doubt) ; 
Think, when misfortune gives you paiu. 
It might be worse, and not complain. 

FLOODS. 

In July, 1830, the rivers overflowed the 
whole valley, sweeping away every bridge 
in town, and doing incalculable damage 
to the crops, and not a little to the mills. 
The grist-mill was left on an island, by 
the gulling of the flood. The dwelling of 
a Mr. Kimball was swept away, but the 
family escaped. This house stood on the 
bank. Mr. K. had lately buried his broth- 
er, with whom he was in company. He 
used to say, that in the night he awoke 
and listened to the roar of the water, and 
the thought once arose that he ought to 
get up and see if all was safe ; but he had 
so little apprehension that he did not 
arise. In a few moments, he saw his 
brother standing by the side of the bed, 
and bidding him get up and flee. He de- 
clared he was wide awake, and saw the 
form vanish away. He arose, and finding 
there was danger, removed his family ; 
and as he stepped out on the door-stone, 
last of all, the house began to settle away, 
and in a moment or two, went over into 
the flood. 

In July, 1850, another flood swept 
through the valley, doing not so much dam- 
age as before, yet enough to make it re- 
membered well. In July, 1858, there was 
another of a singular character, as all the 
damage was done by the brooks on the 
west side, or by the river swollen by their 
torrents. It would seem as if a huge cloud 
must have emptied itself all at once upon the 
hills of Fayston, although there were, in- 
deed, heavy rains at the same time in the 
east part of the town. The thunder- 
shower (for such it was,) lasted only a few 
hours. It was the 21st birthday of the 
writer, and he remembers very well how, 
for over half an hour, a sheet of water 
poured from the I'oof breaking into drops, 
or pailfuUs, about one foot below the ends 
of the shingles. " Shepard's Brook " (the 



78o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



most northerly of the streams having its 
rise in Fayston,) swept out for itself vari- 
ous new passages, and, in one case, up- 
rooted and pushed for over a mile into the 
river and across it, upon the meadow 
nearly half an acre of heavy timber. A 
Mr. Learned, living near the mouth of the 
brook was reading his paper in the even- 
ing, when he " heard something bumping 
against the floor,"'' and on going to the 
cellar found it to be his meat-barrel float- 
ing about. The water was then running 
across his lower doorstep, and the roaring 
of the brook showed its furry, while exam- 
ation proved that there was no way of 
escape from the house. Though several 
buildings were swept away, this house the 
most beleagued of all, was spared. 

Dea. Parker relates that at 5 o'clock 
there was not a foot of water in the brook, 
and at 10 o'clock he stood and saw his 
barn carried away by the flood. A num- 
ber of farms suffered severely by the wash- 
ing away of the soil. 

In October, 1869, another flood swept 
through this valley, reaching within a little 
over a foot of the high water mark of 1830. 
The town were obliged to raise an extra 
tax of 60 cents on the dollar to meet 
the damages. The crops of corn which 
were not already housed were swept away, 
and the breaking out of the river at the 
west end of the dam above the grist mill 
seriously endangered the village, and car- 
ried away a shop belonging to J. W. Rich- 
ardson, Esq. It will be remembered that 
the water rose at three separate times, 
being highest on Monday, the 4th of Oct., 
but nearly as high on Monday the nth, 
and high enough to awaken much anxiety 
on Wednesday, the 13th. Pine brook 
made a clean sweep of her 7 bridges, and 
many other bridges in the town followed 
suit. This high water was predicted by 
astronomers in the month of June, and 
their calculations did not fail except by less 
than 24 hours. 

Also quite frequently, when the river 
breaks up in the spring, the ice will clog 
up, and the meadows will be flooded, wash- 
ing away fences and sometimes the soil it- 
self. And the poorer class of bridges, 



built in an early 'day, were often carried 
off" in this way, but for many years no riv- 
er bridge has been thus lost. Mad river 
without this turbulence, would be like the 
play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

In 1794, a town committe was appointed 
to "layout a meeting-house and yard." 
The site chosen was what is still known 
as " the common" — an elevated plain near 
the center of the original township. It 
consisted of about 9 acres, and the title 
was conveyed to the town in 1796. Five 
acres was the gift of Ezra Jones, Esq., on 
condition that, " if the town moved the 
centre ( ?) from that place" the title should 
be void. As soon, therefore, as the " new 
meeting-house" at the river village was oc- 
cupied, and the town voted to hold town- 
meetings at the river, the heirs took posses- 
sion of their portion. The remaining four 
acres, purchased for"_^i, los.," of a Mr. 
Savage, are still common. The forest 
which covered this lot was chopped by a 
"Bee," in 1797, and the ground was then 
let out in parcels to be cleared, each work- 
man having the right to take two crops of 
grass for his remuneration upon the lot set 
apart as a common. The burial ground 
was not fenced until 1809. 

The first proposal as to building a house 
of worship, was to erect one jointly with 
the school-district on the east side of the 
common, with the understanding that when 
both parties were better able, the district 
should buy out the town, and the town 
should build a regular church edifice. After 
the trame was up and partly covered, the 
district receded from the engagement ; and 
in due time, the frame was removed to the 
valley, where it has been used as store and 
dwelling-house until the present time — 
known as the "Lewis Holden" house. 

This apparent drawback was after all a 
stimulous to the religious interests of the 
town. It hastened the erection of a suita- 
ble meeting-house — an imposing structure 
of the olden style, bearing date 1807, alto- 
gether innocent of paint inside, and for 
some years of stoves ; but extravagant in 
the amount of 7.X9 glass, which rattled away 
at every suggestion of a breeze. It had 



WAITSFIELD. 



781 



the usual high pulpit, towering over the 
"deacon's seat," — the capacious gallery, 
and for many years the ample sabbath as- 
sembly. On the Society's record, we read 
among other recommendations of a com- 
mittee, that a certain proportion of the 
money derived from the sale of the pews 
should be paid at the beginning, as it 
would be needed for nails, glass, " and 
rum for the raising." 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

The Congregational church, which con- 
troled this house, was organized with 1 1 
members in 1796. Rev. Ebenezer Kings- 
bury, of Jericho, officiating. Others were 
gradually added to it, and it became strong 
enough in 1801 to settle a pastor; and 
from that time has been the strongest re- 
ligious body in the town. 

Rev. William Saulsbury, the first pastor, 
was a young man, well educated, and able 
in the pulpit, but singularly wanting in 
those qualities which secure the respect 
and affection of the people when outside 
the pulpit. He received the "minister's 
lot" as a settlement portion, and $166.67 
the first year, it being agreed that the 
salary should be increased as fast as the 
grand list on the society's roll increased, 
until it should amount to $266.66. The 
ordination services took place in a booth 
built for the occasion, on the site chosen 
for the meeting-house. Rev. Mr. Lyman, 
of Brookfield, preaching the sermon from 
I. Tim. 4: 16. 

During the 68 years since the ordina- 
tion of Mr. Saulsbury, 19 ministers have 
at different times had charge of this church. 
Of these, the longest pastorate was that of 
Rev. Mr. Chandler, 20 years ; the next 
longest, that of Rev. Charles Duren, lo 
years, and next, that of Mr. Saulsbury, 9 
years. 

LIST OF MINISTERS. 

Rev. William Saulsbury, i8of-'9;Am- 
ariah Chandler, i8io-'3o; Guy Sampson, 
i83i-'3r ; Joseph Marsh, i832-'34; B. F. 
Read, i835-'35 ; S. G. Tenney, i835-'37 ; 
A. Flemming, 1837-38 ; Preston Taylor, 
i839-'42; Calvin Selden, 1843-4; James 
Hobart, i845-'49; Charles Duren, 1849- 
'54 ;L. H. Stone,i855-'56; Andrew Royce, 



i8s6-'57 ; C. W. Piper, i857-'57 ; C. S. 
Smith, i858-'58; Robert Stuart, 1858-59; 
Mr. George Pierson, i859-'6o ; Rev. A. 
B. Dascomb, i86o-'67 ; J. H. Babbitt, 
1 868. 

Five men have commenced their minis- 
try with this people. None have finished 
their ministry here. But the impression 
of the character and doctrine of Mr. 
Chandler is not yet obliterated. A fact 
which shows how good it is for a people to 
keep a good and faithful pastor, and that 
the length and the success of a pastorate 
bear some relation to each other. 

THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH. 

John Barnard, i796-'i3; Moses Fisk, 
1801-47; David Phelps, 1813-23; Jede- 
diah Bushnell, i825-'66; Ithamer Smith, 
1830-48 ; Isaac Hawley, i836-'48 ; Lyman 
Fisk, 1844— ; David M. Phelps, i866-'69 ; 
Henry N. Bushnell, 1866 — ; Edward A. 
Fisk, 1866—. 

There have been several seasons of re- 
vival among this people, — the most marked 
(considering their permanent fruits,) be- 
ing that in 1817-18, under Mr. Chandler's 
preaching, and that in 1865-6, under Mr. 
Dascomb's. In each case 35 members at 
one time, — and most of them by profes- 
sion, and others at intervals afterwards. 
It deserves to be said that, while this 
church may not have accomplished more 
than the average of country churches, it 
has done much good in training up those 
who have labored much in other places. 
Those who have gone out as laymen to 
strengthen other churches would make, in 
point of numbers, a large parish, and in 
point of influence a strong one, while it 
can show a longer roll of professional 
men — nearly all ministers — than the ma- 
jority of Congregational churches in Ver- 
mont. Its membership from the first until 
now amounts to 500. The Congregational 
Society was formed under the old law. 
All the voters in town were members of it, 
unless they individually withdrew, by cer- 
tifying to the town clerk " that they did 
not agree in religious opinion with a ma- 
jority of the society." This statute was 
repeated at Woodstock in 1807, and in 



782 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



consequence, the society dissolved and 
formed a voluntary association, assuming 
all the rights and immunities of the old 
one. In 1845, a new meeting-house was 
built in the outskirts of the village, and 
dedicated, Rev. Mr. Gridley of Montpelier, 
preaching the sermon from Haggai 2 : 9. 

The question, whether to "repair or 
build at the river," was one that divided 
the feelings of the people seriously. By 
vote of the society, it was at length sub- 
mitted to the judgment of three men, viz : 
John L. Buck, and two others, beside, 
the agreement being that their decision 
should be accepted as final. They decid- 
ed naturally enough that the society 
" should build at the river." The results 
of this difficulty were that the new house 
was located just out of the village instead 
of in it, on elevated ground, toward the old 
common ; so that the people who have to 
walk to church, find it quite a task to 
climb up from the village, and on week 
days, men drive by to the grist-mill and 
the postoffice, not always getting back to 
the meeting they should attend, or at least 
not until late, and evening meetings must 
go begging at private houses. 

This partiality for the consecrated spot 
also led at length to the building of a small 
edifice out of the ruins of the old one, as a 
sort of union house, "to be used for fu- 
nerals, evening services, &c." 

After the building of the new church, 
the society became greatly reduced. For 
various causes, one after another withdrew 
their names from the roll ; preaching was 
sustained by subscription only, and there 
were only about 12 men who could be de- 
pended upon to bring up arrears. These 
were obliged to pay a sum equal to five 
times all their other taxes combined, for 
years. It is needless to say that these 
were earnest and pious men ; and it is 
pleasant to record the fact at length they 
have seen better times. Much credit is 
due to Rev. A. B. Dascomb for his patient 
continuance with this people in times when 
i t was exceedingly difficult to raise a salary, 
he having come to them when they were 
lowest, and bv the blessing of God, leav- 



ing them in 6 years, able and willing to 
give a pastor a good support. 

METHODIST. 

The first Methodist preaching in the 
town was probably about 1804, and doubt- 
less a class was formed soon after. The 
town was first embraced in the Montpelier 
circuit, as were also the towns of Middle- 
sex, Moretown, Warren and Fayston. 
Their first church edifice was erected in 
the mill village in 1833, "^'^^ remodeled, a 
spire added, and painted in 1852. In 
1845, ^^^^ circuit was abolished, and Waits- 
field and Warren became a station. In 
1868, Waitsfield became a separate charge. 
The names of those who have been preach- 
ers, with the dates of their pastorate, as 
far as they can be ascertained, are as 
follows : 

Rev. Wilder Mack, Abel Heath, John 
Cummings, Nathan Howe ; John Nason, 
1835 ; Moses Sanderson, I. D. Rust, Cyrus 
Liscomb, H. J. Wooley, Wm. Blake, O. M. 
Legate, Harvey Hitchcock, H. T. Jones, 
D. Willis, P. N. Granger, A. J.Copeland, 
C. W. Kellogg, W. J. Kidder, P. Merrill, 
N. W. Scott, H. Webster, C. S. Buswell, 
L. Hill, B. P. Spaulding; N. M. Granger, 
1868 ; F. M. Miller, 1869. The present 
number of members is 62, and probation- 
ers 8. 

A good little anecdote is told of the 
times of Elder Mack. There was strong 
prejudice at that time in all the land 
against this denomination, over and above 
the objection that it was dividing the 
feelings and interests of the people. One 
Sabbath, Dr. Stoddard and wife, who 
lived at the extreme south of the valley, 
were unable to attend meeting. The chil- 
dren, however, went, and learning before 
they arrived at home that Elder Mack was 
going to preach at the school-house in 
their neighborhood, they rouguishly re- 
ported to their parents that " there was to 
be a lecture at the school-house that even- 
ing." So the mother (who would not have 
j countenanced a Methodist meeting by any 
I means) , went with the children to the 
I lecture. Finding it was not their own 
! minister, but supposing it was some one 



WAITSFIELD. 



783 



with whom he had exchanged, she became 
intensely interested in the discourse. On 
their return, the eldest son asked, " Moth- 
er, what ism do you call that, Congrega- 
tionalism or Methodism, or what? " "I 
call it ' gospelism,' " was her frank reply ; 
and then she was informed that she had 
listened to Elder Mack. Of course the 
son was rebuked for concealing the fact, 
but whether it tended to relieve her of her 
prejudices, or not, we do not know. Her 
husband, however, though a most exem- 
plary and strict man, lived and died be- 
lieving himself "a reprobate" — a belief 
that Methodism might probably have cor- 
rected, had it been understood. 

There have been several religious awak- 
enings in the history of this church, the 
most marked of which was in 1835, when 
many were numbered as believers. Of 
this class, one has become a useful min- 
ister of the Gospel (Alonzo Hitchcock), 
and several others were most exemplary 
Christians while they lived. 

UNIVERSALIST. 

This society was formed Dec. 30, 1830. 
Quite a number of the prominent men in 
town entertained this doctrinal belief, and 
soon after the dismis.sal of Rev. Mr. 
Chandler from the pastorate of the Con- 
gregational church, they organized by 
electing Roderick Richardson, moderator; 
Cyron Burdick, clerk ; R. Richardson, 
Daniel Thayer and Matthias S. Jones, pru- 
dential committee. 

Rev. Mr. Fuller was their first preacher, 
and his first services were held as early as 
1826. They were held in school-houses, 
barns, or wherever it seemed best or was 
necessary to hold them. It was claimed 
once (though some of the leading Uni- 
versalists did not countenance it), that 
they had a right to the use of the Congre- 
gational meeting-house at least one-fourth 
of the time. This caused considerable 
discussion and trouble, and at length 
brought about an arbitration, in which 
several distinguished lawyers were em- 
ployed and several days consumed. Their 
decision was emphatically against the claim 
of the Universalists, who abided by it like 
men. Six years later, the society (in con- 



nection with the Baptists), erected the 
brick church in the village, a good sub- 
stantial structure with about 250 sittings. 
Of this the society owned nearly three- 
fourths, but the agreement was that every 
man who owned a pew would occupy the 
house one Sabbath in the year for such 
religious worship as was agreeable to him- 
self. 

The names of the different preachers 
were as follows : Rev. John E. Palmer, 
1826-1837, (occasionally) ; Rev. Edward 
Brown, 1838-1840 (statedly) ; Rev. John 
E. Palmer, 1844-1848 (pastor) ; Rev. T. 
C. Eaton, Rev. G. S. Gurnsey, 1844- 
1856 (occasionally) ; Rev. C. C. Thornton, 
1856-1862 (pastor) ; Rev. John Gregory, 
1862-1869 (occasionally). 

During the pastorate of Mr. Thornton, 
a Sunday school and Bible class was sus- 
tained, and the congregation was com- 
paratively large. 

BAPTIST. 

A Baptist church of 1 1 members was 
organized May, 1835, R^^'- John Ide, of 
VVaterbury, assisted at its formation, the 
Methodists opening their meeting-house for 
the services. He also preached during that 
year one fourth of the time. Rev. Wm. 
M. Guilford preached over half the time 
during 1836, and after an interval. Rev. 
Friend Blood became pastor. His term 
commenced in 1838, or 1839, ^.nd con- 
tinued until Rev. P. Amsden afterwards 
preached, and the church attained consid- 
erable strength, but declined, and was 
practically broken up in the exciting times 
of Millerism. 

The records were unfortunately lost in 
the burning of the house of Roswell Rich- 
ardson, who was clerk of the church from 
its organization to its extinction. Quite a 
number of the members afterwards joined 
both the Congregational and Methodist 
churches. 

It is said of Rev. Mr. Blood, that in 
preaching, he was very dull for the first 
two hours, but eloquent and powerful for 
the third hour. 

EPISCOPAL. 

In 1853, while the Universalists were not 
occupying their house of worship, an eflfort 



784 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was made by Hon. R. Richardson, Jr., and 
others, to establish Episcopal worship, 
which resulted in the repair of the house, 
the formation of a church of 52 members, 
and the installation of Rev. John E. 
Johnston as pastor. These services were 
continued until 1H55, when Mr. Johnston 
removed, and Mr. Richardson took up his 
residence in Montpelier. 

Rev. J. H. Hopkins, Jr., afterwards en- 
deavored to look up the lost sheep, and 
Rev. Mr. Hazzard labored earnestly with 
them for a time ; but the society has now 
very few members remaining, and no stated 
services. It depends upon the Northfield 
rector for occasional ministrations. 

WESLEY AN. 

In 1853, Rev. Lyman Prindle came into 
town, and preached at the L^nion house, on 
the old common. In a short time, a so- 
ciety was formed, and he was engaged as 
its pastor. His labors were continued 
without interruption until i860, when he 
was succeeded by Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
who supplied until 1S61, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. John Dolph, 1862; then 
Mr. Prindle returned and preached until 
1864. 

The church at first consisted of 10 mem- 
bers. In 1854, 16 were added. In 1855, 
15. The whole number was 44. An in- 
teresting Sabbath school was maintained 
during all this time, and the average con- 
gregation was about 100. 

The organization is still maintained, 
but no Sabbath services are held by it. 
" The distinctive features (in the words of 
a member) were to take higher and more 
radical ground on the reforms of the day 
— slavery, temperance, and secret-oath- 
bound societies." 

REPRESENTATIVES . 

Benjamin Wait, 1795-1799, 1801, 02; 
Stephen Pierce, 1800, 11, 14; Bissel Phelps, 
1803,07; Amasa Skinner, 1808-10, 12, 
13, 15; Edmund Rice, 1816; Matthias S. 
Jones, 1817-20, 24-26 ; Ralph Turner, 
1821, 22, 23; Jennison Jones, 1827, 28; 
Jason Carpenter, 1829, 30, 31, 34, 35, 
36; Thomas Prentice, 1832, 33 ; Roderick 
Richardson, 1837, 38, 39, 50, 51 ; Hiram 
Jones, 1840, 41, 42; 1843, "o choice, 9 



ballots, '44 do, 16 ballots, 1845, do, 14 bal- 
lots, 1849, do, 4 ballots, 1852, do 7 ballots, 
1853, do, 3 ballots; 1861, do, 9 ballots; 
Ithamar Smith, 1846,47; Benjamin Reed, 
1848, 54, 55, 67,68; Ira Richardson, 1856, 
66; Lyman Prindle, 1857, 58; Pardon 
Bushnell, 59, 60; J. H. Hastings, 1862, 
63 ; D. M. Phelps, 1864, 65 ; Hiram Carle- 
ton, 1866. 

PHYSICIANS 

who have practiced in town (in the order 

of their coming,) Stephen Pierce, died; 

William Joslin, , died; Fred T. Miner, 

, removed ; Orange Smith, , died; 

G. N. Brigham, , removed ; E. G. Jud- 

kins, , died; Geo. W. Nichols, , 

removed; E. G. Hooker, W. A. Jones, 
J. M. VanDeusen. 

CLERGYMEN 

who were raised up in town . Those marked 
with a star are now dead ; those with a 
dagger, deposed : 

Perrin B. Fisk,* Baptist, last residence 
in Wardsboro, Vt., Joel Fisk,* Congre- 
gational, Plainfield, Harvey Fisk,* Con- 
gregational, New York City, brothers ; 
Henry Jones,* Congregational ; Ezra 
Jones, Presbyterian, New York; Matthias 
Joslin,* Congregational, Missionary to the 
Indians; Chandler Wilder, Congregational, 
Vermont ; Hiram Freeman, Wisconsin ; 
Alonzo Hitchcock, Methodist, Montpelier; 
Pliny F. Barnard, Congregational, Wil- 
liamstown; *Rufus Child, Congregational, 
Berlin; Lucius Barnard, f Congregational, 
New York; Perrin B. Fisk, 2d., Congrega- 
tional, Peacham; Silas Jones, Methodist; 
Harvey Bates, L'nitarian, Massachusetts. 

The following are the names of men well 
known in the State who were born and 
raised up in Waitsfield : Gurley Phelps, 
M. D., Jaftrey, N. H. : Edwinjones, M. D., 
deceased; Henry Shaw, M. D., deceased 
(surgeon 1863) ; Walter A. Jones, Waits- 
field ; Ezra Bates, M. D. ; Norman Durant, 
attorney, deceased ; Luther L. Durant, at- 
torney, Montpelier ; Hon. Geo. N.Dale, 
attorney,Island Pond; Hon.Chas. H.Joyce, 
attorney, Rutland ; Edwin F. Palmer, at- 
torney, Waterbury ; Hon. Roderick Rich- 
ardson, deceased ; Hon. Roderick Richard- 



WAITSFIELD. 



785 



son, Jr., Montpelier ; Hon. Hiram Jones, 
Waitsfielcl ; Hon. Calvin Fullerton, Waits- 
field ; Hon. Ira Richardson, Waitsfield ; 
Hon. J. H. Hastings, Waitsfield. 

The following are the names of those 
who have practiced law in town, and have 
had more or less influence upon its history : 
Hon. William Pingry, Perkinsville ; Ben- 
jamin Adams, Esq., deceased; M. H. 

Sessions, Esq., Hale, Bane, A. 

V. Spaulding, Esq. ; C. F. Clough, Esq., 
Hiram Carleton, Esq. 

PROMINENT MEN. 

Jennison Jones, Esq., was born in 
Claremont, N. H., Jan. i, 1777, and re- 
moved in early life to Waitsfield, where he 
resided until his death. He enjoyed only 
the common school advantages of those 
days, but was one of those " self-made 
«nen" for which this country has been 
noted. As a young man he was a very 
successful teacher. He filled nearly every 
town office with perfect acceptance when 
in the prime of life, represented the town 
in i827-'28, and was especially interested 
in the history of the town, and accurate in 
dates and figures. This sketch of Waits- 
field (as will be seen from the introductory 
note), has been prepared with ease by 
reason of his labors and writings. He 
married, Dec. 26, 1802, Miss Philany 
Holmes, and reared a large family. He 
died Dec. 22, 1852, at the age of 75. 

Ithamer Smith, Esq., was born in 
Shelburne, Mass., June 6, 1787, and came 
with his parents to Waitsfield in 1893. Al- 
lusion to his talents and a specimen of his 
poetry appears elsewhere in these pages. 
He was a leading anti-slavery man, and his 
experience was that of too many who so 
early espoused the cause of justice and hu- 
manity. Good men did not see as he saw, 
and were tardy to come up to his ground, 
and designing men scorned him and his 
cause, which made him sometimes almost 
bitter against them all. He removed to 
New York State in 1856, and died at the 
residence of his daughter, in Feb. 1862. 

Among his children (who all obtained 
at least an average education) , we notice 
Chauncey, an attorney, and once partner 
of Hon. Edward Everett, in Boston. 



Luther L., a successful teacher in the 
southern part of Massachusetts, and now 
a resident of New York. 

Frank B., a graduate of U. V. M. in the 
class of '63, now a civil engineer in the in- 
terior ; and Abigail H., wife of Rev. Chas. 
Cavern, of Lake Mills, Wis. 

Hon. Jason Carpenter was born Aug. 
15, 1772, at Coventry, Ct. Like many of 
his contemporaries, his school days were 
few, but his education practical. He came 
to Waitsfield in 1818, and was identified 
with its business and interests for the rest 
of his active life. He served as judge of 
probate for the County 2 years, and as 
representative from 1829 to '31, and from 

'34 to '36, inclusive. He married, 

18 — , Miss Betsey Ingraham, by whom he 
had 6 children, of whom one finds mention 
in another place, the wife of Hon. Hiram 
Jones ; while the record of another, Charles, 
as a most successful teacher, though cut 
off in the midst of his usefulness ; and of 
another, George H., as a successful busi- 
ness man in Racine, Wis., must not be 
passed in silence. 

Matthias S. Jones, Esq., was born in 
Claremont, N. H., Apr. 12, 1778, and re- 
moved to Waitsfield at an early date. He 
was one of the more prominent men of 
the town, filling in turn the most impor- 
tant offices in the gift of his townsmen ; 
was justice of the peace more than 30 
years, and town clerk for half that period, 
and represented the town in 1825, '26, '27. 
He was twice married — Aug. 28, 1807, to 
Miss Betsey Joyslin, of Waitsfield, and May 
26, 1836, to Miss Mary Prentice, of 
Weathersfield. His death occurred June 
25, 1 85 1.* He reared a comparatively 
large family — all children of the first mar- 
riage — of whom are L. W. Jones, Esq., a 
successful merchant of Waitsfield, and a 
man of decided public spirit. 

Edwin Jones, M. D., who was born 
June 3, 1825, at Waitsfield, studied for a 
time with Dr. D. C. Joslin, of Waitsfield, 
and attended one course of lectures at 
Woodstock, graduating at length at Pitts- 
field, Mass., and practicing at Orange, Vt., 
for three months, and at Vershire and Straf- 
ford the remainder of his life. He mar- 



99 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ried, Oct. i8, 1852, Miss Mary A., dau. of 
Rev. Elisha Brown, of Montpelier, and 
precisely 2 years later died at Strafford, ' 
a bereavement not only to those who knew 
him as a relative and friend, but to those 
who had learned to know him as a beloved 
physician. 

Hon. Hiram Jones, another son, who 
was born June 26, 1808, and whose oppor- 
tunities for acquiring an education were 
confined to the common schools of his 
native town, and who made such improve- 
ments of these scanty means, that he was 
called into places of public trust at an 
unusually early age. Besides almost con- 
tinually serving as justice of the peace, 
and frequently holding other offices of pub- 
lic trust, he represented the town in 1840, 
'41-42, and was assistant judge of the 
county court from 1855 to 1857. (Died in 
1872.) He married Oct. 6, 1835, Laura 
L., daughter of Hon. Jason Carpenter. 
Six children were the issue of this mar- 
riage, of whom Walter A., is a resident 
physician of his native town, and George 
M. lost his life in the first battle of the 
Wilderness, — the only one in which he 
was engaged. His enlistment was just at 
the time Gen. Grant took command in the 
2d Reg. U. S. S. S. 

Hon. Roderick Richardson, Sr., was 
born in Tolland, Conn., in 1779, and in 
early life removed to Waitsfield. By trade 
he was a saddler. He was for many years 
postmaster of the town, and the owner of 
the principal store ; was assistant judge of 
Washington Co. court 2 years. The date 
of his marriage to Miss Anna Davis we are 
unable to ascertain. Two sons and two 
daughters were born to him, the youngest, 
Hon. Roderick Richardson, Jr., who 
as a man of enterprise and wealth was for 
many years a leader in the business of 
Waitsfield. He was born Aug. 7, 1807, 
at Hartford, Conn., but obtained all his 
schooling at the common school in Waits- 
field; was representative in 1S37-3S, '39, 
50-51, and senator from Washington 
county 4 years; assistant judge of Wash- 
ington county for one year ; elected by the 
joint assembly, and declined a re-election. 
He is an earnest Episcopalian, having 



united with that church not far from 1853 ; 
at the present time is senior warden of 
Christ Church in Montpelier; one of the 
standing committee of the diocese of Ver- 
mont, and a delegate to the Triennial 
Convention of the Episcopal church of 
the United States at the sessions of 1862, 
'65, '68. [See Montpelier, 546.] 

Roderick Julius Richardson, son of 
the above, was born in Waitsfield, May 
31, 1840; graduated at Norwich Univer- 
sity, and was made paymaster in the U. S. 
Navy, Sept. 1861. Being ordered to the 
" Harriet Lane," he was captured with the 
remainder of her crew off Galveston, Tex., 
Jan. 10, 1863 ; was paroled that spring, and 
participated in the capture of New Orleans, 
the first siege of Vicksburg ; went through 
the Mississippi River Campaign ; was in 
the " South Atlantic Squadron" at Charles- 
ton, S. C, and in the "North Atlantic 
Squadron" on board the Steamer "Wa- 
bash " before the Wilmington fight, and 
participated in search for the " Alabama" 
and "Florida." In 1865, he received his 
discharge, and was elected cashier of the 
First National Bank, Montpelier, and is 
now a commission merchant in Boston. 
He was married Jan. 5, 1865, to Miss 
Faddie Ware, of Boston. 

B. H. Adams, Esq., was born in Tun- 
bridge, in 1810, and after receiving the 
usual common school education, studied 
law, and opened an office in Waitsfield, 
where he practiced until his death, whicii 
occurred in Oct. 1849. The writer re- 
members him as he appeared at leisure in 
the store a year or so before his death. 
He was a man of medium height and 
rather robust in appearance, of light com- 
plexion and pleasing address. It is said 
that he never made a plea of any extended 
length, but rarely failed to make a deep 
impression on all those who heard him. 
" He was a rare man," says one who was 
conversant with him, "gifted, eloquent, 
persuasive, powerful, genial, generous, 
benevolent to a fault, the best advocate I 
ever saw or heard." A full history of the 
man would of course present other than 
the professional side of his character, and 
would be obliged to state what we are 



WAITSFIELD. 



787 



sorry to say is too common in the liistory 
of talented men, that while they rule their 
fellowmen by their great abilities, they are 
too often the slaves of intemperance or 
gaming. The ready wit with which he 
sometimes secured a favorable verdict 
when he had by far the hardest side, is 
well remembered, and could we afford 
space for story-telling of this kind, we 
should provoke many a hearty laugh from 
the reader. 

Orange Smith, M. D., was born Jan. 
27, 1796, at Brookfield. He was a grad- 
uate of Randolph Academy, and of the 
medical department of the U. V. M. He 
also studied medicine with Daniel Wash- 
burn, M. D., and attended lectures for 
some length of time at Dartmouth. He 
commenced at Starksboro ; soon removed 
to Williston, and after one year of practice 
there removed to Waitsfield, and contin- 
ued in practice there until near the time of 
his death, in 1863. Besides being a good 
physician, he was a very public spirited 
man, and one whose influence, especially 
in religious matters was not small. He 
entered into the practice of Dr. Miner, 
who was about to remove from town, and 
for some time lived on the farm now owned 
by T. G. W. Farr, Esq., but subsequently 
removed to the village. He married (Mar. 
2, 1825,) Miss Lucy Hatch of Brookfield, 
by whom he had three children, only one 
of whom (Charles D. Smith, Esq.,) is 
now living. 

MEETING AT WAITSFIELD ON THE ADMIS- 
SION OF TEXAS. 

"The undersigned respectfully request 
all the inhabitants of Waitsfield to meet 
at the brick Meeting house on Thursday, 
the 17th day of August inst., at three 
o'clock P. M., for the purpose of expres- 
sing their views in relation to the propri- 
ety of having Texas annexed to the Uni- 
ted States as a slave holding territory. 
We consider this a subject of great impor- 
tance, and earnestly invite a general atten- 
dance. 

Waitsfield, August 7th, 1837. 



Wm. Bragg, 
Zana Moore, 
Jenison Joslin, 
Horace S. Jones, 
Hiram Joslin, 



Jonathan H. Brown, 
Rod'k Richardson, 
D. C. Joyslin, 
Azro D. Rice, 
John W. Steele, 



James C. Fargo, W. M. Guilford, 
Stephen P. Joslin, Dan. Richardson, 
Samuel Chipman, H. Cardell, 
Matthias S. Jones, J. B. Bisbee, 
Robert Leach, Roswell Morris, 

S. H. Cheney, Benjamin Reed, Jr., 

Orange Smith, Lsaac Hawley, 

L. W. Truman, Wells Hitchcock, 

Wm. M. Pingry, Harry Jones, 
R. Richardson, Jr., Charles Jones. 

Resolved, That a copy of the preamble 
and Resolutions together with the proceed- 
ings of this meeting, signed by the chair- 
man and Sec, be forwarded to each of 
the pol. presses at Mont, for publication, 
also to each of our Senators and Reps, in 
Congress. 

Whereas, it is the priviledge of the citi- 
zens of a republican goverment to assemble 
together for the purpose of expressing their 
sentiments on all subjects in which they 
are interested, and it becomes their duty 
so to do, when questions of great moment 
are proposed, especially when in the de- 
cision of those questions the rights and lib- 
erties of American citizens are involved. 
And whereas slavery, in the language of a 
distinguished senator from Virginia, is a 
"moral and political evil, an evil in the eye 
of religion, philanthropy and reason," and 
is opposed to both the letter and spirit of 
the Declaration, " that all men are created 
equal ; that they are endowed by their 
Creator with certain unalienable rights, 
that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness," and is a gross viola- 
tion of that divine law which commands 
"whatsoever ye would that others should 
do unto you, do ye even so to them." And 
whereas, the annexation of Texas to this 
country would have a tendency to perpet- 
uate the system of slavery, and endanger 
the liberties of our country by subjecting 
us to discord at home and conflict abroad : 

Therefore resolved, that however much 
we may differ with regard to the immediate 
abolition of slavery now existing in the 
United States, we are of one mind on the 
question of adding thereto by annexing 
Texas or any other slave holding territory 
to our Government. 

Resolved, That we are opposed to the 
annexation of Texas to the United States 
at the present time, under any circumstan- 
ces whatever, and that we will use our ut- 
most exertion in a lawful and constitutional 
manner, to prevent such a result. 

Resolved, That we are in favor of equal 
rights, and would gladly welcome the time 
when the enjoyment of political, civil and 
religious liberty shall be co-extensive with 
the vast family of man. 

Resolved, That it is the duty of the 
press to advocate and contend for the doc- 



788 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



trine of equal rights, and oppose the asso- 
ciation with our government of any terri- 
tory whose constitution, or constitutions, 
are based upon any other principle. 

Resoleed, That every consistent person 
that is opposed to slavery in the abstract, 
must necessarily be opposed to annexing 
Texas to this government, and that it 
should be the study of the American peo- 
ple how best to rid themselves of the evil 
under which they are now labouring, in- 
stead of making addition thereto. 

Resolved, That our Senators and Rep- 
resentatives in Congress be requested to 
oppose to the utmost of their power, every 
attempt to annex Texas to the United 
States." 

[The foregoing was contributed by Chas. 
A. Smith, of Barre, a grandson of Orange 
Smith, of Waitsfield. Orange Smith draft- 
ed the above resolutions.] 

David Carlisle Joyslin, M. D., was 
born at Springfield, Vt., May 15, 1799, 
pursued a classical course at Randolph 
Grammar School ; graduated at Castleton 
Medical College in ; commenced prac- 
tice in Waitsfield in 18 — . His practice 
has been extensive and successful, not in 
Waitsfield only but also largely in Warren 
and Fayston. At present he has laid aside 
the regular practice of his profession, and 
is more engaged in practical farming. He 
married Oct. 26, 1852, Miss Jane E. Car- 
penter, a great grand-daughter of Gen. 
Wait, by whom he has had three children, 
of whom only one is now living. Dr. 
Joyslin died in 1874. 

Hon. Ira Richardson was born in 
Waitsfield Oct. 6, 1816, and enjoyed the 
usual advantages of its common schools; 
represented the town in 1856, and again in 
1866, and served as assistant judge of 
Washington county in i868-'69. For 
many years his health was exceedingly 
poor, yet he has done a great deal for the 
business of the town by engaging in mer- 
cantile and manufacturing pursuits, as well 
as farming. He is the owner of mills that 
turn off a large quantity of lumber, chiefly 
clapboards, and of a tannery. He mar- 
ried April 6, 1843, Harriet F. Chapman, 
and has raised up a family of sons who are 
now in active bu.siness. 



Hon. Jonathan Hammond Hastings, 
was born in Waitsfield, Feb. 12, 1824, and 
has been a resident of the town until the 
present time, and for many years entrusted 
with a portion of the town business. He 
filled the office of deputy sheriff and con- 
stable for 10 years from 1846, to the entire 
satisfaction of the people; in i856-'7 was 
high sheriff of the county ; represented 
the town in general assembly in i862-'63, 
and was elected senator in 1869. He has 
also been connected with the Waterbury 
bank as director for 13 years. He married 
Nov. I, 1848, Miss Ellen M. Merriam of 
Johnson, by whom he has had 6 children. 

EDWIN F. PALMER, ESQ., 

of Waterbury, was born in Waitsfield, 
Jan. 22, 1836. In his boyhood, he exhib- 
ited more than usual capacity as a scholar, 
and began a course of classical study while 
still a youth, reciting to Rev. Charles 
Duran, pastor of the Congregational church, 
and afterwards pursuing his course at the 
Northfield Institute ; and graduating with 
honor at Dartmouth, in 1862 ; and becom- 
ing a member of the college church during 
his course of study. He then studied law 
with Hon. Paul Dillingham, and has prac- 
ticed in Waterbury since, with the excep- 
tion of 6 months service in the custom- 
house at Island Pond, and 9 months ser- 
vice as 2d Lieut of Co. B, 13th Vt. ; during 
which time he kept a diary, and on his re- 
turn, published a neat little work entitled 
" Camp Life," which is prized by his com- 
rades and their friends, as an accurate and 
pleasant history of their campaign. He 
was married June 15, 1865, to Miss Addie 
D. Hartshorn. 

REV. AMARIAH CHANDLER, 

was a native of Shelburne, Mass., a gradu- 
ate of U. V. M., and a theological pupil of 
Rev. Dr. Packard of Shelburne, Mass. 
He was settled in Waitsfield in x8io, and 
dismissed in 1830. During all this time, 
he was a faithful pastor, a kind sympa- 
thizing friend, and a man of courage and 
power in every direction. Several times 
in this sketch, we have had occasion to re- 
fer to him, and the savor of his name is 
still sweet in all this region. He was both 



WAITSFIELD. 



789 



eloquent and witty, but he used the latter 
mainly as a weapon of defense. Woe to 
the man that attempted to oppose or en- 
trap him in any matter, a very few meas- 
ured words would shut his month. His 
gentleness could not be exceeded, but he 
had the most perfect contempt for all dis- 
play. He was short and stout in person, 
and in habits quite refreshingly rustic. 
The best picture that could be made of 
him, would be a delineation of that scene 
at his own door, (after he had removed to 
Greenfield, and received rather thanklessly 
the degree of D. D.) when a dapper young 
man approached him, as he was washing 
his bare feet at the pump after a morning's 
labor in his field, and inquired for '"Mr. 
Chandler." " I am Mr. Chandler," was 
his quiet reply. "But! mean Rev. Mr. 
Chandler," said the stranger. "Yes, sir, 
that is my name." But still obtuse, the 
young theologue persisted in saying, "but 
I mean Rev. Amariah Chandler, D. D." 
" Yes, sir, they sometimes call me all that," 
said the doctor, quietly enjoying the dis- 
comfiture of one who mistook him for a 
boor. 

The writer remembers of his rising to 
preach, (when on a visit to his daughter 
only a few years ago,) and saying meas- 
uredly, " The sermon I am about to preach 
will perhaps be remembered by some of 
you who are here to-day. If you do not 
remember it, it will make no diflference to 
you. If you do, it will make a great dif- 
ference with me, for I shall be glad to 
know that you remember so well." 

In his later days, he preached a sermon 
in which he acknowledged some change of 
views on doctrinal subjects. This sermon 
the writer has not been able to lay hold of 
now, but from his recollections of it, 
(having read it when a boy) he believes it 
to have shown Mr. Chandler to be precise- 
ly with the majority of Congregational 
ministers at the present time ; and though 
it created some discussion, and met with 
disapproval from some of his people whom 
he had trained so well to think and judge 
for themselves, yet we suspect it would 
prove to be a crowning glory to him, as 
showing that he was an inquirer after truth, 



even at three-score-and-ten, and certainly 
the humility and candor of it, in frankly 
expressing his almost lifelong mistake as 
he then thought it, was noble. 

When he reached his 70th birth-day, 
he resigned his pastoral charge, saying to 
his people, that he did not intend to leave 
them, and was ready to minister to them 
still, but he meant to put it out of his pow- 
er to pastor them when he should become 
childish. Thus the matter stood until his 
death. It would probably have been hard 
to have convinced his people that there 
was any danger of his getting childish 
after that. 

We cannot help .saying, O that he had 
remained in Waitsfield, while he lived ! 
The people were very loth to part with 
him in 1830, but they did not fully realize 
what they were losing, or they would 
have utterly refused to let him go, and re- 
sisted until they had compelled him to 
remain. 

Rev. Perrin B. Fisk, son of Moses, 
was born July 6, 1792, and in youth and 
early manhood followed the trade of a 
saddler, residing at Montpelier, where he 
married (May, 1815), Miss Azuba Blais- 
dell. His talents were rather above the 
point of mediocrity, but he had small op- 
portunities for study. After his conversion 
he became very anxious to do more good, 
and in a short time was led to change his 
views upon the subject of baptism, in 
consequence to leave the Congregational 
for the Baptist church, by which order he 
was immediately licensed to preach, and 
was at length settled in Wardsboro, as 
pastor of the Baptist church. The late 
Rev. P. H. White was at this time one of 
the young men who sat under his preach- 
ing. His remembrance of the man, as 
given to the writer, was of a corpulent and 
jolly man, who enjoyed to sit on the store 
steps and smoke and tell stories, both of 
which he could do well. As a preacher, 
he was able to compare fairly with the av- 
erage men of his denomination. He was 
the father of three children, two of whom 
were sons. Moses, the eldest, was a 
shrewd and smart, but unprincipled young 
man, who lived fast, and died early, leav- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ing a young widow and babe, both of 
whom are now dead, and Thomas was 
sheriff in Washington Co., N. Y., from 
the time he was 21 until he led his men 
through the bloody campaigns of the 
Potomac as lieutenant and captain of ar- 
tillery. 

Rev. Joel Fisk, brother of the above, 
was born Oct. 26, 1796, and lived at 
Waitsfield until the age of 20, when, be- 
coming pious, he gave himself up to the 
work of the ministry, and at length grad- 
uated at Middlebury, in 1825; studied 
theology with Rev. Charles Walker, of 
Pittsford, and at the age of 30, was or- 
dained pastor of the Congregational church 
in Monkton. He was almost reprimanded 
while in college for his persistence in re- 
vival work, and this fact is a true exponent 
of his whole professional life. He labored 
successively and successfully in the follow- 
ing places, viz. : New Haven, Vt., Essex, 
N. Y., Montreal and Phillipsburgh, C. E. 
(as it then was), Irasburgh and Plainfield, 
Vt., where he died Dec. 16, 1856. He was 
devoted to his work, searching in his 
style, and a man of decided literary taste. 
He married, Oct. 15, 1826, Miss Clarinda 
Chapman, by whom he had 7 children, 
of whom are Harvey, of the celebrated 
firm of Fisk and Hatch, in New York City, 
and Pliny, president of the American Pot- 
tery Co., of Trenton, N. J. 

Rev. Harvey Fisk, brother of the two 
last noticed, was born Apr. 12, 1799, and 
had in early life the reputation of being a 
smart, wild, but very truthful boy. At the 
ao-e of 14 he was apprenticed to the late 
Gen. E. P. Walton, of Montpelier, to learn 
the printer's trade. Here he made friends 
and acquired much useful knowledge, but 
withal, had such a vein of fun and frolic 
and an aptness at practical joking in him, 
that he provoked the momentary indigna- 
tion, as well as the regard, of those who 
knew him. Having become a Christian 
here, he gave himself up to the work of 
the ministry, graduating at Hamilton Col- 
lege in the class of '26, and at Princeton 
Theological Sem. Subsequently, during 
his studies, he worked his way with the 
composing stick, ,and was the compiler. 



and for some time the publisher, of the 
"American Sunday-School Union," and 
the compiler and publisher of the "Union 
Question Books" for Sunday-schools. He 
died very suddenly at New York City, after 
less than a year of ministerial labor. He 
married, Feb. 17, 1829, Anna M. Plumb, 
by whom he had one son, Harvey Jon- 
athan, who is at present an accountant in 
Detroit, Mich., thus maintaining his wid- 
owed mother. 

Rev. Pliny Fisk Barnard was born in 
Waitsfield, Nov. 9, 1820 ; pursued a course 
of classical study at Jericho and Mont- 
pelier ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1843; 
at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1846; 
was settled over the Congregational church 
in Richmond, Me., in 1847, and after a 
pastorate of 9 years, removed to Williams- 
town, Vt., where he continues to exercise 
the pastoral ofilce with much acceptance. 
He married, Nov. 4, 1846, Julia, daughter 
of Rev. James Hobart, of Berlin, by whom 
he has had 7 children. 

Rev. Perrin B. Fisk, son of Deacon 
Lyman, and grandson of Deacon Moses, 
was born July 3, 1837 ; studied at Barre 
Academy and at Bangor Theological Sem- 
inary, where he graduated in 1863, and 
was immediately settled as pastor of the 
Congregattonal church at West Dracut, 
Mass ; in 1865 was dismissed, and removed 
to Rockport, where he -supplied the First 
church during the European tour of Rev. 
W. H. Dunning, the pastor; 1866, was 
settled as pastor of the Congregational 
church in Peacham, Vt., where he still 
resides ; served as chaplain of the Senate 
of Vermont in 1869; otherwise chiefly dis- 
tinguished as the author of this sketch of 
Waitsfield. In 1863, he was married to 
Miss Harriet L. Bigelovv, of Waitsfield, 
a great-great-grand-daughter of Gen. Wait. 

Rev. Alonzo Hitchcock was born at 
Waitsfield, Nov. 29, 1814; pursued h's 
studies mainly with a resident clergyman, 
and has been stationed in the following 
M. E. churches, viz. : Albany, St. Johns- 
bury, East Walden, Bethel, Gaysville, 
Randolph, Corinth, Bradford, Proctors- 
ville, Plainfield, Cabot, E. Burke, Middle- 



WAITSFIELD. 



791 



sex, and is now acting as agent of the 
Methodist Conference Sem. at Montpelier. 

Matthias Joslin was born in Waits- 
field, Aug. 19, 1806, and finished his lim- 
ited education at Royalton. In 1S30, he 
entered upon missionary work as a teacher 
among the Choctaws. He had charge of 
the boys' school at Mayhew until the re- 
moval of the tribe by government to the 
new country assigned them west of the 
Mississippi, which took place in 1832. 
Mr. Joslin then returned to Waitsfield, 
and remained during the summer and fall. 
In September he married Miss Sophia M. 
Palmer, and with her returned to the 
Indian country, residing at Dwight among 
the Cherokees, and when he was about to 
return to his contemplated field among 
the Choctaws, was removed by death, 
Nov. 21, 1833, after an illness of only ii 
days. He was a good man and his end 
was peace. [Mr. Joslin's widow married 
a Mr. Newton, and is now living at San 
Antonio, Texas. — E. A. F.] 

Ira Bushnell, son of Dea. Jedediah 
Bushnell, was born June 11, 1826; fitted 
for college at Johnson, and graduated in 
Burlington in 1856. He was a yoinig man 
of deep piety, and of much promise, who 
had consecrated himself to the work of the 
ministry. But being not the readiest, 
though one of the most persistent of stu- 
dents, and a very athletic young man, who 
had been accustomed to labor on a farm, 
his health during his college course was 
undermined. Soon after he graduated, he 
was attacked with hemorrhage of the lungs, 
and gradually wasted away until June 16, 
1858, when he died. 

GuRLEY A. Phelps, M. D., was born 
in Waitsfield, June 30, 1822 ; pursued a 
course of classical study at Montpelier and 
of professional study at Castle ton, and the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 
New York. Took up his residence in 
Jaflfrey, N. H., where he has had an exten- 
sive practice, and attained a wide reputa- 
tion as a skillful physician. He married 
April 10, 185 1, Miss Adaliza Cutter, who 
deserves mention as a poetess of much 
merit. Some time after her death he was 
married again (Nov. 3, 1858,) to Miss 



Nancy P. Stoughton. He united at an 
early date with the Congregational church, 
and the testimony of those who know him 
best is, that he is both the Christian gen- 
tleman and the beloved physician. 

There are quite a number of other noted 
men who were reared in this town ; edu- 
cated in her common schools and whose 
purposes for life were undoubtedly formed 
for the most part while residents, a part of 
whom entered into their business or began 
to study their profession while here. We 
are able in this number to mention Hon. 
Geo. N. Dale, at present president pro. 
tem. of the Vermont senate, and Col. C. 
H. Joyce of Rutland, both of whom grew 
up to manhood in Waitsfield ; Norman 
Durant, Esq., whose promising life was 
lost in the search for gold in California in 
1850, and Luther L. Durant, (brother 
of the above,) at the age of 8 years be- 
came a resident of Waitsfield, and may, 
therefore be said to have received his early 
education in that town. And this with an 
occasional term at the select school com- 
prised all his course of general study. At 
his majority he entered the office of B. H. 
Adams, Esq., of Waitsfield, and com- 
menced the study of the law, completing 
his course with C. W. Upham of Barre. 
He then practiced at Waitsfield from 1852 
to October, 1855, when he was invited by 
Hon. Paul Dillingham to enter into part- 
nership at Waterbury for 5 years, and at 
its close had hardly opened an office him- 
self before the same offer was repeated and 
accepted, which being fulfilled in Decem- 
ber, 1866, he removed to Montpelier and 
formed partnership with Col. F. V. Ran- 
dall. The court docket shows that their 
practice must now be very extensive, in- 
deed. Reference to his initials will bear 
out the pleasantry that he has the title as 
well as the practice; while at Waitsfield 
(viz., in 1853) he married Miss Julia M. 
Tenneyof Dalton, N. H., with whom he 
still lives, and by whom he had 2 children. 

The father of these two successful men 
passed away in 1868 ; a much esteemed 
citizen and devoted Christian, and a genial 
and intelligent man. The mother still 
resides at Waitsfield. 



792 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



We may also mention Hon. G. D. Rice, 
of Wisconsin, and Hon. Edmund Rice, 
both of whom were reared and had en- 
gaged in business in Waitsfield before 
they became pioneers in the West, and 
whose subsequent record we have much 
reason to be proud' of, and Hon. Ww. 
PiNGRY, who spent a number of his best 
years in town as an attorney, and who had 
a commanding influence in the town while 
he remained. 

We must crave the forbearance of our 
friends in advance, on account of the al- 
most certainty that some names which 
ought to be noticed will be overlooked, 
and defend ourself slightly by remarking 
that quite a number of the circulars we 
sent out to obtain accurate information 
have not come back to us again. We 
have no reason to suppose that our work 
will amount to more than a beginning, for 
the history of AVaitsfield is making yet, 
and in closing this sketch, which, though 
more laborious than we anticipated, has 
yet afforded us much pleasure, as treasuring 
up much that ought to be saved, but that 
would in a few years have been lost. We 
ask our young friends especially to make 
such use of the means of education, take 
such a stand on all the questions of the 
day, and ground themselves upon such 
noble principles, that whoever takes up 
the historic pen we are now about to lay 
down, shall be able to say at least that 
the old stock has not degenerated. In 
some particulars it will be difficult indeed 
for them to obtain a better record than 
that. 

WAITSFIELD, 1869-1S82. 

BY DEA. E. A. FISK. 

In the preceding pages. Rev. P. B. 
Fisk has brought the history of Waitsfield 
down to 1869. 

Since that date, events have occurred 
which ought not to be left unrecorded. — 
Two tasteful and commodious churches 
have been erected in our village ; the rire- 
fiend has broken loose and destroyed more 
property than during all the previous his- 
tory of the town ; a radical change has 
been made in our common school system. 



and there are many minor events which 
should not be omitted. 

CHURCHES. 

In 1S70, the Methodist church was built 
at a cost of about $7500, On the base- 
ment floor, is a large room for Sabbath 
schools, lectures, &c., besides smaller 
rooms for other purposes ; while above, is 
the audience room, capable of seating 
about 300 persons. It is a good church, 
tasteful and convenient, and reflects great 
credit upon the builders, who overcame 
many difficulties in its erection. 

It was dedicated in Feb., 1871. The 
following is a list of the pastors of the M. 
E. church since 1869: Rev. J. Hamilton, 
1S70-71 ; Rev. E. Folsom, 1871-74; Rev. 
J. A. Sherburne, 1874-77; Rev. C. H. 
Leverton, iSyy-yS; Rev. Geo. L. Wells, 
1878-81 ; Rev. C. P. Taplin, 1881 to the 
present time. 

In 1874, the Congregational church, 
which stood upon the edge of a plateau, 
east of the village, was taken down, and a 
new church built in the village, using the 
materials of the old as far as practicable. 

Rev. J. H. Babbitt pastor of the church, 
was the architect, and every jDart of the 
structure bears witness of the care and 
skill with which his labors were performed. 
Several good judges have said that there 
are very few churches in the rural towns of 
Vermont that will compare with it. This 
church, likewise, has its audience room 
above, and convenient rooms, for other 
purposes, on the ground floor. Cost 
about $8600, exclusive of several hundred 
dollars in gratuitous labor. The building 
committee were able to report every dol- 
lar of expenses provided for soon after the 
dedication of the church in July, 1875; 
and what is better, the building of this 
church was not the cause of the least divis- 
ion or hard feeling among the members of 
the society, as is too often the case. 

Rev. J. H. Babbitt continued to be the 
pastor of the Congregational church till 
Dec, 1876, when, much to the regret of 
his parishioners, he resigned, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Stephen H. Robinson, 
who was ordained in Sept., 1877, and is 
the pastor at the present time. 



WAITSFIELD. 



793 



In Sept., 1881, Pliny B. Fisk, a member 
of this church, who graduated at U. V. 
M., and studied at Yale Theo. Sem,, was 
ordained here as an evangelist to labor on 
our Western frontier. 

UNIVERSALIST. 

This society has had occasional preach- 
ing since 1S69, and for a year or two pre- 
vious to 1875 they held regular services. 
Rev. John Gregory, of Northfield, and 
Rev. W. H. Walbridge, occupying the 
pulpit on alternate Sabbaths. Some time 
in 1874, Mr. Walbridge was ordained 
here, but at the close of the year, removed 
to Stowe. 

SCHOOLS. 

The legislature of 1870, passed an act 
enabling a town to abolish its school dis- 
tricts, and bring the schools under the di- 
rect supervision of the town. In accord- 
dance with this act, Waitsfield, at its 
annual meeting in 1871, voted to adopt 
the town system of schools. It was a new 
measure in this State, and was regarded 
by many of its friends as an experiment, 
which they undertook with many fears, 
and in the face of a strong opposition. 
Two years later, the town voted to contin- 
ue it by a very small majority ; but after 
ten years of trial, its success was such, 
that when the proposition was made to re- 
turn to the district system, nearly three 
fourths of the votes cast were against it. 
Schools are maintained in the same places 
as formerly, with the exception of a very 
small one which has been dropped from 
the list. 

The school year, however, has been 
lengthened from two terms, or 24 weeks, 
to 3 terms, or 30 weeks in all. There has 
also been greater permanence of teachers, 
and the school-houses are much improved. 
It is but just to add that the efficient su- 
pervision of Dr. W. A. Jones, for 7 years 
past the chairman of the board of school 
directors, has done much toward the pros- 
perity of our schools. 

TEMPERANCE. 

A Good Templars Lodge was organized 
in 1868, and has held weekly meetings to 
the present time. By this means, some 
who were intemperate have reformed ; 



many young persons have become thor- 
oughly established in temperance princi- 
ples, and public sentiment on the subject 
has greatly improved. 

FIRES. 

It is mentioned by Rev. P. B. Fisk, 
that from the settlement of the town to the 
time of writing his history, 15 fires had oc- 
curred ; but from that date to the present 
time there have been 12 fires of consider- 
able dimensions, besides two cooper-shops 
and several sugar-houses. In three cases 
an entire set of farm buildings were de- 
stroyed ; in one, a house and small barn 
in the village ; in four or five cases houses 
were burned, and on four occasions a 
barn or barns were consumed, and in two 
of these, cattle were burned. 

As early as 1877, it began to be suspect- 
ed that all these fires were not accidental. 
In April of that year, unoccupied build- 
ings belonging to Mr. John Towle were 
burned, and this was followed in about a 
month by the destruction of Geo. Folsom's 
barns and 18 cows, and the next night 
L. K. Hooker's house and barns were 
burned. The latter could be accounted 
for, but the others could not. 

Next in October, 1878, Mr. T. G. W. 
Farr's house and barns were burned under 
circumstances that were very mysterious, 
to say the least. There appeared to be no 
way to account for it except as the work 
of an incendiary, and yet it hardly seemed 
possible that any one could be so bold as 
to set a fire early in a moonlight evening, 
in the position where it was first observed. 

In October, 1879, on the exact anniver- 
sary of the fire at Mr. Farr's, another large 
fire occurred which was equally inexplica- 
ble. Several barns belonging to Mr. L. 
R. Joslyn were burned. A pair of 4-years 
old oxen weighing over 4,000 pounds, and 
that had just taken the first premium at 
the State Fair, were also destroyed. This 
fire was the scene of desperate but success- 
ful effort to save Mr. Joslyn's house and 
other buildings. After exhausting the 
supplies of water near at hand, a line of 
men was formed reaching to the river a 
third of a mile away, and thus buckets of 
water came to hand so rapidly that by the 



794 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



aid of a small force-pump and a favorable 
wind the fire was stayed. About a week 
after this Mr. R. H. Barnard's barns were 
burned early one morning. It then seemed 
certain that some one living among us was 
the author of this destruction, but the 
evidence against any one was so meagre 
that no arrests were made. The next 
week, however, occurred the largest fire of 
all, and it proved to be the final one of 
this series. 

All of Mr. E. W. Bisbee's buildings 
(just in the edge of Moretown,) were de- 
stroyed, and a man was seen running away 
from the barn just before the fire broke 
out. A court of investigation was held, 
and the evidence pointed in a certain 
direction so strongly that the person im- 
plicated finally confessed to having set six 
fires during two or three years previous. 
We will not attempt to immortalize his name 
by recording it here, but will simply say 
that he is now serving out a sentence of 
25 years at Windsor. 

Since then we have had no fires of any 
importance, but those times of excitement 
and fear made so strong an impression 
upon the people of Waitsfield that even at 
the present time they can scarcely be re- 
called without a shudder. 

It is sometimes said that lightning never 
strikes twice in the same spot, but Mr. 
O. H. Joslin had a barn burned by light- 
ning in 1868, and again in 1876 another 
built upon the site of the old one was 
burned by the same cause, and a year or 
two after a tree very near where these 
barns were burned was struck, and a cow 
standing under it knocked kown ; also a 
tree standing in Mr. Joslin's pasture has 
been twice struck by lightning, it being 
set on fire the last time. 

There has been a very noticeable im- 
provement in the character of farm build- 
ings in this town during the last few years. 
One large barn is now the order of the 
day, instead of the cluster of small ones 
that one used to see. This plan has been 
followed almost without exception where 
barns have been burned, thus giving us an 
example of the way in which good may 
come out of evil. And many others are 



rebuilding upon the same plan, so that ac- 
cording to present appearances it will take 
but a few years longer to work a complete 
revolution in the appearance of barns in 
this town. 

INSTANCES OF LONGEVITV. 

The records show the death of so many 
aged persons in town since 1867, that some 
statement in regard to it seems to be de- 
manded. During that period 33 persons 
have died at an age exceeding 80 years. 
Of this number, 18 were more than 85, 
and 8 more than 90 years old. The names 
and ages of the latter are as follows : 

Henry Dewey, aged 96, died in 1875 ; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, 94, in 1873 ; Job 
House, 94, 1874; Miss Charlotte Smith, 
93, in 1882; Thomas Prentiss, 92, 1877; 
Daniel Skinner, 91, 1877 ; Avery Sherman, 
99, 1873; Michael Ryle, 90, 1880. 

Mr. Thomas Prentiss, whose name ap- 
pears in this list, was a great reader, and 
until a short time before his death there 
were very few persons in town who kept 
themselves better informed concerning the 
events of the times, political and general, 
or whose opinions in regard to the same 
were more intelligent and discriminating. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. D. C. Joslin died in 1874; Dr. E. 
G. Hooker remained here till 1881, and 
acquired an extensive practice, but has re. 
moved to Waterbury ; Dr. C. F. Camp 
came here in 1881 ; Dr. J. M. VanDeusen 
(homoeopathist), is still with us. 

LAWYERS. 

Hiram Carleton removed in 1876, and 
John W. Gregory came here in 1879. 

MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. 

Representatives. — 1870, Hiram Carleton, 
chosen by a unanimous vote of the town ; 
1872, H.N. Bushnell ; 1874, M. E. Hadley ; 
1876, '78, L.M.Tyler; 1880, W. A. Jones. 

Senators. — J. H. Hastings, of this town, 
was State Senator in 1869 and 1870, and 
Ira Richardson in 1876, the latter dying 
during his term of office. 

R. J. Gleason has been town clerk for 
more than 25 years, and postmaster since 
the first election of Lincoln. 



WAITSFIELD. 



795 



TOWN CLERKS. 

Moses Heaton, from March, 1794, to 
March, 1796; Benjamin Wait, Jr., 1796 to 
1802; Salah Smith, 1802 to '4, '5 to '7 ; 
Ezra Jones, 1804 to '5, '7 to 'lo ; Edmund 
Rice, I8I0 to '16, '26 to '2-] ; Matthias S. 
Jones, 1816 to '26; Jennison Jones, I827 
to '28; Lewis Holden, I828 to '36; Wm. 
M. Pingry, I836 to '4I ; Orange Smith, 
I84I, '43, '45 to '46; Jonathan Morse, I843 
to ''45 ; Cyrus Joslin, I846 to '48 ; Cyrus 
Skinner, I848 to the time of his death in 
I855; R. J. Gleason, June 22, 1855, to 
March, I882. Mr. Gleason was appointed 
by the selectmen to fill the vacancy oc- 
casioned by the death of Mr. Skinner, and 
has been elected by the town at every 
annual meeting since that time. 

ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. 

At least two have occurred since Rev. 
Mr. Fisk made out his list in 1869. 

Mary Ann Riley, a child of James Riley, 
aged 4 years, was killed by a cart-body 
falling over upon her, Sept. 16, 1876. 

Seth Chase, aged 10 years, a son of 
Timothy Chase, who was Hying at Thomas 
Poland's, was drowned in Mad River while 
bathing, June 5, 1881. 

REV. PLINY FISK BARNARD. 

Mr. Barnard was dismissed from the 
church in Williamstown in 1870, and was 
soon settled over the Congregational church 
in Westhampton, Mass., where he remain- 
ed 3 years, when he was dismissed, and 
after a few months became acting pastor of 
the Congregational church in Westminis- 
ter, where he remained till 1880, when he 
removed to Ashburnham, Mass., where he 
resides at the present time, (1882) but has 
preached for the past year at South Royal- 
ston, Mass. 

REV. PERRIN B. FISK, 

was dismissed from the Congregational 
church in Peacham in 1870, and removed 
to Lyndonville, where he remained until 
Dec, 1874. During his ministry at that 
place, a church was organized, and a house 
of worship and a parsonage built. The 
plans for these buildings originated largely 
with Mr. Fisk, and his cares were greatly 
increased by his supervision of their 



building, but when completed they were 
very highly spoken of by the best judges. 
After leaving Lyndonville, Mr. Fisk re- 
moved to Springfield, this State, and re- 
mained -as pastor of the Congregational 
church in that place 2 years, when he was 
dismissed and accepted a call to the Con- 
gregational church in Lake City, Minn., 
where he now resides. 

REV HENRY PARKER 
(BY C. J. SAUGENT, OF WAKREN.) 

was born in Waitsfield. His parents were 
Stephen C. and Angeline Parker. In his 
younger days he was a clerk in stores at 
Warren, Brookfield and in Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, and from there he went to 
Meadvllle College, Penn., in I874, where 
he graduated in I877, and then went to 
Ouincy, Mass., and toother places preach- 
ing on trial, and finally settled in Nashua, 
N. H., with a large salary. He is a fine 
speaker and a deep thinker, of the Uni- 
tarian theology. 

Ellen H. Sampson, daughter of Rev. 
Guy C. Sampson, was born in this town, 
as she wrote the Compiler, from Lapeer, 
Mich., in I858. Miss S. has been many 
years a poetical correspondent for several 
of the current papers and magazines. Her 
father, a well-known anti-slavery and tem- 
perance editor and lecturer, died in the 
West some years since. He edited a tem- 
perance paper for some time, published at 
Woodstock, which town will doubtless 
have some more definite account of him 
and his family. 

From the Vermont Record. 

Amariah Chandler was born in Deer- 
field, Mass., Oct. 27, 1782, the youngest, 
and last survivor, of 9 children of Moses 
and Persis (Harris) Chandler, both of 
them natives of Lancaster, Mass. When 
about 5 years of age he removed to Shel- 
burne, Mass., where he lived till manhood. 
He fitted for college with Rev. Theophilus 
Packard, of Shelburne, entered the junior 
class in the University of Vermont in 1805, 
and was graduated in 1807. At the time 
of his death he was the oldest alumnus of 
the University. 

He read theology with Rev. Theophilus 
Packard about a year, was licensed by the 
North Hampshire (now Franklin) Asso- 
ciation, Nov. 8, 1808, and was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church in 



796 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Waitsfield, Vt., Feb. 7, 1810. Rev. Elijah 
Lyman, of Brookfield, preached the ser- 
mon, from Luke 2 : 34. He was dismissed 
Feb. 3, 1830, and became stated supply of 
the Second Congregational church in Hard- 
wick, to which he preached nearly 10 
years. During that time a revival took 
place, and 40 were added to the church. 
He was installed pastor of the First Con- 
gregational church in Greenfield, Mass., 
Oct. 25, 1832. Rev. Bancroft Foster 
preached the sermon. In 1846, he re- 
ceived the degree of D. D. from the Uni- 
versity of Vermont. In 1853, he was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention 
of Massachusetts. His sermon before the 
Legislature of Vermont in 1824, was pub- 
lished, as were also several others of his 
occasional sermons and some miscellaneous 
pamphlets. They are evidently the pro- 
ductions of a mind of great native strength. 
He died in Greenfield, Oct. 20, 1864. 

He married, Oct. 2, 1808, Abigail 
Whitney, of Shelburne, Mass., by whom 
he had 4 sons and 4 daughters. She died 
June 19, 1833, and he married, Nov. 17, 
1840, Mary (Nims) Roberts, widow of 
Horace Roberts, Esq., of Whitingham, 
Vt. She died Mar. i, 1852, and he mar- 
ried, Oct. 2, 1855, Mrs. Eliza (Bixby) 
Gleason, widow of Solomon Gleason, of 
Coleraine, Mass, p. h. w. 

Coventry, Vt., Nov. 26, 1864. 

ROSWELL G. HORR, 

Congressman, was born in Waitsfield, 
but left when about 2 years old. He is 
now serving his second term at Washing- 
ton, as member of the House of Represen- 
tatives from Michigan, and has the name 
of being the "wittiest" man in Congress. 
During the campaign of 1880, he re-visited 
Waitsfield, and made an address at short 
notice, which was enthusiastically received. 



MILITARY, CONCLUDED FROM. PAGE 778. 

The Memorial Record of Waitsfield, Vt., 
prepared by Rev. A. B. Dascomb. Pub- 
lished by vote of the town. Montpelier: 
Printed at the Free/nan Steam Printing 
Establishment, 1867. 
[Extract from, of interesting facts not 
given in Mr. Fisk's paper :] 

Luther Ainsworth enlisted August 14, 
1861, in Co. H, 6th Vt. Reg.; mustered 
in 2d Lt. ; promoted Feb. 18, '62, to ist 
Lt. ; Sept. 20, '62, Capt. ; killed May 4, 
'63, near Fredericksburg, Va., while lead- 
ing his men in a charge upon the enemy. 



He was shot throug the abdomen, dying a 
few hours after he was wounded. His 
homeless, orphaned children draw a pen- 
sion of $20 per month. 

Albert D. Barnard enlisted in Co. B, 13th 
Reg , Aug. 25, '62; mustered in Oct. 10, 
'62 ; discharged with his company at Brat- 
tleboro, July 21, '63, in a state of exhaus- 
tion; fever set in; died Aug. 12. '63, aged 
21 years. 

Mitchell Basconner enlisted Aug. 14, 
'61, in Co. H,6th Reg. ; mustered Oct. 15, 
'61 ; killed at Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 

Charles M. Benedict enlisted May 7, 
'61, in Co. F, 2d Reg. ; mustered in June 
20, '61 ; deserted Aug. 30, '62. 

Leonard C. Berry enlisted in Co. H, 2d 
U. S. Sharpshooters, Dec. 14, '63; must- 
ered in Dec. 18, '63; was in hospital at 
Washington 3 months with a wound ; trans- 
ferred to Co. H, 4th Reg., Feb. 25, '65 ; 
mustered out July 13, '65 ; wounded June 
16, '64, in the arm. 

Henry N. Bushnell enlisted Aug. 14, 
'61, as a member of Co. H, 6th Reg. ; 
mustered in as Sergt.,Oct. 15, '61 ; receiv- 
ed a commission as 2d Lieut., May 4, '63 ; 
as 1st Lieut., May 15, '64; as Captain, Oct. 
29, '64 ; on detached service in Division 
Sharpshooters 4 months ; 5 months served 
as 1st Lieut. Co. C, 6th Reg. With others 
of his company from this town, he was in 
all the battles in which the regiment was 
engaged — about 25 engagements — cover- 
ing 50 days' fighting ; in his 4 years' ser- 
vice was sick less than a week, and never 
wounded, save very slightly ; mustered out 
June 26, '65. 

Bertram D. Campbell enlisted in Co. H, 
3d Reg. June3,'6i ; mustered out Aug., '61 ; 
enlisted again ii. Co. H, 6th Reg. ; thrown 
out by the surg. ; re-enlisted in Co. G, mus- 
tered in Oct. 15, 1862. Toward the close 
of the summer compaign, sent to hospital 
at Philadelphia ; discharged honorably 
Oct. 22, '62, receiving a pension of $6 per 
month. Aug. 9, '64, again enlisted for the 
town of Barton, in Co. C, ist Vt. Cav. ; 
mustered in Aug. 11, '64. In the battle 
at Winchester, Sept. 19, '64, shot through 
the abdomen and died in a few moments. 



WAITSFIELD. 



797 



He was buried near a white church, i^ 1 
mile east of Winchester. 

Oliver C. Campbell, brother of Bertram 
D., enlisted in Co. I, gth Reg., June 9, 
'62 ; promoted 2d Lieut. July 9, '62 ; taken 
prisoner with his Regiment at Harper's 
Ferry, Sept. 14, '62 ; paroled, was sent to 
Chicago; Dec. i, resigned his commis- 
sion ; re-enlisted July 9, '63, in the Veter- 
an Reserve Corps; promoted, ist serg. at 
the organization of the company, and 
served at Rutland, Concord, N. H., Bos- 
ton, Ms., till Nov. 15, '65, was discharged. 

Wesley E. Dana enlisted in Co. F, 17th 
Reg., Jan. 2, '64; discharged July 17, '65 ; 
was wounded at Spottsylvania by a ball 
passing through the neck. 

Foster S. Dana, brother of the above, 
enlisted July 2, '61, in Co. H, 3d Reg.; 
mustered in July 16, '61 ; mustered out 
July 27, ''64 ; was on duty every day of his 
3 years' service, though twice wounded, 
once at Lee's Mills, and again at Spottsyl- 
vania, Va. 

Three other brothers of the above, C. 
S., Edwin H., and S.J. Dana, enlisted 
and served in the army. All six returned 
safely, after being honorably discharged, 
having performed 12 years of service. 

Albee H. Dewey enlisted in Co. B, 13th 
Reg., Aug. 25, '62; was mustered in as 
Sergt., Oct. 10, '62 ; re-enlisted in the 
Signal Corps, Oct. 23, '63; Jan. i, '64, 
sent to Newbern, N. C. ; soon after placed 
in command of a signal station at Fort 
Gaston ; Sept. 26, attacked by yellow 
fever ; died the 28th, aged 32 ; buried in 
the Soldiers' Cemetery at Newbern. 

Hiram F. Dike enlisted Aug. 14, '61, in 
Co. H, 7th Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 15, '61 ; 
promoted Corp., Mar. 12, '62; missed in 
action at Banks' Ford, May 4, '63 ; sup- 
posed to be dead. 

Alba B. Durkee enlisted in Co. I, 9th 
Reg., Dec. 21, '63; mustered in Jan. 6, 
'64; died Sept. 25, '64. 

Isaac H. Elliot enlisted in Co. I, 9th 
Reg., June 26, '62; mustered in July 9, 
'62 ; taken prisoner at Winchester, Sept. 
3, '62 ; held by the enemy 20 days ; dis- 
charged Sept. 25, '62, by reason of ill- 
health. 



Edward A. Fisk enlisted Aug. 21, '62, 
in Co. B, 13th Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 10, 
'62 ; mustered out July 21, '63. 

Heman R. French enlisted June 23, '62, 
in Co. I, 9th Reg. ; mustered in July 9, 
'62 ; taken prisoner with his regiment at 
Harper's Ferry, Sept. 14, '62; promoted 
hospital steward, Feb. 4, '65 ; mustered 
out June 13, '65. 

Ephraim H. Fuller enlisted in Co. H, 
6th Reg., Aug. 14, '61 ; mustered in Oct. 
15, '61, as corporal; discharged Oct. 28, 
'64; wounded at Lee's Mills, Va., Apr. 16, 
'62, in both thighs ; draws a pension of $4. 
per month. 

William H. H. Greenslit enlisted June 

20, '62, in Co. I, 9th Reg. ; mustered in 
July 9, '62; committed suicide Aug. 21, 
'62, at Winchester, Va. 

Manley N. Hoyt enlisted in Co. G, 6th 
Reg., Oct. 7, '61 ; mustered in Oct. 15, '61 ; 
died July 18, '62, at Philadelphia, of 
chronic diarrhea, aged 31 years. 

George M. Jones enlisted in the 2d Reg. 
U. S. S. S., Co. H, Nov. 28, '63 ; muster- 
ed in Dec. 18, '63 ; killed at the battle of 
the Wilderness, May 6, '64, while assisting 
a wounded comrade from the field. He, 
like the others from this town killed in that 
battle, was struck in the head and killed 
instantly. 

John F. Jones enlisted Sept. 10, '61, in 
Co. G, 6th Reg. ; mustered in as Sergt., 
Oct. 15, '61; discharged Apr. 17, '63, on 
account of sickness ; re-enlisted in Massa- 
chusetts ; after a few months' service, sick- 
ened, and died Nov. 28, '64. 

Eugene E. Joslin enlisted in the 2d Reg. 
of U. S. S. S., Co. H, Nov. 28, '63 ; muster- 
ed in Dec- 18, '63 ; promoted Corp., Nov. 
I , '64 ; afterwards Sergt. ; transferred to 
Co. H, 4th Reg., Feb. 25, '65 ; discharged 
July 13, '65 ; wounded in the shoulder at 
the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, '64. 

Seymour L. Kneeland enlisted Nov. 28, 
'63, in 1st Cav. Reg., Co. C; mustered in 
Dec. 25, '63; transferred to Co. A, June 

21, '65 ; mustered out Aug. 9, '65 ; taken 
prisoner Dec. 19, '64, on picket duty near 
Woodstock, Va., by scouts of the 12th Va. 
Cav.; kept at Staunton, Va., 12 days; 

taken to Richmond and confined in Libb 



ygS 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Prison. His food was the usual scant al- 
lowance of corn bread and poor bacon — 
just enough to hold flesh and spirit to- 
gether ; was paroled Mar. 9. '65 ; exchang- 
ed about a month after. 

James L. Maynard enlisted in Co. H, 
2d Reg., U. S. S. S., Nov. 28, '63; mus- 
tered in Dec. iS, '63 ; killed May 6, '64, at 
the battle of the Wilderness ; shot through 
the head. Like the others from this town 
killed in that battle, his body was not re- 
covered. 

Ziba H. McAllister enlisted Aug. 25, '62, 
in Co. B, 13th Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 10, 
'62; mustered out July 21, '63; re-enlisted 
in Co. C, ist Vt. Cav., Nov. 30, '63; 
mustered in Dec. 25, '63; mustered out 
Aug. 9, '65, having been transferred to Co. 
A, June 21, '65 ; wounded Oct. 7, '64, in 
the side and back, while on duty in the 
Shenandoah Valley, Va. 

Irenas P. Newcomb enlisted in Co. H, 
6th Reg., Aug. 14, '61 ; mustered in Oct. 
15, '61 ; died at Hampton, Va., of typhoid 
pneumonia, Apr. 9, '62, aged 18 years and 
8 months ; buried there. 

Edwin F. Palmer enlisted Aug. 25, '62, 
in Co. B, 13th Reg. ; mustered in asSergt., 
Oct. 10, '62; promoted 2d Lieut., Nov. 4, 
'62; mustered out July 21, '63. Lieut. 
Palmer kept a record of his army life, and 
has since published it in a neat book form, 
entitled " Camp Life," containing 224 pp. 
The book is a history of his company, in 
which there were 23 men from this town ; 
also of the 13th Reg. and 2d Brig. It is a 
graphic portrayal of the discomforts, vveari- 
ness, danger, with the occasional relief of 
comfort, rest and pleasure, incident to 
soldiers' life. 

Dexter Parker enlisted Aug. 25, '62, in 
Co. B, 13th Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 10, 
'62 ; in the battle of Gettysburg was se- 
verely wounded in the hand ; mustered out 
July 21, '63; draws a pension of $4 per 
month. 

Lorin B. Reed enlisted Aug. 25, '62; in 
Co. B, 13th Reg.; mustered in Oct. 10, 
'62 ; musician in the brigade band ; died of 
measles in hospital at Wolf Run Shoals, 
'May 30, '63, aged 21 years, 11 months. 

Oscar C. Reed enlisted Aug. 25, '62, in 



Co. B, 13th Reg. ; died of fever in hospital 
near Fairfax, Va., Dec. 26, '62, aged 24. 
His body, and that of his cousin, Lorin B. 
Reed, were brought home for burial. 

Edwin R. Richardson enlisted in Co. H, 
6th Reg., Aug. 14, '61 ; mustered in Oct. 
15, '61 ; promoted Corp., Feb. 8, '62 ; pro- 
moted Sergt., July 10, '63; ist Sergt., 
June 5, '64 ; re-enlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; killed 
at Charlestown, Va., Aug. 21, '64; shot 
through the head, and died immediately. 
His body was brought home for burial. 

Loren S. Richardson enlisted Nov. 28, 
'63 ; mustered in as a recruit in Co. H, 2d 
Reg. of U. S. S. S., Dec. 18, '63; trans- 
ferred to Co. H, 4th Reg., Feb. 25, '65; 
mustered out July 14, ^6^ ; wounded se- 
verely in the shoulder, at Cold Harbor, 
June ID, '64. 

Lucius D. Savage enlisted in Co. F, 2d 
Reg., May 20, '61 ; in the battle of Savage 
Station, June 29, '62, wounded and per- 
manently disabled in the right knee, and 
taken prisoner; released July 25, '62 ; dis- 
charged Nov. 29, '62 ; receives a half pen- 
sion, $4 per month. 

Dr. Henry C. Shaw went out from this 
town as Assistant Surgeon of the 2d N. H. 
Reg. ; serving out his time, 3 months, re- 
turned as Assistant Surgeon in 5th Vt. 
Reg. ; died of fever at Alexandria, Va., 
Sept. 7, '62, aged 30. His remains were 
brought home for interment. 

Lucius S. Shaw, Esq., brother of Dr. 
Henry C, while practicing law in Law- 
rence, Kansas, enlisted in the 2d Kansas 
Reg.; was promoted Lieut., and killed 
Sept. 3, '61, aged 31, by an accident on 
the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, 
caused by the burning of a bridge. His 
body lies beside that of his brother. 

Daniel P. Shepard enlisted Aug. 14, ''61, 
in Co. H, 6th Reg. ; mustered Corp., Oct. 
15, '61; afterwards served as teamster; 
re-enlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; mustered out June 
26, '65 ; wounded in the leg at Lee's Mills, 
Va., Apr. 16, '62. 

Mason C. Shepard, brother of Daniel 
P., enlisted Aug. 14, '61, in Co. H, 6th 
Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 15, '61 ; re-enlist- 
ed Dec. 15, '63; transferred to Co. G, 
Jan. I, '65 ; transferred back May 18, '65 ; 



WAITSFIELD. 



799 



in hospital several months ; mustered out 
June 26, '65 ; wounded in the breast and 
face at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62. 

Lewis M. Spaulding enlisted Aug. 14, 
'61, in Co. H, 6th Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 
15, '61 ; re-enlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; killed at 
the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, '64. 
A ball pierced his head while charging the 
enemy with the Vermont troops, and he 
died instantly. 

Solon S. Spaulding, brother of Lewis 
M., enlisted Aug. 14, '61, in Co. H, 6th 
Reg. ; mustered in Oct. 15, ''61 ; promoted 
Corp.; re-enlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; discharged 
June 12, '65, with health impaired by long- 
continued sickness. 

Harlan P. Stoddard enlisted in Co. E, 
2d Reg., May i, '61; in the battle at 
Savage Station, wounded by the passage 
of a ball through the pelvis, and taken 
prisoner; discharged July 30, '63. His 
wound he will probably never recover 
from. He receives a full pension, $15 per 
month. Three of his brothers followed 
him into the U. S. service. 

Horace B. Stoddard enlisted in Co. F, 
2d Reg.. Sept. '61 ; a few months before 
the expiration of his time of service, while 
at his post in the battle of the Wilderness, 
was sti'uck by a ball in the head, and it is 
supposed died instantly. His body, and 
that of his brother, L. Thompson Stod- 
dard, were not recovered. 

L. Thompson Stoddard enlisted in Co. 
B, 13th Reg., Aug. 25, '62 ; mustered out 
July 21, '63; re-enlisted in Co. C, 17th 
Reg., Jan. 5, '63 ; mustered in Corp. ; car- 
ried the State colors till cut and torn in 
pieces by shot and shell ; at the time of 
the explosion of the mine at Petersburg, 
was wounded in the shoulder while trying 
to get back to the Union lines, and taken 
prisoner ; spared the horrors of long con- 
finement in Southern prisons ; died 8 days 
after the explosion, Aug. 7, '64, while in 
the hands of the enemy. 

Lyman Stoddard enlisted Sept. 20, '61 ; 
mustered in Oct. 15, '61, as a member of 
Co. G, 6th Reg. ; re-enlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; 
mustered out June 26, '65 ; two brothers 
also served in the army for other towns, 
Daniel and Franklin Stoddard. 



Cyron G. Thayer enlisted Aug. 25, '62, 
in Co. B, 13th Reg. ; died May 20, '63, of 
measles, age 21. 

James M. Thayer, brother of Cyron G., 
enlisted ; mustered into the same company 
at the same time ; discharged for sickness 
Jan. 22, '63 ; has since died. 

Orcus C. Wilder enlisted Aug. 25, '62, 
in Co. B, 13th Reg. ; mustered Capt. Oct. 
10, '62 ; mustered out July 21, '63. Capt. 
Wilder and the 20 men or more in 
his company from Waitsfield, were hotly 
engaged in the batde of Gettysburg, though 
none were killed. This was all the fighting 
they saw during their g months' service. 

OUR ENLISTMENTS IN OTHER TOWNS. 

Young men who grew up among us and 
are known to all . 

Matthias J. Bushnell, age 26, enlisted in 
ist Wis. Cav., Co. B, Aug. 24, '61 ; mus- 
tered in Corp. ; killed in a small engage- 
ment with the rebels, near Madison, Ark., 
Aug. 3, '62, while guarding a wagon train. 
All who were with him were killed or taken 
prisoners. 

Hiland G. Campbell, age 26, enlisted for 
the town of Warren, as a recruit for the 3d 
Vt. Battery. In Oct. kicked by a horse, 
and injured in the thigh ; remained in hos- 
pital ; discharged ; receives a pension of $8 
per month ; bounty $733.34, Government 
and town. 

Israel Childs, a former resident of the 
town for many years, enlisted early in the 
war, in the 30th Wis. Reg., and served 3 
years, a part of the time in the frontier 
service. 

Chester S. Dana, age 33, enlisted for 
Fayston ; bounty $200, from Government. 

Edwin H. Dana, age 32, enlisted for 
Waterbury ; was wounded at the battle of 
Cold Harbor, June 3, '64 ; draws a pension 
of $6 per month ; bounty, $300 govern- 
ment, and $300 town. 

Samuel J. Dana, age 29, brother of Edwin 
H. and the three before named, enlisted 
for Fayston ; wounded by a shell at Get- 
tysburg; bounty from government $25. 

William W. McAllister, age 20, enlisted 
Aug. 8, '64, in 3d Vt. Light Artill., on de- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tached service at Rutland, Vt., and Fair- 
haven, Ct., 6 months, the remainder of the 
time at Petersburg, Va.i discharged June 
15, "65 ; bounty, $500. 

Harlen G. Newcomb, age 24, enlisted 
Aug. 19, '62, in Co. K, 145th N. Y. Vols. ; 
mustered in on Staten Island ; fall of the 
next year, while in hospital, detailed as 
nurse; Mar., '64, transferred to Co. I, 
107th N. Y. Vols. ; next month joined the 
company at Shelbyville, Tenn., detailed at 
Div. Head Quarters, Sept., '64, after sur- 
render of Atlanta ; rejoined his company, 
May 23, '65 ; discharged June 19, '65 ; 
bounty, $175, from government, state, and 
town. 

Daniel Russ, age 29, enlisted June 23, 
'62, in Co. I, 9th Reg. Vt. Vols. ; taken 
prisoner and paroled at the surrender of 
Harper's Ferry, Sept. 15, '62; detailed as 
clerk in dispensary, April 15, '63; in hos- 
pital from Sept. '63, till Jan. 12, ''64, when 
he rejoined his company ; promoted Sergt. 
Mar. 26, '64; 1st Sergt., Mar. '65; dis- 
charged by order of the President, June 8, 
'65, at Manchester, Va. ; bounty, $100. 

James C. Russ, brother of Daniel, en- 
listed in Co. A, 42d Wis. Vols, ; dis- 
charged June 28, '65. 

Frank E. Spaulding, aged 26, enlisted 
in Sheldon, Sept. 61, in Co. K, 6th Reg. 
Vt. Vols. ; discharged June 30, '62, for 
disability. 

George E. Spaulding, aged 18, brother 
of Frank "E., Solon S. and Lewis M., en- 
listed in Co. G, loth N. Y. Vols, for 
Albany ; served from April till Aug. '65 ; 
bounty, $600, from town. 

Charles D. Tewksbury, aged 23, enlisted 
Sept. 17, '61, in Co. B, 52d 111. Vols. Inf. ; 
mustered in at Geneva, 111., Oct. 25, '61, 
as Corp.; promoted Sergt., May 16, '62; 
re-enlisted as veteran Dec. 25, '63; pro- 
moted 1st Sergt. Apr. ''64; mustered out 
July 6, '65, at Louisville, Ky., receiving a 
lieutenant's commission ; received $502 
bounty from government, and $1 from 
Bureau Co., 111. ; was wounded at the bat- 
tle of Shiloh in the head ; in hospital only 
long enough to have his wound dressed 
during his 4 years' service ; traveled with 
his regiment over 6,000 miles, 1,600 of 



which he marched on foot ; after that, 
started off under Gen. Sherman, and 
marched around to Savannah, and up to 
Washington. 

Isaac Norton Tewksbury, uncle of Chas. 
D., native of Waitsfield, and more than 20 
years resident, served in a Mich. Reg. ; 
killed in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
aged 52. 

Other persons, natives of Waitsfield, 
have doubtless served in the army, but the 
compiler has failed to learn the facts in 
regard to them. 

AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION. 

BY MRS. T. E. FISHER. 

" Jesus has died upon the cross!" 

Oh bow the tidings fell 
With stunning weiglit on those who loved 

The " Hope of Israel!' 

A few had owned Him as the Clirist. 

The " very Clirist," and they 
Had lett tlieir all to follow Hiiu 

Upon His blessed way. 

But Oh, they had not understood 

How dark that way must be, 
They knew not that tlie Sou of God 

Could die upon the tree. 

And when they saw Him on the cross, 

Hope was not wholly gone. 
They thought by some mysterious power 

God might save His Sou. 

But when He bowed His godlike head 

And yielded up the ghost. 
When He had died as dies mere man, 

They gave up all for lost. 

Oh, who can paint the bitter grief 
That wrung their hearts that hour, 

The deep, unutterable despair 
That crushed them with its power. 

Had He deceived them ? Could it be 

The Shiloh had not come? 
Their brows were pale Willi grief and diead. 

Their ashy lips were dumb. 

Three days His body, cold and still. 

Within the grave had lain. 
When thrilled their hearts the joyful words, 

"Jesus has risen again 1" 

Jesus has risen again; no more 

Anguish and doubts and fears. 
Glad joy lights up the wondering eyes 

So lately dimmed by tears. 

He is the Lord I the mighty God 1 

The Jesus, the Saviour lives! 
And O, new proof, He is the same, 

Their unbeliet forgives. 

Jesns has risen from the dead! 

No more we fear to die. 
Because Thou livest we shall live, 

O, Son of God Most High. 



WARREN. 



80 1 



WARREN. 

BY CHAItLES W. HEMENWAY, OF LUDLOW. 

This township lies in lat. 44°, 6'; long. 
40°, ir, in the south-west of Washington 
Co. The town formerly belonged to Ad- 
dison Co., and was annexed to Washing- 
ton Co. by an act of the Legislature, Oct. 
28, 1829. The charter was granted Nov. 
9, I780, to John Throop and associates. 

GRANTEES AS DRAWN WITH NO. OF LOT. 

John Marcy, Jr., lot 2I ; Oliver Barker, 
I9 ; Stephen Marcy, I7 ; Nathaniel and 
ElishaFrisbee, I5 ; Oliver Farnsworth, I3 ; 
Nathan Hale, 11; Seth Austin, 9 ; Ruggles 
Kent, 7 ; Joseph Marcy, 5 ; Joel Roberts, 
3 ; Abraham Baldwin, 1 ; Loudan Gallop, 
2 ; Hezekiah Spencer, 4 ; Jonas Fay, 6 ; 
Jonathan Bruce, 8 ; William Gallop, lo ; 
Elisha Hawley, I4; Benijah Child, 16; 
Stephen Jacobs, 18; Timothy Andrus,2o; 
Miles Beach, 22 ; Jonathan Pierce, 23 ; 
Bartholomew Durkee, 27; Wm. Strong, 
29; Wm. Ripley, 3I ; First settled minis- 
ter, I2; English school, 25; Asa Whit- 
comb, 33 ; Uriah Tracy, 35 ; Lemuel Hop- 
kins and Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 37; Noah 
Hatch, 39; Moses Seymour and Alex. 
Catline, 49 ; Thomas Chamberlin, 4I ; 
Chauncey Smith, 44; Elihu Kent, 42; 
John Jacob, 40 ; George Swan, 38 ; Ben- 
jamin Kent, 36 ; Gurshon Olds, 34 ; Thad- 
deus Leavitt, 32 ; Thaddeus King, 30 ; Wm. 
Roberts, 28 ; William Marsley, 26; John 
Throop, 24 ; Joseph Kimball, 45 ; John 
Whitcomb, 47 ; Parmela Jacobs, 49 ; Chap- 
man Whitcomb, 51 ; County Grammar 
School, 53 ; Asahel Smith, 55 ; Anthony 
Whitcomb, 57 ; Timothy Child, 59 ; Chaun- 
cey Goodrich, 61 ; Jedediah Strong, 62 ; 
Daniel Adams, 63 ; David Fuller, 60 ; 
Thomas Tolman, 58 ; support of the min- 
istry, 56; Wm. Lyon, 54; David Wilcox, 
52 ; John Trumbull, 50 ; Thomas Branard, 
48 ; James Thomson, 64 ; Joel Ballou, 65 
Ebenezer Swan, 66 ; College right, 67 
Geoige Dunkins, 68 ; Samuel Marcy, 69 
Dudley Baldwin, 70 ; seventy division lots 
lotted, Nov. 4, I789. 

The lots were drawn by 70 slips num- 
bered from 1 to 70, put into a hat, with 70 
other slips with the names of one of the 



grantees, or of a public right, to be 
drawn, on each, put into another hat, and 
both hats shook to the satisfaction of all 
present, when a paper was first drawn 
from the hat with names, and then a paper 
from the hat with the number of the lots. 
The town is bounded N. by Waitsfield and 
Fayston, E. by Roxbury, S. by Granville, 
Addison Co., andW. by Lincoln, Addison 
Co. By act of Legislature, I824, four tiers 
of lots were set off from Lincoln to Warren. 
There were two divisions of land in town 
of 70 lots each. 

The soil of the township is very good, 
and the most part of it quite free from 
stone. It is well adapted to raising corn, 
potatoes and English grain. The face of 
the land is rather hilly. The ledges are 
chiefly a sort of mica slate. There is 
some limestone, but it is not plenty. 
There have never been but two kilns burn- 
ed in town — those at a somewhat remote 
period, the ruins of which are still seen. 
There are, also, some fine specimens of 
crystal quartz here. 

Mad river runs nearly through the centre 
of the town, and has several tributaries. 
Stetson brook runs through Stetson Hol- 
low, and empties into Mad river about 2 
miles above Warren village. Lincoln 
brook heads on Lincoln mountain, and 
runs through Warren South Hollow, and 
empties into Mad river about half a mile 
above the village. Minor brook rises on 
Roxbury mountain, flows westerly, and 
empties into Mad river at the village. 
Ford brook, from Lincoln mountain, flows 
easterly, and empties into the river at the 
lower end of the village. Clay brook, 
heading on Lincoln mountain, runs east- 
erly through Grand Hollow, and empties 
into the river some 2 miles below the vil- 
lage. Shepherd brook, from Roxbury 
mountain, runs westerly, and empties into 
the river 2 miles below the village. Thus, 
the town is well watered, and these streams 
abound with trout. There are many good 
mill privileges also on these streams. 

The town was organized Sept. 20, I798, 
Ezra Miller, moderator; Samuel Laird, first 
town clerk ; Ruel Sherman, Joseph Ray- 
mond, Seth Leavett, selectmen ; Samuel 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Laird, John Sherman, Joseph Raymond, 
listers; Ruel Sherman, collector; John 
Woodard, grand juryman ; and Joseph W. 
Eldridge was the first representative in 
ISlo. The first physician was Dr. Fish ; 
,the first merchant, Watrous Mather ; first 
lawyer, A. P. Huntoon ; and the first 
tavern-keeper, Amos Rising. 

It is quite impossible at the present day 
(o form a just conception of the labor and 
hardships these earlier settlers encounter- 
ed, leaving the comforts and conveniences 
of older towns, and moving with their 
families into a mountain, wilderness town, 
and into houses that were insufficient to 
protect them from the winds of winter, and 
with but scanty fare for large families ; but 
with untiring zeal they felled the dense 
forest trees. The grand old maples and 
hemlocks grouned beneath the woodman's 
axe, and they soon had sufficient land 
cleared to raise the grain for their fami- 
lies, and before this was done, they must 
have made long foot-journeys, or on horse- 
back, to distant towns for grain — to Waits- 
field, over the Roxbury mountain to Rox- 
bury, and thence to Randolph, some 30 
miles distant, and even at times to Wind- 
sor, some 65 miles distant, and that by 
bridle-path and marked trees, fording 
streams. 

Seth Leavett chopped, cleared and cul- 
tivated the first acre in town. The first 
house was built on the farm now owned 
by Judge LTpham. 

Cynthia, daughter of Ruel and Olive 
Sherman, was the first child born in town, 
Oct. I7, 1797. She married Robert Leach, 
and was living in Randolph in IS70. 

Lucius Leavett was the first male child 
born in town. Mar. 5, I798. The first 
marriage was that of John Wilcox, of 
Roxbury, and Abigail Steel, of Warren. 
The first person buried in town was Chloe 
Sherman, wife of Ruel Sherman. The 
graveyard at the river was laid out Apr. 1 , 
IS26 ; children of Oliver Porter were the 
first buried in it. 

David Ralph built the first house on the 
river at the village, where Morris Sterling 
now lives, and I think that a part of the 
old house is now standing. A man by the 



name of Stetson built the second house, 
near where George Bragg now lives. Rich- 
ard Sterling built the first tavern, Isaac 
Ralph built the first store, and Otis Wilson 
carried on the first tannery. The first 
school-house was built in I805, in district 
No. I, where the school-house now stands. 
There are 9 school districts, and most of 
the school-houses are very good. The av- 
erage term of school is 6 months a year. 

At the freeman's meeting, Sept. 2, I800, 
I2 took the freeman's oath. The first 
vote for governor stood for Isaac Tichenor, 
I2 votes, and for lieut. governor, Paul 
Brigham, I3; Samuel Mattocks, treasurer ; 
councillors: Benj. Swan, 1 vote; Stephen 
Bradley, lo votes ; Nathaniel Niles, lo ; 
John Burnham, lo ; Samuel SaiTord, lo ; 
John Willard, lo: Jonas Galusha, lo ; 
Stephen Paul, lo ; Peter Olcutt, lo ; John 
White, lo; Daniel Wright, lo ; Oliver 
Gallop, lo ; Timothy Stanley, lo. 

AARON RISING GOING TO MILL. 

Mr. Rising related to me that when 16 
years old, the family having had nothing 
to eat but pumpkin and potatoes with milk 
for 2 weeks, they made some salts, and 
sent him to Randolph for grain. His 
brother gave him 25 cts. to buy his din- 
ner. He went to Waitsfield, and crossed 
the mountain to Roxbury. The road 
through the woods was a bridle-path, and 
the roots of the trees so thick the horse 
had to step pretty long sometimes. He 
stopped at Roxbury for dinner, but find- 
ing they had nothing to eat but potatoes 
and milk there, and that he would have to 
wait for the potatoes to be cooked, he 
pushed on to Braintree, finding nothing 
but potatoes and milk there again, and de- 
ferred dining until he should reach Ran- 
dolph. Having arrived, he went straight 
to the mill. The miller weighed his salts, 
and let him have 3 bushels of grain, and 
paid him the balance due in money. He 
would not let him have more grain, saying 
that he must divide among the people or 
they would starve. 

Our "boysent to mill," said he turned out 
his horse to feed while his grist was being 
ground. They had plenty to eat there, 



WARREN. 



803 



but he was so bashful he did not dare to 
ask for anything. He was very hungry, 
but hoped when he got back to Braintree 
he could get some potatoes and milk, at 
least. He reached Braintree, and then 
concluded to go on to Roxbury, as he 
could stay there over night, and by start- 
ing early in the morning, reach home in 
time for the family to bake for breakfast ; 
but when he arrived at Roxbury, the in- 
habitants had gone to bed, and not seeing 
any lights, it made him homesick, and he 
concluded to go on a little farther to a Mr. 
Sampson's, who lived up close under the 
mountain. When he got up to Sampson's, 
it was so dark there he could not stay 
there possibly, and he kept on. He was 
very tired and hungry, but he led the old 
mare along with the 3 bushels of meal on 
her back. When he got about half way 
up the mountain, he heard a wolf howl 
behind him, and pretty soon, another one 
answer ahead of him ; soon, another one 
in the north, then in the south. He 
stopped to rest the old mare and himself. 
He was so hungry and tired, he thought 
that if he had got to live to be an old man, 
and always fare as hard as now, that he 
did not much care if the wolves did take 
him ; that they would tear him to pieces 
in about two minutes, he considered, and 
it would be over with ; but he started 
along pretty soon. He could hear the 
wolves in the bushes close by. They did 
not howl now, for they could see him, and 
were only watching when to spring upon 
him. He scrambled up on to the old 
mare's back. He thought that he would 
let them take her first. It soon began to 
grow a little light. He kept urging the 
old mare along, and when he got out of 
the woods, it was so light the wolves left 
him. He got home about sunrise. He 
dragged the meal into the house, and went 
up stairs to bed, so tired and exhausted 
that he could hardly get up there. When 
breakfast was ready, he was called up, but 
when they gave him a piece of bread only 
about half as large as his hand, andasmall 
quantity of milk, he said the tears rolled 
down his cheeks, and it was harder than 
all he had endured ; but they told him that 



it was more than the. "galls" had, and 
that they must be very saving, for they did 
not know when they should get any more. 
Mr. Rising lived to become quite wealthy, 
but was blind for the last few years of his 
life. He narrated these facts to us in his 
85th year. He was blind at this time, but 
his memory was very good. 

WARREN BOYS AND THE BEARS. 

Some over 40 years since, Christopher 
Moore, 17 years of age, and De Estings 
Billings, about the same age, set a bear- 
trap some 3 miles from the village, on the 
farm now owned by Milo Bucklin ; and on 
going to the spot the next day, found a 
two-year old bear in the trap. Thinking 
it would be nice to take the bear down to 
the village alive, they each cut a good 
switch, and gave the bear, who was first 
disposed to fight, such a thorough whip- 
ping he curled down. They did not re- 
lease him from the trap and so run the 
risk of losing him, but one took up the 
bear in his arms and the other the trap, 
and both together they carried the bear and 
trap about half a mile to the road, where 
they had a cart in waiting ; but they had 
to lav the bear down several times and re- 
peat the whipping before they got to the 
cart, and they got their faces and arms 
scratched some ; but they took him to the 
village alive. 

Warren can boast of strong men. One, 
Oliver Slack, used to gather his sap here 
by hand with a hoop, with two five-pail 
iron kettles, one in each hand. 

REV. NATHANIEL STEARNS, 

a Methodist, was the first minister settled 
in town. Rev. Mr. Wheelock, Congrega- 
tionalist, was expecting to be settled first, 
but the Methodists, thinking that the privi- 
lege equally belonged to them to settle the 
first pastor, and thereby to obtain for their 
minister the right of land by charter to the 
first clergyman settled, went in the night 
for Elder Stearns, and installed him first. 
He was secured a salary of $100 a year, 
paid in grain. 

WARREN RIVER MEETING HOUSE SOCIETY, 

was organized Jan. 19, 1838, and a com- 
mittee chosen to build the house, 40x50 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



ft., of fair proportion, finished plain but 
well ; Daniel Ralph built the house. Rev. 
E. Scott, M. E., from Montpelier, preach- 
ed the dedication sermon, and the M. E. 
Conference sent ministers here for several 
years. The house is a union building, 
and the different denominations have had 
stated times to preach ; the Episcopal 
Methodist, the ist Sabbath in every month 
and every other 2d Sabbath ; the Univer- 
salist the 3d Sabbath in every month ; the 
Protestant Methodist, the 4th Sabbath in 
the first 9 months in the year ; the other 
denominations to occupy the remainder of 
the time. The other denominations in 
this vicinity are Baptist, Congregational- 
ist, Adventist, Seventh day Adventist, 
and Spiritualists. Much of the time no 
regular preaching has been sustained in 
the union meeting house. 

Rev. J. Waldron came here in 1S71, to 
preach for a year, and staid 2 years. He 
was from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and 
was liked very much. Rev. Mr. Burgin, 
the next pastor, came from Lincoln, and 
staid 2 years. 

The church at East Warren was built in 
1834. It is also a union building, but the 
people are mostly Methodists in that vicin- 
ity ; and there is a M. E. Church, a branch 
of the church at Waitsfield, here. Rev. 
J. Boyce, from Waitsfield, preached here 
half of the time, for there has never been 
a settled minister there. I have tried to 
find the church records, but cannot. 

REV. JOSHUA TUCKER, 

was born in Salem, Mass., June 14, i<Soo. 
In 1826, he married Anna S. Cook, of 
Chelsea, Mass. He received his theologi- 
cal education in New Hampshire, and 
commenced to preach at the age of 28. 
In 1830, he was ordained at Washington, 
and was pastor of Washington and of Ver- 
shire until 1833, when he removed to Chel- 
sea, but remained pastor of Washington, 
Vershire and Williamstown until 1839. He 
then removed to Warren, where he preached 
2 years. Since then he has lived at difterent 
times in the towns of Lincoln, Washington, 
Huntington, Starksboro, Middlesex, 
Northfield and Hydepark ; from Hydepark 
he removed for the third time to Starksboro, 



where he now resides. He gave up preach- 
ing about a year ago from ill health. He 
preached the gospel 50 years, had 11 chil- 
dren, 7 now living ; died in Lincoln, aged 
78. His wife is now (1881) living in 
Starksboro. 

REV. JAIRIUS EATON, 

came to this town from Enosburgh, in 
1854, and preached here ever after part of 
the time, until his death, Dec. 25, 1861. 
He was a Wesleylan Methodist. 

JOSEPH W. ELDRIDGE, ESQ., 

born in Stonington, Ct., May 17, 1777, 
married at Brooklyn, Ct., Jan. 30, 1804, 
to Betsy Tyler, daughter of William Tyler, 
and grand-daughter of Gen. Putnam. Mr. 
Eldridge moved into town early ; was town 
clerk 14 years, and the first post master, 
which office he held 30 years. He was the 
first representative from this town to the 
legislature, and married the first couple in 
town. He came into town himself before 
he was married, and went back to Connec- 
ticut after his wife. Mrs. Eldridge made 
her bridal-journey to her new home in the 
wilderness of Warren, on horse back. 
She was a member of the Congrega. 
tional church, and an exemplary Christian. 
Their door and purse were always open 
for the benefit of the gospel. The minis- 
ters always found a home with them. He 
had nearly lived man's allotted time when 
he was suddenly called. He stepped out 
to speak to a neighbor passing his house, 
tripped on a small stick, fell upon his 
hands and knees, broke a blood vessel in 
falling, and lived only 36 hours after ; aged 
65 years, 1842. Mr. Eldridge's first wife 
died in 1831 ; in 1833, he married Mrs. 
Deborah Durkee, who died in 1869. 
DEACON JAMES ALLEN, 

born in Walpole, N. H., May 28, I787, 
married Achsah, daughter of David and 
Effie Young, in I807, and moved into this 
town, on the farm now owned by John 
Cardell, in I810. He soon bought the farm 
now owned by Sylvester Wheeler. It was 
a wilderness farm then, and there was only 
a path by marked trees by which he went 
to his land to chop. He was a very in- 
dustrious man, and when it was not 



WARREN. 



805 



weather to work out doors, he made 
spinning-wheels for the wives and daugh- 
ters of the settlers. Mrs. Allen had a 
great fear of the Indians, although she had 
never seen one. One day, when Mr. Allen 
was out at work, near night a ragged, 
rough-looking man came into the house, 
set down his gun, and told her he wanted 
some supper and to stay all night. She 
said he could have some .supper, but she 
could not keep him over night. She says 
she flew around pretty lively, thinking this 
was an Indian, any way, and that her time 
had come. Mr. Allen came in soon, and 
told the man he would show him where to 
go to find lodging. As they started out, 
Mrs. Allen took her babe in her arms and 
followed at a distance, fearing the sup- 
posed Indian would kill her husband ; but 
the man proved to be a Mr. Atwood, from 
Hancock, who had been out hunting and 
lost his way. 

Mrs. Allen united with the Baptist 
church when only 16, and has lived a 
praiseworthy life. Soon after Mr. Allen 
came into town he was chosen deacon of 
the Baptist church at Waitsfield, which had 
a branch in Warren, and held the office 
till his death in I876, aged 89. 

JOSEPH A. CURTIS, 

born in Hanover, N. H., Nov. 1787, was 
married in I807 to Amelia Bissell, and 
moved to this town. Soon after he was 
appointed judge in the county court, and 
has been State senator. He was reputed 
here a very good scholar. He died in I867. 

WILLIAM CARDELL, 

born in Southwick, Mass., May 3, 1788, 
removed to Munroe, N. Y. ; was married 
Sept. 23, 1810, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Peers. He came into 
the east part of the town and settled in 
181 7, but soon sold out his land for store 
goods, in which he was unfortunate, and 
lost nearly all his property. He then 
bought a tract of land in that part of the 
town called South Hollow, comprising sev- 
eral farms now. He was a great worker, 
cleared many acres of land, and made the 
mountain road to Lincoln for 50 cts. per 
rod. While making the road, he had a 



cabin built on runners, in which to cook 
and sleep, that he moved along as fast as 
the road was completed. 

He also kept a tavern and toll-gate sev- 
eral years, and was a merchant some time. 
When he came into town he had about 
$1,000, but owing to his misfortune, had 
only about $200 when he bought in South 
Hollow, and by his unremitting toil and 
economy, amassed a large property, and 
was the wealthiest man in town at his 
death. He has three sons living in town, 
and one in Boston, Mass., all being 
wealthy. He sold his farm in South 
Hollow at length, and moved into the vil- 
lage, where he died Nov. 2, 1870, aged 82 
years. He was many years a member of 
the M. E. church. 

COL. STEPHEN L. SARGENT, 

born in Windsor, Jan. 19, 1789, came to 
this town with his father, Moses Sargent, 
when 13 years of age. There were only 
12 families in town when he came. He 
lived on the same farm that his father 
settled on, and married Bridget Shaw, of 
Hartland. They have 3 sons and 2 daugh- 
ters. Col. Sargent went with some 20 
volunteers to Plattsburgh, N. Y., but did 
not arrive until the battle was over. In 
1820, he was commissioned lieut. colonel; 
in 1822, colonel of the 4th reg. ist brigade, 
4th division of Vt. militia. He was a 
prompt, faithful officer. He gave me these 
facts when past 85 years of age, and his 
mind at this time was remarkably clear. 
I am indebted to him for more information 
about the early settlers than any one else 
in town. He was the oldest Free Mason 
in town ; was a member over 50 years, 
and was buried under the Masonic order. 

DEXSLOW UPHAM, 

born in Weathersfield in 1800, moved into 
town in 1818. He married, Aug. 1823, 
Ada H. Richardson, daughter of James 
Richardson. Mr. Upham is a man of 
good education and sound judgment. He 
surveyed and lotted the 2d division of land 
in town, and was appointed a judge of the 
county court in i853-''54; elected State 
senator in 1864-^65. Mr. Upham has a 
very pleasant family, and whoever calls 
there is always treated very hospitably. 



8o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



RICHARD STERLING 

moved from South Woodstock, Feb. 22, 
1 82 3. He lived on the place now owned 
by G. W. Cardell, 14 years ; kept tavern 
4 years of the time, then moved to Grand 
Hollow. He was born in Lyme, Ct., Dec. 
21, 1777. At the age of 5 years his father 
removed to South Woodstock, Vt. When 
Richard Sterling came to Warren, there 
were but three houses in the village. He 
kept the first tavern, was never absent 
from a town meeting, and voted for every 
President after he was 21. He died July 
23, 1872, aged 94 years, 7 mos. 2 days. 

HIRAM BRADLEY, 

came from Pomfret here in 1824. He was 
an educated man, and a teacher in his 
early life, but was very much broken down 
in his old age. Mrs. Bradley, his wife, is 
one of those old ladies, we seldom meet, 
so pleasant and so social, with a well cul- 
tivated mind ; though over 70 when we 
last saw her, she conversed upon any sub- 
ject introduced, with ease. 

AMOS RISING, 

born in Southwick, Massachusetts, 1769, 
moved to Warren in I799 ; had 3 children : 
his oldest daughter now living in Warren, 
aged 86 ; his son is a lawyer in the West. 
She now lives on her father's old place, 
where he first settled, her name is Mrs. 
Lorenzo Nichols. He died I845, aged 65. 
His brother, Tehan Rising, came to 
Warren in I800. He had 6 children, only 
one lived to grow up. Aaron Rising 
came to Warren in I802. They were all 
influential men, and helped build up the~ 
town. 

LONGEVITY OF WARREN TO JAN. 1877. 
Mrs. Wm. Porter, 100 years, 6 months 
and 3 days ; Olive, widow of Timothy 
Vinson, 92 years ; Eliza Parsons, 91 ; Mrs. 
Richard Sterling, 89 ; Joseph Lovett, 87 ; 
Capt. Timothy Dolbear, 86 ; Mrs. Gard- 
ner Campbell, 86 ; Jonathan Grow, 86 ; 
Jarius Eaton, 85 ; Ruel Sherman, 84; John 
Cardell, 84; Mrs. Joseph Lovett, 84; 
Moses Sargent, 83 ; Mrs. Amelia Curtis, 
83 ; Mrs. Aaron Rising, 82 ; William 
Cardell, 82 ; Mrs. Abigail Stevens, 81 ; 
Philemon Metcalf, 81 ; Mrs. Alfred Nich- 



ols, 80 ; Ira Putnam, 79; Mrs. Ebenezer 
Bennett, 79 ; Jacob Stevens, 79 ; James 
Richardson, 79; Abraham Van Deusen, 
78 ; Robert Kelsey, 78 ; Joseph Hewett, 
yS ; Mrs. James Richardson, 78 ; Daniel 
Jones, 78; Wm. Bragg, 77; Mrs. Wm. 
Bragg, 77 ; Mrs. Edward Hall, 77 ; Wm. 
Porter, 77 ; James Holden, 76 ; Mrs. 
Daniel Jones, 76 ; Mrs. Daniel Brown, 75; 
Mrs. Otis Bucklin, 75; Ezra Church, 75 ; 
Samuel Bagley, 74 ; Mrs. Wm. Porter, 74 ; 
Mrs. E. P. Landon, 7^ ; Joseph A. Curtis, 

73 ; Thomas Sargent, y;^ ; Daniel Brown, 

72 ; Moses Hall, 72; Joshua Davis, 71 ; 
Daniel Howe, 71 ; Charlotte Buck, 70 ; 
Harriet Dickinson, 70 ; Gardner Camp- 
bell, 70 ; Alvin Porter, 70 ; Mrs. Hannah 
Pike, S7 ; Col. Sargent, 87; Sylvester 
Upham, 75 ; Mrs. Phebe LTpham, 70 ; 
Mrs. Lavina Geer, 78 ; Mrs. David Ban- 
ister, 75 ; Mrs. Henry Dana, 77 ; Mr.s 
Wm. Cardell, 84 ; Artemas Banister, 75 ; 
Hiram Bradley, 82 ; Marcena Greenslit, 

74 ; Benjamin Powers, 82 ; Amos Bagley, 

76 ; Lovina Brigham, 72 ; John Patrol, 
82 ; Dolly Dimmick, 83 ; Joseph Hewitt, 

77 ; Lydia J. Hewitt, 81 ; Horace Powers, 
84 ; Sarah Gifford, 85 ; Joseph Vickery, 
80 ; James Allen, 89 ; Samuel C. Turner, 

73 ; Hannah Miller, 88 ; Esther Moore, 
80; RhodaDutton, 81 ; Simeon Pratt, 87; 
Erastus Buck, 82 ; Rufus Thayer, 7;^ ; 
Samantha Lamb, 70; Daniel Ralph, 71 ; 
Betsey Ainsworth, 75 ; Samuel Crosier, 
81; Clarisa Arnold, 72; Andrew Arnold, 72. 

In Warren, Sept. I7, Mrs. Hannah 
Billings, wife of Mr. Rufus Billings, aged 
80 years. Mr. and Mrs. Billings lived to- 
gether nearly 60 years, and in the com- 
munity where she died, 38. She was the 
mother of I4 children, I2 of whom lived 
to have families, 9 survived her, and 7 at- 
tended her funeral. She could number 65 
grand-children and 20great-grand-children. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Warren Wooden Bowl and Chair Stock 
Factory, situated on Mad river, at the 
further south end of the v^illage, was built 
by Carlos Sargent, in I809, who put in a 
forge and manufactured edge tools several 
years, and sold to Thomas Heyward, who 
manufactured wooden bowls, fork-stails 



WARREN. 



807 



and hoe-handles till the fall of 1868, when 
R. N. and D. D. Hemenway, of Ludlow, 
bought the shop, and commenced there, 
Nov. 20, that season, the turning of wooden 
l)owls, with whom, Apr. 1, I869, C. W. 
Hemenway, another brother, bought in an 
equal share, and helped to manufacture 
bowls and chair-stock until Apr. 1, I874, 
when he sold to R. N. and D. D., and re- 
turned to farming in Ludlow, and the broth- 
ers, R. N. and D. D., continued the busi- 
ness until the fall of I878, when the shop 
was burned, after which they sold the 
privilege to John Bradley, who has since 
built a shop on the old foundation. 

Henry Austin manufactured clapboards 
on Mad river, about 3 miles above the 
village, for several years, and then sold 
out and went West. Alex. Stetson and 
a Mr. Hanks manufactured clothes-pins a 
short time ; then Mr. Hanks started a shop 
of his own, but did not run it long. Geo. 
S. Hanks built a shop also at the north 
end of the village, on Ford brook at the 
falls, for the manufacture of rolling-pins, 
clothes-pins and clapboards for a time, 
and Walter Bagley manufactured clap- 
boards in South Hollow several years. 

Samuel Austin run a distillery many 
years since in town. His customers would 
carry their molasses (maple) and get their 
rum. One day a goverment officer visited 
him, and finding that he had no license, it 
cost his brother, Daniel Austin, $150.00 to 
settle. The old still in now in Christopher 
Moore's possession. 

VILLAGE. 

Warren has quite a village. There are 
some 50 dwelling-houses, 1 church, 1 
school-house, a very good one ; 3 stores, 
2 boot and shoe .shops, 1 tannery, 5 black- 
smith shops, 2 clap-board mills, 2 saw- 
mills, I grist-mill, 3 carriage shops, 1 har- 
ness-shop, 1 tin-shop, 2 cooper-shops, 2 
clothes-pins shops, 1 gunsmith, 1 millin- 
ary shop, a tavern and post-office. 

Mad River runs through the village. 
The water-power here is very good. A 
stage runs to.Roxbury, 7 miles, the near- 
est railroad station, and back 3 times a 
week. [Data of I877 ; there is now, 1881, 



a daily stage from Warren to Roxbury.] 
In other parts of the town, there are 2 
carriage-shops, 2 saw-mills, 1 clap-board 
mill, a shingle factory, 1 black smith shop, 
and several cooper shops. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Samuel Laird, 1799; Thomas Jerrolds, 
I800-6; Joseph W. Eldridge, I807-20; 
James Richardson, I82I, 22, 24; Simeon 
Buck, I823; Jared W. Shepherd, I825- 
28 ; Sylvanus Payne, I829-37 ; Franklin 
A. Wright, I838-47 ; Darius S. Parker, 
I848-54; D. D. Hyzer, 1855-63; James 
Cardell, 1 864-80. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Joseph W. Eldridge, I8I0-I6 ; Amos 
Rising, I8I6-24, 25, 26 ; Tehan Rising, 
I8I9; James Richardson, I823 , James 
Butterfield, I827 ; Joseph A. Hyzer, I828, 
32 ; Moses Sargent, I829, 30, 3I ; none 
1^»'^33' 34» 53 '> Artemus Cushman, I835, 
36, 42 ; William Cardell, I837, 38 ; Wil- 
liam B. Taylor, I839 ; Franklin A.Wright, 
I840, 4I, 54, 55 ; Thomas Sargent, I843 ; 
Lewis Cardell, I844 ; Moses Ordway, 
1845,46; Denslow Uphani, I847 ; Wil- 
liam Rankin, I848, 49 ; Gideon Good- 
speed, I850, 5I ; P. P. Raymond, I852 ; 
Rev. Jarius Eaton, I856, 59, 60 ; Pierce 
Spaulding, I857. 58; Daniel Ralph, 1861, 
62 ; Rev. John Dolph, 1863, 64 ; Edwin 
Cardell, IS65, 66 ; Otis Bucklin, I867, 68 ; 
James Cardell, I869, 70, 7I ; G. W. Car- 
dell, I872-75 ; D. D. Hemenway, I876; 
Milo Bucklin, I877, 80, 81 ; Sylvester 
Banister, I878, 79. 

CONSTABLES. 

James Richardson, I799, I'^Hi I2, I3 ; 
Elias Miller, I800, 1 ; George Lattimer, 
IS02, 3, 4; Calvin Gilbert, I805, 6, 7; 
Amos Rising, I808, I4, I5, 16, 18, I9, 20, 
2I, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; William Kent, 
I809, lo ; Giles Eldridge, I8I7 ; Oramel 
Williams, I828, 29, 30 ; Thomas Sargent, 
I83I, 36, 52, 53 ; Lewis Bagley, I832 ; P. 
D. Bagley, I833, 34, 35 ; Gideon Good- 
speed, I838, 39, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 
50, 5I ; Pierce Spaulding, 1854, 55, 56 ; 
Wm. H. H. Hall, I857, 58, 59; John 
Thayer, I860, 61 ; Edwin Cardell, I862- 
80. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Physicians : — Dr. Fish, Asahel Kend- 
rick, D. C. Joyslin, Dr. Peabody, N. G. 
Brigham, J. M. Van Deusen, and E. W. 
Slayton. 

Attorneys: — A. C. Huntoon, John 
H. Senter. 

POST MASTERS. 

East Warren. — Joseph W. Eldridge, 
George Lathrop, Wm. Tillotson, Lorenzo 
Nichols, Nahum Nichols. 

At the River. — Parker Putman, D. S. 
Parker, D. D. Hyzer, H. Fifield, J. G. 
Sargent, G. W. Cardell, Edwin Cardell. 

JUDGES OF THE COUNTY COURT. 

Joseph A. Curtis, first ; F. A. Wright, 
1850 ; Denslow Upham, I852-54. 

MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN- 
TIONS. 

J. W. Eldridge, I8I4 ; Amos Rising, 
I822 ; J. A. Hyzer, I828 ; Artemas Cush- 
man, I836; Gideon Goodspeed, I84S ; 
Denslow Upham, 1850. 



STATE SENATORS. 

Artemus Cushman, I840 ; F. A. Wright, 
1846, 47, 56; Joseph A. Curtis, Denslow 
Upham, 1852, 64. 

Census: — 1800, 58; 1810, 229; 1820, 
320; 1830, 766; 1840, 943; 1850, 962, 
i860, 1041 ; 1870, 1008; 1880, 951. 

Grand List: — 1870, $2,699.44; 1880, 
$2,494.64. 

MILITARY. 

Revolutionary Soldiers : — Moses 
Sargent, Richard Shaw, William Porter, 
and John Greenslit. John Greenslit died 
in the war. 

Soldiers of 1812: — Thomas Jerrolds, 
Jesse Stewart, Justin Jacobs, Oliver Per- 
sons, Samuel Hard, and Gardner Camp- 
bell were in the war of 1812. Jerrolds 
and Stewart died in the war ; George 
Dimick was in the Mexican war. 



WAR OK THE REBELLION. 



SECOND REGIMENT. 



Names. 


Reg. Co. 


Ase. 


Enlisted. 


Worcester, Almon C. Jr., 


2 F 


24 


May 7 61 


Burbaiik, Morgan A. 


do 


24 


do 


Ainsworth, Geo. A. 


do 


19 


do 


Cass, Elisha 


do 


21 


do 


Mills, Hiram F. 


do 


23 


do 


Worcester, Earl C. 


do 




do 


Quimby, Wm. H. E. 


do 


22 


do 


Hewitt, Grin O. 


2 H 


24 


Aug 20 61 






third regime 


Billings, Wm. W. 


3 H 


21 


July 9 61 


Eldridge, James E. 


3 F 


19 


June I 61 


Porter, Rufus W. 


3 G 


23 


July 12 61 


Parker, Ransom 


3 F 


21 


Sept 16 61 



62. 



Frawley, James 
Quinn, Timothy 

Hall, Wm. H. H. 
Sterling, Stephen D. 
Kelsey, Oscar G. 
Shepherd, Daniel P. 
Bucklin, Merrill R. 
Shattuck, Nathaniel 
Parker, George 
Banister, Sylvester 
Goodspeed, Elisha 
Mathers, George 
McAllister, John 
Mills, Charles 
Moore, William F. 
Moore, Winslow S. 
Newton, Chester F. 
Persons, Frederick D. 
Persons, Harrison W. 
Porter, Seth L. 



5 D 
do 



Serg't.; promoted 2d lieut. Aug. 4 
Corporal ; discharged Dec. 22, 62. 
Trans, to invalid corps, Nov. 20, 63. 
Discharged Nov. 12, 61. 
Died June 16, 62. 
Mustered out June 29, 64. 
Transferred to invalid corps July 1,63, 
Died Jan. 9, 62. 



Mustered out July 24, 64. 

Pro. 2d It. Co. H, iithreg. Aug. 10,62 

Discharged Feb. 22, 63. 

Died Mar. 7, 62. 

FIFTH regiment. 

18 Feb 28 65 Mustered out June 29, 65. 
35 Feb 27 65 do do 





sixth regiment. 


6 G 






Captain. 


6 H 


37 


Aug 14 61 


Serg't.; reduced to ranks June 2, 63. 


6 G 


21 


Sept 12 61 


Sergeant ; died June 9, 62. 


6 H 


27 




Corporal ; reduced to teamster; re-en 


6 G 


19 


do 


do died Aug. 17, 62. 


do 


20 


Aug 15 61 


do died Apr. 19, 62. 


6 H 


20 


do 


do reduced to ranks. 


6 A 


28 


Oct 14 61 


Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 


6 G 


34 


Sept 12 61 


Discharged Oct. 20, 66. 


6 H 


20 


Aug 14 61 


do Apr. 17, 62. 


do 


22 


do 


do Feb. ID, 62. 


6 G 


21 


Sept 14 61 


do July 22, 62, 


do 


23 


do 


do Jan. 8, 62. 


6 H 


Yc 


do 


Pro. Corp.; re-en. Dec. 15, 63. 


do 


25 


do 


Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 


6 G 


18 


Oct I 61 


do M ar. 29, 64. 


do 


40 


do 


Discharged J lay 28, 62. 


do 


19 


Sept 10 61 


do June 19, 62. 







WARREN. 




805 


Nhiik-s. 


Hcg. Co 


Age, 


Eiilisled. 


Keniaiks. 




Rising, William H. 


6 H 


42 


Aug 14 61 


Pro. Corp.; re-enlisted Dec. 15, 


63- 


Spaulding, Cliarles E. 


6 G 


33 


Sept 18 61 


Discharged Nov. 27, 62. 




Stoddard, Lyman 


do 


i8 


Sept 20 61 


Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 




Trask, Frank A. 


do 


27 


Sept 12 61 


Promoted cor]3oral. 




Dumas, Oliver 


do 


26 


do 


Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 




Poland, Benjamin 


do 


42 


Sept 7 64 


Mustered out June 19, 65. 




Dimick, Darwin E. 


6 H 


29 


Mar 3 65 


do June 26, 65. 




Pierce, George H. 


do 


20 


do 


do do 




Persons, Orson F. 


do 


19 


Feb 21 65 


do do 






SEVENTH REGIMENT. 




Davis, Benjamin L. 


7 K 


44 


Jan 13 62 


Discharged Oct. 15, 62. 




Parmenter, Rufus A. 


do 


19 


Dec 8 61 


Re-en. Feb. 15, 64; died Apr. i 


6,64. 


Buzzell, James M. 


do 


19 


Feb 27 65 


Mustered out Aug. 4, 65. 








EIGHTH REGIMENT. 




Leavitt, Nehemiah 


8 C 


21 


Nov 21 61 


Pro. serg't. ; discharged Sept. 4, 


63. 


Spear, Augustus C. 


8 G 


26 


Dec 31 61 


Discharged June 6, 62. 




Bucklin, Mason C. 


8 A 


19 


Dec II 63 






Bucklin, Milo 


do 


20 


Dec 14 63 


Sick in general hospital, Aug. 3 


I, 64. 


Cass, James 


do 


18 


Dec II 63 






Dumas, Morris 


do 


27 


Dec 18 63 






Kingsbury, Ezra 


8 










Waldron, Don G. 


8 










Aldrich, Charles W. 


8 B 


19 


Mar 20 65 


Mustered out June 28, 65. 








NINTH REGIMENT. 




Minor, Asahel 


9 I 


40 


June 24 62 


Serg't.; reduced to ranks Nov. 


II, 63. 


Brown, Henry 


9 D 


22 


June 562 


Sick in general hospital, Aug. 3 


I, 64. 


Lovejoy, Albert J. 


9 I 


18 


June 27 62 


Discharged Aug. 4, 63. 








TENTH REGIMENT. 




Brown, George 


10 B 


18 


Julv 21 62 






Mather, James M. 


do 


21 


July 18 62 


Wd.; in general hospital Aug. 2 


;i, 64. 


Mathews, George 


do 


20 


■ do 








ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 




Miller, James E. 


n L 


30 


June ID 63 


Sergeant ; prisoner since June 2 


■3> 63. 


Eldridge, Joseph W. 


II H 


21 


Aug 14 63 


do pro. Corp. Jan. 21, 64 
serg't. May 6, 64 ; died June 


. ; pro. 
24, 64. 




VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE 


MONTHS. 




Thayer, Aretus 


13 B 


22 




Sergeant ; mustered out July 21, 


,63. 


Dolph, John 


13 B 


32 


Aug 25 62 


Corporal ; do 




Austin, Samuel 


13 H 


32 


do 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 




Billings, Orlando 


13 B 


25 


Sept 862 


do 




Bowen, John 


do 


42 


do 


do 




Davis, Myron M. 


do 


20 


do 


Discharged Feb. 4, 63. 




Dimick, Walter C. 


do 


44 


do 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 




Hartwell, James K. 


do 


36 


do 


do 




Heath, Eaton A. 


do 


18 




do 




Mix, De Estings S. 


do 


19 


Dec 12 63 


do 




Smith, Thomas C. 


do 


29 


Aug 25 62 


do 




Stearns, Oscar A. 


do 


20 


do 


do 




Stevens, Almus 


do 


30 


do 


do 




Trask, George J. 


do 


18 


do 






Trask, Horace 


do 


45 


do 


Discharged at Brattleboro, Jan. 


31.63. 


Trask, William H. 


do 


18 


do 


Mustered out July 21, 63. 




Wilson, James H. 


do 


20 


do 


Killed at Gettysburgh, July 3, 6; 


3- 



Mason, Oilman 



Bowen, John 

Barton, Joseph C. 
Bagley, Walter A. 

Dutton, Edwin P, 
Eaton, Orville M. 



SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

17 G 22 Mustered out July 14, 65. 

SHARP-SHOOTERS — FIRST REGIMENT. 



I F 43 Dec 10 63 



2 H 

do 



do 
do 



32 
44 



19 



Dec II 63 

Nov 24 63 

Dec 7 63 
Dec II 63 



Died June 15, 64, of wounds rec'd. in 

action May 12, 64. 
Died Aug. 26,64, of wds. rec. May 31,61. 
Des. June 8, 64 ; returned Dec. 31, 64 ; 

tr. to Co. H, 4th Vt. vols. Feb. 25,65. 
Tr. to Co. H, 4th Vt. vols. Feb. 25, 65. 
do 



8io 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SECOND VT. BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

i8 Aug 8 64 Mustered out July 31, 65. 

18 Aug 12 64 Tr. to 1st Co. heavy artillery Mar. i, 65. 



Petty, George A. 
Stoddard, Franklin 

THIRD VT. BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Campbell, Hiland G. 25 Sept 264 Mustered out June 15, 65. 

Furnished Under Draft; Paid Commutation. — Francis A. Allen, Milo Bncklin, 
Benjamin S. Edgerton, Burnhani Ford, George N. Hanks, John M. Hanks, Samuel McAllister, 
Henry Moore, 2d, Daniel W. Nichols, Charles Porter, Hiram J. Pratt, Thomas J. Sargeant, 
Stedman C. Tucker, Henry H. Van Deusen. 

Procured Substitutes. — Charles W. Bragg, Daniel McAllister, Jr. 

Soldiers of the War of the Rebellion Buried in Town. — J. W. Eldredge, Merrill 
Bucklin, Orrin O. Hewett, James E. Miller, Earl C. Worcester, Benj. S. Edgerton, Chester 
F. Newton, Aretus Thayer, James Wilson, Willard Thayer. 

Organized Militia, 4TH Reg. 2D Brigade. — H. W. Lyford, captain ; Edwin Cardell, 
1st lieutenant ; Orland Billings, 2d lieutenant. 



Edward Eldridge, son of Joseph W., 
is quite a prominent man in Warren ; is in 
very good circumstances ; owns several 
farms, and has held most of the town of- 
fices. He had a son killed in the late war 
by the name of Joseph Eldridge ; also a son- 
in-law, Benjamin Edgerton. 
OLD PEOPLE 

now living in town over 70 years of age : 
Mrs. Ryan, who claims to be 100; Mrs. 
Laurena Persons, 94 ; Achsah Allen, 93 ; 
Mrs. Sarah Vinson, 84; Mrs. Lucretia 
Bradley, 82 ; Amasa Pearsons, 86 ; Asahel 
Young, 87; Mrs. A. Young, 79; Mrs. 
Dolly Hubbell, 79 ; Alva Stetson, 71 ; Mrs. 
Polly Austin, 75 ; Mrs. Mary Rice, 75 ; 
Michael Ford, 82; Mrs. M. Ford, 78; 
Edward Munn, 83 ; Roxy Munn, 76; Mrs. 
Rufus Brown, 70; Wm. Page, 83; Dens- 
low Upham, 81; Mrs. D. Upham, 79; 
Carlos Sargent, 76; Wm. Mather, 71; 
Mrs. Abel Martin, 73 ; Hazen Lyford, 71 ; 
Phelps Jones, 74 ; David Hubbell, T] ; 
Azariah Hanks, 80; Mrs. A. Hanks, 76; 
Lewis Cardell, 78 ; Mrs. Louis Van Deusen, 
80; Mrs. James Parker, 76; L. W. Free- 
man, 70 ; Mrs. Freeman, ']■}, ; Hosea New- 
comb, ^(>\ Mrs. Laura A. Miller, 76; Mrs. 
Susan C. Senter, -Ji ; Sewell C. Billings, 
76; Mrs. S. C. Billings, 76; A. Worcester, 
75 ; Mrs. Julia Harmon, 83 ; A. H. Dutton, 
75 ; Gideon Goodspeed, 73. 

Potato Hill, as it generally stands on 
the maps, is the high peak between Warren 
and Lincoln, the highest point being in 
Lincoln, but not far from the Warren line. 
It is a little south of Lincoln mountain, at 
about the same height from the sea level. 



MX. ALGONQUIN. 
BY D. C. GEER. 
Around this mountain hangs a legend, 

Hangs a legend old and wild. 
Of the bright-eyed Watonieta, 
An Algonquin's only child. 

How an Iroquois warrior 
Wooed and won " the dusky dove;" 

How his father, the great sachem, 
Did not of their love approve; 

How he spurned his father's counsel. 

And increased his savage ire — 
Left the Iroquois' wigwam. 

Sat beside Algonquin's fire; 

How one day his father found him 

Hunting on you mountain's-side, 
And in wrath the chief commanded 

Him to leave his gentle bride ; 

How the son opposed in anger; 

How the father drew his knife. 
And as speeds the feathery arrow. 

Sped the young Iroquois' life. 

On this mountain watched the maiden. 
For her brave, now cold and dead. 

Keeping there her lonely vigil. 
With the same rock for her bed. 

Still she waited — yet he came not— 

Until winter's icy hand 
Chilled the current of her young life, 

Bore her to the hunting laud, 

Where they roam the fields Elysian, 
Where they climb the mountains fair, 

Where they fish in shining rivers. 
Where they hunt the elk and hare. 

This is what tradition teaches 

Of this mountain, old and wild; 
Of the bright-eyed Watometa, 

An Algonquin's lovely child. 

As a tribute to this maiden. 

Sleeping in oblivion's night; 
Shall we not point westward, saying. 

That's Algonquin's dizzy height? 

The last Bear seen in Warren was a 
huge one, shot the past summer, — almost 
as much a trophy, not quite, as the Bar- 
nard catamount. 



WARREN. 



8ii 



In Jan. 1824, Mrs. Hiram Bradley and a 
Mrs. Howe were coming from Pomfret, 
where they had been on a visit, and as 
they came into Granville wood, found the 
water had flooded the road. They drove 
into the water and upset. Mrs. Howe 
told Mrs. Bradley to throw her little son 
of 2 years out, that he could swim like a 
duck ; but Mrs. B. declined, and Mrs. 
Howe went back to Mr. Rice's after help. 
Mrs. Bradley got her horse out where it 
could stand, and held her child in her 
arms from 2 o'clock in the afternoon until 
9 p. M., when a man came along with a 
team and took her in. Her clothes were 
frozen on her, and she came very near 
dying from the effect. 

Mrs. C. E. Greenslit tells one of her fath- 
er's stones — written for one of her boys to 
speak at school : 

MY mother's tray. 

BT MKS. CARRIE E. GREENSLIT. 

Long years ago, when the land was new, 
And good things scarce and nice tilings few, 
Among the treasures of tliat early day. 
My mother had an old-fashioned tray. 
Red outside, but as clean within 
As the heart of man when cleansed from sin. 

Week by week, and day by day. 
The children were fed from that very tray ; 
The great brown loaves were mixed in that. 
And tlie butter received its sail and spat; 
But grief will come to all some day. 
And it came at last to my motlier's tray, 

" Boys," she called, " come in here, now. 
And take this mess to the sheep and cow." 
'Twas steep and slippery down to the barn. 
And I left her twisting her stocking-yarn. 
"Now," thinks I. " I will have some fun. 
For I shall ride and you shall run." 

So I seated myself in the famous tray. 
And very soon we were on our way: 
Faster and faster the stumps went by; 
Steer or stop it? no, not I; 
Over tlie wall in my Gilpin flight— 
And I split the tray from left to right. 

Quick as a wink, I raised the tray. 
For well I knew what my mother'd say; 
All out of breath, with my ride and run — 
" Mother, just see wliat the buck has done!" 
" Confound that buck I " my mother said ; 
" I wish to the land the thing was dead! " 

Well, she never knew till I grew a man. 
For boys can keep secret, I know they can; 
And she missed and mourned for many a day 
The loss and use of her cherished tray ; 
And I got me a sled to slide down hill. 
Something that would not split and spill. 



WARREN PAPERS. 

BY C. J. SARGENT. 

In the year 1800, 12 men took the free- 
man's oath here : Simeon Wilcox, Ruel 
Dolbear, John Sherman, Joshua Richard- 
son, James Richardson, Amos Rising, 
Jonathan Shattuck, Wm. Kent and Jonas 
Rice. 

FIRST SELECTMEN. 

Simeon Wilcox, 1800; Paul Sherman, 
1801, '02, '03; James Richardson, 1804, 
'06; Timothy Dolbear, 1807, '08, 'lo; 
Joseph Raymond, 1809; Joseph Eldridge, 
181 1, '12, '13, '16, '17, '23, '28, '29 ; Amos 
Rising, 1814, '15; Calvin Gilbert, 1818, 
'19; Wm. Kent, 1820; Benjamin Buck, 
1821; Joseph Hyzer, 1822, '27; Winan 
Gleason, 1824; Zerah Munsil, 1825, '26; 
Joseph Curtis, 1830; Asahel Miner, 1831 ; 
Wm. Bragg, 1832, '33; Franklin Wright, 
1834, '35, '36; Moses Ordway, 1837 ; Ben- 
jamin Souther, 1838 ; Wm. B. Tyler, 1839 ; 
A. Cushman, 1840, 41 ; D. Upham, 1842, 
'43; Pierce Spaulding, 1844; H. Kimball, 
1845; Lewis Cardell, 1846; Moses Shurt- 
liff, 1847; Azariah Hanks, 1848, '49, '57, 
'58; H. Gleason, 1850, '52, '53; Daniel 
Ralph, 1854, '55; Gideon Goodspeed, 
1856; Jarius Eaton, 1857; Wm. Kelsey, 
1859; Charles Green, i860; Charles Pike, 
1861, '62, '66-'7o ; Huzzial Gleason, 1863, 
'64; H. W. Lyford, 1865; H. G. Van 
Deusen, 1870; N. L. Dickenson, 1871-76, 
'78 ; James G. Sargent, 1876, '77; L. E. 
Hanks, 1879, '^°' '^i- 

TOWN TREASURERS. 

Thomas Jerrolds, 1800; Samuel Laird, 
1801 ; James Richardson, 1802, '3, '4, '15, 
'16, '17; Jonathan Shattuck, 1805-13; 
Wm. B. Tyler, 1813, '14, '4i-'46; Joseph 
Eldridge, 1818, ^9, '35-40; William 
Bragg, 1820-24; William Kent, i824-'3o; 
Franklin Wright, 1830-35; Ashel Kend- 
rick, 1846; Denslow Upham, 1847-51; 
Nathan Kimball, 1851, '53, '54; Lorenzo 
Nichols, 1852; Cephas Ransom, 1855; 
Daniel Ralph, 1856, '57, '63-74; Sylves- 
ter Banister, 1874-81. 

The TURNPIKE from Warren to Lincoln, 
over Lincoln mountain, was for 10 to 15 
years kept with toll-gates ; 12^0. for pass- 
ing with a team, 25c. for round trip. 



8l2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. 

Dennison Sargent, from Woodstock, in 
the employ of William Cardell, went into 
the mill where emplo_ved, one morning, and 
down below to cut the ice from the water- 
wheel. Some one raised the gate while 
he was there, and he was carried under 
the wheel, down the raceway, and under 
the ice below the mill. Mr. Cardell won- 
dered where Sargent was during the day, 
and some one looked below the mill, and 
discovered the body in the ice. 

Lewis Sargent, of East Warren, while 
shingling a building in Roxbury, fell from 
the roof to the ground, and injured his 
spine. He lingered several months, and 
then died. 

Oliver Porter, living in the west part of 
the town, fell from the high beams in his 
barn on to a flax hatchel, and it injured 
him so he died in a few days. 

Ira Whitcomb, while in the employ of 
Christopher Moore, was kicked in the 
bowels by a colt he was leading to water, 
and died in a few days. 

Aurin Ralph, while at work on the roof 
of his mill, in the south part of the town, 
fell to the rocks below the mill, and was 
instantly killed. 

Dana Davis, while at work in Fayston 
chopping in the woods, felled a tree, and 
it lodged on another one, and while chop- 
ping that, he was caught when it fell, and 
one leg was smashed. Eftbrts were made 
in vain to staunch the blood, but he bled to 
death in about 20 hours. 

Horace Poland, while at work in the 
woods, broke one leg, and was injured 
other ways. He lived several weeks and 
then died. 

Stephen Sterling was sawing- clapboards 
in Lincoln, and went out into the mill- 
yard to roll down some logs ; they lodged, 
and he went in front to start them, but be- 
fore he could step out, was caught and 
crushed by the logs rolling on to him. He 
was a native of Warren, and was buried 
here. 

Victor Mix went to Canaan to lumber, 
and while rafting logs on the pond, slipped 
between them and was drowned. 



Mr. Pelton, living near the town line 
between Waitsfield and Warren, felt so 
bad when the high water cut through his 
meadow, that he committed suicide. 

Otis Bucklin died very suddenly of heart 
disease. He ate his supper as usual, and 
went out in the dooryard, and was giving 
his hired man some orders about the work, 
and dropped dead. 

The Natural Bridge of Warren is 
a very interesting natural curiosity. It is 
in the south part of the village, on the 
premises of Don C. Geer. It is a natural 
bridge of stone, about 20 feet in height, 
with an arch 12 feet in height, and artists 
have taken views of it that have been sold 
through the country. 

Patents. — Don C. Geer obtained, a 
patent on a knob latch in Sept. 3, 1878. 
It is called "Geer's Patent Reversible 
Gravitating Knob Latch." It is a great 
improvement on spring latches. Clark E. 
Billings, born in Warren, is a natural 
mechanic, and does various kinds of work 
on wood and iron ; is a first-class gun- 
smith, and has obtained patents on a num- 
ber of carpenters' tools, and on several 
tools combined in one ; also a patent on an 
apple-quarterer, and on a double-acting 
knob latch. 

Sons of Warren — Cyrus Royce grad- 
uated at the Unitarian College in Mead- 
ville, Penn., and is a Unitarian preacher 
in Massachusetts. Hartwell Davis went 
to Minnesota, and succeeded well as a 
railroad man and business manager, and 
amassed quite a fortune. 

John Senter is a self-made man. He 
has obtained his education almost wholly 
by himself; studied law and been admitted 
to the bar, and makes a success of his 
business. He is on the Board of Educa- 
tion, and holds other olifices. 

Clarence J. Sargent, son of Jonas G. 
Sargent, who came from Randolph to 
Warren in 1844, is also noted as a success- 
ful music-teacher, having given ovpr 10,000 
lessons on the piano, organ and in har- 
mony during the last 8 years ; at present, 
1882, has a class of 108 scholars, in his 
little territory embracing several counties. 



WATERBURY. 



813 



WATERBURY. 



BY KEV. C. C. PARKER. 



The Early History of Waterbury. A 
Discourse delivered Feb. loth, 1867, by 
Rev. C. C. Parker, Pastor of Congrega- 
tional Church. Water bitry: Waterbury 
Job Printing Establishment , 1867. 

Ps. 77tli,— 5th.— I liave considered tlie days of old. 
the years of Ancient time. 

There are few sentiments more universal 
and rational, than that which manifests it- 
self in a desire to know the past and es- 
pecially the history of the persons and 
places with which we are or have been in- 
timately connected. To gratify this senti- 
ment, your attention is asked to the follow- 
ing Sketch of the Early History of Water- 
bury. 

There is no evidence that the Indian 
ever made his home within the borders of 
our town. The first settlers found no indica- 
tions of clearings or dwellings, and the relics 
of the Indians found here have been few. 
But though the Red Man probably never 
dwelt here, (i) our valley lay in his great 
thoroughfare from the valley of the Cham- 
plain to the valley of the Connecticut, and 
indeed from the valley of the St. Lawrence 
to the shores of the Atlantic. As power- 
ful tribes, hostile to each other, dwelt on 
either side, doubtle.ss many a war party 
went forth to fight, passing through our 
valley, and returned, exulting with victory, 
or sullen with defeat. Doubtless these 
hills have echoed the warwhoop of many 
such a party, and the song of their war- 
dance. It is certain that the 300 French 
and Indians under De Rouville, who de- 
stroyed Deerfield, Mass., in March, 1704, 
passed through this valley, both when they 
went on their bloody errand, and when 
they returned with their 1 12 captives. It 
may add somewhat to our interest, as we 
read the sad, thrilhng story of the suffer- 
ings and adventures of the Rev. Mr. Wil- 
liams and his captive associates, to remem- 
ber that they made their forlorn and 
gloomy journey to their long captivity, 
over the spot where we now cultivate our 
beautiful fields and dwell in our quiet 



The notcb hi tliis paper are niarliod by figures, viz. 
(1.) (2,) (3,) Ac. See Appendix. 



homes. Through this valley also passed 
and repassed the Indians who burnt Royal- 
ton, and took its inhabitants captive in 
1780. The hill in the north part of the 
town, over which ran the old road to 
Stowe, was originally called Indian Hill, 
some say because the Indians who burnt 
Royalton camped there for a short time. 
(2) The falls in the Winooski were called 
Indian Falls by the early settlers ; tradition 
here, as in so many other like localities, 
saying that a disappointed Indian maiden, 
in her despair, threw herself from the 
highest point of the rocks to the chasm 
below. Though the Indian never dwelt 
here, the whole region unquestionably, was 
familiar to him, not only as lying in his 
great war-path, but as favorite ground for 
hunting and fishing. 

The town was chartered by Benning 
Wentworth, Gov. of New Hampsh'e, June 
7, 1763. The war between the English and 
French was just ended, and the Canadas 
had become a part of the British posses- 
sions. Vermont ceased to be border-war 
territory, and the obstacle to its settlement 
was removed. Numerous towns in this 
part of the State were chartered about the 
same time with Waterbury, — Burlington, 
Colchester, Essex, Williston, Bolton, Dux- 
bury, Moretown and Charlotte, were cliar- 
tered the same day, — Jericho, Underhill, 
Middlesex and Berlin the day following. 
But as nearly the whole of Vermont was 
then an unbroken wilderness, few settle- 
ments were made, so far north as these 
towns, before the Revolution. The few 
that were made were then broken up, and 
were not recommenced until the war closed. 
— This accounts for the wide space between 
the charter and first settlement of nearly 
all the towns in this part of the State. 

Waterbury was chartered to several in- 
dividuals in Connecticut and New Jersey. 
It quite probably took its name from Wa- 
terbury, Conn., as many of the proprietors 
lived in that vicinity, and as these two are 
the only towns of that name to be found, 
so far as I know. The first meeting of 
the proprietors was held in New Milford, 
Conn., in 1770 — some of the subsequent 
meetings were held at Newark, N. J. 



8i4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



After the Revolution the meetings were 
held in Sunderland, Arlington, and Ben- 
nington of this State. The warrant for 
the meeting in Bennington was issued by 
Isaac Tichenor, then justice of the peace — 
subsequently, so long governor of the 
State. 

The town was not surveyed until about 
1782. At that time Col. Partridge Thatch- 
er, of New Milford, Ct., one of the pro- 
prietors, and the moderator of their first 
meeting, and also of the meeting in Ar- 
lington, came on with surveyors and ran 
out the town. They built their camp a 
few rods to the rear of Messrs. Case & 
Thomas' steam-mill, between the railroad 
and brook. This, without doubt, was the 
first tenement for a human being built in 
Waterbury. From Col. Thatcher the 
stream that enters the river near where his 
camp stood, was called Thatcher Branch. 
As we always desire to know the end of 
those in any important sense identified 
with the place where we live, I will add 
that it is said that Col. Thatcher contract- 
ed a disease from his exposures in the 
forests of our town, from which he died 
soon after returning to Connecticut. 

The first settler of Waterbury was James 
Marsh, a native of Canaan, Ct. He had 
been a soldier in the French war. In the 
early part of the Revolutionary war he sold 
his place in Canaan and moved to Corn- 
wall, Ct. Soon after this he was drafted 
as a soldier in the Revolution. Having a 
large family of small children, and his wife 
being very feeble, he hired a young man 
as a substitute, paying him $100. To pay 
this sum, and with the hope of escaping 
service as a minute man, to which he had 
been enrolled, he sold his place in Corn- 
wall and bought a right of land in Bath, 
N. H., and one in Waterbury. The right 
in Waterbury was purchased of a Mr. 
Steele, of New Milford, and deeded in 
1780. Soon after this he moved to Bath 
and commenced a. settlement, in the mean- 
time having buried his wife and married 
again. After living there some 2 years, 
he found the title to his land in Bath was 
bad, and he resolved to begin a settle- 
ment in Waterbury, having the assurance 



that several others would begin settle- 
ments about the same time. In the spring 
of 1783 he came on, selected his right, 
which covered much of the site of the 
present village (3) — cleared a small piece 
of land between the graveyard and the 
river, and having planted it with corn, re- 
turned. In the fall he came and harvested 
his crop, putting it into a rude crib for 
next year's use. The next spring he came 
with his family to the old fort in Corinth, 
where he left his wife and five of his eight 
children, and came on to Waterbury with 
the remaining three, viz. : Elias, James 
and Irene, making the journey on snow- 
shoes, and drawing his provisions and 
effects on a hand-sled. He took possession 
of the surveyors' cabin. 
• To his dismay he found the corn, so 
carefully stored the fall before, was nearly 
all gone. Bears, Indians or travelers, had 
taken well nigh the whole. We can 
hardly conceive a condition more sad and 
dismal. Relying upon his supply of corn, 
he had taken little provision with him, 
and there was none in the shape of grain 
short of a return to Corinth. Hunting 
and fishing were his only resource. The 
last of May, having made an additional 
clearing, and nearly finished planting his 
corn, he left his children and returned to 
Corinth for the remainder of his family, 
expecting to be absent one week, and 
leaving provision barely for that time. 
The children, as I have remarked, were 
Elias, a lad of about 15 years, and who 
subsequently owned the place where Miss 
Electa Corse now resides, and whose re- 
mains lie unmarked in our graveyard ; 
Irene, a girl about 12 years old, who mar- 
ried a Mr. Coleman, of Underbill, and who 
died there in 1826, and James, a small 
boy, who lived for many years in the south 
part of Jericho, and who died there, Feb., 
1865, nearly 90 years old. After their 
father had left, the children found they 
must put themselves on short allowance to 
bring the week through. The week ended, 
and so did their provisions, but the father 
did not return. Their only reliable means 
of subsistence then was the wild onions or 
leeks which grew in abundance on the in- 



WATERBURY. 



8iS 



tervale. To relieve themselves, they re- 
solved to go down to the Falls to catch fish, 
having been told they were abundant 
there. In attempting to cross Waterbury 
river on a button-wood pole, the only 
means of crossing then, the sister fell into 
the stream, and came near being drowned. 
After rescuing her, they returned to their 
desolate cabin, and to the sorry food of 
wild onions. Thus they passed another 
week, but no father came. Thinking they 
must certainly perish if they remained 
longer, they left for their nearest neigh- 
bor, Mr. Jesse McFairlane, who had set- 
tled that spring on the Jones farm in 
Richmond. On their way down, a huge 
bear met them near the present residence 
of Capt. H. Sherman, l5ut their hunting 
dog, which had been left with them, soon 
worried him up the side of the mountain, 
and they passed on in safety to Mr. Mc- 
Fairlane's, where they were most kindly 
received and cared for. They were so 
nearly starved, that it was some time be- 
fore it was safe for them to eat a full meal. 
After about three- weeks' unavoidable 
absence, the father, with the mother and 
the rest of the family, returned. Driven 
almost to desperation by his delays, and 
filled with the deepest anxiety, he thinks 
his worst fears are realized as he enters his 
cabin and finds it desolate, and the cold, 
gray ashes on the rude hearth tell him it 
has been desolate for several days. Surely 
his children have perished in the woods or 
have been devoured by the wild beasts. 
A young man who had accompanied them 
from Corinth was immediately sent to Mr. 
McFairlaine's to see if the children were 
there. They were found, and before night 
the family were all together again. The 
son James, who so long survived the rest 
of the family, and from whom these par- 
ticulars were learned, said the meeting of 
the family was one never to be forgotten. 
The father had been up the stream to look 
at his traps, at the beaver-dams, of which 
he said there were then three between the 
river and the site of the present mills. 
Returning, he met his son, bounding with 
boyish glee through the woods to meet 
him. Clasping him in his arms, with 



tears streaming from his eyes, he exclaim- 
ed, "Bless the Lord! my children are 
alive — my children are alive!" and such 
was his excess of joy at seeing them alive, 
that it was many hours before he could 
cease weeping. 

During this first summer, this family 
lived many weeks on wild onions, cooked 
in the milk of their one cow, the father 
often gone for many days, in the fruitless 
endeavor to procure provision. The only 
occasional relief they had until their corn 
was harvested, was in the killing of a 
moose or bear, which in summer could 
rarely be done. That summer Mr. Marsh 
built his log-house on his clearing, a little 
to the west of the graveyard hill, and 
moved into it. His crop of corn raised 
near the river was fine, but after he had 
secured some 20 bushels of it, a flood came 
and destroyed the remainder. So that for 
nearly 2 years they lived much of the time 
on the flesh of the moose, deer and bear. 
Much of the little grain they had, which 
was procured in the settlements in Rich- 
mond, Williston and Jericho, and brought 
home on the back, was paid for with the 
skins of these animals and those of the 
beaver. 

In the spring of 1785, Mr. Marsh was 
made glad by the coming of the second 
settler, Ezra Butler. But as Mr. Butler 
left in the fall and did not return until the 
next spring, for nearly 2 years Mr. Marsh 
with his family was alone in this wilder- 
ness. After the arrival of Mr. Butler with 
his family, a year and a half more elapsed 
before another settler came. March 29, 
1788, Mr. Marsh went to Richmond to 
meet and conduct to Waterbury its third 
settler, Caleb Munson. In the afternoon 
he crossed the river to Mr. Brownson's, to 
run some pewter spoons. Before he had 
finished his work it began to be dark, and 
as the weather was mild and the river be- 
ginning to break up, he was urged to re- 
main for the night. But he expressed a 
strong desire to spend the evening with 
the family who were to be his new neigh- 
bors, and taking a long pole, he started to 
return. A cry of distress was soon heard 
at the river, but before help could arrive. 



8i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



he had disappeared under the ice. His 
pole was lying across the hole into which 
he had fallen, but somehow his grasp upon 
it was lost, and the current being strong, 
he was carried down the river, and his 
body was not found until several days 
after. He was buried at Richmond — only 
two of the family, the oldest son and 
daughter, could attend the funeral/ Their 
neighbor, Mr. Butler, accompanied them, 
and it is said, he and the son alternated in 
carrying the daughter much of the way on 
their backs, the snow being too deep for 
her to walk. 

The whole story of Mr. Marsh is a sadly 
interesting one. On account of pecuniary 
misfortunes elsewhere, he came into the 
wilderness of our town with a large fam- 
ily, and almost destitute of any means ot 
support, except such as his hands could 
supply from day to day from the forests 
and the streams. Here they lived for two 
years, with no family nearer than lo miles 
down the river and about 7 miles up the 
river (Thomas Mead's, in Middlesex.) 
Hardly can privations and hardships sur- 
pass what they endured, especially during 
the dreary winters of these two years. 
Often they were so near starving, that 
when the children saw their father return- 
ing from his long hunt, with a quarter ot 
moose or deer on his shoulder, with knife 
in hand they would rush to meet him, and 
each slashing a-slice for himself, and cast- 
ing it on the coals for a moment, would 
eat it as in the desperation of starvation. 
He came to his mournful end just as set- 
tlers were beginning to come into town, 
and his own privations were giving place 
to the comforts of home. He seems to 
have been a hardy, resolute man. Bravely 
bearing up against a host of difficulties, 
and yet at times well nigh crushed beneath 
their burden, tears often starting from his 
eyes as he looked upon his family and 
thought of their desperate, forlorn condi- 
tion. Though he was removed, his family 
was cared for, his children becoming re- 
spectable, and some of them influential 
members of society in this and neighbor- 
ing towns. 

After contemplating so long this gloomy 



picture, it is pleasant to turn to a brighter 
page. The second settler of Waterbury, 
as has been already remarked, was 

EZRA BUTLER, 

afterwards so well known as a minister of 
the Gospel, a judge on the bench, and as 
the governor of the State. 

Mr. Butler was the son of Asaph Butler, 
and was born in Lancaster, Worcester Co. 
Mass., Sept. 24, 1763. He was the fifth 
of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters. In his 7th year, his father 
moved to West Windsor, Vt., where his 
mother, whose maiden name was Jane 
McAllister, soon died, and where he spent 
the next 7 or 8 years, mainly in the family 
of his elder brother, Joel Butler. When 
about 14 years of age, he went to live with 
Dr. Stearns, of Claremont, N. H., as a 
laborer on his farm, and with the excep- 
tion of 6 months in his 17th year, when he 
was a soldier in the army of the Revolu- 
tion, he continued in the service of Dr. S., 
having almost the entire management of 
his farm, until he was of age. In 1785, 
having spent a few months previous in 
Weathersfield, he came to Waterbury in 
company with his brother Asaph, next 
older than himself. They came to Judge 
Paine's, in Williamstown, with an ox- 
team. The rest of the way they came on 
snow-shoes, drawing their effects on a 
hand-sled, the snow being 3 or 4 feet deep, 
and reached W. the 20th of March. It 
must have been a joyful day to the Marsh 
family when these two young men, with 
their hand-sled, hauled up before their 
door. Their loneliness, in part at least, 
was ended. Mr. Butler and his brother 
immediately made their pitch, near where 
Mr. C. C. Corse now resides, and made a 
small clearing, planted it to corn, and re- 
turned to Weathersfield, where in June of 
that year, Mr. Butler was married to Miss 
Tryphena Diggins. He soon returned, 
and finding the title to the land on which 
he had pitched, bad, he selected another 
right a little below the village, made a 
clearing, built a log-house very near the 
present residence of Deacon Parker, and 
in September of 1786, moved into it with 



WATERBURY. 



817 



his wife and child, and on that place (now 
mainly owned by the State for the Reform 
School), he spent the remainder of his 
eventful life. He and his wife made then 
journey from Weathersfield on horseback, 
much of the way by a bridle-path, and in 
this way brought some of their eflfects 
deemed most necessary in the matter of 
housekeeping. The brother who first 
came with him settled in. Richmond, and 
twenty or thirty years after moved to the 
West. 

Mr. Marsh had subsisted his family, to 
a great extent, by hunting and fishing, and 
into this pioneer life, Mr. Butler was soon 
initiated. Their meat was that of the 
moose, the deer and the bear, and in their 
pursuit they were often led far from home, 
into the wilderness of neighboring towns 
and far up the mountain sides, not unfre"- 
quently camping out, the cold winter 
nights, to renew the chase in the morning. 
If faint with weariness and hunger, they 
were ready to despair, and to return with 
empty hands, the thought of a starving wife 
and children put new vigor into their 
limbs, new resolves into their hearts, and 
nerved them with the energy of despera- 
tion. Food they must have or perish in 
its pursuit. It was a battle for life for 
themselves and their families, and bravely 
they fought it. It was a life full of thrilling 
incidents and adventures, with which, had 
the story of them been treasured, a vol- 
ume might be filled. By these hardships 
the constitution of Mr. Butler was seri- 
ously impaired before he was 30 years old. 

As Mr. Marsh was drowned before the 
next settler arrived, Mr. Butler was prop- 
erly regarded as the pioneer man of the 
town. Though a young man, he took a 
prominent part in all private enterprises 
and public movements. He built the first 
framed house in the town — so long occu- 
pied by his son, Russell Butler, now owned 
by Deacon Erastus Parker. To him was 
issued the warrant to call a meeting of the 
freemen of Waterbury, in 1790, to organ- 
ize the town, and at that meeting he was 
chosen town clerk. From this time the 
official life of Mr. Butler was a remarkable 
one. From this humble beginning he 

103 



went through almost every grade to the 
chief magistracy of the State. 

From 1794 to 1805, with the exception 
of 1798, he represented the town in the 
General Assembly. In 1807, he was chos- 
en both as a representative and as a mem- 
ber of the Council ; and by the record of 
votes, s 'ems to have acted part of the 
time in one bjdy and a part in the other. 
(4) In 1808, he was again elected to the 
Council, and with the exception of 1813 
and 1814, when he was in Congress, he 
was annually re-elected to this body until 
1826. In 1803, he was elected assistant 
judge of Chittenden County Court, Water- 
bury at that time belonging to that county, 
and was re-elected to that office the two 
following years. In 1806, he was elected 
chief judge of that court, and continued to 
hold that office until 181 1. In 181 1, Jeff- 
erson, now Washington County, was or- 
ganized, and Judge Butler was elected 
chief judge of that County court and except 
the 2 years when in Congress (1813 and 
'14) and 1818, he held that office until 
1825, when the judicial system of the State 
was changed to substantially its present 
form, when .Judge Butler was chosen first 
assistant judge of the court. In 1806, he 
was chosen a member of the Council of 
Censors, and in 1822, a member of the 
Constitutional Convention. In 1804, and 
again in 1820, a presidential elector. In 
1 812, he was elected a member of Con- 
gress on the Republican general ticket 
along with James Fisk, Wm. Strong, Wm. 
C. Bradley, Richard Skinner and Charles 
Rich. In 1 814, the candidates of the Fed- 
eral party were elected, entirely changing 
the delegation of Vermont. In 1826, he 
was elected Governor of the State, and re- 
elected the following year, and each time 
without an organized opposition. Imme- 
diately after his second election, he de- 
clined another election, and at the close of 
that term, retired from official life, having 
been in office without interruption, from 
the organization of the town in 1790, often 
holding two or more important offices at 
the same time. 

In addition to these civil and political 
offices, he was a committee with Elijah 



8i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Paine and James Wliitelaw, to fix the site 
for the first State House in Montpelier, — 
a commissioner in 1807, with Samuel 
Shaw, John Cameron, Josiah Wright and 
Elihu Luce to determine the place and 
plan for the State Pris^on, and subsequently 
a commissioner to locate the State Arsenal. 
He was a trustee of the University of 
Vermont, from 181Q to 1816. Indeed, 
there was hardly an office of honor or trust 
in the gift of the people or Legislature that 
he did not fill. In this respect, the career 
of Gov. Butler from an unlettered pioneer 
— (his schooling was limited to 6 months 
in his boyhood,) — from a hunter and trap- 
per up through almost every grade of office 
to the chief magistracy of the State, is a 
remarkable one and has few parallels in 
history. These honors and trusts he won 
by his sterling sense and honesty, and by 
his great energy and strength of will. 
Everybody felt that whatever trusts were 
reposed in him were safe — that whatever 
was given him to do, would be done, and 
so they always found it. 

Mr. Butler had a religious as well as pol- 
itical history, and the former was as 
marked and positive as the latter. When he 
came to Waterbury, he was an irreligious 
and profane young man, and not a little 
disposed to quarrel with certain great doc- 
trines ; and so he continued for some 3 or 
4 years. The story of his conviction and 
conversion is an exceedingly interesting 
one. At a time of the profoundest indif- 
ference in regard to religious things, when 
he did not know of a religious man in 
town, and before there liad been a gospel 
sermon preached in it, his attention was 
called to the subject of personal religion in 
the following singular manner. I give it 
substantially in the words of one who re- 
ceived it from his lips: — "Being obliged 
to work hard during the week, and there 
being no public worship in town which he 
could attend, if he desired, he was in the 
habit of spending much of the Sabbath in 
sleep. On a certain Sabbath, awaking 
from his sleep, he found his wife reading a 
pamphlet, and proposed to read it aloud 
for the benefit of both. The beginning and 
end of the pamphlet were gone, and he 



never knew whence it came, what was its 
title, or who its author. But he found it 
treated of a subject which in former times 
had given him great perplexity, viz. : — how 
a man could be blameable for a disposition 
which he did not create. He would admit 
the justice of God in punishing overt acts, 
but not wrong propensities. The author 
he was reading made it appear that we are 
justly condemned for wrong dispositions, 
as well as wrong actions. After reading 
awhile, he exclaimed to his wife, ' If this 
is true, we are undone.'' In a moment all 
the convictions he had formerly had re- 
turned upon him and he was cast into the 
deepest anxiety. After days of profound- 
est darkness and sharpest distress, border- 
ing on despair, he was brought into the 
clear light and liberty of the Gospel. His 
feet having been set in the way of life, he 
walked circumspectly in that way to the 
end." His was the first conversion in 
Waterbury. A few days after his conver- 
sion. Rev. Mr. Call, a Baptist clergyman 
from Woodstock, came along and preached 
the first sermon preached in Waterbury. 
About a year after this he was baptized by 
the Rev. Mr. Call, and united with the 
Baptist church in Bolton. At the organ- 
ization of the Baptist church in Waterbury, 
in 1800, or 1801, Mr. Butler was ordained 
as its pastor, and amid the multitude of his 
civil offices, he continued to discharge the 
duties of this office until within a few years 
of his death, and that without salary or 
remuneration. In all the conflicts of party 
politics and all the labors and perplexities 
of official life, it is said the meekness, dig- 
nity and propriety of the gospel ministry 
never forsook him. He walked uprightly 
and with a serious Christian deportment 
amid them all. Well may his children 
venerate his name and the community hold 
it in lasting remembrance. 

His form was slightly stooping, his com- 
plexion dark and sallow, and his whole ap- 
pearance quite unprepossessing ; but his 
penetrating black eye and the calm tones of 
his voice quickly told of intellect and will 
of no common order. He died July 12, 
1838, in the 75th year of his age. 

The third settler was Caleb Munson 



WATERBURY. 



819 



He moved from Torrington, Ct., in the 
spring of 1788, and settled up the river, 
near where Mrs. Amy Woodward resides. 
He subsequently moved across the river. 
About the same time Mr. Richard Holden 
settled on the place where Dr. Fales re- 
sides ; Amos Waters on the interval now 
owned by Sylvester Henry, and Reuben 
Wells on the street near the present resi- 
dence of Mr. Bebee. In 1788, Mr. Stiles 
Sherman and Jonathan Wright came into 
town. Mr. Sherman, from Hoosic, N. Y., 
made his pitch and built a log cabin on the 
place where he so long lived — the place 
recently owned by Mr. L. Bebee, now 
owned by Messrs. Thompson — and the 
next year moved on with his family. In 
1790, March 2d, Jason Cady moved into 
town from Shelburn, Mass., and settled 
near the arch bridge. He and Mr. Sher- 
man soon opened their log-houses for the 
entertainment of travelers (5). About this 
time or earlier. Dr. Daniel Bliss, the first 
physician, settled near Waterbury river 
bridge. The same year, Jona. Wright, (6) 
from Williamstown, Mass., built a house 
near the residence of Albert Dillingham, 
being the first that settled away from the 
river, unless a Mr. Smith had settled 
earlier on the hill near the residence of 
Geo. Stearns. In 1791, there were 93 in- 
habitants in town. In 1793, when Eben- 
ezer Corse, father of E. W. Corse, moved 
into Duxbury, there were 15 families in 
Waterbury. In addition to those above 
named, Mr. John Craig had settled near 
where Mr. Remington lives — the farm 
owned by Geo. W. Randall and occupied 
by Wm. Humphrey. Col. Kennan, who 
became one of the prominent men of the 
town, had made an opening and built a 
house where Mr. E. Moody now resides — 
a Mr. Isaac Wilson was living near the 
site of the Waterbury hotel. Elias Marsh 
was married and lived, as has been re- 
marked, near the residence of Miss E. 
Corse. Philip Bartlett, who had married 
the widow of Mr. Marsh, was living on 
the Hawley place, now, October, 1867, 
owned by Mr. H. Carter. The road, 
which originally ran across the interval 
near the river, had been opened sub- 



stantially on the present line of Ma'n 
street. 

Dr. Daniel Bliss, the first physician of 
the town, and represented as an excellent 
man, was the first representative. 

From about 1793, the town was settled 
very rapidly, so that in 1800 it had 644 
inhabitants, having gained 551 in the pre- 
vious 9 years. Among those who came 
into the town during this period, were 
Dea. Asaph Allen and Mr. David Austin, 
both coming in 1796. Dea. Allen was a 
native of Bernardstown, Mass. He set- 
tled on the stream a little east of the 
Centre, where Mr. Demeritt now lives, 
where he spent the remainder of his long 
life, being one of the first to settle in that 
part of the town. Mr. Austin came from 
Connecticut, and settled on the place now 
owned by Mrs. Job Dillingham. Previous 
to this time, though the town had been 
settled more than lo years, and the in- 
habitants had now become quite numerous, 
there had been no regular meetings on the 
Sabbath ; indeed, no meetings at all, ex- 
cept as a missionary or minister passing 
through might preach an occasional ser- 
mon. These two men, having had their 
discipline in the straight and orderly ways 
of Connecticut and Western Massachu- 
setts, could not consent to live and bring 
up their families in this semi-heathen way. 
They immediately set themselves to work, 
in connection with a few others of like 
mind, and soon established regular meet- 
ings on the Sabbath, and from that time, 
so far as I can learn, there has been no 
interruption of public worship on the Sab- 
bath to the present day. 

In the year 1800, in connection with the 
labors of Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, then a 
Missionary trom Connecticut, subsequently 
for many years pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church in Cornwall, Vt., and of 
others, occurred the first general revival in 
town. As the result of this and at nearly 
the same time, the Congregationalists, Bap- 
tists and Methodists organized churches. 
The Congregational church was organized 
by Mr. Bushnell, July loth, 1801. Not 
far from that time, probably a little earlier, 
Gov. Butler was ordained as a gospel min- 



820 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ister and chosen pastor of the Baptist 
church. As the early records of that 
church and also of the Methodist church 
are not to be found, little can now be 
learned of their early history.* At the 
organization of the Congregational church, 
the following persons constituted its mem- 
bers : Asaph Allen, David Austin, Hugh 
Blair, Edward Bates, Moses Bates, David 
Town, Amos Slate, Samuel Slate, Thomas 
Kennan, Zebulon Allen, Mary Austin, Jane 
Blair, Ruth Rich, Lydia Town, Esther 
Slate and Bathsheba Slate, — lo males and 
6 females. Thomas Kennan and David 
Town were received on profession and 
were baptized. The organization was 
completed by choosing Asaph Allan mod- 
erator, and Thomas Kennan clerk. In 
November following, Mr. Allen, who had 
been a deacon in his native town, was 
elected the first deacon of the church, and 
in December David Austin was elected as 
the second deacon. 

December 22, 1802, the church voted to 
call Rev. Jonathan Hovey to settle over 
them in the gospel ministry. On account 
of certain difficulties raised by the town 
with reference to the minister's right of 
land, Mr. Hovey was not ordained until 
September 1, 1803. Mr. Lyman of Brook- 
field preached the sermon, the services 
being held in a building erected for a 
county grammar school, and which stood 
a little back of the Congregational church. 
Mr. Hovey labored with the church, before 
and after his ordination, about 5 years. 
He was dismissed for want of adequate 
support, Dec. 31, 1807. Mr. Hovey was 
born in Mansfield, Ct., 1756. His first 
profession was the law, which he practiced 
a while in his native town and then in 
Randolph, Vt. He was nearly 40 years 
old when he entered the ministry. His 
first settlement was at Waterbury. After 
leaving Waterbury he was settled in Pier- 
mont, N. H., where he remained until 
1817; his last labors' were in Wolcott, 
N. Y., where he died in 1827, aged 71 
years. He possessed a clear, strong mind, 
— was more remarkable for sternness and 
rigor, than for benignity and affability, — 

See AppeiKiix -. 



had more power to convince than to win, — 
to gain respect than affection. While 
in Waterbury, he lived mainly in the 
Kneeland district in the house where Mr. 
A. Murray now resides, which house he 
built. His meetings were alternately in 
his own neighborhood, in barns and private 
houses and in the school-house at the 
Street, or " at the River," as the village 
was then termed. From the dismission of 
Mr. Hovey, for the space of 18 years, the 
Congregational church was destitute of a 
pastor and of the stated preaching of the 
gospel. During this time, meetings were 
regularly held on the Sabbath, Dea. Allen 
taking the charge and Gen. Peck, a promi- 
nent citizen of the town, father of the late 
Hon. L. B. Peck, ordinarily reading the 
sermons. Thus the fire was kept alive on 
the altar through all those long dreary 
years, until a better day dawned. 

In 1802, the first successful merchant of 
Waterbury, Mr. Amasa Pride, established 
himself in the place and opened a store. 
A Mr. Farnsworth and a Mr. Yeomans, 
the latter frnm Alstead, N. H., and who 
died in this place in 1803 or 4, had opened 
small stores, but had done little business. 
Mr. Pride was a native of Newington, Ct., 
but was then from Brookfield, Vt. He 
was a young man almost destitute of 
means ; but by his good sense, energy, 
enterprise and integrity, he became for 
wealth, character, public spirit and influ- 
ence, a leading man in the community. He 
outlived for many years nearly all his asso- 
ciates, and died August, 1872, aged 86 
years. In 1805, Dan Carpenter, a young 
lawyer from Norwich, opened the first law- 
office in town. Mr. Carpenter immediately 
became a prominent citizen in the town 
and a leading lawyer and a prominent man 
in all the region. He was identified with 
the history of the village and town for 
nearly 50 years. There was hardly an 
honor which his fellow citizens could bestow 
or a trust they could repose, which he did 
not receive at their hands. For 14 or 15 
years he represented the town in the legis- 
lature, and for many years was a judge of 
the County court. Judge Carpenter died 
December, 1852, aged "]"] years. 



WATERBURY. 



821 



About the same time that Judge Carpen- 
ter came, Mr. Roswell and Mr. Cephas 
Wells took up their residence in town, and 
were numbered among its valuable citizens. 
About the same time Mr. Paul Dillingham, 
father of Gov. Dillingham, settled near the 
Center. (8) But time would fail in men- 
tioning names worthy of record. At this 
time the town was settled, more or less, 
through nearly its whole extent. Mr. 
Bickford was the first settler on Indian 
Hill, followed soon after by Mr. Isaac 
Parker, father of Dea. E. Parker. Mr. 
Silas Loomis was the first on Looniis Hill. 
He commenced where his son Elam now 
lives, in 1797, having resided in the south 
part of the town one season previous. (9) 

The first school house was built at a 
very early day, and stood near where the 
railroad crosses Stowe Street, — and in 
this house nearly all the meetings of the 
Village were held. — About 1801, a building 
for a County grammar school, to which 
allusion has been made, was put up and 
covered, — the expense being defrayed by 
private subscription ; — but the town de- 
clining to do anything, as a town, to aid in 
its completion, the building was sold, 
moved across the street and turned into a 
hotel, which was subsequently burned. 
Regarded from our present point of view, 
the action of the town in refusing to aid 
this enterprise, whatever may have been 
its immediate cause, was most unfortunate. 
The influence for good upon all the best 
interests of the town, which such a school 
as was contemplated would have had, can 
hardly be overestimated. From nothing 
has the town suffered more, for the last 40 
years, than from the want of such a school. 
It is now its gi'eat imperative want. Sure- 
ly, in its short sighted action, the town 
knew not what it did — what a power for 
good it was putting from it. 

The first school taught in town was a 
private school, taught by the daughters of 
Mr. Reuben Wells. They were very small 
in stature, and though young ladies, were 
sometimes mistaken, by strangers, for 
children, of which amusing incidents are 
told. Their father was the first tanner in 
town. Seth Chandler, brother-in-law of 



Dr. Bliss, was the first blacksmith ; he 
lived near the present residence of C. 
Haskins, and was killed by the fall of a 
tree, while clearing land near his house. 
A Mr. Warren, grand-father of Rev. Dan- 
iel Warren, is said to have done the first 
carpenter work in town. A grist and saw- 
mill were put up about 1792, by Mr. John 
Carpenter, from New Milford, Ct.. Mr. 
Munson, Mr. Cady, and Mr. Knapp doing 
the work. Mr. Mason was the first miller. 
These mills were on or very near the site of 
the saw-mill in Mill Village. Polly Butler, 
eldest daughter of Gov. Butler, born Oct. 
23, 1788, was doubtless the first person 
born in town. The first male child was- 
probably Tilman Wright, who died in 
1842. The first marriage was that of Mr. 
Philip Bartlett and Mrs. Marsh. Dr. Seth 
Cole, who so long practiced in Richm.ond, 
was the second physician in town.* Rich- 
ard Holden, Caleb Munson and E. Butler 
were the first selectmen — Caleb Munson 
first treasurer — Elias Marsh first constable 
— Phineas Waters first highway surveyor 
and fence viewer. 

It is a remarkable fact in the history of 
the town that it had no meeting-house 
until 1824. Considering the importance 
and population of the town, and the fact 
that 3 churches, with such fair promise, 
were organized so early, probably a par- 
allel to it cannot be found in the State. 
Ordinarily in the history of New England 
towns, one of the earliest facts recorded is 
that of building a house for the worship of 
God. The history of Waterbury in this 
respect is peculiar. For 40 years after the 
settlement of the town, and for 23 after 
the organization of its 3 churches, the Ark 
of God had no resting-place. The meet- 
ings were held in school-houses, private 
houses and barns. Several efforts were 
made to build a union house, and com- 
mittees were appointed to locate it. Twice 
the stake was stuck — once on the brow of 
the hill near Lucius Marshall's ; once near 
the east store at the Centre — but for some 
cause, both projects fell through. 

On a certain day in the spring of 1823, 
Judge Carpenter and Mr. Pride met, and 
See Appendix 2. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their conversation turned upon the matter 
of a meeting-house. They had taken 
active parts in the previous undertakings, 
and felt tliat it was a great reproach to the 
town and a sad detriment that it had no 
place for public worship ; they resolved 
that it should be so no longer, though 
neither of them, then, was a professor of 
religion. That day they laid the matter 
before their neighbor, Roswell Wells, and 
found from him a hearty response, and 
before the day closed, these three men had 
combined together, and the matter of 
building a meeting-house was settled. If 
need be, they had resolved to do it at 
their own expense (lo). 

The house was erected and finished in 
1824, and was dedicated to the worship of 
God near the close of that year, Mr. 
Chandler, of Waitsfield, preaching the 
sermon. 

The building of this house marks an era 
in the history of the Congregational church 
and of the town. All honor to the mem- 
ory of the men who set the work forward, 
and with resolute hearts and open hands 
carried it to completion. 

The house thus built was not long un- 
occupied. Soon after its dedication, a 
young man, just graduated from Bangor 
Theological Seminary, stopped for the 
night at the hotel, then kept by Mr. Pride. 
Learning that Rev. Mr. Blodgett, of Jer- 
icho, with whom he had been acquainted, 
was to preach on the ensuing Sabbath, he 
concluded to stop and hear him. Mr. 
Blodgett did not come, and the young 
man was asked to supply the pulpit. He 
consented, and thus the Rev. Daniel 
Warren preached his first sermon, and 
began his 13 years' work in Waterbury. 
All were pleased. He was asked to re- 
main, and in a few months he had a unan- 
imous call to settle over them, and was or- 
dained pastor of the church Dec. 7, 1825. 
From that period everything has worn a 
new aspect in town. Mr. Warren was 
dismissed June 26, 1838 (u). There were 
two revivals during his ministry, extend- 
ing through the town — one in i826-'7 ; the 
other in 1835-6 (12). In 1832 and 1833, 
the Baptists and Methodists built meeting- 



houses at the Center. During this period, 
in 1836, the Methodist church at the vil- 
lage was organized. Their house of wor- 
ship was erected in 1841. The Free-Will 
Baptists built their house on Waterbury 
river 5 or 6 years later. 

With the building of the houses of wor- 
ship we cease to have to do with early set- 
tlement and settlers of Waterbury, and the 
work we proposed is done. I have spoken 
of the sufferings of the first settler and his 
family. They were peculiar, but all the 
early settlers endured hardships difficult 
for us to conceive. The labor of clearing 
the forests from the hills and meadows, 
now so smooth and easily tilled, was im- 
mense. Their houses were rude log-cabins, 
often with hewn plank floors and windows 
equally primitive ; their furniture was the 
rudest and scantiest. Their roads were 
rough, unwrought paths, the natural ob- 
stacles very great. They had no mills ; 
the nearest for several years were in Jer- 
icho, some 15 miles away, to which often 
they carried their grists on their backs. 
Much of the corn used was ground in what 
were called plumping-mills, a contrivance 
made by burning and cutting a hole into a 
solid stump, and pounding it there with a 
weight attached to a spring pole, arranged 
after the fashion of a well-sweep. At the 
close of the day, it is said, the sound of 
these mills could often be heard through 
the whole settlement, preparing for the 
meals of the coming day. Their food al- 
ways was the plainest and simplest ; often 
for the want of this with their large fam- 
ilies they suffered exceedingly. 

As from year to year, with glad, if not 
thankful hearts, we come around the festive 
board, it may interest us and do us good 
to know how the first Thanksgiving was 
kept in Waterbury. On that day, 1786, 
the year that Mr. Butler moved into town, 
he called on Mr. Marsh, and said to him, 
" This is Thanksgiving day ; how shall we 
keep it?" Mr. Marsh, in his wilderness 
life, had lost the run of such days, and 
this was news to him. He replied that 
his family were almost destitute of food, 
and he was in a sad condition to keep such 
a day. Mr. Butler proposed that they try 



WATERBURY. 



823 



their fortune at moose-hunting. For such 
an enterprise Mr. Marsh was always ready. 
After a few hours' hunt, a moose was 
found cropping the wild grass near Alder 
brook, the stream that runs from the 
Center and empties into Waterbury river. 
He was quickly dispatched, and each with 
a quarter on his shoulder made haste to 
his home, and that night, with their house- 
holds, they ate a most bounteous, joyful 
Thanksgiving supper. With all our abun- 
dance and variety in our pleasant, cheer- 
ful homes, it is doubtful whether this day 
has ever been kept, with truer joy or more 
unfeigned thankfulness, than in these log- 
cabins, on this moose meat, it was first 
kept by these hardy pioneers of the wil- 
derness. 

Amid countless hardships and priva- 
tions the first settlers laid the foundations 
of this community. It was not all done 
as we could have wished — not all with the 
wisest forecast of the future. But they 
did, nevertheless, a great and stern work; 
into that work we have entered. They 
sowed, often in sadness ; we reap in joy. 
Their work is done ; ours is yet on our 
hands. These hills and these valleys, the 
fertile soil of which they laid open to the 
sun, with the river that winds among them 
and the grand settings of the mountains, 
were beautiful to them. They are beauti- 
ful, exceedingly beautiful to us. Verily 
the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places. 
We have a goodly heritage. As we con- 
sider the days of old, and talk of the years 
of ancient times, and of what our fathers 
did, let it be our purpose, our high re- 
solve, by fostering every worthy interest 
and enterprise, and by the exercise of 
every manly and Christian virtue, to trans- 
mit the heritage we have received, en- 
hanced and beautified with every excel- 
lence, to the generations to come. The 
task God has given us will be quickly 
done. Let us do it with fidelity, that God 
maybe honored, the community benefited, 
and our names held in afi:ectionate remem- 
brance. 

[Mr. Parker's excellent little pamphlet 
is still extant. We obtained a fresh one 
(complimentary), from Russell Butler, 
Esq., but this week. — Ed.] 



MR. janes' paper. 

[The following supplementary to and 
continuation of Mr. Parker's "Early His- 
tory" was written principally by the late 
Hon. H. F. Janes, by request, about the 
year 1872, and consequently cannot apply 
to the last decade of our town's history 
which since the death of Mr. Janes must 
be supplied by others. R. Butler.] 

In February, 1867, the Rev. C. C. Par- 
ker, pastor of the Congregational church, 
delivered an interesting discourse to his 
society on the early history of Waterbury, 
in which the hardships and the privations 
of the pioneers, who penetrated so far into 
the wilderness, and successfully opened a 
way for the advance of civilization, was 
graphically delineated. It did not, how- 
ever, purport to be a complete history of 
the town. It is much to be regretted that 
he could not have completed the work, but 
on account of his removal from the State 
and his duties as a minister of the gospel, 
he could not with propriety undertake the 
task of finishing the work so ably begun ; 
thus leaving with others, less competent, 
the duty of adding a few things deemed 
necessary for a more full history of the 
place. 

The town of Waterbury is pleasantly 
situated in the valley between the Green 
Mountain range on the west and a spur of 
that mountain called the Hog Backs, on 
the east, and embraces nearly all the set- 
tleable land between those two elevations. 
There is not a lot of land but that is or 
may be profitably cultivated, and the soil 
on the upland is excellent for grazing and 
grain. The extensive intervals on the 
Winooski and other streams are not sur- 
passed by any in the .State. The rivers 
and their tributaries aff"ord privileges for 
numerous mills and manufactories, and an 
abundance of water for domestic and agri- 
cultural purposes. It is in lat. 44° 23' and 
long. 4° 17', bounded N. by Stowe, E. by 
Middlesex, S. by the Winooski River, 
which separates it from Duxbury and part 
of Moretown, and W. by Bolton, and is 
12 miles west from Montpelier and 24 S. E. 
from Burlington. 

The charter is dated June 7, 1763, and 
was granted by Gov. Wentworth of New 



824 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Hampshire, to Joseph Abbott, John Dick- 
inson, Hezekiah Thompson, Joseph Os- 
born, James Scudder, James Corey, Nathl. 
Sahiion, Daniel Lacey, Jonathan Stiles, 
Patridge Thatcher, Daniel Bedford, Isaac 
Ball, Lopher Squire, John Marsh, 3d, 
Isaac Woodrough, Wm. Connet, Nathl. 
Wade, James Osborn, Samuel Ballard, 
Hon. James Neven, Esq., Benj. Williams, 
Ezekiel Worthen, Barnardus Van Neste, 
David Meeker, Jr., Heron Ball, John 
Boyles, John Mills, John Stiles, Esq., W. 
Pierson, Nathl. Bond, Esq., Meseck Ware, 
Esq., Ichabod Dean, Joseph Badgeley, 
Joseph Neomoseck, Esq., David Ball, 
John Page, Esq., Willard Mills, Jeremiah 
Pangborn, David Potter, Ebner Frost, 
Thomas Gardner, Ebenezer Price, Ken- 
eday Vance, Charles Gillhouse, Thomas 
Miller, Thomas Willis, Nathaniel Potter, 
Jonathan Crane, Esq., Elias Bedford, Jesse 
Clark, Therry Baker, Joseph Meeker, Da- 
vid Baker, Wm. Pierson, Jr., Jesse Morse, 
Nathl. Baker, Job Nixon, Joseph Crane. 
William Wilcox, Jeremiah Mulford, David 
Baker, James Puflasey, Manning Fores, 
and Jonathan Dayton. 

The charter limits v/ere 6 miles square, 
containing 23,040 acres, but it has since 
been considerably enlarged by territory an- 
nexed from Middlesex on the east and 
Bolton on the west ; was laid out and sur- 
veyed in three divisions. The 1st division 
lots contained 100 acres, the 2d, 31, and 
the 3d, 124 ; leaving undivided, 47 acres to 
each right. The intention of the propri- 
etors evidently was to give each share 31 
acres of interval on the Winooski river, 
and for that purpose commenced the sur- 
vey of the first division, on what then was 
supposed to be the east Une of Bolton, far 
enough north to leave on the river side of 
the base line of that division sufficient land 
for that object. But afterwards, on run- 
ning out the 2d division, it was found in- 
sufficient, and the balance of the small lots 
was laid in the central part of the town. 
The 3d division was laid north of the ist, 
extending nearly to Stowe line. The 
Governor's right of 500 acres was surveyed 
in the S. E. corner of the town. Part of 
the undivided was situated between the 3d 



division and the south line of Stowe, and 
the balance adjoined the Governor's right. 
Subsequently it was ascertained that the 
surveyor of the ist division made a mis- 
take in his starting point, and run the width 
of two lots in Middlesex. The error was 
corrected, and these lots were subsequently 
plotted on the true line of Bolton. Win- 
ooski Falls are on this territory, but as they 
were then supposed to be in Bolton, they 
were called Bolton Falls, a name they still 
retain in many historical publications, 
though situated some distance within the 
geographical boundaries of Waterbury. 

FORMATION OF THE VALLEYS — LAND 
SURFACE, GEOLOGY. 

Judge Thompson, in his history of 
Montpelier, with much plausibility main- 
tains that at a time not very remote the 
altitude of Lake Champlain was consider- 
ably higher than at present. " That there 
was a branch lake extending from Middle- 
sex Narrows upwards, covering all the 
lowlands of that and the surrounding 
towns, and that there was an intermediate 
lake, covering the lower grounds of Water- 
bury, parts of those of Duxbury, Middle- 
sex and Moretown, and settling up the 
valley of Mad river into Waitsfield, making 
this lake at Waterbury somewhat deeper 
than the one above, as may, indeed, be 
found indicated by the greater height of 
the sand-hills east of Waterbury village." 
Without entering into the speculations of 
geologists and others on that subject, it 
may with seeming propriety here be stated 
some "testimony of the rocks," tending 
strongly to establish the theory of Mr. 
Thompson. In many places, high up on 
ledges, are grooves or indentaiions, evi- 
dently made by the action of water. They 
all are on the western dip of the ledges, 
are regular in cut and very smooth. But 
a case more striking and almost irresist- 
ible in proof is that of a pot hole in the 
solid rock, some hundred feet above the 
bed of the river, on the sharp ridge of a 
high ledge, directly in the line of the farms 
of S.Henry and H. F. Janes. This ex- 
cavation is round and regular in shape, is 
30 inches deep, and nearly the same in 
diameter, and so like a cooking utensil 



WATERBURY. 



825 



that it is often called the "Indians' Pot." 
The ledge on the western side is nearly 
perpendicular, and at its base stands an 
ash tree, 40 to 50 feet high, the top of 
which does not reach to this excavation. 
In ages past there must have been at this 
place a great msh of water and splendid 
falls. 

Not many townships in Vermont are so 
peculiar in formation as Waterbury. The 
central part and more than half of the en- 
tire surface is comparatively level ; a little 
dishing, — on the east and western borders 
rising gradually, and resembling in profile 
an amphitheater. The farms on these 
elevations afford a fair view of nearly the 
whole town, presenting a landscape beau- 
tiful and charming, especially in early 
summer when the fields are fresh and in 
bloom, and in autumn when ripe and 
" white unto the harvest." 

With few exceptions, the geological for- 
mations are not dissimilar to surrounding 
towns. Pres. Hitchcock, State geologist, 
in his report of October, 1859, states that 
" there are out-crops of copper, but that 
they have not been fully developed by 
mining, but thinks it not improbable that 
mines in the town may become sources of 
wealth from the amount of copper obtained 
therefrom." He also states that " there 
are several small deposits of soapstone, 
but none sufficiently extensive to induce a 
great investment of capital to work them." 
In the same report interesting facts are 
given in relation to the alluvial terraces 
upon the Winooski and other streams. 
Wlien making the railroad through the 
Hog Backs, some exceedingly handsome 
specimens of quartz crystals were found 
imbedded in the rocks near the dividing 
line between this and the town of Middle- 
sex. Probably more could be obtained 
by a small outlay in blasting the ledge. 

RIVERS AND STREAMS. 

Winooski River, the largest stream and 
the southern boundary of the town, has a 
smooth current from Middlesex narrows to 
the falls three miles below the village. In 
Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont, the 
following description of the falls and the 
place is given : " The stream has worn a 



channel through the rocks, which in times 
past, undoubtedly formed a cataract of no 
ordinary height below, and a considerable 
lake above. The chasm is at present 
about 100 feet wide and nearly as deep. 
On one side the rocks are nearly perpen- 
dicular, some of which have fallen across 
the bed of the stream in such a manner as 
to form a bridge, passable, however, only 
at low-water. On the same side the rocks 
which appear to have been loosened and 
moved by the water, have again rested and 
become fixed in such a position as to form 
several caverns or caves — some of which 
have the appearance of rooms fitted for 
the convenience of man. Several musket 
balls and flints were found in the extreme 
part of this cavern, a few years since, 
which make it evident that it was known 
to the early hunters." On the upper sec- 
tion ot these falls, Benjamin Palmer, soon 
after the commencement of settling of the 
town, constructed a dam across the river 
and erected a saw-mill ; but in a few years 
they were carried away in a freshet and 
never rebuilt. The main water power 
has not yet been brought into use. The 
place is much visited by admirers of grand 
scenery. 

Waterbury River, the second in mag- 
nitude, has its source in Morristown, and 
takes a southerly direction through Stowe 
and the westerly part of this town, and 
enters the Winooski about a mile below 
the village. On this river is much good 
interval land, several mill privileges, and 
a number of valuable farms. Upon the 
borders of this stream and on the surround- 
ing hills, lay the principal hunting ground 
of the pioneers of the town. There they 
shot the deer and the moose, and there 
also they trapped the beaver. The former 
they killed only out of necessity, their 
flesh for food, their hides for the making 
of moccasins and thongs to string their 
snow shoes. The latter were trapped for 
their skins, — the fur of beaver, at that 
time, constituting the only article of traffic 
which brought its equivalent in cash. 
They slew no innoxious animal wantonly 
for mere sport. 

The third stream in size, called Thatch- 



104 



826 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ERS Branch, rises in Stowe, and runs 
through the town near its center, and falls 
into the Winooski at the lower end of the 
village. This stream, though not large, 
has on it a number of falls affording good 
mill privileges, most of which are occu- 
pied, and a large part of the manufacturing 
done in town by water-power is on this 
branch. On it many of the early settlers 
located, and all the farms by them started 
in the wilderness are now valuable and in a 
high state of cultivation. 

Alder Brook also has its source in 
Stowe, and runs along the center of the 
town into the Waterbury River, near the 
Free Will Baptist meeting-house. On it, 
Stephen Jones, one of the early settlers, 
built a saw-mill more than 50 years ago. 
The falls are rather picturesque. Leander 
Hutchins formerly had a starch factory 
here. The ownersli^p of the saw-mill was 
changed from time to time, but continued 
up to the present. The road to Stowe 
crosses the pond just above the mill. The 
land above the falls is mostly level, good 
and very handsome ; below more uneven, 
but productive. On the west side of Wa- 
terbury River are two streams, on each of 
which are several mill privileges. Cotton 
Brook, the upper one, rises on the high 
land in Bolton, and enters Waterbury 
River near D. Conant's ; on this brook is 
one saw-mill. The other comes from 
Ricker mountain, and falls into the river 
about a mile above Randall's mill ; on this 
brook are two saw-mills. 

hunters' stories. 
Many a winter evening has been made 
interesting to the young by the stories of 
the old in the "winter of their years" of 
the hunting excursions in these then " wild 
woods," but now "teeming fields," so 
vivid and lifelike in description, that the 
listener could but enter into its spirit and 
see, or seem to see, how carefully and 
with the utmost secrecy he set his traps 
for the beaver, even to the washing away 
his footprints in the sand. How cautiously 
he wended his way through the tangled 
woods, his trusty dog close behind (the 
hunting in those days being still, and not 
in the noisy chase), peering in all direc- 



tions for game. How when nearing the 
more common haunts of the deer, some 
accidental noise, perhaps, only the break- 
ing of a dry twig, starts him from his lair, 
but too late for escape, as his first move- 
ment was seen by the quick eye of the 
hunter — a sharp crack of his gun, and the 
deer fell lifeless. 

On one occasion, the hunter became so 
excited when aiming at a moose, that the 
report of his rifle was not heeded, and 
he thought it had missed fire, and in his 
vexation at the supposed result, was tempt- 
ed to break the old thing on a tree by 
which he stood. He was happy, how- 
ever, on examination, to find that his gun 
was true as ever, that it did not miss fire, 
but had done good execution ; the moose 
had received a mortal wound, and expired 
after running but a few rods. 
roads. 
The town is intersected by a good many 
roads and cross-roads requiring rather a 
heavy tax to make and repair, and to build 
bridges over the various streams. The 
first road, or rather an apology for one, 
built through the town, was on the river 
through the Hog Backs to Middlesex. 
This, probably, was never traveled with a 
wheel carriage, but answered for single 
horses or, perhaps a yoke of oxen, to drag 
their grain to mill on their primitive drags, 
rudely constructed out of a crooked crotched 
tree. That part of this road or pathway 
lying above the present village was soon 
discontinued and the travel turned to the 
other side of the river. As settlers in- 
creased, and of necessity obliged to go 
further back into the woods, paths had to 
be cut out for their accommodation in va- 
rious directions. Many of these paths, 
ultimately, were recognized as highways, 
though not the most judiciously located 
for the public to travel. The old hill road 
was the first made through to the northern 
settlements, and a long time the only one 
much traveled to Stowe and on to Lamoille 
River. The land on this road is very 
good, and every lot was taken up and set- 
tled upon it at an early day. But in conse- 
quence of a far more level one east, and 
leadino- throu":h the center village, the 



WATERBURY. 



827 



hill road now is but little traveled except 
by those living on it. The road up Water- 
bury River to Stowe on the path of the 
old hunters, was made as settlers advanced 
up the stream. The number of bridges 
and the gullies occasioned by the strong 
and rapid current of the river, make this 
road rather an expensive one to keep in 
repair. Within a few years past, travel 
on it, both -for business and pleasure, has 
greatly increased. 

HIGHWAY, PLANK ROAD AND RAILROAD. 

The most important and most traveled 
highway through the town is the stage 
road from the depot in the village by the 
center to Hydepark. On this the U. S. 
mail is transported once a day each way, 
and the numerous excursionists to Mt. 
Mansfield and other summer resorts, re- 
quiring extra stages much of the time. 
The large amount of merchandise for the 
towns of Lamoille Co. is mostly freighted 
over this road. There are branch roads 
to all parts of the town, and several out of 
it. One in the east to Stowe, one through 
the notch to Middlesex, and good farms on 
each. The roads crossing the Winooski 
on the two arch bridges, one up to More- 
town, one down to Richmond, and one 
south through Duxbury to Waitsfield, are 
a good deal traveled, the latter especially, 
and is second in travel and freight only to 
the mail route to Hydepark — Morristown, 
1882. A few years since, a charter was 
obtained for a plank-road to Stowe. The 
stockholders made the road, and it was 
traveled 2 or 3 years, but it proved unre- 
munerative to the owners, and they surren- 
dered it to the towns. The railroad enters 
the town on the border of Middlesex, 
passes through the village, and a mile be- 
low, crosses on the long bridge into Dux- 
bury. It is so located that business and 
intercourse among neighbors is attended 
with but little inconvenience ; the deep cut 
at the crossing of the Stowe road is 
bridged, but not so high as to make a hard 
draft over it. The bridge over Thatcher's 
branch is elevated sufficiently for an under 
one for common use. Just below the 
channel of the river was turned for some 
distance, at great expense, and a half mile 



down is the long bridge over which the 
road leaves the town. The citizens of the 
place subscribed liberally for stock, but it 
proved almost an entire loss, except to 
those owning real estate, which was en- 
hanced in value by the completion of the 
road. 

TURNPIKE, AND WHAT BECAME OF IT. 

In the year 1805, the Legislature granted 
a charter for a turnpike from Montpelier to 
Burlington. The stock was taken and the 
road built. It entered the town of Water- 
bury at the upper end of the village, and 
thence through the town to Bolton. The 
great freshet in the summer of 1830, swept 
away all the bridges on the road and other- 
wise very much damaged it ; so much so 
that the proprietors hesitated about repair- 
ing it, as it never paid large dividends. 
Thomas and Hezekiah Reed, brothers, and 
enterprising young men of Montpelier, 
offered the nominal sum of $10 the share, 
which cost originally $175. Their offer 
was accepted ; they rebuilt the bridges and 
put the road in good repair. Before the 
canal was made, opening a water com- 
munication by the way of the Hudson 
river to Lake Champlain, goods from 
Boston and other Atlantic towns were 
nearly all brought to this place with ox or 
horse-teams, by way of Montpelier, each 
team drawing but little over half a ton, 
and requiring from two to three weeks to 
make a trip. But afterwards, at a cheaper 
rate, freight took the water route by way 
of Burlington, throwing a large additional 
amount of teaming and travel on to the 
turnpike, rendering it profitable to the 
Reeds. The Vermont Central Railroad, 
by its charter, was obligated to pay the 
owners of the turnpike for their franchise. 
They compromised, took the turnpike and 
applied the tolls to its own benefit, but 
when the cars commenced running, it was 
abandoned to the towns. The somewhat 
increased highway taxes of Waterbury 
were compensated for, however, by having 
a free road. 

EARLY OCCUPIED FARMS. 

Much the largest part of business done 
in the town is farming, the land being well 
adapted to that purpose, the meadows for 



828 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



growing corn, oats and grass, the upland 
for wheat and grazing. Within the past 
20 or 30 years, agriculture has greatly im- 
proved, and many young men who started 
poor, by industry and good management, 
have paid for their land, and now have 
large and valuable farms, are entirely clear 
from debt, and possess sufficient personal 
property to support them tlirough life. It 
has previously been stated that on the 
rivers and their tributaries are many ex- 
cellent farms, but little or nothing relating 
to their location, their present owners, or 
who began them. A short historical ac- 
count of a few of the earliest started, can 
hardly be otherwise than interesting to 
many, especially to those of an antiquarian 
cast of mind. On the meadow above the 
Winooski falls, John Craig, about 1788, 
commenced clearing, and erected a humble 
residence. In a few years, he sold his 
possession and moved to Ohio. It was 
purchased with considerable surrounding 
land, by Joseph Palmer, an energetic bus- 
iness man, and somewhat noted in his day 
as a skillful bridge builder. After the 
death of Palmer, it was divided up, and 
the three valuable farms now owned by 
Luther Davis, Joel Remington and Geo. 
W. Randall were made of this tract of 
land. On the tract of land above Randall, 
Stiles Sherman located on coming to town, 
and resided the remainder of his lifetime, 
where for many years he kept a house of 
entertainment for travelers, where he 
reared a large family of children, and 
where he died at a ripe old age, much re- 
spected. Part of the farm is now owned 
by his son, Heman Sherman — 1870, but 
the larger part of it by Joseph Thompson. 
At the mouth of Waterbury river, on the 
east side, is the place where Dr. Daniel 
Bliss, the first physician, and the first 
representative of the town, resided, and 
where Seth Chandler, the first blacksmith, 
had his shop, and where not a long time 
after, he was killed by the fall of a tree. 
The farm is now owned by Mr. McAllister. 
The next east is where Amos Waters com- 
menced as early as 1788. It soon passed 
into the hands of Sylvester Henry, Esq., 
deceased. Mr. Henry added considerable 



land, and at his death it was a large and 
valuable farm. By will he divided it with 
his four sons, James M., Sylvester, Jr., 
Samuel and Luther. Most of it at the 
present time is owned and occupied by 
Sylvester. 

Adjoining, and within the boundaries of 
the village, is the old Gov. Butler place, of 
between 200 and 300 acres, about 130 
acres of which constitute the farm of the 
State Reform School. Seven acres with 
the old house, the first framed one in the 
town, is now owned by Mr. Colby, of the 
United States Navy. Some 4 acres at the 
mouth of Thatcher's branch, on which 
stood the surveyor's camp, built as early 
as 1782, is owned by Russell Butler, the 
youngest son of Gov. Butler. The bal- 
ance, with the exception of a few acres of 
wood land on the northern part, constitute 
a part of the farm of H. F. Janes. 

The tract of land pitched, and a short 
time occupied by James Marsh, and on 
which he erected his cabin, has been much 
divided — part taken for the village cem- 
etery and building purposes. Much so 
with the Cephas Wells farm. The low 
and rich meadow, in about equal parts, is 
owned at the present time by Elisha Moody 
and Geo. W. Randall. 

But a small part of the large farm, so 
long owned and occupied by the late Amasa 
Pride, is now in his family. The home- 
stead, and 30 to 40 acres of land, are yet 
owned by his widow, and Mr. Caldwell, 
who married the daughter and only sur- 
viving child of Mr. Pride. This residence 
is pleasantly situated directly in front of 
the depot common. 

The large hotel, the railroad buildings, 
the foundry, several stores, the stage office, 
a number of mechanic shops and dwelling- 
houses are on a part of the original farm. 

The tract of land on which Gov. Butler 
and his brother, Asaph, first commenced 
work in town is in the upper part of the 
village. The Butlers, after occupying it a 
short time, gave it up, and it was taken by 
Richard Holden, who resided on it several 
years. Holden sold the farm to the late 
Judge Dan. Carpenter, and Carpenter to 
Gen. John Peck. By additions and im- 



WATERBURY. 



829 



provement, it was, at the death of Mr. 
Peck, the largest and most valuable one in 
town. The administrator of Peck sold the 
place to D. G. Shipley, recently deceased. 
The elegant mansion and part of the farm 
are now owned and occupied by Dr. H. 
Fales, wIto married the only daughter of 
Mr. Shipley. The farm of C. C. Shipley 
is part of the original. The balance, with 
the exception of what has been taken for 
building purposes, is a part of the farm of 
J. Batchelder. On the large meadow above 
the village, Caleb Munson, the third set- 
tler, made his pitch. He was soon suc- 
ceeded by Amasa Marshall. Since the 
death of Mr. Marshall, it has passed through 
several hands and been much split up. The 
railroad passes through this meadow. The 
farm on Thatcher's branch, at the present 
time owned by Eugene Moody, was begun 
by Oliver C. Rood. Soon after the first 
settlement in the town, he came, young, 
vigorous, and of great physical endurance, 
and at the time very useful in clearing up 
land, in building bridges, in making roads, 
and in the performance of all kinds of 
work requiring skill and energy, — at an 
early day built the grist mill afterward 
rebuilt by W. W. Wells. Rood lived on 
the farm many years. It passed from him 
to his sonTin-law,Albro Atkins, from Atkins 
to the late Judge E. S. Newcomb, and 
from him to the present owner. 

Jonathan Wright, in 1788, on the 
same stream above the Rood place, built 
his cabin and cut the first tree on the ex- 
cellent tract of land he had selected for a 
farm. Here, himself and his wife resided 
the remainder of their long lives. Their 
son, Tilman, said to have been the first 
male child born in town, succeeded his 
father in the ownership and occupancy of 
the farm during his life, and by his ad- 
ministrator it was sold to the Hon. James 
Green, deceased. It is yet in the family 
of Mr. Green, and has been much im- 
proved. Stephen Guptil's farm was owned 
and occupied by the late Jared George, 
probably as far back as 1798. In the barn 
of Mr. George religious meetings were oc- 
casionally held during several years. The 
good farm of Levi Graves was made up of 



portions taken from others, and first com- 
menced by the late Samuel Button. 

It is difficult at this time to ascertain 
with certainty who was the first beginner 
on the farm of Harvey Eddy. It is safe to 
say, however, that it was one of the first 
started in that part of the town, and has 
been owned by many different individuals ; 
a long time by David Adams, and by Wm. 
Eddy, who conveyed it to his son, Harvey 
Eddy. On it is considerable fertile mead- 
ow, and is cjuite pleasant in location. Some 
miles further up the branch is situated the 
handsome and productive farm on which, 
as before stated, Dea. Asaph Allen, in 
1796, began his residence in town. It 
passed into the hands of his son, Eliakim 
Allen, who, after occupying several years, 
conveyed it away, and it is now out of the 
Allen family. 

In town are many more farms nearly or 
quite as productive as those named. Most 
of them are on the upland, and were com- 
menced at a later date. For the raising of 
stock and for dairy business, they yield a 
profit that ought to be satisfactory to the 
owners. But few of them are now in the 
hands of beginners or of their descend- 
ants. The only exception, probably, is 
that of Silas Loomis, yet owned and occu- 
pied by his son, Elam Loomis. The 
Clough place, on what is called Indian 
Hill, and where Isaac Parker began, is 
one of the best grazing farms in the vi- 
cinity. The farm of Raymond Huse, on 
Alder brook below the falls, is a valuable 
one. As early as 1794 or '5, Joseph Fisk 
began a clearing on the south part, and 
his son, Benjamin, a while after on the 
west part of it. West, and adjoining, is 
the place where Joshua Hill, about 1791, 
began his farm, and on which he lived 
many years. Hill kept tavern here some 
years, when the principal travel north was 
over the hill road. On this road, near the 
south line of Waterbury, Colonel George 
Kennan kept a tavern some years. The 
buildings are gone, and there is nothing 
remaining to determine its precise loca- 
tion. Nearly all the farms off from the 
rivers have large maple orchards, from the 
sap of which sugar and syrup are made 



830 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



sufficient for family use, and much for 
exportation. 

LAND TITLES. 

But little litigation, growing out of 
original titles, has occurred in this town. 
It does not appear that any of the grantees 
or their heirs settled on their lands. But 
in most cases there is no trouble in tracing 
titles back to the original proprietors. A 
few may rest on vendue sales for non- 
payment of taxes or the statute of Hmit- 
ation. If sold for taxes, they were gen- 
erally redeemed ; one event in redeeming, 
so brave, that it will bear relating here : 

Col. Sumner, of New Hampshire, owned 
several lots of land which had been sold 
for taxes, and the time of redemption was 
nearly out. David H., his son, a lad then 
about 14 years of age, was furnished with a 
purse of hard money, put on the back of 
his trusty old mare, and sent to redeem 
his land. The distance was some 75 miles, 
most of the way through woods almost 
pathless. The boy arrived at Col. Davis', 
in Montpelier, just as the sun was setting. 
After baiting his horse, he remounted, and 
proceeded down the river for Waterbury. 
It had become dark, and the road or path- 
way difficult to travel. At the foot of rock 
bridge, so called (the place described by 
Mr. Thompson in his history of Mont- 
pelier, where Thomas Davis, a boy of 16, 
so heroically got down the first wagon that 
entered that town), David's horse sud- 
denly stopped. _ He could not urge it 
forward. It was very dark, but carefully 
looking ahead, he saw a large bear stand- 
ing erect in the middle of the path. Though 
courageous, he was frightened. What boy 
or man would not have been? He con- 
sidered, however, his safety was in stick- 
ing to the back of his trusty mare. The 
bear, after sufficiently examining them, 
left for the more thick woods, and his 
mare then willingly ascended the ledge, 
and they passed on to the fording place 
in the river, crossed it, and arrived at Mr. 
Holdenls, the collector, near the middle of 
the night, and just in time to redeem the 
land. One hour more would have been 
too late. This boy lived to a great age, 
and, as was reasonably expected, became 



an energetic business man, highly respect- 
ed, and of much influence. 

FLOODS. 

There have been but few floods since 
the settlement, raising the water much 
above the ordinary spring and fall freshets. 
That of July, 1830, was much the largest 
that has occurred. The rain, for nearly 
two days preceding, fell in torrents, and 
the adjacent highlands being mostly clear- 
ed and turfed with grass, the water flowed 
into the streams with but little absorption 
in the soil. The Winooski, with additions 
from tributaries, accumulated a volume of 
power .sufficient to take in its course large 
trees, logs, bridges and floating field crops, 
so obstructing the passage through the 
falls, causing the water to set back, and 
forming quite a lake above, all of ten feet 
higher than any former flood. Most of 
the streets at this time were under water, 
which at no other time has occurred. The 
damage in the aggregate was considerable, 
but not heavy individually. D. G. Shipley 
probably suffered the most, having had, in 
addition to his crops, a barn full of hay 
carried away, and his meadow injured by 
detrition of soil. Occasionally the lowest 
terraces have been overflowed in the sum- 
mer season by heavy rain ; but the fer- 
tilizing deposits were equivalent to the 
waste of the growing crops. Bridges have 
been carried away at different times, owing 
rather to want of thoroughness in con- 
struction than to the floods. The villages 
are so elevated that the highest rise of 
water seldom reach the streets. 

SCHOOLS. 

The town in its corporate capacity, has 
never granted any money for the support 
of schools. In the second warning for 
the annual March meeting, 1791, there 
was an article inserted, " To see if the town 
would take any measures for the promotion 
of schools." Committee, John Craig, Reu- 
ben Wells and Caleb Munson, appointed 
to divide the town into two districts, for the 
benefit of schools. At the next meeting 
held in April of same year, Waterbury 
River was made the dividing line of the 
two districts. The only action upon that 
article at the meeting was to divide the 



WATERBURY. 



831 



town into two school districts, leaving it 
to them to manage the subject as they 
should deem advisable. Subsequently, 
from time to time, the districts have been 
divided and sub-divided so that at the 
present time there are 18 school-districts 
in town, and as many school-houses. The 
town has a small fund, or annual income 
arising from rents on public lands, interest 
on the U. S. surplus money, and the State 
school tax, total between $1000 and $1100, 
which is divided to the several districts, a 
small amount for each, and necessarily 
requiring a heavy additional tax for the 
building of school houses and paying 
teachers. The district in the principal 
village has lately established a graded 
school, and voted a tax of 50 cents on the 
dollar of their grand list for its support. 
It is now in operation in a good house, 
and under competent teachers. 

WATERBURY CENTER VILLAGE. 

The Village at the Center, divided by 
Alder brook near the middle, is pleasant 
and beautiful in all its surroundings. On 
the north side are several handsome dwel- 
lings, the Methodist chapel, in the hall of 
which town meetings are holden alternate 
years, i store, the district school house, i 
tavern, a blacksmith shop and a few other 
shops. The Center burying ground is on 
this side of the stream. On the east side 
are more private dwellings, all neat and 
comely in appearance. Also, the Baptist 
meeting house, of wood in good taste, i 
store, in which the town clerk's office and 
the Center post office are kept, and two 
or three mechanic's establishments. 

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN SEMINARY, 

a Freewill Baptist institution, is located at 
the Center village, on the east side. It 
was chartered Oct., 1862, to D. L. Frost 
and other 12 corporators. The trustees 
were authorized to confer " degrees on male 
and female pupils as are usually conferred 
by the best Colleges, Academies and 
Seminaries ; also, on male pupils a di- 
ploma of honor." The corporation had 
no endowment to start npon, and were 
under the necessity of relying entirely on 
private subscriptions for the means to 



erect their seminary building, and to pro- 
vide a suitable apparatus. By the energy 
and perseverance of the trustees, and the 
liberality of the citizens of the vicinity, 
they succeeded. It is truly said in their 
first report that their " Seminary building 
is one of the finest structures in the State, 
and surrounded by natural scenery unsur- 
passed in its magnificence and grandeur. 
Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and all 
the spurs of the Green Mountains, from 
Addison, through Chittenden, Washing- 
ton and Lamoille counties, stand out in 
bold relief in full view from the Seminary.'' 

VILLAGES — BUSINESS IN R. R. VILLAGE. 

In the town are two large villages and 
three small ones. Much the largest one 
is on the Winooski river, nearly midway 
between Middlesex and Bolton. It is 
more than a mile in length east 'and west, 
and north on the Stowe road ; half that 
distance in width, not including Mill vil- 
lage. Mr. Marsh and Mr. Butler, the first 
and second settlers, commenced here, and 
laid the foundation of a community, which, 
ever since, has had a steady, prosperous 
and healthy growth. It now (1870), has 
a population of about 800, and a grand 
list of $4,000. Has four churches, in each 
of which are regular services. The largest 
and first built, in 1824, is the Congrega- 
tional ; the second, of brick, is the Meth- 
odist, built in 1841 ; the third, the Second 
Advent chapel ; the fourth, the Roman 
Catholic. In this village is Waterbury 
First National Bank, two hotels, one com- 
modious and handsome, on the site of the 
one previously burned, owned and kept by 
W. H. Skinner: the other, owned and oc- 
cupied by J. Brown. There is also M. E. 
Smilie's large brick foundry, built by D. 
Adams on the site of his wooden one, 
there recently burned ; Geo. C. Arms' ex- 
tensive marble works, and three large 
brick stores — one on the corner of Stowe 
and Main street, built by Leander Hutch- 
ins, now owned by his son-in-law, C. N. 
Arms, and occupied by Wyman and Smith, 
merchants. The other two are on the 
opposite side of Main street — one erected 
by Wm. Carpenter, in which two of his 
sons are dealing in crockery. 



832 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Business Firms. — "Ready-made cloth- 
ing, medicines, &c.," Geo. W. Kennedy's 
office and the village library are in this 
store. 

A three-story building, erected by the 
late A. S. Richardson, owned by Clough 
and Randall. In it is the law office of 
Palmer and Clough, a tailor's and jewel- 
er's shops ; a grocery in the basement, and 
a family living in the upper part. 

The large wooden block on the corner, 
opposite C. N. Arms' brick store, built by 
I. G. Stimson (the larger part), and C. 
Graves, on the foundation of Stimson's 
store burned a few months before. The 
part of the block built by Stimson, owned 
by L. H. Haines, contains the store of 
Richardson and Fullerton, of Arms and 
Haines, traders in flour, grain, nails, tea, 
etc. ; the*post-office, Moody's book and 
stationary store, and the Young Men's 
Christian Association reading-room. The 
part built by Mr. Graves is owned by him, 
in which he manufactures tinware, and has 
a stove and hardware store. 

On the other side of the street is the 
cabinet-shop of George W. Atherton, the 
fine store of M. M. Knight, rebuilt a few 
years since by J. B. Christy on the same 
spot where stood his former one, there 
recently burned ; the furniture shop of 
A. A. Atherton and Son ; in the same 
building the groceries of F. Taylor and 
W. Ashley ; and adjoining, the apothecary 
store of Frink and Remington. 

Brown and Atkins, successors of I. C. 
and S. Brown, wholesale and retail deal- 
ers in grain, general groceries, etc., are 
doing an extensive business near the depot 
[Arms & Haines, successors]. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The village has a supply of such me- 
chanics as are commonly found in country 
towns. L. Parmely, on Main Street, oppo- 
site of the bank, for a number of years has 
been engaged in the shoe trade ; and Geo. 
W. Lease in harness-making. Waterbury 
Manufacturing Co., successors of Case & 
Thomas, is opposite of the State Reform 
School. It was incorporated in 1869, with 
a working capital of $30,000. The busi- 
ness of the company is mostly making 



cane-seated chairs, doors, window-sash 
and blinds. They also do a large amount 
of planing, wood-turning and scroll-saw- 
ing. They employ about 30 hands, and 
occasionally a number of the Reform School 
[1870] boys in addition. The Company 
deal to some extent in pine lumber. 

MILL VILLAGE 
took its name from its being the location 
of the first grist and saw-mills built in 
town. It is situated on the Stowe road, 
at the lower falls on Thatcher's Branch. 
There is here, within the distance of a 
fourth of a mile, a succession of falls, af- 
fording three good mill privileges, all of 
which are occupied. At the first is the 
large brick grist-mill, built a few years 
since by the late Wm. W. Wells, Esq., 
and now owned by his heirs. It stands on 
or near the spot of the one built in 1792. 
It has always done a large custom business. 
A few rods up stream, A. H. Selleck & Co. 
have a woolen factory, where they card 
wool and manufacture to some extent. 
They have recently put in machinery for 
turning small boxes. At this place were 
the first clothing works in town ; owned 
and operated by sundry individuals and 
companies ; at a very early day by Jotham 
Robbins, subsequently a short tune by 
Jared Perkins, who became a Methodist 
preacher, a presiding elder and member of 
Congress from New Hampshire. Since 
Perkins, by Thomas and Thompson, by 
Thompson, Seabury and Blanchard, and 
others constantly until it came into the 
hands of the Sellecks. 

A short distance above the factory, is 
the saw-mill and mechanics shop owned by 
N. A. Rhoades. There has been at this 
place a saw-mill ever since the first set- 
tlement of the town. Over 40 years ago, 
P. Brown, a tanner, built at these falls a 
mill for grinding bark, and put in a few 
vats for tanning, in connection with his 
principal yard in the other village. Here, 
too, Thomas, Thompson and Seabury for- 
merly had a woolen factory, burned some 
years past and never rebuilt. 

At the south end of Mill Village on the 
west side of the stream, Samuel Dutton 
many years since started a tannery on a 



/ 



WATERBURY. 



833 



small scale, intended principally for his 
own convenience in his trade as shoe- 
maker. It passed from him to his sons, 
Thomas, David, and Harper, and from 
them to Wm. W. Wells, who greatly en- 
larged and improved the works ; Wells 
sold to R. Blush, and in a few years, while 
owned by Blush, the works were burned. 
The real estate and few out-buildings not 
consumed by fire, were purchased by Syl- 
vester Henry, who, with his son, rebuilt on 
the old site extensive works, making it 
one of the largest and best establishments 
of the kind in the State. The tannery is 
rented for a term of years by C. C. Warren, 
who works it mostly by steam, and in the 
amount of tanning he is exceeded by few, 
and by none with the same number of 
hands employed, in the State of Vermont. 

CoLBYViLLE is in the same school dis- 
trict as Mill Village, the school-house being 
midway between the two. This village is 
sufficiently elevated to give a fine surround- 
ing view, and is really a pleasant location. 
On the lower fall, Enoch Bean, near the 
beginning of the present century, put in 
operation a carding-machine, and a num- 
ber of years carded the wool for nearly all 
the people in this and the surronnding 
towns. About the same time, O. C. Rood 
put up here a potato whisky distillery, and 
run it as long as self interest or a true 
sense of moral propriety, in his judgment, 
rendered it advisable. In 1855, E. P. 
Butler and E. Parker purchased the place, 
and on the same falls erected a factory and 
commenced making starch from potatoes. 
On the upper falls Mr. Butler built a saw- 
mill, which to the present time has been 
in operation. Grow Butler, son of the 
owner, was drowned in the flume of the 
mill while helping his father in making 
some repairs, and George Rood, son of 
O. C. Rood, was instantly killed here by a 
log rolling on him when unloading a sled. 
After Butler and Parker discontinued mak- 
ing starch, the building was used by S. S. 
Spicer as a tannery, but only for a short 
time, as it was soon burned and tanning 
never resumed here. The village at this 
time has about a dozen dwelling-houses 

IDS 



and a few mechanics'' shops. The beauti- 
ful mansion of George J. Colby, probably 
is the best arranged and most tasteful in 
finish of any one, outside of Montpelier, 
within in the county. But what gave 
name and prominence to the village was 
the manufacturing establishment of Colby 
Brothers and Co. 

The business of the Colby Brothers, 
established in 1857, in its various branches 
embracing the growing and peeling of 
willows, and the manufacturing them into 
various useful wares ; the making of the 
machines for peeling, and also clothes 
wringers. Children's cabs, etc., in all 
the branches of their business, was a new 
enterprise for this part of the country, and 
is entitled to special notice, for its impor- 
tant effect on the prosperity of the place for 
several years. But for a material financial 
error involved in an expensive lawsuit, and 
the unequal railroad exactions for freight, 
this business might have continued to 
contribute to the prosperity and welfare 
of the town. 

Colby Brothers & Co., manufacturers of 
children's carriages, velocipedes and Colby's 
patent wringers, afford an example of what 
may be done by persistent effort and en- 
terprise, with little capital or encourage- 
ment. 

In 1856, the older brothers, George J. 
and Edwin A. Colby, came from Bolton 
and purchased a shop and about 30 acres 
of land, on which 2 or 3 acres of willows 
had been planted by Dea. E. Parker, the 
former owner. The shop was furnished 
with machinery, and for a year or two the 
Colbys hired this. The senior brother 
was 23, and the other 21, and the only 
business with which they were familiar 
was farming. They peeled their first crop 
of willows in 1857, and at once began mak- 
ing custom work and machines invented by 
George for peeling willows. Next year they 
employed a first-class willow-worker, Mr. 
Laudt, who is now a stockholder with 
them, and began making willow cabs. At 
first they bought the wheels in Massachu- 
setts, but soon manufactured them them- 
selves. 



834 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In i860, through new partners, the cap- 
tal was increased to $1 1,000, and the firm 
became Howden, Colby & Co. The same 
year they began the manufacture of clothes 
wringers, also an invention of the senior 
brother. These are said to be the first 
made with frames of galvanized iron, and 
were almost the first to find extensive sale. 
In 1864, with additional partners, the cap- 
ital was increased to $28,000, and the 
name of the firm was Colby Bros. & Co. 
1865, a joint stock company was formed, 
and the capital increased to $75,000, The 
firm have now (1871), a capital of $86,000, 
with 15 buildings, extending over 40,000 
sq. ft. Besides, the Company have pur- 
chased and built some dozen houses for 
dwellings. Over $50,000 of the capital is 
employed in the cab manufacture, and 
about $30,000 in making wringers. About 
50 hands are required on the cabs, which 
have a market value of nearly $100,000, 
and vary in price from $3 to $100. They 
go to all parts of this country and to foreign 
lands, and are not surpassed in beauty of 
finish and in durability. 

FIRE DISTRICT. 

In 1855, the selectmen, on application 
of the required number of freeholders, 
laid out a fire district of a square mile, 
comprising most of the River Village and 
a part of Mill Village ; organized Aug. 14. 
Before this, there had been no systematic 
organization of a fire department in the 
place. The citizens had voluntarily asso- 
ciated, and by subscription purchased a 
medium sized engine and a limited supply 
of hose. This engine not being sufficient, 
directly after the great fire of 1858, the 
district voted a tax of 100 per cent, on 
their grand list, and purchased, at the cost 
of $1500, exclusive of hose, a second and 
larger one. The district has 2 engines, 
about 1000 feet of hose, and a fire compa- 
ny of 50 men, and the old engine. house 
being too small, was disposed of and a new 
one built the past year, [1871] 60 by 40 
feet, two-story, with a hall in the upper 
story, 50 by 40 feet, for lectures, concerts 
and purposes not inconsistant to good 
morals. The building with the ground on 
which it stands, cost $3600. 



FIRES. 

The first building burned is believed to 
have been a tan-shop of Cephas Wells, 
opposite Fireman's Hall. The school- 
house in the first school district was burned 
about 18 10, and in 18 16 the dwelling- 
house of D. C. Deming. 

In the Spring of 1822, the large hotel of 
Amasa Pride, on the corner of Stowe and 
Main Street, where Col. Geo. Kennon, at 
an early day, commenced keeping tavern, 
was burned. It was a heavy loss to Mr. 
Pride, but he immediately rebuilt. Sayles 
Haw ley and others succeeded as proprie- 
tors. It was kept as a public house until 
after the building of the railroad. 

The tan works of M. and J. H. Lathrop, 
back ot Luther Davis' house, were burned 
in 1834, never rebuilt; also in 1838, the 
woolen factory of Thompson and Seabury, 
in Mill Village, not rebuilt ; and none of 
the foregoing were insured. In 1840, or 
'41, the large store of J. B. Christy, and 
in 1856, that of J. G. Stimson, were 
burned, and both immediately rebuilt. 
Their losses were partly covered by insur- 
ance. 

The largest and most destructive fire in 
town was that of Oct., 1858, at which time 
was burned the spacious hotel of E. and 
W. Moody, in one wing of which was the 
Bank of Waterbury ; the stores of Wm. 
W. Wells, and that of D. M. Knights; 
the large grocery establishment of I. C. 
and S. Brown; the stage barns and the 
livery stables of Bruce and Ladd ; and 
some other less valuable buildings, — 
whole amount $30,000, but partially in- 
sured. The place has since bee'n rebuilt, 
enlarged and improved. 

D. Adams' foundry and the Railroad de- 
pot were burned a year or two since, and 
have been rebuilt, enlarged and greatly 
improved. There has also been some 
other fires in difl;"erent parts of the town of 
a later date. Two or three old saw-mills, 
a few dwelling-houses and shops have 
been burned, but none of great value. 

FATAL CASUALTIES 

have been numerous. In 1788, James 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



83s 



Marsh, the first settler, was drowned, as 
see before. In 1806, Seth Chandler was 
killed by the fall of a tree ; later a son 
of Joel Rice by the kick of a horse ; the 
father of Mr. Rice several years previons 
had been killed in Claremont, N. H., un- 
der circumstances most heartrending. He 
went out to stir up his burning log-piles, 
where he was clearing land, and was caught 
between two logs that held him fast in the 
burning heap. He succeeded in alarming 
his wife, but she was unable to extricate 
him, and he perished in the flames before 
her eyes. 

Lemuel Atherton was killed in moving 
a building not far from the time of Joel 
Rice. 

In the summer of 1822 Henry Ricker, a 
young man, was drowned while bathing in 
the river. 

In 1837, George Rood was killed by a 
log rolling on him while unloading a sled 
in the mill-yard of E. P. Butler. 

Grow Butler was drowned about 1847, 
in the flume of this mill. Joseph Otis, a 
man over 70, was killed at FalPs hill a few 
years since by the up.setting of his wagon 
loaded with lumber. Ira and George 
Sherman, father and son, were both killed, 
but at different times, by railroad trains. 
W. S. Frink in 1865, was killed by fall of 
a tree. 

Over thirty years ago, the two only 
children of the late Deacon U. Thomas 
were killed, one by the kick of a horse, 
and the other by scalding. Three, all the 
sons of R. Thorndike, George, the oldest, 
in the spring of 1868, by fracture of skull 
while coasting ; William and Henry, the 
other two, both drowned in the spring of 
1 87 1, by upsetting a boat. Other acci- 
dental deaths have occurred, mostly of 
children, and so remote as to be indis- 
tinctly remembered. A child of Col. H. 
Peck drowned many years since. A little 
boy of H. Sherman was scalded, and one 
of A Atkins killed by the kick of a horse. 
Several men and boys not named, also, 
have been killed by railroad trains, nearly 
all the employes of the road. 



FIRST APPENDIX. 

Waterbury, Vt., March 4, 1867. 
Rev. C. C. Parker, Dear Sir: — We, 
the undersigned. Citizens of Waterbury, 
interested in preserving everything that 
will throw light upon the early History of 
our Forefathers — everything that will tend 
to perpetuate the Memories of those Heroic 
Men — having heard your very able dis- 
course on the Early History of this Town, 
and wishing to preserve it, for while it res- 
cues from oblivion the works of others, at 
the same time it shall stand a memento to 
remind us of your own long and successful 
labors among us, do hereby request you to 
prepare it for publication. 
H. F. Janes, M. E. Smilie, Paul Dilling- 
ham, Erastus Parker, C. N. Arms, E. F. 
Palmer, William Carpenter, Russell But- 
ler, L. Hutchins, Cecil Graves, Francis 
Graves, O. W. Drew. 

Waterbury, March 5, 1867. 
Gentlemen : — The Discourse on the 
Early History of Waterbury, which you 
ask for publication, will be put at your dis- 
posal. If it shall save from oblivion any 
important name or event, the main purpose 
of its preparation will have been answered. 
It will be an additional gratification, that 
thus my name will be associated with yours 
and with the place where so many of the 
pleasantest years of my life have been spent. 
With sincerest regards, I am 
Most truly yours, 

C. C. Parker. 
Messrs. Janes, Hutchins, Drew, Carpen- 
ter, Parker, Dillingham, Arms, Smilie, 
Palmer, C. Graves, F. Graves, and R. 
Butler. 

Note. — The publication of this discourse 
has been delayed by the author's change 
of residence and occupation, leaving no 
time for its revision, till recently ; and by 
the introduction of new matter, which had 
to be submitted to his approval by corres- 
pondence. 



(i) The once famous Capt. Joe and his 
spouse Molly, two Indians of the Coossuck 
tribe, and of whom Thompson, in his 
" Civil History of Vt." gives an interesting 
account, once made a visit or stop of some 
weeks in this town. This was probably 
in 1787 or 8, and the place very near where 
T. Wade now lives. Only two, and those 
very rude habitations of civilization, ex- 
isted in town at that period. Joe and 
Molly called several times, at the cabin 
of Mr. Butler, for cooking utensils and for 
some kinds of food, for which they ex- 



836 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pressed their gratitude. Joe died in New- 
bury, Vt., in 1819, after having been some 
years a pensioner of the State. 

(2) The fact of tapped maple trees, be- 
ing found on this hill, is supposed to be 
the only evidence of Indians having camped 
here. The trees were not tapped at the 
season of the year the Royalton raid oc- 
curred, which was in October. If the trees 
were tapped by Indians, it was doubtless 
at some other, and probably earlier period. 

(3) This statement is probably accord- 
ing to the family tradition, but is believ^ed 
to be incorrect, as Mr. Marsh, a son of 
the pioneer, some 20 years ago asserted a 
claim to a large part of this village, found- 
ed on this alleged right of his father. But 
after examination of the records by the 
lawyers, the claim was abandoned, though 
at first it caused quite a sensation among 
the citizens. 

(4) The Councilors being elected by 
general ticket, and the votes for Council- 
ors being counted by committee of the 
General Assembly, Mr. B. might have 
acted in the Assembly till the official an- 
nouncement of his election to the Council 
— probably not after. 

(5) Mr. Sherman was not only one of 
the worthy pioneers, but was esteemed one 
of the most enterprising, public-spirited, 
substantial citizens. Having built a suit- 
able house, and for that time a large one, 
he opened it as a tavern, and kept it open 
to entertain travelers, many years. He 
died at a ripe old age, on the same farm 
which he took in the state of natural for- 
est, and left in a good state of improve- 
ment. By their kind and unwearied at- 
tentions to the sick and the needy, Mr. 
and Mrs. Sherman rendered inestimable 
services to their widely-dispersed neigh- 
bors. Long may they be held in grateful 
remembrance. 

(6) Mr. J. Wright, a brother-in-law of 
Mr. Sherman, another of the pioneers 
coming into Waterbury the same year, 
was one of those sturdy, resolute men of 
whom not a few followed in the early years 
of our town. He also was a man of con- 
siderable note in his time ; lived to an ad- 
vanced age, and died where he first settled 
some half century prior. Mr. Sherman 
and Mr. Wright were the fourth and fifth 
in the order of time, to seek their fortune 
and homes for life, in this particular and 
delightful vale of the Winooski. 

(7) Gen. Peck came from Calais, after 
a short residence there, to Waterbury, but 
was a native of Massachusetts. His intel- 
ligence and good common sense, and his 



social, genial and dignified manner, soon 
secured him the esteem of all, as a man 
the people would honor. Many of the 
offices of the town were conferred on 
him. He was twice elected its representa- 
tive. In 1818, he was elected chief judge 
of the County court. He was high sheriff 
several years. In 18 18, his name was 
placed on the general ticket for members 
of Congress, nominated by the legislative 
caucus, but, through the powerful but per- 
sonal opposition of Mr. Van Ness, who 
supported Ezra Meach, Gen. Peck was de- 
feated. He held the office of assessor of 
U. S. taxes, an appointment by the U. S. 
government. As Brig. Gen. of Vt. Mili- 
tia, he was with his command at the battle 
of Plattsburgh, Sept. 11, 1814. 

He was elected to the State Council in 
1826, served through the session of that 
year, and died December following, aged 
55, at Burlington, Mass. Having been to 
Boston on business, and returning home he 
was suddenly prostrated by sickness and 
died before any of his family could see and 
minister to him. His funeral was at- 
tended in Waterbury by a large concourse 
of people, anxious to testify their respect 
to the remains of him whom they had 
honored while living. 

(8) Dea. Paul Dillmgham, a native of 
Worcester Co., Mass., born Oct., 1759, 
served 3^ years in the war of the Revolu- 
tion, afterwards settled and lived in Shutes- 
bury, Mass., from which town he came to 
Waterbury, arriving Mar. 5, 1805, and set- 
tled a little north-east the Center Village. 
He continued on the same farm to the 
time of his death, July, 1848, at the age of 
nearly 80 years. Dea. D. reared a large 
family of children, of whom 8 were living 
when he moved into W. Three sons, 
Gov. Dillingham, (then in his 6th year,) 
Holtonand Geo. W., are now living. Job, 
an elder brother, a highly esteemed citizen, 
and long an exemplary member of the 
church of which his father was a worthy 
deacon, and of which his brother George 
was also deacon at a later period, died 
Nov., 1866, aged 81 years. 

(9) Mr. James Bryant commenced on 
the farm now owned by Lewis Clark, 
north-east the Centre Chapel, in 1793 ; Ste- 
phen Jones settling 3 or 4 years later on a 
lot next north of his. Mr. Geo. Scagel 
began in 1794, where Noah Robinson re- 
sides, and lived there to the time of his 
death at an advanced age. Capt. Jones 
also lived to an advanced age. Both these 
last named were many years influential 
members of the Methodist church and well 
known citizens. Mr. Bryant died many 
years previous. 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



^37 



Joshua Hill, one of the first to settle in 
town, began on that place long known by 
his name, probably in 1791 ; lived there 
more than 30 years, but moved to another 
part of the town some years before his 
death, at a rare old age. Mr. Basford was 
probably the fii'st to settle on Waterbury 
river, in that beautiful vale above the mills. 
He was succeeded by Mr. Calkins, the 
father of a large family, the most of his 
children being sons, several of whom built 
tenements around the mills which were 
originally built by one of them, Rev. Chas. 
Calkins. These mills were built about 45 
years ago, or about 30 years subsequent to 
the first saw and grist-mill on Thatcher's 
brook, (the name by which this stream 
was known as early as 1795,) on which 
Mill Village now stands. 

About 1802 or 1803, Timothy Claflin, 
from Croyden, N. H., moved on to the 
farm north of the Loomis farm, now owned 
by Geo. Miles. About 1805 or 6, Abel De- 
Wolf, from Conway, Mass., moved on to 
the farm now owned by Daniel Stevens. 
In 1807 or 8, Capt. John DeWolf moved 
on to farm now owned by Alfred Demerit, 
built a log-house and a very nice framed 
barn, which is now standing. Daniel H. 
Nelson made a beginning on the north lot 
in Waterbury, in 1798. Simeon Woolson 
commenced on the farm now owned by C. 
S. Wrisley, next south of the Loomis 
farm, about 1798. Stanton Frink com- 
menced on the farm where his daughter, 
Mrs. Smith, now lives, about 1798. David 
Atkins commenced on the farm now owned 
in part byWm. Kneeland,in 1796. Israel 
Thatcher commenced on the Godfrey 
place, so called, about the year 1808, and 
removed to western New York about 18 12. 
There had been a small improvement on 
the Broderick farm previous to 1808, when 
Robert Broderiek moved there and lived 
there till Aug., 1866, when he died. Sol- 
omon Newcomb moved on to the farm 
now owned by Joseph Wheeler, Feb., 
1809, and lived there till his death in 
1845 i there were no buildings of any kind 
on the farm nor any land cleared. Otis 
Whitney commenced on the Colby place, 
so called, in 1807 or 8. Robert Parcher 
commenced on the farm now owned by C. 
C. Robinson, the first in that region. 

(10) The following, mainly copied from 
attested records, will give the reader a 
satisfactory understanding of the public 
proceedings leading to the building of the 
first meeting-house in Waterbury. 

A form of agreement for a building as- 
sociation was drafted by H. F. Janes, 
Esci-, and was signed by 38 substantial 
citizens — among them were men of various 
creeds. As the re.sult of this association 



was important, marking an era in the 
history of the town, a copy of this agree- 
ment and the signatures is given as follows : 

" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of 
Waterbury and vicinity, do hereby volun- 
tarily associate and agree to form a society 
by the name of Waterbury Meeting House 
Society, in Waterbury, for the purpose ot 
building a Meeting House in said town of 
W., according to the first section of an Act 
entitled an Act for the support of the 
Gospel, passed Oct. 26, 1798. And it is 
hereby e.xpressly understood that no tax 
or assessment is to be imposed on the list 
of the polls and ratable estate of the per- 
sons hereby associating, nor any member 
of said Society be compelled to pay any 
more towards the building of said Meeting 
House than he voluntarily consents to. 

In Witness whereof we have hereunto 
severally set our names. 

Dated Waterbury, this 4th day of April, 
A. D., 1823. 

Stiles Sherman, Enoch Bean, Amos 
Deming, Roswell Wells, Heman Sherman, 
Sylvester Henry, James Smalley, Henry 
F. Janes, Samuel Dutton, Amasa Pride, 
Samuel Parcher, Horace Atkins, William 
Eddy, Mason Carpenter, Samuel Bryant, 
Purchis Brown, Nathan T. Barron, Le- 
ander Hutchins, David Dutton, Ezra P. 
Butler, Oliver Strickland, Chas. R. Cleaves, 
George Atkins, Asa Austin, O. W. Drew, 
Henry Atkins, Cephas Wells, Jotham 
Robbins, Avery Sherman, Jesse Calkins, 
Jason Cady, Jr., Dan Carpenter, O. C. 
Rood, Warren Murray, James Richardson, 
Jared George, Sales Hawley, Seth Munson. 
Waterbury, May 5, 1823. 

Waterbury Meeting House Society met, 
agreeable to previous notice, at the School 
House in the first School District in 
Waterbury, and proceeded to choose Dan 
Carpenter, moderator ; Henry F. Janes, 
clerk; and P. Dillingham, Jr., clerk pro 
tern. 

On motion, Henry F. Janes and O. W. 
Drew were appointed a committee to re- 
port By-Laws for the Society by the next 
meeting of the same. 

On motion. Resolved that a Committee 
of five be appointed to examine the places 
in contemplation for setting the Meeting 
House, the sum for which the land can be 
obtained, to make a plan of a house, the 
probable expense of building the same and 
the terms and manner of payment, and 
make report to this "Society at their next 
meeting. 

And on nomination, Amasa Pride, Syl- 
vester Henry, Horace Atkins, Roswell 
Wells and Dan Carpenter were appointed 
a Committee for the purpose aforesaid. 
When on motion voted that this meetinof 



838 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



stand adjourned to Thursday, the 15th 
day of instant May, at this place on 6 
o'clock P. M. A true record of the pro- 
ceedings. Attest, 

H. F. Janes, Clerk. 

At the next meeting of the Society, the 
Committee reported By-Laws, after des- 
ignating the name of the Society, the Offi- 
cers and their duties. Article 6th reads as 
follows : 

The First Congregational Society in the 
town of Waterbury shall have the right to 
the use and occupancy of the Meeting 
House when built, in all cases when want- 
ed by said Society for religious meetings. 
But when not wanted by said Society for 
the purpose aforesaid, any other Christian 
Denomination shall have right to occupy 
said house for social worship, by making 
application to some person to be appoint- 
ed by the Society for that purpose, in said 
Waterbury, and when more than one de- 
nomination shall apply for the use of said 
house at the same tmie, the first applying 
shall have the first right. 

Article 7th. The Meeting House shall 
be opened for Funerals at all times, both 
on the Sabbath and other days, and the 
friends of the deceased shall have liberty 
to invite a minister of any denomination 
to attend and preach on such funeral oc- 
casion as they may think proper. These 
articles were adopted. 

At this meeting, held May 15, 1823, 
the plan of the house reported by the 
Committee was adopted; also the loca- 
tion, though that was afterwards changed 
by general consent. 

The terms of payment for pews were 
also adopted at this meeting, and a vote 
passed to proceed immediately to the sale, 
by bidding for choice of pews, the appraised 
price having been previously affixed to each 
one on the plan. The names of purchasers 
were then written on each as sold. At the 
next meeting of the Society, held June 3d, 
1823, Roswell Wells was chosen Treasurer. 
Voted to choose a committee of three to 
superintend the building: Amasa Pride, 
Roswell Wells and Dan Carpenter were 
chosen said committee. The sale of pews 
was then proceeded with in the same 
manner as at the previous meeting. There 
was another meeting for the sale of pews, 
June 17, 1823. 

After these several sales, five or six 
pews remained unsold, the appraised value 
of which amounted to between $280 and 
$290. These pews the committee took at 
their appraisal, in addition to those they 
had individually bought. Mr. Pride deed- 
ed the land for site in consideration of 
$150. He also deeded a piece of land 



near to this for a mere nominal sum, to 
enlarge the burying-ground. 

After the dedication of the house, Rev. 
Charles Calkins supplied the pulpit most 
of the time previous to Mr. Warren's 
coming into town. 

(11) Rev. J. F. Stone was installed Jan. 
6, 1839; dismissed June 9, 1847. Rev. 
A. G. Pease began to labor with the 
church the first of Aug. 1847; was in- 
stalled Sept. 5, 1849; dismissed Jan. 26, 
1S53. Rev. C. C. Parker began his labors 
the first Sabbath in June, 1853; was in- 
stalled Jan. 7, 1854; dismissed Jan. 16, 
1867, the dismission taking effect after the 
second Sabbath in March following. 

(12) These were probably the most 
general and extensive revivals, particularly 
the last, in the history of the town, and 
their results, both as respects the number 
of individuals, and the marked and per- 
manent influence upon the character of 
the subjects, and their influence on com- 
munity generally, are widely felt to this 
day. Different denominations united in 
frequent meetings in harmony and com- 
munion of Christian fellowship, each re- 
ceiving considerable accessions to their 
numbers. In the last-mentioned revival 
the village was chiefly interested. Elders 
Pier and Foster taking a prominent part 
in the services of the large meetings held 
on almost every evening of the week. 



SECOND APPENDIX. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Daniel Bliss, 1792 ; none, 1793,1831, '35, 
'49, '50, '55 ; Ezra Butler, 1794-98, '99- 
1805,^07 ;Geo. Kennan, 1798, i8o5-o6,'o8, 
'10; Asaph Allen, 1809; John Peck, 181 1, 
'18.; Sylvester Henry, i8i2-'i3; Dan Car- 
penter, 1814-18, i8i9-''27, '29; Amasa 
Pride, i827-'28, '32; Charles R. Cleaves, 
1830; Paul Dillingham, Jr., i833-''34, ''■yj- 
'40 ; ThaddeusClough, 1836, '46-'47 ; Wm. 
W. Wells, 1840, '63-'64; Eliakim Allen, 
1841 ; Henry Douglass, 1842-43 ; William 
Carpenter, 1844-45 i Chas. C. Arms, 1848 ; 
Calvin Blodgett, 1851-52; O. C. Howard, 
1853; Henry F. Janes, 1854, '61, '62; 
James Green, 1856; John D. Smith, 1S57- 
'58; James M. Henry, 1859-60; William 
Wells, 1865-66 ; Ezra B. Fuller, 1867-^69 ; 
Frank E. Ormsby, i869-''7o-'72 ; George 
W. Randall, i872-'74; John B. Parker, 
1874-76; Wm. P. Dillingham, 1876-78; 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



839 



L. H. Haines, iS/S-'So; E. F. Palmer, 
i88o-'82. 

OFFICES HELD BY WATERBURY CITIZENS. 

Governors, Ezra Butler, 1826, '27 ; Paul 
Dillingham, 1865, '66. Lieut. Governor, 
P. Dillingham, 1862, '63, '64. Councillors, 
Ezra Butler, 1807, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, 
'15-25; John Peck, 1826; H. F. Janes, 
1830, '31, '32, '^2, '34. Senators, Paul 
Dillingham, 1841,^42, '61 ;Wm. Carpenter, 
1848, '49; James Green, 1854, '55; Wm. 
W. Henry, 1865, '66, '67. Represent- 
atives in Congress, Ezra Butler, i8i3-'i5 ; 
H. F.Janes, 1834-37; Paul Dillingham, 
1843-^47; L. B. Peck, native of W., '48- 
'52. Constitutional Convention, Richard 
Holden, 1793; Dan. Carpenter, 1814; 
Ezra Butler, 1822; Luther Cleaves, 1828; 
Paul Dillingham, Jr., 1836; William Car- 
penter, 1843; Eliakim Allen, 1850; Paul 
Dillingham, 1857. Judges of County 
Court, Ezra Butler, i8o3-''2 5, except the 
years 1813, '14 and '18 ; John Peck, 1818 ; 
Dan. Carpenter, from 1827-34; Henry 
Douglass, 1846, '47; E. S. Newcomb, 
1856, '57. Council of Censors, Ezra Butler, 
1806; H. F. Janes, 1848; Wm. W.Wells, 
1855. High SheriiTs, John Peck, 1811, 
'12, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23; I. C. Brown, 
1859, '60. State Treasurer, H. F. Janes, 
1838-40. Senators, Jos. Moody, 1853; 
Wm. P. Dillingham, 1880. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Daniel Bliss, Seth Cole, Calvin Deming, 
Wm. Hollovvay, Joseph Lewis, William 
Paddock, Stephen Pierce, O. W- Drew. 
H. H. Basford, C. C. Arms, T. B. Downer, 
Chas. H. Cleveland, Edward Mullikeri, 
Horace Fales, J. B. Woodward, Lucius 
Kneeland, H. Janes, E. J. Hall, W. S. 
Vincent, J. E. Frink, L. H. Thomas, 
homosopatist ; B. F. Conant, eclectic; 
Wm. L. White. 

Physicians in 1882. — H. Fales, E. G. 
Hooker, H. Janes, M. Lamb; eclectic, 
G. O. Washburne ; homoeopathi.st, A. 
Morgan; dentist, L T. Wheelock. 

ATTORNEYS. 

Dan. Carpenter, H. F. Janes, Paul Dil- 
lingham, R. C. Smith, John Dean, Jr., 
George Gale, Jared S. Demmon, William 



Richardson, J. G. Sherburne, L. Henry, 
L. L. Durant, Edwin Dillingham, C. F. 
Clough, Geo. W. Kennedy, E. F. Palmer, 
T. J. Deavitt, William P. Dillingham, 
Melville E. Smilie, H. N. Deavitt? Geo. 
W. Morse. 

CLERGYMEN. 

Advent, 1859, Daniel T. Taylor, D. 
Bosworth, Hector Canfield, W. H. Swartz. 
Baptists, 1800, E. Butler; 1827, Samuel 
Seabury, John Ide, Aaron Angier, Julius 
P. Hall, S. Gustin, ]. ]. Crissey, S. F. 
Brown, Payson Tyler, G. W. Bixby, L. B. 
Hibbard, A. N. WoodruiT. Free Will 
Baptists, Samuel Lord, Ira Gray, E. B. 
Fuller, N. W. Bixby, T. R. Dunn, Cowell, 
R. M. Minard. Universalist, 1832-34, 
Thomas Browning. 

Methodist Ministers stationed at 
Waterbury street, from 1835-67: Rev. 
Orris Pier, 2 years; R. M. Little, i year; 
B. M. Hall, 2 years; P. P. Harrower, 2 
years; J. W. B: Wood, i year; George 
Whitney, i year; Chas. H. Leonard, i 
year; John D. White, 2 years; W.M. 
Chipp, I year ; J. F. Craig, i year ; Hawley 
Ransom, 2 years ; John Kiernan, i year ; 
D. P. Hulbard, 2 years ; Albinus Johnson, 
I year ; William A. Miller, 2 years ; Thos. 
Dodgson, I year; J. Phillips, i year; 
Israel Luce, 2 years ; Richard Morgan, i 
year; B. Hawley, 2 years; D. B. Mc- 
Kenzie, 3 years ; H. W. Worthen, 1867; 
since 1867, H. W. Worthen, E. C. Bass, 
A. B. Truax, W. Underwood, H. A. Bush- 
nell, A. L. Cooper, Wm. L Johnson. 

Methodist Ministers stationed at 
Waterbury Center, or who have preached 
there during the above period : Revs. H. 
Foster, M. Townsend, Daniel F. Page, 
Thomas Kirby, Aaron Hall, Miles Fishj 
Samuel Hewes, Alexander Campbell, John 
Haslam, J. S. Mott, C. F. Ford, R. Mc- 
Elroy, J. A. Canoll, C. C. Bedell, S. M. 
Merrill, W. H. Tiffany, A. L. Cooper, 
H. N. Munger, A. Cox, Robinson, L 
Luce, W. R. Puffer, George Whitney, J. 
M. Puffer. 

Baptist Ministers, 1881, '82 — Calvin- 
ist Baptist at Centre, Geo. W. Wilkins ; 
Free-Will Baptist, S. D. Church; and 
Methodist at Centre, Peter Merrill ; Con- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



gregational, S. H. ^Vheeler; Roman Cath- 
olic, J. Galligan. 

MERCHANTS AND TRADERS FROM THE 
FIRST SETTLEMENT. 

Tim. Yeomans, Farnswortli, Hartwell, 
A. Pride, Lebbeus Sherman, Sherman & 
Pinny, Luther Cleaves, Charles Cleaves, 
Cleaves & E. Carpenter, D. Carpenter & 
Cleaves, L. Hutchins & Co., Hutchins & 
Pride, Carpenter, Cleaves & Co., A. S. 
Richardson, Hutchins, Wells & Co., D.& 
W. Carpenter, L. & George W. Hutchins, 
George W. Hutchins & Co., Lyon, Arms 
& Co., P. Lyon & Co., Farmers & Me- 
chanics (at Centre), A. B. Prior, Goss & 
Hutchins, J. G. Stimson, B. F. Goss, Goss 
& Delano, S. C. Hutchins, Stimson & 
Arms, J. B. Cristy, James Cristy, C. 
Graves, iron and hardware; E. G. Scott 
& Co., protective union store ; A. B. Braley, 
drugs and medicines; W. H. Woodward, 
drugs and medicines and books ; Dana & 
Brooks, clothing; J. D.' Smith (Center), 
D. Tarbell & Co., Foster & Co., S. D. 
Sturtevant, C. Blodgett, Chandler & Stur- 
tevant, Chandler & Lamson,W. H.Wood- 
ward, C. N. Arms, J. G. Stimson, C. & 
J. S. Graves, hardware; Benjamin Barrett 
(Center), Goss & Knight, J. F. Lamson, 

D. M. Knights, J. F. Henry, drugs and 
medicines; Barrett & Gilman (Center), 
Wells & Arms, W. W. Wells (Center), 
Leland & Ashley, J. M. Henry & Sons, 
J. F. Henry & Co., W. J. Sawin, Howden, 
Colby & Co., N. K. Brown, books; A. 
Lyon (Centre), A. H. Wells, clothing; 
L. H. Haines, M. M. Knight, W. H. 
Ashley, Gros, F. C. Stone & Co., Haines 
& Richardson, J. W. Moody, books ; Wy- 
man & Smith, Geo. Simpson, jeweler; 
Henry, Johnson & Co., Henry & Co., 

E. D. Scagel, drugs and medicines. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

This church was organized by Elder 
Stebbins, it is said, about the year 1800, 
consisting of the following-named indi- 
viduals : Thomas Guptil, first class-leader, 
and wife, John Henderson and wife, Tim- 
othy Parcher and wife, John Jones, David 
Straw and wife, John Hudson and wife, 
Joseph Fiske & wife and Simeon Woolson 
&wife. The year following, Stephen Jones 



and wife, George Scagel (subsequently 
many years class-leader), and wife, and 
Lemuel Lyon and wife were added to the 
class. These last three men were long- 
time, prominent members. At later pe- 
riods, Moses Nelson, Nathan Nelson, 
Samuel Bryant, Benjamin Fiske and others 
united and became active members. This 
church has given to the ministry of the de- 
nomination four of its young men, two of 
whom, Orrin Gregg and Araunah Lyon, are 
now in the ministry ; Chester Lyon is not 
living. In 1836 a new chmxh was formed 
in the village ; among the first and prom- 
inent members may be named : John La- 
throp, Paul Dillingham, C. C. Arms, Wm. 
Carpenter, A. A. Atherton and A. S. 
Richardson. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 
formed in 1800, was constituted of few 
members. The following are the names 
of some of them : Ezra Butler and wife, 
Mrs. Densmore, Mrs. Silas Loomis. Dea. 
David Atkins, Edmund Town, Orrin At- 
kins and Mercy Nelson (afterwards Mrs. 
Green), Mrs. E. Town, Mrs. Atkins- and 
Mr. Densmore soon afterunited. At later 
periods. Deacon Paul Dillingham, Deacon 
Chester Whitney and Guild Newcomb 
joined. But in 1819, Aug. 6, the church 
was re-organized, or a new one formed, 
consisting of the following-named mem- 
bers : Ezra Butler, pastor ; Paul Dilling- 
ham and Chester Whitney, deacons ; Try- 
phena Butler, Polly W. Whitney, Anna 
Peck, Isaac Stevens, Richard Kneeland, 
Guild Newcomb, E. Town, Robert Brod- 
erick, John Atkins, Temperance Atkins, 
Mercy Green, Mary Hart, Hannah Dilling- 
ham, Sally Broderick, Betsey Parcher, 
Silena Brown. In the year following, 
1820, 22 members were added. Among 
them the names of the following male 
members appear : Job Dillingham, Seth 
Town, Isaac Marshall, Jr., Arad Worces- 
ter, C. C. P. Crosby and William Smith. 
The house of worship built in 1S32 was 
removed, and a new one built in 1859 or 
i860. 

THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized about the year 181 7 or '18, 
and included the following named, and 



\ 



WATERBURY, 



841 



perhaps other individuals : Samuel Lord, 
Deacon Conant, S. Gaskell, Asa Town 
and wife, Ira Town and wife, Deacon 
Abner Fuller, John Cotton and wife, and 
Elisha Town. Elder Bowles took part in 
the services. Elder Lord was ordained at 
this time, or soon after, pastor. Elder 
Lord was born in Barnsted, N. H., 1779; 
began to preach when quite young in his 
native town ; afterwards moved to Ver- 
mont, living several years in Walden, and 
from that place came to Waterbury in 
181 r, where he spent the remainder of his 
life of 70 years. Unassuming in his de- 
portment, he was more desirous of doing 
good than gaining applause. 

THE ADVENT CHURCH 

was formed in May, 1858 ; about 40 united 
in this organization. The services were 
conducted by Elder Joshua V. Himes, who 
had previously held a series of meetings, 
continuing several weeks, in the hall of 
the Washington House. The Advent 
meeting-house was dedicated in the winter 
of 1859. 



MILITARY. 
WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

Eli Ashley, age 24, I 9. 

Jerome Ayers, 18, B 10, com 2d Lt, June 15, 

65; wd July I, 64, July 9, 64, Sept. 19,64. 
Alfred Y. Ayers, 19, D 10 ; prisjune 12,64 ; 

died at Salisbury. 
Asa C. Atherton, 24, I 13, sergt ; dis Jan. 

15. 63. 
D. A. Bickford, 18, A 8 ; died Oct. 6, 62. 
Robert S. Bickford, 21, B 10. 
Riley M. Bickford, 24, D 2. 
H. R. Bickford, 40, D 10 ; died Dec. i, 64. 
Edmond C. Bragg, 22, G 2 ; killed at Cold 

Harbor, June 3, 64. 
James Bragg, 28, G 2 ; deserted Oct. 2, 64. 
Alonzo Bragg, 26, B 10. 
James Briggs, 40, B 10; dis May 15, 65. 
W. F. Brink, 20, D 2 ; re-en Dec. 21, 63. 
Christopher B. Brown, 22, D 2. 
George Brown, 28, Cav. C. 
C. A. Brown, Cav. C ; pro sgt Nov. i, 64. 
George Brown, 38, B 10; died at Ander- 

sonville, July 26, 64. 
Thomas Bruitnell, 18, I 9 ; corp ; reduced. 

106 



Wm. Bruitnell, 19, D2; wdat Fred'ksbgh. 

H. S. Burley, 39, B 10; died of wn'ds at 
Cold Harbor, June 20, 64. 

C. E. Bancroft, 32, I 13 ; com ist Lt Sept. 
23, 62 ; resigned Jan. 8, 63. 

C. W. Brink, 26, I 13; disch Jan. 31, 63. 

Dennis Bissonnette, 30, K 17; wounded. 

Oscar Camp, 28, G 8. 

Frank Carpenter, 17, D 2. 

Michael Carr, 18, Cav. G ; re-en Dec. 28, 63. 

Justin Carter, 23, B 10 ; com 2d lieut. Jan. 
63; resigned Feb. 4, 64. 

George Center, 24, D 2 ; corp ; wounded 
at Fredericksburgh ; trans to inv. corps. 

Chas. N. Collins, 16, D2 ; died Dec. 17, 61. 

Ezra W. Conant, 19, B 10 ; wdNov. 27, 63. 

E. C. Crossett, 18, B 10; wd ; dis Feb. 
16, 65. 

W. H. Crossett, i8, B 10; wd ; re-en in 
Regs. 

Martin Cane, 18, B 10; died at Danville 
Jan. 29, 65. 

Patrick Carver, 20, D 5. 

Amos Chase, 44, C 1 7 ; lost arm at Weldon 
R. R., Sept. 30, 64. 

George H. Colby, 19, 2, D ; corp ; re-en 
Dec. 21, 63; wn'ded; disch. Feb. 5, 65. 

James B. Cave, 31, 13, E; re-en, 17, E. 

Jos. B. Conant, 21, C 15 ; died Apr. 12, 63. 

James Crawford, 22, I 13. 

S. E. Cree, 21, I 13. 

Ransom Chaffee, 25, A 2 ; drafted. 

William Clark, 24, D 2. 

Albert Deline, 25, D 2. 

John Deline, 25, E 7 ; dis Oct. 15, 62. 

Charles Dillingham, 24, D 2 ; com capt. 
May 22, 61; maj. 8th, Jan. 18, 62; Lt.- 
col. Dec. 24, 62; resigned Dec. 12, 63. 

Edwin Dillingham, 23, B 10; capt Aug. 4, 
62; maj. Jan. 17, 64; killed at Winches- 
ter, Sept. 19, 64. 

Daniel Dalley, B 10; transferred to D. 

Ed. H. Dana, 32, B 10; wd Nov. 31, 64. 

Richard Dodge, 40, K 17. 

Thomas F. Dwyer, 30, B 10. 

Oliver W. Davis, 28, C 15. 

Joseph H. Demeritt, 21, I 13. 

H. A. Demmon, 42, I 13 ; trans to C Oct. 
II, 62. 

Henry Dillingham, — ,E 17 ;di'dj'ly 13, 64. 

G. W. Farnham, 23, D 2 ; des before leav- 
ing State. 



842 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Patrick Flaherty, 34, D 2 ; dis Dec. 18, 62. 
Wilber Foster, 21, D 2; dis Oct. 20, 62. 
J. D. freeman, 21, B 10; wd July 9, 64. 
Augustus Fisher, 22, I 13. 
Daniel N. French, 28, I 13. 
Martin E. French, — , I 13 ; wounded. 
Benjamin Gonio, A 7 ; des Sept. 27, 64. 
Isaac Godfrey, 22, B 10 ; vvd at Cedar Cr'k, 

Oct. 19, 64. 
Jacob Godfrey, 19, B 10; dis May 13, 65. 
T. C. Godfrey, 31, D 2; dis June 2, 62. 

Rein, 23, C 17. 

Warren C. Oilman, 29, D 2 ; corp ; red'cd 

to ranks. 
Chas. C. Gregg, 21, D 2; com 2d lieut 

May 22, 61 ; dis service July 22, 62. 
Allen Greeley, 20, B 10; died July i, 64; 

wounded at Cold Harbor, Va. 
Quincy A. Green, — , B 10; wd at Cold 

Harbor ; pro sergt April 11, 65 . 
Almon D. Griffin, — , ist S S F music. 
Emery Guptil, 18, D 5 ; re-enlis'd ; wn'ded. 
Joseph Gabarie, ^2i ^ I7- 
Hamilton Glines, 40, B 10; wnVl at Cold 

Harbor, Va. ; died June 18, 64. 
Lyman Godfrey, 25, C 15 ; re-en into 17 C ; 

died at Salisbury, Oct. 2, 64. 
Nobles Godfrey, 25, C 17. 
William Goodwin, 34, K 17. 
Edmond Guinan, — , 3d Battery. 
Charles C. Guptil, 21, I 13; re-en 3d Bat; 

sgt ; red Sept. i , 64 ; pro corp Oct. i , 64. 
Lorenzo B. Guptil, 22, I 13; re-en 17 K; 

corporal. 
Milo K. Gray, 22, I 13. 
H. H. Griswold, 19,1 13; corp ; red'cd ; 

pro sergt ; re-en 17 E ; sergt. 
Darius A. Gray, 21, E 6; drafted. 
Ira S. Gray, 24, D 5 ; killed at Savage Sta- 
tion, June 29, 62. 
Horace Griffith, 18, K 17. 
Chas. A. Hutchins, — , E 17; re-en Feb. 

15, 64. 
William H. Hutchins, 19, K 17. 
George Hakey, 18, K 17. 
Fred A. Hart, 25, D 2. 
Willis Hawley, 18, K 17; corporal. 
George S. Henry, 19, K 17; corporal. 
J. Edwin Henry, 25, K 17; com 2d lieut 

Sept. 22, 64; kdatPetersb^gh, Apr. 2,65. 
Isaac Harris, Jr., 35,C 15 ; dis June 19, 63. 
Leonard Hart, — , C 15. 



Chas. O. Humphrey, 23, I 13 ; corporal. 

Frank S. Henry, 20, K 17. 

William Hall, 26, D 2 ; re-en Dec. 21, 63 ; 

deserted Feb. 7, 64. 
Alonzo Hart, 37, D 2 ; dis Feb. 10, 63. 
Frank Hart, 18, D 2; re-en April 19, 64; 

corporal. 
Martin L. Henry, 19, Cav C ; re-enls'td 4th 

Hancock Corps. 
Wilbur E. Henry, 20, K 17; pro 2d lieut 

July 2, 65. 
Wm. W. Henry, 30, D 2 ; com ist lieut 

May 22, 61 ; maj loth, Aug. 26, 62 ; It. 

col Oct. 17, 62 ; col April 26, 64 ; brevet 

brig gen March 9, 65 ; wd Cold Harbor 

May, 64; res Dec. 17, 64. 
Daniel J. Hill, 31, Cav C ; sergt; wd at 

Getty sburgh ; trans to invalid corps. 
George W. Hill, 44, G 4; dis June 3, 62. 
Julius F. Hill, S S 2 ; trans to Inv. Corp. 
James O. Hovey, 20, D 2 ; re-en Dec. 21 63. 
George Hubbard, 22, D 2 ; re-en Jan i, 63 ; 

killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 64. 
Robert Hunkins, 22, D 2; re-en Jan 31, 

63 ; killed at Wilderness, May 5, 64. 
Mason Humphrey, N. H. 5 ; com ; killed 

at Cold Harbor, Va., June 64. 
Frank Huntley, 18, D 2 ; corp ; deserted at 

Antietam, Sept. 62. 
Benjamin L. Hawley, 22, H 17. 
H. D. Hutchins, D 2. 
Henry Janes, 29, comsurg3d, June 24, 61 ; 

surg U S V, March 26, 63 ; brcv lieut 

col U S V, March 13, 65. 
John Jerome, 32, B 10; dis April 16, 63; 

re-en K 17. 
Allen Jewett, 18, G 4; dis March 2, 62. 
Marcellus B. Johnson, 21, G 4; died Oct. 

7, 62, of wd rec'd Sept. 15, 62, at South 

Mountain. 
John P. Jones, 18, E 8; re-en Jan 5, 64; 

promoted corporal July 5, '64. 
William Jones, 25, E 8 ; missed in action 

June 14, 63. 
Daniel Jones, 29, E 11; lost arm at Win- 
chester, Sept. 19, 64. 
James W. Jones, 35, B 10; wd, and dis 

May 15, 65. 
Edwin Joslyn, 1 7, S S E 2 ; died July 1 1 ,62. 
Edward Kirby, 22, A 7 ; must out August 

30, 64. 
Leander Kirby, 18, H 13. 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



843 



John D. Kellogg, I 13 ; dis Nov. 28, 62. 
Charles B. Lee, 32, B 10; died in 63. 
Sayles Locke, 28, D 2 ; died Apr. 26, 62. 
James Linnehen, 44, D 5 ; mustered out 

June 29. 65. 
A. J. Loomis, 34, B 10. 
Charles Lapage, K 17. 
James Madigan, 18, I 9; des Jan. 19, 63. 
Henry L. Marshall, 24, B 10 ; corp ; wd at 

Cold Harbor, June i, 64. 
Ira A. Marshall, 38, D 2 ; dis July 16, 62. 
Paul W. Mason, Jr., 18, C Cav ; lost arm 

at Gettysburgh. 
Dexter Moody, 27, B 10. 
Hartwell Moody, 31, D 2. 
Samuel Morey, 23, D 2. 
Michael Morrisey, 18, G 2; re-enlisted in 

Cowan's Battery. 
Lucian M . Murray, 2 1 , G 4 ; died Nov. 8, 62 . 
John Martin, 21, Bat 3. 
Dennis Martin, 18, H 6; re-en Mar. 1,64. 
Pliny H. Moflfatt, 21, C Cav; re-en Dec. 

28, 63 ; pro sergt Nov. 19, 64; pro com 

sergt Jan. 21, 65 ; transferred to Co. D. 
James W. Marshall, 35, I 13 ; corporal. 
Thomas Morway, 29, H 13. 
Patrick Martin, H 6. 
Charles Moody, 21, K 17. 
John McCaffery, A 6. 
Walter H. Nelson, 18, B 10; wd Nov. 27, 

63, June I, 64. 
John O'Connor, 18, I 4. 
Pat. O'Connor, 16, K 17; music. 
Tabor H. Parcher, 24, B 10; corp; dis 

July 6, 64. 
Edwin Parker, 18, B 10; corporal. 
Henry F. Parker, 21, D 2 ; dis May 29,62. 
Edward N. Phelps, 22, I 9 ; corp reduced ; 

transferred to Veteran Corps. 
Henry C. Phillips, 26, C Cav ; sergt red ; 

promoted sergt. 
Carlos Prescott, 23, D. 2 ; dis July 24, 62 ; 

died of disease contracted in service. 
Leroy Prescott, 19, I 13. 
L. L. Pollard, 25, G 3 ; drafted. 
Homer Ruggles, 27, F i ; re-en in Cav C ; 

wd ; pro corp Nov. 18, 61 ; sergt. 
George G. Rice, 18, 10 G; died at Alex- 
andria, before joining regt. 
Winslow C. Rollins, 26, D 2, des from gen 

ho.spital 1865. 
George Ray, D 5. 



Alva Rowell, 26, I 13 ; re-en ; killed at 

Wilderness. 
Curtis C. Sleeper, 19, C 2 ; discharged 

Nov. I, 62 ; wd June 29, 62. 
Timothy T. Sleeper, 32, D 2; corp ; dis 

Feb. 5, 63 ; died Oct. 11, 63, of disease 

contracted in service. 
Charles Smith, 45, B 10 ; transferred to 

Invalid Corps, July i, 63. 
Clifford Smith, 21, A 7; re-en; deserted 

Sept. 27, 64. 
Geo. E. Smith, 19, D 2 ; wd at Wilderness. 
Jerry Smith, 26, A 7; re-en, and desertetl 

Sept. 27, 64. 
William H. Stimson, 24, C3, Jan. 29, 62 ; 

dis Feb. 3, 63 ; wd June 29, 62. 
Horatio G. Stone, 19, D 2 ; died of wds 

received at Wilderness, May 4, 64. 
John Stone, M Cav ; saddler. 
Willard S. Stone, 24, D 2 ; killed at Wil- 
derness, May 5, 64. 
John W. Sawyer, 29, B 10 ; deserted at 

Brattleboro, May 23, 64. 
Calvin E. Seaver, 27, I 13 ; wd at Gettys- 
burgh, July 3, 63. 
Herschall F. Smith, 26, I 13. 
William C. SmitSi, 18, I 13. 
William D. Smith, 22, I 13. 
Orvand A. Stone, 32, I 13. 
John R. Slocum, 9. 
Wayland A. Strong, 22, K 17. 
Frank Stearns, 18, C 17; died Jan. 6, 64, 

of wds received in action May 12, 64. 
Edward Taylor, 18, B 10. 
Lucian D. Thompson, 31, B 10; com 2d 

lieut Aug. 4, 62 ; ist lieut Co. G, Dec. 

27, 62; capt Co. D, June 17, 64; killed 

at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 64. 
George Tatro, 28, B 10 ; died Dec. 28, 64. 
Burton C. Turner, 18, D 2 ;diedNov. 5, 64. 
Chauncy Turner, 20, D 2 ; drafted. 
Joseph Tate, D 5. 
John Toban, D 5. 

Edward Wells, 25, 5 ; band ; dis Feb. 20,62. 
Edwin H. Wells, 22, K 17. 
Henry Wells, 25, A 7 ; died Aug. 9, 62. 
William Wells, 23, C Cav ; com ist lieut 

Co. C, Oct. 14, 61 ; capt Nov. 18, 61 ; 

maj Oct. 30, 62 ; col June 4, 64 ; brev 

brig gen Feb. 22, 65 ; brig gen May 19, 

65 ; brev maj gen ; wd July 6, 62, Sept. 

I3> 63. 



844 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



George I Wilson, D 2. 
Henry M.Wood, 18, E, 8 ; died Sept. 13,63. 
Wm. M. Wood, 19, E8 ; died July 14, 63. 
Sidney H. Woodward, 18, B 10 ; wd at 

Cold Harbor, June i , 65 ; pro corporal 

Apr. I, 64. 
Benjamin F. Wright, 18, D 2. 
George S. Woodward, 22, C Cav ; killed 

Apr. 3, 63. 
Ira S. Woodward, 18, B 10; wd at Cold 

Harbor, June 3, 63. 
Wm. Woodard, 19, B 10; wd at Cold 

Harbor, June r, 64. 
Chas. B. Wooster, 23, K 3 ; dis Oct. 30, 62. 
Hiram P. Wright, 28, C Cav ; wd himself. 
Jacob Wrisley, 19, D 2 ; re-en Jan. 21, 64. 
Liberty White, 44, B 10; trans to In. Corps. 
Alexander Warden, 21, D 2; discharged; 

re-enlisted into 5th. 
Wm. C. Woodruff, 26, I 13. 
Wm. A. Wooster, 24, I 13. 
Charles S. Wrisley, 28, C 15. 
John W. York, 21, D 2 ; re-en color bearer 

for Gen. Wright commanding 6th corps. 
Hiram Young, 44, B 10 ; committed suicide 

June 26, 64. 
Jos. E. Young, 36, B 10; wd at Spottsyl- 

vania. 
Geo. W. York, 33, K 2 ; drafted ; died of 

wds received at Wilderness, May 5, 64 

PArERS FURNISHED BY RUSSELL HUTLER. ESQ. 

LEADING TOPICS FIFTY YEARS AGO. 

Upon the review of the events of about 
half a century ago, we lind some remark- 
able coincidences. Within a very few 
years before, and subsequent, was a time 
of extensive religious revivals in many 
parts of our country and in this town. 
At about the same time, temperance, anti- 
slavery, and anti-masonry became subjects 
of great public interest, and whether these 
were all kindred in character with the reli- 
gious movement or not, they all seemed to 
be supported on the principle of public 
morals. Each had its period of novelty 
and excitement, each its time of calm dis- 
cussion, and each its decline in the public 
interest. What is most remarkable is 
their near contemporariness. Perhaps no 
time in history before or since, have all 
these subjects simultaneously so deeply 



engaged the public mind, nor is it proba- 
ble they will ever again so occupy the 
public mind of our community, till some 
generations have passed away and new 
combinations of circumstances occur. The 
public mind acting as a* whole is subject to 
the same laws as the individual mind ; 
when it has thoroughly canvassed a sub- 
ject and formed a deliberate decision, it is 
disposed to rest in that decision as entirely 
satisfactory, if no new, valid opposite evi- 
dence is adduced. The man who has 
viewed the temperance or the slavery ques- 
tion in their diiferent aspects, and made 
his verdict deliberately, does not care to 
review or pass through his experiences a 
second time. r. b. 

ANTI-SLAVERY. 

The New England Anti-Slavery move- 
ment, led by William Lloyd Garrison, was 
formally organized in Boston, Jan. 6, 1832, 
and followed by a National Anti-Slavery 
Society in Philadelphia, December I833. 
Anti-slavery principles soon found friends 
and advocates in Waterbury, and by the 
circulation of papers and the labors of lec- 
turers, became a strong moral force in the 
community. The movement was opposed 
for a time as a disturbing element in politics, 
though not then a party organization, as 
it became to some extent, later. As evi- 
dence of the zeal and liberality of Water- 
bury Abolitionists, it may be stated that 
upon a call of the State Society for pecu- 
niary aid, in 1839, 0"s of the delegates 
pledged $100 from Waterbury and Dux- 
bury, to be raised within the year. This,- 
was one twentieth of the amount asked 
from the State, and was the highest sum 
pledged by any town. When the paper 
was circulated in Waterbury, two individ- 
uals subscribed $100 each, while smaller 
contributions in both towns increased the 
sum to nearly $500, more than one-fifth of 
the entire sum called for. At that time 
$100 contributed for the sole purpose of 
helping to create public sentiment in behalf 
of a philanthropic cause, was a large sum ; 
and the citizens whose liberality deserves 
mention in a history of these times are 
Amasa Pride and Erastus Parker. They 



^ ■ \ 



WATERBURY. 



845 



were men ever ready to help a cause that 
they beUeved worthy of support. 
All the subscriptions were paid. 

ANTI-MASONRY. 

After a lapse of 50 years since the origin 
of Anti-masonry, and 40 years since its 
disappearance in political discussions, 
most people of the present time are little 
acquainted with its history. With no pur- 
pose of discussing its merits, or demerits, 
we cannot as chroniclers of the town do 
less than to refer to this chapter of its po- 
litical history, no more to be suppressed or 
omitted than any other matter equally po- 
tent in its influence on the public mind. 

Anti-masonry as a question of morals, 
human rights, or political expediency, had 
no little influence upon the affairs of its 
period. So long time has passed, that the 
reader will wish for some account of its 
rise, growth and decadence. 

Anti-masonry, as known in this century 
and in this country, originated in Western 
New York, in the autumn of 1826. It was 
currently reported in the summer of that 
year, that William Morgan of Batavia, a 
brick-layer and stone mason, in conjunc- 
tion with David C. Miller, a printer of the 
same place, was about to publish a book 
disclosing the secrets of the Masonic Or- 
der. It was well known that Morgan was 
a Mason. These reports caused an imme- 
diate excitement among the Masons, and 
an effort was made to suppress the book, 
first by an unsuccessful attempt to obtain 
the manuscript. Following this, the print- 
ing office took fire in a way indicating the 
work of an incendiary. Miller was arrested 
Sept. X2, on a warrant issued by a justice 
in Le Roy ; and on the night of the same 
day, after 9 o'clock, Morgan disappeared. 
He has not been seen by family or friends 
since. Many circumstances of his abduc- 
tion, and the route over which he was 
taken, have been proved in courts of jus- 
tice, but with no positive evidence of his 
final disposal. The general belief is that 
no mortal man has seen him alive since the 
night of Sept. 19, 1826. 

When the fact and these circumstances of 
his abduction became known, the excite 



ment was inten.se. As there had long been 
among the uninitiated a sort of mysterious 
awe of the Order numbering in its ranks so 
many eminent men, these startling devel- 
opments, following in close succession, 
tended still further to increase the mystery. 
The governor of New York, if not the offi- 
cial head, was of high rank in the Order ; 
and as the investigation proceeded, it was 
found that most of the important offices of 
counties and towns were filled by masons. 
Judges, sheriffs and justices of peace had 
in a manner control of courts. These dis- 
closures intensified the excitement where 
it began, and extended it far and wide in 
other states. 

The extent and power of the Anti-Ma- 
sonic party can hardly be realized by those 
who have not seen the public mind arous- 
ed upon a subject affecting the vital inter- 
ests of the people. 

We have given this summary sketch of 
the formation of the Anti-Masonic party, 
avoiding all particulars not essential for 
an understanding of the public mind. 
There were suspicions and even charges 
that the secrets of the order interfered 
with the purposes of justice. If this were 
true, the remedy lay in selecting others 
than Masons to make and administer the 
laws. 

We may presume this to be the funda- 
mental idea of political Anti-Masonry. 

If the exclusion of Masons from office 
were necessary to secure justice in what 
was known as the Morgan trials, it was 
thought that similar cases might exist out- 
side of the "infected district" of New 
York. This principle of excluding Ma- 
sons from office was naturally denounced 
as illiberal and proscriptive ; but Anti- 
Masons met this charge with the state- 
ment that all parties are in their nature 
proscriptive. They became powerful in 
many States, and in our own State and 
town were dominant for several years. 
The reader is referred to the history of 
several northern States from 1828 to 1835 ; 
to legislation upon extra judicial oaths ; 
and the action of various Masonic bodies ; 
for the action of the order in this county, 
to the recent history of Montpelier. 



846 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Comparing it with the present condition 
of masonry, he will wonder at its recuper- 
ative power, and iind the event worthy his 
study. 

MILLERISM. 

About 1839, William Miller, the great 
preacher of the Second Coming of Christ, 
delivered a course of lectures in Water- 
bury. From diligent study of the Scrip- 
tures, particularly of Daniel and the 
Revelations, he became convinced that 
Christ's second coming and the end of the 
world would occur in 1843. 

Mr. Miller appeared to be a man of ex- 
tensive reading, at least in matters relating 
to his subject ; and his zeal and apparent 
candor gave weight to his arguments. The 
subject was not a new one to careful read- 
ers of the Bible ; but his presentation of 
it, with a definite time for its occurrence, 
was both new and startling. Multitudes 
flocked to hear him. The train of his 
reasoning was unusual, and few men were 
prepared to meet him on ground with 
which he was so familiar. [Ludlow his- 
tory has an interesting paper on two of its 
citizens who took up his challenge for pub- 
lic discussion and met him ; see hereafter 
in the Windsor County Vol. — Ed.] Mr. 
Miller's hearers were numbered by thou- 
sands, and he gained many followers. 
Though the great event predicted so con- 
fidently did not occur, his presentation of 
Adventism did not pass away without influ- 
ence upon the evangelical churches of that 
or the present day. Many good church 
members, shaken in their former faith and 
disappointed in their expectations, sought 
a substitute as best they might. Few, if 
any, lapsed into unbelief, though without 
doubt the religious views of many were 
greatly modified. To us, a history of 
Waterbury would seem incomplete without 
recognition of the Second Advent move- 
ment and its effect. 

The preaching and publication of Mr. 
Miller's views had been so wide-spread, 
that large numbers of believers were look- 
ing for the great event. In Waterbury, 
scores watched and waited for the second 
coming of the Lord. We are not surprised 
at the excitement that attends the burninji 



of a vessel, a theatre, or a city ; yet many 
cannot realize how large numbers of peo- 
ple should be so intensely wrought upon 
by the expectation of an event of whose 
approach there were no visible signs. 
After the lapse of forty years, when nearly 
all of those who were so moved by Mr. 
Miller have passed away, many may won- 
der at the credulity of sensible and intelli- 
gent persons who accepted his interpreta- 
tion of prophecy. It is, however, a matter 
of history. 

LYCEUM AND LIBRARY. 

The coming of the Colby family into 
town was an acquisition to society in 
other than business relations. The senior 
brother immediately became interested in 
planning a lyceum for the entertainment and 
culture of the young. He was seconded by 
the active labors of his mother, sister, and 
brothers. Their efforts resulted in large 
and enthusiastic gatherings, with many 
participants in the exercises which were so 
varied as to sustain a constant interest in 
their weekly meetings. There were occa- 
sional lectures from entertaining and com- 
petent speakers ; carefully prepared de- 
bates, declamations by the youngsters ; 
and most interesting of all, the papers 
which were supported by contributions 
from all, and read by ladies. 

The lyceum became a complete success, 
and continued so several years. One or 
two seasons created such 2. furor scribendi , 
and such a demand for reading, that an 
association was formed, and a selection of 
books made by a competent committee. 
About 500 vols, were purchased. At the 
end of 2 years, the lyceum celebrated its 
success by a public entertainment and pic- 
nic on the banks of the Winooski, march- 
ing to the ground in a grand procession, 
with an array of banners, bearing the 
assumed names of the principal writers for 
the paper. Among the exercises was the 
reading of one of Julia Wallace Hutchins' 
poems by Rev. C. C. Parker, of blessed 
memory, not long since passed to his re- 
ward of heavenly rest. 

The library was increased to over 600 
volumes, and for 10 or 12 years was highly 
esteemed ; but after the novelty of the first 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



847 



few years had worn away, the very inex- 
pensiveness of its advantages seemed to 
diminish its usefulness, since some esti- 
mate value only by cost. Yet even now 
after 25 years, there are several hundred 
of the books in the care of George W. 
Kennedy as assistant librarian. This, 
together with the Agricultural Library, 
aided by the town or public-spirited indi- 
viduals, might form the basis of a new one 
which would be of great value to the town. 
This much for the lyceum and library 
of a quarter of a century ago. The writer 
feels that their influence on the intelligence 
and culture of our people should not be 
forgotten. 

[Julia Wallace, author of "Earth's 
Angels," written some 25 or 30 years since, 
often reprinted, a favorite with the public, 
is a native of Duxbury, which adjoins Wa- 
terbury. The years of her childhood were 
spent at the paternal home, on an isolated 
mountain, afar from neighbors, very soli- 
itary. 

Bred with the elements, in her first poe- 
try — for a Montpelier paper — she sings of 
sunset skies, "painted and gilded," "the 
broad arch where starry armies throng" — 
she tells us what she " loves" — 

" The liglitnlDg's flash, its dazzling chain 
When tlie black thunder cloud is rent in twain ; 
The storm's dark drapery in sombre Cold 
Glittering with sparkles of electric gold. 

The vivid flash, the broad bright flash, I love 
Showing the earth beneath, the heavens above. 
As if the flame-winged messengers of power 
Glance on their errands through the tempest-hour." 

We heard her recite this old, old poem. 
We heard her describe this mountain 
home most graphically a few days since : 
" No Duxbury house in sight, but over the 
river, Waterbury village beyond, that 
looked like a Paradise ; Governor Butler's 
house and farms ; Governor Dillingham's 
residence ; the beautiful cemetery ; all dis- 
tinctly seen from our little house on the 
Duxbury mountain. You must have my 
" Earth's Angels" for Duxbury, — that be- 
longs to Duxbury, which has her history, 
— though no one has yet arisen to write 
it ; but there will." 

By our author's rule, " Athenwood" be- 



longs to Waterbury. It was written here, 
read at that old Lyceum so pleasantly de- 
scribed by our venerable historian, Mr. 
Butler, and we think we must break in on 
his pages and lay it here at the foot of 
the old " Lyceum and Library."] 

ATHENWOOD. 

A LEGKND OF ST. MINNIE. 

Were you ever in Montpelier? 

Not that fine old town of France, 
But a fair Green Mountain village. 

Young for legend or romance. 

Brave and hardy are the people 
Of our Northern State frontier; 

So aflirnicd a bold invader,* 
And the knowledge cost him dear. 

Firm in Doric strength and beauty 

Stands their Capitol; its dome 
Looking down upon a river 

Something like the stream of Rome. 

Winding through the verdant valley, 

Like a shaken silver chain. 
Flows the mountain-born Winooski 

To the beautiful Champlain. 

But we follow not Iiis current, 

For the theme will bid us stay 
'Mong the hills that nurse his torrent. 

Near the Capitol, to-day. 

Just across the sparkling river. 
Where yon hill-road winds away, 

Lightly lifts the graceful elm-tree 
Many a slender, waving spray. 

Where the tiny song-birds rally, 
Chirping from their leafy screen, 

And the mountain breezes dally, 
Coming down a bright ravine. 

There, above the village murmur. 

And the din of mill and forge, 
Stands an artist's quiet dwelling. 

In the green and narrow gorge. 

On a sultry day of summer 

Sank beneath the wayside tree. 
One who sighed, in foreign accent, 

"Mary Mother, pity me! " 

'Twas a sad and weary w.)man, 

With a child of tender years; 
On her feet ilie soil of travel. 

On her face the stain of tears. 

Surely she can toil no farther 
'Neath the bright, uupitj ing sky; 

But for that sweet, patient infant, 
It were well that she should die! 

Hers had been a happy bridal 

In a distant father-land; 
Hers a husband, brave and noble. 

Firm, yet gentle, hopeful bland. 

Tyranny proclaimed him rebel, 
For a patriot heart had he; 

They, in want, had fled from peril- 
He was buried in the sea. 



' Sir John Burgoyne. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In her land of cross and convent. 
Sweet Madonna, pale and fair, 

Shrine of saint or tomb of martyr. 
Wins tlie striclien soul to prayer. 

Now she scans that peacefnl cottage- 
Gray its walls and sloping eaves — 

Lifting up its modest gables. 
Carved in pendant oaken leaves; 

Rustic porch, with open portal, 

Arched windows, diamond pane- 
Sure it bore no slight resemblance 
To some humble rural fane. 

Was it not a wayside chapel. 

Built in form of holy cross? 
Was it hermitage? or dwelling? 

Long slie mused, and much at loss. 

Till an organ-tone came swelling 

On the silent summer air; 
Quick she mounts the rocky terrace. 

Lifts her child from stair to stair. 

In the softly shaded parlor 

Minnie had sat down to play 
Hopeful hymns that cheered her husband- 

These should while the hours away. 

On she played and sang, unheeding 
Her who on the threshold stood, 

Dreaming of an old cathedral 
Far beyond the ocean-flood. 

Through the curtain came the sunlight 

With a crimson-tinted ray; 
So it fell, from storied window. 

Where in youth she kneeled to pray. 

Near her stood a slender table. 
Fair the Parian vase upon't. 

Quaintly carved from antique sculpture- 
Was it not a marble font? 

On the walls hung glowing pictures— 
"Autumn scenery," richly wrought. 

Graceful forms and gentle features— 
Not the haloed head slie sought. 

When the soaring anthem ended, 
Timidly she moved to say, 
"Lady, please, is it a chapel? 
I have need to rest and pray." 

Oh, not utterly mistaken 
Was that simple, fervent heart; 

Less than only Heaven's own altar 
Is the shrine of Love and Art. 

Minnie placed a couch with pillows, 
Offering rest and sweet relief; 

Spoke as woman speaks to woman 
In her trial-hour of grief. 

Bringing food, the cup of water. 
Covering for the sunburned cliild. 

Laughed the winsome little creature- 
Sweet the wayworn pilgrim smiled. 

" Now my weary heart is lighter; 
Mary Mother lieard my plaint — 
If I found no priestly altar. 
Surely I've not missed a saint." 



BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM A. G. PEASE. 

Born at Canaan, Conn., February, 18II ; 
the family moved to Charlotte, Vt. Nov., 
1826 : My father, Salmon Pease, was born 
at Norfolk, Conn., June 14, 1783. My 
mother, Matilda Huntington, was born at 
Ashford, Conn., Dec. 30, 1780 ; there were 
9 sons and one daughter, four of the sons 
and the daughter still living. I graduated 
at the University of Vermont in I837 ; at 
Andover, 1841 ; ordained and settled at 
Pittsford, June, 1842 ; married to Anne 
Page, daughter of Dea. William Page of 
Rutland, Oct. 18, 1842; went to Water- 
bury, July, 1847; installed 1849; went to 
Norwich, July, 1853; installed January, 
1855 ; I .supplied at Poultney and Royal- 
ton, from October, 1845, when I left Pitts- 
ford, until going to Waterbuiy. After 
leaving Waterbury, I preached 3 months 
by invitation in the first Congregational 
church in Quincy, 111. 

My health failed the summer of 1855, 
and I have had no charge since. We have 
had 5 daughters, of whom 3 are living, 
and 3 sons, all living. 

Rutland, Sept. 17, 1876. 

BIOGRAPHICAL LETTER FROM REV. CHAS. 
CARROLL PARKER. 

Was born in Underhill, Sept. 26, 1814; 
son of Edmond (b. in Richmond, N. H.), 
son of Reuben, son of Benjamin, son of 
John, son of John, son of Dea. Thomas 
Parker, who settled in Reading, Mass., 
about 1635, where the four preceding were 
born ; name of mother, Hepzibah Curtis, 
daughter of John Curtis, of Dudley, Mass. ; 
lived with father until nearly twenty-one, 
working on his and neighboring farms ; 
went to school 3 months in summer from 
five to nine, and 3 months in winter, from 
seven to eighteen ; began to teach school 
at nineteen, and taught the 8 following win- 
ters ; fitted for college at Jericho Academy, 
Bradford Academy, and under the private 
instruction of Rev. Samuel Kingsbury, 
then acting pastor of the Congregational 
chuixh in Underhill ; entered college in 
1837; graduated Aug. 4, 1841, with no 
pecuniary help from first to last; was prin- 
cipal of the boys' high school in Burlington 



\ 



WATERBURY. 



2 years after graduating ; united with Con- 
gregational church, Burlington, Jan. i, 
1843; entered Union Theological Sem- 
inary, N. Y., fall of 1843, and remained i 
year ; was again principal of boys' high 
school until fall of 1845 i was then agent of 
the University in raising the $50,000 fund 
until the spring of 1847 : resumed study of 
theology in Burlington, and was licensed 
to preach the Gospel by Winooski Asso- 
ciation at Williston, Oct. 11, 1847 ; preach- 
ed my first sermon in native parish at 
Underhill, first Sabbath in November fol- 
lowing ; began to preach in Tinmouth in 
January, 1848 ; was ordained, and in- 
stalled pastor of that church October 4th, 
following. 

In the spring of 1853, I received an in- 
vitation to preach in Waterbury ; was dis- 
missed from the church in Tinmouth, May 
18, 1853 ; was installed pastor of Congre- 
gational church in Waterbury, June 7, 
1854. In June, 1863, I was elected Cor- 
responding Secretary of Vermont Domestic 
Missionary Society, but the Council de- 
clined to advise my dismissal that I might 
accept the office. In the fall of 1866, was 
elected principal of the Ladies' Seminary 
in Gorham, Me., and was dismissed by 
Council, Jan. 16, 1867, and accepted the 
position at Gorham. 

In June, 1868, I resigned the place in 
the seminary, and accepted a call to the 
pastorate of a Congregational church in 
Gorham, and was installed Aug. 19, 1868; 
resigned the pastorate in Gorham, July, 
1 87 1, and was dismissed Sept. 22. In 
Nov. 1 87 1, I received a call to the pastor- 
ate of the Congregational church in Orient, 
L. I.; also to that of the Presbyterian 
church in Passippamy, N. J., and accepted 
the latter ; was installed by Presbytery of 
Morris and Orange, Mar. 27, 1872, in 
which office I still remain (1876). 

Was married Nov. 28, 1844, to Eliz- 
abeth McNiel Fleming, of Burlington, and 
have one son and three daughters. My 
pastoral and ministerial relations have been 
very pleasant and so remain. I have been 
a corporator of the University of Vermont 
since 1862. 

107 



REV. JONATHAN COPELAND, 

was born in Smithville, Chenango Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 20, 1816; the eldest of 9 chil- 
dren, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His father, 
David Copeland, was a native of Brooklyn, 
Conn. ; his mother, Martha Shepard, of 
Pittsfield, Mass. After their marriage, 
they remained some time in Smithville, 
then returned to Brooklyn, and soon after- 
wards became residents of Norwich, Conn., 
where they lived until 1825, when they re- 
moved to Rochester, where they are still 
living, at a very advanced age. The fath- 
er, a mason by trade, his family dependent 
upon his daily toil, was able to give his 
children but a limited common school edu- 
cation, and the sons were set at work with 
their father as soon as they were able to 
use the tools. 

Jonathan was converted in his i8th year, 
and united with the church with which his 
parents were connected, the Presbyterian, 
and soon after was impressed to become a 
minister of the gospel. His father, una- 
ble to help him to an education, did not 
encourage it, but his pastor did, and he 
laid down his tools to study, resuming 
them at vacations ; and by his trade, 
teaching school some, and by his musical 
talent, carried himself through preparation 
for college, (Union college,) which he en- 
tered in 1837, and to the close of his last 
year in the Theological Seminary, which 
he entered 3 months before graduating at 
college. At the end of 2 years in the 
Seminary, he was licensed to preach by 
the Cayuga Presbytery, and called to the 
Presbyterian church in Holley, Orleans 
Co., N. Y., where he preached his first 
sermon May 14, 1843, ^"d was installed in 
November. This large and flourishing 
field he held 15^ years, when against the 
wishes of his people, he was dismissed to 
take charge of the Presbyterian church of 
Champlain, N. Y., where he was installed 
Feb., 1859; dismissed Oct., 1866, re- 
mained another year. The year previous, 
107 new members were added to this 
church, and this last year there were fre- 
quent additions. 

In Oct., 1867, he accepted a call from 
the Congregational church of Waterbury, 



850 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and soon afterwards removed here. He 
was twice solicited to be installed pastor, 
but declined from personal preferences. 
Though coming from the Presbyterians, 
among whom he was converted, educated, 
licensed and installed, and with whom he 
had labored for more than 20 years, he 
very readily conformed to Congregational 
usages, found a pleasant home, cordial re- 
lations with the ministers and churches, 
and ever labored harmoniously and heart- 
ily with them ; and had Providence so or- 
dered, would have spent his remaining 
days happily in that connection. While 
in Waterbury, a parsonage was purchased 
by the society, the house of worship twice 
improved and beautified, and the commu- 
nicants increased ; the number bemg larg- 
er, notwithstanding numerous removals, 
at the close than at the beginning of his 
labors with the church. He at present re- 
sides in Rochester, N. Y., and is regularly 
employed in preaching in that vicinity. 

He was married Jan. 30, 1844, to Kezia, 
daughter of John and Kezia Clark, of Nis- 
kayuna, Schenectady Co., N. Y. They 
have had three sons, Clark, Edward and 
William, all now in business, and four 
daughters, three now living, and their 
children are all members of the church. 

CALKINS FAMILY. 

John P. Calkins, of New London, Conn., 
moved to Canaan, N. H. ; and from there 
came to Waterbury, and settled on the 
River about 1796. He had 8 sons and 3 
daughters. The facts in this notice the 
writer has from a descendant, who with 
nearly all of the Calkins name, went to the 
older Western states, where several have 
won distinction in educational, profession- 
al, and business positions. 

Sarah, eldest daughter of the family, 
married Rev. Thomas Kennan. 

Hubbard, the eldest son, died in Ohio, 
about 40 years ago. 

Harris, second son, settled in Waterbu- 
ry, where he died, leaving two sons and a 
daughter. The younger son. Dr. Calkins 
of Boston, and the daughter are living. 

Clarissa died in Ohio, at the age of 89. 

Charles, born in New London, had 6 
children, 5 of whom were living in 1879 



It is from the oldest son that we have 
the principal facts relating to the family. 
His father was briefly noticed in Mr. Park- 
er''s Early History, as supplying the pulpit 
of the first meeting-house in Waterbury 
several months after its dedication, and 
previous to the coming of Rev. Dr. War- 
ren. 

Mr. Calkins died near Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1877, aged 94; Mrs. Calkins, who be- 
longed to the New- Hampshire family of 
Gilmans, a few years before her husband, 
at the age of 86. Charles G. Calkins, the 
eldest son, has given many interesting 
details of his own family and that of his 
sister Eliza, Mrs. Winchester of Detroit, 
who has 9 grown-up children living. Of 
his own family, one son has served as an 
officer in U. S. Navy, another as editor of 
a daily paper in Covington, Ky. George, 
the son next younger than Charles , living 
in 1879, in Elyria, Ohio, blind and deaf, 
has a son who is a wealthy resident of 
Cincinnati. 

William was a teacher in Waterbury, 
and we think in Burlington, aboul 25 years 
ago. The writer remembers him well. A 
son of his has long been a prominent citi- 
zen of Ticonderoga, N. Y. ; another son 
is a successful lumber merchant. 

Charles Oilman Calkins, son of Rev. 
Charles Calkins, after giving brief notices 
of each of his father's brothers and sisters 
(as above related) so far as known to him 
at the time of his writing, April, 1879, 
concludes his account, thus: " So there 
are living, George, aged 92, Jesse 84, and 
Jedediah 82, and his wife ; and but few 
years ago, Clarisa died aged 89, Charles 
94, and my mother 86. Six in all had 
lived many more years together, or not far 
separated than is usual in families. In- 
deed, I have been disposed sometimes to 
prepare a sketch styling them the Centen- 
nial family. The descendants are nume- 
rous and far scattered, and I know but few 
of them recently. They are mainly out- 
side of Congress and of the State prison. 
The name is becoming numerous and far 
spread. They all so far as I can learn 
have many of the traits of our family. Of 
personal resemblances there have been 



WATERBURY. 



851 



several striking instances. Longevity, 
large families, muscular vigor, while there 
has been a large tendency to clerical and 
professional occupations." 

KENNAN FAMILY. 

Among the early settlers we must not 
omit to notice was the family of George 
Kennan, whose name appears as one of 
the town officers as early as 1794, when he 
served as moderator and selectman, and 
again in 1797 and 1804, and was justice of 
the peace many years. His son George was 
constable in 1802; and selectman in 1809. 

Thomas, another son, assisted in the 
organization of the first Congregational 
church as clerk of the meeting ; afterwards 
became a minister of that denomination. 
He married Sarah, eldest daughter of John 
P. Calkins. 

Another son of this family was Jairus, 
who fell an early victim to his love of 
knowledge a few years after his graduation 
in 1804, as a member of the first class of 
the University of Vermont. At the semi- 
centennial anniversary of the University 
in 1854, the late Charles Adams, Esq., of 
Burlington, paid the following tribute to 
his memory, in response to the sentiment, 
" The First Graduating Class of 50 years 
ago" : " There were four of us who grad- 
uated fifty years ago. Three are present 
on this occasion. The joy of our meeting 
is chastened by the reflection that our 
other classmate, Jairus Kennan, is no more. 
He was feeble while in college, and having 
long struggled with disease, has gone, as 
we trust, to a higher and a better world. 
Jairus Kennan was not an ordinary man. 
He loved knowledge, and nothing could 
repress his ardor in the pursuit. His in- 
tellectual powers were of a high order, and 
he cultivated them with untiring devotion. 
He was distinguished for warmth of feel- 
ing and kindness of manner, and had he 
lived, would have taken high rank as a 
philanthropist. Poor in purse and poorer 
in health, he was above adverse circum- 
stances, and alone and unaided pursued a 
quiet course to the highest development of 
mind and heart. He was a bright exam- 
ple of what energy and ambition may 
accomplish." 



JOSEPH Vi^ARREN, 

editor of the Buffalo Courier, died , 18 — , 

in that city, of congestion of the lungs, after 
an illness of only one day. Mr. Warren 
was born in Waterbury, July 24, 1829, and 
graduated at the University of Vermont, 
in the class of 185 1. He immediately en- 
tered the profession of journalism, as as- 
sistant editoi' of the Country Geutleman, 
at Albany, N. Y. In 1853, he became as- 
sociate editor of the Buffalo Courier, be- 
coming its editor-in-chief in 1858, and re- 
taining that position until his death. Since 
the death of Dean Richmond, in 1866, IVTr. 
Warren had been the recognized leader of 
the Democratic party in Erie county, and 
leader and counsellor of that party in Wes- 
tern New York and the State. Through 
his efforts the State Asylum for the insane 
was located at Buffalo, and he served on 
its board of managers and as chairman of 
the executive committee till within a month 
of his death. He was a member of the 
committee on location of the State Normal 
School at Buffalo, and a member of the 
board of trustees. He was' one of the pro- 
jectors of the Buffalo fine arts academy, 
and was largely interested in the project of 
the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia 
Railroad. He was a former president of 
the Buffalo Young Men's Association, and 
a member of the council of the Medical de- 
partment of the University of Buffalo for 
the last 6 years. He was president of the 
New York State Associated Press at the 
time of his death. He was long a mem- 
ber of Ancient Land Mark Lodge of Ma- 
sons. He leaves a wife and one son. — 
Burlington Free Press. 

DAN CARPENTER, 

(BY HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM.) 

son of Simeon Carpenter and Anna Bur- 
ton, was born in Norwich, Vt., Nov. 21, 
1776, where he lived, was educated, stud- 
ied law, and was admitted to the Bar, in 
Windsor County, in the spring of 1804. 
During the summer of that year he came 
into what is now Washington County, and 
settled at Waterbury. At that time the 
towns in Mad River valley together with 
Duxbury, Waterbury, Stowe and Mans- 
field belonged to Chittenden County ; there 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was no lawyer in either of them, and none 
nearer than Williston. Mr. Carpenter's 
choice was a fortunate one for him, for 
there had been for several years a growing 
desire that a reliable lawyer should settle 
in that vicinity, and he opened his office 
for business as early as Oct. i, 1804. He 
was a sound lawyer — a man of most ex- 
cellent practical judgment, and he proved 
almost at once that he was a safe adviser. 
Having fixed upon Waterbury as his future 
home, he at once became identified with 
all its interests, and was soon a leading 
man in all its affairs. At Norwich, Jan. 
27, 1805, he was married to Betsey Par- 
tridge, daughter of Elisha Partridge and 
Margaret Murdock, born Jan. 23, 1783. 
They commenced housekeeping in the 
spring following, in a one-storied house, 
convenient for a small family, and in the 
year 181 5, built and finished the two-story 
front, where his grandson, Frank Carpen- 
ter, now lives. They had 8 children, four 
of whom died in early infancy — and four 
lived to be settled in life, one son, William, 
born Oct. 25, '1805, and three daughters, 
Sarah P., born May 18, 1807 ; Eliza, born 
Dec. II, 1810, and Julia, born Dec. 3, 
1812; Julia, the wife of Paul Dillingham, 
is now the sole survivor; they were mar- 
ried Sept. 5, 1832. Sarah P. Carpenter 
Dillingham, died Sept. 20, 1831. 

When Mr. Carpenter began business in 
Waterbury, justice's jurisdiction was only 
$13 ; this threw a heavy business onto the 
County courts, and his income was large 
for quite a number of years. He had no 
competition till 18 17, when Henry F. Janes 
came into the town. Mr. Carpenter had 
a fine person, nearly six feet high, slim, 
straight as an arrow, and lithe, and grace- 
ful in every movement ; in manner he was 
of the old school, respectful, courteous 
and kind to every one. He rapidly grew 
into favor, and strong attachments grew 
up between him and a great porportion of 
his townsmen. He was a conscientious 
man, very kind to the poor, and forbearing 
to his every debtor. The estimation in 
which he stood in town, county and state, 
is best evidenced by the following facts : 
In his town he was chosen town clerk in 



March, 1808, and held that office by suc- 
cessive elections, (save one year) till 1829, 
when he declined to hold that office longer. 
He was first selectman during most of the 
same years. In 1817, he was chosen rep- 
resentative to the General Assembly, and 
with the exception of 1818, he represented 
the town till 1827. In the fall of 1827, he 
was chosen first assistant judge of Wash- 
ington County Court, and held that office 
by successive elections for 8 years, when 
he declined further service. In 1824, he 
was one of the State electors of president 
and vice president, and by his associates 
was deputed to carry and deliver the votes 
of the State in the City of Washington. 
From April, I823, he had a junior partner 
in his law business, Paul Dillingham, Jr. 
The firm was Carpenter & Dillingham, 
and continued till he became judge, when 
the business was given to Mr. Dillingham. 
From 1820, he had a mercantile interest 
in Waterbury, in company with Charles R. 
Cleaves. In February, 1824, he purchased 
Mr. Cleaves' interest in this business, to- 
gether with all his real estate, and his son 
William Carpenter, became his partner. 
During the summer of 1834, they erected 
the brick store, where his grandson, W. 
E. Carpenter, now lives and does business. 
He retired from active business, and de- 
voted the remainder of his life to the care 
of the property he had accumulated. 

He died Dec. 2, 1852. His memory is 
cherished by many now living. His wife 
survived him many years, living to the age 
of 92. William Carpenter died March 
17, 1881. 

PAPER FliOM HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM. 
HON. WILLIAM WELLINGTON WELLS, 

son of Roswell and Pamelia White Wells, 
was born in Waterbury, Oct. 28, 1805, and 
died at the same place, April 9, 1869. He 
graduated from the University of Vermont 
in the class of 1824, and read law in the 
office of the late Charles Adams, Esq., in 
Burlington. He was admitted to practice 
at the Chittenden County Bar, but before 
he began the practice of his profession 
(for which he was thought to be particu- 
larly well suited both by nature and educa- 



^ \ 



WATERBURY. 



853 



tion,; owing to the death of his father, he 
was obliged to return to Waterbury and 
administer the estate of the deceased. He 
soon became so much interested in busi- 
ness pursuits that he abandoned the idea 
of a professional life, and identified him- 
self with the interests of both his family 
and his town. For several years he had a 
large interest in a prominent dry-goods 
house in Burlington. He was afterward a 
member of the firm of Hutchins, Wells & 
Co., at Waterbury. At the latter place, 
he also erected a tannery, and for many 
years carried on an extensive business. 
Later on, he came into the ownership of 
the grist-mill just north of Waterbury 
village, (and near the tannery before men- 
tioned,) and converted it into a first-class 
flouring mill,when for many years he carried 
on an extensive business. He also carried 
on a dry goods store at Waterbury Center, 
several years. 

Mr. Wells represented Waterbury in the 
Legislature in 1840, '63 and '64, where he 
took an active part in legislative matters. 
He was a member of the Eleventh Council 
of Censors in 1855, and town treasurer 
and selectman several years. 

He was a valuable member of the com- 
munity in which he lived. A ripe scholar 
himself, he was deeply interested in the 
schools of the town, — feeling that in them 
was to be acquired such knowledge and 
discipline as should fit the young for intel- 
ligent and useful lives. 

He was equally interested in whatever 
was for the general interests of the town — 
and in furthering these he was not wont to 
inquire what his share of the expenditure 
should be, but rather how much was nec- 
essary to effect the purpose, and this much 
he contributed most gladly. 

From his youth up he was a radical tem- 
perance man. He was Grand Scribe of 
the Grand Division of the Sons of Tem- 
perance in Vermont for 8 years, and also 
Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of 
Temperance of Vermont for some time. 
He worked ardently to accomplish every 
purpose he determined upon, contributing 
liberally both of time and money to any- 
thing of a public nature. He was no office 



seeker or office shunner, but was careful to 
honor any office which he held. He was 
deeply interested in the welfare of the 
country, and when the late rebellion broke 
out, and during its continuance, he gave 
himself almost entirely to the country's 
service, with an enthusiasm and hopeful- 
ness that was an inspiration to all around 
him. As chairman of the board of select- 
men during the greater part, if not all, of 
its continuance, he was the strongest 
among the strong. There was no call for 
soldiers but what was filled promptly. He 
fully believed that it was for the town's 
best interest to " pay as it went," and was 
such a strengthener to the weak, that 
Waterbur}- was substantially free from 
debt at the close of the war. 

Mr. Wells lived in the faith that work 
was honorable, and his whole life con- 
formed to his faith ; his boys, too, having 
been reared in it, have cheerfully and faith- . 
fully followed him in his faith and practice. 

Mr. Wells was married to Miss Eliza 
Carpenter, second daughter of Judge Dan 
Carpenter, Jan. 13, 1831. This choice 
of a wife was a most fortunate one for 
him, as his subsequent life demonstrat- 
ed. They buried two children in in- 
fancy, but reared 7 sons and i daughter. 
Four of the sons were engaged more or 
less in the conflict for the Union, and 
one of them, William, attained the rank 
of Brevet Major General of Volunteers. 
Roswell, the eldest, is in business at 
Waupun, Wis. William is Collector of 
Customs for the District of Vermont, re- 
siding at Burlington. Curtis is Cashier of 
the Waterbury National Bank. Edward, 
Henry and Fred are members of the firm 
of Wells, Richardson & Co., of Burling- 
ton, (wholesale dealers in drugs and medi- 
cines) . Charles is employed in the Customs 
Department of the Government, residing 
at St. Albans, and Sarah C, is the wife of 
James W. Brock of Montpelier, (1882). 
During the war and since, these sons of 
Mr. Wells have demonstated the great 
truth that intelligent labor faithfully pur- 
sued, wins. 

Mr. Wells' impulses were generally 
working good results. He was an honest 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



man in all his relations to life. Hating 
dishonesty, despising cant and abhorring 
hypocrisy, he passed a life which left ev- 
idences that our little part of the world 
was better for his having lived. He died 
respected by all, and mourned by many. ' 

Mrs. Wells died Aug. 5, 1873. She 
was a member of the Congregational 
church, Waterbury. 

[We asked Gen. Wells for his war record 
for Waterbury in our Gazetteer in 1876, 
choosing it from his own pen. The fol- 
lowing brief paper is his return] : 

William Wells, born in Waterbury, Vt., 
Dec. 14, 1837, entered the service as a 
private soldier in Co. C, ist Regiment 
V'ermont Cavalry, in 1861 ; was promoted 
to 1st Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, 
Brev. Brig. General, Brig. Gen. and Brev. 
Maj. Gen. Vols. ; was mustered out of 
service Jan. 16, 1866; represented Water- 
bury ni the Legislature 1865 and 1866; 
was Adjutant and Inspector General of 
Vermont from the ist of Oct. 1866, to 
May I, 1872, when he was appointed Col- 
lector of Customs for the District of Vt., 
which position he now holds. w. w. 

From the Burlington Free Press, 1872. 

Gen. Wells, born in 1837, had been 
engaged in business with his father, till 
shortly before the war broke out. He 
went into the service as ist Lieutenant of 
Co. C, of the 1st Vermont Cavalry, was 
promoted to be Captain before the regi- 
ment reached the field, and was made 
Major, Oct. 30, 1862. He was wounded 
in action, at Hagerstown, Md., July 6, 

1863, and Sept. 13, 1863, at Culpepper, 
by the explosion of a shell, which also 
wounded Gen. Custer. He was promoted 
to the Colonelcy of the regiment, in June, 

1864, commanded and fought the regiment 
during its arduous service in the Shenan- 
doah Valley during that summer and fall, 
till he was placed in command of a brigade 
of Cavalry. February 22, 1865, he was 
promoted Brigadier General for gallant 
and meritorious service, and May 19, 1865, 
was appointed Brigadier General. 

He commanded a cavalry brigade at 
Winchester and at Cedar Creek, in which 
battle his old regiment, the ist Vermont, 
took 23 pieces "of artillery — the heaviest 
capture ever made by one regiment in the 
war — and was in command under Sheridan 
throughout the rest of the war, up to the 
surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court 
House. After that he was in command of 
a division near Washington, till mustered 
out of the service. He came home a Bre- 



vet Major General of Volunteers, and with 
as clean and honorable a record as any 
soldier that Vermont sent to the war. 

In 1866, Gen. Wells was elected Adju- 
tant and Inspector General of Vermont, 
.succeeding Gen. P. T. Washburn in that 
office, which he has held up to his present 
appointment, — [Collector of Customs for 
the District of Vermont at Burlington.] 
For several years past Gen. Wells has 
been a resident of this city, Burlington, 
and a member of the firm of Henry & Co., 
wholesale drug merchants. His personal 
standing is high, as a man of integrity, 
good sense, correct habits, and unblemish- 
ed character, and his appointment will be 
generally accepted, throughout the State, 
as one eminently "fit to be made." 

The General holds the honor of having 
received the greatest number of promo- 
tions of any Vermont officer during the 
war. He enlisted from his native town, 
Waterbury. 

LOCATION OF THE REFORM SCHOOL. 

[Reasons for the location at Waterbury — from the 
First Reform School Report.] 

Omitting details and particulars, it is 
sufficient to say that we found the condi- 
tions we had prescribed for a location, best 
answered at Waterbury, on the spot where 
the institution stands. 

These conditions were, first, not far from 
100 acres of good land suitably divided as 
desirable into about equal parts of tillage, 
meadow, pasture and woodland. Next, 
that the farm should all be in sight of the 
house, and be taken in at a glance from 
any point within it, a very important con- 
dition, which is perfectly answered in the 
spot we have chosen. The boys wherever 
they are at work on the farm, are never out 
of sight or hearing. As a matter of secu- 
rity, convenience and advantage for an es- 
tablishment like ours, the value of this fea- 
ture can hardly be overestimated. Besides 
the utility and practical advantage, it adds 
very much to the beauty of the situation, 
imparting a sense of unity and complete- 
ness, and more of the feeling of home. 
We did not overlook the influence of nat- 
ural security in fixing upon the spot we 
were to call our home. We rejected situ- 
ations, whatever might be their advantages 
in other respects, that were desolate, iso- 



.^S^"^ 



WATERBURY. 



855 



]ate. distant, cut off from human society 
and neighborhood, easy access of friends 
and visitors, and from the free, warm and 
strong pulsations of the great social heart ; 
we resolved if possible to place ourselves 
in a situation where nature and man could 
exert their best influence upon us. 

Hence as a third condition, we deter- 
mined that our location be near the rail- 
road, and not more than one mile from a 
depot, and we concluded that a thriving 
business village, and a live depot, were 
much to be preferred to a place of little 
business, and a depot where ready convey- 
ance for visitors could not be found. We 
thought it very desirable, (and have found 
it so) that we should be within easy walk 
of the station, and the churches and busi- 
ness centre of the town. Finally, if the 
place answering these conditions should be 
near the centre of the State it would be so 
much the better for that. 

These conditions we found more nearly 
fulfilled in our present site than any other 
that was brought to our notice. The scen- 
ery is beautiful, the land fertile and easy of 
cultivation and of access in all parts. 
There is also an abundant supply of water 
brought from the hill in the rear by an 
aqueduct to the house and barn. In these 
respects, the site is unequaled, and its re- 
lation to the road, the depot and the vil- 
lage is all that could be desired. It has 
besides, the advantage of centrality in the 
State. 

HANNAH GALE, 

daughter of Peter and Hannah Gale, was 
born in Waterbury, Dec. 28, 1824. She 
was married to Samuel S. Luce, of Stowe, 
in 1847. In 1857, they removed from 
Waterbury to Galesville, Wis., where Mr. 
Luce, carpenter and architect, superintend- 
ed the building of the University. In 
i860, he began to publish and edit The 
Galesville Transcript. Mr. and Mrs. Luce 
are both good writers of prose and poetry. 
They have three children. R. butler. 

Mr. and Mrs. Luce have published to- 
gether a volume, small 12 mo.. 208 pp. 

Poems. By S. S. & H. G. Luce. Trem- 
pealeau : Chas. A. Leith, publisher, 1876. 



OUR OWN GREEN HILLS. 

BY HANNAH GALE LUCE. 

The Switzer loves those Alpine peaks. 
Where sweep the clouds along, — 

So worship we our own green hills, 
And clierish them in song. 

And were I in a foreign land, 

'Mid classic halls of Rome, 
I'd turn from all to fondly gaze 

Upon my mountain home. 

I'd see among my native hills 

The cottage 'neath the trees— 
The tall elms waving gracefully 

To music In the breeze. 

The bright Winooski flowing near. 
Through waving meadows green — 

The lilacs where the robins sing. 
When earliest flowers are seen. 

The distant church spire bathed in light. 

Like shaft of burnished gold— 
The green where roseate children play, 

As in the days of old. 

Old Mansfield rears his nigged face. 

Upturned to meet the sky; 
And south, the '•Couching Lion" lifts 

His beetling crags on high. 

Full many an ancient legend wild 

I've heard the aged tell, 
Of precious ores in caverns hid, 

And kept by mystic spell. 

An Allen's dust reposes now, 

Near by the quiet lake; 
No more those brave " Green Mountain boys' 

The forest echoes wake.. 

But treasured be, in every heart. 

The love it bears for them— 
Each mountain seems their monument — 

The winds, their requiem. 

Yes, dear to us our mountains green— 

The home of virtues rare — 
And dear their noble-hearted sons. 

And daughters good and fair. 

When ray freed spirit seeks a home 

Above all earthly ills, 
Here may my humble grave be found. 

Amid our verdant hills I 

THE VILLAGE DOCTOR. 

BY SAMUEL PLAYTON LUCE. 

I see him still, us erst of yore. 

With furrowed cheek, and whitened brow; 
Though he's been dead of years a score, 

I see him stand before me now. 
I seem to see his withered form 

Bestride his faithful white-faced mare, 
With old brown saddle-bags behind. 

Whose odor 'twas a grief to bear. 
With chronic cough I hear him pass- 
He digs his steed with vigorous heel. 
Whose callous sides, from daily thumps. 

Had long since lost the power to feel. ' 
The constant grin upon his face — 

His light " te he! " at human pain. 
As oft he wrenched the oftending tooth, 

Our memory ever will retain. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



But deeply down witliin liis breast, 

Beneath a mail like Milan steel, 
'Twas said by tliose wlio knew him best, 

"The doctor has a heart to feel." 
'Twas in tlie old Green Mountain State, 

'Mid deep, dread winter's drifting snow, 
The evening hour was waxing late, 

Some forty years or more ago. 
We sat around the ample hearth. 

Where maple logs were blazing bright; 
Glad songs arose, and social mirth. 

Upon that dismal winter night. 
The storm-cloud hung on Mansfield's brow— 

The wind blew piercingly and chill ; 
Fierce through the leafless branches shrieked. 

And roared along the fir-clad hill. 
The deep'ning snow, that all day long 

Had fallen silently and fast. 
Now densely filled the frosty air, 

And piled in drifts before the blast. 
And still we sat— the hours sped — 

The storm increased with fearful might;— 
"I hope," our tender mother said, 

" N'o one's abroad this dreadful night." 
Our mother's voice had liariily ceased, 

When sudden through the opening door. 
O'er drifts, the quaint old doctor sprung. 

And forward fell upon the floor. 
' brow was crusted o'er with ice, 

And crisp and frozen was his cheek ; 
His limbs were paralyzed with cold; 

For once, the doctor could not speak. 
With genial warmth, and tender care. 

He soon revived, and said : " Come, Bill, 
Be kind enough to get my mare,— 

1 must reach Martin's, on the hill." 
Then on again, o'er trackless snow. 

Against the biting winter blast. 
Without the hope of worldly gain. 

Through mountain drifts, the doctor passed. 
Far up the winding mountain road. 

Through forest dark and blinding snow, 
He reached the desolate abode 

Of sickness, poverty and woe. 
Long years have passed ; yet oft I ask, 

As howls the tempest in its might. 
While sitting by the evening fire, 

"What faithful doctor rides to-niglit?" 
Yes, faithful; though full well I know 

The world is sparing of its praise; 
And these self-sacrilicing men 

But seldom tempt the poet's lays. 
And yet, 1 trust, when at tlie last 

They leave the world of human strife, 
Like him " who loved his fellow-men," 

Their names shall grace the " Book of Life." 
Jan. 1871. 

[The original of "The Village Doctor" 
was Dr. T. B. Downer, who for many 
years practiced in Stowe ; but in middle 
life removed to Waterbury Centre, and 
practiced a number of years after. He 
held several town offices, and was well 
known in Waterbury forty years ago. I 
knew him well forty and fifty years ago. 

R. BUTLER.] 



HON. HENRY F. JANES. 
BY EDWIN F. PALMER, ESQ. 

Mr. Janes was born at Brimfield, Mass., 
Oct. 18, 1792, and died at Waterbury, June 
6, 1879. He was the third son of Solomon 
and Beulah Fisk Janes, whose family con- 
sisted of 4 boys and 4 girls, he surviving 
them all, although the others lived to a 
great age. In early childhood he moved 
with his father's family to Calais, this 
State, where his boyhood was passed ; and 
which town was re])resented in the Legis- 
lature for several years by his brother, 
Pardon. The Janeses were among the 
pioneers of Vermont. 

Jonathan Janes, an uncle of Henry F., 
was prominent in the organization of the 
town of Richford, March 30, 1799, and 
elected its first representative, and three 
times after in succession ; and was also 
judge in Franklin County. Hon. Henry 
F. Janes studied law at Montpelier. While 
living there he went with the company 
from that town to the battle of Plattsburgh. 
He commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion at Waterbury in 1817, where he lived 
62 years ; without avarice acquired a com- 
petent fortune ; and without lust for power, 
or a resort to sinister means, but solely 
through the solidity of his judgment and 
the unquestioned probity of his character 
early attained a commanding influence in 
his town, his county and State. He was 
married in 1826, to Miss Fanny Butler, a 
daughter of Gov. Butler. Mrs. Janes, in 
whom was the gentlest refinement without 
the least affectation, or love of display, 
inheriting the religious traits of her father, 
was greatly beloved and esteemed by all 
who knew her. She was born in the year 
1800, and survived her husband 2 years 
and a few months. 

Soon after settling in Waterbury, Mr. 
Janes was appointed postmaster, and con- 
tinued to hold this position till about 1829. 
He was one of the State councillors, 5 
years, commencing 1830; a member of 
Congress, 3 years, commencing 1834; 
State treasurer, 3 years, commencing 1838 ; 
one of the Council of Censors in 1848; 
and was elected several times to the Legis- 
lature, his first election being in 1854. 



WATERBURY. 



857 



Mr. Janes was far removed both by na- 
ture and the whole education of his long 
life from those well described by the phrase, 
^' potins callidi qtiain sappientcs,^'' — crafty, 
not wise ; nor did he belong to that class 
of public men well delineated by Burns in 
his poem on Charles James Fox, 

" How vvisdoiii and folly iiRet, luix, am) unite: 

How virtue and vice blend tlieirblaCK and tlieir wliile." 

No man ever saw more clearly than he, 
that in the very nature of God's moral 
government nothing is, or can be even 
expedient, that is not inti^insically just; 
and no man ever pursued more willingly 
or tenaciously what his conscience, illum- 
ined by a powerful judgment, taught him 
was just. 

DR. HENRY JANES, 

was born in this town Jan. 24, 1832. He 
is the son of the late Hon. Henry F. Janes, 
and on his mother's side, a grandson of 
Gov. Butler. 

We find the following truthful sketch of 
Dr. Janes in the " Biographies of the 
members of the Rocky Mountain Medical 
Association," published at Washington, 
D. C., 1877: — condensed. 

The Doctor received his academical edu- 
cation at Morrisville and at St. Johnsbury 
academies, [etc]. His medical studies 
were commenced in 1852, at Waterbury, 
under Dr. J. B. Woodward. He attended 
his first course of medical lectures at 
Woodstock College, in 1852, and two 
courses subsequently at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, 
where he graduated M. D., in 1855, and 
was appointed assistant, and afterwards 
house physician in Bellevue Hospital, New 
York City. In 1856, he went into practice 
at Chelsea, Mass. ; in 1857, he returned 
to Waterbury, where he soon acquired a 
good professional business; in 1861, en- 
tered the army, Surgeon of the 3d Vt. 
Regt. ; 1863, commissioned Surgeon, U. 
S. Army; 1865, breveted Lieut. Col. ; the 
greater part of his military service spent 
in hospital duty ; the fall of '62, in charge of 
a hospital at Burkettsville ; in 1863, in the 
winter, at Frederick, Md. ; in the spring, of 
the hospitals of the 6th Army Corps ; sum- 
mer and fall, of the army hospitals in and 
about Gettysburg, and the Letterman Gen- 
eral Hospital, in which were about 2000 
severely wounded, from the Gettysburg 
battle-field, with a view of studying the 
results of treatment of fracture and ampu- 

108 



tations ; winter and spring of 1864, of 
South Street General Hospital, Phila ; sum- 
mer of '64, in charge of the hospital 
steamer, (of Maine) ; fall of '64, till the close 
of the war, in charge of Sloan General 
Hospital, at Montpelier ; and left the army 
in 1866, after spending the remainder of 
the year in New York, making a special 
study of injuries to the bones and brain, 
and returned, in '67, to Waterbury, where 
he has been actively engaged in practice 
until the pi-esent tune, excepting in '74, 
a portion of which he was traveling in 
Europe. His practice is large in the treat- 
ment of nervous diseases, surgery, and con- 
sultations with neighboring physicians. In 
'69 and '70 he published, in the Transac- 
tions of Vermont Medical Society, a paper 
on the treatment of gunshot-fracture, es- 
pecially of the femur. In '71, '72, '73, 
papers on some of the incidents following 
amputations; in '74, amputations at the 
knee-joint ; in ''yj, wrote a paper on spinal 
hemiplegia. He is a member of the Wash- 
ington County Medical Society, and of the 
American Medical Association ; of the 
Vermont State Medical Society, of which 
he was president in 1870, and which he 
represented at the meetings of the Ameri- 
can Medical Association in '60, ''66, '7 1 ,'80 ; 
of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and 
an honorary member of the California State 
Medical Society. 

In 1880, when the Legislature was about 
to elect trustees of the University of 
Vermont, the members of the medical pro- 
fession, among them Dr. Carpenter of Bur- 
lington, insisted they were entitled to be re- 
presented on that board with the other pro- 
fessions. They put forward Dr. Janes ; 
and he was elected unanimously to that 
position. He is also at this time one of the 
medical committee of the Mary Fletcher 
Hospital, Burlington — and it is no exagge- 
ration to say, no man in this State stands 
higher in his profession to-day than Dr. 
Janes. . E. f. p. 

DR. HORACE FALES. 

Dr. Fales, born in Sharon, Feb. 16, 
1823, received his education at Kimball 
Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. ; gradu- 
ated at Woodstock Medical College, 1848, 
and the same year located to practice in 
this town. In 1851, he was married to 
Miss Henrietta A. Sheple, daughter of 
David A. Sheple. During these 34 years, 
he has had a large and lucrative practice, 



858 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and is exceedingly skilful. He brings to 
bear with rare tact the learning of the 
books to a given case ; and few doctors 
ever approached the sick room whose man- 
ner and words were better adapted to in- 
spire courage in the invalid, and to divert 
for the time his mind from his own aches 
and pains. In his long practice he has 
won many warm friends here. 

MR. RUSSELL BUTLER, 

the youngest of Gov. Butler's family, was 
born Feb. 17, 1807, in this town; and has 
resided here for the greater part of his life. 
He was fitted for college at the academy 
at Montpelier, and entered the University 
of Vermont in 1825. He was compelled 
to quit the University after 2 years, on ac- 
count of ill health ; but he has been a stu- 
dent and a great lover of books from his 
youth. Although Mr. Butler has ever 
peremptorily refused political honor, which 
his friends would willingly have conferred 
on him, he has always taken a deep interest 
in the welfare of the country and this com- 
munity ; and his influence has ever been 
on the side of the right, good government, 
education and religion. The purity of his 
life, his morals, or even his motives, we 
have never heard questioned. e. f. p. 

MK. BUTLER'S I'APKKS— CONTINUED. 

HENRY FAMILY. 

Sylvester Henry came to this town 
early in the present century, and for many 
years held a prominent position. He was 
several years one of the board of select- 
men, represented the town in the General 
Assembly 2 years, and was several years 
justice of peace. He was a man of much 
reading for the times, and of excellent 
judgment, particularly in property values. 
At his decease, he left a large landed es- 
tate. 

Mrs. Henry's maiden name was Sybil 
Proctor. She was a woman of usefulness ; 
all the neighborhood, in sickness or dis- 
tress, appreciated her skillful nursing and 
helpful hand. 

This couple, together with their 4 sons 
and 4 daughters, made up a family in re- 
spect to family coincidents, remarkable. 



Two of the sons reared families of the same 
number, one having the same proportion 
of sons and daughters. 

James M., the eldest son, was born in 
Waterbury in 1809 ; attended school in his 
native district ; but an unusually strong 
desire for knowledge led him to read 
much and closely observe men and things. 
He was eminently qualified to judge human 
character. Such a mind, schooled in the 
rough experiences of life, led him to ac- 
cept men as they were, without attempting 
the herculean task of making them what 
they should be. To this may be attributed 
his peculiar influence on the opinions of 
men, especially in politics. If he entered 
the domain of religion or morals, it was 
the better to enforce his public policy. 
The interests of one's country are certainly 
higher than those of individuals, or even 
the local affairs of a community. 

He did not find the severe labors of the 
farm sufficiently remunerative to make the 
business attractive. He thought that it 
was the work of the brain that achieved 
success and fortune. After some years of 
reverses and unsettled habits, he happily 
fell in with the temperance reformers, and 
brighter prospects dawned on his future. 
At this time better influences took posses- 
sion of his nature, gained the mastery 
over the power of habit, and asserted the 
power of the will. It is a critical, but a 
grand period in life when a noble man- 
hood triumphs once for all over a habit 
which has long seemed an invincible foe. 
A good degree of success attended his 
business enterprises. He was twice elect- 
ed to the General Assembly, and had pre- 
viously been justice of peace several years. 
He died, aged about 55. 

Gen. W. W. Henry, eldest son of 
James Henry, is U. S. Marshal for the 
District of Vt., and years ago represented, 
first, Washington, then Chittenden Co., in 
the Vt. Senate, and was 2 years presi- 
dent of the board of aldermen in Burling- 
ton. 

John F. Henry, of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
from a moderate beginning in Waterbury, 
has grown into a very extensive trade in 



WATERBURY 



859 



drugs and medicines. He has once or 
twice run for the office of mayor of the 
city, and is said to have run above the 
party strength. 

Sylvester, 2d son of Sylvester, had 6 
sons and 2 daughters — a family the same 
number as his father's and brother's. He 
accumulated a large property ; was several 
times elected constable ; three of his sons 
served in the army. He died in 1871, 
aged about 58. 

Luther, 4th son of Sylvester, was born 
in Waterbury in 1826. At the age of 14, 
his father died, in his will having appoint- 
ed the selectmen as guardians of this son, 
thus showing his confidence in their in- 
tegrity and capability. 

He completed his school life at Newbury 
Seminary; when about 21, is said to have 
entered into some speculations in patent 
rights which proved very unsuccessful ; 
about this time, began the study of law 
with Hon. Paul Dillingham; was admitted 
to the Washington Co. Bar in May, 1849 '1 
not discouraged by his first financial ven- 
ture, he had learned caution and wisdom. 
Of his professional capabilities, said L. L. 
Durant, in an address before the Wash- 
ington Co. Bar : 

"As a lawyer, he was never deemed 
learned in the books ; but in a knowledge 
of men and things, he was not to be ex- 
celled. With keen discrimination and 
quick discernment, he readily grasped the 
strong points of a case, and bringing all 
his efforts to bear upon them, could not 
easily be led away. He was, so to speak, 
a natural lawyer, as all who entered the 
lists with him can testify." 

Mr. Henry took an active interest in 
building the bridge that connects Water- 
bury and Duxbury, and in opening a new 
street to it. He also made strenuous 
efforts to get the Newbury Seminary re- 
moved to Waterbury, and made an able 
argument in favor of the measure. 

He was twice married ; the first time to 
Flora Taplin ; the second, to Katherine E. 
Royce. Three children survive him. He 
died Jan. i, 1867, aged 40. 

LEANDER HUTCHINS 

was born in Montpelier, June 27, 1798, 
where 'he lived till 21, after which he passed 



some 3 years in the Western and South- 
ern States, engaged in trade, and in 1822, 
came to Waterbury, and entered into part- 
nership with Amasa Pride and Roswell 
Wells, under the name of L. Hutchins & 
Co. The firm began business on the cor- 
ner now occupied by C. E. Wyman, in a 
small wooden building, which Mr. Hutchins 
replaced about 1 2 years later by the one now 
standing. He put up in 1826 a dwelling- 
house adjoining Knight's Block on the 
east. In that year, the firm was changed 
to Hutchins & Pride; and later, to Hutch- 
ins, Wells and Co. In 1835, it became 
L. & Geo. W. Hutchins. Some 3 years 
after the name of Geo. W. Hutchius ap- 
pears alone. About 1845, Mr. Hutchins 
built and stocked a starch-factory near the 
Centre Village ; burned, not rebuilt ; [see 
fires.] Previous with the late Hon. H. F. 
Janes, he bought the extensive wild lands 
of Vermont owned by the Boardman Bros, 
of New York, for whom he had been 
agent ; much of this land was not disposed 
of at the decease of the purchasers. For 
a few years he owned and personally man- 
aged a farm on the old hill road to Stowe, 
a mile or two from Waterbury village. 

Hf married Jan. 30, 1826, Martha Pride, 
who died in December, 1834, leaving two 
daughters, Mrs. C. W. Arms and Mrs. Dr. 
Woodward, who survive both parents. In 
1837, he married Martha W. Atkins, who 
is now living. 

Mr. Hutchins died Feb. 17, 1879, aged 
80 years. After a residence of nearly 60 
years in Waterbury, actively engaged in 
business dealings with its citizens, his rec- 
ord is that of a prudent, reliable business 
man, and valuable, discreet friend, con- 
servative on all subjects of public interest, 
whether politics, morals or religion. He 
united with the Congregational church in 
1835 or '36, and during the later years of 
his life was one of its principal supporters, 
as he was one of its wealthiest members. 
Somewhat reserved in manner, he was 
genial with his friends, and often indulged 
in sallies of humor. He had a great aver- 
sion to display and ostentation, as shown 
in his whole manner of life, and seemed 
to have no particular taste or fancy for 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



political preferment, though far from indif- 
ferent to the character and principles of 
those who controlled and directed public 
aifairs ; and for some 12 years, he per- 
formed the duties of treasurer to the town, 
and when the bank of Waterbury was or- 
ganized, he was chosen president, for 
which position he was eminently qualified, 
and held this office 20 years or more, 
when he requested to be relieved from its 
responsibility. 

MOODY FAMILY. 
From a sketch in tlie " Watclinian." 

Joseph Moody and his wife Avis, came 
to Waterbury from Vershire in 1834, with 
6 sons and 3 daughters : Daniel is now 
79; Nathaniel, 75; William, died in 
1865, age 57; Elisha, 68; Joseph, 67; 
George W., 59; Betsey, 71 ; Avis, died in 
1843, at 24; Angelina is 54. The pres- 
ent average height of the brothers is 6 ft. 
I inch, weight 225 pounds. Joseph Moody 
Sr., weighed 308 pounds, his wife 228. 
Joseph Moody, Jr., was State Senator in 
1853, went West in '54; located at St. 
Anthony, and subsequently at Sauk Rap- 
ids, Minn., where he is a successful oper- 
ator in real estate, and is a county justice. 
The other brothers have remained resi- 
dents of Waterbury. Joseph Moody, Sr., 
and after him his sons, were well known 
in the State as stock or cattle buyers, and 
have been active farmers and operators 
where money was to be made. Remin- 
iscences of their trading days are a con- 
stant source of entertainment at the vil- 
lage rendezvous. George, by virtue of his 
imposing corporation, is titular governor, 
and Elisha the wag of the town. Politi- 
cally, Nathaniel is the only republican 
among the brothers ; the others were war 
democrats, and now affiliate with the dem- 
ocratic party ; but politics are not always 
inherited, the sons of the brothers are re- 
publicans. Justin W., a son of William, 
has been for a long time the efficient post- 
master, and Eugene, son of George, an 
active worker in the party, as well as one 
of the most thriving young farmers in the 
town or county. 



DR. OLIVER W. DREW 

came to Waterbury about 1820, from 
South Woodstock, where his father was a 
physician. He lived and practiced medi- 
cine here about 55 years, after which he 
and Mrs. Drew went to live with their only 
daughter, who had married a clergyman 
and lived in Acton, Mass. 

As a man, a physician, a citizen, a friend, 
and a professor of religion, he was sensible 
and practical, trustworthy and conscien- 
tious in all duties. He was three times 
married ; first to Miss Arms, by whom 
he had two children, a daughter who died 
young and suddenly, and Frederick, who 
became a doctor and settled at Ft. Riley. 
His second wife, Miss Woodward, was a 
sister of the late Dr. Woodward of Mont- 
pelier, formerly of Waterbury. His third 
wife survives him. Dr. Drew died in Mas- 
sachusetts about 1878, and his remains 
were brought to Waterbury for burial. 

RICHARD HOLDEN. 

Prominent among the very early settlers 
of the town, as early as 1788, was Richard 
Holden. He was moderator of the meet- 
ing when the town was organized (1790) ; 
chosen first selectman at this meeting, as 
he was in 1791 and several years after [see 
list of selectmen] , and for many years held 
the office of justice of peace; and 1793, 
was sent to the Constitutional Convention. 
His family occupied a respectable position 
in the social circles of that period. The 
sons and daughters were well educated for 
the times, limited as were the opportuni- 
ties of education. The oldest son, Guy 
C, was a teacher of the district school in 
1810, '12. The writer has seen a receipt 
of payment as teacher, signed by him and 
bearing the last above date. Two years 
after, Holden, with a group of small boys, 
was listening on the hill side to hear the 
cannon the day before the battle of Platts- 
burgh, but on the day of the battle, Sunday, 
Sept. II, 1814, there was no need of listen- 
ing to hear the broadside discharges of 
artillery in the lake action, to which a 
hundred of Waterbury boys were witnesses. 
In 1794, the representative to the General 



WATERBURY. 



86 1 



Assembly of Vt., took with him this rather 
singular certificate : 

"Waterbury, Oct. 6, 1794. 
This may certify that Mr. Ezra I3utler, 
who was duly elected as member to attend 
the General Assembly for the town of 
Waterbury for the year ensuing, has for 
about three years made a profession of 
religion, and therefore has declined taking 
an oath in the common form, but choses 
whenever that he was elected into any town 
office, to take the affirmation. 

Richard Holden, 
Jjtstice of Peaces 

Some 62, possibly 64 years ago, the 
Holden family migrated to Northern New 
York. Giles H., the 2d son, and most of 
the family, settled at the mouth of the 
Genesee river, a post of entry 6 miles 
north of Rochester, Holden being col- 
lector and keeper of the lighthouse in 1829, 
as he had been some years before and was 
after that date some years. At the date 
named they were comfortably situated, and 
it is believed were some time after. 

PAUL DILLINGHAM. 

BY B. r. FIFIELD, ESQ. 

Paul Dillingham, son of Paul and Han- 
nah (Smith) Dillingham, was born in 
Shutesbury, Mass., Aug. 10, 1799. His 
father served the country in the Revolu- 
tionary War, first in the Mass. militia 6 
months, then in the Continental Army 3 
years, June, 1777, to 1780, his regiment 
being connected with that part of the army 
which was under tlie more immediate com- 
mand of Gen. Washington. His grand- 
father, John Dillingham, served in the 
"Old French War," and was killed in 
September, 1759, ^" the battle preceding 
the surrender of Quebec to Wolfe. He 
was thus descended from brave and patri- 
otic ancestors, and as it will be seen, pres- 
ently, transmitted the same noble qualities 
to his sons. 

When about 6 years old, he removed 
with his parents to Waterbury, which has 
ever since been his home. In 1818, '19, 
he attended the Washington County Gram- 
mar School at Montpelier, then under the 
tuition of Seneca White, a recent graduate 
of Dartmouth ; and in 1820, commenced 
the study of law with Hon. Dan Carpenter 



of Waterbury. He was admitted to the 
Washington County Bar at the September 
term, 1824, and from that date was in the 
active practice of his profession until 1875. 
As a jury lawyer, he long stood among the 
first in Vermont. 

He was town clerk of Waterbury from 
1829 to "44; representative to the Legis- 
lature in 1833, '34,''37> '38. '39: State's 
attorney for Washington County in 1835, 
'36, ''yj ; a member of the Constitutional 
Convention 1836, '57, '70; State Senator 
of Washington County 1841, '42, '61 ; 
and in 1843, was elected member of Con- 
gress, where he served two terms, and was 
on the committee on the Judiciary. In 
1862, '63, '64, he was Lieutenant Gover- 
nor, and in 1865, '66, Governor of the 
State. 

Mr. Dillingham was a Democrat by birth 
and education, and always acted with the 
democratic party; not, however, without 
many inward and some outward protests 
against its subserviency to slavery. But 
after the attack on Fort Sumter, he knew 
no party but the country, nor did he spare 
any exertion in the maintenance of the 
country's cause. During the presidential 
campaign of 1864, he was a frequent 
speaker at popular meetings, not only in 
Vermont, but in New Hampshire and New 
York. He gave two sons to fight, one of 
them to die, for the country. Charles, his 
oldest son, recruited Co. D, of the 2d 
Regt., in May, 1861, and was in the ser- 
vice till the winter of 1863, '64, when he 
was honorably discharged, being then 
Lieutenant Colonel of the 8th Regt. Ed- 
win, his second son, [See sketch of Major 
Edwin Dillingham in paper that follows.] 

The Governor reared a family of 7 chil- 
dren, 3 daughters and 4 sons. One of the 
daughters, wife of J. F. Lamson, Esq., of 
Boston, died in 1875. One remains un- 
married, and the other was the wife of 
Senator Carpenter of Wis. ; his son, Wm. 
P. Dillingham, is practicing law* in this 
county, and is developing many of the 
traits of character which have rendered his 
father so distinguished. Charles resides 
at New Orleans, La., and Frank at Mil- 
waukee, Wis. 



862 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The many public positions held by Mr. 
Dillingham, both by the choice of his 
neighbors, as well as of the whole people 
of the State, indicate the confidence the 
public have had in his integrity, as well as 
his ability, and that it was well deserved 
is proved by this fact alone ; for while the 
State is sparsely populated, and the people 
as a rule are poor, or simply independent, 
they are intelligent, exceedingly jealous of 
their rights and proud of their public men, 
and thus it has seldom happened that high 
public places have been unworthily con- 
ferred. 

But Mr. Dillingham's fame rests yet 
more in his professional life. I first knew 
him in 1856. He was then in the very 
vigor of manhood and in the full tide of 
professional success, and his reputation 
was that of the very first jury advocate in 
the State. 

At this time, Lucius B. Peck, Timothy 
P. Redfield and Stoddard B. Colby, to say 
nothing of numerous other lawyers of 
superior ability, were in full practice at 
Washington County Bar, and it can easily 
be seen how a natural rivalry among men 
of so much talent, not unfrequently brought 
out exhibitions of eloquence and intellectual 
strength, which gave to this bar a position 
equal, if not superior, to any other in the 
State. 

Often at this time was the court house 
packed, and an interested and appreciative 
audience would stay for hours to listen to 
the grapple of these men in legal debate. 
The great reputation that Mr. Dillingham 
then had as a jury advocate, of course 
made him the subject of general observa- 
tion, and particularly was this so among 
students and the younger members of the 
bar ; but ij; is quite difiicult to present any 
picture of him that will do him adequate 
justice. He must have been seen and 
heard wlien his blood was young, to be 
appreciated, and yet they who saw and 
heard him were often sorely puzzled to find 
out or account for that mysterious power 
which gave him such wonderful mastery in 
jury advocacy, that the traditions of his 
great efforts, evanescent as such things 
are, will last for half a century. Among 



the things which certainly contributed to 
it, was an exceedingly fine presence. He 
was fully 6 feet in height, and weighed 
perhaps, something over 200 pounds. 
Physically, well rounded, though not corp- 
ulent, his step was elastic and his bearing 
kindly, warm-hearted, frank and manly, 
and his intercourse with his fellow-men 
carried with it that insinuating address 
which invited respectful familiarity and 
cordial friendship. There was nothing of 
the aristocrat about him : nothing distant 
or reserved, and yet there was a dignified 
simplicity which always commanded re- 
spect. His dark hazel eyes, too, beamed 
with sympathy and kindliness, and his 
gestures, movements and address were 
natural, easy and unaffected ; and above 
all was his voice, musical and sweet as a 
flute in its lower cadences ; but in passion 
or excitement, rising in its notes clear and 
ringing, it resounded like the music of the 
bugle. 

In addition to these things, he was in 
the enjoyment of excellent health and a 
happy, genial temperament, which made 
everything sunshine about him. All these 
advantages were nature's gifts, and they 
were never tampered with or impaired by 
any vice or bad habit. And these gifts, 
too, are not, and cannot be acquired. He 
who is so fortunate as to possess them, 
must thank his Maker, not himself. With 
these gifts he coupled an instinctive knowl- 
edge of the human heart, acquired by long 
experience at the bar, and familiar inter- 
course and sympathy with his fellow-men. 
He never was a law student in the highest 
sense of the term ; never the mere book- 
worm which David Paul Brown pronounces 
"a mere donkey;" never dealt with the 
sharjD analysis and the keen intellectual 
dissection of great subjects, but his mind 
teemed with brilliant conceptions, glitter- 
ing generalities, happy conceits, apt il- 
lustrations and appropriate anecdotes, 
which were interspersed so ingeniously 
through the argument as the discussion 
went on, that great audiences have stood 
upon their feet by the hour to listen to the 
magic of his eloquence. 

The writer of this sketch once heard 



WATERBURY. 



863 



him in a pauper case, where the question 
of legal settlement turned upon the ap- 
parently insignificant fact whether a fam- 
ily removed in the spring or autumn of 
1816 from one town to another; and one 
witness, an old lad}', remembered it was 
in autumn, because the family went on 
foot, the children were barefooted, the 
ground was frozen, and their feet bled by 
contact with the hard earth. She remem- 
bered, too, that they cracked butternuts 
which lay under the trees at this time of 
the year. Seizing upon these incidents as a 
text, his vivid imagination quickly sketched 
a picture of the privations and suffer- 
ing of the early pioneers in the State, so 
full of tenderness and pathos, that when 
he dropped back into his seat, panting 
with emotion, there was scarcely a dry eye 
in the jury-box, and when the jury went 
out, it took them less than ten minutes to 
vindicate the testimony of the old lady 
who remembered the frozen ground and 
the little children with their bleeding feet. 

It may be thought that in this he was 
simply acting. But it was not so. It was 
genius, a native instinct which directed 
him as certainly to the incidents and char- 
acteristics of a case which could be used 
for effect as the magnetic needle is directed 
toward. the pole. He made his client's 
case his own, and threw into it all the zeal 
and earnestness of his nature. 

In every controversy there is something 
of right on each side, and to a person of 
his natural genius and emotional nature, 
it was not difficult to quickly convince 
himself that the right always largely pre- 
dominated on his side, so that his advocacy 
always had the appearance of the utmost 
sincerity, the utmost candor. Himself a 
member of the Methodist church, and a 
careful student of biblical -history, there 
was an undertone of moral sentiment con- 
tinually cropping out and constantly re- 
turning, illustrated and enforced by apt 
quotations from the Scriptures, and this, 
coupled with his high reputation for in- 
tegrity, gave his utterances extraordinary 
weight and effect. 

When in his best mood, he played upon 
the strings of men's hearts with the facility 



that a skilled musician plays upon the 
strings of a guitar, and made them respond 
to emotions of laughter, anger, sympathy 
or sorrow whenever he pleased and as best 
suited the purposes of his case. By pure 
animal magnetism, he subjected inferior 
wills to the superior strengtli and power of 
his own, and having control, he moulded 
and shaped them to his wishes with the 
ease that the potter moulds the clay. And 
this was just as likely to arise in a small 
case as in a large one. It was antagonism 
that roused him. It was when his brother 
Colby had ridiculed his case, and con- 
vulsed the jury with laughter by the hour, 
that all his faculties were brought into full 
play, and then it was an intellectual treat 
to see him recapture the jury and win back 
the lost cause, and revel in the victory with 
the gaiety of a troubadour. 

Mr. Dillingham never by a professional 
act degraded his profession. He loved it, 
and practiced it because he loved it. He 
withdrew from practice about 1875, after a 
period of professional labors of half a cen- 
tury. He is now in the 83d year of his 
age, and is exceedidgly well preserved for 
such advanced years. An hour with him 
now in social intercourse is a rare enjoy- 
ment. With nothing to regret in the 
past, and a Christian's hope of the future, 
his present condition exhibits a restfulness 
and placidity which fittingly crowns a life 
of labor not spent in vain. 

From Chaplain E. M. Havnes' History of the Tenth 
Rfgiuient, (187(i). 

MAJOR EDWIN DILLINGHAM, 

second son of Hon. Paul DilHngham and 
Julia Carpenter, was born in Waterbury, 
May 13, 1839. The first years of his life 
were passed at the home of his parents, 
aniidst some of the most delightful natural 
scenery in the State. Here the mountains 
are ever green in their towering magnifi- 
cence to the sky. Almost every field is 
laced and ribboned by tireless, sparkling 
streams ; the soil, rich and stubborn in its 
fertility, yields its fruits only to the steady 
persistence of a hardy race ; and here, al- 
most in sight of the State Capitol, and 
within the immediate circle of its legisla- 
tive and social influences, and always 



864 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



under the more refining elements of a 
Christian home, the years of boyhood and 
youtli were numbered. Like other boys, 
we presume he passed them quietly, not 
varying much from the round of spoits 
and duties of New England's revered 
manual for the training of her sons, al- 
though other homes have not been so 
richly endowed by Christian example. His 
opportunities for an education, we are in- 
formed, were respectable and diligently 
improved. Always found at his task, he 
won the admiration of his teachers ; ever 
kind and of a happy spirit, he was loved 
by his fellow-students. Enjoying the 
highest advantages afforded by the com- 
mon schools and academies of his native 
State, he here received all the instruction 
deemed absolutely essential to entering 
successfully upon his professional studies. 
He chose the profession of the law, and 
commenced his preparation for the bar in 

1858, in the office of his brother-in-law, 
the Hon. Matthew H. Carpenter, now a 
senator in Congress, in the city of Mil- 
waukee, Wis., where, however, he re- 
mained but a few months. Upon leaving 
the office of Mr. Carpenter, he entered the 
Law School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where 
he graduated with honor in the autumn of 

1859. H^ finally finished his law studies, 
preparatory, in the office of Dillingham and 
Durant, in his native town, his father 
being the senior member of the firm, and 
then Lieutenant Governor, and afterwards 
Governor of the State. In Sept. i860, he 
was admitted to practice at the Washing- 
ton County bar ; and it is said, "though 
the youngest," was considered " one of its 
most promising members." Subsequently, 
he became the law partner of his father, 
and thus established in his profession, and 
thus associated, he continued until July, 
1862. We have often heard him speak of 
this arrangement as one most suited to his 
tastes, and doubt not that it was one of 
great promise and profit. It may be that 
he had expected to reap much from the 
great ability, experience and wide reputa- 
tion of his father as an advocate and states- 
man, and so enrich his own mind for the 
largest duties of his calling, either in its 



immediate sphere, or else fit himself for 
the demands of a wider field, and prepare 
to win the honor to which the young am- 
bition may justly aspire. But whatever 
schemes of this kind he might have enter- 
tained, they were not destined to be re- 
alized ; even if they did float dimly, yet 
with golden wings, before his mind, his 
nature was not one to remain undisturbed 
by the dark war-cloud that had for two 
terrible years stretched from the Gulf to 
the northern boundaries of his native 
State. Its mutterings, mingling with the 
cries of the slain of his own kinsmen and 
companions in peace, were notes of sum- 
mons. Though the silver lining of other 
dark clouds had betokened promise, this 
had turned to blood, and he would go and 
do battle for his country. Forgetting 
party affinities, and severing dearer and 
sweeter ties, he, with thousands more, 
would make the sacrifice of his young life 
upon the nation's altar. But to write all 
that was noble of this officer, would be but 
to repeat what has been in a thousand in- 
stances already made historic, and for him, 
we, his compatriots and subordinates in 
rank, because he has taken a higher com- 
mission, have but to record the epitajDhs 
of the brave ! 

Upon the President's call for_3oo,ooo 
troops, issued in July, 1862, he actively 
engaged in recruiting a company in the 
western part of Washington County, of 
which he was unanimously chosen captain. 
These recruits finally became Co. B, of the 
loth Reg. Vt. Vols., and were really the 
first raised for that regiment ; but in con- 
sequence of a company organization then 
existing, though formerly designed for the 
9th Regiment, he was obliged to take this 
position in the loth. Soon after the reg- 
iment was fairly in the field, he was de- 
tailed as Assistant Inspector General on 
the staff" of Brigadier General Morris, then 
commanding the ist Brigade, 3d Division, 
3d Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. 
He acted in the capacity oi aui-de-camp to 
this officer during the battle of Locust 
Grove, Nov. 27, 1863, and while carrying 
an order to his own regiment, his horse 
was shot under him and he was taken 



WATERBURY. 



86s 



prisoner. Then he was marched most of 
the way to Richmond and incarcerated in 
Libby prison, where he was kept for four 
long months in durance vilest. In March 
following, he was paroled and soon ex- 
changed, when he immediately returned 
to the field and to his old command. Gen. 
Grant was at this time making his cel- 
ebrated campaign from the Rapidan to 
Petersburg, and consequently rendered ap- 
proach to the immediate scene of opera- 
tions extremely difficult. Still, troops of 
every arm of the service were being hurried 
forward, and Capt. Dillingham was put in 
command of a battalion of exchanged pris- 
oners and enlisted men, which he led to 
the front, fighting some of the way. He 
dismissed his men to their respective com- 
mands, and reported for duty at Cold 
Harbor, June 3, 1864. 

Col. Jewett had resigned. Lieut. Col. 
Henry and Major Chandler had been pro- 
moted respectively to the first ranks in the 
command. Capt. Frost, the ranking line 
officer, was breathing his last the hour he 
arrived ; one-third of the regiment were 
lying dead on the field and wounded in 
the hospital, and the rest, begrimmed with 
dirt and powder, within close range of the 
enemy, wej^e looking down into the Chick- 
ahominy swamp, within steeple view of 
Richmond. Col. Henry had been wound- 
ed on the first instant, and Lieut. Col. 
Chandler soon afterwards became sick, 
and Capt. Dillingham took command of 
the regiment, although he held it but a 
short time, Lieut. Col. Chandler returning 
to duty. The remaining awful days until 
the 1 2th, was his second battle with his 
regiment. June 17, 1864, he was com- 
missioned Major, and went with the troops 
to James river and Bermuda Hundreds, 
where, with a large part of the corps, they 
were ordered into action by Gen. Butler. 
But Gen. Wright delayed obedience to the 
order, and his corps was finally extricated 
by Gen. Meade, after remaining under a 
most distressing artillery fire from the 
enemy's battery for several hours. From 
this time until his death he was constantly 
with the regiment, and some of the time 
in command. 



July 6, 1864, the 3d Division of the 6th 
Corps was -detached from the Army of the 
Potomac, and the two remaining divisions 
soon afterwards, and were sent into the 
Shenandoah Valley, under Gen. Sheridan. 
Arriving at Frederick City, Maryland, on 
the 8th, he was second in command at the 
battle of Monocacy, fought on the 9th, 
Lieut. Col. Chandler being detailed to 
command the skirmish line, and Colonel 
Henry in command of the regiment. After 
marching untold leagues from Frederick to 
the Relay House, to Washington, up the 
Potomac to Leesburg, over into the Shen- 
andoah Valley, through Snicker's Gap, 
where we had a skirmish with the enemy 
over and in the river on the 18th, back to 
Georgetown by way of Chain Bridge, again 
up the Potomac as far as the mouth of the 
Monacacy, thence to Frederick, Harper's 
Ferry, Winchester and Strasburg, back to 
Harper's Ferry, by way of Charleston — 
over 600 miles since we had set foot in 
Maryland, July 21. It was now Aug. 22. 
On the 2 1st, the whole corps was attacked 
vigorously by the enemy; drawing in the 
pickets in front of the 2d Division, while 
the troops were lying quietly in camp or 
preparing for Sunday morning inspection. 
Here, for the first time, young Dillingham 
was ordered to lead his command to battle. 
The regiment, however, was not prom- 
inently engaged, and he had no opportuni- 
ty to distinguish himself. When asked 
how he felt, invested with the full command 
at such a time, he replied : " I felt as if we 
•should make a good fight, but I rather 
wished that Henryhad been there." From 
this time he commanded the regiment 
until he fell at the glorious field of Winch- 
ester, Sept. 4, 1864. 

We may not here describe that battle. 
It was a decisive victory for our arms and 
the country. It was a golden victory. It 
lifted higher the national banner than any 
other battle of the year north of Atlanta. 
But the eye of prescience could have dis- 
cerned a thousand emblems of mourning 
stretched beneath its starry folds, and seen 
the tears of as many Northern homes falling 
for their dead, yet re-consecrating the 



109 



866 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



flag! One was mourned in Waterbury! 
Major Dillingham had fallen ! 

Washington County Court was in ses- 
sion, and attorneys were contending by 
peaceful process for the civil rights of a 
few clients. In Virginia, its youngest and 
most promising member, who had thrown 
his sword into the vaster scale of justice, 
was contending for the civil rights of the 
nation. Under orders to charge the en- 
emy, whose front was ablaze with cannon 
and abatised with fixed bayonets, he was 
firmly pacing back and forth along his 
battle line, steadying its formation and 
awaiting the final signal to advance. Those 
who saw him say that he heeded not the 
the missiles of death that fell thick around 
him and his brave men. Keenly he eyed 
the foe — anxiously he awaited the onset. 
To him it never came. About noon, while 
in this position, he was struck by a solid 
twelve-pound shot on the left thigh, and 
borne bleeding and dying to the rear. In 
two hours he was no more. The regiment 
charged and nobly avenged the death of 
its Major, but he had gone another way. 
Though he never recovered from the 
nervous shock produced by this wound, 
he did not lose consciousness until his 
noble spirit departed. He conversed oc- 
casionally with those around him. Among 
his last vvords was the utterance: "I 
have fallen for my country. I am not 
afraid to die." The first were inspired by 
patriotism, the last by Christianity ! His 
remains were borne to Waterbury and in- 
terred, where the spirit of honor watches 
over the treasured dust ; and when the 
history of Vermont's noble men is written, 
the names of her heroes fairly recorded, 
we shall read high upon the scroll the name 
of Major Edwin. Dillingham. e. m. h. 

A member of the " Tenth," from the bat- 
tle field writes: " While the fight was still 
roaring up over the hill he died, and this 
was the end of a beautiful, harmonious 
life. Young, handsome, brilliant, brave 
amid trials, cheerful amid discouragements, 
upright, and with that kindness of heart 
which ever characterized the true gentle- 
man, blended with firmness and energy as 
a commander, he was ever respected by 



all of his command, and loved by all of his i 

companions. • 

" A fairer and a lovelier gentleman • 
The spacious world cannot again afford." 

We shall long mourn him in our camp." 1 

He fell, as a soldier should fall, 

At the head of his own gallant band ; ; 

He died, as a soldier should die, ■; 

In defence of his own native land. 

He fell 'mid the battle's loud roar, J 
Where the stars and the stripes proud did fly : 

His life to his country lie gave — ; 

" 'Tis sweet for one's country to die." !. 

He fell in the springtime of life, ; 

His country from traitors to save, i 

While the bugle, the drum and the fife ; 

Fired the hearts of the true and the brave. \ 

He died while the victor's shoul ' 

Rang clear on the mountain air. 
While the foe in disordered rout 

Were fleeing in wildest despair. t 

Vermont her proud record shall make. 

And add to her long roll of fame, ' 

With the Aliens and Warners she'll place '' 

Young Dillingham's glorious name. ■' 

The closing tribute to our young hero ] 
is from the pen of J. A. Wing, Esq., of 

Montpelier. ' 

One of the largest and most beautiful • 
monuments of the State, in which elegance '; 
and simplicity combined, has been erected '• 
by the Governor at the grave of his son. ' 
It is of the Sutherland Falls quarry, finest ! 
Vermont marble, the cutting and erecting ''■ 
by a townsman, Geo. C. Arms, of Water- 
bury. I 

Philander A. Preston, born in Water- ^ 

bury, Nov. 27, 1833, enlistedin the Vt. Cav., j 

Sept. I, '61 ; with his regiment till July 6, ' 

'63, when wounded and in hospital till De- y 

cember ; returned to duty ; Jan. '64, re-enlist- ] 

ed ; taken prisoner June 27, at Stony Creek \ 

Station, Weldon R. R. ; taken to Ander- > 

sonville, Sept. 10; removed to Charles- -_ 
town ; then to Florence, where he was 

literally starved to death ; died Jan. or : 
Feb. '65, aged 32 ; left a wife and one son. 

The eighth annual re-union of the Tenth ! 
Vermont Regimental Association was held j 
at Waterbury, Sept. 4, 1873. The asso- j 
elation went in procession to the cemetery i 
to pay honors toMaj. Dillingham, Thomp- 
son, and other Waterbury patriots there • 
interred. 



WATERBURY. 



867 



SOLDIERS BURIED IN TOWN. 

BY HON. WM. P. DILLINGHAM. 

Revolutionary Soldiers who are buried 
in Waterbury: — Capt. Thomas Jones, 
Aaron Wilder, Ezra Butler, Zachariah Bas- 
sett, Moses Nelson, David Town, John 
Hudson, D. Sloan, Benjamin Conant, Paul 
Dillingham, Asaph Allen, Isaac Marshall, 
Thomas Eddy, Alphas Sheldon, Joseph 
Hubbard, Stephen Jones, Asa Poland, 
George Kennan. 

Note. — This list is made from consulta- 
tion with aged persons. In regard to those 
of 1812, any list I could make would be so 
defective as to mislead rather than be a 
help. More than 40 men went out and 
most of them are buried here, and yet I 
have obtained only a dozen of the names. 

Soldiers in the War of 1861 who are bii- 
riedat Waterbury : — Major Edwin Dilling- 
ham, Capt. Lucien D. Thompson, Lieut. 
J. Edwin Henry, Lieut. Dow E. Stone, 
Surgeon James B. Woodward, Alba Dut- 
ton, C. E. L. Hills, Almon C. Thomas, 
Tilton Sleeper, Carlos Prescott, Charles 
Lee, Henry Lee, Joseph B. Conant, Clar- 
ence K. Mansfield, Wm. Wallace Whitney, 
Frank Stearns, Henry Dillingham, H. 
R. Bickford, Tabor H. Parcher, Ira S. 
Woodward, George S. Woodward, H. S. 
Burleigh, Augustus Steady. 

Note. — This list is not complete, but as 
nearly so as time will permit us to make. 

[This list was only asked from Mr. Dil- 
lingham two days before going into print. 
We had overlooked not having it. Ed.] 

ORIGIN of the reform SCHOOL. 

Gov. Dillingham in his first annual mes- 
sage to the Legislature, that of 1865, rec- 
ommended the establishment of a State 
Reform School. On this suggestion an 
act was passed at the session of that 3'ear 
to establish the Vermont Reform School, 
that authorized the governor to appoint a 
board of three commissioners to purchase 
a farm not exceeding 200 acres of land. 

The governor appointed Rev. A. G. 
Pease, Rev. L. A. Dunn, and Charles 
Reed, Esq.. members of the Legislature 
that year. They received their commis- 
sions Nov. 24, and entered on the pre- 



liminary duties of such a board, visiting 
reformatories in other States to acquire 
needful information relating to requisi- 
tions and management of such institutions. 
This was also preparatory to selecting a 
suitable location for a reform school. In 
their report the next year to the governor, 
they relate their proceedings and conclu- 
sions on the subjects of their inquiries ; 
also the requisitions in the location, and 
the reasons which determined them in 
favor of locating in Waterbury, which 
have been already stated in these papers, 
page 854. 

THE BURNING OF THE REFORM SCHOOL 

building Dec. 12, 1874, was a calamity to 
many individuals, and in some respects, to 
the public. The loss of public and private 
property was large ; while 160 inmates es- 
caped with little but their lives in the dead 
of a December night, from their comfort- 
able home to undergo months of depriva- 
tion of their former comforts. 

The loss of personal property in the 
building was little known ; and probably 
few ever knew the loss of the State, in 
other ways than the cost of the building. 
It is well known to the tax-payers of the 
State that the fire led to the removal to 
Vergennes. However much the citizens 
of that ancient city may congratulate them- 
selves upon the event, and the maneuvers 
leading to it, few disinterested persons 
have ever had reason to be proud of the 
success of the means that led to its accom- 
plishment. The careful examinations of 
reformatories in other States, and inqui- 
ries into the necessary requisitions in 
choosing the location of such institutions, 
were narrated in the first annual report of 
the trustees ; and their reasons for the 
selection of the site of the first location of 
the school in Waterbury, are believed to 
have been satisfactory to the great majority 
of the people of the State. If those rea- 
sons were good then, they were no less 
forcible after the fire, but rather more so, 
the surroundings being the same, and in 
addition, the foundation and much available 
material remaining which could be appro- 
priated to the rebuilding, a foundation 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



already being laid ; a large outlay for that 
purpose would have been avoided. But 
whatever reasons might be assigned for 
rebuilding on the old site, the Legislature, 
especially the lower house, seemed indis- 
posed to regard them, while the senate by 
a very small majority concurred in the re- 
moval, even after the passage of the act 
authorizing the governor to purchase cer- 
tain designated real estate in Vergennes 
for the locating the reform school, it was 
reported he had serious doubts of the pro- 
priety of doing what the act authorized for 
purchase of that real estate. — R. butler. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WATERBURY. 

1876. — This mission, before it became a 
parish with a residing pastor, was attended 
occasionally, first by Father O'Callaghan 
from Burlington, then successively by Rev. 
J. Daly, Rev. Father Drolet, the Reverend 
Oblate Fathers, from Burlington, Rev. Z. 
Druon and Rev. Joseph Duglue, the two 
last clergymen living then at Montpelier. 
It was in 1857, that the old church, dedi- 
cated to St. Vincent Ferrier, was built on 
the hill on the east side of the railroad, at 
a little distance from the depot. It was 
enlarged about 10 years afterwards by 
Father Duglue. The present pastor, the 
Rev. John Galligan was appointed to take 
charge of his congregation in the year 
1869. He soon purchased a fine residence 
in Winooski turnpike street, and this year 
(1876,) he bought the adjoining lot where 
stands the Adventist meeting-house, which 
he is now enlarging and converting into a 
church. Rev. Z. Druon. 

1882. — The Church of Waterbury was 
dedicated to Almighty God under the voca- 
ble of St. Andrew, the Apostle, Nov. 30, 
1876. Waterbury is now attended regu- 
larly on every other Sunday by Rev. J. 
Galligan. Bishop De Goesbriand. 

Patrick Bryan, the first Catholic in town, 
a tailor, came from Burlington from 18 15 
to '20 ; settled and worked at his trade. He 
had a large family, and brought another 
tailor from Burlington here, Michael Con- 
nor, a Catholic ; both spent their lives here. 
Mr. Connor had several sons in the war. 
R. Butler. 



SOME DAY. 

There will be a hush in a darkened room 
Where, heeding not the stilly gloom, 
A pallid form will lowly lie. 
Beneath the folds of snowy drapery. 
Pale hands clasped o'er a pulseless breast, 
Cold white lips in silence pressed, 
Eyes— that have closed in sleep for aye; 
There will be footsteps' muffled tread. 
And voices whisper, "she is dead," 

Some day. 
Others tears and others woes 
Shall not disturb my deep repose; 
Perhaps some loving hand may press 
My marble form in tenderness, 
And twine the myrtle with flowers fair. 
To deck my rest, as I slumber there. 
But naught to me will that pressure be, 
Of beauty, or fragrance of rarest flowers. 
The light or shadows of passing hours — 

Some day. 
1 shall not heed as they bear me on. 
With solemn tread, to the churchyard lone; 
Or hear the tone of the deep-toned bell. 
Breaking with mournful ebb and swell; 
As they lower me down, I shall feel no fear, 
The requiem's strains I shall not hear,— 
Or even the shock of the yellow clay. 
As with hollow sound on my coflin lid, 
It falls and covers my narrow bed, 

Some day. 
Summer aiid winter will come and go. 
With their floral wreath and robes of snow. 
And the phantom train of years go by. 
But I shall not heed them where I lie. 
The violet there, with its eyes of blue, 
May weep o'er my grave its tears of dew. 
The wild bird sing his sweetest lay. 
Yet the heart beneath lie cold and still; 
Will not respond with its wonted thrill. 

Some day. 
Only a lock of silken hair. 
Little mementoes here and there, 
Only a ceasing of care and .-trife, 
AlasI alasl is it all of life? 
Ah, no! there is somewhere a fairer shore, 
Wliere friends long parted shall meet once more, 
A beauteous land in the far away. 
Where light and joy will ever remain. 
And the soul its long-lost treasure regain. 

Some day. 
Then why should we fear. Oh Death, thy clasp. 
Or shrink at the touch of thy icy grasp? 
Since thou art the angel that opens the gate 
Of that city bright where our loved ones dwell. 
We will place these hands, without one thrill, 
Into thine own, so cold and chill; 
Come le.ad us to that realm of day. 
Where never a sigh is heard, or knell. 
But where the pure and beautiful dwell 

Forever. 
Waterbury, Vt., March, 1872. m. m. n. 

[A poem we clipped from the Burliiig- 
toit Free Press ten years since, and re- 
served till we might reach the history of 
Waterbury, not anticipating any difficulty 
in finding the author ; but our inquiry is 
to-day, who wrote it? 



WATERBURY. 



DR. C. C. ARMS, 
[From the Vermont Watchman.] 

was a physician liere 20 years. He came 
from Stowe, where he first practiced his 
profession a short time. He was married 
not long before coming here, Nov. 16, 
1833, to Lucia Mills, born in Windsor, 
Dec. 5, 1805. They had two daughters 
and one son, one daughter died in child- 
hood, one in yonng womanhood. Dr. 
Arms, Sr., died Apr. 15, 1854, age 51 ; 
Mrs. Arms Mar. 20, 1882. Mrs. Arms 
spent the most of her days after her hus- 
band's death in Waterbury, and left behind 
her a life marked by a quiet but positive 
exercise of the cardinal virtues of woman- 
hood. Her only son. Dr. Charles Carroll 
Arms, encouraged by his resolute mother, 
made his way through college, graduating 
at Dartmouth in the class of '65, acquired 
his profession, and now in Cleveland, Ohio, 
sustains a good reputation as a man and a 
physician. It was his privilege to be with 
his mother at her death. 

DR. F. p. DREW, 

Only son of Dr. Oliver W. Drew — see 
page 860 — born in Waterbury, pursued 
classical studies in the University at Bur- 
lington, and his professional studies in the 
Medical College at Woodstock, and in the 
College of Surgeons of New York, where 
he graduated in the spring of 1857, and in 
the summer of that year entered upon his 
profession in Attica, Fountain Co., Ind. ; 
in the fall of 1859 iTioved to Junction City, 
Kansas, and continued the practice of his 
profession nearly 2 years ; was appointed 
Post Surgeon at Fort Riley, in the dis- 
charge of which office he continued until 
his death from pneumonia during the war, 
we believe, at the age of 35, leaving a 
young widow. He married Dec, 1861, to 
Nelly Chaney, of Attica, Ind. The Re- 
publican C/m'on, Junction, Kansas, said of 
him at the time of his death : " By several 
years of medical practice in the vicinity of 
Junction City and Fort Riley, and as army 
surgeon at the Fort, he had acquired a 
high and increasing reputation. To a 
mind well disciplined by scientific culture, 
he added the gentle culture and the kind 



sympathy which flow from a generous 
heart. His own ease, his health, even, were 
of no account compared to what he es- 
teemed the claims of duty to the suffering." 
His father's death did not occur till 
some years after that of his son. The fa- 
ther had three wives ; first, Lucretia Arms, 
second, Margaret Woodward, third, Olivia 
L. B. Atherton. The first was the mother 
of his two children. The family are all 
now, but the third Mrs. Drew and daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Wood, dead. 

BUTLER SKETCHES -CONTINUED. 

EARLY FAMILIES. 

We have briefly sketched three or four 
early families of our town ; if space permit- 
ted, we might notice some others, perhaps 
as worthy of such distinction in the Gazet- 
teer. Without attempting i)articulars in re- 
gard to most of them. Stiles Sherman had a 
family of 12 children, several of them died 
young; only one survives, Mrs. Bebee of 
Burlington ; she was the youngest daugh- 
ter. Seth Chandler Sherman was the 
youngest son. He took the honors of the 
graduating class of 1829, in the Vt. Uni- 
versity. A few years after he setttled in 
Quincy, 111., and lived there many years, 
and was much respected. He died two or 
three years since, and with his companion 
was buried in the same grave. The oldest 
brother, when young, settled in Central 
New York. Heman, the next older brother 
of Chandler, died a few years since in 
Ogdensburgh, N. Y., and was buried in 
this, his native town. An older sister mar- 
ried Elam, a brother of the late Judge Dan 
Carpenter. He died young, and his widow 
afterwards married Luther Cleaves. This 
family consisting of a son, Sherman Car- 
penter, and two sisters with their parents, 
moved West many years ago, and lived in, 
or in the vicinity of St. Louis, where Mrs. 
Cleaves died perhaps 20 years ago, having 
lived some years in her second widowhood. 
Thus might other similarly interesting 
sketches of families be made. We will 
only give the names of many, as they oc- 
cur in our recollection. There were Wil- 
sons, Perrys, Hills, Parchers, Guptils, 
Atkins, several families, Cadys, Wrights, 



870 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Fisks, Hawleys, Roods, Robbins, Stevens, 
Austins, Aliens, Scagels, Jones, Parkers, 
Murrays, Woodward, severallarge families, 
Greggs, three families. Smiths, two of 
Pecks, John and Hiram, Henrys, several 
Shermans, Kneeland, Palmers, Thomp- 
sons, Richardsons, Georges, Eddys, Bry- 
ants, Towns and Demmons, and still others 
whose names were familiar as household 
words 50 years ago. Of the recent names 
of business men or others, there are, 
omitting professionals, Seabury, Selleck, 
Knight, Wyman, Richardson and Fuller- 
ton, Arms, Haines, Bruce, Warren, Ran- 
dall, Brown, Hopkins, Clark and Freeman, 
Stockwell, Davis, Cooley, Crossetts, Rem- 
ington, Cole, Atherton, Muzzey, King, 
Morse, Picketts, Moodys, Evans, Taylors, 
Griggs, Watts, Collins, Foster, Jackman, 
and others. 

LARGE MEN. 

Some half century and more since, -our 
town could boast of numbering among its 
inhabitants several families whose name 
stood high in the alphabet, but who, in 
their corporal dimensions, stood quite as 
high, and in their circular measurements 
quite respectable ; indeed, they would 
hardly fall short of the more recent Moody 
families. The Atkinses were numerous 
as well as of powerful frames, altitude 
over 6 feet, weight over 200, and some of 
them were men of wit, as most were of 
genial humor and good mental endow- 
ments. Any jokes at Henry's or Albro's 
expense were sure to be promptly paid in 
ready coin. 

Horace and Henry were carpenters and 
joiners, and the builders of the first meet- 
ing house in town. Capt. George, the 
militia captain, was with his company at 
the battle of Pittsburgh. David was one 
of the town officers in early days, and, as 
well, a good deacon, I doubt not, as he 
married my father's sister, and belonged 
to his church. John was a man of some 
peculiarities ; it was said gathered sap with 
one pail only, most sugar makers use two 
if without a team . 

Jerum Atkins, his son, has a biogra- 
phy we would take pleasure in giving the 
reader were it possible to do justice in 



the brief space allotted to this closing part 
of the history. Suffice it to say of him, 
from mere childhood he had a remarkable 
inclination for mechanism, and soon after 
developed an inventive genius of superior 
order. He worked with Henry Carter, a 
millwright, some years, and went West at 
about the age of 19, where he became 
somewhat famous as the inventor of the 
first grain-raker attachment to McCormick's 
celebrated reaper. This was an important 
invention, to the great grain growing region, 
especially, but owing to want of means, 
and want of health, he was obliged to di- 
vide the value of his invention with some 
one able to manufacture and introduce the 
raker into market. By injudicious man- 
agement, after many, had been disposed of, 
a change of manufacturer ruined the credit 
of the article, and others took advantage 
of this mismanagement of his manufacturer 
and reaped the profits of the invention. 
The history of Mr. Atkins is too long for 
these pages, and many interesting particu- 
lars must be omitted. 

GEORGE W. RANDALL, 

was born in Waterbury in 1826. Few 
men have had more varied experiences, 
and the events of his youth, and adven- 
tures in two trips to California have trained 
him to self-reliance and readiness in emer- 
gency. From poverty he has risen to 
wealth, and conducts an extensive business 
with little help from clerks, tlis farming 
and lumbering enterprises give employment 
to many ; and some of his feats in filling 
orders for dimension timber upon short 
notice, are surprising. His bills of lum- 
ber sent to .several different States, amount 
to many thousands of dollars annually. 

OUR MERCHANT FIRMS 

have not very much changed in the last 10 
years . I n the te n preceding there were more 
changes in manufacturing, business and 
merchant firms. The Colby business, 
somewhat divided up, a part going to Mont- 
pelier, a part to the state of Michigan, and 
a part remaining. Mr. B. F. Goss, who 
had been a merchant here 20 or 30 years, 
moved to Vergennes, Mr. J. G. Stimson, 
who commenced trade here in 1844, went 



/' 



WATERBURY. 



871 



to Norwich, his native town, we think. 
Both these men were prominent in busi- 
ness, in politics, and in church, and will 
long be remembered by]our older citizens. 
Mr. Goss became very successful in his 
new business, the manufacture of kaolin, 
in a town adjoining Vergennes. [See 
Montpelier, p. 471.] Of business changes 
at the Centre, we note that of Mr. Stock- 
well succeeding Mr. Hayes ; Clark and 
Freeman continue. William Cooley con- 
tinues his creamery. 

It would seem hardly excusable in us to 
pass the names of Messrs. Goss and Stim- 
son, after their long residence here, and 
having such social and business relations 
with us as they had, without somewhat 
more notice. Both Mr. and Mrs. Goss 
[Frank Goss, see family of Samuel Goss, 
history of Montpelier.] were genial in 
their manners, public spirited, sympathiz- 
ing in all the vicissitudes of life and liberal 
to all benevolent enterprises. 

Mr. Stimson was with us a man thor- 
oughly schooled in business ; he was in 
early life, we think, in partnership in trade 
with Senator Morrill. His oldest son, 
William, served in the recent war, and has 
since been in mercantile business in New 
York. His second son is a doctor in Con- 
necticut ; third, probably with his parents. 
The youngest is a missionary in some for- 
eign land, and is a graduate of Dartmouth ; 
also a theological graduate. 

Mr. Stimson has built two stores here, 
and given much for benevolent objects and 
the church of which he was a member. 

THE LAST FIKE IN THIS PLACE, 

of considerable account, was in the night, 
of July 27, 187S, in a central part of the vil- 
lage, when 4 Stores, some of them, in part, 
occupied as dwellings, were consumed. 
The owners were M. M. Knight, J. A. 
Burleigh, F. B. Taylor and M. O. Evans. 
In the first was a large stock of dry goods ; 
total losses about $25,000, insured about 
two-thirds or three-fourths. These stores 
in 1879 were all replaced by two brick 
blocks, creditable to the builders and to 
the village. 

One of the heaviest individual losses by 



fire, that ever occurred in our town, was 
that of Dr. Fales, May 15, 1877. The fire 
was not discovered till several barns and 
sheds, with ten or a dozen head of cattle 
and three or four horses, were past being 
rescued. The fire rapidly approached the 
house, and the firemen were unable to save 
it on account of the insufficient supply of 
water. This house which had been, for 
sixty years, one of the most conspicuous 
in town, has since been replaced by a much 
more valuable one of brick. Dr. Fales 
was insured to considerable amount. 

LONGEVITY. 

The widow of Judge Carpenter died aged 
93 ; a Mrs. Woodward, about 95 ; Elizabeth 
Corlis, 94; Mr. Heaton, 96; Daniel Stow- 
ell, about 92 ; John Montgomery, living, 
85 ; Enoch Coffran, living, 87 ; Moses 
Nelson, living, 85 ; Nancy Frink, 86 ; Mrs. 
Daniels, 89 or 90; Mr Janes died aged 87^ ; 
Mrs. Janes, 3 months of 82 years ; John 
Seabury, 87 ; L. Hutchins, about 80. 

1880. — Zenas Watts, who has been en- 
quiring after the ages of the old people in 
town, says he has learned of 41 persons 
whose average age is over 83 years. Of 
this number 5 are females over 90 years. 
Governor Dillingham is 83 ; John Mellen, 
86; Elias Parcher, 86; Mrs. Spelacy, 86; 
Betsey Brown, 86; Jerry Brown, 82. 

TOVi^N CLERKS. 

Ezra Butler, 1790-97, 98, 99, 1800; 
Ebenezer Reed, 1797; Roswell Wells, 
1801-6; Abel Dewolf, 1806; Dan Carpen- 
ter, 1 807- 1 0-12-29; John Peck, 1810, ii; 
Paul Dillingham, 1829-44; William Car- 
penter, 1844-51 ; John D. Smith, 1851-74; 
Frank N. Smith, 1874-82. 

THE BANK OF WATERBURY. 

The act of the Legislature chartering the 
Bank of Waterbury, was approved Dec. 5, 
1853, and the commissioners appointed 
were : Wm. W. Wells, Paul Dillingham, 
W. H. H. Bingham, V. W. Waterman, 
T. P. Redfield, Rolla Gleason and Dan. 
Richardson. The bank commenced busi- 
ness Apr. 18, 1854, with the following di- 
rectors : Leander Hutchins, Paul Dilling- 
ham, Wm. W. Wells, Orrin Perkins and 
V. W. Waterman ; Leander Hutchins, 



8/2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



president, and Samuel H. Stowell, cashier ; 
paid up capital, $80,000. At different 
times the following persons were elected 
directors to succeed others resigned, etc. : 
Samuel Merriam, B. F. Goss, J. H. Has- 
tings, A. R. Camp, H. A. Hodges, O. W. 
Drew, C. N. Arms and Healy Cady. Benj. 
H. Dewey succeeded S. H. Stowell as 
cashier, Mar. 6, 1856, and served until 
May I, 1865, when James K. FuUerton 
was appointed. Sept. i, 1865, the bank 
re-organized under the National Bank Act 
as the Waterbury National Bank, with a 
paid up capital of $100,000, divided into 
2, 500 shares of $40 each. Officers: Leander 
Hutchins, president; James K. FuUerton, 
cashier ; directors, Leander Hutchins, Paul 
Dillingham, O. W. Drew, J. H. Hastings, 
H. A. Hodges, C. N. Arms and Healy 
Cady. Mr. Hutchins served as president 
until Jan. 13, 1874, when, declining a fur- 
ther election, Paul Dillingham was chosen. 
Mr. FuUerton was cashier until Apr. i, 
1870, when Curtis Wells was appointed. 
At different elections the following persons 
were chosen to fill vacancies in the board 
of directors : Nathaniel Moody, Wm. P. 
Dillingham and W. H. H. Bingham, and 
Jan. 9, 1877, Wm. P. Dillingham was 
elected vice president. At the present time 
the capital of the bank is $100,000 ; surplus 
fund, $30,000; number of stockholders, 
138. W. p. DILLINGHAM. 

WATERBURY MEN ABROAD. 

Waterbury has sent many of her sons, 
or of her former residents, to other states. 
A few of them merit some mention. Two 
assisted in forming the constitution of 
Wisconsin, George Scagel and George 
Gale, both natives of this town. Mr. Gale 
founded a village and a university, and was 
a judge of one of the higher courts. 

S. C. Sherman was many years a prom- 
inent citizen of Qnincy, 111. Several have 
been among the comparatively early cit- 
izens of Chicago, and some have long been 
residents in Louisiana. Our boys may be 
found in various parts of New York state 
and in the city, in most, or all of the New 
England states, in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, 
Michigan, California, and other states in 
every direction, many of them being suc- 



cessful farmers, merchants, doctors, min- 
isters, lawyers, editors, inventors and man- 
ufacturers, and, indeed, in most avoca- 
tions of life, Waterbury is represented 
creditably abroad as well as at home. 

MRS. FANNIK BUTLER JANES, 

widow of the late Hon. Henry F. Janes, 
died in Waterbury, Nov. 5, 1881. She 
was the daughter of Governor Ezra Butler, 
the first permanent settler in Waterbury, 
born Feb. i, 1800, in the house on the 
Burlington road, now occupied by E. H. 
Wells. There in her childhood davs she 
had given refreshment to the soldiers going 
to the battle of Plattsburg, and her ears 
had listened to the cannon thunder of that 
combat. Before her father's door Gov- 
ernor Van Ness had halted to introduce 
LaFayette. In 1826, she married Mr. 
Janes. In sight of her birthplace, beneath 
the shade of the two great elms on the 
site of her son's new residence, their mar- 
ried life was wholly spent. The great 
elms were little trees then, a child could 
clasp them. She passed her declining 
years peacefully with her son, Dr. Henry 
Janes, and a brother, Russell Butler, Esq., 
survives her. In these centennial years 
we think our nation is growing old until 
we stand by the graves of the aged ; then 
we are impressed with our country's youth, 
for how much of its history one such life 
can span ! 

THE STAR OF NATIONS, 

Is the title to an unfinished religious poem 
of length, that Mrs. Julia Wallace Hutch- 
ins has long had under way : 

O, Morning Star, in tlie Old World's east, 

Bevoud tlie storm-cloud's wreatli, 
Wlien tlie tliunder lowers on the Himalay, 

And tlie earthquake sleeps beneatli, 
How dark would be the coining hour, 

Th}' single ray withdrawn, 
Till the thunder wake, till the tempest break. 

In the day of Esdrajlon; 
Till the rocks be rent, and the wrath is spent, 
O, Star of Hope, shine on. J. M w. 

The space is filled left for Waterbury, it 
was thought we would only have material 
for, when our compositors had set all the 
copy in, and had to enter Woodbury ; but 
we will give, in 3d appendix later, a few 
more papers received since, than can be 
entered here. 



WOODBURY. 



873 



WOODBURY. 

14Y HON. FEUNANDO C. I'UTNAM. 

The early history of Woodbury is some- 
what obscure from the' absence of any re- 
cord of its organization. In 1804, there 
was a deed recorded by Wm. West, town 
clerk, by which it may be inferred that the 
town had been organized. 

First settlement was commenced in the 
east part of the town, and settlements were 
continued to the east and southern parts 
of the town several years, — or until 1809 
or 10, when Nehemiah and Nathan Jack- 
son, two strong, athletic men, moved 
from Randolph, and settled on the west 
side of the mountain. The first saw-mill 
was built in the south part of the town, 
near the Sabin pond, on a stream running 
from Dog pond. Soon after, there was a 
saw and grist-mill built half a mile south of 
the Center, on a stream running from Long 
pond . 

Polly Sabin was the first female child 
born in town, Frederick Ainsworth the first 
male child. Wm. West was doubtless the 
first town clerk, and one of the first justices 
of the peace; Elisha Benjamin the first 
representative. 

Comfort Wheeler, settler and Revo- 
lutionary soldier, little is known of his 
early life, or when he was engaged in the 
service of his country ; but it is told of him 
when recruiting service was going on in 
Massachusetts, he was considered quite too 
small to enter the army, but securing a 
block, he placed himself in the midst of 
the crowd on this, and when the recruiting 
officer observed him, he said of the boy, 
if he had so much energy as that, he would 
take him. His last years were made com- 
fortable by a pension. 

Capt. Joel Celley among the early 
settlers, a man of energy and persevering 
effort, did much to give character to the 
town ; was representative several years, 
and held many town offices. He was a 
shrewd farmer, and was reported to have 
one of the best farms in the county. 

Jabez Town came here when the town 
was yet young, and resided for years in a 
log-house, and maintained his family by 



hard labor ; was a shoemaker, and made 
boots of a superior quality, which afforded 
him some income ; but after the invention 
of a last-machine by his son, Abner Town, 
yet a minor, the sales of his lasts gave him 
a good income, which furnished him ample 
means for the remainder of his life. 

CHARTER. 

August 16, 1781, the Legislature of Ver- 
mont granted a charter of the town of 
Woodbury to William Lyman, Esq., and 
Col. Ebenezer Wood, and their associ_ates 
as follows : 

Joshua L. Woodbridge, Seth Murray, 
Elihu Murray, Israel Chapin, John Stone, 
Benjamin Sheldon, Samuel Cooke, Elisha 
Porter, John C. Williams, Thomas Hunt, 
Nathaniel Edwards, Ezra Phillips, Nahum 
Edgar, Asahel Pomeroy, Park Woodward, 
John Woodward, Asa Woodward, William 
Potter, Benedict Eggleston, Thos. Wood- 
ward, Joseph Clark, Henry Champion, Jr., 
Epaphroditus Champion, Thomas Miller, 
Joel Day, Anne Hathaway, William Gould, 
Nathaniel Chipman, Stephen Pearl, Joseph 
Jay, Thomas Tolman, Oliver Wright, 
Daniel Wright, Samuel Clark, Stephen Jen- 
kins, Zebina Curtiss, Abel Adams, Moses 
Gifford, Thomas Chittenden, Timothy 
BrownsOn, John Fassett, Jr., Noble Ever- 
ett, Jonathan Brace, Gustavus Walbridge, 
Rodolphus Walbridge, Caleb Benjamin, 
John Knickerbocker, Daniel Benjamin, 
Howel Woodbridge, Samuel Bishop, Noah 
Smith, Daniel Smith, Israel Smith, Chloe 
Smith, Simeon Hathaway, Shadrack Hath- 
away, Jale Hathaway, Jonathan Burrill, 
Enoch Woodbridge, John Burnham, Timo- 
thy FoUett, Silas Robinson. 

A copy of the charter and original 
grantees was obtained from the State rec- 
ords as recorded in the first Book of Char- 
ters of Lands, pages 166, 169, dated at 
Montpelier, "31st day of May, A. D. 
1805." Signed by David Wing, Jr., Sec- 
retary of State. 

Certified as follows : 

" This may certify that the above and 
foregoing is a true Copy of the Original 
Charter of Woodbury. 

Attest, Eliph. Huntington, 

Proprietors' Clerk." 



874 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



This town was called Woodbury, for the 
name of Col. Ebenezer Wood, one of the 
original proprietors. 

The first action of the original proprie- 
tors was to lay out the town into three di- 
visions, of which there is no record of the 
time, or by whom it was done, as will 
appear, as the notice of the first meeting 
of the proprietors was signed by Reuben 
Blanchard, a justice of the peace of Peach- 
am, dated Aug. 8, 1804, to be held at the 
dwelling-house of Daniel Smith, in Wood- 
bury, Oct. 8th, after. At said meeting 
Daniel Smith was chosen proprietors' clerk, 
and it was voted to lay out the whole of 
the undivided lands into lots of 100 acres 
each, in the same form in which the first 
division was laid, and John W. Chandler 
and James Whitelaw were chosen a com- 
mittee to make said allotment. The above 
meeting A^as adjourned to Nov. 20, and 
again adjourned to May 25, 1805, when 
Eliphalet Huntington was chosen proprie- 
tors' clerk ; Daniel Smith having previously 
moved out of town ; and it was voted to 
accept the plan and field book of the west- 
erly part of the town reported by their 
committee, and it was voted to assess a 
tax of $2.60 on the 2d and 3d division 
rights, to defray the expenses of sui-veying 
and lotting the 2d and 3d division of said 
town, and other incidental expenses, and 
Jonathan Elkins, Esq., was chosen col- 
lector. This meeting adjourned to June 
4th, following. At this time the allotment 
of the 2d and 3d division having been 
completed, Mary Kenaston, an indifferent 
person, was chosen to draw the lots of said 
divisions; James Whitelaw, Esq., was 
chosen a committee to look up and procure 
the records of the former proceedings of 
the proprietors of Woodbury relative to 
their former divisions. Notice of the next 
meeting was signed by Jabez Bigelow, a 
justice of the peace of Ryegate, dated July 
26, 1805, to be holden on the first day of 
October, following ; at said meeting, the 
proprietors' clerk reported that the original 
plan and draft of the first division of lots 
in the town of Woodbury cannot be found, 
though considerable pains had been taken 
to obtain the same, and a new one was 



submitted and accepted, and it was voted 
" that it shall hereafter ever be considered 
the draft of the said first division as be- 
fore stated." Jonathan Elkins, Esq., of 
Peacham, was appointed collector to collect 
the $2.60 on each right of the 2d and 3d 
division, unless paid immediately to him 
at Peacham, the same would be sold at 
public auction for said tax and costs, which 
sale was at the dwelling-house of Joshua 
Kenaston's in Woodbury, on the first day 
of October, A. D. 1805 ; attested by Jon- 
athan Elkins, Jr., collector. At this .sale 
John W. Chandler of Peacham, purchased 
about 50 lots for the sum of $3.32 per lot, 
being the amount of the tax and costs 
which he and his heirs have since sold 
from $50 to $200 per lot ; the aforesaid 
first division was surveyed by one Cham- 
berlain into lots of 100 acres each, being 
in all 91 lots, commencing to number at 
the S. E. corner of the town, counting 
east and west, each lot being known by its 
number and survey. The balance of said 
town was surveyed by Nathan Janes, being 
designated as " Janes' survey," containing 
133 lots of 100 acres, each commencing to 
number at the S. E. corner of the 2d and 
3d division, counting east and west, same 
as in the first division. 

The first settler in the town was Gideon 
Sabin, who located in the east part, in the 
year 1795, or '96, and was followed the 
same year by Joseph Carr, and soon after 
by William West, all locating in the east- 
erly part of the town ; and according to 
the best information to be obtained, the 
next who located in town was in the year 
1801, when Benjamin Ainsworth and John 
Bettis located in the south part of the 
town. The first 12 settlers are as follows : 
Gideon Sabin, Joseph Carr, Wm. West, 
Benjamin Ainsworth, John Bettis, Ephraim 
Ainsworth, Thomas Ainsworth, Ezekiel 
Ball, Daniel Rugg, Ferdinand Perry, 
Daniel Smith, and Samuel Mackres. 

The first town meeting on record was 
Mar. 4, 1806, when said officers were chos- 
en: moderator, Samuel Mackres; Wm. 
West, town clerk and treasurer ; select- 
men, Samuel Mackres, Joshua Kenaston, 
and Smith Ainsworth; constable, Benja- 



WOODBURY. 



875 



min Ainsworth ; listers, David Rugg, Josh- 
ua Kenastonand Smith Ainsworth ; grand- 
juror, Joshua Kenaston. At a subsequent 
meeting, there was a committee appointed 
to look up the early records of the town ; 
but their labors were unavailing, and they 
were discharged, The oldest deed now on 
our records is dated Oct. 10, 1804, attested 
by Wm. West, town clerk. 

The first birth in Woodbury was Polly 
Sabin ; the second, Timothy Thomas ; 
the third, Peter Sabin. The first death, 
that of an infant child of Gideon Sabin. 
The first grown person dying in town was 
the wife of Ezekiel Ball. The first mar- 
riage was John Thomas to Ruamy Ains- 
worth, married by William West, Esq., 
justice of the peace. 



The first settlements being made on the 
east side of the town, adjoining Cabot, the 
inhabitants went there to get their logs 
sawed and grain ground, and also their 
store goods and mail, and which has been 
continued to the present time, it being 
their nearest business place ; but soon after 
settlements were commenced in the south 
part of the town. In 1806, Anthony Bur- 
gess built a saw-mill on a stream which has 
its rise, or is the outlet of Dog pond, and 
empties into Sabin's pond, this mill being 
near the pond. This stream is about 3 
miles in length. For many years there 
has been 4 saw-mills on it, all kept in run- 
ning order. In 1818, Phineas K. Dow 
built a saw and grist-mill near the center 
of the town, on a stream which has its rise 
in Long pond, emptying into the Sabin 
pond, near the other, which mill under his 
supervision did a fair business many years. 
He also built, soon after, a saw-mill on a 
stream running from East Long pond in- 
to Nichols pond. Some portion of the 
time since there has been 10 saw-mills, 
which number is now reduced to 6, three 
of them recently built on improved plans. 
There is one grist-mill, which is located 
at South Woodbury. There are in town a 
wheelwright shop, which has an enviable 
reputation, doing a successful business, 
sales amounting to near $10,000 per an- 



num ; a sash, blind and door shop, and a 
last-factory, the latter having been estab- 
lished nearly 50 years, is now doing a good 
business — the best ever done, employing 
both steam and water power. There are 
also 3 lumber mills, which do an extensive 
business, one at the Centre, one at South 
Woodbury village, and one in the east part 
of the town ; also, at So. Woodbury there 
is a machine shop, which manufactures J. 
W. Town's patent last-machines, also job 
work on a small scale. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school taught in the town of 
Woodbury was by Sally White, in the 
year 1808. 

The first record we find was in 181 2, 
when three districts, which had been formed 
out of the new territory, and were desig- 
nated as the northwest, southeast, and 
northeast school districts ; but there had 
been short terms of school before this date 
in all of these districts, commencing at 
the northeast district, now No. i ; this 
portion of the town being first settled ; 
next southeast, No. 2 ; northwest, No. 4. 
There was in 18 12, in district 3, T}, schol- 
ars ; in 1820, dist. 6, 176; 1830, dist. 9, 
299; 1840, dist. 11,363: 1850, dist. 11^, 
(fractional dist.,) 350; i860, dist. 11,330; 
1870, dist. 10, 308. 

Six of the districts have good school- 
houses built upon improved plans ; ^some 
very recently, others have have been re- 
paired, so that they are comfortable. 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

F. C. Putnam, Jason Hatch, A. W. Nel- 
son, Sidney O. Wells, Hiram Wells, Albert 
P. Town, Rufus Lawson. 

REPRESENTATIVES . 

Elisha Benjamin, 1812; no record in 
town or House Journal, 1813 ; John Bruce, 
18 14, 15, 16; Nathan B. Harvey, 1817; 
Benjamin Fowler, 1818, 19, 23, ,24, 25, 27, 
28; Joel Celley, 1820, 21, 22, 26, 29, 30; 
Ebenezer Bruce, 1831 to 35, 38; Luther 
Morse, 1835 ; Asaph Town, 1836, yj , 55 ; 
Abner Town, 1839, 4°' 45 ! ^'"'^ McLoud, 
1841, to 45, 46, 52 ; Michael Jackson, 1847, 
48; Benjamin Wells, 1849, 50; Stephen 
C. Burnham, 1851, 53; Isaac Wells, Jr., 



876 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1854, 56; Hiram Putnam, 1857, 58; Orson 
Putnam, 1859, 60; J. W. Town, 1861, 62; 
Allen W. Nelson, 1863, 64; Joel C. Har- 
vey, 1S65; Roland B. Bruce, 1866; Al- 
pheus S. Wheatle}', 1867, 68; Nathaniel 
C. McKniglit, 1869, 70, 71 ; Sidney O. 
Wells, 1872, 72>- 

TOWN CLERKS FROM 1806 tO 1 872. 

William West, 1806-10; Joshua Kenas- 
ton, 1810, II, 13, 14"; Elisha Benjamin, 
1812, 15; Jabez Town, 1816, 17, 18, 19- 
23, 25-32; Nathan B. Harvey, 1818; Joel 
Celley, 1823, 24; Asaph Town, 1832-49; 
William McGregor, 1849-52; Allen W. 
Nelson, 1852 to the present time, Dec, 
1872. 

First Justices of the Peace : Wil- 
liam West, Daniel Smith, Samuel Mackers. 

postmasters. 

Woodbury: Daniel Poor, Elias S. Drew, 
John B. Bliss, Asa Preston, William B. 
McGregor, Abner Town, A. W. Nelson, 
Ethan N. Ainsworth and Albert P. Town. 

South Vlu-iodbnry: Joel W. Celley and 
Orwell D. Town. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

Ebenezer Bruce, assistant judge, W. 
Co. Court, 1844, 45 ; Ira McLoud, high 
sheriff, W. Co. Court, 1849, 51 ; Asaph 
Town, senator, W. Co., 1851,52; Fer- 
nando C. Putnam, assistant justice, W. 
Co. Court, 1867, 68. 

In Jan., 1876, there was formed a Con- 
gregational church of 28 members, the 
present membership of which is 54. It 
seems to promise well for the future, and 
there is a flourishing Sabbath school con- 
nected with it. At South Woodbury there 
has been a union church built, an elegant 
building, but the same difficulty hangs over 
this that has troubled the builders of other 
churches, there remains a troublesome 
debt on the builders. 

There is no library in town, but the 
town has paid considerable attention to 
education. There are many good school- 
houses, and teachers of the better class 
are generally employed. 

Three young men have graduated from 
Burlington: Hon. Charles H. Heath, a 



lawyer in Montpelier, and Ernest C. Ben- 
jamin, a teacher of the high school in Bar- 
ton. Geo. W. Kenaston, who graduated 
at Dartmouth, is in Ohio, engaged in 
teaching. 

FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 

It appears the first settlers were Freewill 
Baptists, and were connected with a church 
in Cabot until 1820, or 22, when through 
the efforts of Elder Ziba Woodworth, of 
Montpelier, they had a church formed in 
town. David Herrick and wife, Elisha 
Benjamin and wife, Mrs. Robert Bradish, 
Gideon Burnham and wife, Thomas Ains- 
worth and wife, John Bettis and wife, Mrs. 
John Thomas, Nathan Jackson and wife, 
and Nehemiah Jackson and wife were the 
principal members, located in different 
parts of the town. There were two dea- 
cons, David Herrick and Nehemiah Jack- 
son. The church was re-organized about 
1850; most of the old members having 
now died or moved away. Elder Isaac 
Swan was settled as their pastor. I will 
mention here the names of Elder Gideon 
Sabin and Elder Ephraim Ainsworth, who 
are said to have been of that .faith ; but 
Elder Sabin never united with the church, 
and Elder Ainsworth died before the church 
was organized. Elder Sabin was the first 
settler and first preacher. Elder Ainsworth 
was well advanced in life when he came; 
but both lived out their alloted time, and 
died in the town. 

METHODISTS. 

In 1 81 6 there was a class formed by 
Elder Amasa Cole ; John Goodell and wife, 
Capt. Joel Celley and wife, Anna Goodell, 
and Squire Jennings and wife were some 
of the members ; but the first record proof 
is found in I847, when the first class num- 
bered 26 members ; the West Woodbury 
class, 10. John Tibbetts was leader, and 
Asaph To\vn, Esq., steward, which office 
he held until his death, in Jan. 1871. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

The first church of this order in these 
parts seems to have been composed of 
members from four towns, Cabot, Marsh- 
field, Calais and Woodbury, and was organ- 



WOODBURY. 



877 



ized about 1820, with 40 or 50 members, 
and in a few years run up to 60 or 70. 
Meetings were held a share of the time in 
Woodbury, Elder John Capron, of Marsh- 
field, J. R. Pettengill and R. Thompson 
being the first preachers. Subsequently, 
through the efforts of Elder Samuel Thur- 
ber, a church was formed in town whose 
members exceed that of either of the other 
churches. The meetings of the first church 
were held at the dwelling-house of Thos. 
Harvey, he and his wife being prominent 
members ; afterwards, meetings were held 
at the Harvey school-house, which is in 
the east part of the town, and where the 
members nearly all resided. Elder Orrin 
Davis, of Calais, has preached a portion of 
the time for several years since to this 
society : also Elder Silas Wheelock, of the 
same town, has supplied the desk some, 
but for the last 4 years, Elder Jerome 
D. Bailey, resident of this town, has 
preached at the town-house and Harvey 
school-house from one-fourth to three- 
fourths of the time. 

In 1826, the Freewill Baptists numbered 
at least 40 members, and at the same time 
the Methodists numbered about half the 
above numbers. 

Within the recollection of the writer, 
there have been four distinct organizations 
of religious societies in town, viz. : Chris- 
tians, Freewill Baptists, Methodists and 
Universalists. 

In 1810, there was a revival in this town, 
but no very definite information can be 
obtained in regard to its extent. In 182 1, 
or 1822, there was a general revival, prayer- 
meetings being held in nearly every house 
in town. Again in i'826, of some magni- 
tude, and in 1842 and '43, a very general 
one spread over this town, as it did all 
over this section of the State. The exact 
number of converts at any of the above 
revivals is not known to the writer. 

SABBATH-SCHOOLS.' 

The first was organized in 1842, with a 
library of ,124 volumes, and Asaph Town 
was the first superintendent ; Arad Jack- 
son, John Voodry, Willard Streeter, Eliza 
Town, Phebe Town, Betsey Herrick, 



Dorcas A. Lyford, first teachers, with 36 
scholars ; Asaph Town, chairman, David 
Herrick, Jr., secretary, Curtis Osgood, 
treasurer. 

A Sabbath-school was organized at the 
center of the town in 1848 ; Albert?. Town, 
present superintendent ; volumes in library, 
200 ; 6 teachers and 30 scholars. 

The first Sabbath-school at East Wood- 
bury was organized in 1838; Wm. Harvey 
superintendent, until his death in 1843. 
It was re-organized in 1865 ; Lewis Hop- 
kins superintendent. The school has con- 
tinued until the present time, '71, with an 
average of 35 to 40 scholars, the present 
superintendent being Thomas Harvey, Jr. 

But little, however, will be said of 
churches, as I have no records to refer to, 
and the history of church edifices in this 
town does not embrace a very remote 
period. From the early days, meetings 
have been held here in school-houses, four 
or five of which were quite commodious. 
In the year 1840, the town built a town- 
hall or town-house, which has been used 
for holding meetings up to the present 
time. In 1870, the people here thought 
well to erect a church, and through the 
influence of several of our best inhabi- 
tants, a subscription paper was circulated, 
and a Union church society formed, with 
F. C. Putnam president, and S. O. Wells 
secretary, and a capital stock of $5,000. 

At the first society meeting, Henry C. 
Wells, Ira G. Jewell and Edmund E. Ball 
were chosen building committee, and m 
the spring of 1871, work was commenced 
on the church, which is now completed, at 
a cost of $6,000. In size the church is 
44x60, with projections in front and rear 
for spire and pulpit, and is finished inside 
with ash and black walnut, the 54 slips, 
circular, radiating from the pulpit, and 
will seat 324 persons. The spire is 120 
feet high, surmounted by cardinal points 
and vane. The edifice is called one of the 
best wooden churches of its size in the 
State. It has also a vestry, with chairs to 
seat 3C0 persons, and seats that will swell 
the amount to probably 500 persons. It 
is located in the village of South Wood- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



bury, and makes a very respectable addi- 
tion to the appearance of this quiet village. 

The township is diversified and some- 
what broken. In the western part there 
is a mountain range, commencing in Calais, 
extending through the town, and ending 
near the Lamoille river in Hard wick. On 
the western slope of this mountain there 
are many productive farms. The soil is 
good, and produces excellent crops of hay 
and all the small grasses and corn in favor- 
able seasons. 

There is a beauty in this mountain range 
which attracts the notice of the passing 
stranger ; some, if report be true, who have 
traveled in Europe say there is a striking 
resemblance to Switzerland scenery. The 
mountain is not so high as to make it dif- 
ficult of ascent, yet sufficiently high to 
show what mighty throes there must have 
been in the bowels of the earth to cast up 
such vast piles of massive rocks. In win- 
ter, the evergreens standing in mantle of 
snow, give it a sombre appearance ; in 
summer, the green verdure, stretching out 
green branches by interlocking them, seem 
to strive to cover up the craggy rocks ; but 
when autumn comes, and frosts nip the 
verdure, and the mountain's brow is re- 
splendant in a pleasing variety of colors, 
who has a taste for the beautiful cannot 
fail of emotions of pleasure ; but where this 
beauty is mirrored by a pond, sleeping in 
quiet at its base, it is delightful, and the 
longer any one gazes, in a clear, autumnal 
day, the more he is enchanted ; few objects 
in nature can surpass the beauty of this. 

Two miles east of this range, there is an- 
other mountain standing alone, called Rob- 
inson mountain, and sometimes Foster 
mountain, because an enterprising farmer of 
that name felled the huge trees which cov- 
ered it, and converted it into a luxurious 
pasture. This mountain is rich in granite 
and talcose slate, the granite preponder- 
ing. For centuries has the gray old moun- 
tain rested in quiet, but it is expected the 
quiet will soon be disturbed by the rattle 
of the machinery hammers of the work- 
men, who have begun the business of re- 
ducing some of this vast pile of rocks to 
such forms as are required for monuments 



and other purposes for which granite is 
used. The quality of the granite has been 
ascertained to be superior, as it is free 
from all foreign substances which causes 
some of the State granite to change its 
color when exposed to atmospheric influ- 
ence and moisture. From the base of the 
mountain are scattered for miles around 
large and small boulders with the corners 
worn off, exhibiting the mighty force which 
must have been in exercise to have tum- 
bled them along, and an annoyance to the 
ploughman ; but the land makes excellent 
and enduring pasturage, as well as pro- 
ducing abundant crops of hay. In some 
sections of the town there is good and pro- 
ductive land, which well repays the tillers' 
toil, and those owning these lands have 
generally secured an ample supply of this 
world's goods. 

There are some 23 ponds, large and 
small, in this township, most of which 
were well supplied with trout, which were 
the first settlers' pork barrel. And when 
they wearied of trout, the deer and moose 
offered an agreeable change, or an oc- 
casional round of bear meet ; for bears, too, 
would sometimes come forth from their re- 
treats to feast on the yellow corn and fat 
mutton. Bears love good mutton, but 
frequently they paid for the temerity by 
stepping into a huge steel trap which was 
sure to hold them, or coming in range of a 
gun so placed when they came in contact 
with a line attached, it would explode, 
and instead of a square meal of corn, the 
brute, unconscious of his danger, would 
yield his flesh and pelt to repay the debt 
he owed for corn. And about these ponds 
and streams there was then an abundance 
of animals whose pelts were secured for 
furs. Col. Jonathan Elkins, mentioned in 
the history of Peacham, and the famous 
Indian Joe, spoken of in the history of 
some of tlie towns, were often hunting on 
these grounds for beaver, otter, mink, 
muskrat, sable, and an animal called by 
the inhabitants fisher-master, or black cat, 
from its color. Those employed in build- 
ing dams, might take a lesson from our 
beaver dams, some of them still stand- 
ing, notwithstanding the ingenious build- 



WOODBURY. 



879 



ers have long since ceased to make re- 
pairs. 

The first settlers in town were : Joseph 
Carr and Gideon Sabin. Reports vary 
as to this, some saying they came to- 
gether ; others, that Joseph Carr came first, 
felled the first trees, and was subsequently 
joined by Gideon Sabin, who was a mighty 
hunter, before whose unerring aim the 
game was quite sure to fall. His was a 
complex character, composed of the qual- 
ities of hunter, preacher and farmer. The 
early settlers have often heard his stento- 
rian voice when he called his faithful dogs. 
Hunting was his delight as long as he was 
able to pursue. Reynard, deer and bear 
have often been bagged by him. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

There were three Revolutionary soldiers 
who made their homes here, whose last 
years were made comfortable from the 
pension bestowed on them by government, 
which were richly deserved for the toils 
and sufferings of those early days, for 
which they were paid in continental money 
which became worthless. 

JOSEPH BLANCHARD 

was born in Concord, N. H., where his 
ancestors resided, and where, when the 
dark clouds of despotism were hanging 
like a gathering storm over this country, 
the patriotism of young Blanchard com- 
pelled him to enter the ranks of those who 
went forth to protect their dearest rights 
from being snatched from them. He was 
for years in those stirring scenes which 
called for men of true worth to fight the 
battles of liberty, and his mind formed in 
the positive school of the times, when a 
tory was the object of extreme hatred, led 
him to be most decided in his likes and 
dislikes. He was a fast friend or a bitter 
foe ; a man of a large heart and a quiet 
disposition, but when roused by opposi- 
tion to some of his cherished views, the 
spirit of early life developed itself strongly. 
He left a n.umerous progeny, a very large 
proportion of whom have well sustained 
the character of their progenitors in in- 
tegrity and uprightness. 



DAVID RUGG 

came into town when it was yet almost an 
unbroken wilderness, and made a home 
for himself and family. He also went 
forth early at his country's call, and con- 
tinued during the war of the Revolution. 
He was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and 
among those behind the breastwork made 
of rail fence and newly-mown grass. He 
said he was near Gen. Putnam during the 
fight, who encouraged his men by some of 
his oflf-hand speeches, and they, partaking 
of his spirit, fought with desperation. 
When Washington took command of the 
forces, he was still in the service, and 
when Arnold was about to betray West 
Point, he was called with a few others to 
skirmish with the vessel which brought 
Andre on his mission to purchase West 
Point of the traitor Arnold, and when they 
were about to fire from the ship, he, with 
his fellows, retreated behind a large pine 
tree standing on the shore. On that cold, 
stormy night, when Washington and his 
division were enabled to cross the Dela- 
ware and march to Trenton, Mr. Rugg 
was among his soldiers who went forth 
from their gloomy abodes to victory ; 
and when the storm of war was gathering 
about Yorktown, he was still in the army 
of Washington, and witnessed his final 
departure from his disbanded army, and 
returned to Massachusetts, and gave his 
last $70 of the depreciated currency of the 
time for a mug of flip. His pension came 
just in time to save him, whose early life 
had been devoted to the service of his 
country, from a pauper's home, and saw 
him standing in all the dignity of the true 
patriot and conquerer. 

LONGEVITY OF WOODBURY. 

Persons iv/io have died of 70 years and 
■upwards. 

Gideon Sabin, age 74, Lucy Sabin 82, 
Comfort Wheeler 91, David Chase 71, 
Caleb Putnam 86, Susannah Putnam 94, 
Silas Chase 70, Sarah Chase 70, Eleareda 
Blake 76, Nancy Ainsworth 74, Jeremiah 
Blake 93, his wife 88, Abram Hinkson 89, 
Acsah Hinkson 81, Daniel Smith 90, Nancy 
Smith 80, Ezra Chase 79, Oliver King 78, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Sarah King 80, Anna Ellis 89, Joseph 
Blanchard ^T, Phebe Blanchard 72, Phebe 
Celley 72. Elias Heath 71, Lucy Heath 71, 
Mark Nelson 85, Sarah Nelson 81, Isaac 
Hill Ti, Katherine Hill 86, John Cristy -]"], 
Lambert Sprague 83, William Celley 79, 
Isaac Wells 74, Mariah Daniels 70, Daniel 
Haskell 'j'})^ Daniel Lawson 84, Jabez Town 
81, Lucy Town 78, James Nelson 76, 
Apollos Wheeler 91, Hannah Wheeler 70, 
Calvin Ball 70, Amos Lakeman 88, Luther 
Ball 75, Joseph Morse 83, Kent Drown 80, 
David Colwell 83, Elizabeth Colwell 81, 
Lucy Buzzell 89, James Wheeler 'J'},, Han- 
nah Wheeler ']'] , Rufus Wheeler 70, John 
Goodell 87, Jonathan Lawson 74, wife 70, 
Simeon Chase 93, Elias Heath 78, Simeon 
Edson 78, Nehemiah Jackson 79, Mary 
Jackson 82, Thomas Bradish 71, Hannah 
Bradish 80, Robert Bradish 83, Abigail 
Bradish 81, Martin Lawson 76, Samuel 
Burnham 86, Mary Burnham 86, Aaron 



Powers 80, John Thomas 85, Rueamy 
Thomas 87, Ephraim Ainsworth 84, wife 
84, John Baptist 100, Eunice Baptist 91, 
Thomas Ainsworth 91, Hannah Ainsworth 
81, James Alexander 90, Amy Alexander 
70, David Rugg 100, Lucy Rugg 80, 
Ferdinand Perry 90, Thomas Ainsworth 
81, Caleb Noyes 75, Jacob Bedell 76, 
Thomas Bedell 80, Benjamin Smith 80, 
Holden Wilbur 80, Joseph Carr 80, Nancy 
Carr 80, Samuel Mackrus 80, Hyranus 
Farr 70, Sally Batchelder 85, John Weeks 
87, Phebe Hopkins 75, William Keniston 
72, Thomas Harvey 86, Schuyler Wells 76, 
Isaac Wells 92, Nathan Jackson •]•], Eliza- 
beth Jackson 86, Gideon Burnham ']'], 
Susannah Burnham 88, Sarah Cudworth 
70, John L. Bruce 75, Sylvester Jennings 
84, Sally Rideout 80, Willard RideoutSs, 
Sally Danforth 80, Eliza Danforth 84, 
Benjamin Barrett 93, Jacob Grossman "j"] , 
Asa Phelps 80, Maria Bliss 81. 



MILITARY RECORD OF THE TOWN OF WOODBURY. 



SOLDIERS OF lS6l — 65. 



NaiiK'S. 
Ainsworth, Albert 
Ainsworth, Alfred 
Ainsworth, Henry A. 
Ainsworth, Wm. VV. 
Ainsworth, Llewellyn M. 
Ainsworth, Eugene D. 
Ainsworth, Jefferson 
Ainsworth, Ira 
Barrett, Ira 
Barrett, Cephas T. 
Barrett, Geor2;e 
Bill, Silas 
Burnham, Horace 
Bigelow, George 
Bailey, Nathaniel 
Brown, Elijah S. 
Blake, Stephen D. 
Burnham, Edwin 
Bliss. Warren E. 
Batchelder, Ira F. 
Batchelder, Alonzo J. 
Bruce, Horatio I. 
Batchelder, Nathan E. 
Burnham, Albert 
Bailey, Fdwin M. 
Blake, Maranda R. 
Barrett, Benjamin J. 
Bedell, John P. 
Benjamin, Thomas W. 
Barrett, Levi 
Bailey, Richard M. 
Barrett, Charles A. J. 
Barrett, Geo. W. 





BY 0. D 


. TOWN 


Reg. Co. • 


Elll 


stecL 


6 G 


Oct 


261 


x Bat. 
9I 


Aug 
June 


2264 
1662 


do 


Dec 


1863 


IX L 


Dec 


2163 


II I 


Nov 


23 63 


8 F 

4 E 

5 E 


Mar 
Feb 
Dec 


17 05 

7 61 


2 F 


May 


20 61 


8 E 


De6 


16 61 


9 I 

C Cav. 
6 H 

4 H 
2 F 
II I 

do 


July 

Jan 

July 

Aug 
May 
Dec 

Nov 


I 62 

4 64 

II 63 

^i 61 

761 

2363 


4 G 
II I 


Sept 
Aug 


4 61 
462 


4H 


Mar 


562 


S S 
4H 
do 

13 H 
2 Bat. 


Sept 
Sept 
Sept 
Aug 
Nov 


2761 

761 

761 

19 62 

21 61 


F Cav. 


Dec 


1663 


II I 


Aug 
Dec 


19 61 
362 


8 E 


Dec 


18 61 


9 I 


Dec 


II 61 


8 E 


Dec 


2 61 


II I 


Aug 


1564 



Remarks. 
Discharged July 25, 62. 
Mustered out May 17, 65. 
Corpora! ; Mustered out June 13, 65. 
Mustered out June 13, 65. 
Corporal ; Mustered out Mar. i, 65. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 

do do 25, 65. 

do July 13, 65. 

Corporal ; Killed June 14, 63. 
Discharged Mar. 27, 62. 
Mustered out June 28, 65. 
Corporal ; Discharged May 15, 64. 

do Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. 
Mustered out July 15, 65. 
Killed May 15,64"^, 
Died Feb. 3, 63. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Corporal ; Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Sergeant; Mustered out July 13, 65. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Re-enlisted, Mustered out July 13, 65. 
Died of wounds June 21, 64. 
Mustered out Sept 30, 64. 
Re-enlisted, Mustered out July 13, 65. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
2d Lieut. ; hon. discharged Mar 3, 65. 
Died Sept 13 64. 

Re-enlisted, Mustered out Jan 29, 65. 
Mustered out Jan 24, 65. 
Died October 4, 63. 
Mustered out May 31, 65. 
Discharged Sept 14, 62. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 



WOODBURY. 



;i 



Names. Res- Cd. 
Batchelder, Frank 4 E 

Batchelder, John D. ill 
Batchelder, Charles M. do 

Bigclow, Rufus 8 E 

Bigelow, John B. 6 H 

Bancroft, Chas. F. 4 H 

Batchelder, Ziba 3 H 

Clapp, Oliver 1 1 L 

Collins, Thomas 11 I 

Cud worth, Edwin 13 H 
Cudworth, Franklin 4 11 

Cameron, Araph P. 11 A 

Carr, Harlow 9 I 
Celley, Edwin H. 2 H 

Cole, Joseph B. 13 H 

Carr, Chester 1 1 I 

Cameron, Clerren 1 1 H 

Carr, Samuel B. ill 

Danforth, Francis 11 I 

Drenon, John S. 11 L 

])ow, William II. 3 H 

Drenon, Frank J. 1 1 L 

Eastman, Horace B. 3 G 

Eastman, Gibson 11 I 

Eastman, Merrill Y. 3 G 

Eastman, Curtis O. 11 I 

Farnsworth, Cyrus 4 H 

Farnsworth, Nathaniel L. 4 H 

Fisk, Elisha C. 11 A 

Farr, Benjamin A. 1 1 E 

Farr, Wm. Hyranus 3 G 

Graves, Hiram 2 K 

Goodell, Lewis 11 I 

Goodell, Henry 2 D 

Goodell, Lewis F. 2 C 

Goodell, Tohn A. 8 E 

Goodell, Wm. M. 11 I 
Goodell, Leroy do 

Goodell, Henry M. do 

Hall, Horace 6 G 

Hall, Aaron P. 2D 
Hall, James K. do 

Hall, Marvin J. do 

Holmes, Horace B. 2 H 

Holmes, Almon H. 3 K 

Holmes, George P. 8 E 
Holmes, Ira do 

Hammond, Chas. E. ^5 ^ 

Haskell, Landas W. 11 I 

Hopkins, Daniel E. 2 Bat. 

Hinkson, Ezra A. 4 G 

Holmes, Clark J. 11 I 

Hopkins, Charles 4 H 

Hopkins, Wm. J. 9 I 
Holmes, Lyman B. 3 K 

Jackson, Marcus N. ill 
Jackson, Orra W. do 

Jackson, Samuel do 

King, David G. 8 E 

Labarron Frank 8 E 

Laird, John ' 4 H 

Lawson, Norman C. 2 H 

Leonard, Orlando L. 4 G 

Ladd, James 4 B 

Lyford, J. Monroe C Cav. 
Laird, Lemuel 4 H 

Lyford, Aura 3 K 

Lawson, Truman 11 I 



Enlisted. 
Feb I 65 
Nov 21 61 
Dec 5 63 
Mar 6 65 
July 2561 
Sept 61 
July 3 61 
May 23 63 
Aug 13 62 
Aug 19 62 
Sept 4 61 
Aug 9 62 
May 30 62 
July 25 63 
Sept 7 62 
Aug 1 1 62 
Aug 9 62 
Nov 30 63 
Aug 1 1 62 
July 1 1 62 
June 1 1 61 
May 14 63 
June I 61 
Aug 6 62 
June II 61 
Aug 862 
Dec II 63 
Aug 25 61 
Aug 7 62 



Feb 
Dec 
Dec 

Nov 
May 

July 

Feb 
Dec 
Dec 



1465 

7 61 

1463 

21 63 

7 61 
2563 
14 65 

8 63 
563 



July 15 62 
Oct 3 61 
May 9 61 
Aug 7 62 
Aug II 62 
Aug 20 61 
July 10 61 
Nov 29 61 
Dec 7 61 
Sept 7 62 
June 31 62 
Dec 2 61 
Sept 4 61 
July 19 62 
Aug 29 61 
May 29 62 
July 10 61 
Nov 22 63 
Dec I 63 
Dec I 63 
Dec 7 61 
Apr 22 64 
Sept 24 61 
Aug 21 61 
Aug 22 6i 
Aug 22 61 
Sept 12 61 
Mar 62 
July 10 61 
Dec I 61 



Renjjirks. 
Mustered out July i. 65. 
Died Feb 27, 64. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
do do 25, 65. 

do do 26, 65. 

Corporal; Died in Hospital first winter. 
Died Feb 13, 62. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Sergt. ; Died Mar 30, 63. 
Corporal ; Mustered out Jan 21, 63. 
Died of wounds May 11, 64. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Discharged April 10, 63. 
Mustered out July 15, 65. 
do do 21, 63. 

Deserted July 26, 64. 
Died Sept 24, 64. 
■ Deserted Nov 2, 64. 
Mustered out June 25, 65. 
Lieut., pris'r i yr. disch'ged May 15, 65. 
Corporal ; Mustered out July 27, 64. 
Corporal ; Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Sergt. ; re-en., Mustered out July 7,65. 
Died Jan 10, 63, 
Discharged June 3, 62. 
Sergt. ; Mustered out June 29, 65. 
Mustered out July 13, 65. 
Sergt. ; re-en., mustered out July 13, 65. 
Corporal ; discharged Nov 25, 63. 
Mustered out July 13, 65. 
Discharged Aug 9, 65. 

do do 24, 64. 

Mustered out June 24, 65. 
Corp.; re-en., mustered out June 19, 65. 
Died, wounded June 6, 64. 
Mustered out May 25, 65. 
do June 24, 65. 

Discharged first year. 

do Nov 19 62. 
Discharged Dec 15, 63. 
Mustered out June 29, 64. 
Killed in Wilderness May 5, 64. 
Discharged Jan i, 63. 

do Sept 12, 64. 
Deserted Jan 27, 63. 

do Mar 5, 63. 
Corp. ; Re-en. deserted June 28, 64. 
2d Lieut.; mustered out Aug 5, 63. 
Sergeant ; do June 24, 65. 

Sergt.; re-en, mustered out July 31, 65. 
Discharged Jan 6, 62. 

do June 27, 63. 

do April 3, 62. 

do Oct 22, 62. 

Deserted Jan 27, 63. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 

do do do 

Died Aug 8 64. 
Discharged Aug 2, 63. 
Mustered out June 25 65. 
Discharged Jan 30, 62. 

do April 16, 64. 

do Sept 19, 62. 

do do 19, 62. 

Mustered out Nov 18, 64. 
Wounded at Freders'g and discharged. 
Discharged Dec 13, 63. 
Mustered out June 24, 65. 



882 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Names. 
Labairon, Robinson 
Lilley, Patrick 
Lyford, Henry 
Morse, Benjamin F. 
Morse, Joseph Jr. 
McLoud, Brooks I). 
McLoud, Edward T. 
Morse, Franklin B. 
Mack, Wm. H. H. 
Morse, John Orlando 
Mack, Justus W. 
McKnight, Carroll A. 
Mack, Orson M. 
Nelson, Orrin 
Nelson, Edmond H. 
Nelson, Geo. H. 
Nichols, Don P. 
Pierce, Ezekiel 
Powers, David 
Richard, Eli 
Richard, Henry 
Stowe, Theodore 
Trow, Loren D. 
Thomas, Wm. W. 
Tucker, Harvey D. 
Trow, Geo. C. 
Vaughn, Isaac C. 
Voodry, Geo. B. 
Voodry, Henry C. 
Voodry, Josephus 
Vaughn, Alvin P. 
Wells, Irvin N. 
Wheeler, Wm. C. 
Withani, Thomas 
Willey, Ransom A. 
Wells', Wm. R. 
White, Geo. A. 
Weeks, Chas. E. 
Wheeler, John Q. 
Witham, Moses 
Whitney, Curtis B. 
Way, Jacob 
Witham, Aaron 

Paid Commutatfon. — Geo. C. Bemis, Augustus A. Bliss, Edwin Bruce, Roland B. Bruce. 
Alonzo A. Clark, .Samuel Daniels, John A. Goodell, Ira G. Jewell, Stephen Leavitt, Martin 
Lyford, Corliss G. Osgood, Benjamin F. Rideout, Willard Strague, True A. Town, Vergil B. 
Webster, Sidney O. Wells, George White, Augustus O. Wilber. 

This town not only furnished more men than required to fill its quota without any public 
meetings to stimulate enlistments, and without paying any of the large bounties which most 
of the towns in the State were compelled to, but furnished several men for Hardwick, Cabot, 
Marshfield, Calais, East Montpelier, Elmore and a few other towns. We claim for Wood- 
bury an excellent and honorable war record. I think it will be found that there were more 
men went to the war from here than any town in the State with the same number of in- 
habitants. I have not recorded any more on this list which we are not entitled to, and none 
but what at the time of their enlistment were residents of our town. 

By the request of Hon. F. C. Putnam, I have given this list. o. D. T. 



Ues. Co. 


Enlisted. 


8 E 


Dec 


I 6i 


9 I 


July 


I 62 


6 G 


Oct 


15 61 


8 E 


Dec 


9 61 


2 H 


Aug 


20 61 


2 H 


Aug 


20 61 


Unas'ned 


Dec 


363 


8 E 


Dec 


361 


8F 


Mar 


1565 


9 I 


Dec 


463 


9 I 


June 


2662 


II A 


Aug 


18 62 


8 F 


Mar 


1564 


4 G 


Feb 


1862 


8 E 


Dec 


761 


2 D 


Dec 


1262 


4 D 


Aug 


17 61 


13 H 


Aug 


19 62 


2 D 


Dec 


1263 


13 H 


July 


19 62 


2 D 


Dec 


1263 


13 H 


Aug 


19 62 


3 H 


June 


I 61 


II I 


Nov 


2363 


II A 


Aug 


762 


2 H 


Sept 


18 61 


2 Bat. 


Nov 


19 61 


2 F 


Mav 


20 61 


3 K 


Feb 


862 


3 G 


June 


I 61 


9l 


June 


1862 


U S M C 


June 


2263 


II I 


May 


2763 


2 K 


Dec 


1967 


II I 


July 


25 62 


II I 


Aug 


I 62 


2 H 


Aug 


20 61 


6 H 


July 


II 63 


C Cav. 


Oct 


761 


9 I 


June 


1S62 


II I 


Aug 


3064 


8 A 


Aug 


2664 


9l 


May 


2862 



Remarks. 
Corp. mustered out June 14, 65. Re-en. 
Discharged April 25, 63. 
Mustered out June 26, 65. Re-en. 
Sergt. ; Mustered out June 22, 64. 
Mustered out Sept 13, 64. 
Killed in Wilderness May 5, 64. 
Died at Brattleboro Jan 13, 64. 
Mustered out June 22, 64. 
do do 25, 65. 

Died Nov 27, 64. 
do Oct 25, 62. 
Dis'dOct 27, 64. Deserted Co H 13 reg. 
Mustered out June 28, 65. 
Died soon after exchanged. Prisoner. 
Discharged Feb 20, 63. Lost Limb. 
Mustered out July 15, 65. 
Deserted April 19, 62. 
Mustered out July 21, 63. 
Mustered out May 13, 65. 
Musician ; died Feb 26, 63. 
Corp. ; mustered out July 5, 65. 
Sergt. ; Mustered out July 21. 67. 
Mustered out at Montp'r. Inv. Corps. 

do Dec 31, 64. 
Discharged Feb 15, 64. 
Mustered out Sept 10, 64. 
Corp. ; discharged Oct 26, 62. 

do Mustered out Jan 29, 64. 

do Killed Oct 19, 64, at Cedar Creek 
Discharged Sept 20, 62. 
1st Sergt., 1st Lieut. ; Resig'd May 2,65 
Discharged Sept 2, 63. 

do April 13, 64. 

Prisoner and died at Florence, S. C, 
Mustered out Jan 24, 65. 

do do do 

Killed at Frederick'gh May 12, 64. 
Mustered out June 26, 65. 
do Nov 18, 64. 

Deserted June 1 5, 63. 
Mustered out June 25, 65. 
Deserted Oct 8, 64. 
Mustered out June 13, 65. 



JOSHUA M. DANA, 

was born Dec. 12, 1805, at West Lebanon, 
N. H. ; he was the grandson of William 
Dana, one of the first settlers of Lebanon, 
and son of Wm. Dana, Jr. He lived at 
Lebanon till he was about 12 years old; 
then his father moved to Montpelier, where 



he lived a few years, and after moved to 
Calais. He spent most of the time in 
Montpelier and Calais, for several years. 
About 1856, he bought land in Woodbury, 
and began clearing it ; built a house, barn, 
etc. In September, 1858, he was married 
to Miss C. C. Bennett, daughter of Mr. 



WORCESTER. 



883 



Nicholas Bennett of East Montpelier, and 
went to Woodbur}' for a permanent home, 
where he resided until his death, July 
3, 1878. 

His widow and son, Charles H. Dana, 
are still living on the farm he cleared for 
their home. He was an honest man, a 
good citizen, and beloved by his friends. 

His remains were interred in the " Cutler 
burying ground," at East Montpelier. 

H. M. D. 

[ He was a somewhat extensive contribu- 
tor for the Montpelier papers. In the 
WatcJwian I find papers on farming, in 
the Argils and Patriot, " Early Incidents 
in the history of Lebanon," (N. H.) — 
" An Indian Scare," etc., — so traditionally 
good and well told, we regret the history 
of both Calais and Woodbury had not 
been written up while he was alive to 
have assisted. Woodbury is 15 miles from 
Montpelier ; Mr. Dana would come out 
a-foot to his sister's here, and return again 
on foot to the last year of his life. On 
one of these visits. Thanksgiving, 1876, 
his sister, Miss Hannah M. Dana, who 
lives in the first cottage under the cliff. 
Elm Street, gave him a gold pen he was to 
use in writing to her, and he writes : " Jan. 
first, eighteen hundred seventy-six." We 
glean from to keep a picture, of this old 
and quaint Washington County writer's 
Woodbury home, as drawn by himself.] 

( When he got home.) 

The boy had been good 

And fed all the stock. 
Had brought in all the wood. 

And wound up the clock. 

Three cows that are good, 

Three heifers the same — 
Three steers to draw wood. 

And four calves that are tame ;, 

Two sheep we can boast. 
Two leaders, with others behind; 

To bake, boil, or roast, 
Or for wool they 'r the kind. 

And then Charley's hens 
The corn they devour; 

Makes them look like fat Cochins- 
Fit to eat any hour I 

• •#*♦»* 

Threescore and ten I 

Only think of my age, 
In the tramps I have been 

I shall no more engage. 

Joshua M. Dana. 



WORCESTER. 

BY CHARLES C. ABBOTT. 

This town in the N. W. of Washington 
Co., lat. 44° 24', long. 4° 25', is bounded N. 
and W. by Elmore and Stowe, in Lamoille 
Co., S. by Middlesex, and E. by Calais. 
Who were the first white men that visited 
the town is unknown. The French and 
Indians passing from Canada to the older 
settlements on the Connecticut river, are 
said to have had their trail through this 
town, but have left no record of their 
names or of the place where. 

The town, with its present name and 
limits, was chartered June 8, 1763, by 
Gov. Wentworth of N. H., to grantees: 
Joshua Mason, Thomas Burgee, Robert 
Burgee, John Davidson, Robert David- 
son, Samuel Halstead, Joshua Halstead, 
\Vm. Davidson, Benjamin Betts, Samuel 
Betts, Abraham Betts, Ichabod Betts, 
John Betts, Grant Striker, Henry Dickin- 
son, Anthony Baker, Joshua Hutchins, 
Samuel Dodge, Job Bacon, Wm. Gibbons, 
Wm. Pusey, James Gibbons, Wm. Ash- 
bridge, David Bacon, Manning Bull, 
Thomas Shroves, Joseph De Camp, Lam- 
bert DeCamp, John Hand, Robert Stan- 
bury, Joshua Underhill, Samuel DeCamp, 
John Nefus, Josiah Stanbury, Moses Lit- 
tle, Wm. Trundenborough, Ephraim Cut- 
ler, John DeCamp, Ebenezer Cutler, Jo- 
seph Young, David Cutler, David DeCamp, 
Daniel Marsh, Isaac Burger, Jacob Noe, 
Isaac Noe, Jr., John Turner, George 
Woods, John Gifford, Benjamin Ogden, 
Crowley Barrow, Thomas Young, Wm. 
Mitchel, Charles Wiggins, John Hofnall, 
John Cockle, Henry Franklin, Hon. James 
Nevin, Nathaniel Barrell, Esq., Joseph 
Newmarsh, Esq., Col. Samuel Barr, and 
Maj. Joseph Blanchard. The charter was 
for 6 miles square, to be divided into 69 
rights, or lots of 4 divisions each. The 
1st division i acre, the 2d div. 3 acres, 
the 3d div. 38 acres, the 4th 7 acres. The 
I acre lots were laid out in the center of 
the town and are comprised in the farm 
now owned by Wm. H. Kellogg; the 
7 acre lots, around this one, mostly on 
the west ; the 38 acre lots on the west 
side of the town, adjoining Stowe. The 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Governor's right in the S. W. corner, and 
the 300 acre lots comprised the rest 
of the town. There is now no record 
of any meeting of the original grantees to 
be found, nor any conveyances from them ; 
and there was much litigation in regard to 
land titles in the early history of the town. 
Much of the land is now held under titles 
from " tax collectors," having been sold 
for taxes. 

The surface of the town is very uneven, 
and the western part is intersected by the 
eastern range of the Green Mountains. 
There are four principal peaks in this 
town, from which are extensive and very 
fine views of the surrounding country and 
villages, especially from Mount Hunger, 
in the S. W. part of the township, the 
summit of which is rocky and almost en- 
tirely devoid of vegetation, and permits an 
unobstructed prospect in all directions. 
[For its history, see Middlesex, 229-231.] 

The meadows on the North Branch, 
and on the larger brooks, are fertile and 
easy of cultivation. The uplands are well 
adapted to stock raising and dairy pur- 
poses, to which a large share of the farm- 
ers give their attention. 

The town is watered by the North 
Branch, a mill stream from Elmore, flow- 
ing southerly through the length of the 
town, emptying into the Winooski in 
Montpelier. There are also large brooks, 
some of which serve for mill purposes ; the 
largest. Minister brook, was named from 
its mouth being in the lot granted to the 
first settled minister. But one natural 
pond is in the town limits, Worcester pond, 
near the eastern line and " Eagle Ledge" 
road. It contains some 8 acres, and has 
furnished many pickerel and trout to the 
settlers. The streams all furnished at an 
early day an abundance of trout, and are 
still the yearly resort of the disciples of 
" Izaak Walton" from neighboring towns, 
who eagerly explore every stream where a 
"speckled beauty" is supposed to lurk. 
A deep pool, that is worn in the rock by 
action of a waterfall, in a rocky ravine just 
above the house of Thomas Reed, has 
long been a favorite resort for trying to 
ensnare some of the larg;e trout which 



make the pool their home. Now and then 
one is captured, but generally the wary 
fish is not lured from its lurking place, and 
the fisher, sometimes spending hours in 
his labor, leaves the spot with his basket 
as light as when he came ; but perhaps 
thinking himself repaid for his visit by a 
view of the wild and beautiful scenery of 
the place. 

Gold has been found in some localities, 
more especially in the bed of Minister 
brook. A few years since a stock com- 
pany was formed under a. State charter, 
called the Minister Brook Mining Com- 
pany, and the bed of the brook and lands 
bordering on it were leased. Other com- 
panies have at intervals "prospected" the 
brook since, with just what results is not 
generally known. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

The first settlers of the town were John 
Ridlon and George Martin, who came from 
Kennebec, Me., in 1797, and commenced 
a settlement on the i-acre lot, laid out in 
the center of the town on " Hampshire 
hill." They erected a house of split bass- 
wood logs, and cleared some 10 or 12 
acres. It is said they soon left, and the 
farm where they first commenced was not 
permanently settled until several years 
after. They must have come back again 
soon and settled on the Branch, where 
L. M. Hutchinson now lives, as both tra- 
dition and the land records indicate they 
lived there in 1803, and made the first 
permanent settlement there. 

Ridlon was elected to the Constitutional 
Convention in 18 14, and perhaps died in 
this town. It is not certain what became 
of Martin. The oldest inhabitants have 
no knowledge of him. We find in 1805, 
John Ridlon conveyed a portion of this 
land to Ansel Bates, by whom it was after- 
ward conveyed to Cyrus Brigham, who 
lived on it many years. The records show 
Martin in connection with Ridlon, and 
Benjamin Saunders held an interest in the 
place, as a quit-claim deed from John Fay, 
of Burlington, to Samuel B. Stone, who 
hved here in 1805, dated Feb. 7, 1802, 
specifies, "Mr. Stone is to indemnify said 



WORCESTER. 



88 s 



Fay against all claim which said Ridley, 
Geo. Martin and Benjamin Saunders may 
have in the land by reason of a former 
deed of the same." Ridlon's name is on 
the record, as also Ridler and Ridley. It 
must be that the first land records were 
lost or burned with the town records, as 
these deeds referred to are not found on 
the record now in the town clerk's office. 
There must have been several families in 
town in 1800, as " Deming's Catalogue" 
gives 25 inhabitants that year. 

Matthias Ridlon, son of John, owned a 
lot of land soon after this in the eastern 
part of the town, where Elias Bascom 
afterward settled. He probably did not 
live on it, but with his father; in 1812, 
they lived where Henry E. Hunt now 
lives. Matthias enlisted in the war of 
1812, and died at home soon after he came 
from the army ; Guy, son of Carpus Clark, 
also enlisted in that war and died in the 
army. 

The town was in 1797 an evergreen 
forest, interspersed with hard timber on 
the lower lands. But openings soon ap- 
peared, as other settlers followed close 
after Ridlon and Martin. 

The town was organized Mar. 3, 1803. 
Duncan Young with his family, himself, 
wife, 2 daughters, 2 sons, Daniel and John, 
came from Calais in 1802, and settled on 
right No. 13, where S. M. Seaver now 
lives, but stayed only two or three years, 
and removed to Montpelier. His oldest 
son, David, was a resident of this town in 
after years, and was the father of J. M. 
and P. D. Young, who yet live here, and 
Mrs. Martin C. Brown. From 1802 to 
'12, we find from the land records, resi- 
dents : Henry Goodale. James Green from 
Waterbury, Carpus Clark, Elisha B. Green, 
(who built the first saw-mill on the present 
site of H. T. Clark's mill,) Daniel Colby, 
Uriah Stone, and Amasa Brown. 

John Young, son of Duncan, was the 
first town clerk ; James Green, representa- 
tive in 1808 ; other town officers unknown, 
as the town records before 18 16 fwhen it 
lost its organization,) were deposited for 
safe keeping at Burlington, where they 
were burned. The land records go back 



to 1803 ; from them and tradition we have 
gathered this period of our history. 

The first deed on record is from Joseph 
and William Hutchins to John Shurtleff, 
all of Montpelier, in the County of Cale- 
donia, June 4, 1803, claiming the right of 
John Turner (original proprietor,) which 
embraced the 300-acre lot No. 14, on the 
branch, adjoining Middlesex line. A few 
years after the same was sold tor taxes, 
and Cyrus Brigham bought the part where 
L. M. Hutcliinson now lives. At the date 
of the first deed, Worcester was in Chit- 
tenden Co. ; at the time of the tax sale in 
Jefferson Co. ; the first deed on record to a 
resident, is from Ebenr. Rice of Montpel- 
ier, to John Young, July 8, 1803, convey- 
ing a part of the land now the farm of S. 
M. Seaver. In 1805, a large number of 
rights were sold for a tax by the Legislature 
to build roads and bridges, and 25 rights 
unredeemed, were conveyed by the collec- 
tor, Charles Bulkley, to the highest bidder, 
to be sold in the same way in 1809, and 
181 2. The land records the first 10 years 
are largely made up of these " tax sales." 
In 1813, public notice was given of a land 
ta.x by Carpus Clark, ist constable; in 
181 1, his name is on the record as justice 
of the peace, and of Carpus Clark, John 
Ridlon and Elisha Green, as commission- 
ers to lay out a road tax, and in 18 12 
Carpus Clark and Daniel Colby were select- 
men, appears from record of a lease of the 
minister land by them to Elisha B. Green 
for $5 annual rent till a minister should be 
settled. (See lists of town officers.) These 
with the town clerks are all the officers we 
can trace to 1821. 

Most of the settlers, without much means, 
who came because land was cheap, till 
they could make a clearing and raise a 
crop, had to make " many a shift" for the 
bare necessaries of life. Some left, and 
but few came in to take their places. How- 
ever, those who remained paved somewhat 
the way for those who should come after, 
and kept up their courage with hopes of 
better times till 18 12 to 16, when they had 
to encounter several cold suinmers, frosts 
cutting off their crops and discouraging 
the bravest hearts, till the summer of 1816 



886 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



came, so cold as some who were chil- 
dren then, say, "as to freeze their steer's 
horns off." There were frosts every montli 
through that summer. That season, utterly 
discouraged, most of the inhabitants left 
the town. No town meeting was held, and 
Worcester lost its organization. 

In 1818, there was but one family, that 
of Amasa Brown, Esq., left in town. It 
was a standing jest for some years, that 
Mr. Brown threw his family on the town 
at this time, for their support. Wild game 
was plenty, deer abundant, bears frequent- 
ly seen ; the latter have strayed this way 
in later years; they have been "wary 
bears," it is not known that more than two 
or three were ever killed here. Three 
moose were shot here in the early days ; 
one, where the Methodist meeting-house 
stands, by Micah Hatch of Middlesex, 
which was sent to Boston Museum, where 
its skin probably remains to this day. 
Another was killed on the old Templeton 
farm, and one on the Thomas Reed farm. 

A once large, deserted beaver settlement 
was seen a few years ago, on the meadow 
now covered by the mill-pond of Moses 
P. Wheeler. 

On the first road, from Middlesex Center 
over " Hampshire Hill" to Elmore, and 
known then as the smugglers' road, was the 
clearing on the one acre lots, and the first 
basswood log-house, used by the smugglers 
of those days as a rendezvous for their cat- 
tle and horses. In 1812, there was no 
other road through the town, and but a 
pathway had been marked and cut from 
Montpelier, penetrating the southern part 
of the town near the branch ; comfortable 
roads were reserved for later times, and 
milling done at Montpelier, or in some of 
the older settlements south of us. The 
town contained neither store or tavern 
during its first organization. 

Mr. Brown having, perhaps, more means 
than his neighbors, remained in town, 
himself and wife and 4 sons and 7 daugh- 
ters. His sons were Milton, Amasa, Jr., 
Cyrus and Martin Chittenden, the last re- 
ceiving his name from having been born 
on the same day that Martin Chittenden 
was elected governor, Oct. 21, 18 13. His 



birth, also, is the first recorded in town, 
and he is still living here. 

Milton Brown was the first constable 
under the second organization, a justice of 
the peace many years, town representative 
7 years, a councillor in 1835, and superin- 
tendent of the Vermont State Prison 4 
years. 

In 1850, he removed to Montpelier; 
was admitted to the Washington County 
Bar, and died July 3, 1852. Amasa, the 
second son, studied theology at Newton, 
Mass., Theo. Sem., and is a Baptist min- 
ister, residing at Newton, N. H. Cyrus, 
the other son, is a lawyer and resides in 
this town, being the only member of the 
bar ever residing here. 

One of the daughters married Oliver 
Watson, May 29, 1817, the first recorded 
marriage in town. Judge Edwin C.Watson, 
of Hartford, and Dr. Oliver L. Watson, of 
West Topsham, are their sons, born in 
Worcester. Mr. Watson and wife cel- 
ebrated their golden wedding. 

Between i8i8and 1820, Wm. Arbuckle, 
Thayer Townsend, Job Hill and Jesse 
Flint came into the town. Mr. Arbuckle 
lived in a small log house on Amasa 
Brown's land. Mr. Townsend settled on 
the hill on the " Closson " farm, where 
Wm. Brvice, Jr., now lives; Job Hill, on 
the place where Leonard Hamblet lives. 
In the fall of 1820, Allen Vail prepared a 
place for his family ; also Thomas Reed, 
Jr., from Londonderry. Mr. Reed moved 
his family to Middlesex early in 1820, to 
Mr. Benjamin Baldwin's, Mrs. Reed's 
father, who lived near Christopher C. 
Putnam's present residence. Mr. B. had 
at this time built a saw-mill where Put- 
nam's mill now is, the second in town. 
Reckoning from the time Mr. Reed com- 
menced work on his farm, his was the 
third or fourth family here. 

One or two others must have come the 
same year, but I have not learned who 
they were. Mr. Vail had 2 sons and 6 
daughters. He settled where H. A. Han- 
cock now lives, but soon on the next lot 
north, and built a saw-mill where Mr. 
Putnam's "Worcester" mill stands. Mr. 
Reed built on the farm on which himself 



WORCESTER. 



and wife still live, it being nearly 58 years 
since. They must be by far the most per- 
manent residents of the town. During 
the next 3 years the population increased 
quite fast, and some commenced building 
frame-houses. The lumber for the first 
ones was sawed at the mill of Mr. Bald- 
win, in Middlesex, by which it seems 
the first mill built where Clark's mill now 
is must have fallen into disuse, but mills 
were soon put in operation here. At the 
close of 1 82 1, thei'e were three frame- 
houses — Thayer Townsend's, the first on 
the hill near Calais line, where he first set- 
tled. Dodge Hayward's, on the Dea. Poor 
place, where Cyrus Brown now lives, and 
Thomas Reed's, where he still resides. 

Others who came to town from 1820 to 
'23 or '24, were David Poor, Capt. Artemas 
Richardson and wife, Franklin Johnson, 
Oramel L. Smith, Cyrus Crocker, J. P. B. 
Ladd, Jonas and Nathan Abbott, Eben- 
ezer S. Kellogg and wife, Joel H. Tem- 
pleton ffnd family, Eleazer Hutchinson 
and family, from Norwich ; Dea. Matthias 
Folsom and wife and David Folsom and 
Amos Rice and wife, from Dover, Vt. ; 
Leonard Hamblet, from Dracut, Mass., 
found mentioned in the town records, with 
others whose names we have not learned. 
All named were prominent citizens and 
have died in town, except Jonas Abbott, 
who is still living, and Mr. Kellogg, who 
died the present year (1871), in Hanover, 
N. H. 

We have now come to where we have 
the town records for a guide. March 14, 
1 82 1, a call for a meeting of the legal 
voters was made by Joseph Wing, justice 
of the peace of Montpelier ; held at the 
dwelling-house of Amasa Brown, March 
28, 182 1, Allen Vail moderator, and Amasa 
Brown town clerk ; who was sworn to the 
faithful discharge of the duties of said of- 
fice in the presence of the meeting by 
Joseph Wing, Esq. Allen Vail, Amasa 
Brown, Job Hill, were chosen selectmen ; 
Allen Vail, treasurer ; Milton Brown, first 
constable and collector of taxes ; Allen 
Vail, Amasa Brown, Jesse Flint, listers ; 
Job Hill, grand juror; Jesse Flint, high- 
way surveyor; Abraham V. Smith, Wm. 



Arbuckle, Jesse Flint, fence viewers ; 
Amasa Brown, pound keeper. 

Voted, that Mr. Brown's barn be con- 
sidered as the Pound ; made choice of Job 
Hill, sealer of weights and measures; 
Hezekiah Mills, hay ward ; Oliver Watson, 
committee to settle with the treasurer ; 
Abraham V. Smith, school trustee. 

We cannot forbear pausing to wonder if 
Mr. Watson found the duties of his office 
very burdensome? As there was no over- 
seer of the poor chosen at that meeting, 
Apr. 20, another meeting was held, at 
which it was 

Voted, to raise 8 mills on the dollar on 
the list to defray the necessary expenses 
of the town ; and to form the town into 
one school district ; and raise one cent on 
the dollar of the list for the support of 
schools for the year ensuing; and to have 
a highway tax assessed on the list, to be 
made the year ensuing, and that 9 hours 
be considered as a day's work. 

Worcester was ahead of the ten-hour law. 

There are those still living in town who 
attended the first school, in the winter of 
182 1 and 22, Allen L. Vail, Cyrus and 
Martin C. Brown, Mrs. Olive Brown 
Johnson, and perhaps one or two others, 
who remember that school in the old log- 
house on the Hutchinson farm, near Mr. 
Phineas A. Kemp's present residence. 
Job Hill was the teacher, and the school 
was much larger in proportion to the num- 
ber of families than are the present schools. _ 
The next school was taught by Betsey 
Cutler, in a log dwelling-house near where 
S. M. Seaver now lives. The first school- 
house was built about this time, of logs, 
near the late Samuel Andrews' house. 

From 1823, the increase of population 
was more rapid than it had been the two 
or three years preceding. The openings 
in the forest became more numerous ; the 
fields of grass, grain and potatoes more 
widely extended ; the cattle and sheep in- 
creased, and the first comers could begin 
to realize some of the hopes which had sus- 
tained them through years of privation. 

In 1823, a road was surveyed and worked 
up the Branch through the town, so as to 
be passable. Its survey was by Jesse 
Elm on and Danforth Stiles, a committee 
authorized by the Legislature of 1822, the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



first road recorded in town. Others soon 
began to branch off. Up Minister brook, 
up the brook towards Calais, on to the 
hills where the settlers had built their 
dwellings, on Hampshire hill ; and new 
dwellings were built, and from what can be 
learned of the older cit'zens, it would seem 
that the social nature of the early inhabi- 
tants was better cultivated and developed 
than it is at the present day. Neighborly 
visits were prized in proportion to the dif- 
ficulties in making them. People seemed 
more dependent on each other for those 
necessaries to make Hfe pleasant. Meet- 
ings also were better attended, and gener- 
ally much more highly prized than now ; 
and much of the restraints of social inter- 
course, under which the people of this day 
labor, was then unknown. All were poor ; 
and all were ready and willing to help each 
other. 

From the second organization of the 
town until 1835, town meetings were held 
at Amasa Brown's (afterwards at Milton 
Brown's) house, except two in 1823, which 
were held, by vote of the town, in Mr. 
Brown's shop. At a meeting called for 
the purpose, held Mar. 26, 1834, it was 

Voted, that town meetings in future be 
held at the Plaistered School-house, nigh 
Milton Brown's in said Worcester. 

The next and subsequent meetings were 
held at that place. (Dis. No. 2,) until 
1841 ; a vote being taken in March, 1840, 
to hold them hereafter in the school-house 
in district No. i. That house was at the 
"corner," and stood on the spot where 
Ferris Leonard's house was lately burned. 
The old school-house now stands nearly 
opposite the present town clerk's office, 
and is used for a blacksmith shop. When 
the first meeting-house was built, a hall 
was built in the basement, which the town 
bought for a town hall ; and Jan. 26, 1846, 
it was 

" Voted, That town meetings hereafter 
shall be held at the new town house in 
Worcester," which was built in 1845, ^"d 
since that time town meetings have been 
held in the spacious town hall under the 
Congregational meeting-house. 



SCHOOLS. 

We have no records of before the second 
organization. After that, the people at 
once gave the subject their earnest atten- 
tion. It was 

" Voted^'xnh.-'^xW, 1821, to haveone school- 
district"; March, 1823, to divide the town 
into three school districts ; and March, 
1824, a committee of three was appointed 
to re-district the town, and the same day 
the town was divided into four school dis- 
tricts : 

District No. i : Eleazer Hutchinson, Da- 
vid Poor, J. P. B. Ladd, Artemas Rich- 
ardson, Hammet, (probably Leon- 
ard Hamblet) J. Hubbard, O. L. Smith, 
Oliver Watson, Hezekiah Mills, Por- 
ter, Wm. Arbuckle, W. Foster, J. Hill, 
Jonas Abbott. 

District No. 2 : A. Rice, Amasa Brown, 
J. Robinson, Allen Vail, Eben. S. Kel- 
logg, Ophir Leonard, John Clark, Frank- 
lin Johnson, Ashley Collins, A. V. Smith. 

District No. 3 : Benson. A. A. 

Brown, Hinkson, (probably Wm.,) 

Thomas Reed, Jr., Tristram Worthen. 

District No. 4. — Jesse Flint, Matthias 
Folsom, Samuel Upham, J. Griffin, E. 
Clough, Nathan Abbott, Wm. Bennett, 
A. Bennett, Flint Gove, Frizzle Perrin, 
David Folsom. The report was signed by 
Amasa Brown for committee. 

The first record of number of families 
and scholars was made March, 1829, and 
returned by the district clerks were : Dis- 
trict No. I, 13 families, },■}, scholars; dis- 
trict No. 2, 9 families, 22 scholars; dis- 
trict 3, 6 families, 18 scholars; district 4, 
15 families, 41 scholars;, not in limits of 
any district, i family and 4 scholars ; total, 
44 families and 1 18 .scholars. 

At the present time there are 9 districts 
and one fractional, belonging to a Mid- 
dlesex district. The last returns were 
Apr. I, 1878 ; families, 191 ; scholars, 271. 

• There are 9 school-houses in town, in 
which are schools from 10 to 12 weeks, 
summer and winter. 

POUNDS. 

The town has owned two Pounds. The 
first, a log one, built according to a vote of 
the town, 1822, "That a pound be built 



WORCESTER. 



by every man turning out the 15th of June 
next." It was located on the east side of 
the road, on the meadow south of Henry 
E. Hunt's barn. The story is told that 
this pound after awhile got out of repair 
and the gate fallen down, so there was 
free ingress and egress ; and the cattle of 
the neighborbood, taking advantage of 
the situation, found a warm yard in which 
they could lie. In course of time, the 
ground within the enclosure became en- 
riched, and Mr. C, who lived near by, 
thinking it would bear good corn, plough- 
ed up the enclosure, planted it and fenced 
up the gateway. The corn grew, and 
there was a prospect of a big yield ; .but 
his hopes were destined to be blasted. 
When it was just right tn roast, somebody 
(supposed to be the "hatters") harvested 
it in the night, leaving Mr. C. nothing for 
his pains. 

The second was built in 1836, the town 
appropriating $30. It was walled with 
stone, hewed timbers on the top ; a little 
south of the first, on the other side of the 
road, near the "town brook." It was 
used occasionally, as was the first, to get 
up quarrels and lawsuits among the neigh- 
bors until about 1850; the stone of which 
it was made was used to repair the high- 
way. 

Since that time, various barnyards have 
been constituted pounds from year to year, 
by vote of the town, but no case of im- 
pounding an animal has occurred for many 
years. 

March 2, 1847, the town was called on 
to vote license or no license, and in that 
year and three following years, the vote 
stood: 1847, license, 55, no license, 29; 
1848, yea, 58, nay, 40; 1849, yea, 28, nay, 
53; 1850, yea 51, nay, 38. 

At a meeting of the selectmen of Wor- 
cester, Mar. 15, 185 1, 

Voted, to license Henry B. Brown to 
sell pure alcohol, brandy and wine, for the 
time of one year from this date, under the 
following restrictions, viz. : ist, the said 
Brown shall at all times keep a just and 
accurate account of all purchases and sales. 
2d, to sell only as a medicine. 3d, to sell 
none to be drank in or about the store. 
4th, allowed to sell to none who are in the 



habit of using it as a beverage, without a 
certificate from a physician. Edwin C. 
Watson, Abel Whitney, Horace Carpenter, 
selectmen. 

At a meeting of the board of selectmen 
of Worcester, Mar. 19, 1852, 

Voted, to grant Cyrus Brown license to 
keep a pul^lic inn and sell therein victuals, 
all kinds of fruits, small beer and cider for 
the term of one year from this date. Frank- 
lin Johnson, Samuel P. Alexander, Joseph 
Ford, selectmen. 

Tithingmen were occasionally chosen at 
the early town meetings, David Poor in 
1822, but they soon appear to have gone 
out of fashion. 

The first, or old burying-ground was 
across the road from the present one. 
There is no record of the old ground. 
The second one was laid out under a vote 
of the town passed in March, 1831 ; i 
acre ; .surveyed by Milton Brown. The 
first bodies buried in it were those removed 
from the old ground. 

In 1873, the town purchased about 3^ 
acres of P. A. Kemp, Esq., for $300, en- 
closing the old ground on three sides, 
which was surveyed and laid in lots and 
driveways by James K. Tobey, Esq., of 
Calais. It contains in all 303 lots, and 
the whole together makes a commodious 
and beautiful cemetery, of which the town 
may justly be proud. 

March, 1831, the town voted not to tax 
Abner Dugar for the time being, he being 
blind. 

Before the farms were cleared, lumber- 
ing and shingle-making were much in 
vogue, but the land, as soon as cleared 
and planted, produced large crops of po- 
tatoes ; so it used to be said, with the 
Worcester people, lumber, shingles and 
potatoes were considered as "legal ten- 
der." Since the early saw-mills were built, 
there have been several in operation during 
the whole time. The old " up and down" 
saws have all given place to the improved 
"circular" mills, of which the town now 
has five, with several others just over the 
border. 

Immense quantities of logs are cut in 
Worcester every year, which are sawed, 
planed and matched for market. At first 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



there was an abundance of pine trees, 
which have disappeared, and spruce, hem- 
lock and several kinds of hard wood now 
furnish the material for lumber. 

It is related of some of the earlier in- 
habitants, when the town was in large part 
owned by non-residents, they were in 
the habit of buying of the proprietors, for 
a trifle, the pine trees which had fallen 
down on their lands, and getting them man- 
ufactured into lumber, or making shingles 
for sale. To make the business more 
profitable, it is said that some felled such 
fine trees as they wished to buy, and suf- 
fering them to lie a year or two, included 
them in the windfalls, and sometimes did 
not even wait for the trees to grow old 
before hauling them to mill. At one 
period, a large portion of the lands were 
held by Alex. Ladd, who lived in New 
Hampshire, and titles being uncertain, 
other parties sought to acquire a right in 
the same lands by "squatting," which led 
to much litigation in regard to the pos- 
session. A large portion of the inhabi- 
tants were at one time engaged for one 
party or the other in their endeavors to 
hold the land. The controversy culminat- 
ed in what is known as the lumber war. 

As the story is told by those conversant 
with the matter, some parties had bought 
the pine trees on a portion of the disputed 
territory in the north part of the town, and 
commenced to cut and draw. The agents 
for tlie other parties claiming the lands, 
set to work to prevent this. They felled 
trees across the roads, cut up the logs, 
and used all means, except personal vio- 
lence, in their power to hinder the work. 
One man is said to have ruined a nice ax 
in cutting out the iron pins of a sled during 
the darkness of the night, and as the ex- 
citement increased, the friends of either 
party came to their assistance, until quite 
a company was arrayed on either side. 
They held the ground night and day for 
several days, and there was much hard 
words and loud talk. But during the whole 
excitement, it is said, there was only one 
clinch, and in that struggle, the man who 
came uppermost m the fall was compelled 
to call lustily to his triends to " take that 



man off from him," while himself was yet 
at the top. The first party succeeded in 
getting out a portion of their logs, and 
the dispute was eventually settled by the 
courts. The lumbering job was, however, 
done at a loss in a pecuniary view to those 
engaged in it. 

Mr. Ladd, by his agent, Judge Loomis, 
of MontpeHer, had put one Gilman Par- 
nienter on to the lot of land in the S. E. 
corner of the town, where James M. Gould 
now lives, to hold possession against a 
Mr. Spear, who also claimed it. Mr. 
Parmenter built a log shanty, and moved 
in before he had put the roof on it. One 
day, when Mr. Parmenter was gone from 
home, leaving his wife to keep possession, 
some of Mr. Spear's agents attempted to 
get possession by climbing into the en- 
closure, but Mrs. Parmenter, comprehend- 
ing the responsibility resting on her, was 
equal to the emergency. Hastily placing 
a ladder against the wall, she seized the 
tea-kettle, which was full of boiling water, 
and with this weapon ascended the ladder, 
and made such good use of it, that the 
intruders were compelled to hastily re- 
treat, leaving the plucky woman in pos- 
session of the premises. The matter of 
title to this, as well as the aforementioned 
lands, was finally settled by the courts in 
Mr. Ladd's favor. 

HAT MANUFACTORY. 

When the town was new and fur-bearing 
animals plenty, a hat manufactory was 
established, and the business of hat- 
making carried on several years. The 
building was on the farm now owned and 
occupied by George D. Tewksbury. Hat- 
making was carried on several years by 
Edmund Blood, who came from Bolton, 
Mass., went into the heart of the wilder- 
ness, off from any road, put up a factory, 
boarding-house, and other necessary build- 
ings, gathered his help, some say from 75 
to 100, and went to work making hats for 
the gentry. The road at this time was 
over the river west from the building. 
Judging from the stories told, we think 
his hands employed were a great element 
in the social part of community and in 
town-meetings. 



WORCESTER. 



Just what year Mr. Blood came here, 
we do not know, but find he purchased 
the land in 1828. He died previous to 
Apr. 1831, as we find by the records, and 
the hat business was not continued long 
afterwards. The old hat factory was taken 
down in 1849 by A. L. Vail, and the ma- 
terials used in the erection of a dwelling 
house in the village. Mr. Andrew A. 
Sweet, of Montpelier, could probably tell 
the story of the hat business better than 
any other man living. 

Tanning was carried on several years. 
In 1849, Ebenezer Frizzell came from 
Berlin, and bought of John Clark the mill 
and water privilege where H. T. Clarke's 
mill now stands, and built a tannery. 
Edwin C. Watson was associated with 
Mr. Frizzell a short time in the business, 
which they afterward sold to Simon 
Wheeler, of Plainfield. During quite a 
number of years, Mr. Wheeler and Nathan 
W. Frye, from Woburn, Mass., carried on 
the business, employing several hands. 
About 1 861, the tannery was burned, and 
was never rebuilt. 

The knitting business was a source of 
considerable income to many families for 
several years. It was commenced by Mrs. 
Artemas Richardson, and when she moved 
away, was continued by Mrs. Frances E. 
Celley, chiefly for the firm of H. B. Claflin 
& Co., of New York, and kept'many women 
and children industrious, returning an in- 
come of several thousands of dollars. 

Exporting raspberries was for a few 
seasons carried on quite extensively. From 
1866 to about '74, it was an income to the 
women and children. From 2 to 8 tons 
per season were shipped from here to the 
Boston market, mostly by Templeton & 
Vail, merchants, for 4 to 6 cents per lb. 

There are (1878) in town some 170 
dwelling-houses, 2 meeting-houses, i store, 
I hotel, the Worcester House, 5 saw-mills, 
3 blacksmith-shops, i grist-mill, 9 school- 
houses, I post-office, a town clerk's office 
and town hall. There are also a " Grand 
Army Post," a " Grange of the Patrons of 
Husbandry," and a " Lodge of Good 
Templars." The village has some forty 
dwelling-houses. 



POST OFFICE, 

for statistics, we are indebted to Hon. 
Charles Lyman, formerly of Montpelier, 
and for mahy years chief of the dead letter 
department of the P. O. Department, 
Washington. An office was established 
here Jan. 5, 1828. The inhabitants had 
before procured, what little mail matter 
they received, at Montpelier. 

Amos Rice was appointed first postmas- 
ter, Jan. 5, 1828; Amos Rice, Jr., Mar. 5, 
1828; Rufus Reed, Jr., Jan. 31, 1831 ; 
Samuel Andrews, Nov. 2, 1832; Jonas 
Abbott, April i, 1847; Oliver A. Stone, 
Sept. 18, 1853 ; Thaddeus B. Ladd, Aug. 
25,1854; Charles C. Abbott, April 13, 
1861, who is the present incumbent— 1879. 

John Rice, son of Amos Rice, was the 
first mail carrier ; and it has been stated 
that at the first he carried the mail in his 
hat — now there are some 300 copies of 
newspapers and magazines taken in town. 
After a good road was worked through 
the town to Elmore, the mail was carried 
through here to the towns north ; and sub- 
sequently the route from Montpeher and 
the south, to St. Albans, was through this 
town, and continued so until the Central 
Vt. R. R. was built. We now have a daily 
mail (Sunday excepted,) by stage from 
Montpelier to and from Morrisville. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

John Young, 1803,4; Samuel B. Stone, 
1805; Carpus Clark, 1806-10, also 1812 
and part 1813 ; Cyrus Brigham, 181 1 ; part 
1813, all 1814-15 ; none i8i6to2o; Amasa 
Brown, 182 1, 2d organization; Artemas 
Richardson, 1822; Ebenezer S. Kellogg, 
1823, 4, 5; Ophir Leonard, 1826, 7, 8; 
Nathan Adams, 1829, 30; Amos Rice, 
1831-40, 1842-46, 1 5 years ; Daniel Adams, 
1841 ; Samuel Andrews, 1847-54; Thad- 
deus B. Ladd, 1855-60 ; Job E. Macomber, 
1861-64, part 1865 ; Charles C. Abbott, 
since Nov. 4, I865, deceased in 1881. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

James Green, 1808 ; Carpus Clark, 1809- 
II, 13; Elisha B. Green, 1812; Cyrus 
Brigham, 1814, 15; none, 1816-22; Allen 
Vail, 1822, 3; Amos Rice, 1824; Samuel 
Hubbard, 1825; none, 1826; Nathan 
Adams, 1827, 8 ; Milton Brown, 1829-32, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



34. 37 ■> 5° i Daniel Adams, 1833; Joel 
Newton, 1835,6; Jacob Cushman, 1838, 
9 ; Karris Leonard, 1840, i ; Moses Folsom, 
1842,3; none, 1844, 5; Allen L. Vail, 
1846, 72, 73; none, 1847; George W. 
Leavitt, 1848; Nathaniel A. Kelley, 1851, 
2 ; Phineas A. Kemp, 1853, 69-72 ; none, 
1854; Rodney Jones, 1855; Chauncey 
Hunt, 1856, 7; Horatio Templeton, 1858, 
9; Thomas Hutchinson, i860, 61 ; Edwin 
C.Watson, 1862, 3; Job E. Macomber, 
1864, 5; Mark P. Ladd, 1866; Heman A. 
Hancock, 1867, 8 ; none, 1874, 5 ; Horace 
P. Darling, 1876, 7; Augustus A. Bliss, 
1878,9. 

There have been many exciting contests 
over the election of representative ; but 
probably only one "contested" in the 
Legislature, which was in 1814 or 1815. 
The story of that is thus told : Early in 
the season a careful canvass, probably not 
made public at the time, showed that there 
were just 9 voters in town. At freeman's 
meeting two candidates were presented, 
Cyrus Brigham and Amasa Brown. A 
short time previous to the first Tuesday 
in September, however, two brothers 
named Goodell had signified their inten- 
tion of going West, and actually did leave 
the town, as was supposed by some for 
good. They were strong Brigham men, 
and their absence was viewed with much 
complacency by Mr. Brown and his friends. 
Freeman's meeting day came, the voting 
commenced, and the appearances were 
that Mr. Brown would win ; until, unex- 
pectedly to some, the Messrs. Goodell ap- 
peared on the scene, having come from 
Stowe, over the mountain through the 
forest, and offered their votes. The con- 
stable, who was a "Brown man," refused 
to receive their votes, however, claiming 
as they had left town they were not legal 
voters. Mr. Brigham took their votes 
and put them in his pocket. Counting 
them, Mr. Brigham had 5 votes and Mr. 
Brown 4. If they were rejected, Mr. 
Brown had a majority. Both men made 
their appearance at the Legislature when 
it convened, and the matter was left to 
that body for a decision. Mr. Brigham 
held his seat. 



PHYSICIANS. 

The first resident physician was Dr. 
James S Skinner. Just when he came we 
do not know ; probably about 1830. The 
records show he bought a place there. 
Jan. 1833, he was married to Julia Ann, 
daughter of Allen Vail, Esq., and soon 
after removed to Michigan, where he still 
resides. He was succeeded by Dr. Ira 
R. Rood, who had lived here several years 
before studying medicine. Dr. Rood mar- 
ried Jane, daughter of Samuel and Jane 
Andrews, Sept. 7, 1834. He practiced his 
profession here until 1846, when he re- 
moved to Wisconsin and died there. Dr. 
Buckley O. Tyler was the next, coming 
in 1848 or '9. During the interval be- 
tween Dr. Rood and Dr. Tyler the people 
were obliged to go to Montpelier for a 
physician, as they also had been previous 
to Dr. Skinner's coming to town. 

Dr. Thaddeus B. Ladd bought out 
Dr. Tyler in 185 1. He was born in town, 
being a son of J. P. B. Ladd, and grad- 
uated at Woodstock in 1850, in the same 
class with Dr. George Nichols, present 
Secretary of State. 

Dr. Ladd- was a man of excellent judg- 
ment, and bid fair to rise to eminence in 
his chosen profession during the few years 
of his active labor. In 1854, a spinal dif- 
ficulty developed itself, and for seven long 
years he was a great sufferer from that 
disease, which brought him to his grave. 
He was postmaster and town clerk several 
years ; was born Aug. 9, 1826; married 
Harriet N., daughter of Rev. Carey Rus- 
sell, December 5, 1850, and died Decem- 
ber 13, 1861. 

LuciAN Vail Abbott, son of Deacon 
Jonas Abbott, was born May 24, 1832. At 
19, he commenced the study of medicine 
with Dr. Ladd, and graduated at Wood- 
stock, June, 1854, with the highest honors 
of his class. He did not live to practice 
his profession, consumption claiming him 
as a victim. He died May 26, 1855. 

Dr. Job E. Macomber, a graduate of 
Castleton, commenced here in 1856, and 
practiced 10 years in this town. He was 
born in East Montpelier ; married Marsell 
L., youngest daughter of J. P. B. Ladd, 



WORCESTER. 



893 



June 12, 1858; removed to Montpelier in 
1866, where he still resides. 

Dr. Oliver L. Watson, son of Oliver 
Watson, born in this town May i, 1828, 
succeeded Dr. Macomber, continuing only 
part of a year, when he sold out to Dr. 
Harris. Dr. Watson married Nancy L., 
daughter of Leonard Darling, Aug. 18, 
1852. He now resides in W^est Topsham. 

Dr. N. M. Harris was a son of Daniel 
Harris, one of the first settlers of the east 
part of this town, and was born in Calais, 
coming to this town with his father when 
quite young. He married Mary E. Frink, 
of Milford, Mass., and they are now (1879) 
living on the same place where his father 
first settled in town. In 1876, he sold his 
practice to Dr. Chauncey N. Hunt, who 
is the now practicing physician. Dr. Hunt 
is a son of Chauncey Hunt ; born in this 
town Apr. 17, 1851 ; graduated at Burling- 
ton, 1875, and was married to Jennie F., 
daughter of A. S. Emery, Sept. 28, 1875. 
Dr. Watson and Dr. Harris both also 
graduated at Burlington. 

NEIGHBORHOODS. 

Hampshire Hill, so called, being mostly 
settled from New Hampshire — many from 
Acworthand Alstead. It is the geograph- 
ical center of the town, at the foot of the 
mountain range, and comprises school 
district No. 8, with a few families in No. 2. 
The first beginning was made on the south 
end by Artemas Richardson, F. Johnson 
and E. S. Kellogg. Before 1830, the New 
Hampshire people came, and the hill was 
settled as far north as it ever has been. 
Joel Newton, John Brigham, Wm. H.and 
John H. Cooper, Daniel A. and David L. 
Frost, Daniel Adams, Aaron Kemp, Joseph 
Evans, Ophir Leonard, Nathl. S. Morley, 
Alex. Dingwall and Horace H. Collier, 
and perhaps others we do not remember, 
were the first to make permanent homes 
on the hill ; substantial, honored citizens. 
A few of their descendants still live on the 
places their fathers cleared. 

"Minister Brook," now school dis- 
trict No. 4, was early settled from various 
localities. O. L. Smith, Cyrus Crocker, 
Jonas Abbott, Matthias Folsom, Daniel 
and Richard Colby, Samuel Upham, Ed- 



ward and John Clough, Joel H. Temple- 
ton, Abraham, Ephraimand Jesse Abbott, 
Luther Hunt and others were among its 
early settlers. 

West Hill, district No. 7, had David 
Folsom, B. F. Stone, William and Samuel 
Hall and others. The east part of the 
town from Putnam's Mills to Calais, and 
so north, had for early settlers: Gilmore 
Parmenter, Caleb Ormsby, Elias Bascom, 
Asa Fisher, Gload Dugar, Thayer Towns- 
hend, Benj. Lathrop, Daniel Harris, J. P. 
B. Ladd, Jacob Baldwin and others. 

Wm. Hinkson and Tristram Worthen, 
with their families of 6 children each, set- 
tled in the extreme north part of the town. 
There were probably many among the 
early inhabitants whose names we have 
not learned. Those who came before 
Amasa Brown, from 1797, and left before 
1818 or '19, as far as we know, never re- 
turned. Mrs. Olive Brown Johnson, a 
daughter of Amasa Brown, who came 
here with her father in 1812, has given 
the writer some information in regard to 
those who came here during the first or- 
ganization, and where they were located 
previous to their leaving town. Accord- 
ing to her recollection, Cyrus Brigham 
then lived on the Whitney farm, where 
L. M. Hutchinson now lives, a man named 
Farnsworth on the Leonard Hamblet place, 
Daniel Colby where Mr. Seaver now re- 
sides. The Dea. Poor place was then 
called the Lyon place, but no one lived 
there. Two families by the name of Green 
(Elisha and James, probably) lived on the 
place where P. A. Kemp now lives, Carpus 
Clark on a part of the Brown farm now 
owned by Chauncey Hunt, John Ridlon 
where Henry E. Hunt resides, and Henry 
Goodell on Mr. H. A. Hancock's farm, 
and in 1818-19, Mr. Brown's family had 
no neighbors nearer than the Stiles' place 
in Middlesex, where C. L. Hunt now 
lives. 

Ohio was being opened up to settlers, 
and the good stories coming from there 
induced those discouraged here to seek 
that more favored region. Nearly all 
mentioned as living here at that time em- 
igrated to Ohio. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mr. Brown was born in Templeton, 
Mass., Apr. 23, 1770; about 1792, was 
married to Sybil Stoddard, of Winchendon, 
Mass. ; born June 20, 1772. Feb. 1807, 
they removed from Massachusetts to Mont- 
pelier, residing there until April, 1812, 
when they came to Worcester, and settled 
on the place where they continued as long 
as they lived. When they settled here, a 
clearing of some 10 or 12 acres had been 
made and a log-house built. The house 
had one glass window only at this time, 
and stood where the ell part of the present 
house stands. 

Mr. Brown purchased his place of Elisha 
B. Green. There were then no bridges 
across the river between Montpelier and 
Worcester, and as the road then went, it 
crossed the river twice near where Leonard 
Hamblet lives, so people had to cross on 
the ice in winter and ford the stream in 
the summer. Mrs. Johnson says, wlien 
she was about g years of age, in March, 
1815, her father went to Montpelier with a 
horse and sleigh, taking her with him. 
After transacting his business, he started 
to return home, and it being a thawing 
time, the river had become swollen so the 
water ran over the ice at the crossings. 
They made the first crossing, but when 
they came to the second, the water was 
running so deeply and swiftly above the 
ice it seemed impossible to cross. Mr. 
Brown told his little danghter he saw no 
way except to commend themselves to the 
care of God and make the attempt. It was 
just as unsafe to try to return, and telling 
her to cling tight to the sleigh, he went up 
the stream as far as possible and plunged 
in. The current was so strong, the sleigh 
was carried down below the horse, which 
compelled him to keep his head nearly up 
the stream, the water filling the sleigh. 
When they reached the other shore they 
were some rods farther down the stream 
than where they entered it. When again 
on firm ground, Mr. Brown stopped and 
thanked God that they had been pre- 
served, and then proceeded homeward. 

When Mr. Brown was left by all his 
neighbors in full possession of the town, 
he took advantage of tlie situation to im- 



prove his own pecuniary interests. He 
had at this time a few sheep, a yoke of 
oxen and three cows. Having the whole 
range of the cleared land on which to keep 
his stock, he went to Montpelier and hired 
four or five more cows, for which he paid 
$4 per year each beside their keeping, and 
together with his own turned them on the 
town. He found a ready sale for all his 
butter among the families in Montpelier at 
13 c. per pound ; fed the milk to his hogs, 
raising pork for sale, and so prospered in 
worldly affairs, turning the misfortunes of 
his less enduring neighbors to his own 
benefit. In 1818 or 19, Mrs. Brown's 
father died in Massachusetts, and Mr. 
Brown was sent for to help in settling the 
estate. He made the journey on horse- 
back, of which he said, when traveling 
through New Hampshire, he stopped over 
night at a tavern where quite a company 
was collected. During the evening as the 
different persons were engaged in telling 
stories in regard to their several localities, 
Mr. Brown sat and listened without saying 
anything, until some one of the company 
turned to him with the remark, that he 
believed they had all told where they be- 
longed but him. He replied that he lived 
in Worcester, Vermont. Oh ! said the 
other, I have heard of Worcester. I have 
heard that all the inhabitants of that town 
except a Mr. Brown left the place, and 
that he has thrown his family on the town. 
The story you have heard is true, said Mr. 
B. My name is Brown, and there is no 
other family living in Worcester but my 
own. As Mr. Brown's place was about 
half way from Montpelier to Elmore, he 
had frequent applications from travellers 
for refreshments. These applications be- 
came so numerous, that in 18 15 or 16, 
according to the recollections of Mrs. 
Johnson, he concluded to open a tavern, 
and entertain travellers. Accordingly, to 
give notice to the public, he put up a 
"sign,'' and opened the first tavern ever 
kept in Worcester. His sign was a smooth 
board, on which he marked in large letters 
with red chalk, "Good Cider For Sale 
Here," and he nailed it up in front of his 
log house. Travellers were entertained in 



WORCESTER. 



this log tavern until 1824 or 25, when he 
built a large two-stor}- house, the one now 
standing, for a tavern. 

In February, 1817, Benjamin Upton and 
wife of Bakersfield, came to visit Mr. 
Brown's family, Mrs. U. being Mr. B.''s 
sister. It was an almost unbroken forest 
between Elmore and Worcester, the road 
barely passable with teams ; most of the 
travel being on horseback. Mr. Upton 
and wife arrived at Mr. Olmstead's in El- 
more, near noon, where they stopped to 
refresh themselves and horse, and inquire 
about the road. They were told that they 
could probably go through without trouble, 
and started about 3 o'clock, p. m. The 
road was quite good for a mile or two, 
where some of the inhabitants had been 
drawing wood, but they soon came where 
there was no track, and it became impos- 
sible to proceed except by Mr. Upton's 
treading down the snow ahead, and then 
leading on the horse, making very slow 
progress. As night approached, Mr. Up- 
ton and his horse became weary ; the pros- 
pect of getting through the woods that 
night grew less and less. They thought 
they had got about half way. Mr. Upton 
told his wife he saw no way but to leave 
her with the team, while he would go 
through to Mr. Brown's for help to break 
the road. She consented, and her hus- 
band wrapped her up as well as he could, 
taking off his overcoat and putting it on 
her, and wrapping a bed-quilt they had 
for a sleigh robe about her, he bade her 
good night and started. He reached Mr. 
Brown's about midnight, almost completely 
exhausted ; aroused them, and made known 
the situation. Mr. Brown, his two boys, 
and Oliver Watson, who soon after mar- 
ried Mr. Brown's daugliter, started out. 
They turned out the oxen and some young 
cattle, put a boy on the horse, and pro- 
ceeded to break a path, driving the oxen 
unyoked, and the young cattle before them, 
the boy and horse bringing up the rear. 
About daylight, Mr. Brown, who was ahead, 
came in sight of the horse and sleigh with 
Mrs. Upton sitting upright as Mr. Upton 
had left her the night before. He spoke 
to her but received no answer ; again, no 



response ; becoming alarmed, wentup close 
to the sleigh, and put his hand on her 
shoulder, calling her by name. This 
started her up. She was asleep ; she was 
told help was at hand. She had slept 
most of the night. Finding they were 
only a little way in the woods, they took the 
team back to Mr. Olmstead's, so Mr. Brown 
and Mrs. Upton returned there, she stay- 
ing until the next day, the interval being 
spent by Mr. Brown's folks in breaking 
out the road. Early next morning, Mr. 
B. and his sister again started from Elmore, 
and about 3 o'clock p. m., arrived at Mr. 
Brown's house, finding Mr. Upton recov- 
ered from his exhaustion and glad to receive 
Jiis wife safe again. They doubtless re- 
membered their visit that winter to Wor- 
cester as long as they lived. 

Mr. Brown and wife both died compara- 
tively young, on the same place on which 
they first settled. She died March 6, 1826, 
aged 54 years, and he June i, 1827, aged 57. 

FRANKLIN JOHNSON, 

born in Leominster, Mass., 1797, came 
from there Apr., 1820, in company with 
Capt. Artemus Richardson and Amos Mer- 
riam ; and the three together purchased 
the 300 acre lot, No. 31, situated on the 
south end of Hampshire hill, and reaching 
Minister brook. They divided the right, 
Mr. Merriam taking the north, known 
afterwards as the "Adams farm," Mr. 
Richardson the middle lot, known as the 
Farris Leonard farm, and Mr. Johnson the 
south lot, where he continued to reside 
until his death. That spring, they each 
chopped 5 acres on his lot. In June, Mr. 
Richardson and Mr. Merriam returned to 
Massachusetts, and left Mr. Johnson to see 
to the land. He stayed through the sum- 
mer, and burned the choppings on all three 
places ; then worked at clearing his own, 
and building him a log shanty. Just be- 
fore "Thanksgiving," he returned to Mas- 
sachusetts and spent the winter. In April, 
1 82 1, he came back to Worcester. Mr. J. 
started Fast day, and arrived in W. Fast 
day also, being just one week on the ro^. 
When he left Leominster, the farmers were 
plowing and sowing their fields ; when he 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



arrived in Worcester, the snow was 4 feet 
deep. As soon as the snow was gone, he 
commenced work on his land, and also 
built him a larger log-house. Mr. Rich- 
ardson came back soon after Mr. Johnson, 
bringing his wife with him, but Mr. Mer- 
riam did not return, having sold his land 
to Ebenezer S. Kellogg of Brookfield. 
Mr. Johnson said, when building his house 
that summer, he got in a great hurry to 
complete it, and when shingling thought 
he would not stop for Sunday, as there 
were no neighbors near enough to be dis- 
turbed. In the morning, he went to work, 
and laid 10 or 12 shingles, but said " such 
echoes as the hammer awoke I never heard. 
It seemed as if the sound must be heard 
all over town ; and I concluded to wait 
until Monday before I shingled any more." 
During this summer, Mr. Kellogg worked 
on his land, and as his family were in 
Brookfield, he stayed with Mr. Johnson. 
Mr. J. was courting Pamelia Brown, and 
would sometimes be gone evenings, leav- 
ing Mr. K. to keep house alone, and he 
being naturally timid, did not like this ar- 
rangement. One Sunday night, Mr. John»- 
son went to Mr. Brown's, leaving Mr. Kel- 
logg alone. About 10 o'clock, Johnson 
hearing a loud hallooing in the woods, 
went out to see what was the matter. Mr. 
K. soon emerged above the house, swing- 
ing a fire brand. He had heard a bear 
about the shanty, and was not going to 
stay there alone. Mr. Johnson said when 
he first came to Worcester, tlie trout were 
so plenty he could catch enough in the 
brook in ten minutes any day to make a 
good meal. He cleared up his land, made 
improvements in building, raised up his 
family, and ended his days there. He 
married Pamelia Brown, Sept. 8, 1822, 
who died Jan. 23, 1834; and he married 
2d, Jan. 4, 1835, Olive Brown, a sister of 
his first wife, who is still living on the same 
farm. Mr. Johnson united with the Con- 
gregational church in 1826. He bore his 
share in the toils of the new settlement, 
and in the town business ; was a good 
neighbor and citizen, and died respected 
bv his townsmen, Dec. 8, 1868, aged 71 
years. 



ORAMEL L. SMITH, 

a brother of Col. Harvey Smith of.Thet- 
ford, and uncle to Hon. O. H. Smith of 
Montpelier, was born in 1783, where, I am 
unable to state, but he lived in Thetford 
while quite young, the writer's father and 
Mr. Smith being boys together there. He 
was married at Thetford to Polly, daughter 
of lliaddeus Ladd, who had a large fami- 
ly, mostly girls. 

The story is told, that when some two 
or three of Mr. Ladd's girls had been mar- 
ried, Mrs. Smith being among the num- 
ber, a neighbor, who was not on very good 
terms with Mr. Smith and one or two 
other men who had married the Ladd 
girls, made the remark that he thought the 
devil had a grudge against Mr. Ladd and 
was paying him in soiis-in-law. Mr. Smith 
and his wife came to Worcester in 1822 or 
23, and commenced a settlement on the 
Minister brook, west of the " corner," and 
lived and died there. They had 3 girls, 
the two oldest, Mary and Jemima, born in 
Thetford, the youngest, Frances, in Wor- 
cester. The eldest died unmarried, Je- 
mima married Herman JFoster, and Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith lived with them at the 
time of their death . The youngest was the 
wife of Capt. Edward Hall of the 8th Vt. 
Regt., wounded at Cedar Creek, Oct., '64, 
who died of his wounds at Winchester a 
few days after. The daughters are all now 
dead. 

Uncle Lyman, as Mr. Smith was famil- 
iarly called, was an active man in his day, 
and somewhat given to the use of intoxi- 
cating drink ; his naturally irritable dispo- 
sition was made more irritable, and he had 
very much trouble with his neighbors ; for 
a series of years was almost constantly in- 
volved in law-suits. Probably he was 
plaintiff or defendant in more law cases 
than many others together in town ; and 
almost always was on the losing side. 
He was harassed by creditors almost con- 
stantly. It is said he concluded after 
awhile he could not afford to quarrel so 
much, and was more peaceably inclined in 
his later years. 

Mr. Hutchinson's place joined his on the 
north, Mr. H. having another lot a mile or 



WORCESTER. 



897 



so south they were clearing, and to cross 
Mr. Smith's farm to reach the south lot, 
Mr. S. had a log-bridge across the brook 
south of his house ; Mr. Hutchinson's folks 
availed themselves of it going to and from 
work. Uncle Lyman, not feeling friendly 
at that time, forbade their passing over the 
bridge. One morning old Mr. Hutchinson 
and one of the boys started for the south 
lot to work, intending to cross the bridge; 
but Mr. Smith came hurriedly out as the 
others were crossing, and succeeded in 
pitching the elder Mr. H. into the brook. 
A lawsuit resulted, in which Uncle Lyman 
was beat as usual. During his later years, 
he gave up his business cares to his chil- 
dren, and lived more quiet. Mrs. Smith, 
the opposite of her husband, was a kind 
neighbor and excellent nurse, and often 
was called up by her neighbors in sickness ; 
and in those years when there was no phy- 
sician in town, she practiced midwifery, 
and even after a regular physician had loca- 
ted here, she was called upon for that ser- 
vice. Both Mr. S. and wife died at the age 
of 71 ; he in 1854, she in 1858. 

JOHN AND DODGE HAYWARD, 

formerly of Thetford, commenced a settle- 
ment on Minister brook in 1821, where 
Joel H. Templeton afterwards lived and 
died ; but Dodge soon after went to the 
Dea. Poor place, and both soon left the 
town. 

OLIVER WATSON, 

born in 1786, came here from Montpelier ; 
was a joiner by trade, and an extra work- 
man, making that his life business. He 
married Esther, oldest daughter of Amasa 
Brown, May 29, 1817 ; this is the first re- 
corded marriage in town. Their oldest son 
represented the town and was assistant 
judge of the TTounty court 2 years. Mr. 
W. was for many years very deaf. He 
died in 1870, at 84 years. His widow went 
to live with her son. Judge E. C. Watson 
of Hartford, and died there, but was brought 
to Worcester for burial. 

JESSE FLINT, 
of Montpelier, bought a lot here in 1815, 
but I do not know that he came here to 
live before 1820 or 21. He lived for a 



short time in a log-house, or shop,, which 
had been used for a comb shop, near S. 
M. Seaver's present residence, until he 
could build a shanty on his own land. 
His land was on the hill where F. C. Har- 
riman now lives. Mr. Flint was prominent 
in town matters, but probably moved away 
about 1830, (as we find by the land records, 
he sold his farm then) and went to Middle- 
sex to reside. He has children now living 
there. At the time of Mr. Plint's settle- 
ment, he cut a road through the woods 
from the Branch road, commencing near 
where William Maxham now lives, going 
up the hill by W. P. Gould's, and so on, 
probably where the road now goes, to his 
log-house-on the hill. Mr. Jacob Baldwin, 
who then lived with his father, Benjamin 
Baldwin, near "Putnam's mill" in Middle- 
sex, and who now lives in the State of Illi- 
nois, in a recent letter says, "In June, 1822, 
in company with Silas Baldwin, I went up 
to the place where Joel Templeton died. 
The branch road did not go where it now 
does, but farther west, and up a very steep 
hill, and came into the present road a lit- 
tle north from the Maxham road. Flint 
had begun up there, and cut a road from 
the foot of the hill west across the flat, up 
the hill by where J. P. B. Ladd began af- 
terwards ; and on to his place at the end 
of the road. He was the first man on the 
hill ; had his pick, and settled on the poor- 
est farm there. From Flint's, we went 
by marked trees to Jesse Abbott's, (where 
Harrington now lives) and down to the 
brook where John and Dodge (Hayward) 
had begun, and Joel H. Templeton after- 
wards lived and died. There was no road 
in there, Oxilyone from Mr. Amasa Brown's 
log-house, west up by where Artemas 
Richardson had begun. Mr. Franklin 
Johnson went up the same road to his 
place, on which he had built a log-house." 
Richard and Daniel Colby, Mr. B. says, 
had come in and cut down a small piece, 
built a small shanty, planted a few pota- 
toes, and were lazying round, smoking 
their pipes ; had killed an owl or two. 
They probably did not stay many years ; 
"lazying round" did not procure a very 
good living: in those times. 



113 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SaiTjuel Upham from Brookfield, bought 
the place where the Haywards commenced, 
and moved there in 1823. He was a black- 
smith, built a shop on his place, and did 
what work he could get. Some think this 
was the first blacksmith shop in town. 
Mr. Upham moved away in 1825, having 
sold his place to Joel H. Templeton. Judge 
Zenas Upham of Brookfield is a son of 
Samuel Upham. 

THE ABBOTTS. 

During the early years there were on 
Minister brook and west of it seven men 
named Abbott. Jesse, Abraham, Ephraim, 
Asa and Titus, five brothers ; Nathan and 
Jonas, also brothers, and cousins of the 
former. Jesse, Abraham and Ephraim 
Abbott married three sisters, named Buz- 
zell. There were nine of the Buzzell girls, 
and beside those who married the Abbotts, 
two married Levi and Silas Pratt, two 
brothers ; two, also, David and Calvin 
Pratt, brothers, and cousins to Levi and 
Silas ; one married James Philbrick and 
one Major Goodwin. 

THOMAS HUTCHINSON, 

with his father and brothers came from 
Norwich, and settled near the mouth of 
Minister brook, where he continued to re- 
side until 1867, when he removed to the 
place where his son, L. M. Hutchinson, now 
lives. Mr. H. by industry and economy 
made for himself and family a good home. 
He was for years a member of the Congre- 
gational church, but in some of the church's 
action in regard to certain members — being 
dissatisfied with the course taken, he with- 
drew for a time from the meetings ; for 
this he was dropped from the church roll. 
He afterwards came back and became an 
active supporter himself with it again as a 
member of the church, though never con- 
necting. July 2, 1835, li^ was united in 
marriage to Almira Sumner, and together 
they traveled life's pathway 41 years. Mr. 
Hutchinson was a man of great energy and 
perseverance in carrying out his plans, and 
as his views of town matters did not always 
coincide with others, there would some- 
times come a struggle, which did not 
always tend to promote friendly feeling. 



He bore his share of public burdens, and 
performed all his duties faithfully ; was 
representative 2 years. Mr. Hutchinson 
died Oct. 4, 1876, age 64, and his wife 
Sept. 30, 1877, age 60. 

The northeast part of the town was set- 
tled last. An effort was often made for a 
road through that part of the town from 
Moses P. Wheeler's mill, north through 
the eastern part of Elmore to Wolcott 
village. A petition was made for a court's 
committee ; the result only a large bill of 
costs for the petitioners to pay. The road 
was opposed by the central and western 
part of both Elmore and Worcester on 
account of the expense, and it would divert 
travel from the old county road. But 
about i860 another petition to the court 
obtained a committee to examine the 
premises again, and the road known as 
the Eagle Ledge road was made, which 
opened the way for many settlers in that 
part- of the town, and some good farms 
have been cleared ; and a more easy access 
to large tracts of timber lands, and a con- 
siderable portion of the inhabitants in that 
section depend on the lumber business for 
their livelihood. "Wheeler's mill" in 
Worcester, and " Slayton's." just in El- 
more, annually cut out large quantities of 
lumber. 

A night's experience. 
Mrs. Alma P. Howieson, wife of James 
Howieson, who lived in this section, relates 
to us : " In the spring of 1864, myself and 
family came to Vermont first, where we 
had one family of relations, a brother of 
my husband, living in Worcester. We 
came to this place, and purchased a piece 
of wild land, and commenced a farm, in- 
tending to settle i?ermanently, but 2 year's 
later my husband's brother, a " millwright," 
hired with a company in New York to go 
south and build a mill in Georgia. He 
went, and came North for more efficient 
laborers ; and with others took my husband 
and three sons, leaving me to look after 
things at home ; I had two little girls and 
my eldest son's wife with two small chil- 
dren, in my family. My men folks left the 
nth of Oct. One week after, mv little 



WORCESTER. 



8-year old girl fell and broke her arm, which 
kept me pretty closely confined some time ; 
but I had a short web of flannel I wanted 
to get wove, and had heard of a woman in 
Calais, living near Mr. Snow's, who was a 
weaver ; so thought to go over and get my 
work done. The weather had been rough, 
but cleared, leaving about 2 inches of snow 
on the ground. It was the 4th of Dec. ; 
the sun shone pleasantly for that time of 
year. I took my youngest little girl with 
me and started by a cut across the woods 
into Calais, to Mr. Elias Snow's place, 
intending to make a short visit there and 
return in the evening by the road ; it was 
3 miles round; but "over the hill," only 
5ths of a mile. Having been this way 
several times, I had no difficulty in finding 
my way, besides a slight path, now mostly 
blotted out with leaves, there was a line spot- 
ted through on the trees, any one at all vers- 
ed in wood craft, could follow. I left home 
about 10 o'clock, a. m., telling my daugh- 
ter-in-law I would be back before dark ; 
she was timid and did not like to stay 
alone. I had a pleasant walk through the 
woods, accompanied by my " house-dog" 
and large black cat, which persisted in 
following, in spite of my efforts to scold 
him back. He followed until I came into 
Mr. Snow's clearing, when he retreated 
into the sugar-house at the edge of the 
woods. I found the old people well, and 
arranged with them to get their neighbor 
to do my work, and after resting awhile 
was about to return, but the old people 
proposed I should remain until 3 o'clock, 
when the boys would be back from their 
work, and one of them would go and help 
me up the hill with my little one. As the 
hill was steep and long, I was willing to 
accept their offer. The kind old lady filled 
a three-quart pail with milk to take to the 
little folks at home. Thinking I would 
have time to get home after 3 o'clock, I 
was willing to wait, but it had been thaw- 
ing all day, and when the sky overspread 
with clouds and a drizzling rain commenc- 
ed, conscious it would be dark early, I 
did not dare wait longer for the boys, and 
taking the pail in one hand and the little 
one in my arms, I set out for home. I had 



not climbed more than half way up the 
hill before the rain changed to sleet, and 
the wind rising drove the storm sharply 
into my face. Taking off my vail I tied 
it over my little one's face, and hugging 
her close, toiled up the steep hill in the 
storm, which increased every moment. 
On the summit I rested against a tree to 
regain strength. My path was entirely 
effaced by the thaw and storm ; but I 
found the spotted line, and soon started as 
the night was fast closing in. Pressing 
forward, I thought in a few minutes to be 
clear of the woods, but after proceeding 
quite a distance came to a tree directly 
across my path ; and looking about, I had 
missed the way. I went back to where I 
first found the line, and setting down the 
pail of milk, which had become burden- 
some, made another trial to follow the 
marked trees ; it was getting too dark for 
that, and I took as straight a course as I 
could, hoping to come into the clearing 
somewhere, knowing I could then find my 
way in the darkness, even. The storm 
now ceased suddenly as it had commenced, 
but the wind increased to a perfect hurri- 
cane, blowing down trees, the limbs falling 
in showers about me in a manner I never 
before witnessed, nor since ; and this with 
the coming darkness increased my anxiety 
to get clear of the woods. I urged my- 
self on, I rushed through the underbrush, 
over the trunks of old fallen trees, tear- 
ing my clothes, and lacerating my hands 
hands and face, on and on in my endeav- 
ors to gain the clearing. From the in- 
clemency of the weather at this season, I 
supposed I must perish if I remained in 
the woods such a night ; but at last I sank 
exhausted on the trunk of a fallen tree, 
crying aloud, lost ! lost ! without a ray of 
hope, hearing, which my little girl, Carrie, 
commenced to cry to go home ; which 
once more aroused me, I must not give up. 
Carrie needed my care ; the little sick girl 
at home needed me ; their father and 
brothers 1500 miles away ; and my daugh- 
ter-in-law who could not speak one word 
of English, she too, depended on me. I 
must make one more effort to preserve my 
life, if possible. I took in the situation. 



900 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



It was a matter of endurance ; could I 
bear up under the strain of walking all 
night, and carrying that child in my arms 
without getting tired out, and freezing to 
death? I must make the trial. In the 
dim twilight I could see a little ways around 
me. I selected "* a beat." My first care 
was for my little one, and taking of a 
flannel under-skirt, I wrapped it carefully 
around her. The wind lulled and went 
moaning away over the hills ; the rain 
again descended in torrents. It was a 
perfect down-pour. I was soon drenched 
to the skin, although I had a double woolen 
shawl and a worsted hood on. Sometimes 
I would sit down for a little while on a 
moss-covered log at one end of my beat, 
but would commence to grow chilly, which 
warned me to be moving. Let me tell you 
whence my strength came : I had invoked 
the aid of my Heavenly Father to support 
me through this trying ordeal, and quick 
- as thought the answer came, " Be not dis- 
mayed ; Lo, I am with you alway, even 
unto the end." Before I had been all ex- 
citement; not afraid of wild beasts, or 
anything the woods contained, but of the 
cold and fatigue the long night held in 
store. Now this vanished ; my nerves 
became steady ; my strength seemed re- 
newed ; I walked my lonely beat with as 
firm a tread as any sentinel could while 
guarding his army against the foe. The 
rain continued what seemed a very long 
time ; though it ceased about midnight ; 
then it grew still colder and commenced 
snowing, and my little dog gave vent to 
to his anger or distrust by barking vehe- 
mently. I tried to quiet him, seating my- 
self for a moment on my log seat, with my 
babe on my lap, one hand hanging beside 
me ; a fuzzy head thrust up against my 
hand frightened me. I attempted to rise, 
but the animal pounced upon my lap press- 
ing its wet back against my face. The 
night dark as Eurebus, I could see noth- 
ing, but immediately knew my cat, which 
followed me. He stopped about an hour 
longer; then left for home. The weary 
night came to a close at last. I could see 
in what direction to go, and steering 
straight for Worcester mountains, knowing 



it would bring me to some clearing where 
I could shape my course. I had just fairly 
come out of the woods when I was met 
by one of my nephews, who took the 
little girl. I attempted to follow him to a 
house near by ; my strength failed me and 
I had to be supported by another person. 
My will-power deserted me as human aid 
came to my rescue. But about noon, I 
was able to walk home, and soon recovered 
from my hard night's work. My son's 
wife finding I did not come, at 8 o'clock 
lighted her lantern and leaving her chil- 
dren asleep, told the sick girl she was 
going to find mother. She went to my 
brother's, and made them understand I 
Was in the woods. My brother was away 
from home, but two of the boys took a 
lantern and started for Mr. Snow's to see 
if I had left there. But the trees falling 
so fast and their lantern having been blown 
out, they beat a hasty retreat, telling my 
son's wife they would go in the morning. 
She returned to her children, and spent the 
night in weeping, expecting, as she often 
tells me, I should be found dead in the 
woods. My brother's wife sent one of her 
boys " as soon as peep of day," to use her 
words, to Mr. Snow's ; who, finding the pail 
of milk, knew I must be lost, and gave the 
alarm, and before I got clear of the woods 
the whole neighborhood were out hunting 
for me. 

I was 47 years old that month, and the 
child I carried in my arms for over 14 
hours, was 2^ years old that day ; but that 
child was the magnet that held me to life. 
To this day I look back with a shudder to 
that dismal vigil in the woods, and thank 
my Father in Heaven, who gave me 
strength to bear up and save my own life 
and that of my child. 

CASUALTIES. 

For some of these we are indebted to a 
*' Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 
by Simon C. Abbott;" published in 1858 
by the town. 

A youth named Martin was drowned at 
an early day, while attempting to cross the 
river, on the farm where L. M. Hutchinson 
now lives. He was probably a son of 
George Martin, one of the first settlers 



WORCESTER. 



901 



who lived there. This death is thought to 
be the first in town. It is quite likely he 
was buried on the high knoll west of Mr. 
Hutchinson''s house, as were some others, 
there being some graves to be seen there, 
when Mr. Abel Whitney lived there. 

A son of S. P. Alexander, of 6 years, 
was drowned Sept. 1849, on the farm of 
S. M. Seaver. His father being at work 
over the river, his boy set out to go in 
search of him, and when missed by the 
family, search was made, and he was 
found in the river. 

George C. Hancock, son of Crismon 
Hancock, was drowned in the " Branch," 
July 31, 1857, aged 14. 

Charles Hall, a son of Samuel Hall, was 
drowned in "Minister Brook," July, 186-, 
by the washing away of a bridge on which 
he was standing, caused by a sudden rise 
of the water during a thunder-storm. 

Moses Rood, 3d, son of Moses Rood, 
Jr., formerly of Barre, Jan. 27, 1829, had 
his thigh fractured by the fall of a tree. 
Feb. 2, mortification ensued, rendering 
amputation necessary, under which he 
died. 

Asel Bradstreet, a child of 2 years of 
J. P. B. Ladd, was scalded by the over- 
turning of a kettle of hot water upon him, 
and lived three weeks after the accident. 

Jedediah P. B. Ladd, the father, re- 
ceived his death-blow by falling from a 
bridge near his residence. He was crowd- 
ed off by an ox-team he was driving over 
the bridge while repairing it, and fell 22 
feet, striking upon a solid rock. His 
thigh was badly fractured, and he sus- 
tained internal injuries of so serious a 
nature, though assistance was at once 
rendered and medical aid procured, and it 
was hoped he might recover, after linger- 
ing in great pain until the third day, sur- 
rounded by his weeping family, death 
closed his mortal career. Mr. Ladd came 
to Worcester about 1823, with Jonas Ab- 
bott, from Thetford. He married Eliza 
Baldwin, daughter of Benjamin Baldwin, 
and a sister of Mrs. Thomas Reed. Mr. 
Ladd was a brother of Mrs. O. L. Smith, 
and first settled on the hill near Jesse 
Flint's, and where Willis P. Gould now 



lives, making the first clearing there about 
1825. He removed to the eastern part of 
the town, and commenced anew again on 
the place where Ira W. Brown now lives ; 
from there, removed in 1833 to the place 
first settled by Allen Vail, Esq., where he 
resided at the time of his death. The wife 
of the writer of this is a daughter of Mr. 
Ladd. He died Sept. 19, 1844, at 42 
years of age. 

Sept. 19, 1833, Elisha Hutchinson, son 
of Eleazer, a citizen of Worcester, was 
killed in Montpelier by a stone thrown 
from a blast on the site of the State House ; 
age 33 years. 

James, son of Thomas Reed, a boy of 
14, was killed June 30, 1844, while peel- 
ing hemlock bark with his father and 
brother on the farm. A tree which had 
been peeled started to slide down the hill, 
and caught the boy between itself and an- 
other log, crushing out his life on the spot. 

Lewis Wright died Oct. 14, 1868, aged 
63. He fell in a barn on which he was at 
work, on the S. M. Seaver place. He was 
an upright Christian man, much respected 
by all who knew him. 

Joel H. Templeton was thrown from his 
wagon when near his home, and received 
injuries from which he died in about a 
week, Sept. 18, 1852, aged 62. He came 
to Worcester from East Montpelier in 
1825, and was a prominent man in town 
aifairs for many years. He was the father 
of Horatio Templeton, Esq., his widow, 
Mrs. Abigail Templeton, still residing in 
town, upwards of 80 years of age (1871). 

Isaac Spofford, while wrestling, had a 
bone fractured in his neck, which caused 
paralysis below the point of fracture, and 
resulted in his death. He lived 30 days 
after the accident, unable to move himself, 
and died Aug. 25, 185 1, aged 30 years. 

Jan. 21, 1876, Joel O. Durfey, son of 
Rev. Milo Durfey, while drawing logs and 
rolling them on the bank of the river near 
Edmund Utton's, was caught under a log 
and crushed to death. 

At an early day, a man and his wife 
named Culver, traveling through the town, 
stopped on Clapp hill to feed their horses. 
The man went to the back side of the 



902 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



wagon for some grain, the horses becom- 
ing frightened, ran violently down the hill, 
and tlie woman was thrown out and her 
neck broken. 

Levi Worthen, son of Tristram Worthen, 
one of the first settlers in the north part of 
the town, went toYork State hunting deer. 
One day he was out with a companion in 
the forest, and in their wanderings became 
separated. His companion saw him through 
the bushes, and, mistaking him for a deer, 
fired, and Mr. Worthen was killed. His 
body was brought to Worcester for burial. 

1865, a child of B. F. Johnson was 
scalded by sitting down in a pail of hot 
water. 

Oct. 14, 1868, Lewis Wright, while at 
work on a barn for Mr. D. H. Massey, fell 
some 8 or 10 feet to the ground, striking 
on his head, and causing his death in four 
or five days, aged 63 years. 

Alonzo Jones, Jr., accidentally shot 
himself while out hunting, and died Oct. 
25, 1854, a day or two after the accident, 
aged 16 years. 

MURDERS. 

About 1862 or '63, a young married 
woman named Loomis was murdered on the 
Eagle Ledge road, her body being found 
in the woods a little way from the house of 
her husband's brother. Circumstances 
led to the arrest of this man, Austin 
Loomis, and also of Royal Carr, a neigh- 
bor. After a long and tedious trial, Mr. 
Loomis was acquitted, and Mr. Carr con- 
victed of manslaughter, and was sentenced 
to the state prison for 10 years. After 
serving about 9 years, he was released, 
having gained one year by good conduct 
in the prison. In December of the pres- 
ent year (1878) Carr was again arrested 
for the murder of a half-breed Indian. 
Wm. W. Murcommock, in the edge of 
Calais, with whom he was hunting, and is 
now lodged in jail at Montpelier awaiting 
his trial for that offence. [Since executed 
at Windsor, Apr. 29, 1881.] 

Apr. 24, 1867, Patrick Fitzgibbons, a 
resident of this town, was stabbed and in- 
stantly killed in Montpelier by some un- 
known person. 



SUICIDES. 

The following persons, citizens of this 
town, have committed suicide by hanging : 
Ophir Leonard, Mar. 1841, aged 68 years ; 
David Foster, Dec. 1849, aged 6g ; Mark 
P. Ladd, Aug. 1867, aged 50 (died in 
Richmond) ; Russell Coller, Dec. 1866, 
aged 40 (in Calais) : Samuel Kelley, Apr. 
1871, aged 78; M. Newell Kent, Oct. 
1876, aged y] . 

_ OLD PEOPLE. 

Mr. Howe Wheeler and his wife Ama 
moved into this town from Calais, and died 
here; he, Feb. 18, 1870, aged 92 years, i 
month, 19 days; she. Mar. 3, 1870, aged 
91 years, 7 months, 10 days. They had 
been married over 70 years. The oldest 
person now living in town is Mrs. Esther 
Hamblet, widow of Jonathan Hamblet, 
and mother of Leonard and Edward M., 
who now live in this town. She came 
with her husband from Dracut, Mass., 
about 1823, and has lived here since that 
time. [Has since died, aged 96 years and 
3 days.] Of those in this town 80 years of 
age and over at the time of their death, 
were : 

Caleb Barnum, 8oyrs, died Mar. i, 1843. 

Lemuel Blanchard, 92, Sept. 3, 1855. 

Mehitable Spear, 83, Aug. 9, 1846. 

Jonathan Hamblet, 86, March 3, 1859. 

Allen Vail, 80, May 22, i860. 

Peter Seaver, 81, June 23, i860. 

Aaron Kemp, 80, Oct. 2, 1864. 

Martha Rice, 87, Aug. 12, 1865. 

Gload Dugar, 90, Oct. 16, 1865. 

Norah Butler, 80, Dec. 12, 1867. 

Howe Wheeler, 92, Feb. 18, 1870. 

Ama Wheeler, 91, March 3, 1870. 

Oliver Watson, 84, Sept. 1870. 

Thomas McCurdy, 81, May 18, 1870. 

Lydia Richardson, 92, June, 1871. 

Daniel Abbott, 82, March 27, 1872. 

Stephen Harrington, 80, Sept. 7, 1873. 

Philip Hardy, 87, Jan. 30, 1874. 

John Brigham, 82, June 29, 1875. 

George Gould, 85, July, 1876. 

Silas Fifield, 87, Dec. 14, 1876. 

Oct. 7, 1868, the wife of Martin Costello 
gave birth to three children, two boys and 
a girl. All lived until Apr. 18, 1869, when 
the trirl died. 



WORCESTER. 



903 



Census. — 1800,25; 1810,41; 1820,44; 
1830,432; 1S40, 587; 1850, 702; i860, 
685 ; 1870, 775. 

BEARS 

have been seen in town even within a few 
years, yet it is not known that more than 
two or three were ever killed. Since the 
writer moved here (in 1849) there have 
been several "bear hunts," but bruin has 
always come out ahead of the hunters. 
Some stories of them have been handed 
down. John M. Young, now living here, 
a nephew of the hero of the story, relates : 
John Young, the iirst town clerk, while 
living in this town, where Mr. Seaver now 
lives, who had a nice pig in a log-pen near 
his house, one day, working in his clear- 
ing near, heard an outcry from his pig- 
pen, and hastening to see what was up, 
found a large bear within after his porker. 
Not choosing to lose his winter meat, he 
charged the intruder with a heavy lever, 
with which he had been at work, when the 
bear put himself on his haunches in the 
most approved attitude of self defence, 
and when Mr. Young, a very muscular, 
powerful man, delivered a blow aimed at 
his head, by a dexterous swing of his paw, 
caught the weapon, and hurled it some 
distance away ; and then thinking "dis- 
cretion is the better part of valor," beat a 
hasty retreat to the woods, and Mr. Young 
saved his pig. 

On the present premises of Henry E. 
Hunt, in the early day, when neighbors 
were few and the man away from home, a 
beae came one time to survey the place. 
The first the family knew of his presence, 
he placed his fore-paws on the window 
sill and thrust his nose in to see what was 
inside. The woman and children were 
badly frightened, but bruin, after leisurely 
surveying the room, withdrew, doing no 
other damage. 

Mr. N. S. Morley, who settled on Hamp- 
shire Hill in 1829 or 30, watched with his 
neighbors several nights for a large bear 
that visited his cornfield, and at last shot 
him. 

Mr. Jacob Baldwin, in the account of 
his visit on Minister Brook in June, 1822, 
said : "The Hay wards (John and Dodge) 



had begun there and chopped a piece the 
year before and built a log shanty. When 
they burned their chopping, they also 
burned their house. When I was there, 
their pork barrel and sugar barrel stood in 
the small brook which runs by the place. 
They had put up some posts, laid on some 
poles and covered it with bark, and had a 
fire against a log to cook by. They had a 
straw bed on a bedstead, and three of us 
slept on the bed. John slept on the soft 
side of a spruce board on the ground be- 
fore the fire. One night a bear came 
along, and one of the dogs put after him ; 
the other did not dare leave the shanty, 
but barked so we could not sleep. The 
old hound was out most all night after the 
bear." 

CHURCHES. 

Who preached the first sermon in town 
is not now known. Rev. James Hobart 
and Rev. Chester Wright, of Montpelier, 
held meetings here at an early date. Mr. 
Hobart told the later inhabitants that he 
preached the funeral sermon of the Martin 
boy who was drowned soon after the town 
was settled. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

was formed in 1824. The original mem- 
bers were : Ebenezer S. Kellogg and wife 
Roxana, Wm. T. Hutchinson, Mary Hutch- 
inson, Jonas Abbott, Allen Vail, David 
Poor and wife Abigail, Artemas Richard- 
son and wife Eliza S., Amos Rice and wife 
Martha. 

The church was organized by Rev. Jas. 
Hobart, and he was by a vote of the church 
chosen moderator, holding that place for 
several years afterwards. The first meet- 
ing after organizing was Feb. 29, 1824, 
when Artemas Richardson and Eliza Rich- 
ardson were baptized by Mr. Hobart. 
From this time Rev. Mr. Hobart, and Rev. 
Chester Wright, of Montpelier, preached 
for the church occasionally, as also did 
Rev. Geo. Freeman, Rev. Mr. Stewart, 
Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rev. Mr. Wheelock, 
whose names we find on the records to 1839, 
and when there was no minister, some one 
of the brothers would read a sermon. 

Additions were made to the church from 



904 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



time to time, Jan. 8, 1832, 30 uniting with 
it. Tlie articles of faith and covenant 
were revised in 1831, and again in 1848. 
Rev. John Foster was settled as first pastor 
Nov. 13, 1839. Ordaining council, Rev. 
A. Hazen, Berlin ; Rev. P. Taylor, Waits- 
field ; Rev. B. W. Smith, ist church, Mont- 
pelier; Rev. S. Kellogg, 2d church, Mont- 
pelier ; Rev. J. F. Stone, Waterbury ; Rev. 
S. Delano, Sec. Vt. D. M. Society ; A 
Hazen, moderator; J. F. Stone, scribe. 
While the settlement of Mr. Foster was 
negotiated, the subject of temperance arose, 
and the church came near being divided. 
Mr. Foster refused to be settled unless the 
church would declare in favor of temper- 
ance, and a council was called Oct. 31, 
1839, to organize a temperance church. 
The council met Nov. 6, and investigating 
the matter, gave the church some good 
advice, recommending it to declare itself a 
strict temperance church, and deciding the 
petition asking to be organized again that 
way, ought not to be granted. The church 
adopted the recommendation, and Mr. 
Foster was ordained. 

He was required to quit-claim to the 
town for the use of schools the lot of land 
set to the first settled minister, which had 
long before this been leased by the town, 
and was improved land. A large minority 
of the church, still dissatisfied in regard to 
the temperance matter, kept agitating it, 
and trouble ensued. Mr. Foster sent in 
his resignation as pastor, and a council 
met March 18, 1840, which voted unan- 
imously, "That unless by 9 o'clock to- 
morrow morning a number of the church 
sufficient to sustain the pastor shall be 
found prepared to take such ground in re- 
lation to those subjects upon which the 
church is divided, as shall in the judgment 
of the council render it practicable for the 
pastor to continue his labors in this place 
with the prospect of usefulness and com- 
fort, the following shall be the result : " 
This was, that the pastoral relation should 
be dissolved. The church voted to meet, 
and did meet; next morning, 21 of the 
male members united in an agreement " to 
stand by the pastor," and declared their 
adhesion to the principles upon the subject 



of temperance expressed in the recom- 
mendation of the council of Nov. 6, 1839, 
two before having voted to rescind the 
temi^erance resolution. Since that time 
the church has been a temperance church. 
Mr. Foster withdrew his resignation, and 
continued pastor until from ill health he 
resigned ; dismissed by a council, July 6, 
1 84 1. Until 1S44, the church was without 
a regular minister, but continued to hold 
" reading" meetings. 

In 1844, Rev. Carey Russell came from 
Hartford, and preached here, except one 
year, until 1852, and a meeting-house was 
built, the location of which again divided 
the church, and a large number left its 
communion ; were cut oft", and a bitter feel- 
ing was engendered, which did not wholly 
subside for years. Council after council 
was called to settle difficulties and advise 
on the location of the house. 

The records of this period are largely 
made up of the doings of these councils. 
The church voted, June 28, 1844, "to 
build a house of worship," and a subscrip- 
tion was started. July 6, " voted to locate 
the house on the west side of the road near 
the burying-ground." The meetings were 
held at this time in the school-house in 
district No. 2, just north of the present 
Methodist meeting-house. From this time 
there appears to have been continual strife, 
until at length the matter was for a time 
compromised by the Methodists, by the 
erection of a union house at the "Corner," 
March 25, 1846, when the church " voted 
to hold their meetings in the meeting- 
house so much of the time as the Congre- 
gationalists own in said house, not to ex- 
ceed one-half of the time." 

Those members living in the northerly 
part of the town, however, feeling their 
interests were not properly regarded, soon 
asked for a council, the recommendation 
of which was, " That the church secure a 
house to be controlled exclusively by them- 
selves, which led to their buying out other 
parties in the union house. Still 'those in 
the north part of the town were no better 
off", and several withdrew from the meet- 
ings, and united with others in forming a 
Methodist church. Some years later, mu- 



WORCESTER. 



90s 



tual confessions were made, they were re- 
stored to the church, and took letters to 
the Methodist church, thus establishing ec- 
clesiastical relations between the churches. 
After buying the meeting-house, the 
church and society were heavily in debt, 
and Feb. 28, 1848, they "voted that Rev. 
C. Russell should visit other churches and 
solicit aid in paying for the church," which 
he did, and procured $291.97, and the 
house was paid for, and the church have 
since occupied it as a place of public wor- 
ship. 

Rev. C. M. Winch commenced preach- 
ing for the church Mar. 3, 1853, and was 
ordained pastor June 28, and dismissed 
Sept. 26, 1861, since which the ministers 
have been : Rev. J. F. Stone, part of one 
year ; Rev. David Perry, 40 years ; Rev. A. 
F. Shattuck, i year; Rev. Mason Moore, 
I year; Rev. Wm. Schofield, third pastor, 
from June 1873 to May 1876; ordained 
Feb. 24, 1874; dismissed May 2, 1876; 
Rev. R. D. Metcalf, i^ year; and since 
Jan. 1878, Rev. P. H. Carpenter, who 
united by letter from the Methodist church 
in this town. Jan. 21, 1879, a council 
convened, and Rev. Mr. Carpenter was 
installed pastor of the church, he being 
the fourth pastor. Besides these stated 
ministers, students from theological sem- 
inaries have supplied this church under 
the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, 
which has always helped sustain preach- 
ing here. The society have had two bells 
in their meeting-house, both procured by 
subscription. The first, through Dea. C. 
C. Closson, cost $125 ; broken, about 1865 ; 
the present one from the foundry of Jones & 
Co., Troy, N. Y. ; weight, 646 lbs. ; cost, 
$287.00. Hon. T.Fairbanks, of St. Johns- 
bury, and Capt. A. Richardson's family, 
of Brooklyn, N. Y., contributed to procure 
with some in Montpelier. 

Original members, 12; admitted by 

profession since , 145 ; by letter, 61 ; 

whole No. 2i8; dismissed by letter, 97 ; 
died, 52 ; excommunicated, 28 ; dropped, 
3; restored on confession, 12 ; present no. 
50; non-residents, 22; Dec. 1878, resi- 
dent members, 28. 



NOTICES OF DEACONS AND ORIGINAL MEM- 
BERS. 

Deacons. — Ebenezer S. Kellogg, chosen 
Feb. 28, 1824; Allen Vail, David Poor, 
Mar. 9, 1826 ; David Poor, Nathan Adams, 
Jonas Abbott, Oct. 7, 1835; Charles C. 
Closson, July 5, 185 1 ; Samuel Andrews, 
April 23, 1871; Ebenezer R. Kellogg, 
Sept. 6, 1872. 

EBENEZER S. KELLOGG 

came from Brookfield in the spring of 1822, 
and bought the place of Amos Merriam, on 
Hampshire hill, now occupied by Mr. Law- 
rence. He sold here and bought on Min- 
ister brook, where he cleared up a farm 
and raised a large family of children, some 
of which are yet living in town. 

About 1859, he sold his second farm and 
removed to the village, and kept a hotel 
for awhile. He lived in Worcester until 
1868, when he went to Hanover, N. H., 
to live with his youngest son, Ebenezer R. 
Kellogg, where he died in 1872. Mrs. 
Roxana Reed Kellogg, his widow, still lives 
there with her son. 

DEA. ALLEN VAIL, 

says his obituary, "died in Worcester, May 
22, i860, aged 81 years. He was born in 
Lynn, Conn., 1779; moved with his father 
to Pomfret, Vt., in 1782, where he lived 
much respected till 1821, when he came to 
Worcester with a large family. There 
were only five families in town when he 
came here, and up to this time there had 
been no religious meetings on the Sabbath 
here, or district school. He immediately 
conferred with some two or three others, 
and they commenced meetings on the 
Sabbath, in the barn of Amasa Brown, in 
the spring of 1822, by singing, prayer, and 
reading of sermons, and the people all 
turned out to meetings in the winter, com- 
ing in with their families on ox teams. In 
early childhood, the deacon had a faithful 
and pious mother, and in 1807, was led to 
seek his soul's salvation. As an officer in 
the church, he never refused to bear his 
own burdens nor the burdens of the church. 
No matter the weather or his business, he 
was always ready to serve the church bus- 
iness or devotion. He was repeatedly sent 
by the citizens of the town, also, as their 



114 



9o6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



representative to the Legislature. He re- 
mained a model member of this church up 
to May 30, 1847, when he removed his re- 
lation to the church in Montpelier, of 
which he was an honored member at his 
death." 

He lived in Montpelier from 1847 until 
just previous to his death, he came back 
to Worcester to the residence of his eldest 
son, Allen, where he died. 

Allen L. Vail, his eldest son, has been 
representative of his town, also a constable 
26 consecutive years ; and one of his 
daughters married Dr. Skinner, the first 
physician here, and now lives in Michigan. 

DAVID POOR 

and his wife Abigail, came from Berlin and 
settled in this town in 1822, first occupying 
the same farm on which he lived for many 
years afterward. His land comprised the 
greater part of the territory on which the 
village now stands, and which he sold in 
small parcels as were wanted for building 
lots. He was one of the first deacons of 
the Congregational church, and, except a 
few years when he returned to Berlin to 
live, 1832 till the spring of 1835, continued 
in the ofiice until his death in 1863, age 
65. Dea. Poor was a man of firm religious 
principles, honest in his dealings with his 
neighbors, and gave liberally of his sub- 
stance for the support of his church and 
charitable purposes. Dea. Poor had two 
wives ; he married second. Miss Clara Car- 
penter, who died in 1865. 

DEA. JONAS ABBOTT, 

born in Henniker, N. H., Feb. 11, 1802, 
removed with his father to Thetford, Vt., 
in 1803 ; lived there until of age, and be- 
came interested in religion under the 
preaching of Rev. Asa Burton, D. D., 
pastor there. He came to Worcester with 
J. P. B. Ladd early in 1823, and settled on 
the Minister brook about one mile from 
the " Corner." He resided on his farm 
until 1844, when he moved to the "Cor- 
ner," kept a small store, and did shoe- 
making many years. In his later years he 
was more engaged in mercantile business, 
in which he failed. Jan. 16, 1826, he 
married Minerva E. Vail, daughter of 



Allen Vail, Esq., who is yet Hving. Dea. 
Abbott died Apr. 5, 1875, aged -j-i,. 

DEA. NATHAN ADAMS 

came here in 1824, from Alstead, N. H. ; 
bought his land of E. S. Kellogg, and was. 
one of the first permanent settlers on 
Hampshire Hill. He removed from town, 
near 1844, to the " West." 

DEA. CHARLES C. CLOSSON, 

born in Thetford, Oct. 15, 1799, when a 
young man went to Northfield and cleared 
a farm, and acquired a considerable prop- 
erty. In March, 1848, he moved here on 
to the Closson farm, living there until 
1867, and was one of the largest paying 
members of the church for many years. 
He was one of a family of 13 children, 12 
of whom lived to have families of their 
own, and all but one, members of Con- 
gregational churches, that one being a 
deacon of a Baptist church. One sister, 
wife of Daniel Abbott, and the writer's 
mother, lived in this town many years, 
and died here. 

Dea. Closson had three wives ; his first, 
a Miss Davis, of Fairlee ; the second, 
Marcia Gurley, of Berlin ; the third, Mrs. 
Harriet Dunham, of Northfield, who still 
survives him. In 1867, he removed to a 
place he bought of E. C. Watson, near 
Clark's mill ; lived there some 4 years, and 
then where S. M. Seaver now lives, where 
he died Mar. 10, 1872, aged 72. 

DEA. SAMUEL ANDREWS, 

born in New Hampshire about 1797, mar- 
ried Jane Blanchard in 18 18, and resided 
in New Boston, N. H., till he came here. 
He first lived on the brook between A. P. 
Slayton's mill and Wm. P. Moore's pres- 
ent residence about 3 years, when he bought 
Rufus Reed's place near the village, and 
went to blacksmithing, and was many 
years the only blacksmith in town; but for 
the last 20 years of his life, labored when 
able on his small farm. He was post- 
master and town clerk several years ; also 
a justice of the peace. Conscientious in 
all his dealings, firm in what he believed 
to be right, constant in all his duties both 
to the public and to the church, of which 
he was a member from 1832 to his death, 



WORCESTER. 



907 



Oct. 8, 1878, at 81 years. He and his 
wife lived together upwards of 60 years. 

DEA. EBENEZER R. KELLOGG, 

born in this town Dec. 31, 1830, son of 
E. S. Kellogg, now resides at Hanover, 
N. H. 

WILLIAM T. HUTCHINSON 

came with his father from Norwich about 
1822 or '23, and settled on the farm where 
Phineas A. Kemp now lives. He removed 
to the West about 1846. Artemas Rich- 
ardson and wife, Eliza S., came from Leo- 
minster, Mass., and made a settlement on 
Hampshire Hill, on the Karris Leonard 
farm, in 1821. Mr. R. came the year be- 
fore and located his land, and chopped a 
few acres, returning to Massachusetts to 
spend the winter. He was born Feb. 
1790; was a combmaker by trade, and 
worked at that business many years. When 
quite young, he was chosen captain in the 
militia, and was ever known in this town 
as "Captain" Richardson. He was one 
of the first abolitionists in the community, 
and never swerved for office ; thus was not 
so often on the winning side in political 
matters as some of his neighbors of the 
dominant parties, but lived to see his 
principles adopted by the nation. He was 
a genial companion, and loved to tell a 
good story, although it was not always of 
his own triumph. Mrs. Richardson car- 
ried on the knitting and crocheting busi- 
ness several years, making a large amount 
of work for the women and children in 
this and neighboring towns. She has 
been one of the most active and consistent 
members of the church. She and Mrs. 
Kellogg are the only survivors of the orig- 
inal members. Mr. Richardson died here 
in 1865, aged 75. Mrs. R. lives with her 
children in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Amos and Martha Rice came from Dover 
about 1823. He purchased -some land, 
which he cleared, and by the hard labor of 
many years, made into one of the best 
farms in town. He died here, and his 
son-in-law, Crismon Hancock, resided here 
many years. Mr. Rice was town clerk, 
justice of the peace, the first postmaster, 
etc. He died Oct. 20, 1854, at 75 years. 
Mrs. Rice died Aug. 12, 1865, aged 87. 



A FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized June 15, 1826, by Elders 
Ziba Woodworth and Josiah Weatherly. 

First f/ie/nbers. — David Folsom, Mat- 
thias Folsom, Wm. Bennett, Lydia Ben- 
nett, Polly Smith, Jesse Abbott, Sarah 
Abbott, Levi Pratt, Edward Clough, Jr., 
Wm. Arbuckle, Polly Arbuckle, Abraham 
Abbott, Abigail Abbott, Ruth Clough, 2d, 
Abigail Bussell, Nathan Abbott, Eliza 
Folsom, Ruth Clough, Fanny Flint, Clar- 
issa Peck, Lucy Clough, Mehitable Folsom, 
Barney Sanders, Betsey Sanders, Ephraim 
Abbott, Susan Abbott, Jane Hunt, Cath- 
arine Abbott, Rachel Pratt. Matthias 
Fhnt was deacon, and Wm. Bennett 
church clerk ; and meetings were held in 
Jesse Flint's house and O. L. Smith's 
house, and also in the school-house in Dis. 
No. 4, which was then on the farm now 
owned by Horatio Templeton. Mr. Wood- 
worth and a Mr. Chatterton from Middle- 
sex, preached for them some, and May, 
29, 1840, Elder Moses Folsom became 
their pastor, during which time grevious 
differences arose ; the church preferred 
charges against their pastor, "for consent- 
ing to conversation upon subjects unprofi- 
table" before a committee from the Con- 
gregational church. Elder Folsom was 
dismissed June 3, 1846. After him. Rev. 
Lucius F. Harris was pastor for 2 years, 
or until 1848. "Sister Ruth Clough" was 
the first person added to this church after 
its organization, July 9. Its whole num- 
ber of members was 93. It lost its or- 
ganization soon after Elder Harris ended 
his ministrations ; and but one now of its 
members is living in town, and who has 
not united with any other church, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Folsom, widow of Dea. Folsom, 
who lives with her son-in-law, Horatio 
Templeton, and is upwards of 80 ; and it 
cannot be now easily known, the records 
do not know, where the organization was. 
According to the recollections of some, 
it was in the old block school-house. 
Meetings were held there, also at the 
house of Oramel L. Smith, whose wife was 
one of its first members ; also were held 
in the Templeton school-house, and at 
other private houses on Minister brook. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



DEA. MATTHIAS FOLSOM, 

born in Gilmanton, N. H., Oct. 4, 1791. 
In 1792, removed with his parents to Tun- 
bridge, Vt., and lived there until 31 years 
of age, when he came to Worcester, Oct., 
1822. He was in the war of 18 12-15, and 
near its close came home to Tunbridge, 
where he was married to Elizabeth Stevens, 
Feb. 5, 1815. He moved with his family 
into a small shanty on the farm of Jesse 
Flint, till he could make a home for them, 
where he had bought on the Minister 
brook, where he lived till he removed to a 
place near the village, where he spent the 
remainder of his days. He was a man 
faithful in the discharge of all his religious 
obligations. 

He had a habit of using quaint, or odd 
expressions, which were sometimes very 
amusing to those who heard them. It is 
said he was one winter hired to teach school, 
and on commencing his school, the open- 
ing address was, " Boys and girls, I have 
come to keep school. Silver and gold 
have I none, but I have an abundance of 
learning, and such as I have give I thee," 
and as he was in earnest, he probably suc- 
ceeded in imparting to his puplis of his 
"abundance." 

He was an active member of the church 
while its meetings were sustained ; and 
when they were discontinued he became a 
constant attendant of the Congregational 
church, not only on the Sabbath, but at 
the prayer-meetings also, helped by his 
presence and prayers ; and thus continued 
as long as his health permitted. His last 
sickness was short, and his end peaceful. 
"Blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord." 

A PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH 

was organized in 1832, but soon became 
extinct. Rev. Mark P. Ladd, for many 
years a resident of the town, was a min- 
ister of that denomination, and combined 
farming and preaching in his life. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

in Worcester was formed from i84i-'46. 
The names of the first members I have 
not been able to ascertain. The society 
was formed Mar. 17, 1848. The meeting 



at which it was organized was held at the 
school-house in district No. 2, and was 
signed by A. M. Kelley, Crismon Han- 
cock, Amos Rice, Leonard Hamblet, Daniel 
A. Frost, John Clark, David Hancock, 
Alex. Dingwall, 2d, John Brigham, Alex. 
Dingwall, ist, Abel Whitney,Aaron Kemp, 
Milton Brown, David L. Frost, William 
H. Cooper, Farris Leonard. 

At the annual meeting, Jan. 28, 1847, it 
was " voted to instruct the committee to 
hire preaching after the expiration of Rev. 
Mr. Guernsey's time" (Mr. Guernsey died 
Mar. 17, 1847), and to hold the meetings 
at the usual place. After Mr. Guernsey's 
death. Rev. Sumner Tarbell was hired, 
and preached some 2 years. 

Mar. 1848, a church society was formed, 
with the powers and privilege by chap. 81, 
of the Revised Statutes of Vermont, offi- 
cers of which were : Milton Brown, pres- 
ident; Wm. H. Cooper, secretary; John 
Clark, collector ; Abel Whitney, John 
Brigham, Crismon Hancock, trustees; 
John Brigham, Milton Brown, Abel Whit- 
ney, standing committee. 

Several meetings were held previous to 
March, 1850, to devise ways to finish pay- 
ing for the meeting-house and furnishing 
the same, which was finally accomplished. 
The church has continued to hold its 
meetings in this house since its comple- 
tion. 

The names of those admitted in full in 
1848 were: Wm. H. Cooper, Abigail L. 
Cooper, Aaron Kemp, Dolly Kemp, Betsey 
Kemp, Elvira A. Frost, John Brigham and 
Eunice Brigham. There have been sev- 
eral revivals in this church since its form- 
ation, and many have been added to it. 
It now has 98 members. Many have gone 
out from this, as well as from the other 
churches, to other places, and especially 
to the West. Rev. Sumner Tarbell closed 
his labors with this church in the spring 
of 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. 
Harvey Webster, who labored here two 
years. Since, the ministers have been : 
Lorenzo B. Pettengill, i year; Daniel A. 
Mack, I year; Aaron Ball, i year and part 
of another ; Joseph House, 2 years and 
part of another ; Freedom Hill, i year ; 



WORCESTER. 



909 



Ira Lebarron, i year; Geo. F. Wells, i 
year ; Reuben W. Harlow, 2 years ; C. P. 
Taplin, 2 years ; James S. Spinney, 2 
years; A. Z. Wade, 2 years; P. H. Car- 
penter, 3 years ; Dyer Willis, i year ; James 
S. Spinney, second time, 2 years; Geo. 
L.Wells, 3 years; J. M. Rich, present 
pastor. 

JOHN BRIGHAM 

was born at Alstead, N. H., Apr. 1793, 
and came to Worcester when a young 
man, being one of the first permanent set- 
tlers on Hampshire Hill. His wife was 
Eunice (Clark) Hutchinson, to whom he 
was married July 22, 1835, by Rev. Chester 
Wright, of Montpelier. After their mar- 
riage, they always resided on the " Hill," 
and Mr. B. cleared up a farm, bearing all 
the toils and privations incident to new 
settlements. They were members of the 
Congregational church many years. With- 
drawing from that in consequence of in- 
ternal difficulties in it, they were among 
the founders of the Methodist church, and 
were of its niost constant and active mem- 
bers. Mrs. Brigham died in Worcester, 
Mass., Mar. 13, i860, where she had gone 
to visit a daughter. Mr. Brigham died at 
his home in this town, June 29, 1875, 
coming to his grave " In a full age, like as 
a shock of corn cometh in his season." 

The Methodist society have a good 
metal bell on their meeting-house, and 
also own a parsonage. 

SIMON C. ABBOTT, 

the compiler of "A Record of the Births 
and Deaths in Worcester," published in 
pamphlet by the town, was born in Thet- 
ford. May 28, 1826, and from his youth 
evinced a fondness for study. At twenty, 
he entered a printing-office, and was in 
that business till compelled by sickness to 
relinquish it. J. W. Wheelock, then of 
the Freeman, in a notice of him after his 
death, says : 

He was by trade a printer ; served his 
apprenticeship in the office of the old 
Fat/lily Gazette, at Bradford ; worked at 
several places in this State and Massachu- 
chusetts, spending those intervals of time 
in which feeble health unfitted him for 
labor, at his home in Worcester. No se- 
rious alarm was felt concerning him until 



last summer (1857), when he returned from 
Massachusetts, to die at home. The seeds 
of disease, long since sown, had ripened 
into consumption. He was a young man 
of more than ordinary intellectual attain- 
ments, possessed of an uncommonly re- 
tentive memory, and books and papers 
were his constant companions. His con- 
tributions to the press ever evinced sound 
common sense, and a deep research into 
the thoughts of others. His character 
was unsullied, and so mild and urbane in 
his disposition, it is doubted whether he 
had an enemy in the whole world. 

MILITARY. 

In its early militia affaiis, Worcester 
and Middlesex were combined, there not 
being enough men of military age in this 
town to form a full company. Eliab Ripley 
and Wm. H. Cooper, of this town, and 
Christopher C. Putnam, Esq., of Middle- 
sex, were elected captains. The June 
trainings were held alternately in each 
town about 30 years ago (now over 40). 
Several cases of delinquencies in equip- 
ments having been reported by the captain 
to the judge advocate, William Upham, 
Esq., a young lawyer then of Montpelier, 
accompanied by Justice Ware, came to 
Worcester to investigate the matter. The 
delinquents were summoned to appear 
before the justice at the inn of Milton 
Brown, at which place the court was to be 
held. They accordingly appeared, with 
Homer W. Heaton, Esq., and Milton 
Brown, Esq., as counsel, and when the 
court was opened, a jury was asked for by 
the defendants, and of course granted. 
Two panels of jury were summoned, and 
for some three days they sat, calling one 
case after another. When one case was 
given to the jury, the other panel was 
called, until all the 17 cases were disposed 
of. Defendants and spectators seemed to 
consider the whole matter as a source of 
fun, and the juries did not pay very strict 
heed to the charges of the justice, and were 
frequently sent out to change their verdict. 
Judge Ware was also annoyed by the 
noise made by the spectators, many of 
whom were boys ; and once when he called 
to the officer to still the noise, that function- 
ary proceeded to the open window, and 
gravely commanded a flock of geese under- 



9IO 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



neath the window to stop their noise, as 
they were disturbing the court. The trials 
were finally ended, all the defendants ex- 
cept one being declared innocent of the 
charges against them. Judge Ware said 
he was going into another town to see 
what they would do there, but he had one 
compliment to leave for the people of 
Worcester, which was, that they had man- 
aged this thing the d d\st of anything 

he ever saw. 

soldiers' record. 
This town was not settled at the time of 
the Revolutionary War, and no soldiers 
went from this town to the War of 1812 ; 
but some who enlisted and served in it 
have been for many years residents. Sam- 
uel Andrews, now living here, served in 
the army one year at the first of the war, 
and again enlisted during the war. Samuel 
Kelley, Matthias Folsom, Joel H. Tem- 
pleton, Jasper Stoddard are such, and per- 
haps others of whom we have not known. 
All of them are dead except Mr. Stoddard. 

WORCESTER SOLDIERS OF l86l-''65. 

Alonzo P. Benson, 11 I, sergeant; wd. at 

Winchester; discharged. 
Charles L. Benson, 11 I ; 2d lieut. ; must. 

out June, 65. 
Jefferson T. Benson, 8 A ; trans. Vet. Res. 

Corps, June. 64. 
Lucius M. Benson, 8 A ; died in Louisiana, 

July 31, 62. 
Madison J. Benson, 17 E. ; corp. ; sergt. ; 

wounded ; discharged. 
Nelson E. Benson, 6 H ; discharged. 
Wm. H. Burroughs, ill; died Feb. 20, 64. 
Robert Royce, 11 I, mus. out May, 65. 
Geo. W. Brigham, 6 F, mus. out Oct., 64. 
Silas H. Brigham, 11 I, mus. out July, 65. 
Francis E. Buck, 6 H, disch. June, 65. 
Albert C. Grain, ist Co. Front. Cav., 

blacksmith ; mus. out June, 65, 
Ichabod D. Cheeney, ist Regt Cav., trans. 

vet. res. corps, April, 64. 
Isaac F. Clark, 11 I, artificer. 
Chester Carr, 11 I, deserted. 
George B. Clogston, 6 H, disch. July, 62. 
Henry C. Clogston, 8 E, disch. July, 62. 
Aaron K. Cooper, 8 A, lieut. ; killed at 

Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 64. 



Geo. C. Corbin, ill, disch. Apr. 64; died. 
Wm. A. Cooper, 13 C, sergt. ; lieut. ; mus. 

out July, 63. 
James S. Caswell, 13 C, mus. out July, 63. 
Geo. W. Collier, 6 F, drafted ; mus. out 

June, 65. 
John C. Davis, 6 H. 
Alex. Dingwall, Jr.,. 13 C. 
Orrin Daley, 6 F, drafted ; wd at Winches- 
ter ; discharged. 
Daniel Dingwall, 3d Vt. Bat. ; must out 

June, 65. 
Edward P. Folsom, 6 H, corp. 
Milan L. Frost, 13 C, died in Virginia, 

Mar. 6, 63. 
John George, 8 E, discharged. 
Levi George, 8 E, do. 

Nathan H. Gushea, 11 I, mus. out June, 65. 
Rufus L. George, 2d Co. Front. Cav., dis. 

June, 65. 
Chauncey E. Harris, 3 sergt. ; wd in hand ; 

discharged, 61. 

Charles Hall, 8 E. 

Edward Hall, 8th regt. E, capt. ; died at 

Winchenden, Va., of wds rec'dat Cedar 

Creek, Oct. 28, 64. 
Martin G. Hamblet, 3 K ; des. Jan. 27, 62. 
Wm. B. Hancock, 6 H ; corp. ; wd at Lee's 

Mills ; discharged. 
Simeon Hatch, 6 H. ; mus. out June, 65. 
Lucius W. Hayford, 6 H. ; trans, to Inv. 

Corps ; discharged. 
Edward Hinkson, 11 I, pro. Corp.; mus. 

out, 65. 
Edwin Hinkson, 11 I, died March 28, 63. 
William Hinkson, 5 D, disch. Oct., 62. 
Mark Hinkson, Regular Army. 
Lyman B. Hinkson, 13 H ; mus. out July, 63. 
Calvin C. Hinkson, 11 L, S S. ; killed near 

Cold Harbor, May 21, 64. 
Clark J. Holmes, 11 I, deserted. 
Roger Hovey, 8 A. ; pro. corp. ; re-en ; 

wounded; mus. out 65. 
Lemuel M. Hutchinson, 8 A. ; Capt. Co. 

E, when mustered out 65. 
Crismon Hancock, 11 I ; mus. out July, 65. 
Wm. H. Howieson, 11 I ; pro. corp ; Q.M. ; 

mus. out Aug., 65. 
Seaver Howard, 17 D. 
Nelson M. Harris, ist Front. Cav. ; must. 

out June, 65. 
Gilbert Hill, drafted ; paid commutation. 



WORCESTER. 



911 



Truman P. Kellogg, 8 E ; lieut. ; died at 

New Orleans. 
Julius P. Kellogg, 8 E, disch'd June, 65. 
Kneeland Kelton, 2 F ; prisoner in Rich- 
mond ; exch'd ; mus. out Oct. 23, 64. 
William Kelton, 2 F ; killed at Wilderness, 

May S, 64. 
John A. Kelton, 2 F ; discharged. 
Melvin P. Kent, 8 A ; pro. corp. ; re-en. 
Edward E. Miles, 3d Vt. Bat. ; mus. out 

June 65. 
Marshall B. Miles, 3 Bat. ; wagoner; mus. 

out Julj', 64. 
Robert Needham, 11 I, mus. out June, 65. 
Geo. H. Poor, 8 E ; died of wds in La., 

Sept. 29, 62. 
David B. Poor, 2d Bat. ; mus. out July 65. 
Julius L. Poor, 8 E ; wd at Cedar Creek; 

mus. out, 65. 
Samuel Pratt, 13 C; mus. out July, 63. 
Calvin W. Richardson, 13 C ; mus. out 

July, 63. 
Plummer H. Richardson, 13 C; mus. out 

July, ('3- 
Alonzo L. Richardson, 6 E ; drafted ; wd ; 

mus. out June, 65. 
Franklin A. Sanford, 8 E ; wd Apr. 63 ; 

trans, vet. corps. 
Andrew J. Slayton, 13 H; disch. 
Thomas J. Slayton, 13 H, do. 
Theodore Slayton, 8 E ; died in La. 
Charles Smith, 8 E ; discharged. 
Robinson Templeton, 11 I; lieut.; pro. 

capt. ; then major, May 23, 65. 
James A. Templeton, ist Cav. C; mus. 

out Aug. 65. 
John S. Templeton, 13 C; disch. 
Horatio M. Templeton, paid commutation. 
Franklin J. Taylor, 13 C ; re-en. lost a leg 

before Petersburg, and discharged. 
John W. Utton, 6 H ; discharged. 
Edmund Utton, 6 H; wd at Lee Mills; 

discharged. 
Sidney A. Watson, 11 I ; disch. July, 65. 
Walter F. Waterman, 6 F ; mus. out Oct. 

28, 64. 
Charles A. Watson, 13 C; wounded. 
Oliver Wheelock, 9 I ; mus. out June, 65. 
Albert J. Wheelock, 6 B; drafted; mus. 

out June, 65. 
Bradbury W. York, ist Front. Cav.; mus. 

out June, 65. 



James S. Nelson, 11 I ; mus. out June, 65. 
John R. Wilson, 11 I; pro. corp., Jan. 

64; lieut., Dec. 64; mus. out June, 65. 

Amount of bounties paid by the town 
to soldiers, $5,175.00; 13 men, $25 each ; 
12 men, 300 each ; 2 men, $600 each. 

THY WILL BE DONE. 

BY MRS. E. D. GRAY. 

[Mrs. Gray is a daughter of the late Ebenezer S. 
Kellogg; born In this town, June 9, 1840. She has been 
afflicted by a rheumatic difficulty which has made her 
nearly helpless for some years.] 

O! Thou, before whose chastening rod I bow. 
May I a humble suppliant come before thy throne. 

And may these lessons, sent in pitying love, 
Teach me to say. Thy will, not mine, be done. 

The way seems dark, and rough and long. 
And I would gladly lay this burden down ; 

Tills weary frame would seek a refuge In the grave; 
Help me to say. Thy will, not mine, be done. 

Clouds in my path have risen one by one. 
And like a shroud have wrapped me in their gloom; 

I've looked, aye, looked in vain, for one that's silver 
lined — 
Oh I can I say. Thy will, not mine, be done? 

Yes, trusting, my appointed time I'll wait. 
Patient until the summons calls me home; 

Ready to do, or suflfer, as Thou seest best. 
And saying, not my will, but thine, be done. 

We give the following notice of our his- 
torian, by his pastor, somewhat condensed : 

CHARLES C. ABBOTT 

was born in Thetford, July 27, 1831, and 
died in Worcester, Feb. 18, 1881, in his 
50th year. He was son of Daniel and 
Hannah (Closson) Abbott, the 5th in a 
family of 7 children, but two of whom sur- 
vive. He came to Worcester with his 
father's family in 1848; in 1852, married 
Miss Marcia E. Ladd, who, with 7 chil- 
dren, survives him. He was for 25 years 
a great sufferer from spinal and rheumatic 
complaint much of the time, not being able 
to go about without the aid of a crutch 
and cane ; but notwithstanding his bodily 
affliction, had a clear, well-disciplined 
mind, which fitted him for usefulness, and 
was noted for thorough integrity in all 
business affairs, and held many offices in 
town ; was postmaster his last 20 years of 
life, and town clerk 15 years, to the great 
satisfaction of the people, and was a mem- 
ber of the Congregational church 25 years, 
in whom the Christian graces were de- 
veloped in a marked degree. For some 
years before his death, one could not long 



912 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



be in his presence without feeling they 
were in the presence of a godly man, rich 
in humility of spirit and patience in afflic- 
tion ; and in all the trials and cares to 
which his business life exposed him, he 
was charitable to all, and adopted a system 
of benevolence, giving the tenth of his 
small income for the support of the Gospel 
and for benevolent purposes. It was his 
theory that the Lord could make ninety 
cents go as far as a dollar, and he rested 
in the promises of the Gospel with great 
peace of mind. Truly, " The memory of 
the just is blessed." p. h. carpenter. 

TOWN OFFICERS 1879-81. 

Clerk, Treasurer, Posttnaster . — Charles 
C. Abbott, i879-'8o; Rev. P. H. Carpen- 
ter, town clerk, 1881 ; H. D. Vail, treas- 
urer, and postmistress, Maria E. Abbott. 

Selectmen. — 1879, J- ^- Kelton, D. H. 
Massey, Aden Miles; 1880, '81, M. M. 
Harris, F. E. Templeton, L. M. Hutch- 
inson. 

Constable. — A. A. Bliss, 1879; H. Tem- 
pleton, 1880, '81. 

Overseer of Poor and Town Agent. — E. 
M. Hamblet, 1 879-^8 1. 

Superintendent of Schools. — Rev. P. H. 
Carpenter, 1879, '80, and H. W. Collier, 
1881. 

Merchant.— Yi. D. Vail. 

Clergy. — Congregational, Rev. P. H. 
Carpenter; Methodist, Rev. J. M. Rich, 
1879, Rev. A. W. Ford, 1880, '81. 

[Francis Wooster, with E. L. Hall, an 
old California miner, commenced gold 
mining in Worcester in 1875, on a small 
stream called Minister Brook, and took 
about $700 worth of gold from this mine, 
enough to pay their expenses, besides 
building a 1000 feet of sluice-boxes and 
in other ways preparing for 1S76. During 
the past winter they have formed a com- 
pany for carrying on their work more ex- 
tensively, and will employ a large number 
of hands. They have leased nine farms 
lying on the same stream, for ten years. 
— U Pitchman , 1875. 

We would like for our general supple- 
ment volume a complete history of Wor- 
cester gold mining, Winooski river pearls, 
etc. — Ed. 



Worcester item in the papers during 
the war : 

Charles Kent has sent ten sons and sons 
in-law into the army. One of them fell 
bravely fighting at Petersburg, one of them 
died in hospital, one is in Sloan hospital, 
and the rest are now at the front. What 
father can boast of more patriotic sons ?] 



ADDITIONAL ITEM FOR WOODBURY. 

Hon. F. C. Putuam furnishes the fol- 
lowing from the town records : 

Caledonia Co., .ss. ? 
Woodbury, Oct. 5th, 1809. \ 

The respondent, David Carr, son of Jo- 
seph and Mary Carr, now in court, pleads 
guilty to the indictment : It is, therefore, 
ordered and adjudged that he be taken 
forthwith to a suitable place, and there be 
tied up and receive ten stripes on his 
naked back, and pay costs of prosecution ; 
and that he be recorded in the town re- 
cords a th/ef. And it was done on the 
same day and date above mentioned. 
Attest, Wm. West, Town Clerk. 

[Joseph Moore, died in Woodbury, July 
10, 1877, aged 82 years. He was a soldier 
of 1812, serving through the war, three 
years, and was the only man in Woodbury 
that ever drew a pension for services in 
this war. He married in 1815, Sally, 
daughter of Benjamin Ainsworth. 

Lambert Sprague, died in this town, 
July 8, 1864, aged 83 years. 

Thomas Bradish, Jan. 17, 1865, aged 

71- 

Edwin McCloud, a recruit under the 
last call from the town of Woodbury, died 
in the hospital at Brattleboro Jan. 13, 1864, 
aged 17 years. 

Died at the Base Hospital, i8th army 
Corps, Point of Rocks, Va., Nov. 27, 1865, 
of typhoid fever, John Orlando Morse, 
a member of Co. I, 9th Regt. Vt. Vols., 
son of Ira and Huldah Morse of Wood- 
bury, aged 18 years and 6 months. 

Died at U. S. General Hospital, Wil- 
mington, N. C, Orrin Nelson, Co. G, 
4th Vt. Reg., formerly of Woodbury, aged 
18 years. 

D. D. With AM, of Woodbury, was in- 
stantly killed by a tree he was falling, 
Sept. 19, 1857, aged 3^; left a wife and 
two children.] 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



913 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



Waterbury Appendix Third. 

EZRA butler's ORDINATION. 

At an ecclesiastical council held at Wa- 
terbury Feb. 18, 1 80 1, at the request of 
the church of Bolton, by their letters mis- 
sive for the purpose of counseling or assist- 
ing them in setting apart Brother Ezra 
Butler to the work of the ministry. 

Chic7r/ies present • Monkton, Elder Isaac 
Sawyer, Ashbel Fuller, Asa Moore ; Corn- 
wall, Elder Ephraim Sawyer ; Amos Marsh ; 
Westford, Elder Thomas Brown, Libbeus 
Burdick ; Fairfax, Elder Joseph Call. 

Opened by prayer. 

1. Chose Elder E. Sawyer, Moderator. 

2. Chose Elder Call, Scribe. 

3. Invited and received brethren into 
Council, viz : Samuel Webster, Reuben 
Smith, Hubbard Burdick and John Hoyt. 

4. Examined into the state of and 
standing of the Church, together with the 
reasons of their desiring Brother Butler to 
be set apart ; having received satisfactory 
answers proceeded, 

5. To call on Brother Butler to relate 
the reasons of his hope, second his call to 
the ministry, thirdly his ideas of doctrine 
and church disciphne ; after deliberate 
cosultation, 

6. Voted a good degree of satisfaction, 
and conclude it duty to proceed to ordain ; 
the order of the day as follows : Elder 
EphrainT Sawyer to preach the sermon ; 
Elder Isaac Sawyer to make the ordaining 
prayer ; Elder Call to give the charge ; 
Elder Brown to give the right hand of fel- 
lowship. 

Ephraim Sawyer, Moderator, 
Joseph Call, Clerk. 

This was the first ordination of any min- 
ister in Waterbury. He was also the first 
convert, [see his biography previous] and 
Elder Call preached the first sermon in 
this town. 

PECK FAMILY. 

In another part of this Waterbury his- 
tory there is honorable mention of Gen. 
John Peck, but nothing of his family. A 
man so prominent and popular might be 
expected to have family relations of whom 
the reader may be pleased to know some- 
thing, though it be but little. Mrs. Peck, 
whose maiden name was Anna Benedict, 
was worthy any man's affectionate esteem, 
and this was mutually cherished beyond a 
doubt. She was no less a remarkable 



woman than he was remarkable as a man 
and citizen. They had one daughter, who 
died quite young. Their oldest son, Lucius 
B., who was born in Waterbury, Nov. 17, 
1802, was widely known in the maturity of 
manhood throughout the State as an em- 
inent lawyer, advocate and member of 
Congress. He was mainly educated and 
his character formed in this his native 
town. He was known here as a boy, 
sober, thoughtful as a youth, rarely en- 
gaging in the sports and usual vivacious 
activities of boyhood. This sedate, com- 
posed and contemplative manner of de- 
portment adhered to him through life. 
There was next to nothing of playful ac- 
tivity and wide awakefulness which char- 
acterized his only brother, Cassius. Their 
temperaments were widely different, as 
their destinies in life. Their purpose and 
pursuits different as fame and wealth. If 
eminence at the bar was the aim of one, 
the visions of wealth were that of the 
other. Cassius was 4 years younger than 
Lucius ; established himself in the retail 
dry goods trade in the city of New York 
about 1 83 1, and after a few years' busi- 
ness, died. His death was sudden, and 
what is remarkable, this was the case of 
the deaths of all the family, none of them 
living to old age. Mr. and Mrs. Peck 
both died a little over 50 years, Lucius, 
64, and Cassius, not much over 30 years. 

RICHARD KNEELAND, 

who was favorably known to our residents 
in the second and third decades of the cen- 
tury, in early life lived in Boston, where he 
learned his trade of joiner by the long ap- 
prenticeship then necessary to entitle to a 
trade reputation, when a trade was some- 
thing of a service. Mr. Kneeland reared 
a family of some 8 or 10 children. Two of 
the sons have represented other towns in 
the Legislature, one, we believe, the 
youngest, received a collegiate and medi- 
cal education, but lived to practice his pro- 
fession only a few years, dying young. 
The oldest daughter, a very estimable wo- 
man, never married, but at least three we 
can recollect were well married, and two 
are now living, also two sons. Mr. Knee- 



115 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



land lived to the age of 90, and died in this 
town, 1867. He was always called squire, 
was a man of extensive reading, and had a 
peculiar cast of mind, and was peculiar in 
his religious views. 

OLIVER ROOD. 

Cotemporary with Squire Kneeland was 
Oliver Cromwell Rood, a man of remark- 
able physical energy and executive talent 
in matters he engaged in. He married a 
daughter of George Kennan, elsewhere 
mentioned in this history. Mr. Rood had 
perhaps a half dozen children, several of 
whom we remember as good scholars in 
the old schooldays of our youth. Mr. 
Rood had a rather varied fortune in life, 
and one habit, almost universally preva- 
lent in his day, he lived to overcome, 
much to the comfort of his later years. 
His children, so far as recollected, became 
respectable in life. One of them, George, 
came to an untimely death, as before noted. 



FROM MRS. JULIA WALLACE HUTCHINS. 

TO A ROBIN BUILDING ON A POBTICO OF A CHAPEL. 

Bird of the air, wliy coniest tliou liere 

Witli tliy wild aud tiiuid lieart, 
Thy nest to build, aud thy young to rear. 

With the sculpture- work of art? 

The orchard tree is with blossoms white, 

'Twere a fragrant spot to rest; 
And tlie locust leaves from the passers' sight 

Would shelter thy radiant breast. 

The willows, bending low to screen 

The flash of a thousand rills, 
And tlie matted boughs of the evergreen 

Are forever on our hills. 

The maple leaves are broad and bright, 

Aud they yield a grateful shade ; 
Then why on this sunlit wall so white 

Is thy love-wrought dwelling made? 

I know to me it is not clear 

Who shall tliy instinct scan. 
But I smile to see thou hast no fear 

Of the lordly creature— man. 

When the peal of the Sabbath bell 

Calls human hearts to prayer, 
Thouhoverest still o'er tliy chosen cell, 

Though gathering steps are there. 

Bird of the spring, thou hast sought our fane, 

But darker wings than tliine 
Are waving where time liath left a sting 

On altar, and tomb and shrine. 

For the bittern calls from the stagnant marsh 
Where once ran a sparkling flood. 

And the owl and the raven, with voices harsh, 
Where the ancient idols stood. 



But ours is a brighter faith than theirs. 

Who knelt at the idol shrine; 
And our matin hymns should swell with praise, 

Bird of tlie air, like thine. 

A blessing on these hallowed walls 

Where thou hast sought to rest; 
May peace be slied like the dew that falls 

On Hermon's mountain crest. 

Should worldly thought on our worship jar. 

Or cares disturb our bliss; 
Should pride arise with its blight to mar. 

May we remember this — 

Earth had a Heavenly Wanderer once. 

And pensively He said. 
The birds of the air had nests, 

"But He not where to lay His liead." 

From the Vertjwnt Watchnia7i, with items 
from his daughter, Mrs. Henry : 

Rev. Andrew Royce, was born in Mar- 
low, N. H., June 2, 1805. At the age of 
27, was admitted to the bar, but soon gave 
up the practice of law, studied theology and 
was ordained as an evangelist, Nov. 23, 
1836. He preached first at Williamstown, 
Vt. He was installed pastor of the Con- 
gregational church at Barre, Feb. 22, 1841, 
where he remained 16 years, eminently 
successful, and receiving into the church 
104 members by profession and 28 by let- 
ter, and as a citizen was identified in all 
movements for the popular good. 

Through his untiring efforts the Acad- 
emy in Barre was erected, and the subse- 
quent prosperity of the village is owing in 
a great measure to the flourishing school 
of which he may truly be called the foun- 
der. But his arduous and unceasing labors 
proved too heavy ; in 1858, he had a stroke 
of paralysis, and had to suspend his labor 
for some months ; partially recovered, he 
commenced to labor in Shelburne and Fer- 
risburgh for a time, and then undertook 
the charge of the small parish at Greens- 
boro, laboring there less than 2 years, when 
being attacked with paralysis, he removed 
to Waterbury and spent the last few 
months of his life. He died in this village 
Oct. 15, 1864, just entering upon his 60th 
year ; when many look forward to vigorous 
action, he has passed away. 

But his life work was well done, though 
finished at an earlier hour than those that 
labor less heartily ; and he has left behind 
him a good name and useful life as a last- 
ing monument in the hearts of the many 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



91S 



who knew and loved him. He left a 
widow and 8 children ; but two of the 
daughters died the following year. 

WINOOSKI RIVER FALLS IN WATERBURY. 

A description of the same fVom The Rural Magazine 
or Vermont Repository, yo\.\. pa^e 199, of Samuel 
Williams, of Rutland, January, 1795. See also des- 
cription from Zadock Thompson's Gazetteer, p. 825. 

Observations 7iiade on the Falls of Onion 
River, at IVaterbury, coninwnty called 
Biitton Falls, May 12, 1793, by the Hon. 
S. Hitchcock and Col. Davis. 
The river above the falls is about 15 
rods wide, and flows along very pleasant 
banks on both sides. On these banks are 
large intervales. In a very short distance 
the river contracts or narrows to about 20 
feet. For about 6 or 7 rods the whole of 
the water falls with great velocity along 
the rocks, in romantic meanderings, into 
a kind of basin formed by rocks on every 
side. The falls in this distance are about 
ID or 12 feet. From the basin the water 
disappears, and flows under the rocks to 
the distance of about 60 feet, and then 
gushes out with great violence. From the 
head of the falls to the bottom is about 16 
rods, on each side of which the channel is 
bounded by a solid rock, and appears to 
have been worn out of the rock by the 
water. This channel is from 40 to 50 feet 
in width. The height of the bank on the 
south side, computed from low water, is 
about 150 feet; on the north side it was 
estimated at about 90. The falls along 
the channel are about 25 or 30 feet. 

In some part of the falls, where the 
water in high floods has worn over the 
rocks, are seen large basins curiously 
formed in the solid rocks, of 10 or 12 feet 
in depth, and of three or four feet in di- 
ameter. The height of the waters, from 
the appearance of the timber lodged on 
the sides of the rocks, must formerly have 
been 50 feet higher than what it now is. 
At the bottom of the falls the river imme- 
diately widens to about 25 or 30 rods, and 
flows gently on in a beautiful stream. 

DR. CHARLES C. ARMS 

was the third son of Jesse Arms, an early 
settler of Duxbury, one of the foremost 
men of that town, as Dea. Ira Arms, the 
eldest son, was after him for majiy years. 



A part of the time of his practice here he 
was a partner with Dr. Drew, his brother- 
in-law. He attained a high reputation as 
a skillful surgeon. He built the house now 
occupied by Dr. Washburne, which some 
30 years ago or more was considered one 
of the best in the village. [See page 869.] 

Correction for page 868 : My recollection 
of Mr. Bryan's coming into town is it was 
between the years 18 15 and 20, more defi- 
nitely perhaps, i8i6toi8i8. I have no 
recollection from what town in America he 
came to this place, but presume he had 
been but a short time in the country when 
he came to Waterbury. He immediately 
opened a tailor's shop, and a Miss Scagel, 
ot a Methodist family, whom he afterwards 
married, worked in the shop, either as ap- 
prentice or assistant. Many years after, 
when he had been married and settled on a 
farm near the center of the town, and had 
given up his trade or partially so, he intro- 
duced Mr. O'Conner, a tailor from Burling- 
ton, to business in this village, O'Conner 
then being a young man. He did a good 
business at his trade many years, and final- 
ly died in the place. Some time not dis- 
tant from O'Conner's coming, either before 
or after, I have no definite dates, an Irish- 
man and Catholic, by the name of Clarke, 
came to town next ; these were the first 
three Catholics of whom I have recollection 
as residents. After these, and especially 
after the building the railroad commenced, 
they came in large numbers. Father 
O'Calligan, the priest, visited these families 
occasionally, probably more than 40 years 
ago. And it was said that he gave Clarke 
a cow, or money to buy one, as he was in 
very destitute circumstances. R. B. 

[Since the foregoing was in type we have 
the following information from a son of 
Patrick Bryan, the only representative of 
the family living now in Waterbury : " My 
father was born in London, and learned 
his trade there. His parents were Irish, 
as his name indicates. He came from 
London to Quebec, and from there directly 
to Waterbury about 18 14 or '15. His fam- 
ily were 6 sons and two daughters. The 
dauditers, in succession, married the same 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



man, a son of one of the large Atkins fam- 
ilies. Neither of them lived more than a 
few years after marriage." "I did not 
particularly inquire after the brothers (says 
my informant, who reports to me from the 
son at Waterbury), but my impression is, 
two of them went West and one to Can- 
ada, perhaps 15 to 20 years ago, and one 
of them died here a few years since. The 
father and mother and one or two, if not 
all of the children who have died here, 
were buried in Burlington. Mr. Bryan 
did not remain at the village long. He 
soon purchased and moved to a farm near 
the Centre. Many years ago his house 
was a resort for Irishmen, and Catholic 
meetings were held there ; but after the 
coming of Mr. O'Connor to the village, 
meetings were held at his house part of 
the time. I think none of the O'Connor 
boys were enlisted in the war from this 
town, but they very likely may have been 
in the war, having enlisted for other towns.] 

CASUALTIES CONTINUED. 

Among which may be reckoned the sin- 
gular occurrence at the liquor agency 
several years ago. Two intoxicated men 
demanded liquor, and threatened the agent 
who was in feeble health. It became nec- 
essary to call the aid of a neighbor to 
remove the principal offender. Though 
this was done with the least possible vio- 
lence, the man died in a few minutes, as if 
in a fit. Great excitement followed among 
the man's friends ; and finally the man who 
had the offender in hand at the time of his 
death, demanded the disinterment of his 
body, and that a post mortem examination 
should be had. The result proved the 
man free of any blame for rough handling 
the deceased. 

THE MEAKER MURDER. 

About 2 years ago, Apr. 27, 1880, a 
most cruel murder was perpetuated in Wa- 
terbury, though none concerned in the 
crime, nor the victim, were residents of this 
town. It was planned in Duxbury, at the 
home of criminals, but executed in our town. 
In the arrangements, some originality of in- 
vention is seen, but it involves too many 



details and too much exposure to observa- 
tion, to make it easy of concealment. 

Little Alice Meaker, the victim, was, if 
we remember aright, a half-sister of Mr. 
Meaker, an orphan, or half orphan, and a 
pauper in another town, the overseer of 
which had agreed to pay a certain sum in 
money to Meaker to take Alice to support 
during her minority. Mrs. Meaker dis- 
liked, or had become tired of the child, 
and planned to get rid of her by a cruel 
crime. She and her son got a team at Mr. 
Bates' stable in Waterbury, and a supply 
of poison of Mr. Carpenter, a druggist 
here. The Meaker mother and son, and 
Alice, left "Waterbury village between 9 
and 10 in the evening, to go some 5 or 6 
miles up Waterbury River, and on their 
way administered the poison, probably 
finding compulsion necessary. 

If particulars are here omitted, the read- 
er may imagine how they proceeded and 
some of the incidents of that awful ride. 
By some means, the child came to her 
death, was concealed in a hole in the 
ground partly filled with water, dug proba- 
bly by road makers, and being ready made, 
was taken by the Meakers. The disap- 
pearance of the child immediately raised 
suspicion in the neighborhood ; the result 
was Sheriff A therton succeeded in drawing 
out from young Meaker the fate of the 
child, and the disclosure of the place of 
concealment, which was verified by Ath- 
erton and Meaker going to the place and 
finding the body, and their taking it to 
Meaker's house, the young man telling his 
mother he had told the story, to the con- 
sternation of the mother. The result is 
they are now under sentence of death, from 
which they can have little hope of escape. 

Errata. — Page 850, middle of 2d column, 
25 years ago should read 1821, and same 
paragraph, after merchant, should read 
merchant of Chicago ; near the top same 
column, Rev. Dr. Warren should be Rev. 
Mr. ; and at the foot of the Moody column, 
page 860, should have been added Calvin 
B. Moody, youngest son of George, is a 
graduate of Middlebury college, and now 
a Congregational minister. r. b. 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



917 



PAPER FOR MORETOWN. 

FROM GEORGE BULKLEY. 

The first town meeting in Moretown was 
held Mar. 22, 1792, and Seth Munson was 
elected town clerk ; in 1794, Joseph Hasel- 
tine ; 1796, John Burdick ; 1797, Joseph 
Haseltine ; 1800, Wright Spalding; 1801, 
Roswell Smith; 1805, Abner Child; 1816, 
Theophilus Bixby ; 1818, Paul Mason; 
1822, Ebenezer Johnson; 1832, Lester 
Kingsley ; 1881, James Haylett. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

The first Freeman's meeting was Sept. 
2, 1794, and Lester Moseley was elected 
representative; 1795, 8, 11, Joseph Ha.sel- 
tine ; 1796, 1803, Wright Spalding; 1801, 
2, Seth Munson; 1805, 14, 33, Cephas 
Carpenter; 1809, Seth Munson ; 1815, 16, 
Seth Munson; 1820, Rufus Clapp ; 1821, 
22, Paul Mason ; 1823,28, 29, John Fos- 
ter; 1824,5, Barnabas Mayo ; 1826, 27, 
David Belding ; 1830, Harvey W. Carpen- 
ter; 1831, Stephen Pierce; 1832, 44, Cal- 
vin Clark; 1834, 5, Wm. Harris; 1836, 7, 
9, Ira Carpenter; 1838, Joseph Sawyer; 
1840,41, Lester Kingsley; 1842, 43, M. 
B. Taplin ; 1845, Daniel Harris; 1846, 
Barnabas Mayo ; 1847, Richard H.Kim- 
ball; 1848, D. P. Carpenter; 1849, 50, 
Dennis Child; 1851, 2, Uriah Howe; 
1853, Leonard R. Foster; 1854, Osgood 
Evans; 1855, Joseph N. Savage; 1856, 
Henry Kneeland ; 1857, 8, John C. Clark; 
1859, 60, Carter Haskins ; 1861, 70, Lo- 
renzo D. Hills; 1862, 3, Austin G. Pren- 
tiss; 1864, Geo. Bulkley; 1865, 6, Hiram 
Hathaway; 1867, 8, Freeman Parker; 
1869, Benj. A. Holmes; 1872, James 
Stewart; 1874, 6, Goin B. Evans; 1878, 
George Howes; 1880, Russell Sawyer. 

As far back as my memory extends, Ira 
Carpenter was post master, then Dr. 
Kingsley, then Nathan R. Spaulding, then 
Geo. M. Fletcher. 

Cornelia J. Child, (page 609,) was 
the daughter of Eber Carpenter Child, 
who died in Moretown a few years since, 
aged 76. Cornelia is the wife of Allen C. 
Baker, and has 6 children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Baker are school teachers, and now reside 
in Alabama. Mrs. Celia R. Baxter. 



PETER JOHONNOTT AND FAMILY, BARRE. 

BY R. R. CROSBY. 

Peter, Sr., born at Boston, Mass., July 
20, 1772, died at Richmond, 111. (Solon 
village), Aug. 29, 1865. He was a vol- 
unteer from Barre to the Battle of Platt.s- 
burgh, Sept. 1814; residence, Barre; mar- 
ried first, at Suffield, Oct. 20, 1796, Ruth 
Sheldon, b. in Suffield, Conn., Dec. 31, 
1778; died at Barre, Oct. 31, 1807; sec- 
ond, married, at Barre, June 26, 1808, 
Sarah Wheaton, b. in Leicester, Mass., 
Apr. 27, 1775; died at Barre, Aug. 29, 
1854; children : 

Peter Johonnott, Jr., b. atSuffield, Conn., 
Mar. 6, 1798, died at Montpelier, Vt., Jan. 
29, 1967; married Mar. 13, 1825, Nancy 
Blanchard, b. at Barre, Feb. 23, 1802, d. 
at Montpelier, July 4, 1872 ; children : 

Albert Johonnott, b. Jan. 18, 1826; 
residence, Montpelier; married. May 31, 
1853, Mary J. Parker, b. in Plainfield, 
N. H., Aug. 29, 1827; children: 

Arthur Peter Johonnott, b. in Barre, 
Feb. 27, 1854, married at Montpelier, 
1879, Cora King, b. at East Montpelier ; d. 
April 17, 1881; I child, b. April, 1881. 
Ellen M. Johonnott, b. in Barre, Oct. 20, 
1855; married, at MontpeUer, George 
Kellogg, b. in Boston, Mass.; i child, b. 
in Montpelier. 

Emily Johonnott, b. in Barre, Oct. 27, 
1827; residence, Richmond, 111. Aaron 
M. Pettengill (her husband), b. in Barre, 
June 10, 1825; married at Barre, Apr. 10, 
1850 ; their daughter, Ada N. Pettengill, 
b. in Barre, May 4, 1851, married Roswell 
H. Peck at Richmond, 111., Dec. 12, 1876; 
residence, Montpelier; children: Julia 
Emily, b. May 5, 1879, Wm. Martin, b. 
Dec. 14, 1880. 

Ellen M. Johonnott, b. in Barre, July 
20, 1829, d. Apr. 20, 1830; Martha Jo- 
honnott, b. in Barre, June 4, 183 1, resi- 
dence Montpelier; Fred Johonnott, b. in 
Barre, Jan. 15, 1835, residence Burling- 
ton ; Harriet Glover (his wife) , born in 
Boston, Mass., Sept. 20, 1842, married at 
Barre, May 17, 1865; 3 children: Fred, 
Frank, Martha. 

Ruth Johonnott, b. in Suffield, Conn., 
Jan. 27, 1801, d. at Richmond, 111., Mar. 



9i8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



20, 1874; m. July 30, 1837, at Saugetuck, 
Mich., to John C. Wooster, b. in Oxford, 
Conn., Aug. 2, 1809; d. at Solon, 111., 
Sept. 23, 1877. 

Asa Johonnott, b. in Barre, Sept. 11, 
1802, married Harriet M. Chesley, at 
Boston, Mass., Apr. 1836; residence, 
Richmond, 111; Mary Fuller, his 2d wife, 
widow of Loyal Wilson, b. Dec. 5, 1813, 
in New Hampshire, married Jan. 16, 1851 ; 
children : Rensselaer, b. in Richmond, 
111., Dec. 5, 1851, married Clara Turner; 
Byron, b. in Richmond, June 29, 1854, d. 
Apr. 4, 1856; Frank, b. in Richmond, 
July 27, 1857. 

Edwin Sheldon Johonnott, b. in Barre, 
Mar. 5, 1805, d. in Richmond, 111., Aug. 
10, 1847 ; married, at West Hartford, Conn., 
Marietta Steele Crosby, b. Jan. 12, 181 1 ; 
died at Grant, 111., Jan. 6, 1841 ; married, 
Feb. 15, 1831 ; children: Robert, b. in 
Burlington, Nov. 2, 1833; residence, 
Richmond, 111. ; wife, Frances A. Rice, b. 
in Fall River, Mass., June 16, 1841, mar- 
ried at Bliven's Mills, 111., Mar. 15, 1859; 
residence, Richmond, 111.; children: Ma- 
rietta S., b. at Bliven's Mills, June 15, 
i860; Louise R., b. May 12, 1862; Ger- 
trude Crosby, b. Mar. 19, 1864; Henry 
Wooster, b. Oct. i, 1866; Louis Bliven, 
b. Feb. 26, 1873; Frances Katharine, b. 
Apr. I, 1875 ; Helen Josephine, b. Jan. 4, 
1878. 

Gertrude Crosby Johonnott, b. in Sauga- 
tuck, Mich., Apr. 16, 1836, married San- 
ford Fillmore Bennett, b. in Eden, N. Y., 
June 21, 1836; residence at Richmond, 
111. ; married Mar. 15, i860, at Richmond ; 
He is a physician, the author of " Sweet 
Bye and Bye ; " children : Edwin Richard- 
son, b. in Elkhorn, Wis., July 30, 1861 ; 
Robert Crosby, b. May. 21, 1866; May 
Ruth, b. May 16, 1869. 

Edwin Sheldon Johonnott, Jr , b. Dec. 
29, 1838, at Grant, 111., married, Aug. 16, 
1866, Laura Frances Brown, b. in London, 
Eng., Mar. 2, 1847 ; residence, Richmond, 
111. ; children : Edwin Sheldon, b. in 
Richmond, Nov. 9, 1868; Eben Crosby, 
b. Apr. 16, 1870; Ruth Mary, b. Apr. 16, 
1872; Wm. Bradford, Sept. 11, 1873. 



Leonard Johonnott, son of Peter, Sr., 
b. in Barre, Aug. 5, 1809; residence, Bur- 
lington ; married at Lyndeborough,N. H., 
Oct. 13, 1841, Harriet Felicia Page, b. in 
Burlington, Dec. 3, 1817, dau. of Colonel 
Lemuel and Clarissa (Whitney) Page ; 
children all born in Burlington. 

Lemuel Page Johonnott, b. Dec. 20,1842, 
married Emma Barnes, of Burlington ; 
children, all born in Burlington : Mary 
Harriet, b. Feb. 1868; Laura, b. Jan. 17, 
1870; Maud Louisa, Leonard J. 

Henry Whitney Johonnott, b. Aug. 26, 
1844, d. Feb. II, 1849. 

Horace Lane Johonnott, b. Nov. 26, 
1846, married Emily Wheaton. b. in Barre, 
June, 1876. 

Sarah Johonnott, b. in Burlington, Aug. 
20, 1848, married Fred Bowles, formerly 
of Burlington, now of Chicago ; died in 
Chicago, 111., Mar. 29, 1876; left one dau. 
Jennie ; and an infant child of a few weeks 
was brought home with her in the same 
casket ; buried at Burlington. 

Henry Whitney Johonnott, b. Sept. 12, 
1850, resides in Philadelphia. 

Albert Johonnott, son of Peter, Sr., b. 
in Barre, Mar. 24, 1812, d. May 2, 1813. 

Louisa Johonnott, b. at Barre, Sept. 13, 
1814; residence, Richmond, 111. ; married, 
at Barre, Oct. 16, 1836, Rensselaer R. 
Crosby, b. Jan. 8, 1809, at West Hartford, 
Ct. ; residence, Richmond, 111. 

Sarah Maria Johonnott, b. in Barre, 
July 20, 18 17, died in Burlington, Mar. 9, 
1853; married at Barre, June 25, 1845, 
Thomas Jefferson Blanchard, b. Apr. 19, 
1818, at Barre; his son, Albert, b. in 
Burlington, May 7, 1846, d. Sept. 6, 1877, 
in Barre. 

Mary Ann Johonnott, b. in Barre, Dec. 
14, 1820, married, Dec. 4, 1853, Andrew 
Bourne, b. in Redfield, N. Y., Jan. 31, 
1820 ; residence, Woodstock, McHenry 
Co., 111.; children: Harry Peter, b. in 
Richmond, 111., Jan. 8,1856 ; Willis Reuben, 
b. Nov. 28, 1857, d. May i, 1881, at 
Kenosha, Wis., by accident. 

Early Patents. — The Mirror of the 
Patent Office in the United States, quar- 
terly, vol. I, No. I, that gives the patents 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



919 



taken out in 1827, gives 22 states repre- 
sented, Vermont standing the loth in the 
largest number, viz. : 10 patents in the 
State in 1827, and total to 1828, 18 pat- 
ents on record in the patent office at 
Washington, of which four were taken in 
Addison Co., five in Windham Co., three 
in Washington Co., two in Windsor Co., 
etc.: "Building bridges, patent for, to 
Napthalia Bishop, Barre, Vt., Jan. 11, 
1819;" "Cotton, etc., machine for spin- 
ning. G. Brewster, G. Trumbull and J. 
Matthews, Barre, Vt., Jan. 16, 1812;" 
"Cheese-press, J. Bigelow, Montpelier, 
Vt., Jan. 25, 1816." 

THE WHEAT AND THE TARES. 

Composed upwards of fifty years ago by 
Rev. Wm. Farwell, of Barre, a Univer- 
salist clergyman of some distinction at 
that time, and who was a pupil of the pio- 
neer of that faith, the Rev. John Murray. 
The copy was made by a son of the writer 
of the verses. Col. Lemuel Fai^well, of 
Barre, who died many years ago in that 
town. They were written by him from 
memory, and given to Edmund Doty, of 
Montpelier, in 1821, from whose daughter 
I received them 20 years ago. They are 
purely of Vermont origin, originally in- 
tended for a hymn, and though I have not 
heard the tune for a great number of years, 
it is as familiar to my ear as any in the 
Psaltery. — {Vermont Record of 20 years 
since.] 

'Twason the green banks of Eupbrates's stream 
Jelioval), omniscient, all-wise and supreme. 
First stationed our Father in Eden's green bower. 
And Eve, his companion, a delicate flower; 
He sow'd their young bosoms with seed in their youth. 
With reason, benevolence, virtue and truth, [sown, 
And on the same ground where the choice wheat was 
The tare by the tongue of the serpent was thrown. 
'Tis plain to be seen thus the heart is the ground 
Where truth and deception are both to be found; 
These are the two seeds which the human heart bears, 
And all that is meant by the Wheat and the Tares. 
The servants of old saw not in their day, 
Kow God his great goodness to man would convey; 
They saw not the depth of that wonderous Flan 
Which wisdom hath drawn for the welfare of man. 

The servant saw tares with the wheat bearing fruit, 
Said, Let us go pull up each Tare by the root;— 
The mild voice of wisdom said, no, forbear, 
Lest that, by so doing, the wheat you Impair: 
Let both grow together till ripe in the field, 
That man may partake of W\^ fruits, they both yield. 
That by their effects he may well ascertain [pain. 

That truth yields him pleasure, while falsehood yields 



Man early imbibed false notions of God; 
Supposed him a tyrant, and vengeful his rod; 
The hand ol tradition, e'er since man begun 
Hath borne the delusion from father to son : 
The Father of Mercy His bosom unfurled, 
Sent Christ to bear witness of Him to the world; 
Invested with virtue and wisdom to prove 
That God is eternal, unchangeable love. 

The Jews disbelieved and quickly began 
To seek the sweet life of that innocent Man; 
Condemned him unjustly to hang on the tree. 
And beai the keen anguish of death's agony; 
The earth was convulsed, her bosom distressed. 
The Heavens in mourning appeared to be dress'd 
The Stars and palama, and Sol's rolling flame. 
All sank from beholding the death of the Lamb. 

His healing the sick, his raising the dead, 

His feeding the hungry with meat, drink and bread, 

His casting out devils, restoring the blind, 

All prove Him who sent him a Friend to mankind. 

The love that inspired him, whilst he was on Earth, 

Was stronger, ten thousand times stronger than 

death ; 
Love prompted to finish the task that was given. 
Raised from the dead to the mansions of heaven. 

By this we discover that mankind shall have 
A lasting existence beyond the cold grave; 
Removed from a state of corruption like this. 
To dwell in perfection's soft bosom of bliss,— 
The Old Dispensation pass'd oflf and the New 
Unveiled a scene of bright glory to view; 
The banner, bright banner, of truth was unfurled, 
The Ensign of Peace and good will to the World. 

The harvest appeared, the fields were all white. 

The reapers came forth at the first dawn of Light; 

The reapers are those whom our God doth inspire, 

To gather up falsehood and burn it with fire: 

The Spirit of Truth is the sickle so keen, 

The luminous flame is the Aire which we mean; 

The temple of friendship and love is the i)lace 

For the mind, when refined, ^of the whole human race. 

[We have but a few papers more in 
hand as yet for this town. We have re- 
quested a full second chapter for Barre, 
especially in regard to the early settlers, 
and think to have it for the supplementary 
part of our next volume ; and there will 
also be space in the supplement for mat- 
ters of interest in other towns of this 
County, not yet included ; and every party 
who may have such facts or papers to con- 
tribute are invited to send them in, either 
through their town historian, or directly to 
the editor in the course of the next few 
months. We have arranged our papers 
beyond for this volume. We can only now 
fill a few more pages : but anon, if, as we 
look for, we are helped to complete our 
record for the Gazetteer, we will have the 
history of the Barre circuit and the Meth- 
odist church promised by Rev. J. R. Bart- 
lett ; and papers for other towns.] 



920 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Berlin. — A song found in the carpet- 
bag of the late Maj. R. B. Crandall. It is 
a piece of more than usual merit, and the 
premonition of his own death in the last 
verse, must be touching to all the friends 
of this gallant and accomplished officer : 

THE WHITE-CROSS BANNER. 

BY MAJ. K. B. CRANDALL, 

Huzza for the Banner that bears the White Cross 1 
Huzza for the Flag ever foremost in fight.' 

On tlie storm-tide of battle it ever shall toss. 
Till the foes who oppose it are scattered in flight. 

The soldiers who follow the Banner of Light 
Are true in devotion and strangers to fear; 

For God and for Country, for Union and Right, 
They will fight to the last, and then die with a cheer. 

OhI many's the time in the good Jays of yore 
When the Cross, all resplendent in glory, hath shone, 

But never since Christ it to Calvary bore. 
Hath it emblemed a cause more true than our own. 

Young sister, art thou, O, Banner, war-born. 
To our country's proud ensign, the cherislied star- 
flag; 
Our affection for both is only less warm 
Than the hate that we feel for the South's dastard 
rag. 
Brigade of Vermont, dost remember the d.iy 
When on Marye's stern heights, through smoke and 
the gloom. 
How the Cross, on its bright field of blue, flashed its 
way — 
Our hope amid death, but to traitors a doom. 

Brave sons of New York, and ye strong men of Maine, 

How many a dying eye has been turned 
From your ranks to that flag which, through glory and 
pain. 
You followed, tho' lightnings of death 'round you 
blazed. 

Oh! patriot hearts, that have throbbed by our side, 
As we've followed that flag on fierce tields full a 
score ! 

Oh! glorious hearts, that have bled and then died, 
Your comrades are bearing that flag as of yore. 

OhI cause, that is worthy of lives such as these. 
Oh: cause, that is worthy of all we can give. 

We swear to uphold thee; tho' rivers and seas 
Shall pour from our veins, the Republic shall live. 

Then anew gird your loins, shake out to the sun 
The bonnie blue flag, the White Cross adorning; 

Sound the clarions of war, be the battle begun. 
And the night of our land shall be changed into 
morning. 

But, oh! if I fall in a cause so sublime, 

I shall join the brave souls that already have bled; 
Tell parents and friends to let the bells chime 

In slow, plaintive strains for her sons that are dead. 

Brandy Station, Mar. 7, 1864. 

[The bat tie-flag of the 2d division, 6 th corps, the field 
Is of l)lue, with a white cross in the center.] 

[The Song was set to music by N. L. Phillips of 
Barre, some 16 or 18 yrs. since. Mr. Phillips, noticed in 
Montpelier history, page 591, is a musical composer; 
has written several songs and ballads, no notice of 
whom in Barre, this volume, is one of the omissions 
there to be yet redeemed.] 



Cabot. — The foliovvlhg legacies have 
been left to the Congregational church in 
this town for the support of preaching and 
incidental expenses: i866, Nathaniel Co- 
burn, $500; 1867, John R. Putnam, $100, 
Dea. Edward G. Haines, $200, A. P. 
Perry, $400, Ira Fisher, $600. 

CALAIS POEMS. 

INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF VERMONT. 

Written, and sung by J. M. Dana, a long time resi- 
dent of this town, before the Freemen of Calais, 
Sept. 1, 1840. 

Air:— "'We'll settle on the Banks of the Ohio." 



When our fathers left their native climes and came 
among these hills. 

They were pleased with these green mountains with 
the values and the rills; 

They began to settle here, a hundred years ago or 
more. 

Yes, Fort Dumnier sure was built in seventeen hun- 
dred and twenty four. 

In seventeen hundred and twenty fou:. 
Fort Dummer was the door; 

Vermont was not then known in seventeen hundred 
and twenty four. 

To these hills so green and pretty. New Hampshire 

laid a claim ; 
And she made large grants of land to the settlers of 

the same. 
But New York conceiving she had the better right to 

sell, 
Began contending with New Hampshire, and the issue 

is to tell. 

Yes, the story is to tell- 
How the savages did yell — 
And how many lives they took where we peaceably 

now dwell. 

To the English crown the parties referred the case for 
time. 

Decision formed York East unto the Connecticut line 

But New York was still dissatisfied and called out her 
men — 

And the future State turned out under ETHAN AL- 
LEN then. 

Under Ethan Allen then. 

They would face the Lion's deu; 

The green mountain boys were noted for their strength 
and courage then. 

I, Ethan Allen, ask of you Ticonderoga"s Fort, 

' By what authority your claim,' to him was the re- 
tort; 

' In the name of the Great Jehovah and of Congress' I 
am sent. 

We surrender then to you and our massacre prevent, 
Yes, our massacre prevent. 
Not because our powder 's spent. 

But because of those green-mountain boys that Con- 
gress has you sent. 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



921 



In seventeen hundred eigh'y, tliree hundred persons 

mostly blacked 
Commenced tlie work of plunder and Royalton 

attack'ed. — 
They killed all their cattle, with all their sheep and 

hogs, 
Burnt buildings and made captives,— Oh, what cruel, 

saucy dogs! 

Yes ,wliat cruel saucy dogs, 
Vermont lias no such rogues. 
But we met the same at Plattsburgh and they 're all 

beneath the sods. 

They had no form of government among the hills of 
yore. 

But the hard fists of the yankees which their foes could 
never bear; 

In seventeen hundred seventy seven their first conven- 
tion cut 

An independent government, and made their first 
debut. 

Yes, they made their first debut, 
Called New Connecticut, 

And sometimes it's called Vermont from tlie green hills 
and the hut. 

The green mountain State Vermont had four claims 

upon it now, 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire said she must unto 

them bow; 
New York also said then her claim, should not abate. 
But Vermonters said unto New York we think you'd 

better wait, — 

Yes, we think you'd better wait 
And secure a better fate, 
Than to meet old Ethan Allen here, for then 'twill be 

too late. 

' He's the bravest of the brave,— he asks nothing but 
tlie right. 

And if refused his honest claim, he's ready then to 
figlit;' 

While thus he aided government,green-mountain boys 
were true. 

They were fighting some at Guilford and at Benning- 
ton for you, — 

Yes, at Bennington from you 
The British soldiers flew. 

These green mountaiu boys there beat ihem, and 700 
of them slew. 

In seventeen hundred eighty, an attempt was made 

to bring 
Vermonters to the British rule and subject to the king, 
While Allen, joined with VVarner, negociated well. 
How these heroes cheated Briton then remains as yet 

to tell,— 

But I'm now about to tell 
When my Lord Cornwallis fell. 
These hill-boys thought their home-made laws would 

suit them quite as well. 

Have you ever seen the man who drew his goods him- 
self by hand. 
From Montpelier into Calais and the first beginning 

planned. 
He still resides in town much respected by us all. 
His name Abijah Wheelock the first settler we call, — 
The first settler we call. 
But this is not quite all, — 
An honest man we think he is as any since the fall. 

His wife came in on snow-shoes eleven miles or more. 
The snow from two to three leet deep, and some say 
even four, 



With an infant in her arms and some other luggage too, 
A task which few young women now in town have 
strength to do. 

No, they have not strength to do 
What their mothers did pursue 
In the good old fashioned days of yore which time 
takes our view. 

In seventeen hundred eighty nine new Vermont agreed 

to pay. 
Thirty thousand dollars cash from New York to get 

away ; 
She became an independent State, our Union then 

began. 
She was voted such by Congress seventeen hundred 

ninety one— 

In seventeen hundred ninety one. 
With Chittenden her son, 
Vermont assumed her place in seventeen hundred 

ninety one. 

In seventeen hundred and ninety one the roads were 

very poor, 
Thro' the woods on foot we traveled with our marked 

trees on before. 
But when winters's snows came on, say four feet or 

more it fell. 
Such music with the deer we had as no one now can 

tell,— 

No there's no one now can tell. 
How the hounds would scream and yell. 
When they drove their game up to us and at our feet 

it fell. 

Vermont's first Inhabitants ahardy set of men, 
Hewed the lofty maples down with some fighting now 

and tlieu ; 
Their wives would use the sickle and the rake when in 

the field. 
And the husbands oftentimes to the women had to 

yield,— 

Yes, the husbands had to yield. 
(Not for work done in the field,) 
But the number of the skeins of yarn their wives quite 

often reeled. 

In the good old days of pumpkin pies and checkered 

aprons too. 
The farmers wore their home-spun coats, and linen 

frocks would do, 
The women made their cloth so stout 'twas not called 

poor or thin. 
And 'twas really entertaining, to see them card and 

spin,— 

Yes, to see them card and spin, 
Mid their weaving, warping din, 
01 the times gone by have charmed me, so I wish 

they'd come again. 

Great Britain's on our north, yet we never mean to 

fear. 
On the East a sister State known as Granite New 

Hampshire, 
On the South is Massachusetts and New York is on the 

West, 
But ot all the States around her Vermont is still the 

best,— 

Yes, Vermont is still the best, 
For in evergreen she's drest. 
Like the country maid with milk, green becomes us 

much the best. 

Sir Geo. Prevost at Plattsburgh, tho' in a sister state, 
Said Vermont has sent her boys to fight, deteat Is sure 
our fate. 



116 



922 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



To his fourteen thousand men he sai'l we leave this 

ground of Platts, 
Don't you see them Vermont boys have come with 
green sprigs in tlieir liats, — 

With green sprigs in their hats, 
They 're ready for combats, 
I had ratlier fight tlie devil tlian tliese Vermont demo- 
crats. 

Commodore Downle now came up for battle but in 

vain, 
McDonough whipped blm well on our little Lake 

Champlain. 
He made for home 'tis hoped and has not again been 

seen. 
Since the eleventh of September, eighteen hundred 

and fourteen, — 

In eighteen hundred and fourteen, 
A treaty made between, 
Stop'd our fighting on the water and our merchantmen 

are seen. 

Tlie many ponds in Vermont are well stored with fish, 
You can take the salmon trout or the pickerel if you 

wish. 
Should you prefer the scaly perch, the sucker or the 

dace. 
You can take a back-load of tliem out almost at any 

place,— 

Yes, almost at any place. 
If you've the fishing grace 
If not you may not have a bite 'twill alter some the 

case. 

Our farmers cultivate the soil not as they did of old. 
For then they could not get such plows as in Vermont 

are sold. 
The hoe, the horse-rake, spring-steel fork, the scythe, 

the snath, the ax. 
We have, and when we use them well a good round 

price we tax,— 

Yes, a good round price we tax. 
For to none we turn our backs. 
In the chopping, mowing, pitching line, we're speaking 

now of facts. 

Just one word more we wish to say should you pass 

thro' the State, 
You'll find these tough Vermouters work both early, 

sure and late. 
But if one calls to see our friends from distance or near 

home. 
The best they have enough of it— you're welcome when 

j'ou come. 

Yes, you're welcome when you come, 
We're not disposed to gum. 
We'll take some good old cider now— my friend, won t 

you have some? 

The happiest people In the world on Vermont hills 

are found. 
Their charity begins at home, extends to all around, 
[Should fortune smile or even frown or trouble ere 

confront,] 
On these green hills there is a balm you'll find It In 
Vermont, 

You'll find it in Vermont, 
The green mountain state Vermont, 
Spontaneously it grows among the green hills of Ver- 
mont. 

[See Woodbury, pp. 882, 883.] 



MEMORIAL. 

BY MKS. lUKNE D. DWINELL. 

An elegy on the death of Sergeant Wy- 
MAN R. BuRNAP, who died of wounds re- 
received in battle, Sept. 21, 1.864. 

To free our country from the tyrant's thrall, 
We mourn to-day a patriot brave; 

To lift from oflf her face that dark'ning pall. 
Has made for him that soldier's grave. 

Full oft that voice in " gone-by " days 
Has thrilled the sense to concord sweet; 

Those brightened hours, in after lays. 
The soldier's tent no more may greet. 

To thee, dear'Lord, the costly sacrifice. 

We yield our brother, child and friend; 
Where "dust to dust " now sleeping lies, 
Let holy angels guard and tend. 
East Calais, Jan. 1, 1865. 

AP.IJAH WHEELOCK, 
[by JULIUS S. WHEELOCK, OF BERLIN.] 

was born in Charlton, Mass., in 1764. He 
was a son of David Wheelock, who was 
one of the original proprietors of Calais. 
He gave his son Abijah a deed of lot 
No. I, in the second division of the town- 
ship of Calais, dated Charlton, Mass., 
April 17, 1788. David Wheelock was a 
son of Benjamin, son of Benjamin, son of 
Ralph, who was born in Wales County, 
Salop, in 1600; was educated at Cam- 
bridge University, where he took his de- 
grees in 1626 and 31 ; came to this coun- 
try in 1637; first located at Watertown, 
Mass., but removed in 1638 to that part of 
Dedham which became Medfield. He 
represented Dedham in 1639 and 40; was 
made clerk of the court in 1642, in place of 
Edward Allyen, deceased ; was the first 
representative of Medfield, in 1653, 63, 4, 
and 6 ; was the father of Benjamin, Sam- 
uel, Record, Experience, Gersham and 
Eleazer, and perhaps others. He died Jan. 
II, 1684. 

Eleazer was the father of the 2d Ralph, 
born in 1682, who was the father of Rev. 
Eleazar, founder and first president of 
Dartmouth college. Ralph Wheelock was 
the father of the race of that name in this 
country, as there is no record of any other 
one coming to this country between 1620 
and 1693, when emigration to New Eng- 
land stopped, when William and Mary as- 
cended to the throne of England. 



COUNTY PAPERS AND ITEMS. 



923 



MISS ELLEN O. PECK, 

" daughter of the late Addison Peck, of East 
Montpelier, has become an industrious 
contributor to the ' Cottage Hearth,' 
Boston, 'New England Journal of Edu- 
cation," 'Mrs. Slade\s Magazine' and 
' Good Times.' Among her press ar- 
ticles may be named ' The Early Home 
of Governor Peck,' and of her poems, her 
poetical address read before the alumni of 
the Vermont Methodist Seminary, 1876." 
We hope to receive " The Early Home of 
Gov. Peck," etc., with other papers from 
East Montpelier, for the general supple- 
ment. — Ed. 

SEPTEMBER SUNSET. 

BY MISS MARY E. DAVIS. 

Lo! the evening spreads her banners 

In the far and radiant west. 
Where the crimson feet of sunset 

Linger on the mountain's crest; 
Wliile llie sun, that sliiuing monarch, 

Of the fast departing day. 
Gathers up liis robe of glory 

While he passes thus away. 

Back upon the sky of azure 

Steals a bright and rosy hue. 
Fringing all those clouds of purple. 

Sailing through the boundless blue; 
And far east, where blushing morning 

Breaks the silver glow of night, 
Even there the snow-white cloudlets 

Catch the melting, trembling light. 

Wliile o'er plain and wood majestic, 
Touched with Autumn's "mellow beam," 

And the hills, still bright with verdure, 
Rising 'mid the vales serene. 

As I watch the radiance glowing 

All around my cherished home, 
Thoughts of wonder, thoughts adoring. 

Thrilling o'er my spirit come. 
01 if earth may wear such beauty — 

Earth so stained with crime and siu. 
What must be that glorious City, 

Where no sin can enter in. 

Miss Davis was born in Plainfield, this 
county, but now, and has for many years 
past resided at East Montpelier, and 
we reserved, when we compiled the paper 
for the Montpeliers, a notice of her and 
her poetical volume, except the brief notice 
in Mr. Gilman's bibliography for Mont- 
pelier, for Plainfield, which in making up 
Plainfield we overlooked till too late, but 
for a closing note. The above lines, sent 
to us some years since by the author, 
are all that we now have in hand of her 
writings. — Ed. 



UNDER THE APPLE BOUGHS. 

BY EDNA M. SNoWS. 

He lies 'neath the spreading apple boughs, 

My little brother Jim; 
No care from the busy world around 

Casts its shadow over him. 
The golden sheeu of his tangled curls 

'Mid the clover blossoms gleams; 
He Is floating out, on the tide of sleep, 

To the happy sea of dreams. 

Dreaming there, with his bare, brown feet 

Kissed by the August^sun; 
I think of the brave and earnest paths 

Our little boy may run — 
Toilsome and rough to the idle throng 

Who shrink from the summer's beat; 
Of noble toil for those who tread 

AVlth true and patient feet. 

I know there are snares for heedless steps 

In the luring haunts of sin; 
There's fruit so fair to the passing gaze, 

But ashes and dust within. 
And I kiss the sleeper's trustlul lips, 

With a swift and silent prayer 
That the God of his childhood's love and faith 

Be his leader everywhere. 

— Prom " The Little Corporal.'''' 



EMERY G. JUDKINS, M. D., 

[FROM OBITUARY BY S. A. SABIN.] 

Died in Waitsfield, June 29, of diphtheria, 
after a sickness of but 5 days, aged 33. 
He was born in Unity, N. H., received his 
early education in this town, was appoint- 
ed at 19 to the United States Coast Sur- 
vey, and served one year under Capt. Cram. 
He studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel 
Tolls, of this town, and graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1852, one of the first 
in his class. He immediately received an 
appointment in the Hospital at Blackwell's 
Island, where he remained one year, when 
he returned to this town, and entered upon 
the practice of his profession; in 1861, 
was appointed acting assistant surgeon in 
the United States Navy, and served in that 
capacity until the spring of 1862, when he 
removed to Waitsfield, where he had an 
extensive practice and many friends, and 
will be remembered by many. Having 
known Dr. Judkins from early youth, and 
having been for several years most inti- 
mately connected, the writer feels by his 
death he has lost a valuable friend, and 
the medical profession an honorable mem- 
ber. He leaves a young wife. 



924 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



MEMORIES. 
BY MRS. LAURA BRIGHAM BOYCE. 

From our historian of Fayston to her 
sister, Mrs. Sarah Brigham Mansfield, our 
historian of Roxbury, on the occasion of 
her silver wedding, celebrated at Roxbury 
a few years since. Mrs. Boyce and Mrs. 
Mansfield being the only two sister his- 
torians in the Gazetteer, we will thus give 
to them the compliment of the closing 
column in this County. 

Are you thinking to-night, O sister mine. 

Of the years so long ago ? 
Of the visions that danced in your merry head 
As we lay at night in tlie trun<ile bed? 
Of the tales we told as we sank to rest, 
"With our heads upon our pillow pressed? 

In such rest as children know : 

Are you thinking to-night, O sister mine, 

Of the old white rock on the lea? 
Where we " kept house " in the summer days, — 
Went " visiting " with such old, old ways, 
One would have deemed we were grand-dames sure. 
With faces drawn in such look demure. 

While eyes danced in hidden glee. 

Are you thinking to-night, O sister mine, 

Of the orchard, and its spring. 
With its sparkling water pure and cold? 
The mossy green that its banks enfold, 
And the " spring tree " bending o'er it too, 
As if its shadow it loved to view. 

Like a vain and girlish thing. 

Are you thinking to-night, O sister mine, 

Ot the happy autumn days? 
When we gathered apples in merry glee 
From the spreading boughs of the white " full tree,' 
'Neath the old " stoop-tree" that bent so low, 
And that was Sarah's tree, you know; 

While only a little ways 

Above it stood our " Mother's tree "; 
The white •' full tree " is living to-day. 
And " Mother's tree " will blossom in May? 
But where are now that merry band. 
Who gathered fruit with dextrous hand. 

And laughed in their childish glee? 

Scattered and sundered far and wide ! 
Broad lakes and prairies lie between, 
Those wanderers and the mountains green. 
And in the churchyard 'neath the hill 
Others are lying pale and still 

In their cold graves side by side. 

And now of all that merry crew 
We three, alas I arc left hei-e alone; 
And we so staid and sober have grown. 
That we scarce remember the wild ways 
We had in our childhood's olden days. 

Nor half of the pranks we knew. 

Ah well! timefliesl proverbial of truth; 
And twenty-five years have borne away 
Some friends who loved us in youth's bright day; 
Summer is ne'er what the springtime seemed— 
The hopes we cherished, the dreams we dreamed. 

Are gone with our vanished youth. 



We are growing old, O sister mine! 
There are lines of care on cheek and brow, 
And children who call us mother now 
Are more like the selves we used to be 
Twenty-flve years ago. than you or me 

As we are to-day in look or sign. 

How the time goes on! but yesterday 
As it seems to me since you were w ed — 
'Tis twenty-flve years! where have they fled? 
We have hardly marked them in their flight, 
Yet by this festive scene to-night 

We know they have passed away. 

And so the years must still go on. 
And may your years that lie before 
Have joy and love and peace in store ; 
May Heaven's rich blessings on you rest. 
And all your coming years be blest 

Till your last year is done. 

REV. WILLIAM SCALES, 

died in Lyndon, Jan. 24, 1864, aged 58 
years, 3 months and 27 days. He was a 
son of William and Rebecca CSmith) 
Scales, and was born in Lebanon, N. H., 
Sept. 28, 1805. In early life he removed 
to Cabot, and was there brought up. He was 
graduated at Middlebury in 1832, and im- 
mediately entered the Seminary at Ando- 
ver, but in 1835, he left, on account of ill 
health, and spent about two years princi- 
pally in teaching ; then returning to the 
Seminary, he was graduated in 1837. 

His first settlement was at Lyndon, 
where he wns ordained pastor Dec. 27, 
1837. Rev. Chester Wright of Hardwick, 
preached the sermon. He was dismissed 
June 16, 1841, and went immediately to 
Rochester, where, after two years of ser- 
vice as stated supply, he was installed July 
12, 1843. Rev. James Meacham of New 
Haven, who had been his classmate at 
Middlebury, preached the sermon. From 
this pastorate he was dismissed Aug. 3, 
1847. He then became stated supply of the 
Congregational Church in Brownington, 
being at the same time preceptor of the 
academy at that place. Here he remained 
4 years. In the fall of 185 1, he removed 
to Conneaut, Ohio, and there remained, 
sometimes teaching and sometimes preach- 
ing, till May, 1855, when he returned to 
Lyndon, and became stated supply. He 
continued in that relation till his death, 
with an interruption of 2 or 3 years by pro- 
tracted ill health. The last sermon he de- 
livered was from Deut. 30 : 19 ; a text which 
his subsequent short sickness and death 
rendered singularly appropriate. P. H. w. 



CONTENTS. 925 



CONTENTS. 



Washington County Introductory Chapter.— By Dr. G. N. Brigham, i — 
23 ; Randall Paper, 16-18. 

BARRE. 

Carpenter Papers. — Early History, 23, 24; Town Officers, Col. Benjamin 
Walker, Maj. Nathan Harrington, Hon. James Fisk, Hon. Warren Ellis, Dea. Jonas 
Nichols, Capt. Joseph Watson, Hon. Denison Smith, Denison K. Smith, 27-31. 

Chas. a. Smith Papers, Barre Academy, The National Bank, Norman W. 
Braley, M. D., 24, 25 ; Masonic papers, (by or from) yj , 38 ; The first Granite shop 
in Barre, 39; Soldiers of 1861, 43-47. 

Priest Paper. — Goddard Seminary, 26, 27. 

Bliss Paper. — The Universalist Church, Rev. Wm. Farwell, Rev. John E. 
Palmer, 30, 31. 

Wood Papers. — Early business. Roads, Stage coaches and old time teams; 
Stock and farming. Early postmasters. First merchants. Hotels, Landlords, Promi- 
nent men. Dr. Paddock, Dr. Van Sicklen, Dr. jjurnham. Lawyers, Soil, Game, Barre 
Village, Cemetery, Library, Newspapers, Manufacturers, Fire Company, Cornet Band, 
Barre Boys West, Longevity, Old people, 31-37; Plattsburgh Company, Barre Com- 
pany Volunteers in the war of 1812, 41, 42 ; Judge Chapin Keith and Family, 47-49. 

Carleton Paper, 40. 

William Clark, William A. Dodge, 40, 41. 

Holden Papers. — Town Officers, 38 ; Safford & Holden Mf'g Co., 51. 

E. L. Smith Paper. — Barre Quarries, 38, 39. 

Parker Paper. — Quarry and works, 39. 

Claflin Paper. — War Report, 42. 

D. P. Thompson Paper. — Calvin J. Keith, 47, 48. 

Watchman Paper. — Joshua Twing, 48, 49. 

Cogswell Paper, 49. 

Bartlett Paper. — List of M. E. Preachers in Barre, 51. 

Telegraph Office. — Samuel Goodell, 52. 

Crosby Paper. — Johonnott Family Geneology, 917. 

Palmer. — Hymn, 919. 

BERLIN. 

Nye Papers. — First Things, Dr. Heaton, Dr. Jacob Miller, Dr. John Winslow, 
Dr. Orin Smith, 54; Jacob Fowler, Hezekiah Silloway, Hon. Salvin Collins, John 
Taplin, Capt. James Hobart, 55-57 ; Zachariah Perrin, Eleazer Hubbard, David, 
Elijah and Solomon Nye, Joshua Bailey, Capt. James Sawyer, Jabez Ellis, William 
Flagg, Jacob Black, Capt. James Sawyer, Jabez Ellis, Capt. Daniel Taylor, Capt. Jas. 
Pearley, Stephen Pearson, Joel Warren, Abel Knapp, Major Jones, Major Benjamin, 
Elisha Andrews, Safford Cummings, Col. Johnson, 57-60 ; Simeon, W^m., Israel, Henry 
Dewey, Dea. Cummings, Russell Strong, Nathaniel and Dea. Jonathan Bosworth,Asa 
Andrews, Joseph Arbuckle, Porter, Rev. VVm., Rev. Truman, Geo. K., Henry M., Porter 
K. and Wm. B. Perrin, Chauncey L. Knapp, Judge J. C. Knapp, Chauncey Nye, Rev. 
G. C. Moore, 60-64; Congregational Church, Rev. James Hobart, Rev. Austin Hazen, 
64-66; Methodist Church,''67 ; Soldiers of 1812, 1861 ; Major Crandall, 68 ; Hon. D. P. 
Thompson, 69; Great Wolf Hunt, 70; Berlin Pond, 72; Henry Luther Stuart, Hon. 
Chas I3ulkley, ^jt^-^ Berlin Street, Stevens' Branch, Dog River, 74, Song, 720. 

CABOT. 
Fisher Papers. — Grantees, Surveys, Hazen Road, Whitcomb's Rangers, Benj. 
and Nathaniel Webster, Lieut. Heath, Lieut. Lyford, Yellow House and Smuggling, 
Doings and Votes 1788 to 1806; John W. Dana, 74-81 ; Cabot Village, The Centre, 
East Hill, Wm. Osgood, David Haines, Lower Cabot, Moses Stone, Hector McLean, 
Soutli Cabot, East Cabot, South-west Hill, West Hill, Petersville, Market Road, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Freighting, First Things, 81-87; Graveyards, Schools, Ponds, Mineral Spring, Going 
to mill. First wagon, stove, clock, carpet, Distilleries, Post-office, Telegraph, 87-93 ; 
Congregationalists, Rev. Moses Ingalls, Rev. Levi H. Stone, 93-97; Baptists, 94-97; 
Methodists, 98-101 ; The Advent Church, Physicians, Epidemics, Native Clergy, 
Lawyers, College Graduates, Literature, Masonic, 101-103; Town Officers, County 
Officers, 103-105; Bear Story, Temperance Societies, Good Templars, 105-109; Na- 
thaniel Webster, Lieut. Lyford, Dr. Scott, Joseph Fisher, Elihu Coburn, Col. Stone, 
Hon. John W, Dana, Leonard Orcutt, Dea. Marsh, Dea. Fisher, Joseph Lance, John 
Damon, Zerah Colburn, Hon. John McLean, Thomas Lyford, 109-116; Military Rec- 
ord, Cabot Monument, Lieut. Col. Kimball, 1 16-128. 

Congregational Bequests — 920. Rev. Wm. Scales, 924. 

CALAIS. 
ToBEY AND Robinson Papers. — Ponds, Mountains, Grantees, Name, Propri- 
etors' doings. Town organized. First officers, settlers, schools and districts, roads, 
128-137 ; Slayton, Hathaway, Palmer, Goodell Families ; Barnabas Doty, Elijah White, 
139-143; First Meeting-house Society, 143, 144; Revolutionary Soldiers, of the War 
of 1812, Pittsburgh Vols., Soldiers of 1861-65, 147-151 ; Kent Family, 158; Thomas 
West, Moses Stone, Samuel Twiss, Robinson Family, Zoeth Tobey, 168-170; Town 
Officers, County Officers, Grand List Records, 172-177. 

Wheelock and Davis papers. — The Christians, 144, 145. 

Warren Paper. — Universalist Church, 145-147. 

GiLMAN Papers. — Dr. John M. Gilman, Israel E. Dwinell, Rev. C. L. Goodell, 
Col. Caleb Curtis, Dr. Chas. Clark, Face, Name of Township and Items, Gilman Fam- 
ily, 151-157- 

Eaton Paper. — Jacob and Judge Nathaniel Eaton, 160. 

Dwinell Papers. — Capt. Joshua Lilley, Shubael Wheeler, Capt. Samuel Rich, 
Israel Dwinell Family, Alden Family, Jona. Herrick, Doctors of Calais, Collegiates, 
East Calais Fire, Remarkable Preservation, 161-165. 

Tucker Paper. — Longevity, Old People Living, 165-167. 

Morse Paper. — Accidental Deaths, Murders, 167; Manufactories, 170, 171; 
Golden Weddings, 172. Poems, Abijah Wheelock, 920, 922. 

FAYSTON. 

Mrs. Laura B. Boyce Papers. — Description of Early History, Boyce Family, 
Indian Scare, Wm. Newcomb, Brigham Family, 177-183, 186 ; Jotham Carpenter, Porter 
Family, Eli Bruce, G. N. Brigham, M. D., Silas and Benjamin Fisher, Joseph Marble, 
Freshets, 183-187; Longevity, Town Officers, 188; Samuel Dana, 197. 

Anna Bragg Paper. — Miss Susan Griggs, 190. 

Stoddard Paper. — Soldiers of Fayston, 194-197. 

Poems from Mrs. Laura B. Boyce, Dr. G. N. Brigham, Mrs. Celia B. Brigham, 
Elisha A. Brigham, U. J. Baxter, Sarah Brigham Mansfield, Ziba W. Boyce, Mrs. D. 
T. Smith, Mrs. S. Minerva Boyce, Sabrina Baxter, Emogene M. Boyce and D. S. 
Stoddard, 187, 89, 94, 96. 

MARSHFIELD. 

Mrs. Hannah C. Pitkin's Papers. — Stockbridge Indian grant, First settlers. Early 
freemen, First religious meeting, 197-201 ; Schools, First things, Congregational 
Society, Bears, Deer, Nigger Head and pond river falls, Mill-sites, Orchards, P'arming, 
Seasons, Fires, Casualties, Fine barns. Town officers. Taverns, Stores, Doctors, 
Longevity, Mills, Library, 201-206 ; Methodist church, Stephen Pitkin, 209-212 ; Dea. 
Spencer, Caleb, Joshua and Hon. Stephen Pitkin, Capt. Stephen Rich, Capt. Jonah and 
Hon. Horace Hollister, 202, 213; Rev. Marcus M. Carleton, Soldiers of 1812, Jesse 
Webster, 215, 216; Railroad, Poetry, 218. 

Miss Bullock Paper. — Christian church. Advent and Baptist church, 207, 08. 

Scott Paper. — Universalist Society, 208. 

Mrs. Solomon Wells Paper. — Hon. Wm. Martin, 213. 

Judge Putnam Paper. — Jacob Putnam, 214. 

Mrs. H. L. Goodwin Paper. — Jonathan L. Goodwin, 215. 

Gen. Pitkin Paper. — Soldiers furnished for the war of the Rebellion, 217. 

Forbes Paper — (218.) Town history not included by Mrs. Pitkin, Lewis Barnes, 
Ira Smith, 219-222. 

MIDDLESEX.- 

Herrick Papers. — Grantees, Thomas Mead, Town organized, Samuel Mann, 
Samuel Haskins, Lovewell Warren, Hon. Seth, Jacob and Eben'z. Putnam, William 



CONTENTS. 927 



Holden, Jeremiah Leland, Joseph Chapin, Nathaniel Carpenter, Capt. Robert Mc- 
Elroy, Jesse Johnson, Ephraim Willey, Rufus Chamberlain, Merchants, Churches, 
222-26; Micah Hatch, Solomon Lewis, Ezra Cushman, Capt. Zerah Hills, Col. Hutch- 
ins, 225, 226; Carrying their Visitors Home, 234; Stephen Herrick, 246; Soldiers of 
1861-65; of 1812,247-251. 

Vaughn Papers. — Early town business. Natural curiosities, Middlesex Narrows, 
Mills, Freshets, Animals, Mineralogy, Magnetic variation. Animals, County Member- 
ship, Population, Grand List, Schools, Town officers, Postmasters, Doctors, Clergy, 
Rev. Stephen Herrick, Nathan Huntley, Elder Benj. Chatterton, 226-229, 231-238; 
Settlements in the early part of the town. Money Diggers, Coldest night. Fires, Sap 
feeder, 240-243; Burying-grounds, Cemeteries, Longevity, Case of putrefaction. Sud- 
den deaths, 243-246; Revolutionary pensioners. Soldiers of the war of 61 buried in 
town, 247. 

Chapin Paper. — Mountains of Middlesex, 229. 

HoLDEN. — Bear Story, 239. 

Poems. — Mrs. Alma R. Vaughn, 250. 

Errata 246; also Mrs. Richardson's 3d not 2d marriage. 

MONTPELIER. 

Walton Papers. — Grants, proprietors, 251, 257 ; First settlers, 259 ; First things, 
261 ; Vital statistics, epidemics, 263; Organization, 265 ; Habits of the first settlers, 
266; Prices of labor, stock, exports, imports, grand list, political history, 268, 269; 
Representatives, citizens who have held U. S. offices. State offices. County offices, 
manufacturers, 272, 3, 4 ; Attorneys, physicians, merchants and traders, 277, 8 ; Banks 
and Insurance Companies, 281, 2 ; State-houses, County buildings, hotels, 283 to 287 ; 
1st and 2d Congregational church. Free Will Baptist church, Universalist, Unitarian, 
Protestant Episcopal church. Catholic, 288, 9; Libraries and Debating Societies, 
Washington County Grammar School, Lhiion Graded School, Newspapers and Authors, 
290, I ; Military — Minute-men, Governor's Guard, War of 1812, Earned Lamb, Sylvestar 
Day, Gustavus Loomis, Sylvester Churchill, Capt. Cyrus Johnson, Lieutenants West, 
Putnam, Eddy, Richardson, etc.. War of the Rebellion, 295 to 299 ; Public enterprise, 
Winooski Turnpike, Projected canals, 299, 300-307; Railroad enterprises, 301 ; Wm. 
K. Upham, Maj. Chas. C. Upham, Mrs. George Langdon ; Hon. Joseph Howes and 
wife, 477 ; Capt. Nathan Jewett, Col. E. P. Jewettand portraits, 483, 484; Hon. John 
Spaulding, 487 ; Maj. R. W. Hyde, 488, and portrait ; Gov. Asahel Peck, 495, and por- 
trait ; Hon. Geo. Worthington, 498; Maj. A. L. Carleton and portrait, 500; George 
Langdon and portrait, 603; George W., Charles, and J. Warren Bailey and portrait, 
504, 505 ; Hon. R. W. Keith and portrait, 510; Dea. C. W. Storrs, 512, portrait, 591 ; 
James G. French; Luther, Charles and Timothy Cross, 515, and portrait; Abraham 
G. D. Tuthill ; Joshua Y. Vail ; Cyrus, John and Zenas Wood, and portraits, 517, 520, 
550; James R. Langdon and portrait, 544; Hon. John A. Page and portrait, 548; 
Hon. Nelson A. Chase, 546; Union Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 550; Thomas W. 
Wood, portrait promised, 552; Gen. P. P. Pitkin and portrait, 554; Hon. Joseph 
Poland and portrait, 566; Wm. W. Cadwell, 557; Marcus D. Gilman, 558; Hon. E. 
P. Walton, portrait, 541, 542;; George C. Shepard, 567. 

Oilman Papers. — Postmasters, Newspaper Record, 307 ; Bibliography, 313-324; 
Hon. E. P. Walton, 538; M. D. Oilman's portrait, 558; residence, 571. 

HusE Papers. — Vermont State Library, 324; Rev. F. W. Shelton, 419; Hon. C. 
W. Willard and portrait, 492; Luther Newcomb, Esq., 510; Homer W. Heaton, 543. 

Cutting Papers. — The State Cabinet, 326; Memorial Address of the Vt. Fire 
Ins. Co. on the death of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, 517. 

Bancroft Papers. — Number of deaths in town yearly, longevity of Montpelier, 
326, 327 ; accidents, 330 ; suicides, crimes, fires, 330-338 ; floods, 338 ; Revolutionary 
soldiers, Mexican war. List of men furnished by the town to the last war, 341, 350; 
St. John the Baptist Benevolent Society, 356; Commissioned Officers, 520; Military 
Necrology, 523 ; Soldiers buried in Montpelier cemeteries, 524 ; in National cemeteries, 
Anecdotes and Incidents of Soldiers, 525 ; Notes and Necrology of citizens, 526, 530; 
Fire Department, 549; Old People of 1881, 556; Portrait of Aaron Bancroft, 475. 

Atkins Papers. — The " Argus and Patriot," portrait of the Editor, 310; Christ 
Church [Atkins and Huse] view, 410; view of Bethany Church, 387; "Argus and 
Patriot" building, 465. 

Cave Papers. — Masonic, Knights of Honor, Odd Fellows, Brooks Post, 355. 

Wing Papers. — Members of Washington County Bar, 356 ; Vt. Bar Association, 
J. A. Wing, portrait, 358; Burning of the State House, 338; Biographical sketch, 
poems, 545 ; President Monroe's visit, selected. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Dr. Putnam Papers. — Medical Men of Montpelier, 358 ; Dr. J. Y. Dewey and 
portrait, 478; Dr. F. W. Adams, 479; Dr. C. B. Chandler, Dr. C. M. Rublee, 481 ; 
Dr. W. H. H. Richardson, 482; Dr. N. C. King and portrait, 582; Portrait of Dr. 
Sumner Putnam, 480. 

Bridgman Papers. — Lorenzo and Peggy Dow and portraits, 363. 

Bartlett Papers. — Methodism in Montpelier, view of church edifice, 374 ; "The 
Vermont Christian Messenger," 353, 382 ; Rev. Elisha J. Scott, Rev. Alonzo Webster, 
D. D., Rev. W. D. Malcom, 355. 

Sherburne Paper. — Vermont Methodist Seminary and view, 384, 385. 

Poland Papers. — " The Voice of Freedom," " The Green Mountain Freeman," 
311 ; Congregational Church Papers, 387 ; Sabbath-School Record, 394; Samuel Wells, 
484; Portrait, 556; Interior of Bethany, 568; Residence, 569. 

Wright Papers. — Rev. Chester Wright and portrait, 388 ; The Church of the 
Messiah, 408 — view, 566; "The Christian Repository," 409 ; Col. Levi Boutwell and 
portrait, 494; Hon. Charles Reed and portrait, 513; Hon. Daniel Baldwin and 
portrait, 516. 

BuCKHAM Papers. — Rev. Wm. H. Lord, D. D., and portrait, 392; Montpelier 
Graduates of U. V. M., 551. 

Catholic Papers. — Walton's account, 289 ; Bancroft, 356; View of church, 
Bishop''s account, and of Rev. Z. Druon, St. Augustine's, 422 ; Rev. Jeremiah O'Calli- 
ghan. Rev. H. Drolet, Rev. Z. Druon, 422, 423; Rev. Joseph Duglue, 424 — portrait 
in view ; The Interior of St. Augustine's, St. Michael's School, 424, errata for 574. 

Hopkins Papers. — The Baptist church — supplemented by the pastor, 425 ; The 
Old Village Sexton, 475; Col. Boutwell Anecdotes, 563; Geo. W. Barker, 566; Col. 
Abel Carter, Gamaliel Washburn, 567 ; The Old Brick church, 568 ; Description of 
Bethany church, 569; (Editor's) notice of the Colonel, 570; Early choristers, 571. 

Hadley Paper. — Organists and Musicians. 428. 

FiFiELD Papers. — Hon. Lucius B. Peck, 463 ; Hon. Timothy P. Redfield, 540. 

Redfield Papers. — Stoddard B. Colby, 468; Hon. Roderick Richardson, 546. 

Shepard Papers. — Capt. Lemuel Brooks, Mrs. Rhoda Brooks, Thomas Brooks, 
476; Jonathan Shepard and portrait, 477 ; Geo. C. Shepard's residence, 477. 

Howard Paper. — Rev. Elisha Brown and portrait, 498. 

Clauk Paper. — Charles Clark, M. D., 511, and portrait, 278. 

Merrill Papers. — Town Officers, i860 to 1882, 549. 

Ripley Note. — Pioneer Abolitionists, 550. 

The portraits donated by parties named on page 591, 592. 

SELECTIONS MADE FROM PARTIES WHO ARE DEAD. 

D. P. Thompson's Papers. — Col. Jacob Davis, 429; Mrs. Rebecca Davis. Hon. 
David Wing, 431 ; Elder Ziba Woodworth, 432 ; Dr. Edward Lamb, 433 ; Col. James 
H. Langdon and wife, 434, 435 — for portraits, see frontisplates ; Hon. Jeduthan 
Loomis, 436; Hon. Timothy Merrill, 437; Hon. Ferrand F. Merrill, Hon. Araunah 
Waterman, 438; Hon. Cyrus Ware, 440; Capt. Timothy Hubbard, 441 ; Gen. E. P. 
Walton, 442 — notice of Mrs. Walton and portraits added ; Dr. James Spaulding, 445 ; 
Hon. Samuel Prentiss and portrait, 447 ; Mrs. Prentiss, 451 ; Hon. Joseph Reed, 552 ; 
Hezekiah H. Reed, 453; Hon. William Upham, 454 — Mrs. Upham, re-written and 
portraits added ; Col. Jonathan P. Miller, 457 ; Sketch of Thompson, acknowledgment 
to Thompson, sons of Thompson, 69 — previous part of vol — 462, 537 — this part. [See 
Walton's credits, 263, 266, etc.] Accidents, fires, floods, credit, 341 ; Fire depart- 
ment, 549; Fourth of July, 1807, 554; First Election Day in Montpelier, 555. 

Fanny W. Nutt. — The Two Crowns, 380. 

Rev. Elisha J. Scott's Adieu to Earth, 383. 

Lord Papers. — Extracts from Fiftieth Anniversary Sermon, 390, 91 ; Bethany 
Dedication Sermon, 396; Art and Nature — Vermont in Summer, 407; Extract from 
funeral discourse of Mrs. James R. Langdon, 503 ; Words at Eastman's funeral, 507 ; 
Prayer and dedication at the dedication of Green Mount Cemetery, 533, 536. 

Shelton Papers. — Historical Sermon, and poems contributed by Mrs. Shelton, 
412, 420, 21 ; Address at dedication of Green Mount Cemetery, 530. 

Pearson Catalogue. — Marcus Tullius Cicero Wing, 432. 

Goss Papers. — Ode on the death of Washington, 469 ; Fugitive's Directory, 470 ; 
Sketch of Samuel Goss, from obituary in the PVatc/unan, and from family papers ; 
Frank Goss, Mrs. Lucy A. (Goss) Cobb, O. H. Smith, from obituary papers from 
Mrs. O. H. Smith, 470, 471. 

WiLLARD Papers. — James T. Thurston, 468 ; Joseph W. Wheelock, 490. 



CONTENTS. 



929 



ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 

Mahlon Cottrill, Jed P. C. CottriW—lVaic/iman File, 493, 494; Cottrlll 
Family, portraits, 282, 520. 

Carlos Bancroft, Arthur D. Bancroft, 497; portrait of Carlos Bancroft, 280. 

Capt. Isaac Ricker, 474. Watrous Family, 497, 498. 

R. H. Whittier, portrait, 335; Watchman, 504; The Dodge Family, 501. 

Charles G. Eastman and portrait, family, poems, 506-510 ; Green Mount Cem- 
etery Hymn, 536. 

Green Mount Cemetery, 532-539. Hon. Nicholas Baylies, 544. 

Spaulding Family. — Mrs. Spaulding, Watchman ; Charles C. Spaulding, Bur- 
lington Free Press and Rntland Herald; James Reed Spaulding, U. V. M. obituary, 
557, 558- 

CuRTis A. CoBURN, Lieut. Abbott, Lieut. Stetson, 559 ; Charles W. Lyman, 
559, Watchman file. 

Graduates. — Middlebury, Dartmouth, Amherst, Harvard, Yale, etc., 551, 2, 3; 
Golden Weddings, 253; Mrs. Gov. Ransom, 557; A Soldier's Letter, 559. 

HOBART Letter. — Central Vermont Railroad at Montpelier, and Montpelier 
Branch, 561. 

Telegraph and Express Office, 562 ; Montpelier and Wells River Railroad, 563. 

Street Views. — New Central Vermont Depot, 560; Vermont Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance Go's Building, 561; Pavilion Hotel, 562; Watchman and J^ournal Building, 
Rialto Block, 563 ; Washington County Court House, 564 ; Argus and Patriot Build- 
ing, 565 ; Church of the Messiah, 566; Residence of Geo. C. Shepard, 567; Interior 
of Bethany Church, 568 ; Residence of Joseph Poland, 569 ; Baptist Church, 570 ; 
State Capitol, y^ ; First and second State House, 282. 

EAST MONTPELIER. 

Kelton Papers. — Organization, first town officers, first things, population, de- 
scription of township, industries, East Village, North Village, schools, 574 ; Libraries, 
church edifices, religious societies. Freewill Baptists, Univer.salists, Methodists, 576; 
Christians, epidemics, the early settlement, 577; Samuel Rich, 578; Benjamin I. 
Wheeler, Jerahmel B. Wheeler, Maj. Nathaniel Davis, 579; Isaac Gray, Samuel 
Templeton, 582 ; longevity list of the dead, 584. 

D. P. Thompson Papers. — Gen. Parley Davis, 579 — portrait, 574; Clark Stevens 
and portrait, 580 ; poetry of, 586. 

Dr. Putnam Paper. — Dr. Nathaniel King and portrait, 582. 

Bancroft Papers. — Longevity list of the living, 584 ; Soldiers of East Mont- 
pelier, 587 ; Roll of Honor, 590. 

Truman C. Kelton Papers. — Suicides and casualties, 584 ; Town officers, 586. 

Gilman Paper. — Sylvanus Shepard, 586. 

MORETOWN. 

Currier Papers. — First History, Organization, Freshets, 593-595 ; Mineral 
Springs, Business Statistics, 597; Methodist History, Catholic Church, 601, 602; 
Prominent Sons of Citizens, 602. 

D. P. Thompson Paper, — 595. 

Papers from a lady in Moretown — First School-house, store, distillery, etc., Col. 
Ezekiel Clapp, Dr. Pierce, Dr. Kingsley, Dr. Haylett, Statistics, Congregational 
Church, 597-599. 

C. A. Smith Paper. — Religious History, 599, 600. 

Cooper Paper. — Rev. Lemuel C. Powers, 601. 

Druon Paper. — Catholic Record for Moretown, 602. 

BuLKLEY Paper. — Longevity, 602; Representatives, 916. 

Goss Papers. — Additional Longevity, 603 ; Military Record, 609. 

Dillingham Paper. — Hon. Matthew Hale Carpenter, 604. 

Poems from Mrs. Celia B. Brigham, Cornelius J. Child, 608, 609; Evans Family, 
603; Hopy Holt, 608. Representatives, etc., by George Bulkley, 917. 

NORTHFIELD. 

Gregory Papers. — Proprietors, First Town Meeting, Harmony in Politics, Town 
Officers, Post-office, CaiTier, Lawyers, Doctors, Record of Thompson's Gazetteer, 612. 
617; Amos, Col. Ezekiel, Dr. Nathaniel and David Robinson; Thomas, Col. Oliver, 
Capt. Jesse and John Averill ; Elijah Smith, Sr. and Jr., Gilbert Hatch, Eleazer 
Loomis, Aq.uillo Jones and Family, Abraham and EliphusShipman, 617-620; Eleazer, 
Sr. and Jr., Ambrose, James, Wm., Joseph and Hon. George Nichols ; Jason and Rev. 

117 



930 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

Joel Winch ; Ariel and Jos. K. Egerton ; Wm., Tamasin and Rev. Nathan B. Ashcroft ; 
Joel and Rev. Joab Simonds ; James and Elethen Paul ; Lebbeus Bennett, Amos Howes, 
Annanias Tubbs, David and Richard Hedges ; Thos. Slade, Parley and Daniel Tyler ; 
David, Adolphus, Dea. Samuel and Joseph Denny ; Oliver, George K. and Martin 
Cobleigh, Jos. Smith, Jr., Solomon Dunham, Hons. Nathan Morse, Lucius, Edson, 
Anson and Samuel L. Adams ; John Emerson, Ethan Allen, Sherman Golds, James 
Latham, Sr. and Jr., and Ezra;Capt. Starkweather, Dea. Reuben Smith, William, 
Abel, Capt. Joseph and Hon. Elisha W. Keyes ; Rev. Hosea Clark, Elijah Burnham, 
Joel and Isaac W. Brown, 620-630 ; Dr. Claggett, Harry Emerson, Abijence Ains- 
worth, Stanton, John, Nathaniel, Samuel Richardson: John H. Buck, Dr. Benjamin 
and Dr. Edwin Porter; Roswell Dewey, Dr. Jeptha White, Dr. Wm. J. Sawin, John 
P. Davis, Rev. Samuel Whitten, David, Joshua, Josiah and Moses Lane; Hon. Alvin 
Braley, Benjamin, John, Nathaniel, David and George M. Fisk ; Daniel Worthington, 
Col. Joyce, Rev. John Gregory, O. D. and Chas. A. Edgerton ; Halsey R. Brown, 
Lester Martyn. Dea. Nathaniel Jones, James N. Johnson, Dr. P. D, Bradford, Hon. 
J. H. Orcutt, Hon. Heman Carpenter, J. C. B. Thayer, R. M. Mcintosh, Roswell 
- Carpenter, Dr. M. McClearn, Simon Eggleston, Almon Wetherbee, Silas Sheldon, 
Dea. Cady, 630-640 ;Wm. and Ithamar Allen. Abijah and Isaac B. Howe, Justus, Luther 
S. and Rev. J. H. Burnham ; Marvin Simonds, Freedom, Edson, Wm. R. Tucker ; Jasand 
Joseph Gould ; Walter Little, West Hill, Wm. and Stephen Cochran; Dea. Daniel 
Parker, Capt. Henry Knapp, Samuel U. Richmond, Dr. N. W. Gilbert, Hon. David 
W. Hadley, Gurdon Randall, Allen Balch, Adin Smith, Wm. A. Gallup, Sewall Davis, 
Jona. Bragg, James Steele, Warren Rice, David R. Tilden, Frank Plumley, 640-646; 
Religious Societies, The Union Meeting-House, 648; Universalism, 651; Freewill 
Baptist Church, 652; The Christian Church, 654; Judge Elijah and Gov. Charles 
Paine, 658-667; Masonic, 683 ; Dog River Valley Association, Banks, Good Templars, 
686-691 ; The Harlow Bridge Tragedy, 705. 

Carpenter Paper. — Some of the Early Anecdotes of the Town, 646; Nathaniel 
Carpenter, of Middlesex, 709. ^ Q) Lr 

Stevens Paper. — Methodism in Nbrthfield, 649. Kidder Paper, 651. 

Henderson Paper. — Rev. Nathaniel and Mrs. King, 653. 

Hazen Papers, — Congregational Church, 654. 

Rev. F. W. Bartlett Paper. — The Episcopal Church, 656 ; Norwich Univer- 
sity, 673 ; Gen. A. Jackman, 677 ; Col. Albert Stevens, 685 ; Literary Clubs, poem, 698. 

Druon Paper. — Catholic Church, 658, 708. 

Bradford Papers. — Elmwood, Centre, and Gouldsville Cemeteries, Longevity 
Record, 667-673; Suicides, 682; Graduates, 697; Dr. Bradford's Cabinet [Ed.], 711. 

Douglass Paper. — Rev. Edward Bourns, LL.D., 674. 

Johnson Paper. — Northfield Graded and High School, 681. 

Egerton Papers. — Banks, completed, 687 ; also previous business and statistical 
papers; Business in Northfield, 1882, 694. 

Plumley Paper. — The Lodges and Good Templars' statistics was completed 
by, 698. Jackman Paper. — Geology, 691. 

Howe Papers. — Theoda P. Howe, 697 ; Soldiers of 1861, 699. 

Gilbert Papers. — 697; Poems, 704. 710. 

Dole Paper. — Universalist Record Continued, 705. 

Col. Randall Paper. — Randall Family, 706. 

Rev. J. R. Bartlett Paper. — Early Methodism, 708. 

Northfield News. — Maj. Charles A. Webb, 711 ; Moses Lane, 712. 

Portraits and Engravings. — Hon. P. D. Bradford, M. D., 637; Gov. Paine, 661 ; 
Paine Monument, 666; Elmwood Cemetery, 667; Elmwood Tomb, 669; Hon. Moses 
Robinson, 670; Capt. Jesse Averill, 671 ; Dr. Benjamin Porter, 672; Lewis College, 
673 ; Graded and High School, 681 ; Rev. Joel Winch, 683 ; Rev. John Gregory, 686; 
Hon. Geo. Nichols, 687 ; Frank Plumley, 689; Gen. Alonzo Jackman, 691 ; Geo. M. 
Fisk, Esq., 696. 

PLAINFIELD. 

Smith Papers. — Description of and early history. Gen. Davis and Ira Allen 
controversy about rights, 713, 715 ; ist settlers on each lot, 715-725 ; Roads, Politics, 
Doctors, Lawyers, The First church. Christian, The Methodist church. The Baptist 
church. The Restorationist Society, Schools, Freshets, 725-730; Town, County and 
State officers. Longevity, 730; Masonic 731 ; Soldiers of 1861-65, Til^ 734- 

Rev. J. R. Bartlett Paper. — Early Methodists in Plainfield, 728. 

Rev. A. D. Barber Paper. — Rev. C. E. Ferrin, 731. 

Mrs. E. Yaw. — Garfield Hymn, 734. Poem, Mary E. Davis, 923. 



CONTENTS. 931 



ROXBURY. 

Mrs. Sarah B. Mansfield Papers. — Description of township, First town mat- 
ters, First settler, 735, 736; Samuel Ricliardson, David Cram, Benoni and Charles 
Webster, Joel Hildreth, Wm. and Dea. Wni. Gold, John B. Crandall, Lewis Chat- 
field, Billa Woodward, Hon. Charles Sampson, 737-741 ; Spaulding Family, 743; 
Alvin Brigham, Eben'r. L. Waterman, Orcutt Family, 745-747; School districts, 
Taverns, Early Merchants, Cemeteries, Epidemics, Physicians, Manufacturers, Verd 
Antique Marble, Watch-factory, First Mail route. Our large Catamount, 737-750; 
Rev. Ophir Shipman, Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Christians, etc., 
Golden weddings, 750-751 ; Old people, Roxbury Boys abroad, 752. 

Webster Paper. — Benoni and Charles Webster, 741, 742. 

Richardson Paper. — Samuel Robertson, 744. 

Stanton Papers. — Sudden deaths. Suicides, 751 ; Military, Record, Plattsburgh 
Volunteers, Soldiers of 1861, 753-756; Centennial address, 761, 762. 

Orcutt Papers. — Roxbury longevity. Town meetings. Moderators, Town clerks, 
Selectmen, Town treasurers. Listers, Overseers of poor, Constables and collectors of 
taxes, Tithingmen, Town agents. School superintendents. Justices, Representatives, 
Delegates to Constitutional Convention, Postmasters, Merchants, 756-61. 

Poems. — Mrs. Sarah B. Mansfield, 764; A. Webster, 768; Edna Snow, 

Our Roxbury Visit. — Mansfield Family, Betsey Chase, Mr. Burnham's Remin- 
iscences of John B. Crandall, The 90th Birthday party of Mrs. Betsey C. Spaulding, 
765-769. Poem by Mrs. Boyce to Mrs. Mansfield. 

WAITSFIELD. 

Rev. Perrin B. Fiske Papers. — Origin of name. Description of. Incorporation, 
Proprietors, First settlement. Gen. Wait, Business, Meeting-houses, 769-773 ; War rec- 
ord. Temperance, School districts, 772i-7^ i Ithamer Smith, 776, 78, 85 ; Money-digging, 
Accidents, Indian relics. Games, Fires, Floods, 776-780 ; Congregational, Methodists, 
Universalists, Baptists, Episcopal, Clergymen, Physicians, Representatives, 380-85 ; 
Jennison, Matthias S., Dr. Edwin, Hon. Hiram Jones, 785, 786; Hon. Jason Carpen- 
ter, 785 ; Hon. Roderick, Sr., Jr., Roderick Julius, Hon. Ira Richardson, B. H. 
Adams, Dr. Orange Smith, Dr. David C. Joyslin, Hon. Jona. Hammond Hastings, 
Edwin F. Palmer, Esq., Rev. Amariah Chandler, Rev. Perrin B., Rev. Joel, Rev. 
Harvey, Rev. P. B. Fisk, 785-90; Rev. P. F. Barnard, 790, 795, (by Dea. Fisk) ; 
Rev. Alonzo Hitchcock, Ira Bushnell, Dr. G. A. Phelps, Hon. George N. Dale, Col. 
Charles H. Joyce, Norman and Luther Durant, 785-92. 

Dea. E. A. Fisk Papers. — Churches, Schools, Temperance, Fires, Longevity, 
Physicians, Lawyers, Representatives, Senators, Town clerks, Accidental deaths. Rev. 
Perrin B. Fisk, 795 ; Roswell G. Horr, 796. 

Sargent Paper. — Rev. Henry Parker, 795. Emery Judkins, 923. 

Pliny White Paper. — Rev. Amariah Chandler, 795, 96. 

Dascomb Paper. — Military record, concluded, 796. 

Poem. — Mrs. Teresa E. Fisher, 800. Ellen Sampson. — Note, 795. 

WARREN. 

Hemenway Paper. — Grantees, Description of township, Aaron Rising's Story, 
Bear Story, 801-03 ; Rev. Nathaniel Stearns, Meeting-house Society, Rev. Joshua 
Tucker Rev. Jairus Eaton, Joseph Eldridge, Dea. James Allen, Joseph A. Curtis, 
William Cardell, Colonel Stephen L. Sargent, Denslow Upham, Richard Sterling, 
Hiram Bradley, Amos Rising, Longevity, 803, 806; Manufactures, Village, Town 
Iterks, Representatives, Constables, Postmasters, County judges, Members of Con- 
situtional Convention, State Senators, Military, Edward Eldridge, Old People, 
806-10. Poems: From Don C. Geer, and Mrs. E. Greenslit, 810, 811. 

Sargent Papers. — First Selectmen, Town treasurer, The turnpike. Accidental 
deaths. Natural bridge of Warren, Patents, Sons of Warren, John Senter, Clarence 
J. Sargent, 811-13. 

WATERBURY. 

Parker Papers. — Early History of Waterbury, James Marsh, first settler, 813, 
14; Ezra Butler, second settler, 815-18; Other first settlers, 818, 19; Religious Record, 
Amasa Pride, merchant, Dan. Carpenter, lawyer, etc.. Schools, First Things, 819-23; 
Biographical Letter, 848. 

Janes Papers. — Description of the Township, Grantees, Charter Limits, Geology, 
Rivers, Hunters' Stories, Roads, Railroad, Turnpike, Early occupied farms, with past 
and present business on, 823-28 ; Jonathan Wright, Land Titles, Floods, Schools, 
Centre Village, Green Mountain Seminary, Villages, Business in Railroad Village, 
Mill Village, Colbyville, Fires and Fire District, Fatal Casualites, 828-35. 



932 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

First Appendix, 835-38 ; Second Appendix, Representatives, Offices held by Cit- 
izens, Physicians, Attorneys, Clergymen — Advent, Methodist, Baptists ; Merchants 
and Traders ; Freewill Baptist and Advent Church, Soldiers of 1861, 838-841. 

Butler Papers. — Leading Topics Fifty Years ago, Anti-Slavery, Anti-Masonry, 
Millerism, Lyceum and Library, 844-47 ; Calkins Family, Kennan Family, 850-51; 
Location of the Reform School, Origin of and Burning of the Reform School, 854, 867 ; 
Hannah Gale, Village Doctor, 855, 56; Henry Family, Leander Hutchins, 858-60; 
Dr. Oliver W. Drevv, 860, and Dr. F. P. Drew, 869 ; Richard Holden, 860 ; Early 
Families, Large Men, Geo. W. Randall, Our Merchant Firms, The last fire in this 
place, Longevity, Town Clerks, Waterbury Men Abroad, 869, 872 ; Ordinatiori of 
Rev. Ezra Butler, Peck family, Richard Kneeland, Oliver Rood, Rev. Andrew Royce, 
713, 14; Dr. Arms, Patrick Bryan, Casualties continued, Meaker murder, 915, 16. 

Mrs. Julia Wallace Hutchins. — Notice and poems, 847, 914. 

Pease Letter. — Biographical, 848. Copeland Letter. — Biographical, 849. 

Gov. Dillingham Papers. — Dan. Carpenter, 851 ; Hon. William Wellington 
Wells, 852. 

Gen. Wells Paper, 854. 

Poems from Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Luce, 855. 

Palmer Papers. — Hon. Henry F. Janes, Dr. Henry Janes, Dr. Horace Fales, 
Russell Butler, 856-58. 

Fifield Paper. — Governor Paul Dillingham, 861. 

Haynes Paper. — Major Edwin Dillingham, 863. 

Wm. p. Dillingham Papers. — Soldiers Buried in Town, 867 ; Bank of Water- 
bury, 871. 

" The Burlington Free Press.''"' — Joseph Warren, 851 ; Gen. Wells, 854; " Some 
Day," by M. M. N., 868. 

'■'■The Vermont Watchman. '''' — Moody Family, 860; Philander A. Preston, 866; 
Dr. C. C. Arms, 869; Mrs. Fanny Butler Janes, 872. 

WOODBURY. 

Putnam Papers. — First Settlement, First Birth in Town ; Comfort Wheeler, 
Capt. Joel Cilley, Jabez Town, Charter, Grantees, Gideon Sabin, Organization, Mills, 
Schools and Superintendents, Representatives, Town Clerks, First Justices, Post- 
masters, County Officers, 873-76 ; Freewill Baptists, Methodists, Christians, Uni- . 
versalists, Sabbath-Schools, Union Society and Church, 1877 ; Description of the 
Township, Joseph Carr, Revolutionary Soldiers, Joseph Blanchard, David Rugg, 
Longevity, 878-80. Town Paper. — Military Record, i86x-'65, 880. 

Dana Paper. — Joshua M., 882. Additional Items, 912. 

WORCESTER. 

Abbott Papers. — Grantees, Charter limits. Lots and divisions, Surface, Soil, 
Gold, John Ridlon and first settlers. Organization, First town officers. Tax sales, 
Cold season. Organization lost, 883-86; Milton Brown family sole inhabitants, 886, 
93-95 i Wm. Arbuckle, Thayer Townshend, Job Hill, Jesse Flint, and others, first 
of second settlers ; Reorganization, and first officers of, 887 ; 9-hour law. Schools, 
Roads, Pounds, Liquor license, Burying-ground, Lumbering and Shingle-making, 
Lumber-war, Hat manufactory. Tannery, Knitting business. Exporting raspberries, 
887-91 ; Post-office, Town clerks, Town representatives and contests for; Physicians, 
Hampshire Hill, Minister Brook, and West Hill settlers, Franklin Johnson, Oramel 
L. Smith, John and Dodge Hay ward, Oliver Watson, Jesse Flint, The Abbotts, 
Thomas Hutchinson, 891-98 ; A night's experience in the woods. Casualties, Murders, 
Suicides, Old people, Census, Bears, 898-903 ; Congregational church. Rev. C. M. 
Winch and clergy of the Congregational church, Dea. Eben'r S. and Dea. Eben'r R. 
Kellogg, Dea. Vail, Allen L. Vail, Dea. Poor, Dea. Abbott, Dea. Adams, Dea. Clos- 
son, Dea. Andrews, William T. Hutchinson, 905-7 ; Freewill Baptist church, Elder 
Moses Folsom, Elder Lucius F. Harris, Dea. Folsom, 907-08 ; Protestant Methodists, 
Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. M. Guernsey, Rev. Sumner Tarbell and list of 
Methodist clergy in Worcester, John Brigham, 908, 09 ; Simon C. Abbott, Military, 
Soldiers of 1812, Soldiers of 1861-65, 909-11. Poem from Mrs. E. D. Gray, 911. 

Carpenter Papers. — Charles C. Abbott, Town officers, 1879-81, 911, 12. 

Gold, Kent family. Soldiers, 912. 

Errata. — Page 192, verse I, line 6. should read for. he could just remember her and 7, and the 
sweet pale face. He could just remember lier he said and the sweet, pale face, etc. 

Page 62a, Joseph K. Egertoii, line 12, read removed to Norwich, for Northfield. 

Isaac B. Howe has died since the Gregory sketcli was given of him, page 641; Nathaniel Carpenter of 
Middlesex paper, page 709, line (j, Jonas Carpenter should read, James Carpenter; page 910,— The old Fifer, 
line 6, verse 1, should read. Yet losing none of their oid-time sl^ill, and verse 6. line 2d: He sat in the sun 
and piped away. Page, 734. 2d column, 7th line from the bottom, Godwin sliould be Goodwin. Page, 763, 
col 1 line 5: not so many Bostons should read, not so many Boston drummers. Page, 763, col. 2, line 11 
McCain should be McCaine. Page 761, 769, Waitslield, By Rev. P. B. Fisk, should rather have been credited 
to Rev. Perrin B. Fisk, as there are two clergymen from WaitsOeld by the name of Rev. P. B. Fisk. 



SEP 2 9 1950 



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